The Abandoned History of Slammer - The Last Sky Swatter | Expedition Thorpe Park

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

What is your number one flat ride?

[@thameslinkrail4038]

Time Machine, Adventure Island. The sustained G forces are incredible!

[@wolfie1179]

Definetly Supreeme Scream at Knotts

[@Coolharry64]

Without a doubt, Maelstrom/Axis/any frisbee ride.

[@vd8642]

Dice shaker

[@Georgie94]

I quite liked Nemesis: Sub-terra

[@shinjiikari4780]

The Slammer sounds like a nickname for a ride at Action Park.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

could be!

[@lmaoitsharrison]

omg yes lol i have actually been to action park

[@alibob1986]

@@lmaoitsharrison recently, or when it was BAD?

[@brogaming7393]

@@lmaoitsharrison stop the cap bro

[@FilmCriticAidan]

LMAO😂😂

[@spaghetticoconut658]

Seeing footage from a park that is completely closed down or a ride that no longer exists gives me the chills.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Right!

[@leeowen4989]

It's worse when it's a ride you used to work on, and then you smile when you realise that even though you gave it nothing but your best, the ride still gave you the finger on a daily basis....

[@alibob1986]

Abandoned theme parks are one of ly favourite youtube video binges

[@thebestdecepticonSoundwave]

both of those are in this video

[@CraigAndrews666]

Space shot, sky swing, screaming squirrel, screaming swing, sky swat. Really took the S & S branding seriously.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Ha yes!

[@JustinCoasters]

They also did a Snow Shot

[@rjkral]

Hard Sell heck I didn’t notice till you mentioned it! Awesome!

[@CC_Reads]

swing shot

[@realGeorgelucas18563]

You can read the first four items in that list to the tune of We Didn't Start The Fire.

[@JCook6788]

“Your fray with slammer has now come to an end” - Best words ever. Never have I felt so unsafe and uncomfortable on a ride.. Great video, Thanks!

[@Relinscar]

I don't remember the restraints being uncomfortable but I've never been on any other ride that pushed so much blood to my head than Slammer did

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Submission ha

[@m4gn5g62]

Expedition Theme Park yes I agree I rode both and they hurt very much

[@jacko7771]

Seeing Loggers Leap abandoned still hurts me, I grew up with that ride. A huge part of Thorpe Park's legacy

[@duranduran20133]

Worse thing they did letting it rot

[@LeoElso]

Did they ever come up with a logical explanation for closing it? It was a cracking ride and is really sorely missed, the double down finale was always so much fun

[@insanelewis21]

@@LeoElso I belive something to do with the lift being unstable? That's what I had heard. Got pics of me on it as a kid.

[@Surkhaabm]

Loggers leap was such a good ride, glad i got to go on it and get a pic

[@Zany_Zim]

Yeah, but when that new coaster gets built I think I can accept it being gone 😅

[@SuV33358]

When you ride these rides, your body LITERALLY feels and reacts as though it's about to die, even though you feel you are having fun.....that swatter one? Oh hell no

[@K.Marie119]

Where did you hear that?

[@carolync5900]

That's how I feel on all extreme rides. Even though I mentally understand I am ok and the physics will keep me alive my body thinks death is near lol

[@SuV33358]

@@K.Marie119 it's common sense

[@SuV33358]

@@carolync5900 right, your body thinks you just drove your car off a cliff. But the logical brain is saying, you'll be safe. Lol

[@morzee94]

Slammer is easily the best flat ride I’ve ever been on. I remember the first time I went on it, I was so shocked by how intense it was. Such a gem in the park with hardly any queues!

[@RolyWestYT]

Ended up getting bruises on my shoulders after going on this and was like no never again

[@TheMarcelinee]

Roly! i love your vids

[@laurs5551]

Lol same the worst

[@mjyg3058]

Wow really ouch

[@Givenofficial]

OMG ROLY HI

[@mistywindy]

They should put memory foam on those rides xD

[@SeanFlaharty]

I was never able to ride either version of this ride. I never even got to see them operate. Thanks for another informative video!

[@seanthebandgeek5040]

Look! Another verified account making a pointless comment so we will look at his profile!!!!!

