PortAventura: General Discussion

[Rob]

The theming certainly looks very good, let's hope that the quality is also.

The channel looks different in comparison to other Mack Splash Battles though? Unless they are going to put a metal trough into the trough they already have?

 

[Andrew]

The quality of the theming on this looks superb! Can't wait to see it when it's finished and ride it in July.

As for the trough, I reckon they're just digging the trench so that they can make it look more like a 'natural' river flowing through, and are yet to place the trough in-a splash battle needs some sort of track to run on remember.

 

[CoasterCrazyChris]

It looks superb.

I don't like splash battles as a whole but would make an exception for this as the scenery looks amazing.

Makes you realise how awful Merlin's recent attempts at 'naturalistic' themes have been (especially Zufari).

 

[KingNemesis]

From Theme Park Incorporated

 

[DiogoJ42]

This is probably the closest we will ever get to seeing the Dragon Falls faces again. :'(

 

[Alastair]

PortAventura have today confirmed that they'll be making a €100m investment in opening "Ferrari Land" in 2016. Press release below:

“FERRARI LAND” TO BE ESTABLISHED IN SPAIN

A NEW BRANDED THEME PARK WITHIN PORTAVENTURA

PortAventura, March 13th, 2014. – PortAventura Entertainment S.A.U. (“PortAventura”) has reached a licensing agreement with Ferrari S.p.A. (“Ferrari”) to establish “Ferrari Land”, a new theme park dedicated to the global brand of Ferrari within the PortAventura destination resort near Barcelona, Spain.

The new branded site (expected to open during 2016) will be the sole Ferrari theme park in Europe and will envisage a total investment of more than €100 million. Ferrari Land will be built on a total surface area of 75,000 square meters and benefit from several rides (including the highest and fastest vertical accelerator in Europe), a new premium hotel with 250 rooms and 5 star service, restaurants, shops and large simulation areas for car racing.

This new partnership with Ferrari, the world's most powerful brand for the second consecutive year (according to the annual Global 500 report, February 2014), and PortAventura (Europe’s second largest destination resort and the largest in the Mediterranean) will allow the resort to further improve its position as a leading European destination resort. At present, PortAventura receives nearly 4 million visits annually, of which nearly 50% are from outside Spain.

PortAventura: an expansion strategy

Over recent years, PortAventura has executed a strategy of continued expansion with the aim of turning the resort into a leading destination resort in Europe. To achieve this, the company has developed a strategy of internationalization and the incorporation of new projects every year since 2009 with an investment of over 125 million Euros.

The construction of a new area for children, SésamoAventura, was the first of these investments in 2011, followed within a year by the construction of Shambhala, Europe’s highest roller coaster. In 2013 it was the turn of Costa Caribe Aquatic Park, the resort’s water park, which was extended and furnished with new record-breaking attractions.

And for this year, the theme park is delighted to launch yet another outstanding attraction: Angkor, an ride that takes visitors on a boat trip through a lush jungle to face a number of challenges and adventures. PortAventura also recently unveiled an agreement with Cirque du Soleil, the world's leading theatre company. During the months of July and August, the Canadian troupe will install its Big Top in the resort to perform one of its most celebrated shows, 'Kooza'. The agreement also lays the groundwork for the possible creation of a permanent base for Cirque du Soleil at the resort in the near future.

Andrea Perrone, Managing Director of Ferrari Brand, the subsidiary responsible for managing all activities regarding the use of the Ferrari brand said “After the successful experience of the Abu Dhabi Ferrari World we have received numerous requests to launch new Ferrari theme parks. After a thorough selection process, we have selected Investindustrial’s solid project backed by skilled and experienced people and the opportunity to bring the Ferrari allure in Spain where there are a lot of supporters and fans including a lot of tourists attracted also by the PortAventura destination resort. “Ferrari Land” will further strengthen the Ferrari brand in the region. “Ferrari Land” will appeal to entire families as well as Formula One supporters. We will continue to further look at the launch of additional Ferrari theme parks outside of Europe with no rush, while continuing to maximise the value of our prestigious brand without diluting it.”
Sergio Feder, PortAventura Executive Chairman: “Since entry we implemented a long term plan supported by well-known international brands to increase visitors to approximately 5 million yearly and to transform PortAventura into the best destination resort in Europe. Ferrari is an obvious choice not only for the values the brand represents, but also for their experience in the Ferrari World Abu Dhabi theme park. For us, it is also an honour to collaborate with such a worldwide recognized brand”.

