He was arrested for a public order offence, and the ride returned to normal operation the following day. Rita is located at Alton Towers Resort in the beautiful Staffordshire Countryside. [11], On 8 May 2012, a reportedly suicidal 20-year-old man climbed over tall safety fencing and managed to access the underground ride area. The ride is the first B&M Dive Coaster in the world, and was widely well received on its opening in 1998. 0 The coaster is now the same dark grey colour as its neighbour The Smiler. Whilst boasting claims to the title of "World's First Vertical Drop Rollercoaster" Oblivion is actually at … [3], Oblivion's opening was accompanied by a large promotional campaign, including appearances on Blue Peter, news channels and cereal boxes. The construction of Oblivion was another undercover operation for the park. Amazing!" Oblivion is a ride that symbolises Alton Towers in one short fast burst. He reportedly dropped into the hole from which the roller coaster track re-emerges from the underground tunnel, walked through the underground section and emerged on a ledge where the track enters the ground. The man remains unnamed throughout the videos, although the character was originally referred to as the Lord of Darkness during production. The ride re-opened on 25 June. The resort includes the theme park, as well as the Alton Towers Hotel, Splash Landings Hotel, Waterpark, Spa, Extraordinary Golf and Conference Centre. Alton Towers Resort (UK: / ˈ ɒ l t ən / OL-tən), often referred to as Alton Towers, is a theme park and resort complex in Staffordshire, England, near the village of Alton. The Smiler. That's faster than a race car! Photos of … It was the second in a long line of 'Secret Weapon (SW4)' rollercoasters to have opened at Alton Towers. [3] Details about Oblivion were not revealed until March 1998. Reaching speeds of up to 50mph, this four-inversion roller coaster has consistently been voted one of the top rollercoasters in industry-lead worldwide polls. One cycle of the ride lasts approximately one minute and forty seconds. [6], The park area containing Oblivion was redesigned as 'X Sector'. It was the second in a long line of 'Secret Weapon' rollercoasters to have opened at Alton Towers. The queue line spirals upwards around a mound and passes through abstract buildings at various levels. [2] Riders experience approximately 3.5 times the force of gravity on the 1-minute, 20-second ride. Amazing!" The roller coaster has a simple layout with a 180 ft drop at 87 degrees, meaning it does not have a true vertical drop. With the new roller coaster The Smiler opening in 2013, Oblivion is no longer the only coaster in X Sector, as it had been since Black Hole's closure in 2005. The park is operated by Merlin Entertainments Group and incorporates a theme park, water park, spa, mini golf and hotel complex. Theme Park. [8] [9], Oblivion's vertical drop is actually slightly less than 90 degrees, at 88.5 degrees. On 21 April 2011 the area around Oblivion was given a slight revamp to incorporate promotion for Fanta, the ride's new sponsor. Fast as an arrow, reaching a speed of up to 110 kilometers per hour, you head towards the dazzling daylight. On May 3, 2012, Alton Towers' lost its appeal to prevent The Ropers from taking their grievances to the high court, making way for a court battle at a later date. In 2004, this sound effect was removed due to sound restrictions on the park and instead the words "Don't look down" have been painted on the floor of the guest observation area where the ride enters the ground. If you have not heard of Alton Towers before check out our playlist for a background on some of the rides the Merlin operated park has. https://alton-tower.fandom.com/wiki/Oblivion?oldid=126. Rita at Alton Towers Rita starts with the train racing forward from the station area, accelerating from 0 to 98.3 km/h (61.1 mph) in 2.5 seconds. As the cars dispatch, the screens play an automated video featuring the Lord of Darkness in his final appearance as he recites the following monologue: "For some things, there is no rational explanation. Oblivion - Alton Towers Resort. In the heavily stylised videos, the sinister figure explains at length the supposed physical and psychological effects of riding on Oblivion. [16], Steel roller coaster located at Alton Towers, This article is about the roller coaster at, "Top 10: Britain's fastest roller coasters", "The Secret Weapons – Developing the Magic", "Stray guest causes safety incident on Oblivion", "Man rescued from Oblivion ride at Alton Towers", Oblivion at the official Alton Towers website, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Ride, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Oblivion_(roller_coaster)&oldid=1007202221, Roller coasters manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard, Roller coasters operated by Merlin Entertainments, Dive Coasters manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Oblivion is a short ride lasting around a minute and 15 seconds, most of which is spent on the lift hill and the brake run, over 373m (1220ft) of track. The open design cars accommodate sixteen passengers in two rows of eight. The ride is the first B&M Dive Coaster in the world, and was widely well received on its opening in 1998. £12,000,000 X-Sector (Alton Towers Resort) 8.0 "Excellent addition to the theme park. It was the second in a long line of 'Secret Weapon' rollercoasters to have opened at Alton Towers. Oblivion is a steel roller coaster located at Alton Towers in England. Neither he nor any guests on the ride were harmed following the ride cars being held at the boarding station. 