Na Fianna Force Review | Emerald Park's Slam Dunk - All New Vekoma Suspended Thrill Coaster

[@ValueNetwork]

The first coaster that inverts in Ireland being… an inverted coaster is wild. This is unquestionably what the country of Ireland needed. A standout ride that people will talk about. I really hope emerald park can build on this momentum and continue its investments!

[@rixrobin]

Something like this is what I thought would have been perfect for holiday world. They got half of it with good gravy which is still really good, but the stc / family boomerang duo is so good.

[@CoasterStudios]

I couldn't agree more

[@cookimaus1]

@@CoasterStudiosi mean they could still do it, and i'd love if they do, but at the same time, thanksgiving is already pretty coaster heavy, so it'd make sense to put something in another area.

[@gizzycav88]

They could still get this! It’s so different from everything else they have, a Vekoma STC would be a perfect fit for Holiday World.

[@salsashark3342]

Evil Gravy!

[@ES-hd8xy]

It would be a good fit but keep in mind they are technically still a small park and even Good Gravy probably wasn't cheap to them...

[@maxhagenauer24]

Lap bars on a looping inverted coaster must be such a cool open sensation.

[@RollerbazAndCoasterDad]

Certainly are

[@Disturbed666METAL]

Ohhh yes they are

[@BrianBorusNephew]

It is a nice sensation. And it's a lap bar that feels sturdy and secure, which makes a difference for me. For instance the lap bar on Shambala will scare the crap out of you for how flimsy it seems for such an extreme ride, it leaves me saying "oh no is that all?" as I leave the station. Here you drop it down and don't think about it again; its quite freeing.

[@schagerbaantje]

And dont forget the little genius in this design: the family boomerang is their basic spirit model like 'Light explorer' in Energylandia. They have taken that lay-out as a starting point and have Designed Fianna Force around it, which makes it even cooler imo

[@drdewott9154]

Yup. And the spirit model was originally designed for Fårup Sommerlands location with Saven, where it hugs the side of one of the lakes in the park and dives under and over the parks railway. I guess that makes 2 cases where cloned vekoma layouts originated from fårup sommerland. 3 if a clone of Fønix ever gets built

[@parks.atelier]

6:17 when I rode F.L.Y. I wasn't expecting that last inversion to be so graceful and so natural, I really thought that it enhanced the ride, it became probably my #2 favorite inversion behind the mosassaurus roll

[@apkelly01]

Thank you for a fantastic review of Na Fianna force. I had never ridden a proper roller coaster in my life...not even Cu Chullainn. So at 48, it was time to experience my first proper coaster. I rode Flight School first to break me into coasters and then I went to Na Fianna Force next. OMG I loved it! It was amazing! I immediately ran around and rode it again! This time in the front, but to be honest, I prefer the back row. I bought a season ticket for the park and go at least once a month. I ride Na Fianna about 5 times in the morning, take a break, do other rides, get lunch and then get in at least another 4 rides on Na Fianna before going home. I'm going back next Sunday, I can't wait. I rode Cu Chullainn and thought I was going to die lol....I wish Na Fianna Force was as long as Cu Chullainn. I want to try other coasters now and Hyperia and Voltron are on my list. Many thanks again for your review :)

[@CoasterStudios]

thank you for sharing, so glad you enjoyed it! I hope you get the opportunity to experience more awesome roller coasters :)

[@54t4meda5]

New gen vekoma coasters will take over the world and i am ALL FOR IT

[@tottenhamhotspurfanplaying8776]

I still can’t believe this is my home park 9 years ago we got Cú Chulainn. I never thought they would top it well I was very wrong. What a coaster

[@koizyboi5084]

i would give it a 10 too, emerald park is my home park and i have 40+ rides on this thing and i’ve loved it every single time😊

[@Netsuko]

That is an amazing track layout. Seems like there's never a dull moment!

[@JEDIMIKETTV]

What you said about B&M at the end hurt, but you're so right. Hopefully they get back on track. Seems like Vekoma nailed this.

[@rehanpoonawalla7406]

modern day vekoma just never misses with each new rollercoaster. How much they've changed is actually so crazy

[@cheekyfragrance]

Vekoma could in time become the enthusiasts favourite manufacturer of thrilling coasters the way they have improved. When I was young, no-one would have believed that Vekoma would be making coasters like Fly and this, but I'm very happy for them.

