Hyperia At Thorpe Park - Dawn Of The Golden Age!
Hyperia at Thorpe Park has been quite possibly one of the most anticipated new roller coasters to open here in the UK in the past three decades!
This record breaker of a ride not only takes the height record from Pleasure Beach Resort’s iconic 1994 Arrow Dynamics Hyper Coaster – The Big One (aka. The Pepsi Max Big One), however it also takes the title of the UK’s fastest and most weightless roller coaster too.
As such, I (Joe) just HAD to head down and experience Hyperia for myself, but over the past two months Thorpe Park’s newest addition has been – let’s just say, up and down!
This weekend though I finally made the decision to head south with Theo and Kelly and experience this Goliath of a new ride for myself, and it’s safe to say it smashed all expectations out of the park (and then some).
So, what makes Hyperia at Thorpe Park so special? And why does this record breaking new Mack Rides Hyper Coaster take my official top spot as my favourite roller coaster of all time? Let’s discuss…
Dawn Of The Golden Age...
Now, yes I know, It sounds cheesy but for me, the opening of Hyperia at Thorpe Park signifies the dawn of a brand new (albeit, ‘golden’) age for new and exciting roller coasters here in the UK.
With Universal Studios Great Britain looming not too distantly on the horizon (believe me when I say, IT’S HAPPENING!!), the time has come where other UK theme park operators have realised then need to ‘up their game’.
The introduction of Hyperia at Thorpe Park shows what can be achieved when imagination is combined with innovation in the most perfect and idealistic way possible.
It’s no mean feat to say Hyperia really is a true work of art where roller coaster engineering is concerned, and yes, it’s not the longest ride but in my opinion it doesn’t have to be.
Thorpe Park’s latest new roller coaster (their first to open at the park in 12 years) sets the bar for what enthusiasts and the general public will now expect to see from UK theme parks moving forwards.
Not only that, but this crazy and quite frankly incredible new coaster stands leagues above anything else currently on offer on our British shores.
With this in mind, and with most UK theme parks constantly competing to ‘out do’ each other, it’s safe to say it shouldn’t be too much longer before we see another current UK park attempt to take back a title (or two).
Hyperia Is An Experience!
Hyperia at Thorpe Park is very much an experience. From the minute you enter the queue line to the moment you step foot into the “Fearless Gallery” at the end those brave enough to “Find Their Fearless” are taken on a journey of epic proportions.
The emotional impact of the ride’s musical score to the vibrant, shining queue line and station interior takes those brave enough to ride on a euphoric journey fueled with adrenaline, joy and fear and in equal proportions.
In essence Hyperia seems to be designed to create a realisation that all is not always as it first appears. The journey undertaken by the fearless represents not only the will to conquer new heights but a personal realisation that limits are there to be beaten.
Each and every person I saw stepping into the station or stepping out had the exact same expression of immense joy on their faces and this new lighter direction Hyperia brings is a much needed refresh on the island’s usual, much darker themes.
To me, it seems that the message Hyperia is meant to convey is one of hope, determination and a will to face your fears head on. This is certainly something everyone visiting Thorpe Park can relate to.
Hyperia’s dispatch and arrival sequences also create an impact on those riding too allowing thrill seekers to feel a real sense of personal achievement upon conquering the ride and as they embark on their fearless quest too.
How Does It Feel To "Find Your Fearless"?
Okay, Okay… I know, how does it ACTUALLY feel to ride Hyperia at Thorpe Park? That’s the real question at stake here right?
Well, it’s very difficult to put into words an experience which evokes so many different emotions throughout it’s cycle, but I’m going to try anyway, so here goes!
Hyperia has you pumped from the moment you leave the station to the moment you hit the brake run. The build as you climb to 236ft is astonishing. The lift hill audio mixed with the views surrounding you as you climb is amazing.
The climb to the top is over just as quick as it begins though and your descent down the 236ft, 91 degree drop is even faster. The sheer weightlessness as you descend is amazing and you’re out of your seat the whole way down too.
Once at the bottom you quickly race up the giant Immelmann Loop, experiencing some great downwards force as you do before rocketing downwards towards the gigantic, world’s first twisted turn around.
Here you experience even more airtime as you hurtle downwards and back up towards the turn around at which point you are thrust sideways out of your seat and flipped upside down before once again rocketing down towards the next element – the dive loop.
This next part of the ride provides (in my opinion) the best hangtime currently at Thorpe Park. The stall dive leaves you briefly hanging in your seat before yanking you downwards and into the ‘splash down’.
Now, the splash down sadly wasn’t working this weekend, but even if it was you would miss it anyway as you pass through it very quickly indeed.
Finally you rush up into some great sideways ejector, then downwards into the final swoop before hurtling up into the ride’s final airtime hill and down into the brakes.
This whole experience lasts no more than 30 seconds from leaving the top of the lift to hitting the brakes, but what it manages to do in those 30 seconds is absolute genius!
Should You Ride Hyperia?
Should I ride Hyperia at Thorpe Park? Is that even a question? OF COURSE YOU SHOULD!!!
Hyperia is truly not to be missed. Whether or not you’re a die hard theme park and roller coaster fan or just a casual theme park day guest, this sheer feat of golden engineering is NOT TO BE MISSED!!
It’s also nowhere near as scary to ride as many of you will likely make it up in your minds to be either. Hyperia looks so much more intimidating than it actually is.
The ride experience provides a unique combination of thrill and euphoria at the same time. This is achieved through the perfect mix of different forces which allow you to experience a rush but feel comfortable and safe doing so at the same time.
This incredible roller coaster is also very smooth throughout and doesn’t feel remotely rough to ride at any point.
Now yes, I know…. It’s NEW, but as time passes you’ll continue to experience the same smooth ride you have since it first opened back in May this year. ICON at Pleasure Beach Resort is a classic example of this given the ride has been produced and created by the same manufacturer, and if there’s one thing MACK Rides are known for, it’s the quality of their attractions.
So, next time you find yourself at Thorpe Park and you’re walking past Hyperia why not stop, take a left (or right depending on the direction you’re approaching it from) and enter the queue line for your first ever ride……. you won’t regret it!