Building & Designing Oblivion - Alton Towers - 10 Years On

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  • Опубліковано 17 чер 2008
  • This video shows the building of Oblivion at Alton Towers 10 years ago. In 1997 somthing strange was going on and in 1998 the worlds first vertical drop rollercoaster was launched. This video shows the build up and construction of the world class ride at the resort.
    Thank you for watching AdventureShawn ©
    Instagram: / shawnsanbrooke
    Second Channel: / themeparkworldwide

КОМЕНТАРІ • 287

  • @joewalker643
    @joewalker643 2 роки тому +51

    Seeing John Wardley get giddy and jumping up and down after the drop makes me smile. That man is personally responsible for the thrills of so many British people. He's like the big kid in chief.

    • @mariosavva999
      @mariosavva999 2 роки тому

      What a cool job he has :)

    • @oxymoron8803
      @oxymoron8803 Рік тому

      He did more than rollercoasters. He worked on Hammer Horror, James Bond and practically invented the modern animatronic.

  • @bowmurbandit
    @bowmurbandit 5 років тому +52

    I was a coach driver when Oblivion was being built. The company I worked for at the time ran a regular Thursday service to Alton Towers so I was able to see it's progress week by week. Happy days back then (Y)

    • @randomtransportguyx4397
      @randomtransportguyx4397 Рік тому

      Did you drive any Volvo B10M's, if so which body did they have

    • @bowmurbandit
      @bowmurbandit Рік тому

      @@randomtransportguyx4397 No. It was such a popular service at the time so we used a Leyland Atlantean Double Decker.

    • @randomtransportguyx4397
      @randomtransportguyx4397 Рік тому

      @@bowmurbandit noicccccccccccce

  • @sirjambon
    @sirjambon 6 років тому +106

    Almost 20 years! Queued for 3 hours when it first opened. Now you can pretty much walk on the damn thing.

  • @visionist7
    @visionist7 6 років тому +42

    Oblivion is the FIRST dive coaster and therefore the BEST by default. Look at these guys two decades ago with their fiendish concoction. They're like wizards. Nothing else like it existed. The simple, stark layout; just a sinister black track plunging straight into the ground

    • @Rancord123
      @Rancord123 4 роки тому +1

      Felice Graziano it probably still is the best as not much vertical drop rollercoasters don’t go underground

  • @Smartacus98
    @Smartacus98 12 років тому +18

    oblivion is incredible. I never realized how deep underground it was, that's why the speed and intensity always takes me by surprise.

  • @marioravioli5413
    @marioravioli5413 4 роки тому +12

    if I had a time machine, i'd go to that guy and say
    'you alright mate?'
    'looking forward to Oblivion?'

  • @ahuman9864
    @ahuman9864 3 роки тому +9

    When I first walked up on this ride and saw it’s size and that subtle roar, it was in complete awe. Those execs at the end seemed to have thought the same thing.
    The way it banks at the end is something beautiful and terrifying at the same time. 20 years ago, there was nothing like it.

  • @leeroyleeroy
    @leeroyleeroy 5 років тому +15

    I remember being there the year before it was opened and seeing the ground being dug out. It looked so bizarre!

  • @thehoopsters5255
    @thehoopsters5255 6 років тому +10

    I wasn't sure about riding Hex at first, but after we did it I'm glad my Dad encouraged me. Alton Towers is the Best

    • @jjpoggers
      @jjpoggers 4 роки тому

      Have you been on the smiler

  • @BlueAxeRacer
    @BlueAxeRacer 6 років тому +14

    Hi Shawn from 9 years in the future!

  • @wrenzul
    @wrenzul 4 роки тому +11

    9:07 was Oblivion’s first EVER drop!!!

  • @Legendaryvenomz
    @Legendaryvenomz 8 років тому +12

    Genius pieces. Absolutely amazing.

  • @willhowell898
    @willhowell898 7 років тому +9

    I've been to Alton towers today I went on this about 7 times this is incredible

  • @lemagreengreen
    @lemagreengreen 6 років тому +3

    Makes me feel really old when I realise I was a teenager when this thing opened. It was a big deal at the time, had a huge advertising campaign.