7 trains with 2 cars. X-Sector (Alton Towers Resort) 8.0 "Excellent addition to the theme park. A castle was built soon after the Norman Conquest, but the date of its erection is unknown. The ride has a height restriction of 1.4 metres. Although based on scientific facts, his speeches are deliberately exaggerated with hyperbole and dark humour to give riders a sense of intimidation while preparing for Oblivion. Venturing through Alton Towers into the X-Sector area, Oblivion is all around you as it surrounds the majority of the perimeter of X … It is the flagship attraction of Merlin Entertainments in the United Kingdom. SW3 was Nemesis, and SW 1 and 2 were unbuilt roller coasters originally intended for the Nemesis site. 1 Ride experince 2 History 3 Statistics 4 Gallery 5 Links See also: Lord of Darkness Dare you face your greatest fears? Oblivion was built by Bolliger Mabillard, as the first ever dive coaster. Here they are batched into rows and board their ride cars, while various technical graphics are displayed on overhead screens. In 2004, the "Don't look down" vocal was removed due to new sound restrictions on the park. Alton Towers rollercoaster Oblivion evacuated after it stopped at highest point. The sponsorship included posters saying '15,000 ft drop, bring it on', despite the fact that the drop is actually 180 ft (55m).However, these were later removed after complaints from riders. 3 - Oblivion. Oblivion [16][17] The are two on-ride photos; one at the start of the drop and the other at the end of the high-banked turn. The final preshow video features a second character whose image appears inverted and therefore glowing white, who argues with the Lord of Darkness as to whether Oblivion is really safe for riders to experience; to which he is repeatedly ignored. The prototype Dive Coaster model from Bolliger & Mabillard opened to the public on 14 March 1998 and was marketed as the "World's first vertical drop roller coaster". After cranking brave thrill seekers 65ft up on a chain lift hill, they wait… before they drop! Fastrack Avaliable Riders board wide trains which feature two rows of eight seats, before climbing up a very steep lift hill. The third queueline video features an alter-ego character (who appears glowing white) arguing with his counterpart as to whether Oblivion is truly safe for riders. The ride opened as the world's first vertical drop roller coaster in March 1998 amidst a large publicity campaign. Dare you look into Oblivion? Opening Date Alton Towers Information. The ride has a height restriction of 55 inches (140 cm). Ride cars are very different from normal rollercoaster cars. Coordinates Riders are arranged 8 across in a single row for a total of 16 riders per train. The cars accommodate sixteen passengers in two rows of eight with a tiered seating arrangement. Designer A staple attraction for the past 20 years at Alton Towers, Oblivion is the iconic attraction that you’ll probably think of when you picture Alton Towers Resort. Oblivion is one of the fastest rides on resort reaching a total speed of 68 mph throughout the course of it’s layout and this also therefore makes it one of the UK’s fastest coasters to date as well The ride in question has a total ride length of just 1,222 ft giving it … [4] The "SW4" codename stood for "Secret Weapon 4", after Nemesis' codename, "SW3". Riders are arranged 8 across in a single row for a total of 16 riders per train. Through the buildings, an unnamed man stood in darkness (played by actor Renny Krupinski) briefs riders from overhead television screens. Ride cars are very different from normal rollercoaster cars. Bolliger & Mabillard The ride was manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard and designed by Werner Stengel, in collaboration with attraction developer John Wardley.It is located in the Forbidden Valley area of the park, adjacent to Galactica and The Blade attractions. The estate dates back to before 1000 BC, when an iron age fort was built in the area, known as Bunbury Hill. The car reaches the drop and pauses facing over the edge for approximately 3 seconds. Technical fault follows 2015 crash that left five people with life-changing injuries. Oblivion is a ride that symbolises Alton Towers in one short fast burst. If the Ropers won their case, Oblivionwould potentially hav… Its track length is 716 metres (2,349 ft), and riders reach a maximum speed of 81 km/h (50 mph). The park is in staffordshire and if youre not from the uk and are here visiting you must go! [5] Prior to its opening, memorabilia including its own brand of deodorant was available to purchase. The Oblivion ride was opened in March 1998 and features a drop of 180ft with a top speed of 68mph (stock photo) In June 2015, Vicky Balch, then 19, and Leah Washington, then 17, each lost a … But I went on oblivion, and as soon as it started going up i cacked my pants. Here riders are batched into rows and board the ride