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Irish park follows-up wooden coaster with eight new attractions


Tayto


Endeavour and WindstarZ by Za,pertla


Park 2016


By anyone's standards, 2015 was a big year at Ireland's leading park, which launched €26 million of new


attractions including one of Europe's most impressive wooden coasters of recent years. To follow this up, a


major water ride is planned at Tayto Park for 2017, but that hasn't stopped the family-run property


slotting in a further eight – yes eight – new attractions this season.


Owen Ralph pays a return visit to an amusement park on a mission





I


thought you were having a quiet year?” I ask general manager Charles Coyle, son of Tayto Park founder and former crisp (potato chip) magnate Raymond Coyle, on what turned


out to be the park's busiest day of the season (August 24). “Well,” smiles Charles, “last summer when we launched Cú


Chulain [the park's signature wooden coaster from the Gravity Group] the intention was just to add a carousel and maybe one big ride. Then, after ending the season with 750,000 guests – up from 450,000 in 2014 – we hastily redrew our plans.” The biggest recipient of Tayto Park's business over the winter


was Zamperla, the leading Italian manufacturer being about the only company that could supply the number of rides needed at such notice. “We did talk to other companies,” reveals Charles, “but Zamperla had the production capacity and was willing to do a deal at a fair price.” The first three of the new rides were launched in time for St


Patrick's Day back in March, namely a Rockin' Tug, mini Ferris wheel and Grand Carousel, clustered together with other kids' attractions in the older part of the park. Three larger Zamperla rides are located in the expanded area created last year around Cú Chulain. These include a Power Surge, WindStarZ and 48-seat Endeavour. Until last year and the arrival of the wooden coaster and


other thrill rides such a Zamperla Air Race and SBF/Visa Maxi Dance Party (Rotator), Tayto Park's audience was almost exclusively families. What makes its recent rapid growth all the more remarkable is that previously the park, located in Ashbourne, County Meath – just north of Dublin –had practically no rides whatsoever, rather a collection of 'active' attractions such as zip lines, play equipment and a ropes course alongside the animal park and Tayto factory tour with which it began its life back in 2010. Also new for 2016 are Ice Valley, an animatronic-based walk-


through exhibit created by landscaping manager David Everard in a similar style to the Dinosaurs Alive attraction added last year; The Show, a 35-40 minute performance by Fossett’s Circus; and also a fresh film – Angry Birds 4D - in the park's expanded 5D theatre by Simworx. Whilst Ice Valley is included in the park's €15 entry fee,


guests must buy tokens or wristbands to enjoy the other new attractions. With around 60% of guests now opting for the latter option, it is only a matter of time before Tayto Park switches to a pay-one-price system, which should be simpler all round. Infrastructure improvements for 2016 include additional toilets


and food outlets to cope with demand. Satisfying hungry guests in the Eagle's Nest Adventure Zone is the new Argentinian grill, while those with a sweet tooth may wish to head to Scoops & Sprinkles, a new ice cream, treats and coffee café adjoining the park's original Lodge restaurant. Together this season's improvements represent an investment of


Power Surge


around €3.6 million, but even bigger things are planned for 2017 when Tayto Park unveils its first ever water ride. Charles Coyle doesn't want to go public on the finer details until his marketing team has chance to make a splash (sorry) this winter. Ray Coyle, on the other hand, is only keen to tell anyone who will listen. “My father is very passionate about the park and gets very excited by all our plans for the future,” says Charles, “but really marketing would kill me if you put it in print.” What we can tell you is that the new attraction, already taking


shape on site near Power Surge and Endeavour, will feature extensive theming. As the park develops, more theming will be added across the property, and indeed one or two of the Zamperla attractions added this year might undergo a revamp. No wonder Ray’s excited.


taytopark.ie ABOVE: A lmessage of good luck to Natalya Coyle, sister to


Tayto Park general manager Charles Coyle, who competed as a pentathlete for Ireland at the recent Rio Olympic games


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