[@SeanFlaharty]

@@seanthebandgeek5040 Ha ha. Either that or I actually love Sam's work and have a long history of allowing Sam to use my footage in his videos. Thanks for playing.

[@so-calseany1176]

* Sees “The Slammer” in description * Not sure if talking about a flat ride or prison...

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

ha

[@svis6888]

@@ExpeditionThemePark ho

[@Katrina_Helena]

I wondered why the theme has been stuck in my head for the last day!

[@FoolishMortalLife]

I went on this ride for my 16th birthday and the ride operator sang happy birthday to me over the tannoy whilst I was on the ride and got guests to join in. Definitely one of my favourite theme park memories and it was so sad when I went back years later and saw Slammer was no long in operation

[@TheFreshSpam]

Just want to add I used to go on this ride all the time with my cousin and we were young enough to pop the ride harnesses off our shoulders and push it around us and stand up when it was flat and then pop ourselves back in when it started moving. Very stupid and rather dangerous looking back. Great times

[@sirenlover100]

"Sky Swat 1 looks too intense for me!"

[@nickyblue4866]

"I want to get off Sky Swat 1!!!"

[@tillybug_pug4180]

“I haven’t finished my tentacle yet!”

[@emmalondon4066]

"Just looking at sky swat 1 makes me feel sick"

[@ComediansCentre]

Is someone watching me? 🙂

[@FC24PremierLeague]

“Sky Swat 1 is a really good value!”

[@hayleymsiebert7526]

Remember going on this back in sep 2016 with my then boyfriend and niece. Didn’t know what it did and was wanting to be the caring and protective auntie for my niece and she loved it while I was praying to the gods to end the ride! What a crazy experience!

[@prentisroberson2305]

Wow. Would you make the Abandoned History of Schlitterbahn Kansas City?

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

yes

[@Syclone0044]

Prentis Roberson It’s abandoned?? 😵 I wrote a HUUUGE comment on the fatal ride on Verrückt that got over 3,000 Likes on The Atlantic KZbin channel.

[@patrickomeara3700]

Syclone0044 yeah they’re talking about making it a swimming pool complex/baseball fields. Don’t know that they even fully reopened after that tragic day.

[@TGOPoma]

Patrick O’Meara They did and didn’t. The area of Verrukt was closed off after the accident but the rest of the park was open for a while until the lack of ticket sales buried them for good.

[@Petsrme307]

It's a shame. Went there every year with family.

[@BuriedAudioUK]

As a thorpe park local it's such a shame that I missed riding this one

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

me too

[@bamm3707]

I remember seeing this at six flags and thought it was a really terrible idea for a ride.. Riding it was just as I had expected. Going forward is great but the upsidedown pulling force is the worst type of forces you can get on any ride.

[@KuyaMagik]

Would love if you could do an episode on chessington world of adventures terror tomb, that was one of the best dark rides ever made.

[@msjibberjabberhodge]

I totally forgot about this ride. I rode this in Thorpe Park in 2006. I remember not enjoying the experience because of how disorienting it was (and not in a good way like Eejaniaka). I remember feeling like my head was going to explode. Thanks for the video and the trip down memory lane :)

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

yeah head explode is how i felt ha

[@insanelewis21]

Great video, I too have been going to Thorpe literally all my life. I have pictures of me in a buggy, I am now just turning 34 lol. So have also seen thorpe, chessington and windsor safari *cough* I mean legoland go through their many stages. But I have to say slammer was one of my all time favourite flat rides. An experience and feeling I have only come across while flying aerobatics. I have many happy memories from thorpe, x no way out opening was a massive deal and one of the best new ride experiences I've ever had. Queueing for Colossus, Nemesis and Saw when they first opened. When fright nights first started and when they were at their best, Asylum still remains the best horror maze ever. Derren brown when it first opened was an amazing experience, that you have to throw yourself into to get the best out of it, and the tech is fantastic. But, and its a big BUT. I hate seeing the park the way it is now. It truly saddens me that I don't feel safe there with my children. The amount of chavs causing problems I have seen, the constant smell of weed, the dirt and horrifically rude staff has killed the park for me and my family. I hope this issue gets sorted, but while they aren't appealing to families I doubt it. I hope to see some new investment taking place soon, I think an RMC is way off, but perhaps a decent GCI would be nice following around where loggers is. Who knows, there's soo much the park has got right but there's soo much it gets wrong too. I do hope the park has a bright future.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

that is me as a kid in the video!@

[@insanelewis21]

