Vampire (roller coaster)

Vampire
Previously known as The Vampire (1990 - 1998)
Vampire's second lift hill and drop
Chessington World of Adventures
Location	Chessington World of Adventures
Park section	Wild Woods
Coordinates	51°20′50″N 0°18′56″W / 51.347279°N 0.315607°W / 51.347279; -0.315607
Status	Operating
Opening date	11 April 1990
General statistics
Type	Steel – Suspended
Manufacturer	Arrow Dynamics
Model	Suspended Coaster
Lift/launch system	Chain lift (x2)
Height	70 ft (21 m)
Length	2,200 ft (670 m)
Speed	45 mph (72 km/h)
Inversions	0
Duration	2:30
Capacity	720 riders per hour
Height restriction	43.3 in (110 cm)
Trains	2 trains with 12 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in a single row for a total of 24 riders per train.
Theme	Gothic
Slogan	"Sit back, hold on tight, the Vampire is taking flight!"
Fastrack available
Wheelchair accessible
Must transfer from wheelchair
Vampire at RCDB

Vampire (originally named The Vampire) is a steel suspended roller coaster located at Chessington World of Adventures Resort in Chessington, Greater London, England. Opened in 1990, it is one of only a few remaining Arrow Dynamics suspended swinging coasters in operation globally, and is the only Arrow Dynamics suspended roller coaster still operating outside of North America.¹

The roller coaster features trains that hang beneath the track, swinging freely as they navigate the course. The roller coaster includes two lift hills and is characterised by numerous dives and turns. The layout was drafted by John Wardley.²

In 2001, The Vampire underwent modifications to accommodate new trains manufactured by Vekoma. The updated coaster reopened to the public in 2002.³

The original Arrow trains were themed as bats. When the ride first opened, its queue-line was entered through themed castle gates and led to a fog-filled underpass beneath the coaster track, into a with tombs and into a dark interior passageway with various scenery.

The station is dressed as a castle ballroom with flaming chandeliers, Gothic murals and an animatronic organist playing a large pipe organ.⁴

The original theme music in the station was composed and produced by Graham Smart in the style of an organ overture with a Gothic rock sound, alluding to Phantom of the Opera.⁵ In 2020, for the ride's 30th anniversary, the music was replaced with a new track.

Towards the end of the ride, the coaster takes a sudden drop into a tunnel, which was originally slightly longer and darker, however it was altered to accommodate the larger, floorless trains from 2002.

The ride was closed throughout the 2001 season to be refurbished by Vekoma, including replacing the trains with a new suspended model.⁴ The ride's original manufacturer, Arrow Dynamics, went bankrupt by the end of 2001, with Vekoma allowing for its continued maintenance.

Guests begin by entering the queue, which is adorned with numerous gothic-themed elements. The ride's station is designed to resemble a gothic ballroom, where riders board the vehicles.

Upon dispatch, the train begins its ascent up the first of two chain lift hills. Once reaching the peak, the train disengages from the chain, and gravity takes over as it navigates a series of helixes and turns through a dense forest.

After losing momentum, the train ascends a second lift hill. It then continues through more banked turns and twists, soaring through the forest canopy. The coaster reaches its most intense moment as the train dives toward the ground, passes through a tunnel, and executes a sharp right turn to exit the tunnel.

The train then makes its way back to the station, featuring low-to-the-ground twists, before finally entering the brake run and returning to the station.