[@diarmaidmoloney5611]

Delighted to hear a rollercoaster in my home country got a perfect 10. I still have to ride it though.

[@elitelord5350]

I just recently went to Emerald Park and this ride was amazing.

[@parks.atelier]

Good review, I'm really excited to ride some of those STCs in the future! Lap bars and airtime on an invert lools very cool

[@Djdnfrjn]

If you would have told Taylor would give a vekoma a 10 like 7 years ago i would have thought he was crazy

[@TheAndroidvsapple]

And don't forget that Vekoma has an extremely reliable status. Unlike Intamin for example.

[@toyoracer33]

Someone needs to get ahold of Fun Spot Atlanta. If their plan of growing is still what it was a couple years ago, this combo would be the perfect addition. Adding a second thrill coaster would bring in more thrill seekers who want more to do than just AF1 while also providing a coaster for the go-kart crowd

[@Studio732JRL-k7y]

As much as Enthusiasts loved that initial decision, it was highly questionable from a business perspective. 10 Percent Enthusiasts are not going to move the needle for the 90 Percent GP- who honestly, in a more feasible way, see it compared to the Community. From all indications, the return on investments just has not been what it should be for that quality of ride. I just don't see Funspot putting another 20- 30 million in to one single headlining attraction again. They have a niche, reinventing the business model and spending heavily on investing and expanding is the number one killer of a business- in this case small, mid scale regional park. I think it's a VERY long shot to have that happen, and CERTAINLY not any time soon. They will probably give AF1 5- 7 years, run the numbers and if they don't show drastic improvement (which they haven't as of yet) it's just not going to happen.

[@mepgerritsen]

Most fun of the new for 2024 coasters in Europe. Loved it!

[@joanneq2]

As an Irish i am so happy with how you have ranked this! I have ridden this 20+ and can agree with everything you say to n this video! I would just like to ask if you would consider this a world class coaster

[@leviwiebe6909]

Having ridden and quite enjoyed Hals Uber Kopf, this ride must be something special!

[@dreams2reality410]

Was at Fun Spot Atlanta two weeks ago to ride Arie Force One omw to Cedar Point. Was there on a Sat. evening at it was absolutely packed. There weren't that many people riding the coaster, but the park had a ton of people there spending money. Really think that if they are looking to build more coasters, this would be a perfect fit for them.

[@RaptureInRed]

Thank you for getting the pronouncuation of Fianna and Tir Na nOg right before recording this. Edit: on a point of pedantry, the theme of the area is Irish Mythology. Tir Na nOg was a mythical country in the sea to the west of Ireland inhabited by immortals Edit: Cu Chulainn is pronounced exactly like Coo Cullen. The emphasis being on Cullen.

[@Duffster115]

Once and if my Home Park, Kennywood, ever gets an inverted coaster I really hope they go for one of these Suspended Thrill Coasters from Vekoma, for ive heard such good things about them.

[@Awrybobiman-f4l]

Yoooo my home park is Kennywood too! I honestly think that if they were to get a new coaster, it should be one of these Vecoma STC's. They are cheaper than a B&M so Kennywood could probably afford it, and they dont have anything below the track. They just need to find space for it lol. Maybe take out the rapids or something since it's never open.

[@Duffster115]

@@Awrybobiman-f4l Rapids is opened, not anymore for this year sense its turning into Voodoo Bayou, but is opened from Memorial Day weekend or slightly before until it has to close to this transformation. I do think Kennywood is more than capable of buying a B&M or other early expensive coaster if they wanted to. I would prefer to see this coaster if they do get an inverted/suspended coaster but first I would rather see a major large scale proper Thrilling RMC of some type that could be a contender for the best coaster in the world first.

[@_lunartemis]

Something's that even crazier about Fianna Force being intertwined with Quest is that Quest is a clone. They fit a custom coaster to intertwine with a CLONE coaster.

[@CoasterStudios]

Even more impressive!

[@Jcjc-lr4bf]

Yes the world needs more of these. I’m surprised Busch didn’t go with Vekoma instead of B&M for Phoenix rising and Bigbadwolf2 These look way better and probably cheaper too. 😂

[@Tomtycoon]

Bellewaerde in Belgium is getting one too

[@JustinCoasters]

Every park needs this and a Lech Clone

[@kotchapakmaneechote2062]

Damn, Fianna Force looks spectacular from the POV and off-ride, I can see why it's your favorite at Emerald Park, Benjamin Bloemendaal did a great job designing this coaster!