  • @ashes1one
    @ashes1one 15 років тому +2

    What a great upload - really good to see. Thanks!!!

  • @minotaur878
    @minotaur878 13 років тому +3

    Yes he's given me roller coaster advice for the future. Very good man.

  • @donfranktv
    @donfranktv 2 місяці тому

    Such an interesting video on Oblivion - loved to see the construction

  • @ExcellAirsoft
    @ExcellAirsoft 16 років тому +3

    WoW this is brilliant thanks for posting keep it up.

  • @christianlangdale2043
    @christianlangdale2043 5 років тому +1

    Oblivion has been my favourite ride ever.

  • @ChloeHancockcookie
    @ChloeHancockcookie 12 років тому +4

    This ride is exactly 2 month older than me, i rode it for the first time on its 11th birthday :)

  • @jche8437
    @jche8437 2 роки тому +1

    Look how excited everyone is. The good old days. Before social media. Here I am on social media 😂

  • @ashes1one
    @ashes1one 16 років тому

    Great upload!

  • @JamesWragg-xn6uj
    @JamesWragg-xn6uj 4 місяці тому

    the roar of that B&M track gives me goosebumps🤤🤤🤩🤩

  • @themeparkfan
    @themeparkfan 16 років тому +1

    Amazing video, thanks for uploading! :)

  • @TimothiusAdiel
    @TimothiusAdiel 5 років тому

    I have ridden this. It was awesome!

  • @rollercoasterb74dst4
    @rollercoasterb74dst4 13 років тому +3

    going here on saturday cant wait

  • @yearlongbeet2
    @yearlongbeet2 Рік тому +1

    That ride cemented John wardley as the greatest coaster engineer ever

  • @dylanmurphy4342
    @dylanmurphy4342 Рік тому

    Still haven't been to Alton Towers desperate to go though and will definitely ride this

  • @aidan7459
    @aidan7459 6 років тому +5

    20 years gone by and still the best vertical drop thrill coaster

    • @JetstreamAviation747
      @JetstreamAviation747 5 років тому

      AidanWithAnA no stealth

    • @aidan7459
      @aidan7459 5 років тому

      DiamondSword gaming Fair point but Oblivion is what started it all and without it we wouldn't have Stealth or Saw: The ride so yeah, for the thrill factors Stealth wins but c'mon you just have to love oblivion to ya know?

    • @xVx_Krt_xVx_KillMe
      @xVx_Krt_xVx_KillMe 5 років тому

      Sure it started it but that doesn’t make it best. Do you call iron wolf the best b&m cause it was the first. Besides, best drop in the Uk is speed at oakwood, it’s not the steepest but check the height it’s way taller than all the others

    • @aidan7459
      @aidan7459 5 років тому

      @@xVx_Krt_xVx_KillMe Fair point I guess but On vertical dive coasters I have only ridden Oblivion soooooo I have much ride credibility to earn

    • @zachbladen
      @zachbladen 5 років тому

      Best drop but not the best dive coaster in general.

  • @ellieco9174
    @ellieco9174 Рік тому

    We are very lucky to have John Wardle as a fellow Brit, and a pioneer in the roller coaster industry, some of the best & first rides in the world! I love nemesis

  • @petermc7098
    @petermc7098 4 роки тому +1

    Hello This is an absolutely amazing documentary, thank you for putting this up, I think this is what later inspired the Drop tower ride for Nemesis Sub-terra. Keep it up! Kind regards Peter

    • @Todd21212
      @Todd21212 3 роки тому

      Drop towers were made before Oblivion.

    • @petermc7098
      @petermc7098 3 роки тому

      @@Todd21212 OK

  • @jplegoman85
    @jplegoman85 12 років тому +2

    love oblivion!!

  • @themeparkglobal9338
    @themeparkglobal9338 5 років тому

    Love this vid

  • @longy0151
    @longy0151 13 років тому +15

    the 2 dislikes are off fanta because they weren't sponsoring this ride when it opened.

