Draken (Korean: 드라켄) is a dive coaster manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard in Gyeongju World, South Korea. Draken opened on May 1, 2018. Draken is the first dive coaster and the first rollercoaster in South Korea to feature a 90-degree drop. As of October 2023, it is the tallest and fastest roller coaster in South Korea, and it is tied for the steepest roller coaster in South Korea with Giant Digger. Draken has the fourth most inversions in a South Korean rollercoaster and is also the fourth steepest roller coaster in Asia.
| Draken | |
|---|---|
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| Gyeongju World | |
| Location | Gyeongju World |
| Coordinates | 35°50′17″N 129°16′59″E / 35.8380°N 129.2831°E |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | 2018 |
| Replaced | Space 2000 |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel |
| Manufacturer | Bolliger & Mabillard |
| Model | Dive coaster |
| Lift/launch system | Chain Lift Hill |
| Height | 63 m (206.7 ft) |
| Speed | 117 km/h (73 mph) |
| Inversions | 2 |
| Max vertical angle | 90° |
| Trains | 3 cars. Riders are arranged 8 across in a single row for a total of 24 riders per train. |
| Draken at RCDB | |
History
editDraken had been planned since 2017.[1] It was first formally announced by Gyeongju World to the public on their official Facebook account on April 19, 2018, where they posted a test run video of the coaster. It was the sixth dive coaster with a drop of 90 degrees. Gyeongju World announced in their post that Draken was set to open to the public in May the same year.[2] Draken opened to the public on May 1, 2018.[3] Draken costed 25 billion Korean won to construct, and it was built by Bolliger & Mabillard, a Swiss rollercoaster manufacturer.[4]
Characteristics
editAfter the ride exits the station, Draken climbs up its initial lift hill. It then curves to the right and falls to the ground. It then goes on an Immelmann inversion, then goes up another hill while curving to the left, then drops to the ground. After a brief tunnel section, Draken goes on another Immelmann inversion, then a small airtime hill on a water area with a splash effect. It then turns left, goes up and returns to its station.[5] Draken's layout largely copies that of Griffon at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.[6]
Draken has 3 cars per train with 8 passengers per car and therefore can take up to 24 passengers per run.[6]
Draken is the first rollercoaster in South Korea to feature a 90-degree drop[7] as well as the first dive coaster in South Korea.[8] It is the tallest[9][2] and fastest roller coaster[10][4] in South Korea at 63 m (207 ft) tall[9][4] with a speed of 117 km/h (73 mph).[10][4] Draken is also the steepest[11] roller coaster in South Korea, tied with Giant Splash in Lotte World Adventure Busan[12] and the fourth steepest in Asia.[13]
Draken is situated in an area of the park known as Draken Valley, which was developed 5 years prior to the coaster's opening. Draken Valley's theme was inspired by Norse mythology, with visitors being introduced to the storyline of Peter, a hero who needs to collect treasures based on four different elements and a ring to defeat the dark forces of Fenrir.[4]
References
edit- ^ "경주월드". 홍성신문 내포타임즈 (in Korean). June 7, 2017. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ a b 김, 한솔 (May 18, 2018). "오직 경주월드에서만 탈 수 있는 '90도 수직' 롤러코스터 '드라켄'". 인사이트 (in Korean). Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ "Draken - Gyeongju World (Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea)". rcdb.com. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "41m에서 한번, 63m에서 또 한번 시속 117km 짜릿한 전율". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). July 19, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ 90º 드롭 실화냐? 경주월드 드라켄 360도 vr 탑승영상, retrieved August 27, 2023
- ^ a b "Draken - Gyeongju World (Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea)". rcdb.com. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
- ^ 황, 효정 (May 18, 2018). "90도 수직 롤러코스터 경주월드 '드라켄'을 직접 타봤습니다". 인사이트 (in Korean). Retrieved July 29, 2023.
- ^ 1970년대부터 2025년, 변화하는 '보문관광단지'. 문화뉴스 (in Korean). November 22, 2018. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
- ^ a b "Record Holders". rcdb.com. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- ^ a b 김, 연지 (July 13, 2023). 에버랜드에 '서서 타는 롤러코스터' 들어오나...놀이기구 명칭 의견 수렴 중. CEOSCOREDAILY (in Korean). Retrieved August 27, 2023.
- ^ ""여기가 롤러코스터 맛집" MZ 우르르...에버랜드·롯데월드 제친 이곳". Money Today (in Korean). October 17, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ "Record Holders". rcdb.com. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
- ^ "Record Holders". rcdb.com. Retrieved August 23, 2023.