[@urbex_coasters]

I've always said I'd like to see a hyper coaster layout on an inverted coaster someday. Hearing what you said about the airtime moments, I'm officially a believer that it will happen one day.

[@smaz9]

This would be an amazing fit for some of the smaller Six Flags/Cedar Fair parks, or just smaller parks in general, and I wouldn't be surprised if this layout gets cloned, it's that good! Vekoma has hit a home run with this, for sure!

[@nexts9500]

Dino walk area at valleyfair would be a perfect spot for one

[@Penguin_756]

@@nexts9500ya, vallyfair really needs this

[@gizzycav88]

@@nexts9500 Agreed! Valleyfair should really get this STC/Family Boomerang combo. They only have a couple of family coasters and they desperately need an inversion machine. This solves both problems.

[@Del-Lebo]

That is a Delicious looking/riding coaster!!!

[@miguellangeveld6310]

Perhaps this pair of coasters could fit well for when the new area in efteling will be build!

[@InfinitePlaylist909]

Vekoma needs to pay the airfare for Six Flags execs to get them to ride these. I don’t think we’re much closer to getting one in America with the delay of SFGadv’s boomerang, but damn we need this in the states.

[@jonny-b4954]

Come on US parks, please buy a Vekoma. I really like how they put the family boomerangs next to the invert. I want Vekoma to build one without inversions and focused on airtime. Would have to come up with a solution to keep hands out of the track/wheels but still. 1:35 Something parks forget too often. Especially Busch/Seaworld recently. You can REALLY make a ride (or break it's theming) with themed trenches. And it's not like it's expensive. You in fact, save money, buy having shorter max height by "sinking" the ride into the land grade.

[@francescov.3610]

This would literally be the absolute best thing for Valleyfair if you ask me

[@CoasterStudios]

I love that idea!

[@MinkyBoodle44]

Hello, Valleyfair? You’d better be taking notes 👀

[@giancarloverdei5794]

Sea world San Diego needs this

[@jackschissler255]

So glad Vekoma got out of that old SLC gig 🤣. Good to see new stuff from them. They need to make more F.L.Y type flying coasters.

[@gwnlars_8306]

Basically the story of George of the Dragon, rethemed with a Vekoma coaster and a medevial theme.

[@l0wh1n]

I really hope I can get out to ride this soon, it looks like the best (Non-B&M) invert, the airtime and whippy transitions look awesome!

[@ryancommenter-r7o]

… yeah cuz there’s only 2 really good one…

[@l0wh1n]

@@ryancommenter-r7o Fair enough, I don't think there actually is anything else that could compare (at least not anything that is currently operating)

[@saruscrane4953]

This has Big Bad Wolf vibes all over it!!! I hope BG makes the new Big Bad Wolf coaster this good!!!!

[@MalachiSmyth]

Your the best going to a place I asked 😂thanks taylor and Sarah

[@Le_JYT]

Emerald park looks extremely underrated, I def need to get there some day

[@RollerbazAndCoasterDad]

Not again! We released our Voltron review same day as you and now this 😂😂😂

[@Leftpeg8379]

Imagine a launched varient of the bermuda blitz here 😍

[@AudreyMealiff]

it's still in the same "work in progress" state, and hopefully now with the summer season done the park will finish the Quest station, the maintenance shed for Na Fianna Force, the restaurant and the landscaping around the Quest. Then it will be perfect for the 2025 season!

[@drdewott9154]

Yeah it'll probably be finished either during this off season or the next off season. Other parks like Hansa park did the same with their coasters, like Schwur des Kärnan where the tower wasnt completely decked out with its theming until 2017, 2 years after the coaster itself had opened, in order for the parks budget spending to not get overblown.

[@Icedmosquito1]

They started work this week, universal rocks are back and have already put a base layer on the restaurant

[@rad_dical]

The opening was delayed by 3 weeks with short notice at first and during the rest of the summer season they've worked on the restaurant since its out of guest disruption. They'll definitely finish it all up this winter and the bit where na fianna force goes through the quest station will look even better once it is roofed.

[@rad_dical]

​@Icedmosquito1 Do you have any good news sources I can follow for this sort of information? Emerald park has a shortage of that.

[@robertporter6641]

Vekoma is Disney’s go-to. If this isn’t the design for the Monsters Inc door coaster…they’re sitting on their brain.

