Drop, twist, soar, and swing
New rides opening soon at Gardaland and Emerald Park
Let’s focus on two parks in Europe that have new attractions debuting this season.
Gardaland, which is located in Italy, will welcome an as-yet unnamed drop tower ride that will include show elements and effects in enclosed spaces at the base and top of the tower. Themed to Native American mythology, the park has revealed that guests will hear ritual chants and see symbols when the ride begins. At the apex, they will experience dense clouds of smoke.
Known as a “Drop & Twist Tower,” the ride will stand 25 meters or 82 feet tall, which isn’t particularly high for an attraction of this type. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Walt Disney World is 199 feet tall, while the insanely high Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey climbs 456 feet. The tower ride coming to Italy would seem to be more of a family-focused attraction with moderate thrills. It will rise and fall a number of times, and its carousel of seats will rotate around the tower.
“We can’t wait to inaugurate this attraction that is destined to become a new icon of Gardaland,” says Sabrina de Carvalho, the park’s divisional director. “Thanks to its impressive set design and light and sound effects, our guests will be involved in a memorable experience. It promises to be not just a fun experience but also a real adventure, which will spark the imagination and guarantee excitement for our visitors.”
You can get a sense of the 16-passenger ride, which is expected to open in June, from this construction video that the park posted.
Gardaland offers a second drop tower ride, Space Vertigo, which ascends 130 feet. Among other things to do is a Jumanji-themed dark ride, seven roller coasters, and a Peppa Pig Land. The Italian resort is part of Merlin Entertainments, which owns and operates the Legoland parks along with a number of other parks and attractions around the world. Gardaland incudes Sea Life Aquarium, Legoland Water Park, and three themed hotels.
Emerald Park names attractions
Formerly known as Tayto Park, Ireland’s Emerald Park is undergoing a major expansion and will open a new themed land, Tír na nÓg, in May. Steeped in Celtic mythology about the Land of Eternal Youth, the 6.5-acre, €22-million land will transport guests to an ancient Irish village.
It will feature two roller coasters, both manufactured by Vekoma. The more thrilling Na Fianna Force will be an inverted ride in which the train will hang suspended from the track above. It will rise 102 feet and hit 56 mph. Among its three inversions will be a 360 zero-G roll and an upward helix. Quest, meanwhile, will be a family boomerang coaster similar to Good Gravy! at Holiday World. The modest attraction will climb 82 feet, reach a top speed of 37 mph, and span a mere 781 feet. The two coasters will intertwine one another. Tír na nÓg will also offer a Wave Swinger flat ride, Celtic Dreamer, as well as dining and shopping opportunities.
Dating back to 2010, the young park has grown rapidly, especially in the last six years. Other coasters include Cú Chulainn, a wooden coaster from The Gravity Group. In 2022, Emerald Park welcomed Dino Dash, a family coaster. A zoo with animals such as tigers, monkeys, and alpacas is included with admission.
Are you as intrigued by the concept of a family drop tower ride with storytelling elements as I am? Have you been to either Gardaland or Emerald Park?