Battlestar Galatica Fighto!

After almost a year long of being grounded, the Battlestar Galatica is set to battle once more today!

I had the privilege to attend the preview of the launch on Saturday. And boy was I extremely hyped up. I got to the Park at 18 00 even though the ride officially starts at 20 00.

Sitting at KT’s grill. Waiting for the ride to start.

If you hadn’t already know, Battlestar Galatica is one of the main attraction of Universal Studios Singapore, if not the most highly anticipated.

At a height of 42.7m, the dueling roller coasters are set to thrill you and drive you crazy with their non-stop turns, twists and drops for 90 seconds.

Choose to take either Cylon, a suspended roller coaster, or Human, a sit-down roller coaster.

Battlestar Galatica. Are you ready?!

Here’s my take on the two.

CYLON:

Pardon the flash. It’s almost impossible to take a good shot inside the waiting chambers. Spot the green tag? That’s my entry pass!

I gamely took on Cylon as the first roller coaster. After all, I do pretty well with anything that has me strapped in tightly with a across-the-chest harness… even if it means that my legs are hanging in mid-air and I go flying in my seat throughout the ride… I just secretly close my eyes during the first flight and scream like there is no tomorrow.

During the first launch, Cylon experienced technical difficulties. One of the safety harness did not unlock, nor did the gates that let riders get onto the platform.  After about 30 minutes of waiting, it was obvious that there was mixed feelings amidst the riders. I was nervous. After all, darn that seat was the row after mine! What if.. my harness opens in mid-air!!!

Finally, we all got buckled into our seats. The crowd went wild. Here we go!

After being propelled to the start point, Cylon took a drastic drop. I experienced weightlessness. Then it was a 360 degree turn. When is my butt going to feel the seat again! Several sharp turns thereafter, it was the second 360 degree turn through the mist. Now this is done crazily fast and not my favourite part of the ride - I was choking on the mist that was gushing through the train. But the worse is yet to come. The most uncomfortable part of the ride has got to be the 360 degree twist. You would be shuffled left and right in your seat. You’ll definitely feel extremely dizzy. But 10 more seconds worth of meanders and I’ve got my feet planted back onto the platform.

HUMAN:

This was the second ride that I took. Unlike Cylon, I really am a little scared. It’s a weird psychology, but I don’t feel as safe when strapped into a harness that only covers the lower part of my body! If it breaks, I’m flying straight into the Universal Studios pond!

The first drop of Human is the most exciting, crazy, and breath-taking part of the entire ride. Never have I experienced such weightlessness - except for New York New York in Las Vegas. It’s sheer craziness. At the pinnacle, you would be driven mad that all you see is the sky and your feet. When you drop, you don’t even see the front carriage! It’s also my favourite part - if I can prevent myself from blinking twice in fear - for the night landscape of Universal Studios Singapore is so gorgeous I was left wondering if I was playing out my own fairytale, flying on the magic carpet and exploring wonderland. I might have a different version of awe and level of woe if I were to take this ride during the day.

Having said that, if you can survive the first 5 seconds extended long dive, you can survive the entire ride. You have my word on that. The remaining part of the ride felt like enchanted airways. I was taking my time to admire the night landscape of Universal Studios.

CYLON VERSUS HUMAN:

Cylon.

Even though the ride score read 6 - 6 at the end of the 12 rides taken in 3 hours, Cylon wins for its heart-stopping turns and twists.

The queue was thrice as long at Cylon than Human. Thrill-seekers were digging into the ride even till the last moments of the Park closure. I know, because I was one of them. I sprinted from the exit to the entrance to make it for the second last ride.

I would, however, caution riders that Cylon really requires riders to be in good physical health. 6 rides on Cylon, my head was spinning and my ears were really painful due to the pressure. I was also pretty exhausted at the end of 12 rides, falling asleep in the seat while waiting for the ride to be launched.

So with that, choose your rides wisely and battle it out! Riders, you have been warned!

V for Conquering the dueling two!