hansrubens Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 Hi everyone, Last saturday was opening day at Walibi Holland. So I was eager to take a look because they put through some mayor changes. First of all they re-opened their, since 2006 SBNO Boomerang. They did not only reopen it they also put on a new and shiny Vekoma train with the new restraint system (big plus). Actually they gave the whole Italy section of the park a make-over. Together with demoralizing Italy, Walibi is now invaded by some new characters. Long story short, Walibi and his brother Squad are battling each other with music. Walibi has a popband called W.A.B. (Walibi Adventure Band) and Squad has Skunx which is a more rock influenced band. They both made to the final of a rockband contest and at the end of each day they are battling on the mainstage in front of the ferriswheel. Normally I don't do show but this one I wanted to see. To my surprise it didn't disappoint... In fact I really liked it. The show was funny, some good music and the characters are awesome. Ok they are not playing really live but that didn't matter. I hope Walibi can keep this show and maybe make it even better/different so it won't get boring after seeing it a couple of times. Now the downside of the day... I have never ever had such a horrible operations at Walibi. Every time we were in line the ride broke down. We could only do all the coasters once. When we were in line for Goliath the second time that day it broke down and it didn't open anymore. Express was closed all day due to some mechanical problem. Hope it's not too bad. Speed of sound (boomerang) broke down several times that day and all you heard when waiting in line were people complaining about the many technical difficulties that day. Anyhow I had a great day and since I have a season pass it is not that bad. Now the quest for the great unknown..... On arrival everything is freshly painted. The battle between The Walibi Adventure Band and.... the much cooler Skunx I had totally no big expectations but Walibi did a really good job. New park map. Us looking for the great unknown. Just in the park and already some characters. Zenko drummer of W.A.B. Motiv and Loco, Bass player and drummer of Skunx. And squad the Evil brother of Walibi. I don't know if he is the great unknown. Gateway to the great unknown. They did an awesome job. And in favor of the whole TPR community they put in a tunnel to take. All fresh and new. The onboard audio really added something. I think here might be a hint for the great unknown. Ahhh so we need to find a big black hole. That could be tricky... nothing black in here. Mid loop goodness. The head banging was not too bad with the new trains. I'm still confused by the great unknown. I spot some quality. Would that be the great unknown? Station theming. New more awesome restraint system. I think this ride is wellknown. Starting in the forest. Ending with a splash. There were some mayor changes in the kids area too. They removed a coaster and they put in some random theming. Load luggage and be on time. There used to live a wabbit here. About this removed coaster. They only moved it to Goldmine's spot. and what happened to poor Goldmine you ask? They send him to the great unknown.... France that is. Kids enjoying the ride. The scenery and station aren't finished yet. It's still two laps. They also re-themed the waveswinger and... the carousel. Overview into the great unknown. Xpress closedter. They opened up a new shop in the passage. with an new exit from Xpress. How cool sliding doors. Spaceship to the great unknown. There must be another clue here. I'm afraid of this shirt. I see some evil things. Yes life threatening I know. Bridge removed, underskirt view. Belgian fence. Still in hunt for the great unknown. Maybe up his nose. Hold on..... Through the trees!!! Classic. Is this a trivial pursuit ride into the great unknown? Standing but not operating today nor tomorrow. The park can be really nice. Again some downtime. We used the very well working single riders line. Send her into the great unknown. Biggest problem of the day. It stopped before entering the station properly. about 10 feet. The machaninc at the end of the train is powering it up. So the restraints could be released again. empty station. After going round empty it stopped right there. For the machanics this was the great unknown. We were only spooged by the great unknown. Thanks Walibi In the distance the main stage. They will be battling soon. End of the day. Show is about to start. First some random people are chosen from the crowd to be judges. and a professional. Vita Drakovic. The crowd. First W.A.B. Complete band. and the much cooler Skunx. Performing. Attitude. Bulls4Life. Smashing a guitar. And the winners playing the new Walibi Theme song. Thanks for reading. I will upload a video of the Battle of the bands tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiger01 Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 Well thats opening day for you! It will get better, the rides are just 'Stiff' if you know what I mean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vuurvogel Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 A real dilemma you got there. Searching for the unknown can only end in getting the unknown lost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinschroder Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 Dank je wel! Bad luck with Goliath - do you remember you, EB, Jordan and I got stuck out on Goliath's lift hill last year? And Xpress nearly denied a lot of us a credit that day too! Tot de volgende keer! Groetjes, Robin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hansrubens Posted April 12, 2011 Author Share Posted April 12, 2011 ^ Yes I know we got stuck on Goliath's lifthill last year. Don't know most of the times the intaride is working perfect. As promised the first Rockstar The Battle video.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrygator Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 thanks for the pictures of the rethemed attractions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1pizza14 Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 Wow! The boomerang theming looks very nice! I also like the bands idea. Do the charachters from each band travel around durimg the day and try to convince you to join that band? Or how does that work? Great update! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samisthabomb Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 Awesome TR! It's really cool that - wait, is that a THEMED BOOMERANG? WITH A TUNNEL?!? I must be dreaming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hansrubens Posted April 13, 2011 Author Share Posted April 13, 2011 Wow! The boomerang theming looks very nice! I also like the bands idea. Do the charachters from each band travel around durimg the day and try to convince you to join that band? Or how does that work? Great update! I saw them several times during the day but I don't know if they tried to convince you joining the band or not. I hope that Walibi will be able to keep on doing this and not only at the first year or month like Disney Paris did in the early 90's. Anhyhow 2nd video of the show this time W.A.B. performing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobbit Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 Great pictures! This is the Rattle Snake now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jew Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 I do not approve of the removal of Wok from the park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anything Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 Looks like a half-decent park and some great shots there. That's just about the best-themed Vekoma I've ever seen ha ha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milst1 Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 Nice report. I'm hoping to get up there this weekend, depending on the weather. As you pointed out, La Via Volta (now Speed of Sound) hasn't operated since 2006 so we missed it on our 2009 visit. And rcdb shows Xpress as SBNO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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