Why did VR coasters fail, and will they ever make a comeback?

10 years ago, VR coasters were promising to be the future, but now they're just a relic, after most of the parks that gave it a try ended up ditching the technology soon after. But why did the likes of Galactica and Kraken Unleashed fail, and what did the parks do wrong to waste the potential of this technology? I also take a look at whether Apple and a new ride at Universal's Epic Universe could kickstart a revolution of next-gen VR attractions.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:30 - The Birth of VR
02:39 - Simulators
04:42 - A new technology
06:40 - Operations
Note that none of the footage used in this video was my own, but the originals can be found via the links below:
Galactica Advert: • Galactica at Alton Tow...
Galactica Station: • Galactica - Alton Towers
Galactica VR POV: • Galactica Full VR POV ...
Kraken VR POV: • FULL Kraken Unleashed ...
Kraken off-ride: • Kraken Off-Ride Footag...
Kraken side-by-side POV: • FULL Kraken Unleashed ...
Galactica POV: • Galactica [4K] Multi-A...
Crazy Bats Advert: • CRAZY BATS - die neue ...
Superman Station: • Superman The Ride VR C...
HEX POV: • Hex POV @ Alton Towers
Intamin Multi-Dimension Coaster: • Intamin Multi Dimensio...
MarioKart: • Introducing SUPER NINT...
Music = The Grid by SavfkMusic: • 'The Grid' by @SavfkMu...
#altontowersresort #altontowers #galactica #kraken #seaworld #seaworldorlando #seaworldflorida #virtualreality #universalorlando #rollercoaster #themepark

[@HarryJSmith]

I’m not saying that I’m disappointed that the VR left Galactica… but I’m at least a little bummed that I never got to try it

[@coaster_shark]

Yeah, I think it had a bit of a mixed reception. I enjoyed the VR, but at the same time, I wasn't particularly sad to see it go. It is a shame you never got to try it though, all the more reason to hope for a comeback!

[@4khero]

Saved yourself a headache, the sync was terrible

[@coaster_shark]

Oh yeah, when it was off, it was really off, wasn't it

[@l0wh1n]

Hopefully it does come back. I went on Crazy Bats at Phantasialand and it was honestly great fun.

[@coaster_shark]

That does seem like one of the few that was actually done well tbf. It would be a shame if it didn't!

[@tvgamingreal]

@@coaster_shark it really felt good, as a guy who never goes on roller coasters, this didn't make me nauseaos but it made me thrilled everytime

[@tigeryeh491]

As far as I know, the most successful VR roller coaster currently is the indoor roller coaster in the Cool Japan area at Universal Studios Japan. Cool Japan is a semi-annual event unique to Universal Studios Japan. This event takes place in a specific area of the park and features main attractions such as a 4D theater, an indoor roller coaster, and indoor exhibition areas. Each year, Cool Japan collaborates with well-known IPs to create digital content. By doing this, they can offer visitors new experiences without the need for a complete overhaul of the area.

[@coaster_shark]

That sounds pretty cool, but if it's only ever temporary, that makes me worry that it will just end up being a gimmick each time. If anyone was to do it right, you would think it would be Japan though...

[@danielward4868]

The first time I rode Galactica I did it with the VR. It was fun, but the headset slid off on the fly to lie inversion. Since then, the VR was removed when I next visited the park. My family and I all prefered the coaster without it.

[@coaster_shark]

Yeah, I the VR itself was actually pretty cool, but the headset slipping off or just being uncomfortable ruined it for a lot of people

[@PG13park]

I feel VR is better suited for interactive experiences, totally different from roller coaster. Imagine how cool a VR go kart game could be for example!

[@coaster_shark]

I completely agree!

[@alenaberry1439]

Rode crazy bats, the graphics could use a little improvement here and there but overall a nice addition to the ride. I also went on a vr coaster at my local park in Russia. It was advertised as the only one in the country (we don't have many coasters except for kiddie powered ones to begin with) leading to the biggest wait time in the park. Vr is the main feature people are flocking towards, because otherwise it's just a wild mouse. The picture didn't always match the movement so I felt a little sick afterwards. A nice family ride though, but definitely not worth the wait

[@coaster_shark]

Yeahhh, I'm not sure I would be happy waiting more than 15 minutes or so for a wild mouse, even if it did have VR...

[@highhopes2006]

I went to Copenhagen few years ago off season at the middle of the week, so I virtually had the park to myself, so I could do the coaster several times and only once I asked for the VR headset, and it was lot less fun then without. on the other hand, AR experience that will add more stuff to the real world can be awsome

[@coaster_shark]

Tivoli is such a cool little park isn't it! I agree that AR would be awesome, I think it will just be difficult to get right

[@Regiorex]

i remember doing a vr rollercoaster at legoland. i HATED rollercoasters back then they were terrifying

[@coaster_shark]

Hahaha fair enough!

