We finally tested F.L.Y at Phantasialand, a superb rollercoaster

It was in September 2020 that Phantasialand's new roller coaster opened. It's the world's first roller coaster where you are in a lying position and with propulsion (flying launch coaster)! And with Phantasialand and the first photos, it was clear that the theming would be top-notch and beautifully integrated into the amusement park.

With various restrictions and busy schedules, it was only in October 2021 that we could finally go and test this new attraction! Was it worth the wait? The answer is in this article and the video!

The Rookburgh area

As with the excellent Taron and its Klugheim area, a brand new area has been created for FLY. This area is named Rookburgh and it plunges you into a Steampunk universe from the early 20th century. The centerpiece is of course FLY, which can be seen from everywhere. Beyond the roller coaster, there are numerous decorative elements, music, and a soundscape that immerse you in the zone.

To access the area, you pass through a kind of "side path" from the Berlin area, or you can arrive directly from the Charles Lindbergh hotel. From this path, the details are numerous, and in the zone, it's even crazier.

A zeppelin, a train, a truck, and many other vehicles offer a feast for the eyes. Numerous elements help you understand the universe, with pipes and the colors used – it's very well done. Of course, everything runs on steam, and coal is needed for all of it. This is what you'll find almost everywhere; it's very well thought out.

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In the area, you will find a candy and chocolate shop. The visit is nice; it's really well integrated into the universe. There is also an Uhrwerk restaurant and a coffee and sandwich stand. The latter is located right at the exit of FLY to allow you to fill your stomach after it's been turned upside down.

What one might regret, but this is the case almost everywhere in Phantasialand, is the absence of a shop with items specific to Rookburgh. This is a big area for improvement for us fans, but especially for the park's revenue, a shame for them.

F.L.Y. Roller Coaster

Wow! It's completely crazy! That's the preamble to describe FLY. The first excellent point is that in the Rookburgh area, the tracks are everywhere. Wherever you look, FLY is present. You see the trains pass, the passengers scream (from fear or ecstasy). It's superb to see this very well-designed circuit that minimizes its footprint while still offering a quite long ride.

Let's start with the queue. It's typical of Phantasialand: it goes up, it goes down, you enter on one side, you pass over the rails then under them, to finally arrive underground. The queue is very long but, above all, well thought out and very well decorated. There are also many details to see and very nice viewpoints on the attraction.

In the queue, you can choose your row: front row or the others. The sensations are completely different depending on where you are. We encourage you to try it in different spots.

Since the roller coaster passes all over the area, especially above visitors, and all without any nets to obstruct the view, the security procedures are unfortunately a bit cumbersome. You go through a metal detector before getting on the attraction. Lockers are provided with a wristband that you wear during the ride to open it upon exiting. Honestly, we found it very strict, but that's the price to pay for this level of integration into the area.

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Then comes the moment you arrive at the station before boarding. Seeing the train arrive already creates some excitement before you settle in. You are held mainly at your legs and shoulders; the harness system allows you to maintain the sensation of flying without being uncomfortable – a very good point.

Once on board, you take your seat in a sitting position. You go through a kind of very well-done pre-show before your seats pivot to a lying position, allowing you to enjoy the first launch. Loops, humps, and drops follow one another before the second launch and the rest of the circuit. What can I say, it's excellent! The effects with smoke and water jets are very successful.

The first ride is a bit disorienting and can make you a little nauseous, but subsequent rides become pure pleasure. Raise your arms, enjoy, and let yourself go to this sensation of flying. The front row is great thanks to the view you'll have of the circuit. In the back row, you'll feel many more sensations, especially the famous G-forces in the turns and humps.

In the end, whether in the front or back row, we clearly loved it. And sorry RTH, we love you a lot, but FLY is so different that it's our favorite!

The Charles Lindbergh Capsule Hotel

For this new area, the amusement park extended the universe with a capsule hotel: the Charles Lindbergh. With its Steampunk theming, like the area, this hotel integrates perfectly. Indeed, that's where we spent the night to enjoy the package offered by Phantasialand park, and it will be the subject of a dedicated article and a video where we will show you the hotel, the restaurant, and the breakfast offered. So subscribe on YouTube and other social networks to be notified.

Our opinion on FLY at Phantasialand

As you will have understood, we clearly loved this new attraction. The sensations offered and the universe are excellent. Phantasialand was already our favorite amusement park in Europe, and with FLY, it continues to score points. If you appreciate, beyond sensations, extensive theming, Phantasialand is the park in Europe you absolutely must visit. It's completely crazy that this park, located on an old quarry, achieves such a level of integration with incredible charm and intelligent use of the different levels that almost make us love stairs :)

And you, what did you think of FLY? Shall we all go together next time?