Park Profile
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When brother and sister Jean Gelissen and Caroline Kortooms (née Maessen) opened Toverland back in 2001, they had no plans to make it an outdoor attraction, but this season the Dutch facility unveiled its biggest ever open air expansion – increasing the size of the park by one third. Owen Ralph enters the Magical Valley
Magische Vallei W
ith the addition of this new land, which totals four hectares, the park in Sevenum near Venlo now offers guests a total of 12
hectares of fun. There’s Land van Toos, the original undercover hall with which Toverland began 12 years ago, the adjoining hall Magic Forest and the outdoor Troy Area, anchored by the mammoth wooden coaster of the same name. To reach the new Magische Vallei (Magical Valley), guests can either make their way from Troy, underneath the track of Booster Bike (the park’s Vekoma Motorbike Coaster), or step straight into the area from the back of the Magic Forest. Either way, they’re in for a treat. The new land features two key attractions – a Hafema wild raft ride called Djengu River and a Mack spinning coaster by the name of Dwervelwind – but lots more besides, all united by a fantasy theme. “The Magische Vallei is all about hope, love and peace,” explains park spokesman Teun Borst. “We wanted to create an area where people feel wonderful, far away from daily life. A land to dream about with waterfalls and nature. These beautiful surroundings are also the home to magical inhabitants called the Dwervels.”
Borst adds that the coaster and raft ride were chosen Wonderful water
The appeal of a water ride, of course, is universal and Djengu River takes families on a 460m-long voyage of adventure around many twists and turns, past waterfalls and through some decidedly choppy sections. Each of the 10 boats used on the Hafema ride can accommodate up to nine passengers which, based on a four minute ride time, delivers an hourly capacity of approximately 900. Before they on board the attraction, however, riders must pass through a themed grotto which adds an enchanting touch to the
Toverland now 33% bigger!
because they are suitable for the whole family. Featuring two trains, each with four circular 4-seater spinning cars, Dwervelwind is accessible to guests as short as 1-metre in height, whereas many coasters require riders to be at least 1.2m. The ride, which opened ahead the main Magische Vallei expansion last October, features a total track length of 470m. The highlight is arguably a horseshoe element roughly midway through the ride. As well as a wonderfully over-the-top station building by P&P Projects, further atmosphere is provided courtesy of a specially composed soundtrack which is played to riders through in-car speakers.
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