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One Intamin Hyper Splash Opens While Another Goes On Temporary Shutdown

Pilgrim’s Plunge. Courtesy Holiday World

by Joe Kleiman, IPM Online News Editor

Savio, Italy and Santa Claus, Indiana, USA — Divertical, a watercoaster modification of Holiday World’s Pilgrim’s Plunge, opened June 16 at Mirablilandia in Savio, Italy.  Both attractions are built around Intamin’s Hyper Splash design, a dual elevator lift on a single vertical tower, which places riders into position for their descent from a height of 131 feet for Pilgrim’s Plunge and 197 for Divertical.  From the tower, boats drop at a 45 degree angle.  While the ride ends on Pilgrim’s Plunge with a splashdown after a 50 mph descent, Divertical’s riders return to the air at 62 mph for a coaster trip leading to a second splashtown, as illustrated in the following photo and video by Robb Alvey, taken during a June 2012 Theme Park Review trip to Mirabilandia, and reprinted here with permission.  Divertical was built at a cost of $26 million by the park’s owner, Parques Reunidos.

Divertical. Courtesy Robb Alvey, Theme Park Review

Meanwhile, a Summer drought has caused Holiday World to make changes to their regular operating schedule.  In addition to cancelling Fourth of July fireworks, the park decided to comply with level 1 water restrictions by voluntarily closing Pilgram’s Plunge on July 1.  Water was rerouted to the adjoining Splashin’ Safari waterpark, included with admission, where the park’s newest attraction, the ProSlide designed Mammoth hydromagnetic watercoaster, has been entertaining guests since May.  After the five day shutdown, the $4.3 million Pilgrim’s Plunge reopened to the public on July 6.

Pilgrim’s Plunge. Courtesy Holiday World

www.mirabilandia.it
www.holidayworld.com

Joe Kleiman
Joe Kleimanhttp://wwww.themedreality.com
Raised in San Diego on theme parks, zoos, and IMAX films, InPark's Senior Correspondent Joe Kleiman would expand his childhood loves into two decades as a projectionist and theater director within the giant screen industry. In addition to his work in commercial and museum operations, Joe has volunteered his time to animal husbandry at leading facilities in California and Texas and has played a leading management role for a number of performing arts companies. Joe previously served as News Editor and has remained a contributing author to InPark Magazine since 2011. HIs writing has also appeared in Sound & Communications, LF Examiner, Jim Hill Media, The Planetarian, Behind the Thrills, and MiceChat His blog, ThemedReality.com takes an unconventional look at the attractions industry. Follow on twitter @ThemesRenewed Joe lives in Sacramento, California with his wife, dog, and a ghost.

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