Tag: Tidal Wave

Boats ahead on the Japanese highland plateau

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The History of Kijima Kogen Park

On a high plateau (Japanese Kogen) far above the Japanese spa town of Beppu – which attracts several million visitors every year, mainly due to its large number of hot springs and the associated public baths, the so-called onsen – lies the Kijima Kogen Park (城島高原パーク).

Starting out as a small go-kart track, Kijima Motopia Land was created in 1967. With the longest go-kart track in Japan at that time, new visitors were quickly attracted to the plateau. After a change of ownership in 1971, a swimming pool and a bowling alley were added to the resort. In 1982 the park name was changed to Kijima Kogen Family Park and the following year the looping coaster Super LS Coaster was opened.

In 1987, West Japan Nippon Korakuen Co, Ltd. (operator of the former Kōrakuen stadium and today’s Tokyo Dome) took over the park. In the course of this, the park was renamed in 1992 to Kijima Korakuen Yūenchi (engl. Amusement Park), in connection with a large expansion of the amusement park area and the opening of Japan’s first wooden roller coaster. In 2007, the resort was sold to Morgan Stanley, after which it was operated under the resort brand Centleisure for several years. In 2012, Kijima Kogen Operations Co, Ltd. was established as part of a restructuring process and renamed Kijima Kogen Park.

Tour of the park

If you enter the park, you will find yourself right on the beautiful Main Street of the park. To the left is the indoor playground Toy Kingdom and to the right the souvenir shop of the park, where you can buy mainly the most popular souvenir of the Japanese: cookies from the region.

Super LS Coaster

Of special interest, however, is the big roller coaster directly in front of us: The Super LS Coaster (actually L&S, for Loop & Screw) by Meisho. Wonderfully embedded in the landscape, the train takes you through a loop and two corkscrews.

But before I tell you too much about the route in the introduction I would suggest that we climb the stairs to the station and get on the train. After leaving the station we spend some time on the lift hill. At the top we leave the hill on a ramp with a minimal gradient and make a short right bend. High above the arcades we cross the first valley and start the big shot. In a wide right bend we increase more and more speed, whereupon the train disappears in a pit. Continuing with the same gradient, we now rush through a short straight section with our eyes now always on the next element. Mercilessly powerful we cross the following valley before we find ourselves headfirst in a loop. This is also passed with a lot of pressure. Afterwards the train shoots up a steep slope of a camelback. This camelback brings us with light airtime into the right sitting position for the next inversion figure. In a wide left turn along the minigolf course we slowly increase in cross slope before we are in the starting position for the two corkscrews. Two headstands later we are slowly pulled towards the station in a left turn. We cross the loop and dive down on a longer straight for the last time. Between the two corkscrews we are pulled up to the station level and shortly after into the final brake of the ride.

The Super LS Coaster keeps what its name promises and surprises you all the more with the excellent transfer of its built up speed. In addition, there are three overhead elements that are beautiful to ride and the generally very good ride characteristics of the layout, which ultimately invite you to ride it continuously.

Jupiter

But before we dedicate ourselves to this activity, we first go on an exploration tour to the lower levels of the Kijima Kogen Park. Passing a beautifully designed children’s driving school and the neighbouring footbath (one of the typical Japanese onsen, just for feet) we are drawn to the wooden roller coaster Jupiter. We were told right at the entrance that the ride would not run today – but we didn’t know the reason for that yet. In fact, we thought that the freshly renovated trains were the reason for this and not the death of an employee (during routine work) only a few days before. Of course, such an accident should not happen and the outcome is tragic – so it’s perfectly understandable that the ride was not in operation until it was approved by the local authorities. On site, of course, it was necessary to overlook the loss of a ride – very difficult especially if one person wanted to ride all wooden coasters in the country. In general, however, one thing can be said about Jupiter: The ride looks (if you see it at all) extremely delicious; the first drop seems absolutely wild and in general the track with its 1600m seems to be extremely dynamic.