    • @deejasart7766
      @deejasart7766 3 роки тому

      Lol XD

    • @Th3Sm1ler
      @Th3Sm1ler 2 роки тому

      The second dislike was from Coke after the smiler started sponsoring oblivion

  • @starstruckxxx10000
    @starstruckxxx10000 11 років тому +11

    i wouldn't say that oblivion is the best diving roller coaster ,but defiantly has the best drop out of the bunch ,simply because it's a proper hole in the ground! and not just a little hole with some cover on top of it..

    • @witchychlo
      @witchychlo 6 років тому +3

      Jonny B But you have to remember, this was revolutionary - they spent a lot of the budget working out how to drop the riders safely, nowadays it’s common knowledge across manufacturers and they have the money to add more track and inversions etc.

    • @visionist7
      @visionist7 5 років тому +1

      Jonny B a second drop is by its very nature redundant on a dive machine. Riding Oblivion for the second time feels redundant, let alone sitting through the second drop on Sheikra. It's all about the drop. One drop.

  • @joemorrisonmusic
    @joemorrisonmusic Рік тому

    There’s something so magical about oblivion. The drop ain’t matched.

  • @Lickmabumbum
    @Lickmabumbum Рік тому

    Me and my girlfriend went on this 15 times in a row, it's awesome!!!!

  • @MegaSackboy16
    @MegaSackboy16 11 років тому +20

    no, oblivion was designed by John Wardley and the ride was manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard.

  • @NatalieEdgeEdwards
    @NatalieEdgeEdwards 15 років тому +1

    Thanks for sharing the video. I bet it was amazing to be working on the ride in late 1997/early 1998. I would have loved to have been there with the guys. I can remember all the hype surrounding it. Anyone know how them people got to go to the park before it even opened for the 1998 season?

  • @sammyshadbolt4634
    @sammyshadbolt4634 7 років тому

    this I'd so cool I really like oblivion ride

  • @SamuelH105
    @SamuelH105 14 років тому

    wow i've been that deep under ground? Kool!

  • @thetf2guy184
    @thetf2guy184 5 років тому +12

    I think I may have an idea of what the guard may say now
    "The ministry of Joy kindly ask you to leave"

  • @survivalleader
    @survivalleader 9 років тому +8

    I bet people who first saw this ride were like WTF mate

  • @eye-in-the-skyproductions8483
    @eye-in-the-skyproductions8483 6 років тому

    John rocking that nemesis hat

  • @aestheticrobloxhoe5197
    @aestheticrobloxhoe5197 5 років тому

    i went on this today it is sick

  • @daboywunda
    @daboywunda 13 років тому +1

    wow, i loved this documentary!!! 1999's The Dream Factory (part of the Modern Times series of documentaries that the BBC produced.) The full documentary is on here some-where...

  • @Ryanro1988
    @Ryanro1988 14 років тому +1

    Can't wait until Saturday, SW6 opens!!!

  • @MeltedToast84
    @MeltedToast84 5 років тому

    Now it’s 20 years on!

  • @xxxlbigsam
    @xxxlbigsam 15 років тому

    cannot wait goin tomoz

  • @kobyscootsandmore9141
    @kobyscootsandmore9141 5 років тому

    I know oblivion is 21 and all but it still looks intimidating I always have had a soft spot for it

  • @kyledawber6679
    @kyledawber6679 5 років тому +3

    I thought they were having a smoke up at 0:38😂

  • @Gr33nMamba
    @Gr33nMamba 14 років тому +3

    It's so hard to build a new type/theme of rollercoaster these days, It's a shame really, the entusiats at 6:00 clearly saw it was a B&M Manufactured coaster with a sharp eye.
    So looking forward to Thirteen.

  • @KoasterKing205
    @KoasterKing205 6 років тому +17

    It'll be 20 Years On in 2018!

  • @RandomMixoo7
    @RandomMixoo7 14 років тому

    I wonder what the ride on the computer screen is at 7:26 is?

  • @flakelorenz02
    @flakelorenz02 14 років тому

    @bigmuffexpress Nice one!

  • @dannybarker9730
    @dannybarker9730 12 років тому

    10 out of 10 i have been on it

  • @ryanhickson7518
    @ryanhickson7518 12 років тому +1

    I say the red harnesses look quite good with the trson

  • @Open_Space.
    @Open_Space. Рік тому

    Hi Shawn, I’ve got a question. why was oblivion so slow when it was testing for the first time?

