Walibi Belgium Discussion Thread

[Dragon Khan]

GUESS WHAT ! I have just been proposed an invite to Psyké Underground 's official opening on Saturday, VIP access, little ERT and brunch for five people... and I CANNOT ATTEND ! Well, I will try to see if I can squeeze this into the last minute packing and so on... (doing Texas Midwest with TPR bext week)

[ernierocker]

I like the little roll forward before the launch. Adds a nice little touch.

[Dragon Khan]

yet another video to promote the fact the original soundtrack by Quentin Mosimann (he was the winner of a TV programme called Star Academy, kind of X-factor) is now downloadable. I don't really care about the song, but thought the video showed some interesting images (essentially reverse POV) and seem to reflect the atmosphere around the new ride. This video for some reason, makes me want to ride it more than the previous ones.

 

[Dacorian]

I thought it might be a pity that this has NOT reduced the old Schwarzkops intensity...but with this back, WB still has something more to offer to the main public, something that this park needed do much after all the bad years. Maybe the people would lesser search desperate for some nicer attractions like pathetic young people who start screaming on the flying carousel. And despite the ride is a lot less fun than the Schwarzkopf version, the backwards loop is great, a bit like backseat on a Boomerang but faster. A new Gerstlauer would have been so much better but then again, many people love to do some old coasters, for example, Blackpool is so darn much appreciate and I do not understand what's so good about this oldies, I perfer things from this age. They are all legends but personally I like more of the here and now than a dinosaur old story. Walibi belgium is just a few miles away from my house, I expect to do this one almost every week. This is not 'turbine anymore, this is a total new experience. For me it was less intense than it used to be but may feel different with others. This is what I may cal it, world's first Schwarzlauer launch coaster.

[jedimaster1227]

The song featured on Psyke Underground (formerly Turbine) is now available for download on iTunes!

 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/psyke-underground-single/id674993829

[cfc]

Looks like a nice re-freshening of an old ride. I do like these old Schwarzkopf shuttles.

[Belgiumcoasterfreak]

Walibi Belgium presents: Zombie Celebration!

 

Thirteen years ago, former Six Flags Belgium introduced the concept of Halloween for the very first time on Belgian soil. Since that time, the Halloween-event has grown massively (for Belgian standards) and was super popular among the Belgian people. Sooner ore later, the event was the most important time of the season for the park. Every nocturne was packed with people and they all still loved it.

 

In 2008, the park introduced something 'new' to "re-brand" their Halloween. Instead of making random theming all over the place, they wanted to combine the event with a story line. From then, every Halloween get's a story with one character that takes the lead over the park. At the end of the day on a nocturne, the park reveals the end of the story and a sneak peak of what's coming next. This year, the story continues with Marva, the zombie-leader. But first a little bibliography of Marva and her mysterious history:

 

In 2010, Walibi Belgium introduced Marva to Halloween visitors. She was the stepmother from Draco, who brought us his Monster Festival in 2008 and 2009 (a circus/carnival freak show). Marva is a half Belgian, half Russian circus-artist who had a life full of glitter and glamour in the National Russian Circus, performing as a acrobat and trapeze artist. Her jealousy broke her career, as she was rumored to kill her own sister after manipulate her show and made her fall into a cage with lions. Her sister was eaten alive. No one ever heard of her, until in 2010, as she thought her stepson did a terrible job with his Monster Festival. She locked him up in a cage, displayed him as the laughingstock in the park and killed him afterwards. She took over the Monster Circus, brought her own Freak Show to the park and opened Zoo Terror, her personal horror-zoo.

 

In 2011, while being in Russia, she was alarmed that there were some unwanted visitors in the park. Several zombies were spotted in Walibi Belgium. Probably some of her freaks and some visitors who transformed into evil zombies. They were seeking revenge towards Marva. At the end of Halloween, during a massive zombie invasion, Marva was locked up in the passageways of the Insomnia haunted-house, where she died and became a zombie herself. Full of vengeance, in 2012 she locked herself up in a secret lab, preparing a lethal virus that should eliminate humanity: Virus-Z1. The government heard of the plans and secretly created a team of soldiers that should start a zombie-war, that was fought during the Halloween Finale. Soldiers for this secret project, Project Z, were found during a strict and hard boot camp, led by aggressive drill-instructors.