Mars

I will certainly stand in front of the roller coaster again at some point in the near future. In the meantime, however, we are drawn into the labyrinth Mars, which is actually subject to an extra charge. On two missions – one rather sporty, the other one for thinkers – it goes over several levels, peppered with various tasks through the wooden building. There are three stamps to find for the stamp booklet and if you have passed both missions, you even get a golden sticker. Indeed a fun for the whole family, which might be a great idea to be introduces into serveral western countries.

Poseidon 30

The same applies to the covered water ride Poseidon 30 – whereby the roof of the boats should only be offered as an option for the water-shy park guests. Built by the manufacturer O.D. Hopkins, the Spillwater stands out above all for its impressive wave, while at the same time the passengers and spectators are not getting wet at all. For a water ride this does not sound very impressive, but who am I kidding? It’s about boats. The boat, which at that time fulfilled an involuntary abort criterion of the onride veteran Stilbruch on his Japan trip.

Actually, it’s quite simple: Put your foot on the roller in the floor space and push your harness when the boat hits the wave and you will survive without any insury; promised ;-). We were patiently taught how to do it and after we survived it we were happy to get back on board again and again during the day. However, if something would have happened, it would have been the conceivably most unfavourable tour course. But as it is already said Tidal Wave in the English theme park Thorpe Park: “What is the worst that could happen? Well, it is advertising for Dr. Pepper, but still – this is the only way to start a Japan tour.

Ice World

Survived, but with the best will in the world hardly or not at all refreshed, we were now drawn to a very special attraction: the nicely designed cold store Ice World. With a temperature difference of more than 60°C, we walked in very small steps through the cold chamber cooled down to -30°C and past all kinds of beautifully designed scenery.

Sky Pallet

The next special feature of Kijima Kogen Park was the nearby Giant Ferris Wheel Sky Pallet, where, in addition to the normal gondolas, you can also experience the ride in a kind of open-air gondola at right angles to the direction of travel. Secured by a shoulder restraint, the ride experience intensifies almost automatically, but the field of vision is limited to only one side. Thus, it is a pity that such gondolas are much too rare.

Newton

More often, also in Japan, you can find free fall towers. The local example is called Newton and like an apple, it drops you from a tall height to the ground. The Japanese have an interesting understanding of safety, and although they put additional padding everywhere, they do not use it in free fall towers; even the belts known from Europe to secure the safety bar are simply missing. This results in an even more intensified overall experience that can only be topped by the extremely creative gondola design.

A similarly creative design can be found on the nearby observation tower, which has a stork design and works like a Flying Island ride. From up here you have a wonderful view of the plateau with all its rides, which we will now take a closer look at.

Dragon

Through a small children’s area, including a dragon roller coaster by the manufacturer Zamperla (a small oval with a central downward helix) and past the large paddling pool, which is used as a skating rink in winter, we were drawn to the upper level. Here you can find all kinds of classic flat rides, such as a teacup ride, a horse carousel and a wave swinger, but also rides such as a sea storm ride, a flying carpet and a large swing boat.

360° 3D cinema

Of particular interest was the 360° 3D cinema, where a typical Japanese horror film was shown in the afternoon. Accompanied by all kinds of effects, the film worked extremely well and the 3D effect was also great – which is why we were drawn back to this kind of cinema again and again during the rest of the tour.

Flash Battle K and Shooting Pirates

The same is true for interactive games, like Flash Battle K, where you had to hit buttons – which are spread all over the room – like crazy to score as many points as possible. With the same premise, but conceived as a classic interactive theme ride, Shooting Pirates presents itself to park guests. Similar to the dark ride Capitán Balas of the Spanish amusement park Isla Magica, the ride goes through an elaborately designed pirate theme in small round chaises. The ride is very impressive, but it is also incredibly short and the end comes very fast.

