Ride Profile
site (the coaster).
We wanted a coaster like no other and fully customised (layout, vehicles…). After having visited some parks in Europe, we chose the proposal of Intamin out of five received.
No other drop coaster existed in France and Intamin showed a strong motivation for the project with a full completion of our needs and requests.
Were there any other partners involved?
The teams of the park were the first to be involved in this project, in order to determine the theme and the tool to use to illustrate it.
In Dec 2015, we asked the architect Luc Planson who had already worked on some projects at Vulcania and on important projects in other European parks, and Julien Bertévas, a young and talented designer, to get on board.
Intamin became involved in the project in 2016 and in 2019, 20 other partners were selected. Some were leaders in their area (AZ Decors, Tejix, AMAK, Sadrin Rapin) and some were local with a great know- how (Treyves Paysages for instance). We also had an agreement with Picture, a young and dynamic sport company based in Auvergne to supply us with the winter jackets.
How long did the project take from concept to completion?
5 years (2016-2021) including three big meetings at Intamin and at Vulcania
How does Namazu fit into Vulcania in terms of style, narrative and theming?
Namzu is first of all a tool for Vulcania to illustrate and create an interest on a natural phenomenon (Earthquakes).
We had a giant screen (one of the biggest in Europe with 415m²), a dark ride, a drone show… but no coaster.
With the drop at the beginning and a nice pre-show, we found a fully adapted technology and attraction to explain this element.
We then worked on a storytelling to take our visitors in a full experience (not limited to the ride) and found
40 AUTUMN PART 1 2021
the name Namazu as a reference of a Japanese legend about Earthquakes
Did you face any challenges along the way and if so, how did you overcome them?
If Namazu is a full story for our visitors, it has been the same for us during five years with many challenges to face! First was the integration of Namazu in its natural environment that for example didn’t allow us to have a lift and made it necessary to have a launch coaster. Fort the same reason, it has a concrete base with 150 pillars hidden underground.
Also, the altitude of Vulcania is 1000m which has an effect on the tracks and material.
We also had to preserve important trees and made the layout to go between them
Last, but not least, we wanted to hide the 20m drop tower so that people wouldn’t have a clue about it. We were able to ensure that Namazu provided a real. unique experience for our visitors, not despite these challenges, but because of them. The train doesn’t pass twice in the same place, three parts are underground (with rocks what create a strong effect!) and people really enjoy ridding in a natural environment!
Has the ride been a success for the park? How have visitors reacted to it?
All teams and partners worked very hard on this project. It represented a major investment for Vulcania (16M) but we didn’t know how people would react. The results have exceeded our highest expectations! People are really amazed by the level of detail we offer at Namazu and the drop definitely creates a strong effect. The feedback we also have concerns the preshow, for which we have three scenarios and in which we give some real information about earthquakes, that people really enjoy. All in all, people really enjoy the full experience and to be involved in this storytelling. Last, but not least, the teams who at first didn’t know what to think about the Namazu project are now fully involved and proud of what we offer!
NAMAZU FUN FACTS
Track length - 584 metres Maximum speed – 69 km/h Launches – 2 Special track element – 1 (drop track) Box Out
“584 metres of track, one launch and one boost with a maximum speed of up to 69 km/h and a special drop track element take the riders on a family friendly, perfectly paced and complementary science adventure. The two 12-seat, ATV themed trains ensure maximum freedom and comfort in combination with highest safety for the passengers. Intamin congratulates Vulcania on their first roller coaster operating in their park and is proud to have contributed to this beautiful project.” - Intamin
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