Holiday Park celebrated its 50th anniversary with the opening of Wickieland, a new €12 million themed area based on the Studio 100 character Vicky the Viking.

New rides and attractions include The Big Wave and Splash Battle alongside a rethemed log flume and a new restaurant and shop.

We visited to check out all the new additions and experience everything else this popular family theme park has to offer.

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The first Wickieland opened at Plopsaland De Panne in 2014, and the introduction of such a highly themed environment to Holiday Park is great to see. The quality of the design and build is immediately evident, with large and very detailed themed buildings surrounding all the attractions, several of which include themed queues.

The Big Wave

With a ride on The Big Wave, a Disk’O Coaster from Zamperla, riders sit on a large rotating disc, which slides back and forth over a roller coaster track, turning alternately clockwise and anticlockwise.

These rides are now a common feature at theme parks across Europe, but what sets this one apart is how well the track has been incorporated into the new area, with huge rockfaces applied all along both sides to completely disguise and embed it within the surroundings.

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Splash Battle

Over at Splash Battle, an interactive attraction from Mack Rides, boats sail through a lagoon and riders can fire large water guns at neighbouring boats and targets.

We thoroughly enjoyed this ride, which encourages friendly competition between groups and provides great entertainment for spectators, although the ride could be enhanced further with more animations and some themed music or sound effects.

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Wickie Splash

The park's existing log flume ride Teufelfasser has been rethemed as Wickie Splash. Hop in a barrel-themed boat for a water ride with Wickie and other Viking characters. Several figures and animatronics have been added around the ride, but it would benefit from better use of music and lighting effects to bring them to life.

With both forwards and backwards sections, and an impressive final drop, it's a fun water ride that provides a decent splash without leaving you soaked through.

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Wickie Playground

Younger adventurers will enjoy the new Wickie Playground, a sandy cove with an array of climbing frames, swings and slides.

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Viking Grill, Wickie Snack & Wickie Shop

In addition to the new rides and attractions, the area also includes two new eateries and a new gift shop. Viking Grill serves kebabs, fries and salads. There's a large outdoor covered seating area but no indoor seating. Wickie Snack is located on the opposite side of the new land and offers hot dogs, popcorn, ice cream and cold drinks. A decent range of 'Wickie de Viking' merchandise is available at the Wickie Shop.

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More to discover!

There are rides and attractions for all ages at Holiday Park, from thrilling roller coasters Expedition GeForce and Sky Scream to magical family areas Majaland and Holiday Indoor.

Find out more.