cars. General Statistics The car slowly ascends 60 feet at a 45 degree angle to build tension, then levels out, slowly travelling around a curve on a unique chain system, seen only on Oblivion, as the cars approach the drop. 68 mph; Inversions: 0; Vertical Angle: 87.5 ° Duration: 1:15; G-Force: 4.5; Elements: 65 ft tall Chain Lift Hill with a 180 ft drop at 87.5 ° Tunnel 7 trains with 2 cars. Upon exiting the other side, a high-banked turn takes riders around into the brake run. The ride was heavily marketed with guests able to purchase its own brand of deodorant and related goodies. When Oblivion did open, the area was re-themed to look like a sinister government facility, unlike Fantasy World's fairground theme, and renamed X-Sector. Although adapted from scientific fact, his monologues are deliberately exaggerated with hyperbole and dry humour. While riders queue they are shown three briefing videos featuring actor Renny Krupinski as a sinister man surrounded in darkness, who explains at length the physical and psychological effects of riding on Oblivion. 1,222 ft (372 m) Park Section The ride opened as the world's first vertical drop roller coaster on 14 March 1998, amidst a large publicity campaign. That’s the highest g-force roller coaster you’ll find at Alton Towers Resort! Dubbed by Alton Towers as the first true vertical coaster, it wasn’t, the drop’s angle was 87.5 degrees, still though, Oblivion became one famous ride that was a one trick pony. The back row is slightly raised to give passengers a clear view of the drop. The ride opened as the world's first vertical drop roller coaster in March 1998 amidst a large publicity campaign. And it really does, the drop is like nothing else you can experience in the UK. [5] The only surviving ride from the former area was the Black Hole roller coaster, which was externally redesigned to suit the new theme. There is no happy ending to the story. Height it makes it 10x better. Riders are arranged 8 across in a single row for a total of 16 riders per train. [7] Alton Towers moved and rethemed two existing rides from other areas of the park to open with X-Sector, Energizer and Enterprise. The prototype Dive Coaster model from Bolliger & Mabillard opened to the public on 14 March 1998 and was marketed as the "World's first vertical drop roller coaster". 65 ft (20 m) Height Restriction As each car reaches the drop it is held by a holding chain for a maximum of five seconds, giving the rider a clear view of the long drop, before a brake is released allowing the car to drop into the tunnel. Opened in 1998 at a cost of £12 million, Oblivion was the world's first vertical drop rollercoaster. The words are clearly visible to riders when the train is hanging over the edge of the drop. The Smiler. The car tilts into a steep turn and is safely caught by the final brakes. Only at Alton Towers can you prove it on the world's first vertical drop rollercoaster.Some people scream, some people weep tears of joy ...or terror, some people just contemplate their fate; it is rumoured that some even come back. Rita is located at Alton Towers Resort in the beautiful Staffordshire Countryside. Probably the only one likely to leave a mess in your pants ... oblivion alton • oblivion alton photos • oblivion alton location • ... "Extremely fast! The four inversions include two corkscrews , a zero-g roll , and a vertical loop . We went on it 3 times that day (thanks to fast track tickets), it well worth going on next time your at AT. Dive Coaster In circa 700 AD, the estate became the site of a fortress for the Saxon king Ceolred of Mercia. The gateway to the state of being forgotten, this rollercoaster towers over the surrounding area of X Sector in the most intimidating way possible. The turn uses a horizontal chain mechanism not used on any other B&M dive coaster. At the time of opening, Galactica was the tallest ride at Alton Towers, standing 20 metres (66 feet) tall. The ride has a height restriction of 55 inches (140 cm). Located next to The Smiler in the x-sector section of the park is Oblivion. [1][2], Throughout 1997, the park's 'Fantasy World' area was closed and all its former rides removed, except the Black Hole. Then after dropping out of the turn the train climbs over a small rise in the track to the brakes, slowing down, and then pulls around back to the station. Probably the only one likely to leave a mess in your pants ... oblivion alton • oblivion alton photos • oblivion alton location • ... "Extremely fast! Rita was one of the few roller coasters at Alton Towers Resort to not form part of the Secret Weapon program. 