JoshC. Posted September 20, 2016 Report Share Posted September 20, 2016 Kind of surprised we didn't have a Fuji-Q thread to be honest. Not sure if anyone on the forums has been (maybe @Benin or @BenC ?), but of course, it's a park well known for breaking records and just general being a bit over the top insane. One of their most well known coasters is Dodonpa, a S&S launch coaster with a launch of 0-107mph in 1.8 seconds. The park have recently announced, however, that they are going to be retracking Dodonpa, with rumours circulating they they'll be adding a loop. And given Fuji's fetish for records, the world's tallest loop doesn't seem out of the question! The ride will close next month and reopen next summer. Source: http://www.fujiq.jp/special/oyasumi-dodonpa/ Important translation: Of the current course layout last chance to ride in the "Dodonpa"! CharlieN 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieN Posted September 20, 2016 Report Share Posted September 20, 2016 I've had a bit of a thing for this park since I first heard about it a few years ago. I don't think it does theming or atmosphere very well, but that seems to be made up by its selection of coasters. All of them seem bizarre - but very enjoyable! Especially Dodonpa, that's been very high up on my bucket list for years - as has Eejanaika and Fujiyama and Takabisha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benin Posted September 20, 2016 Report Share Posted September 20, 2016 Unfortunately Josh I'm still basic in terms of rides in the East... One day though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieN Posted September 23, 2016 Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 If Dodonpa's changed layout does feature an inversion it will make it the fastest inverting coaster worldwide. I can see Fuji Q wanting that title! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlesberg Posted September 23, 2016 Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 I recently had an obsession with Dodonpa (my favourite roller coaster name). I think this changed layout will reboot my obsession Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshC. Posted March 6, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2017 Whilst Dodonpa is out of action, the park have decided to offer a VR experience recreating the coaster to compensate... And, because Japan, desk fans are provided to help simulate the launch. Just wow. JoelAllen 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlesberg Posted March 6, 2017 Report Share Posted March 6, 2017 (edited) 54 minutes ago, BaronC. said: Whilst Dodonpa is out of action, the park have decided to offer a VR experience recreating the coaster to compensate... And, because Japan, desk fans are provided to help simulate the launch. Just wow. That is just sad... And those poor people have probably waited at least 2hrs for that (as Fuji Q apparently have some of the worst operations ever known, they make PA look like Europa). EDIT: it just dawned on me that there are no lap bars, so my sentence about them waiting probably isn't true. Edited March 6, 2017 by 'Airtime Falcon' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benin Posted March 6, 2017 Report Share Posted March 6, 2017 It's amazing, and probably a better VR experience than DBGT... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glitch Posted March 10, 2017 Report Share Posted March 10, 2017 So here's the question then... say you go to the park the ride is down but they have this VR thing to enjoy. Do you still get the credit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieN Posted March 10, 2017 Report Share Posted March 10, 2017 45 minutes ago, TallGuyDom said: So here's the question then... say you go to the park the ride is down but they have this VR thing to enjoy. Do you still get the credit? No, absolutely, no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshC. Posted March 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2017 If it's a cred, then I'm buying a VR headset and a desk fan - I'll overtake Benin in no time... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benin Posted March 11, 2017 Report Share Posted March 11, 2017 Why even buy a VR headset? Just watch POVs on Youtube and save money... Roodie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshC. Posted June 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2017 So, details about new Dodonpa have been revealed... -Firstly, the park have decided to rename the ride Do Dodonpa, because why not? -The airtime hill has indeed been replaced by a vertical loop, with the following stats: 1) 49m / 160ft tall, making it the second tallest inverting loop on a roller coaster. 2) 39.7m in diameter, making it the largest diameter of any loop on a roller coaster. Previous record was 38.8m apparently. So we now have parks competing for the 'World's tallest loop', 'World's tallest inverting loop' and 'World's largest diameter loop' records. What is the industry coming to ey... Oh, and Do Dodonpa now goes a tiny bit fastest, with an acceleration of 0-111mph in 1.8 seconds, rather than 107mph. Yay! And here's a testing video, featuring weirdly awesome launch noise: Dean_W 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieN Posted June 4, 2017 Report Share Posted June 4, 2017 Sounds good and all that, but that means they're losing that ejector airtime! Wasn't it the largest negative g's on a coaster anywhere? crazy tophat>big loop anyday. Mysterio Ka 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlesberg Posted July 20, 2017 Report Share Posted July 20, 2017 The unthinkable has happened... (Do-)Dodonpa now has over-the-shoulder restraints ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benin Posted July 20, 2017 Report Share Posted July 20, 2017 8 person trains? