Walibi Belgium will open Kondaa on May 8, a new roller coaster that is the highest and fastest in the Benelux region.

Kondaa is 50m high, 1.2km long and reaches a top speed of 113km/h. It is set in a new themed area of 4.5 hectares, an extension of the Exotic World zone, and represents a €25 million investment.

Here is our exclusive interview with Jean-Christophe Parent, CEO of Walibi Belgium, about the new attraction.

• 
• 
• 
•  

First of all, please tell us a bit about yourself and your role in the project:

I am Jean-Christophe Parent, I have been the CEO of Walibi Belgium and Aqualibi for over a decade. Regarding Kondaa, my responsibility was to secure the investment for the project and to ensure that our visitors would receive a quality immersive experience. 

How did the project come about, and how long have you been working on it? 

Kondaa is part of our larger Master Plan, which we started in 2016-2017. The purpose of this plan was to redesign the park and to give our visitors a total experience: not only offering one of the best portfolio’s for all ages (thrill rides, family rides and kids), but also creating an immersive experience through areas that are fully themed in landscaping, attractions, restaurants and retail. The construction of Kondaa and the extension of Exotic World, however, started in November 2019. 

Which companies have been involved in the project?

The role of la Compagnie des Alpes since the genesis of the project has been crucial. It is both a strategic and operational support. Without this support, we would not be able to reconfigure 75% of the site’s surface. At the operational level, we had the pleasure of working hand in hand with the various experts of the group and more particularly of CDA Development.

Intamin Amusement Rides built Kondaa. The first contact took place shortly before the IAAPA Expo in Berlin in 2017 and intensified afterwards. We wanted the best expertise, so we shortlisted three suppliers: Vekoma, Mack and Intamin. All presented very interesting projects. Intamin Amusement Rides caught our attention because the concept they proposed was the most innovative and exciting.  We presented the project at the IAAPA Expo in Orlando in 2018.

For the theming, we were very keen to work with new partners. AAB was our partner for the Kondaa area, while KaGo & Hammerschmidt was responsible for the restaurant area and its surroundings.  We are very satisfied with the results of both projects. 

• 
• 
• 
•  

Were there any particular challenges that you faced?

On a construction site of this scale, the challenges are numerous!

We started from nothing. Literally. The area dedicated to Exotic World & Kondaa was previously a prairie. We needed to create a number of junctions to link this new part to the existing part of the park. Visitors who know Walibi will quickly realise the amount of work that has been done to create this new experience.

Secondly, we also faced several technical challenges, precision and timing being the most important ones during construction. All the sequences (coaster manufacturing; foundations; assembling; commissioning) had to fit together and within the given time schedule. The theming brought an additional challenge: we not only had to secure stability but also design. Therefore, we had many different trades working on the construction site who were not always familiar with each other. Another example was the state of the land. As we said, it was a waterlogged prairie. In order to move the vehicles, we first had to lime the area.

Finally, there is also the credibility of storytelling. Our visitors seek magic, fantasy, a moment to forget everything and to enjoy with family or friends. We need to transport them into a story through a total experience beside the ride itself. 

How has the coronavirus affected Walibi Belgium and the project?  

The pandemic hit us hard: compared to 2019 we have lost 50% of turnover and 50% of visitors’ attendance. This year, we also could not reopen as planned on April 3. This means we were closed during Belgian Easter holidays, an important season starter for our park.

As for the project, we had to stop construction works during three weeks but in the end, the project team masterfully managed it.  

How would you describe the ride experience?

Kondaa is the highest and fastest rollercoaster in the Benelux. We are convinced that thrill lovers will be very pleased!

Although no technical element is 100% new, Kondaa has several improvements that optimise different aspects of the visitor experience. Comfort thanks to the latest generation of Intamin trains, visual appeal thanks to a new track design that reduces the number of supports, and capacity thanks to a lift where the chain reaches 4.5m/s and thus allows the train to be lifted to the top of the circuit very quickly.

Our goal was to offer the most varied ride experience possible, one that was never seen on a Megacoaster before. We chose to have an aerial first part with very high elements, then a second ground hugging part to maximise the sensation of speed. We incorporated elements that are rarely found: the twisting first drop, the outward sloping turn, the lateral airtimes. And even a unique feature: the Non Inverted Cobra Roll.

Kondaa is the Megacoaster with the largest amount of different elements and the most airtime moments (15) in the world. From the top of the lift to the brakes, it takes about 1 minute to complete the track, 20 seconds of which are spent not touching your seat. Kondaa crosses the Dyle, the river that runs through the park, 4 times.

• 
• 
• 
•  

Were there any alternative new rides that you were also considering?

We already have an extensive portfolio of rides: inverted, suspended, launch, free fall… offering different kind of sensations. However, we wanted to include more airtimes into this portfolio. Hence, the decision for this Megacoaster which will be a real airtime machine!

What theming elements have been created for the ride and area?

Kondaa is the park's most ambitious project since the opening in 1975.  We thus had to take the theming and immersive experience of the surrounding area up a notch. We are very satisfied of the accomplished work; the area is completely finalized in terms of scenery. For example: we planted 16.000 exotic plants and trees; with over 80 different varieties and 14 very rare exotic species.

It is a new area of 4.5 hectares with immersive theming and offering different activities: Kondaa (megacoaster), Kondaala (children’s attraction), a shop and a themed restaurant.

In 2018, we opened Exotic World with family fun coaster Tiki Waka. This new zone is inspired by the South Seas, it’s very colourful and welcomes a family audience.

The new area we will open this year is an extension of Exotic World. We have expanded the exotic theming to something darker, unspoiled, forgotten, more grandiose and impressive… just like the overpowering Kondaa. Two bridges will connect the two parts (the colourful and darker side of Exotic World). Once visitors cross the bridges, they will become adventurers exploring a world that was forgotten for thousands of years, and where nature has reclaimed its rights over millennial old premises. Of course, a mythological monster haunts the area. Will they dare to face it?

Will it feature a pre-ride experience or themed soundtrack?

As I said before, the ride will be set in an immersive area called Exotic World. The environment is very strong visually.

Visitors will be adventurers discovering the forgotten world. We have left certain clues (sculptures, paintings, skeletons…) in the area and in the ride’s station to give an idea of what could have happened in this dark place with this immense creature. However, our goal is not to tell the entire story, we want to keep mystery. It is up to visitors to use these clues to imagine what happened.

• 
• 
• 
•  

Will there be any new food & drink or retail outlets in the area?

Yes, we have included a new themed restaurant where we will be able to accommodate around 400 people inside and outside. Our teams have developed a new menu that will offer different chicken-based dishes.

Kondaa facts:

• Budget: €25 million
• Length: 1.2km
• Height: 50m
• Speed: 113km/h
• Elements: 
  • 80° side-twisting first drop
  • Airtime hill (38m)
  • World’s first non-inverted cobra roll
  • High-speed ground-hugging curve
  • World’s first wall stall with 2 seconds of 0G weightlessness airtime
  • World’s first side banked double down (unique airtime experience with lateral forces)
  • S-curve combination
  • S-hump

Kondaa opens at Walibi Belgium on May 8, 2021.