“Why is the queue so short?” I wondered, as I got nearer to the embarkation point for Kraken. Is it because I have hit a good time? Is it because there is a hint of rain in the air? I couldn’t decide.
I reached the end of the queue and estimated I had no more than 5 minutes to wait to get on either the back or front of the ride. Leaning against the railing my mind wandered back to the advertising blurb I had read before leaving England “Kraken – the only floorless ride in Orlando” – “Kraken – not suitable for young children” – “Kraken – don’t go on if you have any complaints or injuries”. I then started thinking that, maybe, the queue was short because the ride really was frightening!!!!
Anyway, I was there now and I had to test it to make sure that it was suitable for the others in our party who were currently on Journey to Atlantis. Well, come on, every 50 something male has to have an excuse to act like a teenager now and again. After all teenagers can act like adults occasionally so why not vice versa?
My turn ….. on the front ….. jump up on to the seat ….. secure all loose items …. lower the safety restraint ….. wait. Panic ….. breathe slowly ….. remember it’s safe ….. remember you are an adult.
We are off. Slowly down the first short run – no problems – piece of cake. Slowly up the ramp – up and up – up and up – are we ever going to get to the top? All I can see is water and sky. Finally we are at the top. We drop down to a small plateau. All I can see is fresh air and water and sky. No track – where is it? No loops – where are they? We start to move………..
Aaaaaaaaaaaarrrggghhh!! It is OK for grown men to scream. We hurtle down the first almost vertical run and into the first loop. I remember nothing about the rest of the run other than I couldn’t stop screaming and laughing simultaneously. It was great. Kraken is very, very fast and very, very furious.
Over the next few days I rode Kraken a few more times with my niece and nephews and each time I saw and remembered a bit more of it. I still haven’t seen it all with my eyes open. I’ll leave that for next time!
Kraken is a great, great ride. It is not for the “teacup” brigade. It is not for those with bad anythings – really. It should not be your first ever roller coaster ride – do Space Mountain or Rock & Roller Coaster first.
In terms of best rides ever; it rates up there for me with Samurai at Chessington (static rides) and Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios (drop rides) as best in class.