[@THEtomh]

Going on Friday! So excited!

[@princess_sarina_aria_elysia]

Finally an inverted coaster with airtime. I love the open dangling feeling on an invert but a positives only ride isn't something I can enjoy

[@shorteststraw904]

Yay coaster studios posted today

[@coasterblocks3420]

This is what I was hoping Movie World on the Gold Coast would replace their removed SLC, but we’re getting a family invert instead, part of a trio of family Vekomas.

[@KnightrideThrillz]

I’d love to see something like this replace Snake River Falls at Cedar Point! Maybe the could add the family boomerang combo as well!

[@sheeldz]

If that overbank is a qualifying inversion, the Icon inverted top hat must be a second inversion.

[@ThrillsofColdplay]

Hope we get some in America

[@lkeshow86]

Id take this over the family b&m invert we're getting at bgw

[@spykimus]

This is at my home park, I even got to go on the press opening day. Rode it over and over! One of my favorite coasters is Nemesis, I got off Na Fianna and I'm not gonna lie. I was torn, did my top coaster just get dethroned? I just did a, not so perfect, recreation in Planet Coaster.

[@michaelcarter8020]

When Canada's Wonderland removes Flight Deck and Time Warp... we'll need a nice new inverted coaster, and I'm far more intrigued by this than another B&M

[@thomaseriksson3182]

Nice review!👍 Thanks. I hope Liseberg buy a clone of this🙏

[@bcraven73]

Never will you get airtime on a B&M invert?.... Katun says " hold my beer" 😂😂😂

[@revofreak1993]

Bellewaerde Park is heavily rumored to get an STC in 2026

[@Yeahtony12]

Hiii, i would like to ask about if six flags is doing a ride announcement this year

[@tyhmasuomalainend9069]

it would be cool if they made an STC with the basic SLC layout

[@BenFlores-h2g]

I'd love to see Six Flags DK get one of these.

[@loan_sno]

i love you guys so much

[@MrDealAne]

I'm more excited for this than Hyperia

[@genoesposito2895]

Kennywood needs this combo. they have no modern family coaster, no shuttle, and no invert

[@CoasterStudios]

that'd be amazing there!

[@JosephKanagy]

Great video! Is it better than the b and m inverts?

[@drdewott9154]

Theyre very different feeling from the B&M inverts so it really depends on what youre looking for. But if you were to order 2 ones fresh, theres probably a higher chance that the Vekoma one will be the better ride in manys eyes with the more comfortable restraints, wilder manouvres, and glassy smoothness. If you like B&Ms schmick and dont mind it being potentially rough thats cool. Im just showing the cards as theyre laid.

[@JosephKanagy]

@@drdewott9154 I can't wait for these to come to the USA!

[@Ironwolf96-og]

This would work perfectly at six flags St Louis

[@MrCrash-hz8xy]

I want Kennywood Park to get one of these

[@Awrybobiman-f4l]

Same, its my home park and it would be absolutely perfect. It would complement Phantom and Curtain nicely with both airtime and inversions, taking a bit from each of them

[@MrCrash-hz8xy]

@@Awrybobiman-f4l yeah it's my home park as well, I think it would be a great fit for the park, hopefully curtain opens up next season

[@Awrybobiman-f4l]

​@@MrCrash-hz8xy Yeah, without Curtain Kennywood has felt a little less thrilling, I like Phantom more than Curtain, but you can only ride it so many times

[@MrCrash-hz8xy]

@@Awrybobiman-f4l I agree, and I actually prefer curtain more than phantom just slightly though

[@Awrybobiman-f4l]

@@MrCrash-hz8xy No problem with liking Curtain more than Phantom, they are both great rides, i just think that airtime is a little more fun than inversions

[@aloiscool]

I heard a lot of rumours telling my homepark Bellewaerde is getting one in 2026. That would make a lot of sense as they have a very good relationship with Vekoma and desperately need a new thrill coaster. Nothing is confirmed tho.

[@ericwilson281]

Aren’t they putting something like this in at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg?

[@CoasterStudios]

No, that will be a B&M family invert

[@MaJoRMJR]

This is a massive upgrade on the SLC model, imagine if they replaced them all with a even stock version of this model...

[@francescov.3610]

I dont know if you notice but in some of the videos shown, the dampeners causes the chassis of the vehicles to swerve from side to side throughout the ride. Fianna Force isn't truly an inverted coaster rather it succeded where Ron Toomer failed. It's a suspended coaster with inversions.

