Media Preview Day - 19/12/22
Was very lucky to attend a media preview and TV commercial filming day of both coasters yesterday. A big thankyou to the Gumbuya World team for giving Parkz an early access look at both coasters! It is greatly appreciated.
Got to ride TNT, but Project Zero was still undergoing testing and commissioning.
My initial thoughts on TNT: Pacing and 'flow' of elements are fantastic. The beginning is surprisingly intense (for a family coaster), and ends with a tamer section that is twisty and just plain fun. This is definitely a back row ride for the extra thrills. The coaster is smoooth....even more than I was expecting. No vibrations, no jolting, no headbanging. Vekoma's next gen bucket seats and minimal lap bar harnesses are very comfortable. Theming and area presentation is looking great, but was still being worked on - especially the internal queue space. So I'll wait for opening day to give more thoughts on that.
We got to see Project Zero test, and go inside the queue building. The station and queue space has got a premium office/facility feel - and really sets up the whole space test area theme. There is a viewing window from the queue that allows you to appreciate the speed and intensity of this coaster even before the air gate platform. Really interested to see how the old buzzsaw tracks since the rebuild, repaint and refurb. Overall it was 'sounding' a lot more smoother, quieter and less 'clunky' - especially the lift chain and vertical brakes.
You can tell the whole team at Gumbuya World are very excited, and proud, about the 2 new attractions. And so they should be. Can't wait for the opening on the 23rd!