Park Profile
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The Dutch amusement park Slagharen has just introduced a new land and four fresh attractions as part of its jubilee year celebrations. Here director Angelique Klar reveals how
Jules Verne Adventureland is part of an ongoing plan to renew the park’s theming
Jules Verne at Slagharen I
Dutch park introduces new rides and fresh theming
n 2005 the founders and formers owners of Slagharen, the Bemboom family, developed a masterplan which covered the upcoming 15 years. They felt the need to do so as they realised that visitor attendance has stabilised while the average ticket price showed a downward curve. Next to that the occupancy level of the lodges in the holiday park started to drop and the average rental rate remained at the same level.
A new
Adventure Jules Verne Adventureland represents the largest single investment in rides at Slagharen since the park opened in 1963. Now operated by Parques Reunidos, the family-friendly
facility is located in the northeast of the
An original
concept drawing for Magic Bikes by P&P Projects
Netherlands near the German border. P&P Projects was responsible for the theming concepts for the new attractions, which include mainland Europe’s first Mack Twist ‘n’
Splash (Expedition Nautilus), a Zamperla Rockin’ Tug (Fogg’s Trouble) and Magic Bikes , plus a driving school style attraction named Passepartout Explorer with Sela cars.
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The masterplan examined many aspects of the park, including operations, marketing, investment, revenue management and also theming. All rides, buildings, shops and catering outlets were defined and reviewed. At that time we highlighted that the park has the following themes: Yellowstone, Indian, Western, Mexican, New Orleans and Jules Verne. Many of these were legacies from Slagharen’s history as a pony park. We decided to build further on the themes already in the park and made a plan that defined what theming each location should have in future. As well as the initial drawings for buildings and other structures in the park, this also included the content of merchandise
Unique Experience
Since it is not our mission to introduce the highest or fastest ride in the country we strongly believe – and still do – that we can distinguish ourselves from our competitors with the right theming; by creating an experience our guests will not find elsewhere. So, the theme for Jules Verne Adventureland is all about exploration and discovery. Previously there was a mixture of different rides, shops and games in this area, all with different themes. We removed two rides, the Ocean of Darkness (later called Nautilus) and the Calypso ride, and also moved another ride to a different area of the park. The gaming centre and a shop were then demolished to create the new area and make room for the new rides.
Since the main market for Slagharen is families with young children we choose rides that target this group. We did a huge amount of research to see what they want. Specifically they told us they wanted rides with water involved, where they could have fun
and catering outlets, staff uniforms etc. Step by step over the last few years we have been faithful to this masterplan each time we invest money into the park.
Magic Bikes
Fogg’s Trouble MAY 2013
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