View source for Samurai (ride)

{{Short description|Top Scan flat ride}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2023}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{Infobox attraction
|name                = Samurai
|logo                = <!--Use ONLY the filename, not a full [[Image:]] link-->
|logo_width          = <!--Default is 250px-->
|image               = Samurai Thorpe Park.jpg
|imagedimensions     = 250px
|caption             = Samurai, at highest point in cycle.
|location            = Thorpe Park
|section             = [[Thorpe Park#OldTown|Old Town]]
|coordinates         = {{coord|51|25|58.16|N|0|35|48.72|W|region:GB|display=inline, title}}
|status              =Operating
|cost                =
|soft_opened         =
|opened              = 2004
|previousattraction  = Calgary Stampede
|location2            = Chessington World of Adventures
|section2             = Mystic East
|status2              = Relocated to Thorpe Park
|opened2              = 1999
|closed2              = 2003
|replacement2         = [[Peeking Heights]]
|type                = [[Top Scan]]
|manufacturer        = Mondial (amusement ride manufacturer){{!}}Mondial
|designer            = <!--Should be linked.-->
|model               =
|theme               = <!--Should be linked.-->
|height_ft           = 60
|drop_ft             = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
|drop_m              = <!--Must be expressed in metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
|length_ft           = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
|length_m            = <!--Must be expressed in metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
|speed_mph           = <!--Must be expressed in miles per hour and may contain only numeric characters.-->
|speed_km/h          = <!--Must be expressed in kilometres per hour and may contain only numeric characters.-->
|gforce              = +4g / -3g
|capacity            = 500
|riders_per_vehicle  = 5
|duration            = Approximately 2 minutes (Setting Dependant)
|restriction_cm      = 140
|virtual_queue_name  =Fastrack
|virtual_queue_image = Merlin Entertainment Fastrack availability.svg
|virtual_queue_status= available
|single_rider        = available
|accessible          =available
|transfer_accessible =available
|assistive_listening =
|cc                  =
|custom_label_1      =
|custom_value_1      =
|custom_label_2      =
|custom_value_2      =
|custom_label_3      =
|custom_value_3      =
|custom_label_4      =
|custom_value_4      =
|custom_label_5      =
|custom_value_5      =
|custom_label_6      =
|custom_value_6      =
|custom_label_7      =
|custom_value_7      =
|custom_label_8      =
|custom_value_8      =
|vehicles            = 6
}}

'''Samurai''' is a [[Mondial (amusement ride manufacturer)|Mondial]] [[Top Scan]] ride located at [[Thorpe Park]] in the [[United Kingdom]]. It operated at nearby [[Chessington World of Adventures]] between 1999 and 2003, and was transferred to Thorpe Park at the end of the 2003 season. It has operated at Thorpe Park since 2004.<ref name="james thorpe">{{Cite web |title=Samurai, Thorpe Park |url=https://www.themeparkjames.co.uk/theme-parks/europe/uk/thorpe-park/rides/samurai/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Theme Park James |language=en}}</ref> 
The song played on the ride is a modified version of "Burly Brawl", from the soundtrack of ''[[The Matrix Reloaded]]''.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}

==Technical details==
'''Ride Type:''' Mondial Top-Scan <BR>
'''Height:''' 60&nbsp;ft (18 m)<BR>
'''Length:''' Approximately 2 minutes (Setting Dependent)<BR>
'''Height Restrictions:''' 1.4 m(55 in.)<BR>
'''On-Ride Photo:''' No<BR>
'''G-Force:''' +4g / -3g <BR>
'''Status:''' Operating <BR>
'''Capacity:''' 30 seats per ride, 400 riders per hour

==Samurai at Chessington==
Samurai is a [[Top Scan]] ride from the Dutch company [[Mondial (amusement ride manufacturer)|Mondial]]. The ride was originally installed at [[Chessington World Of Adventures]] in 1999 as part of the Mystic East section of the park, {{citation needed span|and replaced the original plan of installing a Huss Flic Flac on the site|date=October 2023}}. The ride was the first of its kind in a UK amusement park,<ref name="james chessington">{{Cite web |title=Samurai, Chessington World of Adventures |url=https://www.themeparkjames.co.uk/theme-parks/europe/uk/chessington-world-of-adventures/rides/samurai/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Theme Park James |language=en}}</ref> {{Citation needed span|though a travelling version, "Top Buzz" debuted on the UK fair circuit the previous year.|date=October 2023}}

