Amazonia
Bellewaerde Park, Ypres, Belgium
Intamin
Amazonia riders board an eight-person spinning raft, navigate curves, experience downward turns, and slide down a thrilling halfpipe—all before entering a dark mine shaft. Suddenly, the floor disappears and the entire raft plunges straight down, dropping five meters into the mines, before bouncing back and falling again like a yo-yo. Experiencing a bungee drop on a rapids ride provides a uniquely exciting experience for riders.
“Amazonia represents the pinnacle of Intamin’s decades-long accumulation of knowledge and technological advancements,” says Intamin Chief Commercial Officer Lukas Spieldiener, who credits Bellewaerde for being “willing to push the boundaries of traditional rapids rides.”
The six-minute, 540-meter ride also features a high-speed inclined lift that is three times faster than normal and a space-saving, rotating vertical lift that offers riders a panoramic view while ascending to an 18-meter-high aerial steel channel.
bellewaerde.be/park/fr/le-parc/attractions/amazonia
Apocalypso
Fins Up Water Park, Margaritaville at Lanier Islands, Buford, Georgia, United States
WhiteWater
As one of Georgia’s first water coasters, Apocalypso is a cross between a WhiteWater Master Blaster and a Boomerango. Starting from a height of more than 50 feet, guests in one- or two-person inner tubes plunge three stories before they are propelled upwards into a dark tube. The flume opens to provide riders a glimpse of another frightening drop and an equally intimidating Boomerango wall. Three additional WhiteWater inner tube rides also opened on the same slide tower as Apocalypso, including Serpentine Storm, a Tailspin-Constrictor-Rattler fusion with bursts of AquaLucent colors inside two dark tubes.
margaritavilleresorts.com/margaritaville-at-lanier-islands/whats-new-in-2024
Apo the Ring Slide
Acqua Village, Follonica, Italy
Polin
The liquid journey on this 18-meter high, 145-meter long Polin Rift Slide is notable for its theming and start—an enclosed ride on single or two-seater dinghies. Inspired by the Hawaiian Islands, two five-meter-tall tiki warriors with spears and menacing shields guard its entry. The photogenic highlight of the ride is a 12-meter diameter golden loop that provides riders with a final ascent and descent, before dropping into a narrow pool at the end.
“The Rift Slide in Aquavillage Follanica is an engineering marvel,” exclaims Polin Waterparks Brand Ambassador Şöhret Pakiş. “It is a testament to our commitment to pushing the boundaries of water park entertainment.” Pakiş adds that ensuring safety and excitement on this novel ride “required innovative design and meticulous attention to detail.”
acquavillage.it/en/apo-the-ring-slide/
Aquascope Water Park
Futuroscope Xperiences, Chasseneuil-du-Poitou, France
Polin
Polin contributed to a cutting-edge indoor water park that leverages digital technologies to create an unforgettable experience. This 6,000-square-meter, Є60 million attraction in western France features Europe’s first aquatic cinema, where swimmers are surrounded by a 270-degree screen.
Visual effects, video mapping, and other technologies immerse guests in virtual aquatic worlds that are in constant evolution—on the lazy river, swimming in an underwater cave where mysterious events unfold, or in an area with submerged beaches. One moment, guests are enjoying an infinite sea and starry sky; the next, shooting stars appear and the water around them begins to vibrate as a story unfolds.
Futuroscope’s latest addition features eight slides, including a massive spiral that starts 18 meters above the ground. Several rides, including the Family Space Boat and Family Space Shuttle combo, have a glossy finish with natural color transitions and artistic designs that are resistant to pool chemicals and ultraviolet light thanks to a vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding named Utexture.
“Our goal was to create a water park that not only entertains but also inspires awe and excitement,” says Polin’s Şöhret Pakiş.
futuroscope.com/en/resort/aquascope
Bow Wow Blaster
Schlitterbahn, New Braungels, Texas, United States
WhiteWater
WhiteWater redesigned one of its classic rides, the Master Blaster, and scaled it down for parents with young children. This 271-foot long, two-person tube ride, with speeds of up to 14 mph, is suitable for anyone 36 inches or taller.
“The mini blaster allows small children to experience new sensations without being intimidated. The accelerations are less abrupt compared to the adult version,” explains WhiteWater Global Head of Sales Doug Smith, who adds that the ride is also “designed so that they can easily ride over and over again.”
