I can think of a lot of rides that have more downtime in one season that that particular launched coaster has had in its entire life... I think you all can, too. And they did highlight the special effects in the promotion (and rightly so - they were incredible for a seasonal park), but it's almost painful to see all of this hype about Thirteen... It would take an incredible, amazing, and actually terrifying roller coaster to live up to its expectations. Terrifying in that, it literally is frightening and might cause some people to have emotional breakdowns... Imagine what would have to happen on that ride to live up to that! Even if there is a drop portion, word will get out quickly. It will be fun, I'm sure... But will it be the worlds first psychocoaster?

That might require a hidden drop, live actors, a walk-through portion, etc... I just don't know. And it's Intamin, right? So if there's a new technology like an elevator drop, or even a launch... I shudder to imagine the downtime...

I'll be surprised if it ever opens!

Take a ride on Th13teen at Alton Towers with ITV news. Shows inside the Secret Weapon part of the building with the lights on.

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Hmm: so, it's an Intamin Family Coaster... with a "freefall drop" thrown in. I doubt it'll live up to the hype.

At least it actually WORKS...

...so far.

A full ride-through video. NOTE: The drop portion is probably between ten and fifteen feet.

HOPEFULLY, that chamber will be filled with special effects, etc. Even projections screens around you that simulate an even greater fall would certainly be impressive and disorienting. As it is now, the entirety of the "dark ride" section takes about fifteen seconds... I find it very odd that, after all of this build-up, they literally revealed the secret on TV, with night-vision, for everyone to see... Sure word would've gotten out, but hand-held POV videos and word-of-mouth couldn't precisely describe what it's like... Now, one needs only to view a YouTube video...

I am happy, in a way, to see that I was right - it's a mid-sized, family coaster at most with some fun effects. I'm sure that, had so much publicity and hype not been built up, this would be a fun little ride.

EDIT: Just from the look of it, I believe there will be lots of special effects / props during and after drop - there is a more extensive portion of ride after the drop than I had originally guessed.

From the first video...

A coaster enthusiast is someone who is enthusiastic about coasters and enjoys riding them. Just because they have a hairstyle you dislike doesn't mean they're not an enthusiast.

*Applause*

But it's a good indicator!

Jackson, and his Bush, signing off...

That ride looks horrible and very borning to say the least.

Watched the POV...and....uhmm.....ok.....

....That's One way to market a family coaster.....

That ride looks actually kind of cool. I'm glad the kept most of the trees in the woods.

Jackson, and his Bush, signing off...

...

At least he didn't buzz off...at least not yet...

Yeesh, I call my wild hair my Bush, calm down. If you're on Facebook you should know that.

As one might (and many did) expect, the problems have begun. SPOILERS (but I don't think you can even glance at this thread without seeing the 'secret weapon' of Thirteen.)

According to Screamscape:

Park News - (3/27/10) Screamscape sources tell us that Alton Tower’s is suffering through some Intamin Growth Pains with Thirteen lately. The unscheduled bouts of downtime are causing havoc with the park’s crowds. I can only guess that the problems likely involve the surprise drop track or perhaps the reverse launch or switch track. Either way, if your planning a trip to the park purely for the purpose of riding Thirteen… you might want to wait a bit.