The History Of Rita: The So Called Queen Of Speed | Expedition Alton Towers

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Join us on Expedition Alton Towers as we look at the non secret weapon Rita: Queen of Speed. This Intamin hydraulic launch coaster opened at the park in 2005. First in Ug Land and now Dark Forest it offers an impressive launch and a windy track. Do you want to ride Rita?
Take a look at our Expedition of Alton Towers for further park videos.
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[@SonOfFurzehatt]

I never realised that the marketing for Rita was quite that cringeworthy. As for the re-theme, I think it would have made more sense to create a backstory that Rita is a drag racer possessed by a ghost, and that it still races through the woods where once there was a racetrack.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

The marketing was real bad.

[@aidanstead6069]

kinda like the theme of big thunder mountain at the disney parks with a drag racer instead of a mine train...pretty cool

[@ethanfletcher4957]

SonOfFurzehatt that is the theme now isn’t it?

[@SonOfFurzehatt]

@@ethanfletcher4957 Not really. The backstory is that the Dark Forest has taken over the racetrack, but Rita serves as a means to escape the Forest. It doesn't make a huge amount of sense given that you end up where you started.

[@ethanfletcher4957]

SonOfFurzehatt ok thanks

[@gavin9068]

Fastest launch? No Inversions? No Good name? No Good theming? No Hotel? Trivago

[@guy2316]

I prefer TripAdvisor

[@hayato5815]

g8803 g8803 the owl with a gown advert!

[@stalesourdough]

LMAOOOOO

[@panicking5611]

I mean, the names alright.

[@electrohalo8798]

American excessive corporate advertising? ZERO

[@PancakeRAPTURE]

When will we get a coaster that launches people from 0 to 100 in 3 seconds straight up into the air and off the actual track like Roller Coaster Tycoon?

[@mollsterw2847]

@Peterson’s Place Got it I’ll build one in my backyard

[@Adzcantsing]

Or even better thrillvile if your coaster came flying of the track you parachuted back to the ground.

[@Whoolgans]

@@Adzcantsing but the death is the best part!

[@FizzDragon8273]

*My worst nightmare!*

[@Addictedcoolmos]

@petersons place its like when you could make it fast the game broke

[@MatgoStyles]

Just as with Thirteen, the marketing is what let this ride down. Imagine launching with a campaign claiming to be better than Nemesis.

[@garyglitter7379]

Fr, I actually enjoy thirteen tho

[@Gabes1321]

Thirteen is rlly funny though.

[@joshl9328]

Marketing for Rita and Th13teen was genius! Marketing is about getting guests through the gates. Both campaigns delivered exactly that!

[@PhidSillips]

@@joshl9328 Not fully successful as if you don't deliver on what you promised people are less likely to come back. Someone in the comments said they haven't visited Alton Towers for 16 years because of the false advertising.

[@wolffuryanimates7227]

Ha, the thought of that makes me want to puke

[@bowser515]

Rita isn't a bad ride at all, it's fairly intense, if not brief. But now that we think about it, they could have dug down into the terrain and given her a lot more height difference and terrain interaction like Nemesis.

[@SNORKYMEDIA]

or ANYTHING else to make it more than just a launch

[@ryan_n05]

Rita Replacement idea: Area: Retheme the area to a metropolis that the Dark Forest is trying to take back. Th13teen could keep its theme, as it could be a part of the metropolis that the Dark Forest successfully took over. Ride: The entrance of the ride would resemble a London Underground station, with the entire queue line running through the abandoned station. When you arrive at the ride platform, which is 30-45 metres underground, you load onto an Intamin blitz train stylised to look like a train. You launch out of the station to 120 kph, up onto a mock-skyscraper with vines growing up it. You then go through a vertical drop (without a twist), and several inversions, overbanked turns, and airtime hills, before going through one final airtime hill that drops you back underground, and then you hit the brakes. But wait... you aren’t at the right station. The back portion of the track that you are sitting on suddenly drops down, resulting in the ride vehicle facing upward at a 45° angle. I call this a teeter totter track. You fall backwards, and then go into a waiting position as the track moves upwards so that your ride vehicle can advance forwards into the unload station.

