Park Update
parkworld-online.com
LEFT: Maceraperest, which opened after the start of the season last summer RIGHT: Nefeskesen launch coaster, new for 2014 . Both rides are from Intamin Rides and
attractions Developed in partnership with Gursoy Group & Via Properties at a cost of TL 1.15 billion($600m/€450m), Vialand features around 50 individual rides and attractions, plus a tramway by Severn Lamb at the neighbouring shopping mall. Key rides, in addition to the two new ones opening this season (see right), include the Maceraperest family coaster, Minik Kasifler (It’s a Small World style dark ride), Adalet Kulesi drop tower, Viking (Intamin Spillwater) Çilgin Nehir (Intamin Rapids), 360 (Zierer Star
Shape), Saray Salincai (Zierer Wave Swinger), an SBF/Visa double-deck carousel, Huss King Kong, and Zindan and Safari Tüneli dark rides.
Vialand 2014 Signature coaster ready for new season
Turkey’s first theme park is now complete following the commissioning of its remaining two big attractions. Following an encouraging number of guests during its first season, further development is now planned at Vialand in Istanbul, including a hotel
L
ocated in the Eyüp district of this sprawling metropolis (on the European side of the city), Vialand features both a theme park and a high quality shopping mall. Since it opened at the end of May last year, combined visitation is reported to be 8.5 million and during 2014 they hope to get as many as 30 million, with just over 1 million of those being park guests. Not a bad start. “Vialand has become a busy tourist attraction of Middle East, Eastern Europe and The Balkans since
the opening,” says general manager Tolga Aliolu. “We have started 360° retail by integrating shopping with entertainment, and with the opening of the 101- room Vialand Palace Hotel later this year we will move our position one step forward.” When the park debuted last year, two of its three rollercoasters were not ready. Maceraperest, a 580m-long family coaster by Intamin, opened soon after but it’s only recently that its signature coaster, by the same Swiss supplier, has been put through its final tests (construction on the ride had not even started when the park first opened). Reaching 110kmh in just three seconds, Nefeskesen is a thrilling launch coaster built on the upper level of the park, that will provide a spectacular view of the surroundings to those quick enough to catch their breath during the ride. See the attraction in action on the park’s home page.
Intamin was also responsible for the ride system on General manager Tolga Aliolu 24
Fatih’in Ruyası’, one of four dark rides in the Vialand line-up. Representing a US$20 million investment, this epic attraction takes passengers on a cruise past
This Severn Lamb tramway operates at the Vialand mall MARCH 2014
conquest scenes from Istanbul’s rich past. Bringing the action to life are over 100 animatronic characters from Heimotion. Both this and Nefeskesen are expected to be ready for guests’ enjoyment when the park’s 2014 season begins next month. Families will also be able to enjoy an encounter for the first time with SpongeBob SquarePants, who is already very popular on Turkish TV. The wacky character and his sidekick Patrick will be making an appearance on screen in Vialand’s 4D theatre (by Simworx), together with a new film featuring fellow Nickelodeon favourite Dora the Explorer. Vialand visitors were able to snap up half price park tickets – as low TL 29 ($13.00/€9.50) on weekdays – for the first three months of the season by booking online. The gates open again on 1 April.
vialand.com.tr
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