The Bow Wow Blaster is part of Schatze’s Storybrook Park, a recently opened addition to Schlitterbahn New Braunfels, a Six Flags-owned resort located half an hour from San Antonio. Themed after the water park’s lovable pup, this children’s area includes three mini lands with six new slides, as well as a 1,200-gallon tipping bucket and more than 70 interactive water features. This addition “does a great job of maximizing an existing footprint to provide the most fun for families with young children,” Smith adds.
schlitterbahn.com/new-braunfels/rides-experiences/bow-wow-blaster
Catapult Falls
SeaWorld San Antonio, Texas, United States
Intamin
With a spring break opening, Catapult Falls at SeaWorld San Antonio began soaking riders early in 2024. What starts as a leisurely boat ride becomes a thrill when a vertical lift elevates rafts upwards five stories. Guests enjoy views of the park before dropping at a 53-degree angle.
The Intamin flume coaster uses a series of high-speed belts that work in unison to propel boats through straightaway channels at speeds of up to 20 mph. (Part of the yellow belt system can be seen under the vehicle in the photo to the left). The burst of speed sends riders into airtime hills and splashdowns.
“This ride incorporates our latest, state-of-the-art flume ride technology and design, which we have been continuously refining over the past years,” says Intamin Chief Commercial Officer Lukas Spieldiener.
“It was an instant hit and quickly became a favorite with pass members and first-time guests,” says SeaWorld San Antonio Public Relations Manager Chuck Cureau.
seaworld.com/san-antonio/rides/catapult-falls/
Eagle Hunt
Silverwood Boulder Beach, Athol, Idaho
ProSlide
Boulder Beach’s 4-acre expansion features a dual-lane Rocket Blast water coaster named Eagle Hunt and a colorful children’s play complex, meant to evoke the colors of northern Idaho’s fish, with eight rides facing the same direction. Eagle Hunt features several unique twists, including an interactive element at the top of the ride, where guests pick their “prey” on a screen, then try to reach the bottom of the slide before it escapes.
Along the way, racers pass one another in opposing directions, from their respective 925-feet lanes, getting a quick glimpse of the other before blasting uphill to a Flying Saucer and race to the finish line.
silverwoodthemepark.com/rides/eagle-hunt.php
El Dorado Park
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
ProSlide
Opened in May, El Dorado Park is one of the largest water parks in the Caribbean, with a capacity of up to 3,500 people and more than 20 attractions, including snorkling, a wave pool, a lazy river, and a mix of ProSlide rides.
The rides—which include a Tornado 60, Behemoth Bowl 60, a Kidz Zone and three Pipelines that begin atop a beautiful rocky escarpment—were designed to complement the Dominican Republic’s lush greenery and blue skies while offering unique thrills.
The six-lane Pro Racer provides a high-performance twist on the classic racing adventure. The new slide is designed with ergonomic start-tubs and footholds, so riders begin the race standing with their mats before launching themselves down the high-speed, multi-lane bump course.
Kaleidoscope Kavern Lazy River
Wilderness at the Smokies, Sevierville, Tennessee, United States
ADG and Moment Factory
The Kaleidoscope Kavern Lazy River features a tunnel where riders are immersed in a multimedia universe with projections transforming their bodies into living canvases.
As guests float down the river, they enter a unique tunnel filled with dreamlike projections, dynamic lighting, and nature sounds inspired by the Great Smoky Mountains’ scenic beauty. There are nine chapters, including dancing fireflies, a starlit Tennessee night sky, changing seasons, and a surreal sequence where water and sky collide. Spatialized audio provides guests with a cinematic experience.
“The Kaleidoscope Kavern is a one-of-a-kind adventure river, designed specifically for this resort, that transforms a simple float into a mesmerizing journey,” says Jim Dunn, president of ADG—Aquatic Development Group, which designed the attraction in collaboration with the multimedia studio Moment Factory.