[@LeeONardo]

Re theme it to be Top Gun with you on the launch deck. Increase the take off speed. Kenny Loggins music blasting out.

[@tosspot1305]

Biggest problem with that is cost. As he said the ride was a cheap quick filler ride while wating for the next weapon. Longer track and substantial terraforming would jack up the price considerably

[@Georgie94]

Might have been hard to dig down, they might have been able to where Thirteen is but you’d have the problem with the trees as they couldn’t remove some of them, I just don’t think that area in general should have two coasters seems a bit crowded especially when there is empty space right at the bottom of the Dark Forest where UG Swingers was.

[@emmaperez8082]

Rita: your best ride ever Smiler: allow us to introduce ourselves

[@phoebe_2007]

The smiler is so good bro

[@electrohalo8798]

Wicker man, smiler, ICON, swarm, STEALTH and storm chaser: allow us to introduce ourselves

[@twistedcheese1]

@@electrohalo8798 the ultimate, the big one, megafobia, oddessy, grand national, kumali, millennium and nemesis inferno say hello

[@bigman5823]

Emma Perez Nemesis, Oblivion and Air: Hey we’re still here!!

[@uncommongaming1490]

I find the smiler overrated tbh.

[@galacticducky]

rita was the first 'proper' coaster i went on when i was younger and it quickly became my favourite, but as i grew more brave and tried oblivion, nemesis, thirteen and the smiler and i became underwhelmed when riding rita again it's a fun ride, but not worth the often 2 hour queue wait is has

[@DarkCobra88]

Exactly! I first went when i was 11 or 12 and got to enjoy Rita and Air as the only "big" coasters due to my friends being cowards and not wanting to ride everything, Air was my favourite but Rita certainly felt close behind as it was the first time i felt that launch. In years to come (now in my 20's) i really don't ride Rita often unless the line is fast, 20 minutes or less and i might queue for it but even then i will likely lean towards Smiler or oblivion. *I usually start with Nemesis anyway.

[@danielmullins9953]

They called this Alton Towers best ride at one point? Did they forget they had Nemesis in the park?

[@blahahhablahahsh6853]

Did you or get what an opinion is?

[@danielmullins9953]

@@blahahhablahahsh6853 are you saying you think Rita is better than Nemesis?

[@blahahhablahahsh6853]

Daniel Mullins No, I'm saying that you clearly don't understand that this guy has an opinion, and *to me*, it looks like you are disrespecting it.

[@danielmullins9953]

@@blahahhablahahsh6853 well it's not really anyones opinion, it was just a marketing line to try hype up the ride and a stupid one at that. The park were just lying to guests at that point.

[@bigman5823]

Blahahha Blahahsh so, because someone shared their (right) opinion, you think that’s disrespecting someone’s (wrong) opinion. Do you not realise how stupid that sounds?

[@alyssa5430]

rita is kinda a weird name for a rollercoaster. i know someone who is rita. she’s like 40

[@smggobrrr7586]

Alyssa and she’s fast asf

[@alyssa5430]

PadZ SpamsL2 40 year old going fast

[@amateurprogamer9659]

Well she was 26 when this RollerCoaster opened.

[@Awzuki]

I just think of Rita ora

[@nbw__foster2388]

It’s ATIR backwards, ATIR meaning Alton Towers Intamin Rocket

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

The Queen of Speed....Lightning McQueen’s new wife?

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yeah he loves Rita!

[@lunahetfield]

Avery The Cuban-American lovely Rita

[@xri0tt]

_i am speed_

[@sugarlover162]

Called rita or camila

[@DreamsOfLennox]

Lightning better be over 18, you only need to be 16 to drive

[@MattFromWiiSportsResort]

Personally, RITA isn’t rough for me but the restraints feel horrific Anyone else?

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

They are rubbish and not needed

[@cindr_]

Nothing to grip on either!

[@george-pi5mo]

ritas restraints are fine for me, really smooth.