Graphics can be found here: https://fileshare-emea.bm.com/publicCon ... H1b4P0N1IF

What's everyone's thoughts? Europe's tallest and fastest accelerator sounds good on paper, but then again the current fastest is Baco which is only ~80mph and could be on its way out as part of this.

 

[AstroDan]

Remove Baco for this, yes please.

Although the coaster at Ferrari World looks pretty bland.

Not sure how I feel overall. A corporate machine won't really fit in with the wider park?

 

[Alastair]

I'd remove Baco for Formula Rossa in a heartbeat though, even if just for the launch. I do hope whatever they have in store here is slightly more inspiring though.

 

[Danny]

Am I the only one who doesn't appear to be able to view the attached link to the graphics?

 

[Rob]

Hmm it does sound exciting. However it doesn't really seem to fit in with the park. I thought PA was wonderfully themed when I went and is probably one of the best theme parks I have been to in terms of escapism. I feel a Ferrari World would contradict a lot of this.

EDIT:

Some graphics:

A shame the coaster is just a bog standard Intamin accelerator with tophat.

 

[Jonathan]

The possible removal of Baco can only be a good thing. It's an interesting plan that PortAventura have got with this, and I look forward to seeing it develop.

 

[AstroDan]

So we are looking at a slightly taller Stealth?

Baco removal please!

 

[Benzin]

Any idea what area of the park this land is going in, or will it be a separate entity?

Dull Intamin Accelerator layout FTL... Doesn't seem to say anything about a Baco removal either...

 

[Sazzle]

Erm. If they remove Furius Baco then that's the only positive I can see..

I'm really not impressed by that hugely domineering hotel! Where abouts will this be in terms of Resort location?

I've got an awful feeling it will be tacked onto the back of Gold River Hotel, in which case it will completely ruin the ambience of the area !

 

[Anonymous]

No one noticed the drop towers on the Strata Coaster then?

 

[Rob]

I think the hotel looks awesome, but I do like F1!

I can't see this involving the removal of Baco, although it would be strange having two Intamin Accelerators in the same park.

 

[_nemesis_]

Having been to the current Ferrari World, I can say that I'd be all for one at PortAventura. That coaster better have lap bars! Wonder where they got the idea of the drop towers from *cough* Zumanjaro *couch*.

 

[James]

I don't take an interest in F1 but think the hotel looks amazing. Visually it's very stunning! The rest looks rather 'meh' though.

There seems to be no confirmation of where this will be situated? I hope it's no where near the main park though as this seems somewhat like a decision purely for money - it's not quite in-keeping with PortAventura...

 

[Craig]

Any new addition of a size like this is welcome in my opinion. I do think it's a little big and brash, but then again that's what F1 is all about. The accelerator looks a bit bland, but then again until we have details on speed and height we can't really compare. If it has lapbars only, I'll be chuffed though!

I love the design of the hotel, looks absolutely fantastic. That said, I dread to think how much you'll have to fork out to stay there! Even if you're not an F1 fan, anything that has the potential to attract a massive number of visitors to a theme park is great for all in my eyes. Hopefully this should create extra revenue that they can reinvest in the rest of PA over the coming years.

 

[DiogoJ42]

Have they released the stats for this coaster, or am I being blind?

Have to say, it seems like a very odd choice for PA. I don't see how this could possibly fit in with the rest of the park.