Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Alton Towers Transforming Air into Galactica for 2016 Season



Next season at Alton Towers visitors will be able to go on the "universe's first spaceflight voyager" when their B&M flying roller coaster, Air, is renamed to Galactica and virtual reality goggles are added.  The addition of virtual reality to one of the park's existing roller coasters will be a first for Alton Towers, and one of the largest rides yet to have the experience added.

© Alton Towers
Not surprisingly, Alton Towers has created a detailed backstory for Galactica, including an elaborate website for the ride.  According to the site the theme park has "partnered with Air Space Technologies to develop a multi-dimensional portal using the Resort’s iconic flying coaster as the propulsion device."  While on the journey, "Galactica will send passengers soaring through interstellar space for the first time in history, providing unrivalled access to the limitless wonders of space as never experienced before."  The addition of the virtual ride experience will be free to riders, and also optional - you can still experience the coaster as it was previously.

© Alton Towers
Some new thematic elements will come along with the transformation, including a new Launch Portal that can be seen in the above concept art.  Located throughout the new website are a handful of other concept images, including one that shows changes to the ride's station area.  Current plans have Galactica opening in April, 2016.

Air originally opened at Alton Towers in 2002.  The Bolliger and Mabillard designed flying coaster features 2,756 feet of track, a top speed of 47 miles per hour and elements including ground hugging turns and dives and a heartline roll.


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