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Oblivion's twin

Sam

TS Member
Now now, I know that Oblivion's Taiwanese twin is pretty much the first thing they teach you on day one of 'Alton Enthusiasm 101', but I don't think we've yet had a topic about it on this forum. :)

I post this topic now as TPR have just covered it, and for the first time there is now a proper POV of G5 Diving Machine, Oblivion's clone. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-OZPExIQSs#ws

It really is very, very odd to see that layout that we all know so well, but in a new context.

XohVIoN.jpg

Does Oblivion ever feel like it rises up that much into the turn?

What is quite a dull moment on Oblivion (the stall turn) becomes a spectacular bird-of-prey swoop on G5. What is quite an underwhelming moment on G5 (the tunnel entry) becomes a terrifying plunge into the complete mystery of pitch blackness on Oblivion.

But what is most amazing about G5 is that it shows you how big Oblivion really is... even those who know it's as deep underground as it is high above-ground never really get a sense of just how much track there is down there...

The ride was built in 2000 at Janfusun Fancyworld, and apart from Desert Race, is the only clone of a current Alton Towers rollercoaster.

For me, as someone who has ridden Oblivion hundreds of times, this photo still makes my jaw drop...

cT0gZ9m.jpg
 
Just watched that video a few minutes ago on youtube actually! And yeah, although there is a considerable lack of theming, it somehow comes across as more impressive and "dominating", probably due to the fact that much more of it is above ground! It really makes you realise quite how huge Oblivion is! If there's one foreign coaster on my "must ride" list, its this one, it looks really spectacular!

Also, because the tunnel section is much lower, it enables you to see how sharp the pull-out from the drop onto the accent really is! Blows my mind really how much of our home dive coaster we don't see, and more to the point, how massive oblivion really is!

:)
 
That ride completely blew me away when I first discovered it. Oblivion really gives no indication as to just how massive that hole really is.

A couple of things I noticed in that video: firstly, no horizontal conveyor. Presumably this was included on Oblivion to ensure the turnaround was as slow as possible. Secondly, the spectacular noise Oblivion makes as it enters the tunnel is present here too, but not at the tunnel entry - could it be to do with the wheels on the pull-out?
 
Robb's comment on the TPR POV of G5...

Many of us actually agreed we liked this version much better. The lack of most of it being enclosed and also being up on a cliff really added to the OH S*** factor to the ride. Sorry, Alton fanboys, but Oblivion has been shown up!


Even though he's being a typical rude and arrogant oaf, he says a lot of TPR preferred the openness of G5 to Oblivion. Though he doesn't exactly like Alton Towers (you only need to read TPR to see that) so the comment could (and probably is) just there to annoy people and make the person on Youtube that he's responding to look stupid.

:S
 
From an enthusiasts point of view I can see why people might like this version more. It's more exposed, much higher off the ground and being able to see everything does make it more dominating...

But notice how in that clip they are improving the experience by using the "don't look down" tag line! And that's what this ride is missing the same drama and anticipation. Oblivion is not the ride you aim for after travelling the world and already massing a coaster count in the hundreds (aka. most of TPR). It is a milestone ride that you have to overcome. Fear and anticipation of the unknown is what sets Oblivion apart and don't get me wrong G5 has all that but only in the same way any massive coaster would.
 
G5 is a very American styled version of Oblivion, big, brash, open, obvious with everything...

Hence why the sheep TPR like it then... Subtlety is not an American thing...
 
This looks higher than Oblivion.... two reasons I say this:

1) when you look into the Oblivion hole it is already starting to bottom out
2) the bank on the exit is no way as high as this one in the video (I dont think anyway).

I may be wrong of course, and if I am, therefore, the difference that £6m hole makes is amazing.
 
GaryH said:
This looks higher than Oblivion.... two reasons I say this:

1) when you look into the Oblivion hole it is already starting to bottom out
2) the bank on the exit is no way as high as this one in the video (I dont think anyway).

I may be wrong of course, and if I am, therefore, the difference that £6m hole makes is amazing.

Based on its RCDB stats its identical other than its a mirror image of Oblivion
 
I was just about to say the turnaround before the drop goes right instead of left. :p
 
Dave said:
GaryH said:
This looks higher than Oblivion.... two reasons I say this:

1) when you look into the Oblivion hole it is already starting to bottom out
2) the bank on the exit is no way as high as this one in the video (I dont think anyway).

I may be wrong of course, and if I am, therefore, the difference that £6m hole makes is amazing.

Based on its RCDB stats its identical other than its a mirror image of Oblivion

Wow, thats incredible then, because without the hole, the ride looks huge! To think all that is hidden underground makes you appreciate why the hole cost £6 million!!!
 
Isn't this a foot shorter on the drop because the turn into it slopes unlike on Oblivion with its conveyor?
 
I don't know anything about TPR but they really seem quite an insufferable bunch from that video - got right up my nose (as I'm sure it was intended to, by reading some of the comments!)

It looks more spectacular exposed like that but really it just makes me love Oblivion even more.
 
First time I've seen this believe it or not. Looks better than Oblivion in my opinion because there's a greater sense of height when you are held before the drop.
 
Tom said:
First time I've seen this believe it or not. Looks better than Oblivion in my opinion because there's a greater sense of height when you are held before the drop.

But surely a sense of the unknown, not knowing what is coming, is scarier than height, is it not?
 
Height isn't everything, and I thought Sheikra demonstrated that perfectly. Oblivion offers a much more intimidating ride, and the theming and landscaping really do make a big difference (shame you usually walk past most of the videos now). Sheikra felt less forceful and the impact that the height has on you didn't really stay with me.

But I guess most people will just say that bigger is better, etc....
 
Yeah, this fella always bewilders me when I see it. Just...how...how does Oblivion hide so much track?

I'd be inclined to agree that G5 looks like it provides a slightly superior ride experience simply because the amount of visible drop is so greater, giving you a more intimidating impression of the plunge. However Oblivion is more enjoyable on the level of guesswork on just how much track is underground and is generally testament to the difficulties Alton Towers face when planning thrilling rides.
 
Anyone else notice the odd spacing of the track ties on the exit of the overbanked turn?
 
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