French theme park Nigloland will open a brand new water coaster in 2021, Krampus Expédition.
The €12 million attraction is from German manufacturer Mack Rides and it will be 600 metres long, 28 metres tall and deliver 3.5G in force.
Our exclusive interview with Rodolphe Gélis, the Director of Operations at Nigloland, also includes new concept images, construction photos and ride designs.
First of all, please tell us a bit about yourself and your role at Nigloland:
To introduce myself, my name is Rodolphe Gélis, and I'm the current Director of Operations at Nigloland. I'm the son of Philippe Gélis, who, with his brother Patrice, founded the park in 1987. As such, my role is to perpetuate the family tradition within the park, and I enjoy doing it. I took over the family business 3 years ago, after working abroad in the entertainment industry. Indeed, in 2014-2017, I had the opportunity to become project manager at IMG Worlds of Adventure, the world's largest indoor park, in Dubai. It was a truly enriching experience, but I'm glad to be back to my roots with Nigloland.
How did the project come about, and how long have you been working on it?
We've been working on this project since 2017. We have a rate of 90% of satisfaction among our visitors and we obtain it thanks to our pursuit of innovation. We wanted to offer new sensations to our clients, and the idea of a complete new attraction in France seduced us. The attraction will please every sensation seeker, but also curious seeker since a tremendous work has been done on the thematization of the attraction.
Which companies have been involved in the project?
The attraction's manufacturer is Mack, a firm founded in 1780 by Paul Mack. This German company is nowadays one of the leaders in the development and creation of attractions. Mack Rides has established itself as the partner of choice for designing and building attractions for Nigloland. Quality, reliability and durability are the values of the Mack company. Values that are in line with those of Nigloland. For the attraction's decoration, Nigloland has solicited five companies including Universal Rocks (outdoor decoration) and Robbers (themed lighting).
How would you describe the ride experience?
Krampus Expédition is a brand new water coaster, that's unique in France, and it takes you on a sensational adventure. Climb aboard the boats, hurtle down the mountain slopes at high speed and dive into a cave after a dizzying fall. This tumultuous adventure ends with a super splash in the giant waterfalls.
Track layout:
What theming elements will be created for the ride?
Since Nigloland is reviving a forgotten legend of the Alps with Krampus Expédition, all of the decoration will represent the world of high mountains, wild rivers with canyons and incredible waterfalls to finally reach the cave that shelters this mysterious beast. Explorers will have to be brave to face the Krampus, this wild and rocky monster.
In folklore, Krampus is a horned figure that's half-goat and half-demon, who punishes children who have misbehaved. It has been popularised in films such as Krampus (2015).
Concept images:
How has the coronavirus affected Nigloland and the project?
The coronavirus has not affected the project yet. It has only affected the 2020 season, since the park exceeded 310,000 visitors this year and last year it was about 635,000 visitors. Normally, we open in April, but there were the restrictions. Then, we preferred to wait until July, and not in June as soon as the lockdown was lifted for the reopening. We wanted the people to be accustomed to the COVID measures. Our assessment is positive and we are already looking towards 2021. We have chosen to maintain our investments, a strong and decisive choice.
When are you aiming to complete the construction of the ride?
The ride should be complete for the reopening of the park, in early spring 2021, but it'll depend on the context of the pandemic.
Construction photos:
Krampus Expédition stats:
- Budget: €12 million
- Length: 600 metres
- Height: 28 metres
- Force: 3.5G
Ride logo:
Boat design:
Krampus Expédition teaser:
Krampus Expédition will open at Nigloland in Spring 2021.
