Coaster Kingdom
http://www.ukrollercoasters.co.uk
Move It (32) (James Cox)
Whatever
you might think about KMG, you have to admit that they know how to make the most
of an idea. Rather than offering a single version of their rides, they have
developed a habit of providing budget, standard, and king size versions for
different markets, and rides don't come more king size than the huge 32-seat
version of Move It.
Only
one "Move It 32" (as it's often known) exists, and was brought to
Britain in 2003 by showman James Cox, after several years touring Europe under
other owners. By any standards, the ride is an impressive sight, but for anyone
more used to the later 18 or 24 seat Move It rides, it is positively
overwhelming. Presentation is exceptional, and is easily one of the best-looking
rides on the UK circuit. The huge backflash is a wild collage of scenes and
symbols from popular culture, and is littered with countless lights, screaming
out the ride name, along with other key words like "ACTION!" and
"POWER!". The overwhelming impression is of a ride that does not cut
any corners in the quest to seize the attention of passers-by.
After
a quick trip to the pay box, riders are directed to a gondola identical to
Thorpe Park's Vortex (itself a 32 seat KMG Afterburner), albeit utterly caked in
blue and purple lights. Seating consists of 8 pods, each seating 4 riders, and
looking like a severely stripped down version of a B&M inverter car. This
gondola is held from above, supported by two folded hydraulic legs, which serve
to make the whole ride look like some giant demented insect, ready to pounce on
its pray.
Having
taken your seat, the loud music is interrupted by an even louder hooter, and the
restraints lower. KMG has always been notorious for their poor restraints, and
as one of their earlier rides, Move It 32 is no exception. The ride has a
particular grudge against larger riders, and this can lead to the restraints
having to tighten to uncomfortable levels. You have been warned.
With
everyone safely in place, the ride can begin. It is worth pointing out at this
point that the whole ride structure is built onto a circular platform. “So
what”, you may ask. Well, what riders may not have noticed is that, hidden by
the bombardment of lights and sound, this platform has slowly begun to spin,
causing the entire structure to start twirling around on the spot. Meanwhile,
the gondola begins to spin also, and the two great legs begin the process of
raising the gondola slightly into the air, ready for the fairground equivalent
of a pre-show.
With
the whole ride at a slight angle, the gondola starts to spin in the opposite
direction to the platform, the two movements cancelling each other out and
giving a very gentle up-and-down movement, almost simulating a life on the ocean
wave. "Ah", thinks Mr First-Time-Rider, "what a nice placid
little ride this is". Well, need I tell you this is merely the calm before
the storm, as the gondola changes direction, and with the two movements now
joining forces, riders are pinned to the seat by a sudden surge of G-force. For
riders and onlookers alike, the sensation of speed, not to mention acceleration,
is incredible.
The
pre-amble over, the gondola reverts to its original direction as the legs slowly
hoist everyone further into the air until soon they find themselves being spun
vertically through the air. And now, ladies and gentlemen, it's time to milk the
drama a little. The gondola is levelled out and apparently comes to a halt.
Although you are not moving at this point, the machine is still working flat
out, the gondola and platform spinning at equal speeds in opposite directions.
After a few well-chosen words from the ride operator over the microphone, it's
time for Move It to do what Move It does best. As more light and sound effects
burst into life, riders exchange worried looks as to what they've let themselves
in for.
The
gondola tilts slightly, and is soon flicked onto its back. While the gondola is
upside down, the two spinning motions again combine to create a massive surge of
acceleration and G-force, pinning riders to the seat. This is a fantastic
moment, not just for the physical effect, but for the atmosphere generated as
you look around at the faces of other riders, few of whom will have been
prepared for such a sudden burst of intensity. When the gondola rights itself,
and is again stationary, the shock and delight on riders' faces is a joy to
behold. More than any other spin ride, Move It takes on a sense of shared
experience and party atmosphere, particularly as there is no ride structure
obscuring your view of the other riders.
