Netherlands: Walibi Holland’s “Robin Hood“ Wooden Coaster to be Transformed to Hybrid Coaster in 2019

Europe’s first hybrid coaster is going to be opened in the Netherlands in 2019: The existing wooden rollercoaster “Robin Hood“ (from Vekoma) at Walibi Holland will be converted by the US company Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) to a combination of wood and steel – as park director Mascha van Till-Taminiau suggested yesterday on social media. While the first reconstruction measures are scheduled to start in September, guests can still ride the rollercoaster until October of this year. The opening of the new coaster is scheduled for 1 July 2019 – after “NeuroGen“ (2017, cp. EAP news f. 6 May 2017) and “Lost Gravity“ (2016, cp. EAP 3/16), it will be the third new attraction the park will have opened within the last few years.

The renovation of the wood rollercoaster, which was originally opened in 2000, can be seen as part of the redesign measures announced for the coming years under the project name “Festivalization“. In the winter months from 2018 onwards, the various areas of the amusement park will gradually be given a new look, not sticking to the previous theming. Work has already begun in the area of the “Main Street“ and will be continued in the “Sherwood Forest“ theme area later this year. Thematic inspiration is taken from urban styles from major cities like London, New York and Tokyo, but above all from festivals. (eap)