@@ExpeditionThemePark nice, I did wonder :-)

[@schwarzerregen9338]

I rember going on the Slammer, it was an absolutely insane experience, never knew it closed and went extinct, guess I have a unique memory :)

[@patrickwagner98]

Rode the one at Six Flags New England. It was intense, but those restraints, especially the lap bar, would non-stop tighten on you the entire ride. Couldn't wait to get off, although the gforces were great.

[@somethingsmart510]

I rode the one at Astroworld a couple of times. It was uncomfortable when you were going upside down with the shoulder restraints. The workers always made sure to push it down on to your shoulders when they were checking it. That, and Looping Starship, had the most uncomfortable restraints at Astroworld.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

it could be

[@XxTokyoMewMewFreakxX]

I still remember when I was having second thoughts on getting on Sky Swat . I'm glad I rode it now with my dad because now it is a unique memory . I loved it.

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

If about 854K people slammed the sub-button after watching, ETP would reach a million in no time. He deserves it for everything he does!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

aw that would be nice ha! But i am grateful for those who watch and enjoy :)

[@bjtgaming]

When you said ETP I for some reason though it said EDP like EDP445

[@loftus8660]

I'm in the group that loved slammer! I was gutted when both this and loggers leap closed (and the original x no way out for that matter) its weird as i get older to see rides closing that i have great memories of. I always enjoyed slammer, never found it to be too intense or uncomfortable, just a really fun experience, i'd usually spend the whole ride duration laughing 😂 I remembered a few different times going and it being closed and was quite sad, then found out it had been officially shutdown after the fact. At the time i had no idea it was a unique concept that isnt featured at any other park... real shame to know that theres no way to experience it again now. Loving your channel, another great video 👍

[@jamesa596]

Wow, that ending gave me chills!!! That was an amazing episode, I wish I could’ve ridden it. Thank you for that episode!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you so much for watching

[@Marhelorpe]

I had the pleasure of being able to ride Slammer from the very beginning of its life in 2005 when I was just 10 years old right up until 2016. I remember queueing nearly 1.5 hours when it was brand new and being absolutely terrified of the lack of restraints at the time. However, I still dearly miss this thing as whilst it might have been an uncomfortable experience, the sheer power, sound and dominance it had at Thorpe Park was unmatched to anything else I had ever experienced and was incredibly unique. Was a great ride!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

it was unique for sure!

[@cam3033]

What if an S&S sky Swatter was placed next to F.L.Y 🤔 would it be called F.L.Y swatter

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

YES!

[@fazbeartowers43a.k.awicker20]

Lol

[@IamFrazernotSpartan]

Just the best comment 😂💧💦🌊

[@lexyshannon9428]

And then everyone would perish :)

[@DiaryofaRollerCoasterGirl]

I was informed by an "insider" that the real reason they decided to close it was due to a conversation between the guys at Thorpe and S&S which went like this: Thorpe: what can we actually do if this gets stuck upside down? S&S: haha just hope it doesn't... 👀 It was around the same era that Merlin went H&S crazy (6ft fences everywhere) after the Smiler accident, and they obviously couldn't afford anymore bad press through Slammer, so it had to go.

[@leeowen4989]

It's happened, an external power grid failure coincided with one of Slammers regular hissy fits and the ride coasted to a stop in an almost completely vertical position. Took 2 of us about 45 mins physically pulling the drive motors to get the ride right side up before we could lower it back down....... I suppose it's what happens when you get a BOGOF offer on a bloody prototype.

[@disownedpear]

@@leeowen4989 Cool. Did you not have more staff to pull the motor? Seems strange to do it with such a few amount of people if it takes that long. After the accident I understand them not wanting it to be stuck in a fully inverted position if it takes that long to right.

[@leeowen4989]

@@disownedpear There is only enough room on each platform for 2 people, and even if there was room for more, you still wouldn't be able to turn the motor any faster.

[@disownedpear]

@@leeowen4989 Fabulous design haha. Thx for the info.

