2004
Coaster Trips: 2004: Liseberg
Wednesday May 5th
Liseberg
On arrival at Liseberg we were given time to explore the park before the rides were due to open at 11:00am. There were plenty of good photo opportunities which I would have made use of if I hadn't left the battery for my camera in my check in bag.
The Lisebergbanan (#245) is an unusual terrain ride built by Zierer and designed by Schwarzkopf. I did two circuits with Midas; one in back in one in front. I have to remember that this ride is seventeen years old, and with that in mind it's not fair to compare it with the latest and greatest steel coasters. It has aged very well and runs far smoother than many newer steel coasters, with the exception of the rather harsh brake at the end of the ride.
There was a junior coaster in the park, the Cirkusexpressen, but it was down for the day due to technical problems.
At this point I spotted a DDR machine, a Euromix volume 2. Although I looked at all the parks in Denmark, there wasn't one there. Midas tried to play alongside me and managed okay at first but gave up after two rounds, so I played the last level myself.
A climb up a steep hill brought us to the two S&S towers here, a Space Shot (the Uppskjutet) and a Turbo Drop (the Höjdskräcken). The former was exceptionally disappointing; either it needs a new air compressor or the park has turned down the power. At any rate, it only made it about two thirds of the way up the tower, and even then it felt very weak. This was in sharp contrast to the drop which was very good indeed. I had quite a bit of fun by putting my hands out on the ride while waiting for the drop. The local sitting beside me did so also, though the look on his face (and the mad grab for the bars) showed how enthusiastic he was when the drop finally happened.
It was in the queue for the Uppskjutet that I saw a teenaged girl wearing a shirt with the word "bimbo" on it in bright pink. I wonder if bimbo is some well known Swedish designer?
The Liseberg Tower observation tower provided some superb views and yet more photo opportunities (D'oh!).
This was followed by two more front seat rides on the Lisebergbanan and another game of DDR, in which I attracted quite an audience. The background there is that there was a few teenaged girls playing on on beginner level while I was waiting, and when I started playing on difficult I think I freaked them out!
It was approaching 1:30pm when we were all due to meet under Balder (#246). This was yet another point at which a park provided us with free beer. We were also all given the opportunity to sign our names on the coaster, and certain creative inscriptions were added, including at least one in Irish.
As for Balder itself, I took my first ride in the back seat and have to confess to being completely underwhelmed by the experience. However, moving towards the front of the train made me realise why this coaster is ranked number one in the world at the moment. The front row, and the four other rides I took in different places towards the front were amazingly good fun. Every single hill features ejector seat air time, far more than you would normally expect on a wooden coaster. It was also very smooth; surprisingly so.
Unfortunately I only got in six circuits before it was time to leave for the airport where this is being typed. But there's only one solution to that; I'll have to come back here on the next Scandinavia trip.