What is: Oblivion - The Black Hole
Oblivion the black hole is a steel roller coaster, located at Gardaland, one of Italy’s
largest theme parks.
The ride is the well known dive coaster model, constructed by Bolliger and Mabillard, an
amusement ride manufacturer.
Even at a glance, it’s easy to recognise Oblivion’s distinct feature,
its extensive near 90 degree drop.
As riders crest the hill, they peer over the edge for a brief period of time, before plummeting
into what seems like oblivion.
The ride opened to the public on the 28th of March 2015, as Italy’s first dive coaster.
However, as of 2017, the ride is now one of four dive coasters located at various theme
parks in Europe, each of which offer similar ride experiences.
To ensure each attraction is unique, dive coasters are often well themed,
featuring an immersive story line.
In the case of Oblivion The Black Hole, the entire storyline surrounds the appearance
of a mysterious black hole within the Gardaland theme park.
After an extensive study of the phenomenon, it is believed that the black hole is connected
with another, at a different point in both space and time.
Essentially, a wormhole has appeared capable of transporting matter across the universe instantly.
Following many months of preparations, it is now time to allow for a select few to enter
the wormhole, and experience its mysteries.
Fortunately, all Gardaland guests have been selected for this immense challenge.
To learn more about the black hole, as well as the fundamental mission, riders enter the
interactive training centre, part of the attraction's queue line.
Within the enclosed tent-like building, guests are subject to various screens explaining
the story, as well as multiple light, sound and physical affects,
designed to test your body and senses.
As riders navigate the queue line, they gain insight into the unknown nature of the mission,
including its dangerous potential.
Once guests leave the building, they experience the final walk, a bridge connecting them to
the ride’s station.
Once the bridge has been crossed, there is no going back.
Riders quickly board the trains, made up of 3 rows, each seating 6 volunteers.
The green light is then given; the floor disappears, and riders begin to ascend the lift hill.
At this point, the train climbs 42.5m (139.4ft), and navigates a sharp left hand turn.
After crawling towards the drop, riders slowly crest the descent, and come to a brief stop.
The guests peer over the edge for what seems like minutes, before plummeting close to 50m
into the black hole, and reaching speeds of up to 100kmh (62mph).
As riders are suspended over the edge, they notice the objects surrounding the abyss,
including a windmill, news van and water tank are all being sucked towards its centre.
This adds to the immersive nature of the ride, as well as its well rounded aesthetics.
Once riders enter the black hole, through the thick mist, they navigate a short dark
tunnel, enter an Immelmann loop, and proceed to fly through a radar station building.
Both the tunnel, and the building, provide fantastic head chopper moments, leading many
to lower their hands in anticipation.
The ride ends with a floater airtime hill, a tight 270 degree helix,
and a final heartline roll into the break run.
The entire layout, including its 2 inversions, measures 566m (1857ft) long.
This translates into a ride time of approximately 25 seconds, ignoring the time spent on the
lift hill and brake runs.
Overall, Oblivion the black hole has been a huge success for Gardaland,
increasing the attendance by 3.5% during opening year.
Many enjoy the huge burst of adrenaline the ride offers,
as well as its extensive story line and theming.
On top of this, it seems like other parks around Europe have also acknowledged the success
of the dive coaster.
The Efteling opened their own B&M dive coaster in 2016,
while Liseberg plans to debut their new diving machine in 2018.
With all of these rides offering arguably similar experiences, they raise the question:
Would you like to see the construction of even more well themed dive coasters in the future?
What’s your opinion?
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