Joyland Books

We went to Dreamland briefly today, mostly on the kiddie rides, of course. I must say that 3 tokens (£1.50) is very pricey for kiddie rides, which might explain why no-one else was riding- although it was generally pretty quiet.

The park looked clean and tidy, there were a couple of new rides, and some had gone. I can't remember the name of the ride I went on- I have always known it as a "whip" but it was called something different here. Basically, it is a waltzer car with a brake pedal, so that you can slow the car and let the bounce spin you forward. I guess you either know what I mean or you don't!

We had one ride on the Scenic- only our second ride this season. It just ain't the same without the old crew


Vince, Charlie and Sam

Hi Vince,
Yes i know the ride as the Skidds, but it mght have a new name now.

Alan

I haven't seen a whip for years so I thought they were extinct. I was very excited to see it and insisted on dragging Charlie and Sam on.

There was also a slide similar to the old Astroglide. It seemed smaller to me, but that might just be my memory playing tricks. Two rides for three tokens, and the ride-op was keen to make it clear after the first ride that we only had one ride left.

If it was my ride and my decision, given what a quiet day it was, I would have let two happy laughing children stay on, to attract the punters. But no, so off we went, leaving the Astroglide looking very quiet again.

I love the look of the two tall rides and want to go to Dreamland without the kids sometime so I can go on the pair of them, plus the other scaries.

If you're up for it Al........


Vince

Well Vince,
I do not know about the Booster! The Mega Drop is fine, I went on it before the ride coming to Dreamland (New Pleasure Wood Hills) last year.



Alan

You have to do a booster they are fantastic!! Haven't been on the one at Dreamland yet, in fact I haven't even been down to Margate yet which is unlike me. But there is something niggling me and telling me to go and I guess its what you said Vince that its not the same without the old crew!! I will go down I guess as I have to show my support I'm just worried at what I might find!!

I have been on the Booster, Spin Doctor at Blackpool on numerous occasions but the best one was at the Winter Wonderland a couple of years ago at the Dome. It felt like you were going to burst through the the roof completely amazing!

OK, I have to ask, what's a booster?

Vince.

Hello Vince,

Like yourself, I assume, I didn't know what the hell a booster was before I joined the European Coaster Club. If you look at the current photos of the park the Booster is that tall armed thing to the left of the drop tower (assuming it hasn't been moved since my only visit in late May this year).

The ride is similar, if you can imagine, to a ferris wheel on speed (this description I heard on Discovery Channel's "Top Ten Thrill Rides" programme. Only this one only has two seats; one at either end of the tall arm, and they rotate, or spin, and rock as the ride gathers momentum. I was nearly enticed onto this contraption by a coaster friend, Ian, on my last visit to Dreamland. I must admit though it was just before my big US trip and I have to say these rides, no matter how slow they operate, always give me the jitters just as an observer. I'd love to actually know what it feels like to be on board one day. Perhaps I'll take the plunge one day. Orlando, Florida, used to have quite an extreme one about four years ago in front of the Congo River Golf crazy golf course on International Drive. Not exactly sure why it was removed, but maybe the constant guests' screams had something to seal its eventual fate. Oh yes, and it was a very wet day on my visit back in May this year and I tend to never ride anything much in those conditions. Not much fun getting cold and wet in my book.

Have fun if you ever take the plunge to partake in a ride on one of these things; like the old old Dive Bombers of years ago, you'd be a braver man than me. (I've only just about conquered my fear of drop towers, well ones not over about 200 feet high anyway!) There's always another challenge for me out there.

Martin

Now I know what you mean - they usually have one at the Great Dorset Steam and Country fair - that one's called the Buzz Bomb. Yes it looks intense - I haven't ventured on it, a friend did, and he came off fairly happy!

Vince.

Martin, if you can cope with ANY coaster then you can cope with a booster! The ride is very, very smooth considering you are doing around 60mph, in fact the worst bit is when you are sitting at the top whilst they load the bottom gondola.

Today I noticed that in dreamland they have some big Pink Lorries in Dreamland so was wondering when it opens for the weekend if anyone could say if theres new rides there or not.

Thanks Ian

I was in dreamland yesterday,the park is now open everyday, and theres some new kiddies rides in but nothing major.I was told that the lorries are taking rides to another site but i dont know what rides they are or where they are going.