Samurai stayed at Chessington until the end of the 2003 season when it was closed, dismantled and moved to [[Thorpe Park]].<ref name="attraction source chessington">{{Cite web |title=Samurai @ Chessington World of Adventures - Attraction Source - Theme parks and attractions from another point of view! |url=https://www.attractionsource.com/history/from-the-archives/samurai/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Attraction Source |language=en-GB}}</ref> Reasons for the ride's move are largely speculative. Most enthusiasts{{citation needed|date=October 2023}} generally regard the decision to be part of [[The Tussauds Group|Tussauds]] (the company which owned Thorpe Park and Chessington at the time) plans to change the target audience of both parks. Chessington was intended to become a more family orientated park and installations since the 2002 season have been in line with this policy. Similarly, Thorpe Park has moved towards attracting the 14-30 market and has installed thrill rides since this policy emerged.<ref name="attraction source chessington"/>

Keen-eyed guests can still spot a reminder of Samurai at Chessington when they ride the [[Tiger Rock]] log flume - a theming item depicting a samurai warrior gripping the head of his decapitated foe, emerging disconcertingly from the undergrowth.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}

==Samurai at Thorpe Park==
Samurai opened at [[Thorpe Park]] as the sole new ride for the 2004 season. It sits in the site which had been occupied by the Calgary Stampede ride.<ref name="james thorpe"/> {{citation needed span|Some confusion emerged with regards to the location of this ride in relation to Thorpe Park's themed "lands".|date=October 2023}} Calgary Stampede was a Canada Creek ride, yet Samurai was painted and themed to match the Lost City rides, similar to Vortex.<ref name="coaster kingdom">{{Cite web |last=Sheen |first=Marcus |date=11 July 2004 |title=Samurai, Thorpe Park |url=http://www.s104638357.websitehome.co.uk/html/samurai_main.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231024130107/http://www.s104638357.websitehome.co.uk/html/samurai_main.htm |archive-date=24 October 2023 |access-date=24 October 2023 |website=Coaster Kingdom}}</ref> This decision sparked discussion of a "three areas" system for Thorpe Park where the existing themed areas would be condensed into three larger themed areas, which would probably be the Lost City, Amity Cove and Calypso Quay areas of the park.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}} Subsequent installations in Canada Creek seem to have dispelled this rumour.{{speculation inline|date=October 2023}} ({{As of|2016}}, Samurai has been listed as a ride in the Old Town area.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}})

Samurai's arrival at Thorpe Park met with mixed reactions. {{citation needed span|The move had been long discussed on fan sites but few saw it as more than a fantasy. When the move was announced, many fans were disappointed to see Chessington lose one of its best (if not the best) rides. There was further controversy when it emerged that Samurai was to retain its name at Thorpe Park, despite not fitting the style and theme of the area.|date=October 2023}} There have also been suggestions that since its move to Thorpe Park it has been run on less intense settings and the use of manual control has been all but abandoned, to the disappointment of enthusiasts.<ref name="coaster kingdom"/> Although during Fright Nights, the settings on Samurai were raised on some occasions, comparisons to other [[Top Scan]] rides around Europe, particularly on the travelling fair circuit, show that even at Chessington the ride was already running well below its maximum speed and intensity.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}

There were rumours that the Samurai was to be integrated into the Canada Creek area and re-themed for the opening of [[SAW: The Ride]] in 2009,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Info |url=http://www.projectdylan.co.uk/page/Info |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081018104648/http://projectdylan.co.uk:80/page/Info |archive-date=18 October 2008 |access-date=16 October 2008 |website=Project Dylan by Thorpe Park Mania}}</ref> however, this did not occur. Instead, the blue fences around the ride (seen in the above photo) were painted red to fit in better with the roller coaster. As well as this, the ride received a queue extension so that it could cope with the increased number of visitors in the area of the park.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{TP Coasters}}
{{Chessington World of Adventures}}

[[Category:Thorpe Park]]
[[Category:Amusement rides manufactured by Mondial]]
[[Category:Amusement rides introduced in 2004]]
[[Category:Operating amusement attractions]]
[[Category:2004 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Chessington World of Adventures past rides]]