Baron: 1898 - A Highly Themed Disappointment?

Monday's mean one thing.. it's time to review a coaster!

This week we are zooming over to The Netherlands, for a visit to the phenomenal, 365 days a year, 'Efteling: World Of Wonders'.

This park has a fantastic selection of attractions available, from unique dark rides and cutting edge coasters, this park has something for everyone.
On top of the attractions and shows, It's beautifully laid out, kept in pristine condition and even is open all year round!. Yes you heard that right right! 365 days a year!

But Sam, what are we reviewing?! ... Well, today we are going to take a look at what some believe to be the World's Best Themed Rollercoaster!

Its a B&M, Dive Machine like no other!

Its Baron:1898!

As always we are looking at 3 main factors, Theming, Ride Elements and Intensity!

So lets 'Dive' in..... that was awful.....

Theming: 

If you have heard about this coaster before, its no doubt everyone will have talked about the theming! 

All I can say is rightly so! 

This coaster has an attention to detail, that is unparalleled in any other rollercoaster I have seen in the world.

The multi-layered story line, that unfolds throughout the experience is brilliantly executed!

********* Spoilers Ahead*********

From the moment you enter the line, we find ourselves within a mining building, we are one of the workers! 

With interesting reads on the walls and view points of the ride, the anticipation is only heightened, to get inside and discover the mystery ourselves. 

Its here we enter the first of a couple of world class pre-shows!
The first room, sets the story, while mapping projection and sudden jump scare moments, bring a more sinister feel to the ride! 

The attention to detail in the set design is fantastic! Props, screens and total 360 degree immersion, really sets this attraction immediately apart from others.
This is up there with Disney! 

From here we move into a stair way, leading to some very interesting air gates.

Like a number of coasters out there, the designers wanted to hide the station. 

So rather than the air gates being a usual small, person by person funnel, leading to a waist high door. These are gates, are physical doors, meaning that before you step through into the station, you are still wrapped up within the story! 

Not to mention the use of an animatronic, of the Baron himself! 

Once through into the station, it's a short wait before boarding the ride. 

Once the trains start to move, just before approaching the lift hill, we enter another small pre show, which again uses, physical sets, practical special effects and of course, mapping projection! 

This really is an overwhelmingly impressive amount of story, set design, show, theming and immersion for a coaster! 

Ride Elements: 

Its from here, that unfortunately, the ride looses it's momentum.. 

The Ride experience its self is underwhelming.
Like any dive machine, the drop packs a punch. 

However after that, its a fairly boring layout. 

A half loop into a helix... that is it.
Now don't get me wrong. I understand with space and budget, coasters, can't always be huge. However I just feel with the amount of effort, gone into the show, before the ride, the physical coaster  doesn't match the same quality or standard. 

It's not often, I would be so negative about an attraction, but I have to be honest, I came off this one feeling... 

....meh...

Intensity: 

Ok so lets quickly mention intensity levels. The build up before the ride, was. very intense and fantastic. 

During the coaster itself, coming out of the drop and into the half loop, you were definitely hit with some G's. 

However the rest lacked.. 

Wrap Up: 

The theming within this coaster is world class!
A fantastic display of show design and really is almost worth the wait alone.
Just don't expect too much from the actual coaster itself... 

STAT REVIEW: 

Theming: 10/10 

Ride Elements: 3/10

Intensity: 5/10 

There we have it, my ride review for this week! 

Please remember these are just my views and not everyone is going to share the same opinions, but that is what is so great about being in our community of coaster lovers.
All the debates and different discussions 

Have you been on Baron:1898? Do you have your own thoughts on this attraction? 

Leave a comment below, or get in touch on our Insta: @coastersamblog 

Keep an eye out for new articles, every Mon, Wed, Fri and of course our Sunday Special! 

Until Next Time, 

Sam x