Mandoria Launches Into 2025

Since Mandoria opened its doors in 2021, the Polish indoor amusement park has impressed guests and partners alike with its attention to detail, theming, quality product, and guest focus. On Jan. 17, the park proudly presented its newest expansion-including the Vekoma launch coaster named Aquila-to invitees. A group of industry partners, colleagues, and two lucky IAAPA team members were invited to attend the debut.

The decision to expand was a logical one, shares Creative Director Leroy Koevoets. "The peak days were uncomfortably busy," he admits. "Even after our first expansion, we still noticed the amount of entertainment we offered was just not enough for the big crowds."

Walking through Mandoria, we were fully immersed in a fantasy town from the early 16th century. The park's first coaster, Merkant, dominates the entrance plaza. The ride has been featured at the park since its opening and played a big part in the decision to expand with a launch coaster. Merkant is a small roller coaster, but with trains only accommodating 10 riders, it has a limited capacity and regularly reaches one and a half hour wait times. It also has two chain lifts to navigate the shape of the main building, as the structure has a low ceiling height that most coasters with a chain lift won't fit within. "We knew we did not want another ride with two chain lifts," the park shares with IAAPA. "The only options left, then, are a powered coaster, which we already built in our first expansion, and a launch coaster, which we added now."

Aquila wasn't entirely constructed in the existing building. The highest point extends to a 25-meter-high tower, which the park built to fit the coaster. It's an eyecatcher when entering the park, but from inside Mandoria, you won't see it. Even if you dare to keep your eyes open, this portion of the coaster is too dark. What is visible is the hill the coaster track makes right above the ride's entrance-there's nothing more invigorating for guests than to witness the coaster trains rushing by every few minutes.

Guests 95 cm. or taller can catch a ride on this fast-paced roller coaster, which was one of the main reasons Mandoria selected Vekoma to build the coaster. "Of course, we also traveled to Furuvik [an IAAPA member park in Sweden] and tried Lightning, a similar coaster," says Daniel Zielinski, Mandoria's park manager. "Vekoma was fast to create a similar layout. For us, they were the most exciting option to work with."

Vekoma Rides was also present at the opening of Aquila. Executive Sales Director and Senior Designer Stefan Holtman shares that Vekoma is seeing an uptick of interest in family coasters. Families want something that's thrilling, but still gentle enough to re-ride. Construction of the project has also happened quickly. "This project has been finished very fast, in just a year," Stefan shares. "More complex rides have a delivery time of up to three years."

As soon as the ribbon was cut, the event attendees got in line for their first run. The themed queue for the ride winds through a dimly lit area under the coaster, and the coaster vehicles fly by at several points. When our launch concluded, it became clear that Mandoria's goal was reached-Aquila is thrilling yet not too scary, fun, and smooth. You don't have to queue for a re-ride, either: upon completing a lap around the track, the train races through the station to be launched again, which compensates for its relatively short length.

Apart from Aquila, a Zierer Roundabout-a fast-paced carousel themed to the Roman Baths-and a children's Ferris wheel by Wood Design complete Mandoria's expansion. However, this expansion isn't where the park's plans end-it is also preparing to house its first dark ride, along with an additional indoor play structure. Exciting years are ahead for Mandoria!

Ignace Woinin is the membership manager of IAAPA EMEA.