The Odyssey (UK Roller Coaster)

{{Infobox roller coaster

|name=The Odyssey

|image=Oddy.jpg

|previousnames= Jubilee Odyssey (2002-2014)

|location=Fantasy Island (UK amusement park)

|type=Steel

|type2=Inverted

|status=Operating

|opened=23 May 2002

|manufacturer=Vekoma

|model=SLC (Custom)

|lift=Chain Lift Hill

|height_ft=167

|drop_ft=141

|length_ft=2924

|angle=75

|speed_mph=63

|acceleration=

|inversions=5

|duration=2:52

|capacity=350

|restriction_in=51

|cost=£28 millionKoranteng, J. (2001) Jubilee Odyssey Honors Queen, Amusement business. New York: The Nielsen Company, p. 38–.

|gforce=4.8

|trains= 1

|carspertrain=10

|rowspercar =1

|ridersperrow=2

|rcdb_number=1413

|coordinates={{coord|53|11|32|N|0|20|46|E|display=title,inline|region:GB-STS_type:landmark_source:dewiki}}

}}

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 {{convert|167|ft|m}}, it is the fourth tallest roller coaster in the UK, after Hyperia (236 feet) the Big One (213 feet) and Stealth (205 feet).{{cite web|url=http://www.rcdb.com/rhr.htm?statistic=1&location=26828|title=Ten Tallest Roller Coasters In The UK - Roller Coaster Data Base|access-date=2008-11-23|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204052417/http://www.rcdb.com/rhr.htm?statistic=1|archive-date=2008-12-04}} It is tied for the second tallest full circuit inverted roller coaster in the world (alongside Banshee at Kings Island). It has a top speed of 63 mph and can exert forces up to 4.8 g's.

History

=Initial plans=

Original plans for the ride showed an SLC ride {{convert|265|ft|m}} 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 {{convert|180|ft|m}}{{cite web |title=Fantasy Island - Island Quest - Ingoldmells - Skegness - Fantasy Island Unbuilt Rides |url=http://www.islandquest.co.uk/past.php?mode=unbuilt |website=Island Quest |access-date=11 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331032752/http://www.islandquest.co.uk/past.php?mode=unbuilt |archive-date=31 March 2022 |date=31 March 2022 |url-status=dead}}

=Opening and Jubilee celebrations=

In the year of Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee, 2002, it was opened and ridden by Prince Edward, Duke of Kent.[http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=19427 Church throws itself into Jubilee rejoicing] - Church Times Archive It was initially sponsored by the chocolate bar Kit Kat, but this association has now ceased.

On 2 June 2022, it was made free-to-ride for all of Fantasy Island's visitors as a one-off in honour of the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II.[https://riderater.co.uk/9664/fantasy-island-free-odyssey-rides-for-jubilee/ Fantasy Island: Free rides for jubilee]. RideRater. 14 May 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2022.

=Modifications=

Image:Jubilee Odyssey Station.JPG

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.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2803325.stm|title=Restraint Modifications - BBC News |access-date=2008-11-15 | date=2003-02-27}}

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.islandquest.co.uk/news.php?mode=view&id=10|title=Odyssey Up And Running - Island Quest|access-date=2008-10-22}}

Image:Closed Sign At The Entrance To The Queue Line.JPG

The ride received a new colour scheme & station in February 2016, with yellow track and grey supports.{{cite web | url-access=limited |archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/70304759897/10153677002879898 |archive-date = 2022-04-27| url = https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153677002879898&id=70304759897&set=pcb.10153677003319898&source=48&_ft_=top_level_post_id.10153677003319898%3Atl_objid.10153677003319898 |title = Fantasy Island on Facebook |website=Facebook}}{{cbignore}}{{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}}

Operation

Odyssey operates with a single train, which seats 20 riders in a 2 across in 10 rows formation. It currently costs £6.00 per ride or can be accessed with the Fantasy Island wristband or I-Card systems.{{cite web|url=http://www.islandquest.co.uk/planner.php?mode=prices|title=Island Quest Park Prices|access-date=2008-11-23}}

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

Its electrical components are powered by a £4 million dung-powered generator, which converts manure into methane gas.[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/features/3637442/Top-50-rollercoasters.html Top 50 rollercoasters] - Daily Telegraph. 25 July 2008. Retrieved 2 August 2021.

Rankings

Its reported construction cost of £28 million is the highest of any roller coaster built in the United Kingdom.[https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2003/jul/12/unitedkingdom.familyholidays.family High and mighty ] - The Guardian. 12 July 2003. Retrieved 3 August 2016.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150923205219/http://www.coastergrotto.com/review.jsp?argId=392 Jubilee Odyssey - Review]}} - Coaster Grotto[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/picturegalleries/5819371/Top-10-Britains-fastest-roller-coasters.html?image=4 Top 10: Britain's fastest roller coasters] - Daily Telegraph newspaper Its nearest competitor is The Swarm at Thorpe Park, which was completed in 2012 at a cost of £18,000,000.[https://www.topdogdays.com/attraction/theme-park/thorpe-park/thorpe-park-the-swarmnew-ride-area/ Thorpe Park & The Swarm; New Ride Area]. TopDogDays. 3 August 2011. Retrieved 14 January 2023.[https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/2012-02-23-thorpe-parks-new-ride-the-swarm-terrifies-red-arrows-pilot.html Thorpe Park's new ride The Swarm terrifies Red Arrows pilot]. AOL. 23 February 2012. Retrieved 14 January 2023.

The 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 fourth tallest roller coaster in the United Kingdom and its 43-metre drop is also the fourth highest in the UK. Its top speed of 63 mph makes it the fourth fastest roller coaster in the UK.[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/picturegalleries/5819371/Top-10-Britains-fastest-roller-coasters.html?image=4 Top 10: Britain's fastest roller coasters] - Daily Telegraph newspaper

It was ranked 209th in Mitch Hawker's Roller Coaster Poll in 2007 and 177th in 2008.{{cite web |url=http://www.ushsho.com/detailedsteelrollercoasterpollresults2007.htm|title=Mitch Hawker's 2007 Poll Results|access-date=2008-02-12}}{{cite web |url=http://www.ushsho.com/detailedsteelrollercoasterpollresults2008.htm|title=Mitch Hawker's 2008 Poll Results|access-date=2008-12-26}}

Incidents and Stalling

File:Odyssey being recovered after stalling.jpg

A year after the ride's opening, the Cobra Roll and Horseshoe elements were lowered in an attempt to minimise the risk of the train stalling,{{cite web |url=http://www.rcdb.com/id1413.htm|title=Jubilee Odyssey - Roller Coaster Data Base|access-date=2008-11-23}} as it had done numerous times in its opening year. Whilst lowering the track has had a positive impact, it has stalled in both 2015 and 2016 during passenger-less test runs.