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mega-Lite Posted July 20, 2017 Report Share Posted July 20, 2017 Makes sense though. Adding a stupid loop with trims before it and a kicker wheel mid inversion is one thing. Imagine how much money and effort you'd have to spend in order to put wider or longer trains on Dodonpa. 1) Completely rebuild the launch system to be able to handle the increased weight, that's even if air powered launches could perform the insanity Dodonpa's launch offers with more weight involved. 2) Redesign the braking and blocking systems. 3) Wider or longer trains would mean redesigning the station, maintenance area and transfer tracks. Probably be easier to just build a whole new ride! As for the restraints however, WHY?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jessica2 Posted June 11, 2018 Report Share Posted June 11, 2018 I’ve just read through this thread, I’m guessing nobody on here has been before? I plan to go during my trip to Japan in November as we are staying close by. Interestingly they’ve decided to make the park free entry (from June onwards) and then pay for individual rides instead. Suits me! However likely to make the park itself busier. And they also have one of the longest (the longest?) scare mazes in existence, I think it’s nearly 1km! Wonder what the guest actor ratio is like.... I have heard about the horrendously slow operations from a few people, so will certainly buy fastpass for everything. Will report back my thoughts on the rides Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benin Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 I've honestly no idea if they have a Fastpass tbh, if they do it's probably worth it's weight in gold... They do some form of ERT, but not sure if it's exclusive for hotel guests though, might be worth an investigation... Though if they've gone for the pay-per-ride model all of that might well mean nothing anymore... So good luck... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jessica2 Posted June 14, 2018 Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 I watched a vid from themeparkworldwide on YouTube filmed last year and they bought fast passes, basically went on through the exit on most things. Will definitely research it given the changes to their ticketing but as you say it looks well worth getting lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlesberg Posted June 14, 2018 Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 I did hear in a vlog that dispatches can sometimes take about 15 minutes so on a day where the park is virtually dead you could still be waiting about an hour or two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ste193 Posted June 15, 2018 Report Share Posted June 15, 2018 Ive recently visited and it waa AMAZING there absolutely loved it and was lucky enough to have great views of mt fuji for most of the day. Yes they sell fast passes we went to a ticket booth there each ¥1000 for the roller coaster and you enter through prioty pass lines some are kind of like exits some randomly join up at a later point in the general queue. I would highly recommend the fast passes and buy them as soon as possible they sell out quick because we didnt buy them up earlier we missed out on takabisha due to not buying fast passes earlier. I agree the operations are slow we waited 45 minutes for the rapids! And longer for roller coasters. The merchandise is great and the rides are just immense, makes me wish the UK theme parks would step up there game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jessica2 Posted December 17, 2018 Report Share Posted December 17, 2018 I went to Fuji-Q highland in late November this year on a weekday, here are my thoughts. We got the priority (fast pass) tickets for the main coasters, despite arriving at the park at midday and leaving at around 3/4pm we had no issues getting them for the times we wanted. Their website is hideously complicated and you need a Japanese credit card to buy fast pass online, so just buy them on the day or as an add on through one of the popular tour websites (I got my ticket through voyagin). You don’t go to this park for theming. It’s quite like a fairground in that way, there aren’t themed ‘lands’ from what I could see. It’s essentially the opposite of Disneysea in that it has no theming and it’s all about the rides. On to those... Do-Dodonpa - great ride, the launch is so fast you can barely react and wow you’re outside already. Aged well considering it’s 17 or so years old. Would defo like to ride again! Fujiyama - god this ride made Colossus look smooth. It’s an old coaster and it felt like it. It’s quite a long coaster which is good but it was very uncomfortable to ride. They were running one car and the loading times were super slow, I can see why the queues take forever. Takabisha- not a fan of the sequencing on the steep part, it actually seemed like it wasn’t as exciting as e.g. obvlivion at Alton Towers. Nice little launch near the start. The ride itself is very similar to Saw, definitely it’s long lost twin, just with no theming. Eejanaika was sadly down for maintenance. So in summary it was a fun way to spend a few hours. It’s not a ‘pretty’ park by any means, though the view to Mt Fuji was spectacular. I would recommend the priority passes if you do go! If you’ve been to eg six flags and/or europapark maybe this isn’t a must do park but it’s worth the trip if you’re in the area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyMoo Posted December 17, 2018 Report Share Posted December 17, 2018 2 hours ago, jessica2 said: You don’t go to this park for theming. A bit like Thorpe then m80 ? jessica2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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