  • @Flimingow
    @Flimingow 14 років тому

    I think alton towers is one of the best place for rollercoaters; Along with busch gardens

  • @benjyboba
    @benjyboba 12 років тому

    What happened to the full documentry

  • @kaiserkid01
    @kaiserkid01 14 років тому +1

    i agree mate

  • @paulkelly3188
    @paulkelly3188 8 років тому +17

    funny how people r saying that the drops 90 degrees and more people r saying it's 87. Alton towers staff have even been saying it's 87 degrees :D

    • @ozzyisabluebird86
      @ozzyisabluebird86 8 років тому

      +JAX GAMING It's 87.5

    • @asmakarolia3821
      @asmakarolia3821 8 років тому

      ghabhrayli

    • @ozzyisabluebird86
      @ozzyisabluebird86 8 років тому

      Try Saw at Thorpe Park it is 110 degree angle

    • @satorukemono7831
      @satorukemono7831 7 років тому +1

      I heard the drop was 89.5, meaning that it is in fact vertical being as in Maths one would count 1.5 as 2 when rounding up decimals. I know it isn't LITERALLY vertical, but it is just close enough to be counted as such

    • @danielledewitt1
      @danielledewitt1 7 років тому

      JAX GAMING Just shy of vertical.

  • @cgsdesigns441
    @cgsdesigns441 Рік тому

    Even though it's about 80-90 feet over the ground it actually goes down a good 180ft into that tunnel, so if viewed from the bass of the tunnel it would definitely show the scale of it.

  • @Dienel73
    @Dienel73 13 років тому

    @jackledgend its a 180ft stright down drop

  • @lilm2k8
    @lilm2k8 15 років тому

    what was it based on, i dont quite get what the the theme is and its been 11 years

  • @Smartacus98
    @Smartacus98 12 років тому

    lol john wardley was giddy with excitement.

  • @Jess-et5oq
    @Jess-et5oq Рік тому

    Have you ever read John Wardley’s book? I finished it yesterday and it was such a good read.

  • @zacharycohenwarburton3430
    @zacharycohenwarburton3430 2 роки тому

    i love how now we use the term b and m

    • @danielledewitt1
      @danielledewitt1 Рік тому

      B and M are a coaster manufacturer. Can’t spell the full name.

  • @leviepine1876
    @leviepine1876 7 років тому

    *boomf!! woosh!* That sounded unbelievably quiet XD

    • @visionist7
      @visionist7 5 років тому

      Levie Pine sand in the track. Bloody NIMBYs

  • @galrides934
    @galrides934 6 років тому +3

    "Magical roller coaster" have you realised it saids "you will get anxiety" in the advert whilst waiting in the queue lol

  • @Horsecat2002
    @Horsecat2002 Рік тому

    anyone got any info on the oblivion guards?

  • @foureyez8348
    @foureyez8348 6 років тому +1

    Now its oblivions 20th :)

  • @kobyscootsandmore9141
    @kobyscootsandmore9141 5 років тому

    Shawn did you watch oblivion being built

    • @Archman155
      @Archman155 4 роки тому

      no he was too young and he didnt work there back then

  • @kiwi__1011
    @kiwi__1011 11 років тому

    9:13 They were still constructing the Enterprise at that time?

    • @colwynboy7279
      @colwynboy7279 6 років тому +1

      Enterprise has been in various locations in the park since the 80s.

    • @Rancord123
      @Rancord123 4 роки тому

      Kiwi enterprise was where Nemesis and those rides are in while Oblivion was being built

  • @andrewbarrett42
    @andrewbarrett42 13 років тому

    @SpikePBB Your right I use to be in his club.

  • @naytay22
    @naytay22 4 роки тому

    Andrew Lincoln narrating,I think? ❤️

  • @TheCoasterrus
    @TheCoasterrus 12 років тому +2

    lol at the 90s haircuts!!

  • @Dan-pv7cu
    @Dan-pv7cu Рік тому

    who's the guy at 7:25? Is he still in the community?

