Dragon's Fury (roller coaster)
{{Short description|Amusement park ride}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Infobox roller coaster
|name = Dragon's Fury
|logo =
|logodimensions = 140px
|image = Dragon's Fury2.JPG
|caption =
|section = Land of the Dragons
|location = Chessington World of Adventures
|coordinates = {{coord|51.347988|-0.319043|display=title,inline}}
|type = Steel
|type2 = Spinning
|status = Operating
|opened = {{Start date|2004|03|27|df=y}}
|closed =
|manufacturer = Maurer AG
|designer =Tussauds Studios
|model = Xtended SC 3000
|track =
|lift = 2 chain lift hills
|height_ft = 50.8
|length_ft = 1706
|speed_mph =
|inversions = 0
|duration =
|capacity = 950
|cost =
|acceleration =
|gforce =
|restriction_cm = 120
|virtual_queue_name = Reserve and Ride
|virtual_queue_image = chessington reserve ride.jpg
|virtual_queue_status = available
|single_rider = available
|accessible = yes
|rcdb_number = 2410
|custom_label_1 = Trains
|custom_value_1 = 8 individual cars with riders arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 4 riders per car
|custom_label_2 = Restraints
|custom_value_2 = Individual lap bar
}}
Dragon's Fury is a steel spinning roller coaster located at Chessington World of Adventures Resort in southwest London, England. Manufactured by Maurer AG, the ride opened on 27 March 2004 and features individual four-person cars that spin independently on a horizontal axis.
History
Dragon's Fury was announced in 2003 by Chessington World of Adventures Resort as an upcoming main attraction for their new Land of the Dragons, a new children's themed area that opened in 2004.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}} The ride was purchased by the Tussauds Group alongside Spinball Whizzer, a similar roller coaster that opened at Alton Towers in 2004. Its custom track layout was designed with assistance from John Wardley to accommodate the surrounding terrain. The steel roller coaster is a spinning variation that features two chain lift hills and opened to the public on 27 March 2004. It was manufactured by Maurer AG.
In early 2015, large portions of the ride's track were dismantled in order to be filled with sand. This was to reduce noise for both park guests and nearby residents. Other sections, including its lift hills were altered to reduce noise after complaints from guests riding the Tiny Truckers attraction.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}
In June 2015, following an accident that left a guest in critical condition on The Smiler, Dragon's Fury was temporarily closed whilst safety was being evaluated.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jun/05/rollercoaster-thorpe-park-closed-forseeable-future-safety-precaution|title=Three more rollercoasters shut down at parks run by Alton Towers owner|website=TheGuardian.com }}
Description
File:Chessington World of Adventures 034.jpg
The ride travels mainly around the perimeter of Land of the Dragons, and it features a total of eight four-person cars. The track reaches a maximum height of {{convert|51|ft|m|abbr=on}}.
Gallery
{{Gallery
|File:Chessington World of Adventures - geograph.org.uk - 19934.jpg|High viewpoint of the tracks
|File:Chessington World of Adventures 056.jpg|Ground view
|File:Chessington World of Adventures Dragon's Fury1.jpg|The tracks
|File:Chessington World of Adventures Dragonsfuryclose.jpg|Closeup of the carts
|File:Chessington World of Adventures Peeking Heights.jpg|The tracks
|File:Dragon's Fury - geograph.org.uk - 167094.jpg|The foliage surrounding the attraction
|File:Dragon's Fury3.JPG|The ride's horseshoe maneuver
}}
See also
- Chessington World of Adventures Resort
- Spinball Whizzer, a similar roller coaster at sister park Alton Towers
References
{{Reflist| refs =
{{cite news
|title = Dragon's Fury Review
|url = http://www.tpark.co.uk/Rides_and_Attractions.php?RideID=942
|publisher = T-Park
|access-date = 2013-10-15
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131018020247/http://www.tpark.co.uk/Rides_and_Attractions.php?RideID=942
|archive-date = 2013-10-18
}}
{{cite news
| title = Dragon's Fury
| url = http://rcdb.com/2410.htm
| publisher = RCDB
| date =
| access-date = 2013-10-15
}}
}}
External links
{{Commons category|Dragon's Fury}}
- {{Official website|http://www.chessington.com/explore/land-of-the-dragons.aspx}}
{{Chessington World of Adventures Resort}}
Category:2004 establishments in England
Category:Roller coasters operated by Merlin Entertainments
Category:Roller coasters introduced in 2004