Had the pleasure of experiencing both of these rides just recently. The Skycoaster’s three towers are easily spotted from the 192, it’s right next to Old Town and has it’s own well sign-posted parking around the back. The G-Force ride is right next-door and there’s a nice deck around the ticket office for non-riders to sit and watch the ensuing spectacle, if you lose your “bottle”!
They have frequent deals on offer, two rides for the price of one etc. There's also vouchers for money off in the usual booklets that you can pick up from the restaurants etc. Hubbie and I took advantage of the Double Flyer ticket they had on offer at just over $80 for the both of us. This gave us one flight on the World’s Tallest Skycoaster as a couple and one ride on G-Force as Driver and Passenger.
We first tried the Skycoaster. You are raised 300ft into the air and dropped, with a brief moment of freefall before swinging backwards and forwards over the lake. You can either ride on your own (wind permitting) or in a group of up to three. The short walk from the ticket office to the ride entrance was peppered by amusing comments by the Commentator and did nothing to relax my nerves! [msnscared]
After suiting up in a snug harness, we walked up to the “cherry picker” where our harnesses were checked again and we were raised up a few feet to reach the cables. Once you are all connected, they gradually lower the cherry picker while asking you to lean forward until your feet leave the ground and you are suspended in mid-air. Strangely enough, I found this the worst part, imagining that I would end up splatted on the floor. Not a good sign![msncry]
The attendants start to raise the cables and you with them, passing helpful comments such as “oops, where did this bit go?” while holding bits of harness!! Gradually, you are raised to the top of the tower, some 300ft up, with great views of Orlando. We never got around to a night flight, but I’m sure that would be stunning. I left Hubbie to pull the rip-cord when they told us we were ready and was completely breathless as the ground rushed up to meet us, freefalling some 120ft. We gently swung away from the ground and over the lake, reaching 65 mph and getting slightly damp from the fountain spray. Phew![msnsmile2]
G-Force is a fairly new ride, I understand. Two “funny car” Mustangs sit side-by-side on tracks, powered by compressed air. You can race one another but on this occasion, Hubbie “drove” and I was the passenger. You climb through the window of the car (Dukes of Hazzard stylie so don’t wear a skirt!) and are strapped in to a five-point harness. The traditional dragster-style lights were in front of us and Hubbie hit the gas peddle at the appropriate time. Don’t try to cheat if you’re racing someone else as you can be “disqualified” and your false start will be announced to all and sundry on the large display at the end of your ride. The large display also shows your driver’s reaction time, speed reached and time taken. Hubbie’s reaction time was a rather impressive 0.07seconds, reaching over 100 mph in under 2 seconds.
Now, I've had to be pretty careful about pressure on my stomach (long story) so was concerned that I might feel some discomfort on both of these rides but I’m pleased to report that neither were “rough” and caused no discomfort at all, not even motion sickness, in my case anyway! I couldn't stop laughing!
Thrill Rides, don’t you love ‘em!![msnsmile2][msnsmile2][msnsmile2]
TIP - If you’re watching from the deck, don’t sit or stand near the tannoy speakers as the music and commentating is VERY load. Well, it’s pretty hard to hear from 300ft up!!
TIP - If you buy the video of your experience on one of the rides ($16), you can have subsequent rides on either G-Force or Skycoaster added for just $5. Ask at the video kiosk as the ride staff don't seem to be fully aware of this.
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. I don't think I could quite summon up the courage to go on the Sky Coaster, but G-Force sounds excellent fun (and at least you stay at ground level!). One to look out for, I think, as Old Town is a trip we always make.
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