Vekoma Rides, the Dutch roller coaster specialist, has announced that it will reveal its new indoor Family Launch Coaster at IAAPA Expo Europe, which is taking place in Amsterdam from 23 to 27 September.
The press event will take place on Tuesday 24 September at 11 am at booth #10126, and the team will be available on the show floor from 24 to 26 September.
The coaster, named “Aquila,” will open at Mandoria theme park in Poland, and has the world’s lowest rider height restriction of 95cm. Accelerating from 0-70 km/h in 3 seconds, the 450-metre ride will perform a double pass, with a second launch on the fly, resulting in a 900-metre ride experience for the entire family.
Diverse projects
The firm has had an unparalleled year in terms of number of projects completed worldwide. In addition, these have represented a diverse range of products including family-friendly and high-speed coasters.
Its Family Coasters “Snoopy’s Soap Box Racers” at Kings Island, “Midnight Flyer” at Santa’s Village in Jefferson (NH), and “Good Gravy!” at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari were the first of their kind to launch in the US.
Energylandia in Poland has opened a Mine Train “Choco Chip Creek” and a Kalypso Family Coaster “Honey Harbour” in the new Sweet Valley area. Meanwhile, Emerald Park in Ireland now offers the Suspended Thrill Coaster “Na Fianna Force” and the Family Boomerang “The Quest”, with an intertwined layout.
Two projects are now underway in Australia and will be open to visitors by the end of the year. Warner Bros. Movie World Australia’s Wizard of Oz area will debut with a Suspended Family Coaster “Flight of the Wicked Witch” and a Family Boomerang racer “Kansas Twister”.
The combination of these two rides offers a unique experience which has never been seen before. A family thrill suspended coaster with unobstructed flying sensations and high speed, is combined with a racing shuttle coaster with forward and backward runs, crossings, and duelling effects, to appeal to both families and thrill seekers.
Dreamworld on Australia’s Gold Coast will unveil the world’s first Switchback Coaster, “Jungle Rush”, in the new Rivertown section. This family-thrill coaster is unique in that it supports several cycle paths, has the first inclined turntable on the planet, and provides an immersive experience for visitors of all ages. The ride will have 12 airtime elements, specific show moments, and the capacity to go both forwards and backwards.
2025 installations
The firm’s 2025 projects in Europe include the “Wild West Coaster”, a new Kalypso Family Coaster at Winnoland in France. This will be suitable for families of all ages, including first-time riders. With a track length of 254 metres and a maximum speed of 46km/h, the ride’s entertaining layout with swooping curves and surprising drops will immerse guests in the world of the Far West.
The Netherlands’ new indoor theme park, Bommelwereld, will open to the public next year. Vekoma collaborated with Joravision and Bommelwereld to develop a new indoor coaster experience. This indoor family coaster is suitable for all ages and has a minimum height restriction of 95cm, making it accessible to younger guests. The coaster’s innovative layout includes extended columns that allow visitors to walk beneath the ride and see the action from a unique perspective.
Its curves are carefully positioned to situate additional attractions in the centre of the park and enhance the overall experience. The coaster offers a dynamic and engaging experience by zigzagging across the inside space, which provides different viewpoints during the ride.
Earlier this year, Vekoma announced that construction had started on the new Vekoma campus in Vlodrop in the Netherlands. As the firm has grown its logistical requirements have changed, and so it now needs additional space.