Roller Skate Coaster

Right next door you will find the laser labyrinth (extra charge) and the children’s roller coaster Roller Skate Coaster in the classic roller skater layout of the manufacturer Vekoma. Accordingly, the ride offers some racy curves and helices, perfectly tailored to the young park guests who like to get on and off.

Moon Parade

At first sight, the Monorail Moon Parade looks similarly familiar, at least until you get into the car. Instead of using electricity, you drive along the track with a combustion engine, and the best part is that we can steer. We can only control the speed, but for everything else there is a very long go-kart track directly under the layout.

Gold Rush

Now let’s get to the last attraction of Kijima Kogen Park and my 450th roller coaster: Gold Rush. Nestled in an artificial rock massif, the ride is, at least in the front part of the train, incredibly brute and wild. After the lift ascent, you curve through the layout level by level, starting with a tight left turn, which immediately leads into the first, very flat drop. Interestingly, the ascent is much steeper and the hilltop is very narrow, so you get in contact with the bar and experience some airtime. After a left bend, the game is repeated again on a small scale. After a wide right bend a short dip follows, after which we gain a lot of momentum on a shot. During this we dive into the rock massif, always with our eyes on the coming evil. As if we did not deserve it any other way, we climb a small ascent, the crest of which is once again very narrow and then leads into a curve. Absolutely surprised by the enormous interplay of all forces, we leave the cave under loud laughter and devote ourselves to the rest of the course. Over a powerless camelback we reach another turn-around curve, on which we are now forwarded parallel to the station. In a left-hand bend we cross under the hill we just passed, and with a constant lateral inclination we now cross a short straight line, as well as the last bends in the direction of the station.

I did not expect much from the Gold Rush roller coaster, but it is truly a rush of the senses. Rather rusted than covered with gold dust, the ride convinces with its slick ride characteristics and its, at least in the front part of the train, absolutely terrific transitions. All in all, the Gold Rush roller coaster is a great family roller coaster, which fits perfectly into this amusement park.

Pictures Kijima Kogen Park

Conclusion Kijima Kogen Park

The Kijima Kogen Park was a very special amusement park for me, as it was not only the first one I visited in Japan, but also my 100th visited amusement park! Therefore, it is even better that I really liked the park very much. The atmosphere of the park reminds in large parts of the Danish amusement park Tivoli Gardens, which is also due to its absolutely great gardens. The rides all know how to entertain, which is why I would like to come back sooner than later, definitely not because I miss a ride on the wooden roller coaster Jupiter but rather because I would like to explore the area around Beppu. The hot springs are really appealing to me.

 

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Kijima Kogen Park / Titanic Max Day 1

Of wind gods, pharaohs and lateral rollovers

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Preface

The amusement park Belantis near Leipzig is not the best park in Germany if you believe the reviews of various forums, it is considered poorly equipped both in terms of number of attractions as well as planting and can hardly please anyone. In fact, the Saxon Terra Mitica is good for a surprise or two, which is why the park as a whole could convince me in its entirety.

Due to a car that broke down after a construction site, in which the previously two-lane A9 changed back to three lanes only to be reduced to a single one, a completely unnecessary traffic jam was created, which meant that a visit to Belantis was not possible until around 3 pm. In the remaining two and a half hours the time was only just enough to explore the park, despite the already reduced rush at the rides. It remains a big mystery why the rides are closed half an hour earlier than usual, despite an opening time until 6 p.m.

Tour of the park

Fluch des Pharao

Starting counter-clockwise, you first come across the most famous ride of the amusement park, the Hafema Splash Ride Fluch des Pharao. Although the ride looks like a log flume, it is very special in many ways. Just like the Van Edgom Kongo River ride from the Zoo Safari Park Stukenbrock, the ride offers rubber boats, which adapt to the ground due to their flexible material and are also a little more agile. Although the river ride does not offer extraordinary airtime moments as the Congo River does, it does offer a whirlpool as you can find it almost exclusively at the rafting rides of the same manufacturer.

