Ferrari Land @ Port Aventura - Spain

Hey everyone!

We went over to Port Aventura to check out Ferrari Land and made a wee little video!

Overall, it's a nice add-on to Port Aventura, but it's definitely not a stand alone park yet... Even for Ferrari fans.

Anyway, check out our video if you're so inclined... I narrated it in Spanish, but I made English subtitles.

At the end there are some good shots of Shambhala (which continues to be amazing and MUCH better than it looks in videos) and Dragon Khan (which sadly, is running really bad this year... vibration is terrible and new OTS are like cement).

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C1c1d_1zXw4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

In case that doesn't work (I'm new to forums), here's a link .

Cheers!

Edit: I watched the video, and you did a great job with it. I like that you covered more than just Red Force, which looks incredible, by the way. I know there isn't much to the layout, but at that speed, there doesn't need to be.

I find your comment on Shambhala interesting, because I happen to think it looks exceptional. If it's better than that, well, I MUST get out there and experience it!

Muchas gracias por el video!

Nice videos! Well done, thanks for the TR!

I think Red Force looks interesting. I've done Ka and TTD (and others). I'm guessing they decided to go with LSM (LIM?) launch this time since it isn't as argumentative? I think the hop into the brakes after the long stretch is odd.

I thought at one point they were also putting drop towers on Red Force, wonder what happened to that...

Thanks! I'm so glad you liked it!

Yeah, I don't know what it is... But when I first saw Shambhala on video I was a little disappointed. I thought it looked a little sluggish and like the hills weren't going to produce very intense forces (let's be honest... There are some B&M hypers that fall into that category).

Couldn't be more wrong. There is plenty of ejector airtime throughout, and the thing absolutely tears through the course... It has a lot of great elements in the layout as well, but a true surprise stand-out is that "&" looking turnaround, which is hands down my favorite hyper turn around out there... It's just such a cool feeling.

Also, if you haven't been to PortAventura before, you might not realize that it's actually set up on a pretty tall hill that overlooks the sea (you can kind of see that in the video as we are approaching by train). So Shambhala is right on the edge of that hill, and it makes the heights seem even more exaggerated... I remember my first night ride in the back seat... the second drop turns away from the park and into COMPLETE darkness... I kept thinking we were going to level-out, but no... Just down, down, down, down.

Just amazing...

Tekwardo said:

I think Red Force looks interesting. I've done Ka and TTD (and others). I'm guessing they decided to go with LSM (LIM?) launch this time since it isn't as argumentative? I think the hop into the brakes after the long stretch is odd.

I thought at one point they were also putting drop towers on Red Force, wonder what happened to that...

Yes, they did go with the LSM launch, which to me felt strange as you roll into it... But I actually liked it. They might not have done the hydraulic launch, because they already have that next door on Furios Baco...?

The park seems to have gone through a LOT of changes between the time we saw the artwork and what really opened. Red Force was going to have those drop towers, it also was supposed to have a Kingda Ka hill... And has anyone heard anything about that hotel that was supposed to happen???

Actually, I think both ride choices are kind of an odd choice for PA, and here's why:

1) They already had Europe's tallest coaster... I have no complaint here, but if I was going to take away my own title, I would have tried for the "World" title.

2) They already have an intamin launched coaster... Unless they have a long term plan to get rid of / change up Furios Baco? I wouldn't have mixed feelings about this to be honest... It is extremely painful, and while it would be a fantastic ride if it were smooth, it gives you a really bad headache from the vibrations and the layout is far too short for my taste.

3) They already have a drop tower... And a really good one at that! I think that might be why they decided against the regular drop tower, just because they have an Intamin drop tower next door (both sitting and standing). So they said, ok, let's try something different and get these S&S towers in there. The problem for me is what I mentioned in the video... They look too scary for kids, and are not scary enough for everyone else. I think these were a really poor choice.

As far as the hop is concerned... I kind of get it to be honest. The whole idea is to focus on the speed aspect, so keeping a long, straight, flat section emphasizes that a little bit... And the hop gives a surprise pop of airtime. All in all it's really not a bad effect. I was dreading this coaster when I first saw it because I too have been on Kingda Ka and TTD and I really don't care for them that much. For whatever reason, I like this one best of all... I can't really put my finger on it, but it's good. To my surprise, I think removing the spiral on the way down actually drags out the airtime and lets you focus your eyes more on just what a drop you're doing... And the trains are absolutely beautiful (and comfortable).

To be honest, I think I would prefer it without the twist. That's just a part of why I prefer Xcelerator to the others. I really don't like the twist.

I like the twist. It's especially thrilling if you sit on the right. It feels like the seat is pulling out from under you, which really enhances the free fall effect.