Hard to believe that the Friday was the first time that I rode the new ride for 2018 at Worlds of Fun — The Nordic Chaser.
But I have been watching it all season. When it was first announced, the pictures made it look like a kiddie ride. So why was it in the Scandinavia Section replacing the Finnish Fling in its retirement?
Yet the first time I saw it run, I could tell it wasn’t a kiddie ride. The obvious speed, for one thing, marked it as something deceptively unique.
The description in the parks announcement described it thus:
New for 2018
On Nordic Chaser, guests of all ages will board mini ships that rotate speedily around a circuit. The ride captures the imagination as guests experience the sensation of rising and falling along ocean waves. The ride will be placed in the park’s Scandinavia themed area.
“The new Nordic Chaser ride will allow parents and children the opportunity to make lasting memories together,” said Tony Carovillano, general manager, Worlds of Fun. “We strive to provide new and exciting changes at Worlds of Fun every year, and look forward to having more families experience every aspect we have to offer at the park.”
So today I rode it, with the other three members of my family — two cars, two people per car.
For me, in effect it has much of the impact of the Scrambler, though without the whip-lash ending effect. It has a certain affinity, to me, to the Prowler, whether the effect is continuous, as it goes through modest variations and modulations.
It has the same up and down of terrain effect like the Matterhorn-style amusement park ride, but doesn’t have the carousel-type enclosure.
The centripedal/centrifugal forces ensure that with two passengers the inner one is flung against the outer, to crush or smush the person — a fun thing for kids and a fanciful romantic opportunity for the more mature inclined.
Above are stock photos related to the ride. I didn’t mar the ride experience by trying to take pictures of my own.
At The Rainbow 