After boarding the boats and lowering the completely unnecessary sidebars, the journey can begin. Passing the desert-like landscape, the river leads the expedition through some bends towards the biggest pyramid of Europe, inside of which unfortunately only a small stage set and the vertical lift is waiting for you, in which you enter and exit in an interesting way sideways. Arrived at the maximum height level, the 26m high shot ride goes down rapidly in order to get completely soaked in an untypical way. The degree of wetness can be compared with a better Shoot the Chute, like Cataratas Salvajes from the Spanish Parque Warner or Tidal Wave from the English Thorpe Park.

The trip through the whirlpool followed in complete surprise, at the end of which, fortunately, no wave front was waiting for you, as in the Hafema Rafting El Rio of the Bobbejaanland. Shortly afterwards, the trip towards the station follows, where the neighbouring waterfall also moistens the passengers of the boat a little.

Götterflug

Drenched and a little bit freezing I went to the greek themed area of the park, where beside some Heege products and the long boat trip ride of Odysseus the Gerstlauer Sky Roller Götterflug is located. Unfortunately, the prototype of the interactive equipment for side rollovers is often operated incorrectly, so that a boring excursion ride in lofty heights takes place. As a student of mechanical engineering with a working knowledge of physics and a constant urge to press things or flip levers it is of course easy to find out the right technique to perceive the world in circles. However, curious people with a longing for an exciting ride will soon realise that a constant interplay of the wings hardly leads to a proper result. All that is needed is a little wind and the release of the gondola brake in order to stay in a permanent rollover before the final position.

A good 90 seconds and 96 rollovers later, the first ride was already over and the thesis that the wind is just awesome is quickly put forward, because unlike the Sky Fly products, this one actively intervenes in the pleasure of riding and facilitates the formation of rollovers rapidly and to such an extent that one can get a little sick. Like at the Air Meeting in Nigloland, France, the system makes you addicted within a short time, but unfortunately it also bruises quickly, which is especially noticeable if you have more than just one ride the following days.

From the Greek themed area it is only a short way to the Middle Ages. Passing one of the most beautiful backdrops of the German park scene we head towards a castle, where a bobsled roller coaster from Gerstlauer and a small Vekoma Mad House share the place. Compared to the variation with a log flume, as you can find it in Erlebnispark Tripsdrill and finally in the Wild- und Freizeitpark Klotten, this structure looks less naked and altogether rounder.

Verlies des Grauens

The queue of the Verlies des Grauens starts quite unusually for a dungeon on the roof of the castle. Through a staircase you will descend into the dungeon, where the preshow is already waiting for you. The dark sheriff has claimed the castle for himself and subjugated the land, full of lust for power he has stolen Merlin’s crystal and it’s up to the intruders to get it back before they figure out how to use it.

In the main chamber a dragon, the sheriff’s pet, is waiting for you and it becomes a little bit more incomprehensible, because there is actually too much talk. The music during the ride is well composed, but is constantly disturbed by the story in its effect. The chamber is small, but therefore effective and well designed.

All in all, Verlies des Grauens is a good witches’ swing, which could have been better with less story. The dragon is absolutely unnecessary and only brings more hustle and bustle into the main chamber, which at best should concentrate on the fight between Merlin and the sheriff.

Drachenritt

At least when you ride the Drachenritt, you should not miss the dragon. The Gerstlauer ride is the most beautiful of its kind with Thor’s Hammer from the Danish Djurs Sommerland, but it also has a really good course and not only a Wetten Dass…? sign as a special feature of the ride, as you can experience in the adventure park Tripsdrill on the G’sengte Sau.

After climbing up the lift hill, a surprisingly steep first descent follows, which at the same time ends in a bend. This drop is something special and is only beaten in its perfection by the Big One from Pleasure Beach Blackpool and the Haßloch expedition GeForce all over Europe. A short drive up is followed by some powerful mouse bends, which with the right riding partners could end up in a proper torture game. A block brake is followed by a downward helix with a subsequent upward helix, which then leads into a terrific airtime orgy. A further downward helix and a short tunnel ride round off the pleasure. After a left turn into the light, unfortunately, the speedy ride comes to an end.

