Gardaland

[BigAl]

ParkFan shared this on Facebook:

Isn't that the original Oblivion plan? Even if this does end up being just another small dive machine, it seems that most websites are pointing at it being located in this area of the park. It would make sense to be somewhere around there as the dolphin show was recently closed, though that was apparently for another reason.

It doesn't look like there's much room in that area to do anything very interesting. Surely selling their Vekoma SLC would have opened up a better area of land to use? I guess we'll have to wait and see.



Edit: Yes it is the original Oblivion plan...

Originally posted by Sam on TTF.


I hope this isn't going to be an old plan resurfacing, otherwise the creative department needs a kick up the bum again. Hopefully it's just someone from a fan site taking a guess and nothing more than that. It's hardly going to be an inspiring development if the final idea does end up being something like this.

 

[Alastair]

Wait...why is the station so far away from the lift hill?

 

[John]

That layout is a very old image, produced when the dive coaster was still only a concept. There's an old thread on TTF about it.

The part labelled "start" is a water splash, the station is just before the lift.


[edit] Al's edit makes this post largely redundant :-[

 

[BigAl]

As we expected, that was an old example layout, but this also confirms that Gardaland will be getting a small B&M Dive Machine in a couple of years.

In the comments under that, it says that the park are also planning a dark ride for a year or two after the new coaster.


Screamscape has posted an update on what the park will be doing for 2014:

2014 - Kiddie Ride - Rumor - (12/10/13) Gardaland is said to be building a new Pezzemolo Land for 2014 that will feature a new family friendly water ride of some kind, perhaps a Splash Battle.

 

[Cakey]

When I went to Gardaland last summer I was amazed at how much of an institution Prezzemolo is- not just in the park itself but in the surrounding area. He was absolutely everywhere and people actually flock to see him. It's refreshing to see a mascot at a Merlin Park (even if implemented before the acquisition) who really works.

However, there are plenty of areas in Gardaland which need urgent investment, Fantasy Kingdom wasn't one of them. But, I suppose "if you got it, flaunt it".

 

[Sam]

Posted by TinySlo on CF.

This confirms that the park are closing down their baby Intamin drop tower Space Vertigo for 2014 due to the construction of a new attraction for 2015.

Merlin trying to pull the same trick that didn't work for Enterprise and Submission...?

 

[AstroDan]

Absolutely excellent decision to make a major new ride for 2015, as Gardaland need to hop on the Expo '15 bandwagon, which is taking place in Milan.

However, for a park with such restrictive planning problems, a dive machine isn't the first ride that would come to mind.

Shame Space Vertigo is closing... presume it will re-open. That ride is rubbish, but the cutest drop tower I have ever seen.

 

[Benzin]

But the indoor queue theming is amazingly 80s <3

 

[Sam]

2015 - New Coaster / Dive Coaster - Rumor - (1/22/14) It looks like the new Gardaland coaster may be a Dive Coaster after all. According to TheParks.it new documents submitted to the local city hall about the project have been made public record, with the name of the project being clearly labeled as “Attrazione “Dive Coaster”.

Bleh. Presumably it'll be like Krake or worse/smaller. Merlin have been a dab hand recently at adding very bland coasters, with the notable exception of The Smiler.

 

[AstroDan]

Gardaland will only receive small models, due to heavily restrictive height restrictions. They were very lucky to receive Raptor in all honesty, a world first was something special for Gardaland! I would actually say Gardaland have done some of the best out of Merlin - a genuinely decent family coaster in Mammut is one of Merlin's best rides.

Heide-Park tend to be the park that receives genuine cut-down versions of rides... simply because their guest figures are so low!

 

[Benzin]

I like Krake...

Another actually decent coaster for Gardaland shouldn't be sniffed at either, considering the amount of crap at the place...

 

[Sam]

2014 - Prezzemolo Land and More - (2/10/14) Gardaland will open for the 2014 season on April 1st with the grand opening of the new Prezzemolo Land. According to the press release it will be a new colorful land of fun for the children that will feature a medieval castle at the center that will offer “hilarious wet slides and other exciting water games… And, to defend it from enemy attacks, the little Guests will be shooting water from powerful cannons that will ensure that the fortress is solidly protected.” Other new attractions will include “huge flying machines”, “happy catapults, acrobatic trampolines, towers, bridges and many more surprises.”

That came out of the blue a bit... anyone heard of this before? Prezzemolo sounds like a coffee maker...

 

[Benzin]

Prezzemolo is the name of their dragon mascot who is pretty much everywhere in the park (including the Pervy Wizard Madhouse)...

Probs just an extension of their already massive kids area...

 

[siralgenon]

It just sounds like an interactive water play area such as the one added to Legoland Windsor in Duplo Valley last year.

 

[Sam]

As Looopings points out, this promo image for Prezzemolo Land unfortunately looks a little Operation Yewtree...

 

[Benzin]

Fits in with the Pervy Wizard Madhouse then...

 

[Sam]

Gardaland are selling off Sequoia Adventure for €1.2m.

 

[BigAl]

About bloody time!

Now they just need to get rid of one or two of the Vekoma (same with Heide).

 

[Ian]

I would be happy normally... But the fact I now need to go to either Russia or China to experience one has rather put a damper on my mood! And lets face it, the one in Russia doesn't look anywhere near as deadly as Garda and China's

 

[Rob]

Well at least I now know that the risk of me dying when I go to Gardaland someday has been significantly reduced!