Quick Notes Regarding Mirabilandia and Gardaland

[Mark Rosenzweig]

Photos and perhaps a more detailed report will follow within the next

week or two, but I did want to give my impressions of Italy's two

largest parks after my first visit to each last week during the IAAPA

Summer Meeting...

 

Mirabilandia is clearly Italy's "Cedar Point". Aside from the

beautifully themed entrance plaza, the rest of the park consists of

meandering paths, wide open concrete plazas, and a far more sterile

feel than Gardaland (which I guess I'd call Italy's "Disneyland").

 

 

Now, by sterile in European Park standards, I guess that'd equate a

nicely themed park here in the states. Mirabilandia is relatively

compact (maybe a little bigger than Astroworld was), but does feature

several stand out attractions:

 

 

Katun rocked. Not going to overhype it saying its the end all be all

of coasters, but I'll say this- if you like Raptor and Montu, its

basically like the two of 'em had a baby. Best first drop of any

invert (steep and straight with a swoop off the lift). All the

elements are shelf items, but taken with great pacing and with some

strong forces. The finale features a second straight drop off the mid

course block, with flatspins in alternating directions separated by an

underground tunnel. Easily Italy's best coaster.

 

 

Sierra Tonante (collaboration between Stengal and Cobb) was forgettable

at best. The bizarre SDC trains (inspired by Morgan's trailered

fiberglass model) took the course well enough, but the design just

lacked inspiration. No airtime to speak of, and way too much time

spent high in the air at low speeds. A decent mid course helix didn't

do much to save this forgettable woodie. Also took rides on the Mack

powered coaster and the Monosaurous monorail (riding in a dinosaur

egg).

 

 

Other notables were the Intamin Autosplash flume ride, Intamin's Rio

Bravo Rapids, the new Haunted House ride through, and the huge PAX 300

ft tall EuroWheel. Due to rainy conditions, the Schwarzkopf Katapult

never opened. Passed on the Vekoma Roller Skater, L&T kiddie, and L&T

Mouse.

 

 

Gardaland is probably more along the lines of a typical European theme

park (from what I've seen). While the overall ride package is bizarre

and lacking in some departments, the park is incredible. Landscaping

and food that is on or above the level of any Disney, Busch, or

Universal park. Theming that was great, but somewhat bizarre in terms

of lack of transition between areas. While Disney and Busch have done

a great job in telling guests where one section ends and another

begins, Gardaland just sort of plops amazingly themed attractions and

buildings everywhere with little to no rhyme or reason.

 

 

Coasters? Somewhat forgettable. Blue Tornado (Vekoma SLC with

extended helix finale) was actually...rideable. Took 3 rides and

couldn't get over how smooth the ride was (not B&M smooth, but you

know, not SLC rough either). Magic Mountain is your typical Vekoma

double loop/corkscrew that seems to be a twin of Python at Eftling.

Sequoia Adventure is one of 3 operating S&S Screaming Squirrels. The

ride is actually pretty fun for what it is, but fails in that while the

"over the edge" element/visuals work well, this really acts as but one

element of what should be a more complete coaster. As this model

stands now, most riders exit with some kind of "that's all?" face.

Still, not much else that could have fit where this thing was wedged

(that being inside of Magic Mountain's footprint).

 

 

Gardaland shines in the dark ride and water ride department. Colorado

Boat is a really well done Mack/Arrow Log Flume that features a nice

windy course through the woods and plenty of theming. Jungle Rapids is

just a notch below Popeye/Kali/Grizzly in the theming dept for rapids

rides. This amazingly long ride comes complete with volcano, whirlpool

section, and animatronic scenes! Fuga Da Atlantide is a one-of-a-kind

ride from Intamin that features two cable lifts (each about 40-50 ft

tall), two coaster drop splashdowns, and long stretches of nothing

inbetween (allowing for time to absorb the amazing theme package I

suppose). The ride runs eight 16 passenger boats with no lapbars- just

a seatbelt.

 

 

La Valle Del Re features an Epcot-esque continuous ride system from

Intamin. Some interesting effects, and I'd say a dozen or so

animatronics too. The storyline is as follows (according to park

media): The Pharaoh's treasure has been found. Many thousands of years

have past since human footsteps have trodden on the sands of the desert

that has covered and protected the magnificent tombs of the Pharaohs.

Today, numerous explorers are on the traces of this ancient

civilization. Their tracks will lead us to discover the Valley of

Kings.

 

 

The real crown jewel of Gardaland is their Pirates knock off "I

Corsari". Being that Gardaland has been given such strict height

regulations, they have dug into the ground to house many attractions,

including this one- where the boarding area is 15 meters underground!

The ride vehicles are modified Intamin Spillwater boats, linked in sets

of two (40 people dispatch at a time!) Not quite up to the Disney

rides, this thing is still amazing, and probably the best ride in the

park.

 

 

Other notables include an Intamin Flying Island, the Space Vertigo

Intamin (not so) Giant Drop, and the Fantasy Kingdom area complete with

giant fantasy tree and Vekoma Mad House in the basement.

 

 

I hope to have photos and a more complete report up as time allows.

 

 

-Mark

[viking86]

Sounds pretty much like my visit to those parks last summer. I loved Gardaland, even with some very average coasters. I spent 1 1/2 day there and I was not bored. I'Corsari was amazing, easily the best ride in the park. Gardaland also has the best kiddie area I have ever seen.

 

Mirabilandia didnt impress me that much. Katun is a very good coaster, but its the only ride to keep people coming back to the park. The other coasters were nothing to write home about.

 

One of the things that impressed me at Mirabilandia was the stunt show. It didnt excactly have the best story, but there was some really spectacular driving stunts.

 

Looking forward to the pictures!!!