Belanitus Rache

A little hidden and only accessible via the queue of the Drachenritt, the most beautiful theme area in Belantis stretches along the lake with the prairie of the Indians. At the end of the area in Fort Feuerwasser is Belanitus Rache, a HUSS Frisbee of the old design. So that smaller children can also ride the ride, it offers two ride programs with separate queues, which is a good choice because the full-grown ride program is really something special.

The frisbees with inside looking seats are quite powerful in their ride, as long as they are handled properly or better said not at all. Normally, ride programs in amusement parks are almost never perfect, but since the showman Robrahn hardly ever uses the potential of the ride outside the Bremen Freimarkt, these versions are much better, despite the lack of announcements. Although Belantis version is not as insanely powerful as La Maquina of the Spanish Parque de Atracciones de Madrid, it is completely convincing due to constant changes of direction and the length of its ride. Those who like the big HUSS versions of this ride should definitely be cured of their delusions by one of the small installations.

Unfortunately, the prairie of the Indians is a dead end, but a direct connection to the roller coaster Huracan would be commendable. It’s one of the few real problems of the amusement park Belantis, because where it would be worthwhile to go straight ahead, for example, the path meanders leisurely back and forth. As a result, there are either trails or traffic jams and both could be prevented by a better infrastructure.

Drachenflug

On the way to the big roller coaster in Belantis you have to cross three different themes. Here you will meet the park’s HUSS Condor, whose design with gondolas in dragon design is quite successful. The Drachenflug, like other rides of its kind, not only looks impressive from the outside, but can also offer a good ride experience.

Piratentaufe and Santa Maria

In the spanish looking area Coast of the Discoverers there is an ABC Rides tower with tilt effect, where the queue alone provides for sufficient leaning. The actual ride on the Piratentaufe is quite convincing and can provide one or two laughs.

It is a little different with the Santa Maria ship swing, where the laughter fades very quickly. The ride offers a pretty nasty shock, which I never noticed on any other HUSS swing boat before. Stupidly the outermost place towards the shore is closed for people who want to set sail.

Huracan

Although Belantis has always expanded with smaller installations and can show the latest novelty with the Dancing Pavilion, it is the Huracan roller coaster that attracted most attention. This ride is considered to be famously infamous, which is said to be the result of one or the other hit. Starting with the, but quite strangely shaped, Cobra Roll, which was the only element that was negative by one hit during the ride at Alton Towers The Smiler, I was prepared for the worst and was quite surprised.

After the car has left the station, it slowly picks up speed and then brakes rather rough. Shortly after that the car hacks into the driver and it quickly goes up the lift to complete the steep gradient even faster. What follows is quite reckless, because it goes up quickly only to beat up its passengers even faster. Where the Zero-G Roll is still bearable, the following Cobra Roll is much worse than expected. The following speed bump is quickly passed and you have a short break which is best used to keep your head as rigid as possible between the restraints, because the entry into the downhill bend is anything but smooth. Two corkscrews that are not exactly polished and intertwined are luckily leading into the final of the circuit.

Although the train looks so promising, the ride, unlike what you are used to from Gerstlauer, is absolute grits. Although Typhoon from the Belgian Bobbejaanland and Saw – the ride from the English Thorpe Park were similarly brutal in the meantime, there were measures for both rides that had a positive effect on the ride. Something similar should be done urgently, at best one should reconsider the type of trains on the layout, which would at least lead to a significantly higher capacity.

Pictures Belantis

Conclusion Belantis

Belantis is, with the exception of its alleged main attraction, a really good park, which reminds one of a Scandinavian summer land by many points. Outside of its rides, the offer is varied and available at every corner, there is actually only a swimming pool missing, which could suit the park quite well. The general design in Belantis is outstanding and can be really seen in its entirety, moreover Belantis is really well planted with greenery, what is often missed in other fully developed parks which opened lately.

