Join a team of seismologists on a trip out into the field...
Join a team of seismologists on a trip out into the field...
| Theme Park | Vulcania |
|---|---|
| Type | Rollercoaster |
| Audience | Older Families |
| Opened | 10 July 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Intamin |
| Model | Family Launch Coaster |
| Height | 53 ft |
| Length | 1916 ft |
| Inversions | 0 |
| Max Speed | 43 mph |
| Duration | 1¾ minutes |
Riding ATVs
Named after a legendary giant catfish which lives under Japan and causes earthquakes as it tries to free itself from its imprisonment, Namazu is an award winning rollercoaster at Vulcania.
The ride's backstory has visitors joining a scientific research team to learn more about seismic activity. They travel out into the field on specially designed all terrain vehicles to take readings in the area.
It will come as no surprise that there is much earthquake activity: First a series of shocks happen during the educational preshow which describes the different types of earthquake and how they occur, and then a larger and even more dramatic quake during the ride itself. Thanks to Intamin's vertical drop track, near the start of the ride the coaster train enters a special-effects filled cave and then plummets 5 metres downwards, berfore being accelerated forwards and out into the outdoor section.
The drop is effective and the highlight of the ride. The main rollercoaster section is fun too, with swooping curves and hills plus a mid-course tyre propelled boost. Thanks to a higher centre of gravity provided by the straddle style seating, riders feel more exposed which adds to the overall excitement.
Since it opened in 2021, Namazu has become one of the major highlights at Vulcania and attracts the longest queues. The drop is a nice addition to the standard Intamin Family Launch Coaster and the extensive theming in the preshow and indoor section sets the mood and excitement well. Vulcania's attention to detail has elevated the ride beyond a normal family rollerocoaster and created a great immersive experience, all the while with a dose of "edutainment" thrown in.
Entrance
Preshow
How earthquakes work
Briefing
Entering the station
Air gates
Boarding instructions
ATV trains
Entering the cave
Inside the cave drop track section
Curving around
Into the trees
Hugging the ground
Tyre boost
Accelerated into a high level banked turn
Final brakes