 

During the Final Show in 2012, there was this bloody war between zombies and the Project Z soldiers. Though suffering from a boot camp from hell, Marva was able to spread her virus. Over 20.000 visitors witnessed their own infection with this virus, leading to madness, insanity, death and the eternal zombie life.

 

Here are two aftermovies of the last two chapters:

 

2011 => love this video!

 

2012

 

Pretty story isn't it? And this is the reason why this event is getting more and more attention. And this year, it's going to be even better!

 

The park introduced 6 Haunted Houses/attractions and 6 Scarzones:

 

Haunted Houses

 

• Villa 13 (New 2013)

In Villa 13, visitors enter an old and posh mansion, where once a dangerous psychopath used to live. Nowadays, it is feared because of the paranormal activity that hides inside this doomed house. Visitors enter the rooms of this house, where moral boundaries don't exist. A horrific house, where visitors will be exposed to absolute madness, fear and terror.

 

'Villa 13' is replacing Zoo Terror, which is scrapped after 4 succesfull years. What is so special about 'Villa 13' is that it isn't located inside the park itself, but about 100 meters outside the park (A real villa next to the parks neighbours). The house is 16+ and, it won't be free.

 

• Insomnia

 

My personal favorite of last year. This insane house, full of zombies and Psycho's, is not for sissy's. You can't escape in the dark, even when you think you reached the end. Most scary thing about this place is that they can lock you up in one of the prison cells all alone. Ore you think you are alone in the dark... This house is free to enter.

 

• Project Z

 

If you want to join the resistance and stop the zombie-takeover and save humanity: this is your change! In Project Z you will be trained as a soldier ready for battle. But it isn't that easy. What awaits you is a hard boot camp with lots of yelling and a massively amount of scares during your course. And you aren't with others: you enter this house all alone and nobody can and shall help you! For some, this house was to hard to conquer after they walked 20 - 25 minutes in the house and they didn't know how to escape! This house isn't for free.

 

• Virus - Z1

 

Marva is making her Virus again to infect all guests with it! Watch her brew it in her huge secret hiding place. But beware, you aren't alone in that place, a zombie is just a corner away! This house is free to enter.

 

• Mad House 3D

 

A haunted house for the kids. You enter with a pair of 3D glasses for a trippy and weird journey. Beware, After dark, the zombies take over this house! Free to enter.

 

• Zombie River

 

The Gold River ride has changed during the Zombie attack. Enter the boats at own risk, they are everywhere near the river! Free to enter.

 

Scarezones

 

• Freak Zombies

 

Scared of the zombies? Stay away from this place then! They are everywhere, even 6 meters high of the ground! This scarezone is located at the parks log flume Flashback.

 

• Marva's Massacre

 

Welcome home! Marva's horrific family (the parts of them who are still alive of course) traveled all the way from Russia and stay in the park for the Halloween event. They brought even their own farm animals like chickens and goats. But don't think this is a 'nice' place to stay where you can run away from the zombies for a moment. They will and shall attack everywhere they can, even here! Located in Lucky Luke City.

 

• War Zone

 

The only zone where you can find signs of human civilization, although they are constantly fighting for their lives. Watch the battle and get attacked by zombies ore become a soldier (Project Z), the choice is yours. Located at the Cobra and Radja River.

 

• Cemetery

 

Smell the breath of dead. A place of cursed souls and the birthplace of zombies. Located at the former dodgems, who is now the home for Insomnia.

 

• Kids Halloween

 

The only zone you can flee from the zombies. This is a very family friendly zone with pumpkins, kids friendly ghosts etc at the Ferris wheel.

 

• Zombie Bar

 

In for a cocktail ore other drink with blood-thirsty zombies? Then is the Zombie Bar the place to be!

 

I'm really looking forward to this event again. Last year was absolutely outstanding and I really was nearly impressed by all the actors and mazes. Here are some pictures Walibiband.be took today of the progress from the event. It's going to start next weekend and ends the 3the of november.

 

Freak Zombie is sork in progress

 

Wall of death

 

Cemetery

 

Insomnia almost ready

 

Marva's family is settling in, still under construction

 

 

Zombie River gets his first theming elements, much more to come soon!

 

I was really wondering what you guys think of this whole concept. I know, it isn't really that big compared to a Universal ore Six Flags in the US, but here this is really the big thing in Belgium and I thought it was interesting to share with you guys! I will share more pictures and videos when they are online!