[@vikingjoebloggs3887]

@@leeowen4989 Ah a theme park engineer! I almost quit my job to join you. I bet you've some interesting stories

[@deanantony8620]

One of the best rides Thorpe Park had. I was actually at the front of the queue of the video at 10:52 where it went up to the top as usual, started spinning and then dropped slightly. Took quite a while to start to get everyone off but didn't see it all happen as they evacuated that section of the park.

[@C1000-c7b]

I love Thorpe Park, was there with my son on Saturday, 1st night of Fright Nights. So different from when I visited as a teenager in the early 90s. We rode Rush a few times at the weekend, in the dark too. The Slammer looks nuts, I would've gone on that, as my son's almost tall enough to get on the major thrill rides now, it'll open up a whole new level of excitement hopefully before the season is out.

[@candycorn8750]

Seeing your videos on my feed cures my depression for a while

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Aw i am glad i could help a little!

[@kristindemaria2327]

Super cute shot of you and Jackie! Another great video. My husband and I are huge theme park lovers and I send him your videos to watch all the time !

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

And me as a lil kid too! Thank you guys so much for watching.

[@FiFiReads_BookBlenderReviews]

This took me ages to finally ride it.. it intimidated me at a kid/teen, even thoughi was a big theme park fan and loved all the big rides. I finally did it and I'm happy I did now it doesnt exist anymore in the UK.

[@Th13teenReasonsWhy]

This ride was such a unique experience compared to other flat rides. Still my favorite flat ride to date. thanks for covering it

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Our pleasure!

[@alexonmymind4925]

I've been on this ride. I believe it was in its final year and I'm devastated that it's gone. Before going I remember checking the list of rides that were there and this was on my top 3 of riding. I hope something like this comes back again

[@asterisKs1]

That ending sentence is so true, its just that merlin arnt willing to invest so sadly rides are just sat their not giving a good impression. Hopefully things will change soon and merlin can stop neglecting Thorpe. :)

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

I hope so

[@thecinematicmind]

Merlin are treating Thorpe like it’s an abandoned seaside pier.

[@fazbeartowers43a.k.awicker20]

I really want them to get a giga

[@asterisKs1]

@@fazbeartowers43a.k.awicker20 they won't, they have a height limit of around 225ft around saw and loggers i think, but over by the swarm is closer to Heathrow, so the limit is 205ft

[@fazbeartowers43a.k.awicker20]

@@asterisKs1 oh that sucks well they could get a hyper

[@kylearias3058]

Thank You so,so,so,Much for producing a video about About Flat-Rides so many channels focus on coasters. So thankful

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

More to come!

[@OfficialDJWolve]

Brilliant ride this was, I consider myself lucky to have ridden it 🔥

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

I enjoyed it!

[@ParasocialCatgirl]

But have you ever experienced it breaking down on you? I have!

[@theshevirgo]

Cr Cool King 36 Same although only a few times it broke down a lot. I found it to be fun but slightly uncomfortable as I was small and always got stapled in. I loved Diablo Falls, this replaced was either next to Taz’s Texas Tornado which I never got the chance to ride it was always broken I remember we saw it open once ran too it stood in line and it broke again.

[@SwiftTelly20]

I was never interested in it. I'm not really a "flat rides" kind of person. It'll be weird once it's removed, whenever that will be, but if it was such a pain to run, it's better off being replaced. I agree that section of the park is kinda dead and boring. I didn't know that 2016 was the last time is operated full time [sort of], I was working at the park then so this is news to me. I guess if I was a ride ops or on another team, I would have heard about it sooner - I was on the hospitality team.

[@addym45]

This was hands down my favourite flat ride at the park. No other would give you that extreme feeling of impending doom. Brilliant stuff

[@stephenelliott7071]

An incredible, intimidating and mechanical marvel that I rode once as it was always closed on future visits.

[@Skett]

I never went on slammer, but I'll always love it for one time. I was at Thorpe park with a group of friends, we stopped for lunch and there was one friend (who lived 5 minutes from Thorpe park and had a season ticket) refused to stop and break into his ride time. When we met up with him after lunch, we found out that he'd left us, got straight on slammer and it broke down with him on it. He'd only just got off again.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Hahaha

[@KiraCookies]

Rocky Express was my favourite thanks for shouting it out!