[@Addictedcoolmos]

me

[@snerttt]

Yeah, absolute ball crushers

[@galrides934]

I love expedition alton towers, the videos are so informative for enthusiasts like me lol

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you! Glad you enjoy them

[@chadbusch8541]

I wanna visit Alton Towers so bad after watching these

[@williamgeorge1120]

To give a very, very simple explanation- The secret weapon ‘program’ was created (albeit by accident) by John Wardley, the designer of Nemesis, Oblivion and Air. The reason Rita was not a secret weapon is because at the time John was no longer involved with the company, as it was being run by ‘the money men’ between Tussaud’s and Merlins ownership. I’d recommend his autobiography ‘Creating my own Nemesis’, of which it’s later chapters discuss Alton Towers.

[@JJ-fq5rl]

Oh my gosh this was so worth the 12 minutes, I was wondering why Rita suddenly got mossy and rusty, and how the wheel for the entrance suddenly went really dirty with vines over it. This was so fact full. Ty

[@quinnzyker6521]

I’d love a launch coaster that looked and felt like a hot wheels track built by a kid hopped up on energy drinks

[@alaeriia01]

So iSpeed or Maverick?

[@TrustedCharl]

Dunno if anyone else remembers adverts that came before Rita was called Rita, for a day or two it was called Diana queen of speed and the adverts were quickly pulled.

[@joyfulmordo3168]

Probably scared it would crash

[@joyfulmordo3168]

To soon?

[@FuchsiaMuffin]

Big ol *Roblox Death SFX*

[@TrustedCharl]

Legit they had it renamed Camilla, Elizabeth and Diana.

[@kyledouglas8134]

Oof

[@harrietaustin4298]

Rita was my first "proper" roller coaster when I was younger and will always hold a special place in my heart! You can't deny the rush you get from it, and I think it's a very fun ride! Scary? Maybe not.. but definitely a lot of fun

[@BeMoreBroadway]

Every "hmm...wait-" had me laughing. xD I wonder if Alton really thought about all the double entendres while marketing the ride.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

They for sure did! They kept calling it a babe

[@scurelle2237]

@@ExpeditionThemePark why

[@ThatGuyYouArent2]

As soon as you showed the ad with the 0-100 bs, memories flooded back of seeing that advert for the first time and getting super excited that I was finally gonna get on a coaster that went 100 mph! And the subsequent disappointment and feeling of betrayal when I actually got to see the ride and it was... slow and shit. Now I remember why I never pay attention to the advertising of any new attractions. Nothing means anything until I at least see the ride.

[@edwardholmes91]

The advert didn't say 0 - 100mph though, it said 0 - 100.

[@mrdrgonzo]

The first bit is fast, the rest is very short and boring

[@guy2316]

So called Queen of speed Sam's gettimg sarcastic in these titles boys

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Getting Abit sassy!

[@gemma2547]

I honestly loved rita. It was my first ever major ride, and helped me love them to this day.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

That's amazing everyone has different experiences

[@MeltedToast84]

Same!

[@alexlents4689]

It’s perfectly fine to have different opinions. For example, I enjoy The Beast at Kings Island more than Mystic Timbers.

[@Lulu-ut9pv]

I remember the UGG land. I climbed the wall climbing part in the centre, I think it was kinda successful due to what was popular at the time. I think davids walking with dinosaurs, some dinosaur movies were out at the time too. Glad the area was changed as it wasn't the cleanest area as all those stalls sold food not toys.

[@Adar512]

Rita-I am the queen of speed Formula Rossa-u dare oppose me mortal?

[@xri0tt]

Lightning McQueen: *Are you challenging me?*

[@mythified9229]

@@Addictedcoolmos u SUCK

[@electrohalo8798]

Me when I fart and go flying at .2 light speed: *P A T H E T I C*

[@TristanSexyBaconGod]

As someone who is too scared of the X-sector, RITA is kinda perfect for me XD

[@garyglitter7379]

X-Sector has my two favourite rides

[@rec8127]

Me being absolutely petrified of X-Sector is why I love it so much.