[@slimydog8946]

Time for Alan Schilke to come out of retirement to make a single rail inverted coaster with airtime. Figure out any centerline issues and get to it Alan!

[@ItsSiebay]

Considering my home park just upgraded their SLC, I highly doubt they’ll ever add one of these.

[@CoastinDamian]

ASKING FOR COASTER PARDOY'S PT.4

[@jordyvelthuizen5766]

I would love to see Walibi Holland closing there old slc and get a new Vekoma like this one

[@jotimmermans8349]

Not only Walibi Holland, Walibi Belgium to please. That would be such an improvement of the slc’s they have and wil do great things for both parks. Probably for every park that has those torture devices of slc’s.

[@monkeygaming2841]

It's also the only coaster in Ireland that inverts

[@Coaster-Man-UK]

Do you think it is better than FLY at phantasialand?

[@danielmkubacki]

Wow a TEN!

[@trollmylove]

Imagine this model but with launches

[@ThrillsofColdplay]

That would be crazy

[@PumpkinBear]

i hope wild waves gets one

[@Cueya]

YES THE NEW SLCS ARE GOOD

[@ThomasWilting-kv2xy]

I hope Efteling can build one

[@ThomasWilting-kv2xy]

With the family boomerang also

[@Constancegraves277]

I seen you yesterday at kings dominion

[@verybighomer]

Vekoma seems to be really doing a lot of things very right. I am wondering if they also upped their prices.

[@CoasterStudios]

Oh I'm sure a new Vekoma coaster is not cheap

[@jotimmermans8349]

@@CoasterStudiosprobably stil cheaper than a B&M, but yeah not as cheap as they used to be with the Slc’c or boomerang I think. If I was a parkowner and have one of those old Vekoma’s I would replace it with a new one, definitely worth it.

[@LILkitten-hd7pc]

Hershey park needs one

[@iliketrains3546]

I think with the (somewhat sad) downfall of the B&M invert, these will take over the invert market

[@CreativeH-i6n]

I was playing blade ball when this happend😅

[@Streamer_Clips076]

@efteling, do this

[@CreativeH-i6n]

Yay I love ur vids

[@ThrillsofColdplay]

Would it be interesting if Vekoma remakes the original Vekoma SLC with this new track and trains

[@drdewott9154]

Well they kinda already did with the Great Noreaster at Moreys piers. They didnt give it the next generation track but they completely rebuilt the track on the ride, reworked its transitions, and gave it new trains. And from what ive heard its now the best SLC in the US.

[@ThrillsofColdplay]

No this track

[@maxhagenauer24]

I am a huge B&M Invert fan for the intensity and smoothness and whippy inversions and this looks to have a that besides the whippy inversions, but it has ither cool thongs like a steep drop with no pre lift and lap bars. I really want to see these in America but as good as this, not Hals-über-Kopf.

[@Arthurp629]

There's an stc coming to Bellewaerde in 2026 probably themed like Mongolia

[@CoasterStudios]

that'd be awesome!!

[@Arthurp629]

@@CoasterStudios new reason to visit this place with amazonia too!

[@AidanStead-bp8rr]

I'd love if Blackpool Pleasure Beach bulldozed Infusion and got one of these instead

[@jotimmermans8349]

Think every park that has the old slc’s would do great by replacing it with one of these stc’s by Vekoma. If you consider how many of those terrible torture devices they made in the past, they will have work for years to replace them. That’s how you create your own market for years to come.😂

[@AidanStead-bp8rr]

@@jotimmermans8349 yup it's like the new equivalent of an RMC conversion

[@DenDirk99]

There is a rumor that Bellewaerde will get one.

[@Michael-sb8jf]

wait they fixed the SLC

[@MGMutt]

Idk, i have to disagree a bit. It was so smooth and natural that it just didn't feel thrilling. Mentally i feel its kinda in the same category as Galactica or Icon. Its a big ride thats obviously good, but its more something for the family than a standout attraction (in most parks). I personally think that one of these would be a fantastic replacement for the weaker arrow suspended coasters, likes of vampire or iron dragon. really dont trust the phone g meter either, definitely was not pulling anywhere near that when i visited.

[@X_oan]

Under a minute ganggggg Heyyy Taylor and Sarah 😁😁