First Ride: Leviathan Unleashes Its Fury

Teal steel dominates the park's entrance.

Vaughan, Ontario – Canada’s Wonderland opens to the public on Sunday, May 7th with a trump card up its sleeve… Leviathan: a massive sea-themed monster. The roller coaster was the first from Swiss design firm Bolliger & Mabbilard to rise above 300 feet and cost an estimated $28 million (USD). When first announced, coaster enthusiasts questioned Wonderland’s decision to add a coaster which by design draws parallels to the park’s Behemoth built in 2008 also by Bolliger & Mabillard. Both use towering lifts to create speed with neither sending riders upside down. Though these same enthusiasts couldn’t wait to dig their claws into Leviathan. 

Taiwan to Get Soaked: Leofoo Introduces New Water Park in 2012

“Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it.” – Lao Tzu

The Leofoo Tourism Group/六福旅遊集團, plans to drench an estimated 1.5 million park guests in Hsinchu County on the outskirts of Taipei, Tawain. At an estimated cost of NT$390 million (US$13.2 million), Leofoo Water Park/六福水樂園水陸聯票 is set to wet in May, 2012. On roughly three hectares (7.41 acres) adjacent to the existing Leofoo Village, the resort will now possess a two-park punch, perhaps an attempt to compete with Yamay Recreation World’s Discovery theme park and Mala Bay water park.

Leofoo Water Park will feature the country’s tallest water slide at a height of 15 meters (49 feet) which is described by park officials as Taiwan’s first flying Tissot slide. In addition, visitors will be able to enjoy various slides, a wave pool, two lazy rivers, as well as water play areas. Modeled after a Greek island, the water park promises to provide a “romantic relaxing holiday atmosphere” complete with Mediterranean cuisine. The project is an undertaking three years in the making and is expected to create upwards of 300 jobs ranging from lifeguards to on-site attendants. Given Taiwan’s subtropical climate and Leofoo’s popularity, the water park is expected to operate 365 days a year.

Sources:

Leofoo Village (Chinese) http://www.leofoo.com.tw/village/news.php?news_id=528

Leofoo Village News (Chinese) http://www.leofoo.com.tw/village/news.php?news_id=512

China Times (Chinese) http://news.chinatimes.com/domestic/11050613/122012021300252.html)

NOW News (Chinese) http://www.nownews.com/2011/10/25/11462-2752183.htm

Tapei Times (English) http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2011/03/17/2003498355