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| Do-Dodonpa's loop | |||||||||
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| Manufacturer | S&S Worldwide | ||||||||
| Product | Thrust Air Coaster | ||||||||
| Type | Steel - Launched | ||||||||
| Riders per train | 8 | ||||||||
| Propulsion | Compressed air launch | ||||||||
| Height | 49 metres | ||||||||
| Top speed | 180 km/h | ||||||||
| Length | 1244 metres | ||||||||
| Inversions | 1 | ||||||||
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Do-Dodonpa (Japanese: ドドンパ) is an S&S Worldwide launched roller coaster located at Fuji-Q Highland in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, Japan. It opened in 2001 and currently has the highest launch acceleration of any coaster in the world, at 32.1 ms−2 (3.27 g). It is also the fastest coaster in the world to feature an inversion, a 49 metres tall vertical loop (formerly a top hat).
The control system was provided by Deterministic Systems, Inc.
History
Dodonpa was announced in June 2001.[1] Upon opening on 21 December 2001, it was the fastest roller coaster in the world with a top speed of 180 km/h, which was reached in 1.8 seconds.
The roller coaster closed on October 2, 2016 for a major remodel. It reopened on 15 July 2017. This overhaul involved replacing the ride's top hat with a large vertical loop. The refurbishment also saw the ride's speed increased to 180 km/h and the ride's acceleration increased to 32.1 ms−2 (3.27 g). The name was changed from Dodonpa to Do-Dodonpa.
On August 12, 2021, Do-Dodonpa was closed indefinitely for safety investigations following riders suffering fractured bones.[2][3]
Name and theme
The name "Dodonpa" comes from the notes used by taiko drummers. In the queue line, guests can hear these notes. At launch, they hear a voice in Japanese running through a checklist and counting down before the launch. The dialogue occasionally changes, and, to surprise the riders, there is often a "false" countdown and "failed" launch followed by an "accidental" launch.
The ride's name was changed to Do-Dodonpa when it was refurbished in 2017.
The four trains are painted with different faces; a "father", "mother", "brother", and "sister". These were later changed to: cheetah, snake, zebra and strawberry.
Design
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Trains
4 trains with 4 cars per train. In each car, riders are arranged 2 across in a single row, for a total of 8 riders per train.
Images
Photographs of the roller coaster prior to its refurbishment in 2016.
References
- ↑ World's Fastest Roller Coaster Coming To Japan - Ultimate Rollercoaster
- ↑ "ド・ドドンパの安全総点検の実施による運休について". Fuji-Q Highland. 2021-08-20. https://www.fujiq.jp/en/news/h5f6de000002iuuw.html. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
- ↑ Anders, Caroline (2021-08-25). "The world’s fastest-accelerating roller coaster is shut down after riders report fractured bones". The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/08/25/japan-rollercoaster-broken-bones/. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
External links
- Do-Dodonpa on the Roller Coaster DataBase.
| Fastest roller coaster December 2001 - May 2003 | ||
| Preceded by Tower of Terror Superman: The Escape |
Fastest roller coaster December 2001 - May 2003 |
Succeeded by Top Thrill Dragster |
| Fastest complete-circuit roller coaster December 2001 - May 2003 | ||
| Preceded by Steel Dragon 2000 |
Fastest complete-circuit roller coaster December 2001 - May 2003 |
Succeeded by Top Thrill Dragster |
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