As
32 people come to terms with what they've got themselves into, the ride bursts
back into life and again flips over, inflicting another sudden and colossal
burst of G-force. The pause before the flip allows riders a crucial moment to
take in the previous flip, and to anticipate the next, and helps to get the
adrenaline pumping like few other rides can ever hope to manage. For spin-ride
fans, this is true utopia.
After
a couple of flips, you may find yourself pondering in the dark recesses of your
mind whether Move It might be a one trick pony. If so, sit back and relax,
because it's time to shatter such concerns. The gondola rights itself, and
riders again sit effectively motionless, albeit with the structure still
whirling around them. As the platform keeps spinning, the gondola switches
direction, and creates another burst of powerful acceleration. For onlookers,
this is a spectacular sight, with the entire structure spinning relatively
slowly, and the gondola whirling around at break-neck speed. The whole thing
might look like a crazed crane-fly in its death throes, but the ride is still
alive and kicking. You know what's coming next, don't you?
That's
right, another flip, except that this is suddenly a very different proposition
to what went before. The gondola truly hurls itself into the flip, and riders
undergo a lightning-fast transition from spinning wildly, to hanging motionless
upside down; from G-force pinning you to the seat, to hanging in the restraints,
blood rushing to the head, and back. The sequence of
"anticipation-intensity-recovery" is therefore replaced with
"intensity-intensity-intensity". If you thought the first section of
the ride was wild, this section redefines the word completely.
As
the pace of the ride moves up a notch, the atmosphere does likewise, and the
ability to look around and take in the often-extraordinary reactions of other
riders, combined with the relentless pounding of the music and sound effects
(all very noticeable throughout the ride, thanks to a highly impressive speaker
system), makes Move It a truly joyous experience. As a spin ride fan, I often
say that there are two types of great spin rides. There are "power
rides", which blow you away with extreme G-force; and there are "party
rides", on which you enjoy the moment with the other riders. There are few
rides out there that manage both at the same time, but Move It does it with
ease.
As
for the remainder of the ride, well that depends on the operator's whim. You may
be turned upside down and left there for a while, either hanging motionless or
spinning wildly. The gondola may be held spinning vertically as the platform
continues to spin. Whatever you get, it is worth savouring every moment.
So,
it's a tremendous ride, but if you're as miserly as my good self, you'll be
wanting to know how Move It compares in terms of value for money. Well, prices
are generally reasonable, and ride times are very generous. Given the quality of
the ride on offer, and the standard of presentation, it would be a real scrooge
who complains about shelling out £3-or-so for a ride.
I
have no hesitation whatsoever in declaring Move It 32 to be easily one of the
best spin rides you could ever hope to find. Whether you are looking for intense
thrills, or plain old fun, Move It has plenty on offer. Even those watching from
the sidelines will find that the ride's peculiar looks and movements, coupled
with the sheer razzamatazz of the presentation, can't fail to stir the
adrenalin. Without a doubt, Move It 32 deserves a place among the upper echelons
of the UK fairground scene, and not even the numerous smaller Move It rides can
match it for outright exhilaration and drama. The sheer size of the ride gives
it an imposing aura that commands the attention of both riders and bystanders,
while the general presentation is a masterpiece of OTT glitz and showmanship,
even by fairground standards. It is sheer, untamed, bliss.
I'm
sure we've all had people ask us what we find so appealing about thrill rides.
To put it simply, if those people had ever ridden Move It with a full complement
of co-riders, you'd never need to ask the question. The combination of the
lights, the music, the atmosphere, and the sheer intensity of the ride combine
to make it possibly the most enjoyable ride I have ever encountered. Even the
mighty Top Scan, usually the yardstick against which all spin rides are
measured, cannot match the sense of communal enjoyment you get as you sit and
take in the moment with 31 other riders, while a manic ride-operator taunts you
over the microphone. Sheer magic. Suffice to say, if this ride comes to your
town, you should make it your number 1 priority to go and give it a try before
they... er... move it.
5/5 John Phillips