Before constructing the Kaleidoscope Kavern, technicians built a one-tenth scale model with mirrors, water, projectors, lighting, and audio tracks. The new attraction is a highlight of Wilderness at the Smokies’ 40,000-square-foot expansion.
wildernessatthesmokies.com/blog/more-on-our-new-lazy-river
Mega Mayhem
Rapids Water Park, Riviera Beach, Florida, United States
ProSlide
Unique jet propulsion technology propels riders, seated in two-person boats, uphill and around curves, creating a roller coaster-like experience on water. Mega Mayhem is the largest water coaster in Rapids Water Park’s 45-year history.
The coaster includes four saucer bowls that offer expansive views around turns and three blast zones that use uphill water propulsion technology that can handle 50% more payload capacity. The design also reduces water and energy usage by 30%.
“Mega Mayhem, a ProSlide Dueling Rocket Blast water coaster, was expertly designed and engineered to replace Rapids Water Park’s first water slides, which were installed back in 1979. “Rapids is one of the USA’s preeminent water parks, and ProSlide is very proud to continue our strong 25-plus-year partnership in creating world-class guest experiences together,” says ProSlide Vice President for Business Development and Strategic Accounts Phil Hayles.
At 873-feet-long, guests race at speeds of up to 22 mph in two side-by-side lanes, where they periodically see and hear their opponents across low-separator walls, enhancing the competitive thrill.
rapidswaterpark.com/attractions/mega-mayhem/
Monster Lotus
Parque Aquático, Amarante, Portugal
Wiegand
The 135-meter Monster Lotus is Wiegand Waterrides’ first compact rafting Lotus waterslide on land. Riders on a two- to four-person raft enjoy “high speeds, deep jumps and weightless moments,” according to the ride manufacturer, which also provided Parque Aquático with a 15-meter-high, 44-meter-long free fall slide named Vertigem to help mark the park’s 30th anniversary. A pair of giant eyes, teeth and scratch marks contribute to the ride’s “monster” theming.
parqueaquaticoamarante.com/en/monster-lotus-2/
Playa Maya Water Park
OCT Happy Valley Beijing, China
ProSlide
The Playa Maya water park at Happy Valley Beijing expanded this year to offer six new water ride complexes, designed and manufactured by ProSlide. There’s something for guests of all ages and thrill levels. Adrenaline fans can take a near-vertical plunge in the FreeFall with SkyBox, while families with young children will enjoy the RideHouse 600 interactive water play area. There is also a MammothBlast Water Coaster with FlyingSaucer 45, a TurboTwister, ProRacer, Tornado 60, and TornadoWave 60 complex.
“The expansion of Playa Maya at OCT Happy Valley Beijing exemplifies our commitment to delivering world-class water attractions that resonate with park-goers,” says ProSlide Chief Operating Officer for Asia Chuanchao Cheng. “Our ongoing collaboration with OCT Group allows us to continually innovate and provide thrilling, memorable experiences for visitors.”
Sam Son Water Park
Thanh Hoa, Vietnam
ProSlide
With an investment of nearly 6,000 billion Vietnamese dong and set over 33 hectares, the Sun Group’s Sam Son water park is the largest outdoor entertainment complex in North Central Vietnam.
Impressive theming, inspired by nature and Vietnamese folk tales, sets the park apart. Custom graphics evoking the fire spot stingray, for example, are embedded within the fiberglass of the ProSlide Double TornadoWave 60, while artists hand-painted three bright orange and yellow FlyingSaucer 45s.
The FlyingSaucers feature patented high-speed technology, inspired by the speed and motion of a giant slalom ski turn. Each boat drops and dives into the FlyingSaucer, accelerating into a high-speed turn like a world-class ski racer.
“Our collaboration with Sun Group on Sam Son Water Park is something we are incredibly proud of. Together we are pushing the boundaries of aquatic entertainment,” says ProSlide Vice President for Business Development Steve Avery. “This partnership is true to our core. We are delivering unforgettable experiences with only the highest-quality rides.”
Visitors to the Sam Son Water Park are also enjoying the park’s RideHouse 600 Pro, BehemothBowl 60, a 550-meter lazy river, and a 6,100-square-meter wave pool that has an artificial coastline of nearly 180 meters. Government officials expect the water park to help Sam Son attract 10 million visitors a year.
Serengeti Springs
Hattiesburg Zoo Hattiesburg, Mississippi, United States
WhiteWater
Faced with a hot summer and humidity regularly topping 90%, Mississippians have warmly welcomed the new 3.5-acre Serengeti Springs water park, located in the Africa section of the Hattiesburg Zoo.
