Adventure Island on the Southend seafront has unveiled its newest high-speed attraction, Tornado, just in time for the October half-term holidays.
Located next to Funtopia, the theme park's indoor amusement zone, this new gravity-defying addition offers visitors the bizarre and exhilarating sensation of being pinned to a wall while the floor completely disappears from under their feet.
A Modern Take on a Classic Fairground Experience
Inspired by classic 1940s fairground attractions, Tornado may be compact in size, but it packs a massive punch. The ride delivers up to 3G of force and spins at speeds reaching 28 revolutions per minute. Up to 24 riders at a time step into the circular chamber and lean against its inner walls. As the ride spins up to speed, centrifugal force takes over, pressing passengers firmly in place. Once full momentum is reached, the floor slowly drops away, leaving riders suspended in mid-air against the chamber sides.
Year-Round Thrills and Spectator Views
Because Tornado is situated next to the indoor Funtopia complex, visitors can experience the attraction all year round. The ride remains open even during the winter months when the main outdoor Adventure Island park is closed, making it a featured attraction throughout the park's annual Christmas Wonderland event. Access to Tornado is also included for holders of the £30 Adventure Island Annual Pass.
To add to the spectator experience, the ride features transparent outer walls, allowing onlookers outside Funtopia to watch the action unfold and see the reactions of those trapped in the spin.
Italian Engineering Meets Southend Seafront
The new attraction was manufactured by renowned Italian ride specialist SBF-VISA Group, a long-standing supplier for the park that has previously provided two of Adventure Island’s drop towers as well as the AXIS thrill ride.
Stockvale, the park's owner and operator headed by CEO Philip Miller, continues to expand the lineup at the iconic seafront site, which originally welcomed guests as Peter Pan’s Playground before transforming into Adventure Island. Tornado provides an exciting thrill boost to Funtopia, giving visitors an intense new experience indoors whatever the weather.