 

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Belantis

On an expedition in Bellewaerde

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Bellewaerde Park

The Bellewaerde Park is located in the Belgian province of West-Vlaanderen, which can certainly be declared by the city of Bruges as the most beautiful part of Belgium. Also, the roads are not as modest as in the rest of the country and the proximity to the French region Nord-Pas-de-Calais gives the park a more pleasant audience than for example at Walibi.

Tour of the park

Bengal Rapid River

If you enter Bellewaerde Park through the entrance A and go immediately to the left you will find the entrance to the Vekoma rafting ride Bengal Rapid River, which is located in the Indian themed area. The ride in the rafting boats, which most of you already have tested in the sister park Walibi Holland, is quite nice to look at. Unfortunately, due to the warm weather, it was very well visited. In the morning the queue just barely moved. Later the day, I had to get the ferry in the nearby Dunkirk…

Bengal Express

The second attraction in this area is the Bengal Express, a train ride in closed wagons in which you drive through the spacious tiger and lion enclosures. At the second turnaround the water treatment plant of the park is a highlight to admire – after all, this is even advertised via speakers. Overall a great ride, which should not be missed. Due to the nature of the ride, I would only recommend a ride if the train is still waiting in the station, as the ride duration is quite long. The generously-sized waiting area highlights the popularity of the ride.

Screaming Eagle

Located on the shores of a large lake is the theme area of Canada, which is home of the only visible attraction from outside of Bellewaerde Park: the Shot ‘n’ Drop Screaming Eagle, one of HUSS’ rare park versions. In contrast to the Space Shot towers of the manufacturer S&S Worldwide, which can be found quite frequently around the world, the system can shoot you upwards from a standstill position. In contrast to the rides, which could be found ages ago on the German fair circuit, the acceleration was very surprising as there was no hint whatsoever by the ride operator. Located in the Belgian wilds – without any houses surrounding – the ride’s noise level is quite low. Even through you can be of a different opinion as one of the riders. Overall the ride is rather tame compared with the S&S Towers, as there are basically no negative forces. The only big plus of the ride is its high capacity and the better launch.

Niagara

Next door, the Shoot the Chutes Niagara by the manufacturer Interlink shines in all its glory. This type of flume is characterised mainly by its large boats and the resulting wave at the end of the shoot. This one however has only a limited effect on the riders, as it does not get you as wet as Cataratas Salvajes from the Spanish theme park Parque Warner or as Tidal Wave from the English Thorpe Park. At least, it did not disappoint as Isla Magicas Iguazu. On the bridge, which strangely does not lead from the exit of the ride to the other side of the lake, many school kids had their fun by letting the boats soak them on a regular basis.

The other attractions in this area are a Mack rides cog ride, a wet-looking dinghy slide, and the somewhat strange pirate boat from Huss. From 1 pm to 4 pm, you could visit the squirrel monkeys located on a small island, as a path runs right through their enclosures.

On the right side of the park entrance A is the Kidspark theme area, which consists of a medieval designed area, some traditional rides and a mysterious mansion, as well as a large climbing and slide complex.

Maison Magique d’Houdini

I don’t know why this mansion belongs to the children’s area, as as the preshow is not necessarily made for anxious persons even through the actual topic is not scary. After entering the Maison Magique d’Houdini you can find some exhibits. A film about his youth is shown, which burns away after a short while accompanied by a nasty laugh. After some effects and some tricks were shown, you will be invited to attend the biggest tricks of them all.

Where the preshow room is designed in great detail, the main room is surprisingly empty. Compared to other mad houses of the same manufacturer, there is actually nothing located in the middle of the room. This of course makes it easier for the ride operators, but it is not as beautiful to look at. On the sides of the room there are some fixed mirrors, which later reveal another function.

