The Experience
Introduction
Fønix is a 2022 Vekoma Wildcat coaster, a modern sit-down looper, and the star attraction at Fårup Sommerland. The coaster battle between the two Jutland-based Sommerland parks has been going on since around 2008 when both parks got their first true thrill coasters (Piraten at Djurs and Lynet at Fårup). However, after Djurs opened both Juvelen and Dragekongen, it firmly held the title of the best coaster park in Denmark. All of this changed in 2022 when Fårup opened Fønix, the tallest and fastest coaster in Denmark, introducing the Danes to an entirely new style of modern thrill coaster.
Best Coaster in Denmark
If you ask coaster enthusiasts online which coaster is the best in Denmark, you will find that even after Fønix opened, there is still much debate over which coaster actually deserves this title. Mostly, this debate is between Fønix and Piraten (with the occasional Juvelen or Rutschebanen at Tivoli Gardens nomination thrown in). But for us, as soon as we had our first rides on Fønix, it was quite clear, and after our seventh, it was set in stone, this is Denmark's best coaster and finest attraction overall.
We had just been to Djurs the day before. While we didn't get as many rides on Piraten as we would have liked because it broke down, this is still a no-contest. Fønix simply offers a wider variety of elements and forces than any other coaster in the country.
We had just been to Djurs the day before. While we didn't get as many rides on Piraten as we would have liked because it broke down, this is still a no-contest. Fønix simply offers a wider variety of elements and forces than any other coaster in the country.
From the Ashes
While people sometimes forget the success and importance of Vekoma's earlier models like the Boomerang and SLC, it's still staggering to compare these models to something like Fønix. Vekoma has always been able to create good layouts, but it was often at the expense of smoothness, much like Arrow Dynamics, and unlike Schwarzkopf, who often created much simpler layouts with concentrated moments of forces and overall smoother ride experiences.
Today, Vekoma creates big, smooth thrill machines with seamless transitions and plenty of forces almost evenly distributed throughout the different layouts. Just when some were starting to count them out, they rose to the occasion and are now considered one of the most exciting manufacturers in the industry.
Today, Vekoma creates big, smooth thrill machines with seamless transitions and plenty of forces almost evenly distributed throughout the different layouts. Just when some were starting to count them out, they rose to the occasion and are now considered one of the most exciting manufacturers in the industry.
Dynamic, Smooth, Fun
Fønix's ride experience can be summed up by three words: dynamic, smooth and fun. The ride has a great first drop, 14 air time moments and 3 different inversions, all which are wildly different. The inside-top hat is full of hangtime, the corkscrew floats you through the top of the station and the heartline roll offers great whip. There is plenty of airtime pops and the seamless transitions mixed with the ultra smooth tracking, makes this one of the most re-rideable coasters we've experienced.
Wild but mild
One of the biggest arguments against Fønix has been its lack of intensity, in fact, some people have called it downright forceless which we don't agree with at all but it is true that this is not the most intense coaster out there. There are some positive G's but they are few and far between, the air time - while plenty - is mostly floater and short pops, and while the ride is whippy, it's a lot more graceful compared to the likes you see on Intamin or newer Mack coasters.
Conclusion
Fønix is the best coaster that we have in Denmark.It's an extraordinarily smooth coaster with and great drop, good pace, plenty of forces and whip but all within a very accessible and comfortable package that ensures that you can keep riding this beauty over and over again.
Gallery
Fønix Gallery
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Strengths & Weaknesses
| Super smooth | |
| Great first drop | |
| Dynamic layout | |
| Lots of different forces | |
| Lack of intensity |
Information
Technical Specs
Specifications
Sit DownMegaCustomStation Fly-by
TypeSteel
Length2969,2 ft
Height131,2 ft
Speed59,0 mph
Inversions3
G-Force4,1 G
Notes
Fønix means "Phoenix" in danish