[@donfranktv]

Interesting video - i think Crazy Bats at Phantasialand has been executed well - would love to see more like this with updated visuals in the future🙂

[@coaster_shark]

Thanks! I agree - it's a shame there aren't many parks like Phantasialand around the world that actually do these things properly

[@Foxy02016]

I’m bummed I missed the temporary Skull Mountain VR overlay at Great Adventure, it was for Fright Fest for like one year

[@coaster_shark]

Ah yeah, that is a shame. It must have been a real pain for operations if the park put the work in to develop it and ditched it after only a few nights!

[@DiamondDepthYT]

I think you're correct in that MR is the future of these types of experiences! Best of both worlds. The Mario ride is a great example

[@coaster_shark]

It just depends on whether it can translate well from a dark ride to a coaster I suppose

[@PG13park]

MR at least on the oculus quest 3 lags behind reality, and would probably not be the best experience ever, but it could also be amazing if you don’t care about a little bit of lag.

[@gottcha0330]

Bro this is a thing in sweden, the most know coaster in liseberg got an option for vr for those with fear of heights.

[@coaster_shark]

Oh, I love that! It's actually a pretty wholesome use for the tech!

[@YoloGolo555]

I've ridden all the VR rides that were in the Europa-Park. Currently they reworked one of their VR coasters with a new theme, fitting the current story-line they tell in the park. The coaster itself has it's own VR station, thus rather minimally impacting the regular operation. I've seen it always rather as some sort of one-time opportunity to experience some known rides in a completely different way and setting and not as something that should replace the old ride. I still really like riding these VR rides every once in a while. I hope to see more experimenting with AR style rides in the future, since this could give some completely differnt immersion to it.

[@coaster_shark]

That's a good way of thinking about it to be fair! Maybe they shouldn't completely replace the original experience, but they are fun once in a while

[@luuk777w]

I have never tried it, and to be honest: don't even want too. When I ride a rollercoaster or any ride, I do not want a VIRTUAL reality..... I want REALITY! Take a coaster like Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. This coaster is so perfectly themed, starting in the main hall, going down the "elevator", entering the coaster trains, and then the whole coaster with the screens and everything. I feel like that adding VR glasses to a ride like this will make the ride LESS immersive. Because you are more aware that the experience is fake, virtual, and you are not THERE. But now, you only have the 3d glasses, and you are really there, not in a virtual world. And especially for this ride they do it perfectly with the screens and the 3d glasses. I do not think VR glasses will get this effect and I feel like you could as well be put in a motion simulator like you mentioned in the video.

[@coaster_shark]

I completely agree! Although I actually prefer revenge of the mummy to gringotts

[@almond421]

Just install AR (augmented reality) glasses? Which is the Apple Vision Pro pass through and could add elements/characters in rides

[@coaster_shark]

If they can make them comfortable and secure enough to stay on, then they'll be perfect!

[@beerfish109]

The only succesful experience that I've had with VR on a coaster was in Europa Park. But it was a long drawn out experience. For those unaware; Europapark runs a ticketed version of their Can Can Coaster, which is a fun family thrill indoor coaster. They changed the VR overlay now to Phantom Of The Opera but I managed to do the one that was set in the universe of Valerian, a book series that ended up being filmed which didn't do particurlarly well but actually has a really interesting and vibrant world. There was the moment you put your goggles on, holding pen, two pre shows and then the ride. All in all it felt like a 15 minute + experience. So rather than you just sitting down and putting on your goggles you had them on already and clear instructions were being provided and some helping hands from the staff. The only downside was that due to the tech still being unstable at times your visuals can be desynchronized with the movements, which in turn just amplifies that nauseau. It is a cool experience that shouldn't be compared to "normal VR" on a coaster.

[@coaster_shark]

It's cool that they made full use of the VR outside of the actual coaster, it feels like a much better use of the tech. The phantom of the opera is definitely an interesting coaster theme though...

[@coasterfair2602]

I honestly think it was a little too much (it’s a cool idea though) because not only slower operations but I also think we don’t really need it

[@coaster_shark]

Yeah, it wasn't necessary was it - most of the rides it got added to were completely fine without it

[@Bil30321]

It would be wonderful to see Disney make immersive 3D 180 VR videos for KZbin VR or DisneyVR+ such as: 1. Star Wars, following XWing flying through Death Star trenches and tunnels 2. Disney’s Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Runs 3. Star Tours 4. Disney’s Avatar Flight of Passage 5. In Jurassic Park getting chased by a TRex 6. Temple of Doom mine cart chase 7. Other Disney Park/3D rides and Star Wars chase scenes

[@coaster_shark]

They would be pretty great, but giving stuff like that out for free doesn't sound very Disney to me

[@MrSpliffy2]

Pretty cool. Subbed 👍

[@coaster_shark]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed!

