Space Fantasy – The Ride

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Coordinates: 34°39′55″N 135°26′09″E / 34.6653°N 135.4357°E / 34.6653; 135.4357
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Space Fantasy — The Ride
friction wheel-powered lift hills
Height7 m (23 ft)
Length585 m (1,919 ft)
Inversions0
Duration275 seconds
Capacity1920 riders per hour
Height restriction102 cm (3 ft 4 in)
Trains19 trains with 2 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 8 riders per train.
SponcorJTB
Single rider line available
Space Fantasy — The Ride at RCDB

Space Fantasy – The Ride (スペース・ファンタジー・ザ・ライド,, Supēsu fantajī za raido) is a

fibre optics
.

History

In March 2009, Universal Studios Japan announced that they would be closing E.T. Adventure on May 10, 2009.[1] Following the ride's closure in May, the ride system was removed with Universal Studios Japan temporarily reopening the attraction as a walkthrough attraction for five days from July 18, 2009.[2]

On September 14, 2009, the park announced a new indoor ride would open in 2010, replacing in E.T. Adventure. Although Universal Studios Japan did not announce full details of the attraction, they did state it would be space-themed and measure 585 metres (1,919 ft) long.[3] Less than one month later, the park announced their new ride's name would be Space Fantasy – The Ride.[4] In December 2009, Universal Studios Japan stated the ride was scheduled to open on March 18, 2010.[5] On March 18, 2010, Space Fantasy – The Ride officially opened to the public.[6][7]

The ride is often overlaid to work with VR for half a year in order to promote the Cool Japan campaign.

Characteristics

Two trains in Space Fantasy – The Ride's station

Space Fantasy – The Ride is a spinning roller coaster manufactured by Mack Rides, a German amusement ride manufacturer. The ride was custom-built so it could fit within the existing show building, formerly used for the E.T. Adventure ride.[8]

Statistics

The 585-metre-long (1,919 ft) ride is

friction wheel-powered lift hills which take the ride to its maximum height of 7 metres (23 ft).[8] Space Fantasy – The Ride reaches a top speed of 11 metres per second (36 ft/s) over the course of its 275-second ride.[8] The trains are themed as solar shuttles.[9]

Trains

As Universal Studios Japan is the busiest non-

Disney park in the world, Space Fantasy – The Ride features nineteen 8-person trains catering for an hourly capacity of 1920 riders. Each train features a pair four-seater cars. Riders are grouped in pairs and sit back-to-back on the round vehicles.[8] The trains are fitted with on-board speakers which provide a soundtrack throughout the roller coaster ride,[6][8] as well as monitors which display various items relevant to the ride's theme and storyline.[5] Riders must be at least 122 centimetres (48 in) tall to ride alone or 102 centimetres (40 in) tall if accompanied by an adult.[10]

Theme

As the name suggests, Space Fantasy – The Ride, is themed as a journey through space. Riders begin their journey on planet Earth with the objective of restoring life to the sun by collecting stardust.[8] Their journey takes them past many planets including Saturn and Mercury,[3] as well as past voids, stars, nebulae and comets.[8] To help develop this theme, Universal Studios Japan contracted American-based interactive technology firm GestureTek. GestureTek's 3D camera tracking technology and multi-touch technology was employed to recognise gestures of guests both in the queue and on board the ride.[11]

Ride experience

The ride's entrance with signs for its three queue lines

Riders enter the queue for Space Fantasy – The Ride from the Hollywood section of Universal Studios Japan. As part of the ride's theme, queue features an 85-foot-long (26 m) wall which is able to recognise the movements of up 132 hands on 66 guests without them physically having to touch the wall. The wall is powered by 22

quad core computers.[11] Space Fantasy – The Ride features separate queues for single riders and holders of Universal Express Passes, as well as offering "child switch" where one parent can experience the ride while the other parent looks after their child before switching their roles.[10]

The

force of gravity.[8] After navigating the 585-metre (1,919 ft) track, the trains return to the station where riders disembark and return to Universal Studios Japan's Hollywood themed area.[7]

Reception

Space Fantasy – The Ride has generally been well received. Park World Magazine stated the ride is "packed with exciting features and fun theming". They also commended the ride for its "controlled car movements and added effects", when compared with other spinning roller coasters.[8] Christina Warren of Mashable provided a review of the ride's special effects, describing them as incredible. Warren also stated she "can't wait for some of this technology to hit American theme parks".[11]

In November 2011, Space Fantasy – The Ride received a Thea Award For Outstanding Achievement.[13] The 18th Annual Thea Awards were presented by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) and held at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAPPA) trade show in Orlando, Florida.[14] TEA described the ride as "a thrilling experience that delivers an engaging story using advanced effects in a meaningful way, making an on-the-spot connection with its target audience".[15]

Although the ride did not receive a ranking in its debut year, Space Fantasy – The Ride ranked 91 out of 365 roller coasters featured in the worldwide Best Roller Coaster Poll.[16] The Best Roller Coaster Poll is recognised by park owners and enthusiasts alike, due to its ranking algorithm which prevents the poll from being purely a popularity contest.[17]

References

  1. ^ "「ありがとうE.T.™キャンペーン」" (Press release) (in Japanese). Universal Studios Japan. 23 March 2009. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  2. ^ "期間限定アトラクション「E.T.アドベンチャー ザ・レジェンド」" (Press release) (in Japanese). Universal Studios Japan. 11 June 2009. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  3. ^ a b 待望の新大型ライド・アトラクション (Press release) (in Japanese). Universal Studios Japan. 14 September 2009. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  4. ^ 待望の新大型ライド・アトラクションの名称決定 (Press release) (in Japanese). Universal Studios Japan. 2 October 2009. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  5. ^ a b c 美しく壮大な宇宙空間を駆け抜ける大型ライド・アトラクション「スペース・ファンタジー・ザ・ライド」 (Press release) (in Japanese). Universal Studios Japan. 16 December 2009. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  6. ^ a b Marden, Duane. "Space Fantasy The Ride  (Universal Studios Japan)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  7. ^ a b "Space Fantasy The Ride (Universal Studios Japan)". Parkz. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Space Fantasy at Universal Studios Japan". Park World Magazine. Datateam Business Media Limited. 7 May 2010. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
  9. ^ "Space Fantasy launches at Universal Studios Japan". Park World Magazine. Datateam Business Media Limited. 7 April 2010. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  10. ^ a b "Space Fantasy – The Ride". Universal Studios Japan. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  11. ^ a b c d Warren, Christina (4 August 2010). "Roller Coasters Get the Multi-touch 3D Treatment". Mashable. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  12. ^ Alton, Elizabeth (5 December 2012). "Space Fantasy at Universal Studios Japan". Entertainment Designer. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  13. Tribune Company
    . Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  14. ^ "18th Annual Thea Awards". Park World Magazine. Datateam Business Media Limited. 1 December 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  15. ^ "Space Fantasy The Ride - Thea Awards Committee Comments" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  16. ^ Hawker, Mitch (2013). "Steel Roller Coaster Poll 12 Year Results Table (1999 - 2012)". Best Roller Coaster Poll. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  17. ^ Wilson, Richard (13 March 2008). "Motocoaster comes in second last in worldwide coaster poll". Parkz. Retrieved 29 March 2013.

External links

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