Review: F.L.Y at Phantasialand
The latest area to open at Phantasialand is the exceptionally well themed Rookburgh with the main attraction being the next generation Vekoma Flying Coaster, F.L.Y.
As you enter through what feels like an underground passage from the main street, the atmosphere hits you straight away, especially as you enter the open space with track everywhere and the main launch staring right at you.
It is hard to take in at first as the world’s longest flying coaster covers the entire land, making it very difficult to keep track on where the train is going or even where it has even come from. This is before you can take in any of the scenery. Straight away you know this may possibly be the best themed roller coaster in the world, it certainly is the best themed in Europe.
The little details makes the area whole such as the steam coming out of manholes, gorgeously themed seating, gravel covering in the gaps and of course the huge set pieces including a steam train on top of the launch or one of the many blimps.
Even while queuing you forget the path you have walked as you go up, down, underground, past the launch and all around Rookburgh before heading to the underground station.
All items must be entered into a locker ahead of riding. An operator provides you with an electronic wristband and you store your belongings before heading through security. The station is very well themed and the lighting really adds to the suspense as it changes for dispatches. The train arrives empty on the side as you sit upright and a very strange feeling of wrapping your feet around the leg support.
The coaster heads out of the station keeping you sideways as you embark on a preshow with some futuristic holographs against the wall before starting to rise up around a corner. You keep rising upwards during the side position as you eventually head around another corner, this time with the track twisting around while your seats rotate into the flying position, a very strange but very cool feeling and excellently executed. Straight into the launch, it is not the most forceful but also not the weakest and feels like a boost halfway into this which gets you up to speed as you go into an overbanked turn and the first inversion of the coaster.
The ride features lots of airtime hills and helixes which are great while in the flying position but also a lot of positive GeForces. Some riders may find this a little uncomfortable as you feel at times you are wanting to be pulled from your seat, however I personally enjoyed this and feel that it adds to the effect of being strapped into a new form of flying transport as the story suggests. One of the most memorable parts of the coaster is the second launch before sending you back up to the top of Rookburgh, very forceful and just keeps the incredibly long coaster going for the second half of the ride.
Throughout the experience you will fly over the crowds, underground and through water and steam. This ride is a masterpiece that should be on everyone’s bucket list. A complete package with a top class roller coaster, exceptionally theming and a preshow that builds up suspense perfectly before being launched.
You can visit Phantasialand as part of the first tour package in 2021 along with 6 other theme parks with multiple departure dates a year. Click here to find out more about the tour.