[@IskdIwowke-tw1yy]

@@garyglitter7379 same

[@TheTuber81]

Great video as always. Kind of thought that Universal Studios Florida should have made a launch ride for Fast and Furious rather than what was produced. Would have made more sense.

[@metropod]

I am not afraid to admit I’ve never sat through a F&F movie in its entirety and even I could tell you that’s a better idea than PoS screen show they went with. Fingers crossed for the new park.

[@rjdees411]

i spotted taron in that opening god i miss that coaster so much its my favorite of ALL TIME

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

It's so good

[@DiRtYLaWs2007]

Robin Dees I’d love to see a coaster like Taron at Alton Towers. It could work perfectly as it doesn’t need a great height. If Rita is ever removed, it could fit perfectly into that area!!

[@rjdees411]

@@DiRtYLaWs2007 i totally agree, ntm the theme-ing potential is so great with a coaster like that, it could really breathe life into an entire section of the park

[@olivercooper3994]

Taron is immense!

[@justjack8909]

Googles "ride Rita" 5 minutes later "DAMMIT!"

[@thicboibigsmoke7220]

I went on it in June and it is just as scary as the first time, especially when sitting in the front. Honestly my favourite for design and atmosphere, because I’m too scared for the smiler

[@leoniejayne4546]

I was only at Alton Towers last month and I had no idea they'd taken away the 'Queen of speed' bit, that proper feels like a mandela effect 😂

[@gemma2547]

6:28 So you could say this ride was an ...April fools joke 😂😂😂👌👌👌 Okay I'll leave now

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Bum dum tssssh

[@electrohalo8798]

Please stay

[@beckigreen]

gemma Please do.

[@lillybrindley2830]

personally my favoruite rides at alton towers are 1.galactica- it was my first ever proper rollercoaster and it used to be kinda cool when they added vr but i understand why they were removed. 2. smiler- used to be scared to go on it after hearing the accident but its a pretty nice ride tbh 3. nemisis- just good init

[@Tedds]

I'm not much of a rollercoaster fan, so going on Rita was me stepping out of my comfort zone. I see what you mean about it not being particularly interesting after the launch, but to me that was the appeal, as I didn't think it was going to be too bad. That being said, to me, it was awful. For all I can remember it was just that powerful launch, and me screaming "JESUS CHRIST" a few times. So I'm grateful for its existence to give me a less intense but still scary experience on a rollercoaster I wouldn't normally go on, and to reaffirm that yes, I do hate coasters, but at least I gave it a go!

[@iliketrains3546]

If you hate Rita’s launch then never step a foot near stealth

[@xlillybiezenaar]

To be honest Rita is still one of my favourite rides. I went on it as a kid and despite being a bit shaken I loved it. Then as I got older I did rides like Nemesis and Oblivion, however Rita still had to be a must-ride for me. Then I did Smiler and absolutely loved it. I mainly go on the bigger rides now when I visit Alton Towers, however I still have to go on Rita every time because to me it remains iconic.

[@somerandomspider-critic2054]

Some random person: is Rita really the queen of speed? Alton towers :yes but actually no.

[@girlinatophat1418]

didn’t read a sign that mentioned how fast this was, a ten year old behind me heard me scream ‘piss sticks’ out of shock the moment it began to move,,,

[@marcuscross8051]

Piss sticks? Do such things exist?

[@bigman5823]

Yes Piss+freezer=piss sticks

[@twistedtrackstravel8771]

Missin the stick placement 😂😂😂

[@tomreevo]

Not as bad as when I went to Chessington, and my first ever roller-coaster (I'm scared of the bloody things but love these videos) was Vampire. I wasn't expecting the speed it had, so the family behind me heard me scream "SHITTING HELL" as we hit the second turn. Loved the ride by the way, helped get rid of my fear of coasters.

[@Adzcantsing]

It would feel better in forbidden valley as escape from nemesis, and even enclose it. Wonder how much to relocate it there. If they ever sold it on. If would make a great attraction at pleasure land southport.

