Water Rides
parkworld-online.com “
Sure, we
had a flume ride before, but Chiapas is different. The technology, the movement of the boats, the drops; everything is new
through 180° after the first drop so that they travel backwards through the next section (including the Fiesta scene), an alternative method is used to turn them back the other way after the second drop. This is achieved with a piece of track that slides quickly from left to right, moving the boat from one channel to the next, before sending it on its way up the next lift, which runs parallel to the previous drop. It’s a slick process, completed in seconds, with a sound effect to add to the experience.
Robert Löffelhardt ”
The backwards drop/ forward lift
“Intamin came up with the idea and built a test unit at their German site in Rüscheid,” explains Löffelhardt. “The first system worked for four weeks, but then they tried out the switch track for eight months so I am sure that the technology works. Intamin is a good company for making new rides and testing new concepts, and we are happy to work together.”
“Chiapas features the world’s most advanced flume ride system,” believes Intamin’s Sascha Czilbulka. “The six-minute journey takes place over four levels and includes three lifts, two newly-developed fast-moving rotating platforms, and three drops, the last one from a height of over 20 metres and followed by a camelback. Magnetic braking technology is incorporated, to allow for a more controlled slowdown after each drop. Also there are separate water tanks on each level, removing the need for any pumps.”
Worth the wait One of four water rides now featured at Phantasialand, alongside a Hafema rapids, Preston & Barbieri Splash Battle and Intamin dark boat ride (Hollywood Tour), the Chiapas was officially opened to the public on 1 April, ready for the Easter holidays – but a full season later than planned. To ride, passengers must be at least 1.2m-tall to ride, taking their seats in a new style six-seater boat with individual lap bars (on the advice of the TÜV inspectors) to allow for the steep drop. “The boats, the brakes, the lifts, so much on this attraction is new,” highlights Löffelhardt. “That was the reason we needed a little bit more time. Six months ago there was a big difference in decoration, in lighting, in sound, how the boats were going through the channels – everything – and really it was important in September to say no, we are not ready. The advantage is now we can say the ride is finished, and I have the feeling that we have done a good job.” The park’s owner reveals that the next big but as yet unidentified attraction at Phantasialand will top Chiapas in stature. Located in the Mystery area of the park, next to Amazing Mexico, it too will also be rich in detail, with as much as 70% of its budget devoted to theming. Just don’t push for a completion date. “The most important thing is to bring the park to a higher level, so that all of the rides are modern ‘e- ticket’ attractions,” muses Löffelhardt. “That is the first step, but we also want to go for more hotels and evening entertainment, because business events are important to us when the park is closed. And then I think we go the next step and open the park for the whole year, but for that we need a second concept, and I think that will be a nice waterpark. We have been working on getting the extra land for the last 10 years, but I think this year we will get it.”
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phantasialand.de
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