Orkanen at Farup Sommerland is my favorite Vekoma suspended coaster.
This coaster has been cloned an additional 12 times around the world, but I think the
original is the best.
Find out why in this review!
Orkanen opened in 2013 as Farup’s sixth roller coaster.
It was their second from Vekoma and the park clearly has a great relationship with the
Dutch manufacturer since they’ve returned to Vekoma for two more coasters in recent
years including Fonix.
Vekoma introduced the family suspended coaster back in 2001 at the Paramount parks, but the
early models were criticized for poor trackwork and bulky over-the-shoulder restraints leading
to headbanging.
It took about a decade, but Vekoma refined the model.
Now they’re more exciting and far smoother.
Orkanen was a custom layout when it opened in 2013.
The coaster was very well-received and now this layout is known as the 453 meter model,
and the coaster has been cloned a dozen times.
Two of the most notable clones are Dragonflier at Dollywood and the Dragon Roller Coaster
at Energylandia, both of which I’ve ridden.
But the presentation of the original may be the best.
Orkanen is Danish for hurricane and the coaster is fittingly placed above the water.
The ride features two mist-filled underwater tunnels, including the iconic one after the
first drop.
It really is a cool visual seeing the train dive below the surface for a few seconds.
I also really like this coaster’s paint scheme with the sky blue track.
And the ride features some nautical themed buildings around the attraction, including
that of the station.
One of the biggest downsides with these Vekoma suspended coasters is that they brake in the
station, so they can only run one train.
That train features 10 rows of 2, seating a max of 20 riders per cycle.
Fortunately, the ride’s crew checks the restraints quickly, so lines are manageable.
The ride had a 20-25 minute wait at most on a summer weekend.
One of the best parts about Orkanen and the newer suspended coasters are the restraints.
You have a minimalistic lap bar.
You’re entire upper-body is free, maximizing the feeling of flight.
seats don’t swing independent of the wheels.
The on-ride experience between the 453 meter models is nearly identical.
The forces feel the same.
The only differences are the sightlines, which I think are a bit better on Orkanen because
of the ride’s aquatic setting.
Once dispatched, you turn out of the station and ascend the 63 foot or 19 meter tall lift.
The train is quietly and smoothly propelled to the top with booster tires.
Then you’ll find yourself staring at that misty, underwater tunnel.
If you’re up front, you hang over the edge for a few seconds, the visual reminds me of
a dive coaster.
No airtime, but it does build up good speed.
And you have that mist-filled tunnel after.
The train is then whipped through an overbank.
This element is deceptively intense for a family coaster.
It’s quite forceful, pulling 3.5 Gs.
And it banks so severely that it nearly counts as an inversion.
Heck it feels like one as you’re snapped through it.
Orkanen dials it back from this point, but it’s still fun.
You then glide over the water and head into a 360 degree downwards helix.
And this helix offers some solid Gs.
The train then hops over the station.
No airtime, but you get a fantastic leg-chopper.
And the station hides the next element, another downwards helix.
It’s not quite as forceful as the previous one, but it still has some ok positives.
You then speed around a mildly forceful turn and dip into a misty subaqueous shed.
On the clones, you usually just go into a little trench, so it was neat having an extra
tunnel here.
You then have one last turn into the station, where you smoothly brake to a stop, ending
the 1486 foot or 453 meter long coaster.
So what would I rate Orkanen?
I would give this suspended coaster a 7 out of 10.
This is a nice family coaster.
You have a glass smooth layout with some exciting visuals.
I love skimming above the water and occasionally dropping beneath it.
The ride is approachable for many, yet it can keep thrill-seekers engaged with solid
pacing and that standout overbanked turn that has some genuine power to it.
This truly is one of the best models out there for families and Orkanen is the best example
at this time.
So those are my thoughts on Orkanen at Farup Sommerland.
What are your thoughts on this Vekoma creation?
Do you think it’s the best 453 m model?
Let me know down in the comments.
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