[@TicontyXTRA]

when you said its slower than oblivion i just bursted out laughing

[@abagar2000]

Rita: Alright guys, you've had your time in the spotlight, but now it's time for the Queen of Speed to take center stage! Nemesis: Rita? Well she's a very energetic girl, no doubt, but she's not the best ride. She isn't even a Secret Weapon! Oblivion: I remember when Alton Towers was promoting her, they said it was gonna top every other ride. I mean, come on! I have the world's first vertical drop, what does she have?! "Oh she's fast," SO IS EVERY OTHER RIDE!! Air: I honestly feel kinda bad for Rita. She really did everything she could to stand out from the other rides, and I supported her all the way. Then, just as she was figuring out her role here... Well, Th13teen happened. Th13teen: Yeah, me taking over Ug Land and changing it to the Dark Forest hit Rita hard, especially when I killed off Corkscrew. Looking back at it now, I kinda wish I hadn't... Smiler: What I like about Rita is that she didn't give up. After Ug Land became the Forest, she used her love of speed to help the parkgoers and keep them safe from Th13teen. The fact that she was able to turn chicken sh*t into chicken salad, I respect that... Even if she doesn't have any inversions as me. Wicker Man: Rita was one of the first few people who joined my Welcoming. For that, I've always respected her, and I always will.

[@Ciarasoup]

I love this

[@kimberleysmith818]

This is great! Even if I hate the bit about killing off Corkscrew as that was my first rollercoaster haha! Awfully tough towards the end. Thirteen is great though!

[@edcola6671]

Does this mean Alton Towers is just displaying Corkscrew’s corpse as a reminder of Thirteen’s crimes?

[@autizztic]

Me: mom can we have [Launch Coaster] Mom: no; we have [Launch Coaster] at home [Launch Coaster] at home:

[@AudreyMealiff]

I had one ride in Rita in 2010, the queues were mental. I thought the launch was awesome at the time and would love to get back to ride again. However, I rode Red Force last week- now THAT is a launch coaster!!!! 😮😮😲👏👏👏👏

[@MrYoungspeeder]

Intamin also built another launch coaster in Australia... Superman Escape. 100kph in 2 seconds towards a top hat. One of the best rides I’ve ever been on

[@lukegreen5341]

I've Been On Rita Queen Of Speed Roller Coaster At Alton Towers Back In August 2016 And It Was Super Awesome Fantastic Roller Coaster. Thanks Expedition Theme Park Mate. X

[@Hatska2wolf]

Rita is a classic for me but if the wait is long I’ll give it a miss, that is when it’s not broken down. I went the other day and they had to evacuate the area, because the rides motor house was smoking heavily and there were alarms going off left right and centre. There are other rides in the park I prefer.

[@george-pi5mo]

rita is my #3 coaster at towers, the airtime is underrated.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

I get very little on it.

[@george-pi5mo]

@@ExpeditionThemePark every one of those banked hills gives me ejector, thats weird.

[@ToThePointCT]

@@george-pi5mo same

[@TylerPlays-ec5cc]

If you want proper airtime,do wicker man. It has a lot of airtime for a family coaster. And I know this since when I go to Alton towers I stick to the family coasters.

[@KoasterKing205]

I think Rita is fun personally, the layout is fairly unique for what it is. Stealth however, has to be my favourite Hydraulic Launch Coaster though.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

After going on some of the bigger ones it's hard to love stealth

[@KoasterKing205]

@@ExpeditionThemePark I've yet to try the bigger ones

[@KoasterKing205]

@Morris Meeuwissen Yeah, Kingda Ka is one I really want to ride. But I think even if I did ride these coasters I couldn't put Stealth down. The ride is still great in its own merit, height & speed aren't everything in coasters.

[@KoasterKing205]

@Morris Meeuwissen Well that won't stop me from riding. It looks pretty intense even though height & speed ain't all that.

[@deadaccount2048]

@@KoasterKing205Idk if it was intended, but there was actually plans for a ride called “the bigger one” at BPB that would also be a bigger hydraulic launch and would be about as tall as Top Thrill Dragster!! Never happened tho :/

[@Ghoulwalker1203]

Personally I love this ride, as it was the first roller coaster I went on with my sister when I was finally tall enough, it may not be hugely exciting but it’s still fun to ride.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yeah the launch is fun

[@Ghoulwalker1203]

So many funny pictures of me and my sister have come from that launch 😂😂

[@isobellahayesx5600]

Is it enjoyable or scary?