[larrygator]

^I like the idea of an overarching theme. I hope the event continues to grow and wish the park success.

[jedimaster1227]

 

This picture intrigues me as it looks very similar to a scare zone that was at Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando a few years ago...

[Belgiumcoasterfreak]

I went to the Halloween event on the second of November. It was awesome as always! Great madhouses, good scare zones and a lot of actors! It's a pity i didn't made any pictures during my visit, but the park officially published this after movie, enjoy

 

 

The event was a success by the way. For two days, 31 of October and the first of November, the park had to close the gates for new visitors after two hours of opening because the park was to packet with people (a little more then 20.000 visitors a day). For a rather 'average sized' park for European standards, this amount of people on one day is huge (especially for my tiny tiny country Belgium).

 

It's not clear what the park has planned for the near future. Next year, I'm not expecting something new. But in 2015, the park celebrates it's 40 years anniversary. I hope they finally invest in something big that dominates the parks skyline (and no, not like a Vertigo-ish ride). We will see...

[milst1]

Difficult season for Compagnie des Alpes' amusement parks

 

Article below: You can link to it at http://bit.ly/1bllSfe

 

Update : 13:23

Published by François Mayné the 10 November 2013, Corporate.

 

The Compagnie des Alpes leisure parks recorded disappointing financial results during fiscal year 2012/2013 which ended on September 30. The French operator reported that sales of the activity was down 4.7% to stand at €282 million versus €296 million during the previous year.

 

Excluding scope effects due to the opening of the Grevin wax museum in Montreal (Canada), to the sale of Bioscope (France) and to the temporary closing the Dolfinarium for renovation during part of the year (The Netherlands), the sales decreased more precisely by 3.4%.

 

The decline in sales seen after the first nine months of the fiscal – a period marked by unusually adverse weather conditions – was not offset in the fourth quarter, despite the good performance of the parks during the summer season. As a result, the group's total attendance was down 7.5% on the full year. However, the average spending per visitor has shown again an encouraging increase: +2.8%.

 

An analysis of the Leisure park business reveals vastly different variations in sales. "Our regional leisure parks fared better than others by combining product differentiation with expert sales and marketing," stated the company. That was the case for example for Bellewaerde Park (+3.7% in sales) which introduced the new indoor family rollercoaster 'Huracan', for La Mer de Sable (+15%) which celebrated its 50th anniversary or for Walibi Belgium which enjoyed sales growth of 14% in August after the opening of the redesigned shuttle loop coaster 'Psyké Underground'.

 

In this context, Compagnie des Alpes says it is determined to pursue its strategic goals, with priority given to achieving profitable growth in Leisure parks. In the short term, the operator aims to step up investments to improve the image of the parks it considers priority. Product marketing and yield management will be boosted as needed, in line with current consumer trends. The ultimate goal is to have “highly satisfied” customers. Moreover the group seeks to reposition its leisure parks and restructure its portfolio in the medium term.

 

Compagnie des Alpes also has expressed its continued desire to identify new international growth opportunities. Its target for rapid development of Grévin is on schedule, as is the continued growth in project management and operation of leisure parks located outside France like Sindibad in Morocco.

 

The management activity of ski areas, which is the Compagnie des Alpes’ main business, performed a satisfactory season with a turnover up 3.7% that offset the decrease in activity of the parks. The group announced a total consolidated sales of €678 million for the full year 2012/2013, a stable result compared to the previous year (+0.05%). Full-year results will be published on December 19.

 

“In a context of increasingly selective consumer spending, Compagnie des Alpes has proven its ability to think ahead, make necessary changes, and break new ground,” said Dominique Marcel, the Group's CEO. “We aim to move faster, with more wide-reaching actions that will transform our Leisure parks division and ensure that it generates profitable growth over the medium term. CDA is very pleased with this year’s season for Ski areas. We intend to continue our unwavering pursuit of growth in this business, by making our products more appealing and by working harder to promote our destinations.”

[cfc]

^Perhaps the Zombie War has been to much of a drag on the budget.

[Belgiumcoasterfreak]

Halloween 2014: Zombies VS Vampires!

 

 

This year, the Halloween story continues and expands even more! Some facts in a row:

 

Characters:

* Marva, Russian/Belgian trapeze-artist, zombie

* Annoushka: Russian restaurant manager, cousin from Marva, both in a huge fight, vampire

* Igor: Vampire professor, manager of the Asylum, wants to create a new species: a crossover between a vampire and a zombie.