[@BellePullman]

I've never been much of a fan of flat rides - I love the journey and "round and round" isn't much of a story! I think they made a big mistake when they decided to make Thorpe Park all thrills and Chessington all kiddy rides, cut off all the families and groups of mixed levels of thrill-seeking. Am I showing my age by fondly remembering the train that took you across to the farm? Thrill rides all morning, lunch then an hour seeing cute animals, then back to the rides once you're less likely to feel sick!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

I agree i also think it was a mistake. I love the train and heading to the farm

[@booth2710]

Chessington has restrictions imposed on them by Surrey County Council. as to how high they can have constructions This is one of the reasons they have difficulty having high white knuckle rides.

[@tsuk2018]

Watching this makes me feel lucky to have experienced this cool ride. I only went on once or twice and it was plagued with issues. Trying to get on was the problem lol. Great video, would love them to hurry up and get Old town regenerated as it's really looking derelict these days.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

it needs it

[@kylebicker7649]

Well, if they haven't scrapped it, and said "who said it was getting scrapped", I hope they and S&S are working a solution for this due to popularity

[@frankiemay7023]

This was my fav ride at Thorpe park!!! Only got to ride it twice at about 15 before it was closed!

[@DCombz]

I rode Catapult as a kid many times in SF NE and yeah, the shoulder restraints even hurt me then. It still stands as the most intense flat ride I've ever been on and I think Slammer is a better name for the model because it really does feel like you're about to be slammed into the ground. I missed it when it stopped working at Six Flags and was eventually removed. Love anything intense, no matter how much it hurts.

[@timothyfogarty5829]

This is the only ride I refused to go on because it hurt so bad

[@TekkenBones]

Man, a ride like this just looks like a fortune to keep running.

[@princevultan6589]

I thoroughly enjoy your channel. You provide a great deal of information in a way that is very entertaining.

[@ghostmark2005]

Wow those clips at the beginning brought back so many memories of early Thorpe park That final bit of growing up seeing Thorpe park change really hit home. The Ontario play area etc I had completely forgotten had existed but a of the clips you showed brought back memories I didn't even know I had!!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

That is me as a kid!

[@emmachapman1179]

I had the thorpe park mr rabbit. Not many remember that either and the rangers

[@IntaminFanboy]

Thanks for looking at Slammer and the Sky Swat model in general! I'd love to see a video on the Sky Sling as well, another unique-but-failed ride model from S&S which only saw limited installations in the US and UK.

[@Highandpieeyed]

This is the only ride I ever have ridden once and never again after. It really really hurt me. I was about 17 and in so much pain. Was frightening.

[@terminallyelleofficial]

Same, I thought I was gonna fall out

[@yes-pn1gm]

Great video. I visited last Tuesday for the first time in 7 years and wondered what happened to Slammer. I only rode it once, I am quite tall and remember receiving a big bruise to my right shoulder. I bruise fairly easily, so it's not uncommon for me to bruise at theme parks, It could have been any ride in all honesty, but I haven't had a bruise that bad in repeat visits.

[@ivannat1]

One of the most intense flat rides I’ve ever been on. Don’t remember the restraints being bad, but I did only get to go on it once

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

It was!

[@MajinbouuGS]

You had to go on it once to understand “ok maybe i dont pull this thing down all the way so im crushing my spine” 🤣

[@ellyana5338]

I just found your channel a couple weeks ago and I just wanted to say that you are favorite KZbinr to watch. You do a very good job on the videos that you do keep it up!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yay! Thank you!

[@TheTjoconnor]

Man, after watching so many videos about failed attractions, I'm really impressed with all the rides that still run.

[@CivilianSatellite]

I got many rides on Catapult at SFNE; it wasn't the most comfortable, and it took forever to load, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. After it was unexpectedly retired, I had hoped to get to Thorpe to ride Slammer, but it looks like that window has passed. Thanks for delving into the history of this unique and intense ride.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

thank you for watching

[@secondvoltage]

Aw man, I loved Slammer, always went on it every time I was in the park.