[@Mullac]

Isobella Hayes x it completely depends. If your head is above the restraints you will love it but if not you will get constant headbanging and not enjoy it.

[@blogsfromus7184]

tbh, rita is a great ride, very fun and i love how the launch is v unexpected. with just a great theme, dark forest with the soundtrack and just the screams make dark forest, dark forest. you can interact with the coaster a lot too. its just fun fast and pulls a lot of g force

[@edb4ll165]

Honestly I enjoyed Rita. I thought the launch was great! Makes me really excited to ride Stealth! EDIT: Hah, don't even remember commenting this, I have now ridden Stealth, and after experiencing one of the most powerful launches Intamin has ever done... tear down Rita, and give us a Blitz please thank you :)

[@deadaccount2048]

4 years later, it is now THE MOST POWERFUL LAUNCH that anyone has made that is even still standing. It was made from 0-80 in 2.3 seconds to 0-83 (for weight distribution) in 1.8 seconds! There was faster launches on s&s coasters but they have both been retired, leaving Stealth as the fastest launch on Earth!

[@jamiefrost8476]

The sarcasm is strong with this one

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

😃

[@ellentaylor-king5680]

I am living for it 😂

[@kaseycaitlin1951]

My sister went Alton towers and went on Rita and I saw her photo and her photo was funny she only went earlier this month

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Hope she had fun!

[@kaseycaitlin1951]

Expedition Theme Park she did and came home really tired

[@basil4045]

i went with my sister a couple of weeks ago and a whole lock of her hair got stuck in the restraints and she ended up having to pull it out her head before we held up the next lot of people

[@DefalttTheRat]

2:06 When I tell you, my heart almost STOPPED thinking the cart was about to do a RCT move and go flying off the track --

[@boredandihaveyoutube8175]

Same I freaked out

[@formablecaesar9170]

most accurate alton towers yt vid ever. Perfect music at abt 0:20 and talking about rita

[@bswift1991]

I have one of the greatest ride photos I've ever featured in taken on this ride. It was my first launch coaster when I rode it about 10 years ago and I just did not expect the launch to be that forceful! That said once it was over I didn't really it rate it much. Everyone else said it was their favourite ride at AT but I preferred literally every other coaster including thirteen to Rita. It's just got nothing to it beyond the launch.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yeah that's the problem

[@bswift1991]

@@ExpeditionThemePark It's not even like a launch coaster needs a 400ft top hat element to be good. Look at Taron in Phantasialand. It basically does what nemesis does but it a launch coaster. Stays very near to the ground and build a super intense layout through constant dives, twists and near misses. Rita was such a missed opportunity.

[@ElaineOpper]

So I’ve been bingeing on this channel for the past few days, and I’m planning on a UK/Euro trip to visit some of these parks and rides you mention. Alton Towers and Efteling are at the top of my list. I understand you’re in the UK, but any chance to cover some Cedar Point stuff? I’m from Ohio, and I did love the episode on the Bat at King’s Island and the back story of King’s Island. Love everything about your channel!

[@Jackp499]

I’ve only ridden Desert Race a near exact clone. It’s one of my favorite launch coasters. It’s not on the same level as any of the modern Intamin launch coasters but it’s still a great ride with good airtime and positives.

[@Yasin_2312]

I remember queuing up for Th13teen and Rita was so loud that my ear drum nearly busted

[@TylerPlays-ec5cc]

Yea same,I went on 13 for the second time yesterday (Last tried it 2 years,ended up making me hate roller coasters) and while I was trying to talk to my mum,Rita kept on zooming past us with noises which break the sound barrier.