* + 150 zombies and vampires in haunted houses and across the park.

 

Scare Zones:

* Cyborg Area (near Project Z, army style)

* Walk of Death (tunnel between two zones with actors and lighteffects)

* Asylum Garden

* Transsylvania

* Kids Halloween

 

Haunted Houses:

* Toxic River - Free

* Walibi Secret 3D (with scare-actors)- Free

* Virus-Z1 (16+) - Free

* Project Z (16+) - Free

* Villa 13 (16+) - €5 during late night openings, €3 on normal days

* New 2014:Asylum (16+) - €5

The new haunted house for 2014 will be located at the former location from Insomnia, which is at the parks dodgems. Igor, the Vampire professor lives in this old Asylum and wants to create somekind of Hybrids, a crossover between Vampires and Zombies.

* Panic House 4D-movie (16+) - Free

 

Extra's:

* 7 late night openings

* Finale Show every late night opening

* Zombie Bar (little bar in the center of the lake, only for RIP Pass owners)

* Zombie Dinner Experience (every late night opening)

 

Some construction pictures:

 

Concept art of Asylum

 

Zombie Bar

 

 

Project Z entrance

 

Walk of Death

 

Some videos:

Premovie:

 

Zombie Dinner (of last year). It's going to be bigger and better now:

 

Thanks to Kristof of Coasterforce and Walibi Belgium for the info!

 

Only 4 more days! I will do a small photo Tripreport about it .

[Belgiumcoasterfreak]

New ride in 2016

 

Walibi Belgium confirmed today at its fanday that they will build a new ride in 2016. They also mentioned the builder: Mack Rides. Also, it will be a world first and innovative ride.

 

More info soon to come...

[3Mutts]

^ Another Vertigo?

[larrygator]

New ride in 2016

 

Walibi Belgium confirmed today at its fanday that they will build a new ride in 2016. They also mentioned the builder: Mack Rides. Also, it will be a world first and innovative ride.

 

More info soon to come...

 

Interesting, please let us know as soon as you hear more about the new ride

Edited October 18, 2014 by larrygator

[Belgiumcoasterfreak]

 

Source: pretparken.be and Ameworld.net

 

Does this confirmes that the new 'World First' ride will be a new Water Ride concept for Walibi Belgium in 2016? Some people think it will be the first 'Drop N' Splash' ride of Mack. But other rumors talk about a new watercoaster concept (Mack Rides once said that they will make a new type of watercoaster). Some people even say that (of course, fanmade rumors) it will be the first watercoaster with an inversion... For now, we can only guess what it will be. The park will give us an update soon (hopefully)

 

Drop 'N Splash ride, seen on IAAPA in 2013

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sxc0ab8C5Do

[gerstlaueringvar]

^ Weird, Mack said they cancelled the Drop 'N Splash concept

[_koppen]

Does this confirmes that the new 'World First' ride will be a new Water Ride concept for Walibi Belgium in 2016?

 

Right next to the part about the water ride for 2016 it says that they also have a brad new coaster type for Europe, this would make me say that it does not confirm that the new ride will be a new water ride concept, it just might be.

 

As for the new world first water ride, I think it have something to do with this:

 

[Moose]

Weren't those the pics posted when Port Aventura put in their ride last year that then ended up being a splash battle.

[_koppen]

^ Yup, but the concept is still real, and I imagine that Mack is working hard to sell it asap (and I'm guessing that's what they have done with this new for 2016 water ride).

[Belgiumcoasterfreak]

Thanks for the concepts. Still curious what it will be...

[rcjp]

Looks like a cool concept. I wonder what the actual ride will be.

[KingRCT3]

Looopings.nl posted two images of what could be the new ride in Walibi Belgium in 2016. It's a "Splash Boomerang", a new kind of ride by Mack Rides.

 

 

 

This would features two boats of 20 passengers (5 rows of 4 places) with a rotating platform to load one when the other is running.

 

I think it's really weird and I fail to catch the real interest of it. Plus the capacity is damn low (about 500pph) and it's a prototype... Vertigo, much. Well, Mack Rides knows what he's doing, and I hope to be proven wrong. I wonder if the white shapes above the tree line represent tunnels or noise-barriers.

[BDG]

A vertical drop launched water shuttle coaster?

 

 

Who came up with that?