[@leslierushforth4572]

Didn't realise how lucky I was to ride Slammer?!?! Wow! Only 2 in existence..Thanks again for another informative and entertaining vid 👍🏼

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you for watching

[@svis6888]

Great video! It relieves old forgotten rides like this one!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MikeyCline]

Your intro music is so nostalgic . Love it

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

do da da da

[@officialkamzie]

I’m glad I got to experience the slammer in Thorpe park years ago like 2011 it was a amazing ride I would never think it would have issues crazy

[@stevenklavins5714]

I loved this ride and indeed people found it intimidating, I had friends who would go on every ride in the park apart from Slammer. During uptime, you would get on crazy fast and just last weekend I saw it exactly as described, sadly rotting away. However, the floodlights of the ride were oddly in operation all day, but I can only speculate and I would say the most likely reason for this will be to use them as ambient lighting for the fright night season.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yeah likely

[@deejams18]

I miss this ride so much... I only got to go on it once but I remember it so fondly...

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Glad you got to ride

[@ReaquireFTW]

Fantastic and well put together video/commentary! I rode this was once and wasn't massive fan, I remember my legs hurting after coming off this from restraints being so tight, not quite as tight as submission was at alton towers mind!

[@ParasocialCatgirl]

I had the opposite problem. I've always been pretty darn thin, so the restraints were super loose for me.

[@ReaquireFTW]

3[L] I used to be pretty skinny too but i was around 6 foot, not sure of it was to do with height

[@eddybernstone]

I always found this to be the most intense ride at the park. not the most comfortable, but certainly packed a massive punch.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

i agree!

[@carafry1671]

This was 100% the scariest ride there, it was never open until like 2014 ish when it opened half days. The restraints not having the full over the shoulder restraints made it terrifying like you’d actually fall out, you’d have to push your feet and tense your body up as you went over. My favourite was going over the top first. I luckily rode it almost every time I went, sometimes twice due to low queue times. I’d love to go on it again

[@MM-ew4eh]

Yay you finally did it! Kinda wish this gets revamped some how..it really was an fun interesting ride!

[@hayden113]

NEVER STOP UPLOADING THESE!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

i will try!

[@christiancarr1704]

I used to ride SWAT at AstroWorld and this just makes me think about what a unique ride collection we lost in that park.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

so sad the park closed

[@Pander1985]

Ah I did love the ride! Left hand side first was good - on a good day you can see so much so far, used to love watching people on the other side watching you

[@jackiechun99]

4:57 Trappers Trail Fort Ontario- I forgot this existed at Thorpe Park. You've awakened an old memory. Thanks. Do you have any more video clips of this place?

[@ThatGuyYouArent2]

Oh man, I remember going on slammer a few times. Always seemed to be running when I was I visited the park. I knew sky swats were rare, but not THAT rare! It was intense on the shoulders, but still a fun and unique flat ride experience. I feel lucky now, to have gotten on slammer so many times when it was in service.

[@DownPro1]

I remember sitting on this a few times, it really was quite the experience

[@angelamarkle7968]

I’m kind of bummed that I never got to ride this. It sounds like a blast! But many flat rides, I believe, have seasons. I’m so glad I got to experience some of the older ones. Thank you for this excellent video!

[@DiscreetHobo]

I got to ride the Slammer about twice a few months before it closed. Footage of the ride in operation really does not give off the impression that the ride is enjoyable. Wrong this thing was the single most enjoyable flat ride experience I've ever had the joy to ride. And I am so saddened that The Slammer is abandoned. I hope at some point in the future it will reopen. Being the last of its kind...

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Unlikely sadly.

[@klzfc]

I had the chance to ride the version in Six Flags New England a few times. It does get a bit intense at the bottom, but was surprisingly less intense than it looks.

[@Gabes1321]

Matt Proper-Lee the one over there is a bit smaller I think so it’s less intense

[@Gabes1321]

even though it is sad that it lays there abandoned, it looks awesome. However a nice Huss topspin would do well there 👀

[@danielward4868]

The ride is still standing to this day! Even the seats haven't been removed

[@alicesullivan5387]

Once at Thorpe Park, I saw a Dad holding his daughter into Rush (the ride with the big swings). She looked way too small to be on there and we genuinely thought she might fall out. I'm pretty sure part of the ride fell off weeks before we went as well. I also went on The Slammer that day and I just remember it giving me an awful headache

[@matthewhook9649]

Hands down the best flat ride in the country when working. Such an awesome, intense experience. The only ones to come close to it are Samurai (when on a custom / extreme programme mode), Air - a Zierer Star Shape that travels and a Fabbri Booster.