[@sheeple04]

Worst of all: Theres a damn clone in Germany

[@3coasters]

Desert Race in my Home Park, Heide Park

[@TheMaverick987]

I personally think Rita is criminally underrated. Its not the best ride ever. Far from it. But it is a good ride. The hills have some decent ejector airtime and the turns are genuinely intense, especially turn 2. It is the weakest Intamin Accelerator I've done but every Accelerator I've done have been from good to amazing.

[@duxwontobey4887]

My dad loves this ride, he went on it about 10 times in a row and it's his fav ride ever :D for me tho it rattled 13 year old me so much I got off of it crying.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

It is pretty rough

[@thejoysequence]

Enjoyed this video as always from this channel! Love the sarcastic shade at the cattle pen and uncovered station too haha 😅 keep up the good work!

[@BusterMissy1]

There was an alternative ad for it “Camila- Queen of Speed” look it up on TowersTimes.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

It's in my video

[@keepsmilinglittlemax1244]

I actually love this ride... 🥺

[@emilyholt1416]

I love the Alton Tower videos! Keep them coming, I appreciate them so much as I am going to Alton Towers soon and am very excited to do so!

[@CharliXCXismymom]

Out of the hundreds of roller coasters I’ve been on Storm Runner at Hershey Park will always be my favorite!!! Rita is pretty fun tho!

[@benryan8031]

At last the queen has her video favourite ride at Alton

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Poor queen!

[@MeltedToast84]

Top Thrill Dragster: Son, clean my shoes you peasant! Rita: Yes papa...

[@TylerPlays-ec5cc]

King da ka: Well YOU should clean my shoes Top thrill dragster:Ugh

[@izzylk1802]

i can vaguely remember riding the corkscrew when i was younger and 'ugg land' just unlocked a memory i didnt know i had

[@lanpingpug]

I remember that every time I went there the thing was closed due to weather conditions. Building a coaster in the UK that has to stop because of rain? Genius. I also remember going on The Thunder Looper when our school took us to Alton Towers. There was no queue for it at all so my three friends and I went on it about 4-5 times without having to exit the car. It was great.

[@grahamkirkman4328]

Your videos are brilliant, keep them coming

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you!

[@rattyeely]

"themed to 1950s cars...very fitting for the prehistoric Ug Land" I can't tell if this is sarcastic criticism or a joke about the old days

[@orwellianwiress]

Ah, Rita. Every time I hear that name I giggle a little on the inside because of this ride. Long live the Queen of Speed!

[@jeffcunningham308]

Another great video man. Love when you do Alton tower ride history

[@Monkeypole]

It’s great how subjective rollercoasters are: I genuinely get more adrenaline going riding Rita than Nemesis and find Spinball Whizzer the scariest ride in the park, only time I’ve ever closed my eyes on a coaster! I suppose different things scare/thrill different people.

[@hollyhinchliffe8455]

Can you do a video on flamingo land roller coasters, would love to hear more about them.

[@TheGreatGritzy]

There's nothing to talk about with them, what have they had besides an El Loco clone that was once the steepest drop?

[@hollyhinchliffe8455]

Sprinkles I don’t know what they’ve had. I’ve been once. I mean like all the past roller coasters. It’s a pretty run down place there must be something to speak about

[@catchkevmeup3495]

Fantastic yet again, please keep it up. Would you consider doing more on the history of Alton ?

[@Jess-et5oq]

Soz but Rita is and will always be my favourite ride. Not just at AT but ever

[@SamDavies94]

The Thunderlooper - Directed by Quentin Tarantino

[@ChLoMB-he5fd]

She’s the queen of speed in her own way! Leave her alone 😂 I say she’s the queen of speed in Britain and stealths the king 👑

[@shadowd251]

The big one is faster than Rita

[@Ciarasoup]

Love her 💗

[@A-ProductionsYT]

I’ve ridden Rita before and my head banged so much right after the launch.

[@ScrewyLoops]

Excellent video as usual! I have a soft spot for Rita, whilst not my favourite Alton Towers coaster it provides a great launch, surprising forces and nice pops of airtime 👍

[@Hoffyman]

Nice video. I hope I can go to Alton Towers one day.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Hope you do also!

