Intamin’s boundary-pushing Amazonia dazzles in Bellewaerde

AT: Tim Baldwin

tbaldwin@amusementtoday.com

YPRES, Belgium — Mundo Amazonia is the newest themed land at Bellewaerde. It represents a huge investment by the park of €21 million ($22.5 million). It is the largest investment to date, beating the previous year’s record of €17 million. With a Brazilian flair, the new area reflects themes of South America.

The biggest new attraction accounts for about two-thirds of that investment. It is an innovative spinning rapids ride from Intamin. The attraction is called Amazonia.

Since the 1980s, rapids rides have been staples in theme parks. In-ground channels produce sections of splashing rapids that always elicit laughter. However, Amazonia delivers a rapids ride with elements never before seen. It truly takes the rapids ride to new levels.

The first distinction is seen immediately after dispatch where rafts are turned 90 degrees onto an inclined conveyor belt. According to Intamin, this was a site restriction.

“There was a need to do a sharp 90-degree turn onto the inclined lift, and that’s why this element comes right after the station,” explained Sascha Czibulka, executive vice president, Intamin.

From there, the cool factor is quite literally elevated. Riders travel through not one but two troughs high above the ground. The second trough is reached by an elevator lift.

“Amazonia introduces numerous innovative elements, some of which have never been implemented before on a rapids ride,” Czibulka told Amusement Today. “The ride features a high-speed inclined lift, and on the rotating vertical lift guests can enjoy panoramic views while ascending to the top at a rather high pace.”

Following the rotating elevator lift to the second above-ground trough, riders experience something never before attempted on a rapids ride — a halfpipe element.

“The thrilling and picturesque halfpipe element is definitely the iconic highlight,” Czibulka said. “After the final floating section, the boat enters the mining building where guests enjoy the world’s first five-meter, bungee-drop element on a rapids ride. A surprising and thrilling finish to end a great ride.”

Indeed, while most people are laughing and talking about how much they were splashed, closed doors put riders momentarily in the dark to experience the sudden drop. For those who aren’t expecting it, the surprising moment is a total scream.

When asked if the drop was Intamin’s idea or the park’s, Czibulka responded, “The idea was a collaborative effort between our company and the park. After our design team proposed various layouts and elements, we worked closely with the park to develop and implement this surprising and breathtaking feature. Therefore, the conceptualization and realization of this element were the result of a joint effort.”

The halfpipe is something more commonly seen on a waterslide. AT asked Czibuilka if waterslide elements can have a place in the development of theme park water rides. He responded, “I think elements like the halfpipe have a lot of potential for amusement parks. They bring a thrill factor to the all-time favorite rapids ride and enhance the ride experience. The halfpipe is also an impressive structure to look at for visitors, which makes a water ride with elements like the halfpipe much more noticeable in a park.”

Riders 120 centimeters (47 inches) can ride accompanied by an adult or 130 centimeters without.

Also in the area is a new small roller coaster, Brazilian Buggies. Supplied by Zamperla, it is a children’s coaster the whole family can ride. If accompanied by an adult, children as small as 90 centimeters (3 feet) can ride or 120 centimeters unaccompanied. It replaces a previous children’s coaster built in 1981 and retired in 2022.

Rio do Cocao is a smaller children’s flume from abc Rides to complement the existing log flume, which was renamed Rio do Café.

A new restaurant in the area is Tropical Takeaway. A new retail outlet has also been added.

Hundreds of trees and shrubs were planted to help create the themed environment.

Bellewaerde was founded in 1954 as an outdoor park where visitors could discover exotic birds. In time, the park was further developed into a safari park with more animals. Eventually, amusement rides were added. The mix of nature and attractions offers a diverse selection of things to do. Bellewaerde Aquapark, an indoor water park was added in 2019.