In The Jaws of The Wolf
26 June 2024/ Opened at Gardaland, the new addition for 2024: a 25m high “Drop’n Twist” tower, produced by SBF-VISA Group /
A malevolent spell has fallen upon Gardaland Resort in the 2024 season and targeted the theme park area where the “Shaman” coaster is also located, inspired by the stories and legends of Native American peoples. A majestic 16m high wolf has been petrified with its enormous jaws wide open by a powerful evil deity. It is up to the resort’s guests to free it from the curse and save its imprisoned spirit, thus restoring harmony to the surrounding nature, which has turned from a lush forest into a desolate wasteland due to the curse.
How to break the spell? By a test of courage: throwing yourself into the jaws of the wolf. An exciting adventure suitable for families, provided the children are at least 105cm tall. In practice, both adults and children can experience “Wolf Legend,” the new attraction custom-built by SBF-VISA Group. It features a 25m high drop tower (more specifically a “Drop’n Twist” model), located right inside the gaping mouth of the gigantic animal, surrounded by its sharp teeth.
After entering, riders, seated on a 16-seat gondola arranged circularly around the octagonal tower, begin their adventure to the notes of a ritual chant, surrounded by sparkling symbols to decipher and extraordinary light effects. Only when they reach the highest point of the tower do they fall through dense clouds of smoke. The riders rise and fall multiple times and rotate repeatedly around the axis of the tower, thus living an unforgettable experience before the final descent.
The tower is composed of 3 sections weighing a total of about 22,000kg, assembled horizontally and erected with precisely planned operations using 2 cranes. This “special cargo,” consisting of the 3 parts that form the attraction’s main structure, was transported to the park by an American tractor unit, followed by 2 tractor trailers.
The tower, which guarantees an hourly capacity of 360 riders, is equipped with a hydraulic system that manages the various movements and effects of the gondola through a state-of-the-art touch screen control panel.
The setting design is also important, and, combined with the ride and the underlying storytelling, it captures the imagination and emotions of different age groups.
“With this attraction, we aim to offer an exciting new experience to a wide audience: from families with children to groups of friends, who make up the majority of our guests,” commented Sabrina de Carvalho, CEO of Gardaland, at the early June inauguration.
With “Wolf Legend,” the Italian resort (which is part of the giant Merlin Entertainments) once again confirms itself as a top player among European entertainment destinations. “The total investment for the current season is around 14 million euros,” said the CEO. “This figure includes the creation of the new attraction, the setup of the park’s shows and street animation activities, as well as initiatives and special maintenance programs throughout the Gardaland Resort, including the 3 hotels and the Sea Life park.”
Continue reading Games & Parks Industry June 2024, page 52
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