[@VMFYT]

2:13 guy looks like he shat in his pants lol

[@gamesbub]

Love this channel never ever stop uploading

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

I will try!

[@TrafalgarD.Shambles]

I don’t understand why you don’t have 500,000 subscribers yet. I started binge watching this for about a week now. Plus I can’t wait to go to (B.Gardens) in a few days from now.

[@JoshB333]

Rita should really be replaced by an Intamin Blitz and come with a entire dark forest upgrade 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@thejoysequence]

Couldn't agree more this could be amazing and much better fitting

[@JoshB333]

I take this back. I worship Rita

[@fabrilax]

Heide Park: Hey Merlin can we get a launch coaster Merlin: Sure, we already have one. Want that? Heide Park: Can we get a unique one? Merlin: No Heide Park: Dessert Race

[@tombanner496]

Love the nostalgic feel to these vids

[@lordsoffloppypancakes8466]

The music at the start is still charming :))))))))))))

[@coastersuk1019]

It’s funny that you have got all these amazing, intense hydraulic coasters like: TTD, Storm Runner, Furius Baco, Stealth, Kingda Ka,xcelerator and then you have got terrible ones like Rita and Desert race.

[@madox223]

I haven't been on rita but I actually like desert race, didn't know it was a launch coaster so was so surprised when it started ahah, probably would'be been a bit underwhelmed if I'd known though maybe

[@taylorbartholomew5617]

A-Alton T-Towers I-International R-Raceway Flip it round RITA

[@adelestevens]

There was a plan to put an inversion (barrel roll) into the 1st downhill but this would have meant the launch needed to be 5% faster. A test of launch pressure was done a couple of months after opening to ascertain the maximum pressure required leading to weeks of downtime due to a failure during the test.

[@deadaccount2048]

Shame. They made Stealths launch WAY FASTER, and it’s currently the fastest acceleration that still operates on the planet. Shame they couldn’t adjust it a bit here.

[@divedrop]

You should do the entire life of the boat ride at Alton Towers. Then you can talk about Around the World in 80 Days, Toyland Tours, Charlie and the Alton Towers Dungeon.

[@alfiemeadows3541]

I requested this!!!!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Here you go! 😃

[@alfiemeadows3541]

Expedition Theme Park thank you :)))

[@jcole8857]

Despite the launch being a different style, the layout and overall design is reminiscent of the new Hagrids Motorbike coaster at Universal Orlando, as both rides are very flat without much verticality. Not too fast and thrilling either, but still exciting as any coaster with a launch is...

[@logicn.reasoning9744]

Except that Hagrid's has at least 3 launches to keep the speed going throughout the whole ride.

[@michikip45]

I’d love to see you talk about the history of Dollywood someday and possibly some of its coasters! 💖

[@BassGuitarSlide]

I rode Desert Race at Heide Park, which is basically the same. I like the powerful launch - and it also offers some decent airtime. It's not outstanding, but the third best coaster at this park :)

[@Silacide]

"Height restrictions apply" . So sad, they could have made Rita a lot taller otherwise!

[@sinista6536]

Silacide Squad Rita at Alton Towers and Stealth at Thorpe Park we’re originally designed as one ride when purchased by Tussauds, but because of the height restrictions and need for something new at Alton Towers, they split the ride and put them at the two parks.

[@Silacide]

@@sinista6536 That's so dumb oof

[@joyfulmordo3168]

Nobody: Alton towers fan boy: at least they didn’t copy their rival theme parks coaster ahem ahem Thorpe park

[@joyfulmordo3168]

Still nobody: Alton Towers fan boy: Thorpe park rips off Alton all the time, Alton build nemesis, Thorpe build inferno, Alton build a brand new type of B&M rollercoaster found nowhere in the Uk (air), Thorpe build a new type off B&M coaster found no where in the UK (the swarm), Alton build a launch, Thorpe build a launch,

[@ianruck1908]

Everybody else. Both parks are owned by the same company

[@dominikheiderer9161]

Great video! 👏🏻

[@lolno6975]

Cussing out Alton towers? The "not my home park" park? Now this is epic