The actual ride takes a while until the fake rollover happens. The music does not remain in your memory for a long time after the trip. However, Houdini is well remembered, as his trick was not yet finished even after begging for a liberation. Despite the statement that we are in our worst nightmare, Houdini recalls himself and after the words “Ce que vous pensez que vous voyez n’est pas ce qu’il semblait. “C’est ce qu’on appelle l’ illusion” you finally get freed. The mirrors show an animated key.

Jungle Mission

Passing by some very generous animal enclosures, which mainly showed African species, we are entering the jungle section of the park. The main attraction of this area and one of the main attractions of Bellewaerde Park is the Towboat Safari Cruise Jungle Mission, where you cruise past some animal enclosures (quite similar to boat ride at the Erlebnis-Zoo Hannover). Not long ago, the ride system was completely renewed, which is why the Jungle Missions looks quite new for such an old ride. While driving, some water effects are activated, only a few of them refresh visitors directly. The African theme features some vintage animatronics, which alone does makes this attractions quite exotic and as nice as La Jungla of the Spanish amusement park Parque de Atracciones de Madrid.

Coccinelle

The coaster with the longest queue on this day was the classic Zierer tivoli coaster Coccinelle, or Keverbaan in Dutch. Interestingly, the ride did not sounded like a starting jet, nor was it as slow that it needed additional friction wheels on the track as some other rides of this kind do. In fact, you could neither hear this ride, nor the air launched free fall tower tower from far. The design of the ride as the wildest ride of the wilderness is a rather strange choice for such a roller coaster, but it somehow works out perfectly. The surrounding walls and the roof over the lifthill are a nice feature.

River Splash, El Toro and El Volador

Next to the log flume River Splash and a bison enclosure there is the entrance to the Mexican section of the Bellewaerde Park. Here you can watch the movie Sammy’s great adventure in Dutch or French in the park’s 4D cinema or do a spin on the El Toro Break Dance. You can also find the only working HUSS Topple Tower outside of Scandinavia, named El Volador.

A Topple Tower of the manufacturer HUSS is a strange device, as it seems to be spectacular from the outside and the technology seems elaborate but the ride itself is rather boring. At least, the ride is not such a flop as the King Kong ride of Bobbejaanland, where neither the ride nor the appearance are particularly interesting.  The ride with El Volador resembles somehow a wave swinger when you drive it sideways, just way slower and with less degrees of freedom. You are secured by over the shoulder restraints as you tilt forwards. The best part of the ride are the synchronised water fountains, which unfortunately do not even wet your shoes.

Boomerang

A few meters from the ride, you can pay tribute to the first Boomerang ever opened. It’s actually a really good one and a worthy representative of this funny shuttle roller coaster build by the Dutch company Vekoma. Everything at this ride is build more suitable, as the ride station is not just a tent, it’s a Mexican temple. The ride in the 2nd generation Vekoma trains was surprisingly good, even through the sister ride in Walibi Belgium even runs a little bit smoother.

Huracan

This year’s novelty is the indoor coaster Huracan, which has replaced the old pirate themed dark ride within the same building. From the outside you can see a small part of the coaster and you wonder why they did not added some more track to actually come down to the ground. After all, the ride is quite high above the ground. If you enter the waiting area, it does not take long until you arrive in the beautifully designed station.

The journey begins with a small dark ride section, guided by the elements of fire, water and wind. Afterwards, the lift helps to reach the maximum height of the course and after a short straight, the curvy first drop follows. After a small climb the curve leads you back into the building. Now follows a surprisingly wild and at the same time very smooth ride. One turn is followed by the next one. After a handful of curvy goodness, you slam into the brakes where a laser show is being held.

Huracan is a great indoor roller coaster. The pace as well as the forces during the ride a just awesome. The dark ride part at the beginning of the ride is well done and features some great music and light effects.

Pictures Bellewaerde Park

Conclusion Bellewaerde Park

The Bellewaerde Park is one of the most beautiful parks in Europe. Since I could only stay for 3.5 hours, I could not admire the whole package, but I’m sure I’ll come back someday.

 

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Bellewaerde