Coaster Statistics
Location: Oakwood Leisure Park, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Type: Wooden Twister
Height: 83 feet
Opened: 1996
Top Speed: 55 mph.
Number Of Trains: 2
Length: 3200 feet
Drop Angle: 57 degrees
Manufacturer: Custom Coasters International & Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters.
For Oakwood, a small family park in Wales, the �1.7m spent on Megafobia was a significant investment. And, as we now know, it was money well spent.
The CCI manufactured coaster stands alongside the park's lake. It's twisting first drop dives under the coasters structure at 57 degree angle before whipping riders away for an airtime filled experience. The ride crosses over itself eleven times along it's 3200 foot course and offers more airtime than Virgin Atlantic.
Two and a half miles of steel rails were used to build the ride and over a million feet of timber. The coaster has quickly become a favourite and was awarded the title of best wooden rollercoaster in the world in 1997 by voters on the internet.
The first thing you notice as you plough your way up the lift hill on Megafobia, is the cows. They munch busily away on the grass in the field below the UK's best wooden rollercoaster. Just as you're beginning to contemplate the park's delightful rural setting however your attention is hauled back on track.
The crest of the coaster's 87 foot lift hill is followed by a cracking 57 degree, 83 foot twisting first drop. You duck as you pass over the track which crosses the drop and then lean left to avoid an unwanted dip in the lake. By this time you're away and running (especially if you're in the slightly speedier red train) an airtime smothered second hill is followed by a sharp left hander and countless more dips and turns.
Megafobia is amazing. Rollercoaster lovers from all over the world come to Wales now, just to ride this one woodie. I for one really have no qualms with it. It delivers everything you want from a wooden coaster - quick turns, airtime and the ride - while still nostalgically bumpy like woodies should be - doesn't try and make you chomp your tongue at every available moment.