  • @TheSanbrookeAdventures
    @TheSanbrookeAdventures  15 років тому

    Good question i wish i knew :(

  • @touristattractionalfie9376
    @touristattractionalfie9376 2 роки тому

    The conceptual drawings are in rollercoaster resteraunt

  • @RNJake
    @RNJake 12 років тому

    2013 now. ;D

  • @graysoncharlton8553
    @graysoncharlton8553 9 місяців тому +1

    I've been on oblivian

  • @NICKYG2X3.
    @NICKYG2X3. 6 років тому

    the men in green

  • @jacksite2007
    @jacksite2007 12 років тому

    looks a bit different now! They need to improve the length on it or something- because X Sector is always empty.

    • @Rancord123
      @Rancord123 4 роки тому +1

      Jacksite2007 go their now that The Smiler has opened and the place is always packed

  • @joshuawilson1463
    @joshuawilson1463 3 роки тому +2

    It’s now 2028 and getting removed🤯

    • @neuravanny
      @neuravanny Місяць тому

      Now we shall all wait for... OBLIVION: RE-ASCENDED!!! LONG LIVE THE DARKNESS!

  • @fortnightbattlepass
    @fortnightbattlepass 4 місяці тому

    25 years

  • @elainedenton4852
    @elainedenton4852 3 роки тому

    I went to Alton towers 2 hours waiting so I thought forget it

  • @manofknowledge1000
    @manofknowledge1000 Рік тому

    I have been on it . It’s good but over very fast

  • @MegaCod66
    @MegaCod66 13 років тому

    @SanbrookeProductions its called th13teen

    • @danielledewitt1
      @danielledewitt1 6 років тому

      :45433 ;?6434& No the ride in this video is called oblivion.

  • @cup_and_cone
    @cup_and_cone 16 років тому

    Cool.
    Look up Sheikra and Griffon in the United States.
    They'll blow your mind.

    • @danielledewitt1
      @danielledewitt1 6 років тому

      thechosendude I went on shiekra in 2008.

    • @visionist7
      @visionist7 5 років тому

      Danielle Dewitt I went on Sheikra in 2007 before they switched to floorless trains.
      Oblivion is better.

  • @cinemadics5722
    @cinemadics5722 5 років тому

    Is Andrew Lincoln the narrator haha

  • @Knightoftheorient
    @Knightoftheorient 11 років тому

    This ride was literally groundbreaking lol. I think the drop is approx 180'ft but does anyone know how much of it is above ground level?

  • @prittstick1ify
    @prittstick1ify 13 років тому +1

    @MrObvious15 The vertical drop on Oblivon is only 100ft, 60ft above ground and about 40ft below ground. The bit underground is mostly the curve out of the vertical drop. So in affect, the vertical section of the drop is only 50ft in length. the hardest part of designing a vertical drop roller coaster, was in fact the design of the train and how it would cope going straight down. Because the designers (in Switzerland) tested this before designing and building Oblivion, they knew it would work.

  • @prittstick1ify
    @prittstick1ify 13 років тому

    @MrObvious15 I now use No Limits coaster designer, RCTycoon 3 is too limited in design options. but was fun while it lasted

  • @JordanReeve
    @JordanReeve 11 років тому

    65ft actually above

  • @Angel-lh2wg
    @Angel-lh2wg 2 роки тому

    So i draw Fanart for Alton Towers quite a lot and I’m starting social media to help me get noticed, i know this is a silly idea but it would be fun to animate this :>

  • @prittstick1ify
    @prittstick1ify 13 років тому

    @MrObvious15 I never said it was simple designing a vertical drop roller coaster or straight forward. It takes the use of physics, maths, science, design (well over degree level) to design them. Another question for you...Oblivion needs a chain lift to take it up to 60ft (approx), what is this energy called and what is it transferred to once the train leaves the chain lift hill? Also, why are Nemesis and Oblivion so smooth?

  • @DJmetric09
    @DJmetric09 13 років тому +1

    @SanbrookeProductions TH13TEEN

  • @jellyman152
    @jellyman152 11 років тому

    Lets make a rollercoaster roflcaek it goes up and down.

  • @ellieworld2
    @ellieworld2 14 років тому

    Hey look ^ its John again! :L