140 cm (4 ft 7 in) [5] The total cost to construct the ride was estimated at £12 million. It remains one of the favourite rides at Alton Towers today, but thanks to its large capacity it often has a shorter queue than many of the other rides at the park. On 8 May 2012, a 20-year-old man climbed over safety fences and accessed the underground ride area. And you have to keep your eyes open, and LET GO OF THE BAR. This is due to the trains lacking sprung wheel assemblies which would mean the transition from vertical to horizontal would be uncomfortable. Rita at Alton Towers Rita starts with the train racing forward from the station area, accelerating from 0 to 98.3 km/h (61.1 mph) in 2.5 seconds. This is followed by a highly banked turn that climbs up and makes the train lie on its side as it goes through. This page was last edited on 16 February 2021, at 23:41. It remains one of the favourite rides at Alton Towers today, but thanks to its large capacity it often has a shorter queue than many of the other rides at the park. Theme Park. … The only surviving ride from Fantasy World, the Black Hole roller coaster, was also changed; the large tent that it was situated in was repainted to blue and silver instead of green and yellow stripes. This menacing steel giant attracted attention from press and guests the world over, who all flocked to Alton Towers to experience the vertical free-fall into Oblivion. It was the second in a long line of 'Secret Weapon (SW4)' rollercoasters to have opened at Alton Towers. At the beginning of the 1997 season, all the rides at the bottom of Fantasy World had disappeared, and a large fence had been erected around the site from the exit of Black Hole, up to the Springfield Restaurant. Oblivion is a steel roller coaster located at Alton Towers in Alton, Staffordshire, England, UK. 52°59′12″N 1°53′47″W Fast as an arrow, reaching a speed of up to 110 kilometers per hour, you head towards the dazzling daylight. Inversions However, much of the Fanta branding was removed after only a few months "following numerous complaints about the obtrusive nature of the brand". Status Guests over the age of 6 are required to wear a face mask on Oblivion. With a top speed of 100km/ph, Rita is the 5th fastest roller coaster in the UK. 68 mph (109 km/h) Capacity Oblivion's opening was accompanied by a massive publicity drive, including appearances on Blue Peter, The Gadget Show, news channels and cereal boxes. Tuesday 25 July 2017 17:36. Technical graphics are displayed on overhead screens, which change to play a final monologue upon dispatch. Alton Towers is a holiday resort located in the village of Alton in Staffordshire. Yes (According to Wikipedia, No) [14][15] The car slowly ascends 60 feet at a 45-degree angle to build tension, then levels out and travels slowly through a turn towards the drop. The ride opened on March 14, 1998 amid a large publicity campaign as the first full-circuit roller coaster with a vertical drop. Lift/launch system The queue then splits and crosses caged bridges into the station building. Oblivion's Logo With a maximum speed of 68 mph, it is the third fastest roller coaster in the UK, behind Stealth at Thorpe Park and the Big One at … When Oblivion opened in March 1998 it was the world's first dive coaster. 4.5 Details about Oblivion were not revealed until March 1998. X-Sector Riders can experience a g-force of up to 3.5g whilst on the ride. Oblivion is a steel roller coaster located at Alton Towers in Staffordshire, England. This involved noise made by the park, especially rides near the boundaries, including Oblivion. Trains There is no way out. [10], For a brief period in April 2011, the ride was sponsored by Fanta. With a maximum speed of 68 mph, it is the third fastest roller coaster in the UK, behind Stealth at Thorpe Park and the Big One at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Since opening in 1998, Oblivion has scared and delighted 1700 Alton Towers visitors every hour that the theme park is open. The ride remained closed for a few weeks while a replacement part was manufactured. With a maximum speed of 68 mph, it is the third fastest roller coaster in the UK, behind Stealth at Thorpe Park and the Big One at … The site historically opened in 1860 with flower shows and garden tours until a theme park was built on the site in 1980. 7 trains with 2 cars. Take your favorite fandoms with you and never miss a beat. Since then the waterpark has opened as well as two hotels. Riders on Rita experience a maximum G force of 4.7. Dubbed by Alton Towers as the first true vertical coaster, it wasn’t, the drop’s angle was 87.5 degrees, still though, Oblivion became one famous ride that was a one trick pony. Alton Towers theme park is fun for the whole family and perfect for a short break. Single Rider Line Avaliable Rita was one of the few roller coasters at Alton Towers Resort to not form part of the Secret Weapon program. In 1997, before Oblivion opened, some marketing memorabilia was released, including its own brand of deodorant. The "SW4" codename stood for "Secret Weapon 4". A pre-recorded and disembodied voice saying 'don't look down' was played just before release. With a maximum speed of 68 mph (109 km/h), it is the third fastest roller coaster in the UK, behind Stealth at Thorpe Park and the Big One at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. It is the tallest and fastest roller coaster at Alton Towers and is located in the X-Sector area of the park. Oblivion is a steel roller coaster located at Alton Towers in England. Durations In the 12th ce… Model Oblivion is a steel roller coaster located at Alton Towers in England. The only ride at Alton Towers I still don't like going on. With a drop of 55m (180ft) at a near vertical 87 degrees, the ride manages to reach speeds of 68mph making it one of the fastest rides in the UK. It's their original "worlds first", and as that's pretty much all the coaster has to offer, it has to deliver.