A Masterpiece All Around

A Masterpiece All Around

9 July 2024 Off By Facto Edizioni

/ “Apo” means “ring” in Hawaiian. This is also the apt name of the new waterslide at Acqua Village Water Parks Follonica. // Interview with Marcello Padroni /

Those who love water attractions and have a penchant for exotic settings that fuel the imagination cannot miss Acqua Village Water Parks Follonica and Acqua Village Water Parks Cecina. These two Tuscan water parks – the first in the province of Grosseto, facing the island of Elba, and the second in the province of Livorno – stand out for the quality of their offerings and the refined Hawaiian theming: a total of 115,000sqm, 40,000 of which are green spaces, over 2km of slides for all tastes, 6,000 cubic meters of moving water, 7 pools (including 2 wave pools), 300 beach umbrellas, dining spots, and continuous dreamlike settings inspired by the famous Pacific islands, with references to both local nature and Tiki culture.

A few days ago, we were at the Follonica water park for the inauguration of the 2024 new addition, “Apo, The Ring Slide.” It is an enclosed slide with a spectacular 145-meter-long and 18-meter-high route to be done in the dark on single or double rafts, ending with a thrilling finale that includes a climb and drop through a 12-meter diameter ring.

The experience is adrenaline-pumping, but in perfect Acqua Village Water Parks style, the theming is equally impressive. We spoke with Marcello Padroni, founder and owner of the Acqua Village Water Parks group: “We wanted to identify this area as an island in the Hawaiian archipelago, lost in the Pacific, containing a story that we bring to life for our guests,” he explained enthusiastically. “Here, in fact, a treasure is hidden, guarded by two 5-meter-tall warriors flanking the entrance portal. Those who try “Apo, The Ring Slide” will feel like explorers in search of this great treasure.”

Who created the attraction?

“With pride, I can say that the concept and design were done by Acqua Village Studio, the internal team of our company led by Riccardo Fara, our creative director and imagineer, and Luca Serafini, park director and project manager. As always, it all started with an in-depth study of Hawaiian culture. From research, we moved on to ideation, then to design, and to the selection of materials to use, a very important aspect because every detail is meant to be unique. Even the colors are always chosen based on very precise criteria. Of course, we also used contractors.”

Would you like to mention them?

“With pleasure. International street artist Dario Vella created some of the scenes, including the treasure and the path of the lost island, mostly using recycled materials. The entrance portal and the warriors were made by Savanna Fantasy, a Portuguese company with Spanish management. The waterslide was produced by Polin Waterparks, a high-profile Turkish company with which we had already worked well in the past. The combination of these artists and suppliers has produced, in my opinion, an excellent result that will surely bear the fruits we hope for.”

What was the investment?

“I don’t like to talk about figures, but it’s significant, and anyone with an eye will have no difficulty believing me. The waterslide is impressive, and the theming is rich, so meticulous that it even touches seemingly minor elements like the greenery. We planted all typical Hawaiian tree species… it had to be like this to achieve the most realistic and engaging setting possible.”

Upcoming projects?

“There are several. Firstly, with the experience and skills developed by our Acqua Village Studio, we aim to create real water theme parks, that is, fully Tiki-themed water parks, in both Follonica and Cecina in the short to medium term. We are now able to directly handle the theming of our attractions, which makes them unique. Then, as for Acqua Village Water Parks Follonica specifically, I can give your readers a preview…”

What?

“That “Apo, The Ring Slide” is only the first part of a larger project that will be completed over the next 2 years with the addition of a new, major attraction.”

What kind?

“Top secret. For obvious reasons, I can’t reveal the type or the name now.”

Last year the wave pool was revamped, this year “Apo,” and soon another major attraction: where does Acqua Village Water Parks Follonica want to go?

“Structures like our parks live on novelties, they are their lifeblood. I’ll add that in the case of Follonica waterpark, what gave us a boost, or at least an encouragement to invest strongly, was also a Parksmania Award in the category ‘Water Park of The Year’ in 2023. A national recognition (and not only, as these awards cover all of Europe) that we are proud of and that has raised the bar for the projects and challenges we want to undertake.”

Continue reading Games & Parks Industry June 2024, page 20

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