Jubilee Odyssey

The Odyssey (formerly Jubilee Odyssey) is a roller coaster at Fantasy Island in Ingoldmells, England. Built by Vekoma of the Netherlands in 2002, it was named to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. It is Vekoma's tallest example of their Suspended Looping Coaster (SLC) design in the world. Standing at 167 feet (51 metres), it is the third tallest roller coaster in the UK, after the Pepsi Max Big One (235 feet) and Stealth (205 feet).[1]And the joint second tallest full circuit inverted rollercoaster in the world (alongside Banshee at Kings Island). It has a maximum speed of 63 mph and is capable of forces up to 4.8g.

The Odyssey
Previously known as Jubilee Odyssey (2002-2014)
Fantasy Island (UK amusement park)
LocationFantasy Island (UK amusement park)
Coordinates53°11′32″N 0°20′46″E
StatusOperating
Opening date23 May 2002
Cost£28 million
General statistics
TypeSteel – Inverted
ManufacturerVekoma
ModelSLC (Custom)
Lift/launch systemChain Lift Hill
Height167 ft (51 m)
Drop141 ft (43 m)
Length2,924 ft (891 m)
Speed63 mph (101 km/h)
Inversions5
Duration2:52
Max vertical angle75°
Capacity350 riders per hour
G-force4.8
Height restriction51 in (130 cm)
Trains5 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 20 riders per train.
The Odyssey at RCDB
Pictures of The Odyssey at RCDB

History

Initial plans

Original plans for the ride showed a SLC ride 265 feet (81 metres) in height, which would have made it the tallest Inverted roller coaster in the world and seventh tallest overall. The plans were scrapped due to complaints from local residents, limiting the height to a maximum of 180' (54.60m).[2]

Opening

It was opened and ridden on by Prince Edward, Duke of Kent.[3] It was initially sponsored by the chocolate bar Kit Kat, but this association has now ceased.

Modifications
Jubilee Odyssey's train in the ride station

During the 2003 season the restraint design was modified, due to complaints from several riders of "nipple burn", the restraints were changed at a cost of about £60,000.[4]

In September 2005 the trains were returned to Vekoma factories after a major breakdown in the form of a restraint connector snapping occurred. All the restraints were equipped with toughened steel and, presumably in an attempt to increase the smoothness the wheels were also tightened, this was thought to be the reason for a rollback on the first test run (due to the increased friction), however it is said to be a one-off occurrence.[5]

Closed sign at entrance to queue

The ride received a new colour scheme & station in February 2016, with yellow track and grey supports.[6]

Operation

Odyssey currently operates with only one train, which seats 20 riders in a 2 across in 10 rows formation. It currently costs £5.00 per ride or can be accessed with the Fantasy Island wristband system.[7]

It is frequently affected by high winds and will not operate with winds speeds in excess of 25 to 30 mph due to the high risk of the train stalling.

Rankings

Its reported construction cost of £28 million is the highest of any roller coaster ever built in the United Kingdom.[8][9][10] Its nearest competitor is The Swarm at Thorpe Park, which was completed in 2012 at a cost of £20,000,000.

Odyssey is the largest SLC (Suspended Looping Coaster) in the world. Its 38-metre vertical loop is the highest in the United Kingdom and the fourth highest in the world. With a maximum height of 51 metres, it is the third tallest UK roller coaster. Its 43-metre drop is also the third highest in England. Its top speed of 63 mph makes it the fourth fastest roller coaster in the UK.[11]

It was ranked 209th in Mitch Hawker's Roller Coaster Poll in 2007 and 177th in 2008.[12][13] It is also considered amongst coaster enthusiasts as the "best SLC Vekoma has ever produced."

Incidents and Stalling

A year after the ride's opening, the Cobra Roll and Horseshoe were lowered in an attempt to prevent the train stalling,[14] as it had done numerous times in its opening year. Whilst lowering the track had a beneficial impact, the most recent occurrence was during the 2015 pre-season, where the train (not carrying passengers) stalled whilst testing. At the start of the 2016 season it stalled again without passengers.

The ride does not operate during certain combinations of high wind speed and direction.

Inversions

Odyssey has five inversions:

  1. 124' tall Vertical Loop
  2. Cobra Roll (Boomerang) (two inversions)
  3. Sidewinder
  4. Corkscrew (barrel roll)

References
  1. "Ten Tallest Roller Coasters In The UK - Roller Coaster Data Base". Archived from the original on 2008-12-04. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
  2. "Unbuilt Rides - Island Quest". Retrieved 2008-10-21.
  3. Church throws itself into Jubilee rejoicing - Church Times Archive
  4. "Restraint Modifications - BBC News". 2003-02-27. Retrieved 2008-11-15.
  5. "Odyssey Up And Running - Island Quest". Retrieved 2008-10-22.
  6. https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153677002879898&id=70304759897&set=pcb.10153677003319898&source=48&_ft_=top_level_post_id.10153677003319898%3Atl_objid.10153677003319898
  7. "Island Quest Park Prices". Retrieved 2008-11-23.
  8. High and mighty - The Guardian. 12 July 2003. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  9. Jubilee Odyssey - Review - Coaster Grotto
  10. Top 10: Britain's fastest roller coasters - Daily Telegraph newspaper
  11. Top 10: Britain's fastest roller coasters - Daily Telegraph newspaper
  12. "Mitch Hawker's 2007 Poll Results". Retrieved 2008-02-12.
  13. "Mitch Hawker's 2008 Poll Results". Retrieved 2008-12-26.
  14. "Jubilee Odyssey - Roller Coaster Data Base". Retrieved 2008-11-23.
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