A WhiteWater FusionFortress 10 called TreeTop Trek—themed with giraffes, a grazing zebra, a mid-flight parrot and other animals—is the centerpiece of the first phase of the park. This giant interactive aquatic play structure has nine slides, 280 features and is topped by two tipping buckets, one at 3,000 liters and the other at 1,800 liters. It is surrounded by lounge chairs, cabanas and nearly 18,000 square feet of brightly colored Life Floor slip-resistant Ripple 2.0 foam rubber tiles, specified by Martin Aquatic.
The park also features pool sider water slides, AquaSplash toys, a Champagne Bowl, AquaTubes, a three-lane mat racer and mini mat racers for young children. A 450-foot lazy river connects to a swim-up bar for socializing and refreshments.
Stingray
O’Gliss Park, Le Bernard, Vendée, France
Polin
France’s O’Gliss Park has launched a massive, new Polin slide named Stingray. Rising to a height of 26 meters with four slides, the ride can accommodate up to 1,000 people per hour.
“This is a world exclusive for O’Gliss; we have exclusivity for several years,” explains O’Gliss Park Operations Manager Clément Trigatti, who adds that the €5 million ride is O’Gliss’ biggest investment since opening in 2016.
Each of Stingray’s four slides is designed for two-person floats. Thrill-seekers can reach speeds of up to 50 kph. A bridge links the two start towers, while the four interweaving paths conclude in two gigantic bowls.
The Stingray “will plunge our visitors into an aquatic adventure that’s sure to leave a lasting impression,” adds O’Gliss Park CEO Michaël Thibaud.
“Whichever of the four routes they take, our visitors are immersed in an exciting experience as they whirl around on the wings of the stingray thanks to centrifugal force.”
oglisspark.fr/en/the-attractions/stingray
The Rise of Icarus
Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park. Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, United States
WhiteWater
Soaring 160 feet into the air, The Rise of Icarus features five water slides including The Fall, one of North America’s tallest, and arguably scariest, water rides with a launch point 145-feet-high. Guests must climb 14 stories before pushing off into the darkness of a WhiteWater High Speed AquaTube. They then circle the tower four times, at speeds of up to 30 mph, before finishing in a long run-out lane.
“Riders can’t get enough; they’re rushing back up the tower to experience all five body slides. Each slide is fast and exhilarating—definitely worth the wait and anticipation!” exclaims the park’s Marketing Director Fofo Backhaus.
Four other rides—a Freefall with a terrifying plummet, two tubes with intense turns, and another tube for visitors who have had enough adrenaline rushes for one day—launch from a platform that is 57-feet-high.
The Icarus tower, which pays homage to the Greek mythological figure who soared too close to the sun, is a collaboration among the architecture firm Ramaker, WhiteWater and Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park.
mtolympuspark.com/specials/the-rise-of-icarus
Tirol Log Flume and Alpine Express ‘Enzian’
Europa-Park, Rust, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Mack Rides
Europa-Park has relaunched two classic, Austrian-themed rides following a fire in 2023: the Tirol Log Flume and Alpine Express Enzian roller coaster that are intertwined together. First inaugurated more than 40 years ago, these two classics from Mack Rides have delighted Europa-Park guests for generations.
“I grew up with the Alpine Express ‘Enzian’ and the Tirol Log Flume and have many wonderful memories with my family and friends,” says Europa-Park partner Ann-Kathrin Mack, who notes that the project was completed “in record time” following the fire with the park “never losing sight of the attention to detail that is so important to Europa-Park.”
The rebuilt log flume’s 4.5-minute journey begins with a steep ascent, then rapidly descends into a Magical Valley of Diamonds with majestic rock formations and thundering waterfalls. The family-friendly Alpine Express is a two-lap ride that reaches speeds of up to 45 kph and is billed as a great introduction to roller coasters for children as young as 4 years old.
europapark.de/en/theme-park/attractions/tirol-log-flume
Michael Switow highlights innovation, creativity and successful business models, along with the people driving the attractions industry. He is also a professional moderator and the co-author of business leadership books. Connect with him on LinkedIn.
- This original reporting from IAAPA News first appeared in Funworld magazine. For more stories and videos covering the global attractions industry and to read a digital version of Funworld magazine, click here.