[@nottud]

I think the way forward is more rides like The Forbidden Journey or Spiderman at Universal Studios where a mix of visual effects and screens providing the best of both worlds.

[@coaster_shark]

I agree, Spiderman has pretty much been the gold standard for dark rides since it opened, which is weird considering its 25 years old now. Forbidden Journey is also done really well, and I absolutely love that ride system, its so clever!

[@ash6687]

There is a small vr coaster at a small arcade called “Babylon park” in Camden town if you want to check it out

[@coaster_shark]

Well that's the last place I would have expected to find one! Nice find!

[@SteveDavies80]

Galactica was great, but the tracking wasnt perfect, and by the end of the ride your view had shifted about 20 degrees, so you felt like you were re-entering the station a bit sideways. I wish theyd bring it back as an option from one station, and give the whole ride a retheme. It should be painted black, with stars on it, and planets and galaxies arlund the track

[@coaster_shark]

Hahaha I'd forgotten about that! I remember trying to tilt my head to see level, but it just doesn't work

[@Fleetblase07]

I’ve always said it that I’ve always wanted to ride galactica with VR I never got to experience that but the ride was still fun no less

[@coaster_shark]

It's a shame you never got to experience it! It was good fun, but not quite as good as the normal ride.

[@dpowerful1]

I tried the VR on Galactica, found it was out of focus, trying to get it focussed was a pain, modern VR would probably be better. Also just didn't like the whole rebranding of Galactica acting as if it was a brand new coaster, and not just Air with some VR goggles added.

[@coaster_shark]

That's interesting, I had a friend who needs really strong glasses, and he managed to get it focused lol. Maybe he got a dodgy headset that was set up wrong but it just happened to work for him. Also, I agree, it was a bit of a marketing scam wasn't it

[@Rocketcoasternerd]

I think AR will fix everything + multi dimension

[@coaster_shark]

Could you imagine a combo of the two? That would be insane

[@badmoonrising7795]

Contreversial ….. I absolutley loved the vr on air/galactica and I know im in the minority! I just feel flying to another planet through space was an amazing experience although I did have to hold it on my face 🤣 air was a highly mediocre coaster with zero theming but galactica goggles made it fantastic, shame they couldnt sort the loading procedures because im all for it.

[@coaster_shark]

Oh, I loved it too! Yeah, considering it was already one of the more cumbersome rides at Towers to run, the VR didn't do it any favours

[@notsospoopybob]

crazy bats made me feel sick. i enjoyed galactica with vr but it was still better without

[@coaster_shark]

Fair enough, I don't think any improvement in VR could totally stop everyone from getting nausea. I agree, as much as the VR was really cool, galactica is better without it

[@liamcollinson5695]

I like the ar idea more than full vr i would like a 60m tall attack on Titan rollercoaster using ar glasses to simulate been attacked by a collosal titan

[@coaster_shark]

That would be incredible! I think this is the one time I would say its a good thing if parks used existing IP rather than original storylines just to get stuff like that

[@lululucaschae]

Reasons why it didn't stick: 1. It's a gimmick 2. It's a gimmick 3. It's a gimmick

[@coaster_shark]

Hahaha pretty much sums it up! I think part of the issue is that with a bit more effort, it wouldn't have been so gimmicky, but most parks just did the bare minimum they could get away with

[@hunterbidenslaptop5749]

Galactica with VR was fine I guess, like riding a very short simulator.

[@coaster_shark]

Yeah that's a pretty good description tbf

[@louiswright8282]

I will never forgive alton towers ruining airs original and unique theme for a VR Gimmick with a generic space theme. VR just doesnt belong on roller coasters personally, you lose the sense of speed on them with VR personally.

[@coaster_shark]

I agree, no one really managed to crack converting the speed into VR well. I'm not sure whether you can call Air a theme, or whether it was just stylised, but it was cool all the same. And yeah, space themes are super generic, so not an upgrade on that front.

[@user-cf5cs8vs5h]

This happened

[@user-cf5cs8vs5h]

Thank you

[@ethansteele6366]

Here's a comment for the algorithm

[@coaster_shark]

Always appreciated

[@homeboy_roy1570]

It was a terrible idea that didn't work. Maybe 1 out of every 100 people likes that shit and it's not coming back. Good riddance to that gimmick

[@coaster_shark]

Brutal, but fair. I think with some tweaks it could work, but not how it was done originally

[@Aidan_minotti]

This seems like a trash experience, like if u do a vr coaster, ull feel sick, and add a real life coaster to thst…..

[@coaster_shark]

I think k the idea was that the fact you were actually moving would remove the nausea, but you're right, a lot of people still found it a pretty grim experience I think

[@finng745]

This was never the future. It was always a gimmick.

[@coaster_shark]

With how parks used it, then yes, I agree. I just think it had the potential to be so much more