1st July 2019 saw the grand opening of Untamed, Europe’s first hybrid roller coaster. We were invited along to Walibi Holland for the exclusive VIP event.

This sensational new ride by RMC uses steel IBox track built on top of the skeleton and many of the original supports from previous wooden coaster Robin Hood.

With an investment of €12.5 million in newly themed area Wilderness and the new ride Untamed, it's never been a better time to visit Walibi Holland.

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Situated in the Wilderness area, the new ride sits proud surrounded by some beautifully themed eateries and shops as well as ample space to sit back and take it all in. The VIP event utilised the area perfectly with exclusive access to invited guests before opening to the public later in the day. 

Leisure Expert Group has worked with MK Themed Attractions to transform the former Sherwood Forest area.

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The opening event began with speeches from Mascha van Till-Taminiau, Director of Walibi Holland, and Dominique Marcel, President and CEO of parent company Compagnie des Alpes. Their first ride was then accompanied by spectacular fireworks timed to go off as the train rushed by.

Untamed is part of the 'Festivalization' project that started in 2018 and will see continued investment in the transformation of each area of the park over the coming years.

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On entering the queue you are greeted with various large ‘LOVE’ signs scattered around the area, but more impressive is a part of the original Robin Hood coaster and train which spans the pathway. This coupled with large sections of the original track buried vertically into the ground make for a fitting tribute to the park's previous attraction. 

The station resembles a greenhouse that has been overtaken by plants and each train is styled like a giant flying creature.

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The ride itself is simply incredible and a fantastic addition to Walibi Holland's coaster line up. During the impressive track length of 1,085 m (3,560 ft) the ride hits a top speed of 92 km/h (57 mph).

With a 35 m (116 ft) 80° first drop, 14 airtime moments and no fewer than 5 inversions, this huge ride doesn't let up until it thumps into the final break run.

We experienced Untamed in both the front and back rows, and found that the front offers a superb uninterrupted view of the twisting track ahead, but the intensity and forces are considerably heightened in the back.

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The shop for Untamed features a selection of ride merchandise including some more interesting items that you might not expect, like a branded ink stamp, and of course on-ride photos.

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With our exclusive ride time drawing to a close it was time to explore all the other attractions that the park has to offer and we headed straight for the Zero Zone. First up was a firm favourite and an opportunity to cool down on the Crazy River. This fun log flume consists of a decent sized course with 3 drops, 1 of them being backwards!

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Lost Gravity is an exciting 32 m (105 ft) tall MACK roller coaster with great theming, 2 inversions (a Dive Drop and Zero-G Roll) and unusual trains, with two riders sat above the track and the outside two sitting either side with nothing below or above them. 

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Next up on our list was NeuroGen, and this certainly didn’t disappoint. An attraction of genuine mystery as we had no idea what to expect. You go into 'The Clinic' on your own and check in for your treatment, then after walking through a series of scanners you enter a tall circular room and are greeted by a medic who shows you to your selected booth. You're seated by another medic and a VR headset is placed on you. The next 5 or so minutes were like nothing we have ever seen before, an intense video and audio experience with synchronised motion and effects that left us utterly speechless.

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It was time for another roller coaster, Speed of Sound in the W.A.B Plaza. This Vekoma boomerang coaster comprises of the standard circuit of a cobra roll and vertical loop, but the addition of a tunnel at the top of the first lift as well as a fantastic soundtrack make for a thrilling and enjoyable experience.

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Heading back towards Main Street near the park entrance it was time for our ride on Xpress: Platform 13. This attraction started off by walking through one of the most immersive queue lines we have experienced, which was more like a horror maze than a queue. For those of a nervous disposition you’ll be pleased to know this didn’t go as far as live actors however there was still a fright or two! It has an almost identical track layout to the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Disney's studio parks, but after the brilliant launch this Vekoma 'LSM Coaster' feels less intense due to being outside.

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With the weather hotting up we thought it wise to cool down on the El Rio Grande river rapids ride in the Exotic Zone, and although a good length the ride offered little in the way of actual rapids and without any drops it wasn’t the most exciting of rides. The nearby Condor was the first Vekoma suspended roller coaster but is a slightly smoother version of this model which made for a more enjoyable and less painful experience than we expected.

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We stopped for a ride on Space Shot in the Speed Zone. This 60 m (200 ft) tower ride launches riders up before bouncing them down to earth. It also offers some great views of the park's other attractions, if you look quickly!

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Last but certainly not least, the final roller coaster of our visit to Walibi Holland was the aptly named Goliath. The ride is huge but much of the track remains a mystery as it cannot be viewed from the queue or pathways. This 47 m (154 ft) tall Intamin 'Mega Coaster' takes riders on an action packed 1,214 m (3,983 ft) long course at up to 107 km/h (66 mph) and is full of forceful banked turns and big airtime moments. Certainly not for the faint-hearted.

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With all the excitement behind us we finished the day on La Grand Roue. This 45 m (148 ft) Ferris wheel gives unrivalled views of the park and was the perfect way to end a fantastic day, even if it was a little too vertigo-inducing for one of us!

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