[@ScrewyLoops]

Fantastic video! 🙌 Gotta love a bit of Slammer! RIP 😢

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Rip indeed!

[@Shirazzikkdh]

11:56 Criminal how ill maintained the Swatter at 6 Flags was. You can see the loose cables on it and the superstructure flexing under its own weight.

[@DIDCOTTWIST]

I absolutely loved the Slammer at Thorpe park always went on it when it was open.Always went around with arms in the air which was fun especially at the back most of my family hated it 😲

[@exinobelgonzalez2874]

I rode the old Catapult ride when Swat was relocated to Six Flags New England. I don't remember it being too uncomfortable, but I did remember all of its downtime. The only other flat ride that I can think that provides a similar experience, though nowhere as intense, is maybe a Huss Topspin. I must say I miss Catapult, it was a fun ride.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Love a topspin

[@Eurocampfamilyreviews]

Still have trauma after over an hour stuck at the top of his one summer The sweat dropping off people's seats was grim

[@jayducharme]

I live near Six Flags New England and I remember when that Swatter went in. I never had an interest in riding it, and much of the time the ride was down anyway. But it certainly was eye-catching. Its former location in the park is now the queue line for SkyScreamer.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

at least they took it out! :D

[@ScarletSky155]

God, I went on Catapult. It absolutely sucked. So incredibly painful on the shoulders and on your lap. You felt trapped and cramped and shoved in. And the ride operators came around and really pressed on the restraints. I was so happy when it went away

[@Jeronimogrim]

I rode the swing at Cedar Point. Omg it must be the best and the most scary flat ride I,ve experienced. I also love launching towers😍 and the noise of S&S rides is just music to my ears.

[@tierneyvt]

This is one of the few rides I have been on and absolutely hated. Remember clinging to the handles absolutely terrified, because I felt like I was continuously sliding out of the seat 😂

[@Proxinem]

That shoulder restraint always killed me. I'm very tall and I ALWAYS pulled it down too far. I once put my back out for a week because of that haha

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

yeah it could be so painful

[@HonorinTreason]

Sure wish we had the opportunity to ride one of these. Comfortable or not, that's a one of a kind experience.

[@lanpingpug]

My stepfather went on a corporate tour of the park when it was closed in the winter. He said he was chatting with a man who worked in the park's financial department about the rides and the guy told him that the swatter was sometimes referred to as "that fucking money pit".

[@hollistonpanther67]

I loved riding catapult in its short run at Six Flags New England. Weird ride for sure but always enjoyed it. Restraints were weird for sure and the shoulder restraints would often click a few notches down during the ride which didn't feel great..... but I always still loved it lol

[@DrLexieHarris]

Interesting that you have a soft spot for Thorpe park but haven’t done Stealth yet. Arguably the best rollercoaster in the UK!

[@SpikePBB]

Slammer was such a great ride. One of the best flat rides ever in the UK. I never found it uncomfortable but it was a problem child. I hope S&S try it again one day but more reliable.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Totally agree!

[@olimara1647]

I love rollercoasters, but I have never felt like I trusted one of these tall arm based rides. Just tracks for me please.

[@michaeltaylor1603]

It was a very unique ride to be sure. Yes! AstroWorld had one + Diablo Falls added the same year. AW was getting back to its "roots" when they put those 2 rides in. AW used to do innovative things until it closed in 2005. At 1st appearance the ride doesn't seem like much, until it spins you around & you're 90 ft. up in the air!

[@kitk.9433]

i remember i went on my first date ever to thorpe park like 7 years ago, and ended up going straight on slammer - i absolutely loved it!! even got an annual pass the next year to celebrate my gcse's, and used to drag my friends on it absolutely every single time we went. the trick was to put your feet on the seat in front to save your shoulders when going forwards, and to just pray when you went backwards. that was the worst part lmao. i never even realised it closed properly until a good year later... still not as sad as the log flume tho :((