ThrillNetwork.com :: La Ronde announces new family area

Industry Announcements: La Ronde announces new family area

By Steven

Mar. 10th, 2005 -- La Ronde announced today that children and adults alike are invited to come and enjoy a brand-new and exciting family section, the Pays de Ribambelle, at the official opening on May 14, 2005. Located next to the main entrance, the Pays de Ribambelle will feature six unique new family rides, four existing rides that have been revised and modified to better reflect the new decor, a magnificent interactive water fountain for cooling down on those hot summer days and a new outdoor stage where La Ronde's new mascot, the easy-going and friendly Ribambelle, along with his band, will entertain the crowd this summer. La Ronde's new and welcoming family atmosphere will also offer a new rest area, a souvenir shop and a restaurant designed specially for children.

At a news conference held this morning, Len Turtora, Vice-President and General Manager of La Ronde, stated: "We began transforming La Ronde into a world-class attraction park in 2002 when we introduced the popular Vampire ride. We continued in 2003 and 2004 by adding the exciting Splash ride and eight new rides for all types of guests. This year, in listening to our guests' suggestions, we are pleased to present Au Pays de Ribambelle, a brand-new and unique family section that clearly confirms La Ronde's reputation as the most complete family entertainment activity in Québec."

La Ronde's innovations this year include the "Offer a ride to a child you love" campaign, an on-line auction on behalf of LEUCAN, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the well-being and recovery of children with cancer and providing support for their families. As a result, from March 9 to May 1, anyone interested can go to www.laronde.com and place an on-line bid for the privilege of having a seat in the very first tour of one of the six new rides of the "Pays de Ribambelle". The winners of the auction will enjoy this privilege on May 12, the day of the pre-opening of La Ronde and the official opening of the Pays de Ribambelle. All details can be found at www.laronde.com.

A new mascot and new rides specially designed for La Ronde

The La Ronde team, the head office of Six Flags and Italian manufacturer Zamperla have combined their creativity, skills and efforts to create an original family section, including a totally new and unique look for five of the six new rides being introduced this season. Thanks to Monsieur L'Arbre, the Marais Enchanté, the Ourson Fripon, the Pommes d'Api and the Air Papillon, the Pays de Ribambelle offers unique family entertainment that can be found only at La Ronde. Our new mascot and symbol, Ribambelle, was designed by the Montréal team and created by Creations JCT Inc. Visitors are invited to come and meet the adorable Ribambelle at the inauguration of the 39th season of La Ronde this May 14.

Visiting the Pays de Ribambelle

As soon as visitors enter the Pays de Ribambelle, they can enjoy a thrilling new version of the Tour de ville ride: MONSIEUR L'ARBRE. Designed as 100-year-old tree with a great big smile, this brand-new flying merry-go-round will have 16 swings that can each hold one child and one adult, so parents can share the fun with their kids.

Visitors can then continue their adventure on LA DANSE DES BESTIOLES, a traditional and fun merry-go-round for the family featuring six small cars that can hold up to four passengers. Sitting in a friendly butterfly or a chubby caterpillar, passengers will bounce up and down as they move gradually around a central pole. It's loads of fun, even for the more timid!

As they continue on their way, visitors will be invited to board a surprising ride ruled by a kind-hearted frog: the MARAIS ENCHANTE. This fantastic coach, which can hold up to 24 people, swings from left to right as it turns in circles on what looks like a swamp, guaranteeing breathtaking sensations for young and old.

Our visitors' expedition through the Pays de Ribambelle can then continue on the OURSON FRIPON, a charming little ride where a swarm of bees tries to keep a friendly bear cub from getting at their precious hive. The vertical ride, which can hold six passengers at once, climbs up to a height of six metres before going through a series of short drops that will delight the entire family.

The next step on the Pays de Ribambelle circuit is the POMMES D'API, a fun and dynamic family version of La Ronde's famous Condor ride. Sitting in eight apple-shaped cars, up to 32 passengers will climb more than 13 metres, where they will then turn around a central pole. They'll have fun while also enjoying a spectacular view.

Finally, visitors will be able to try the last new ride in the Pays de Ribambelle: the AIR PAPILLON. This magnificent giant butterfly can hold up to 24 passengers and will take children and adults up to a height of seven metres in a rotating movement before stopping and coming back down. A ride that is sure to create new sensations for everyone!

In this new section, visitors can also enjoy a well-deserved break in a new rest area or freshen up in the JARDIN D'EAU, a new interactive water fountain in the shape of a giant flower that is bound to become a favourite spot on hot summer days.

Visitors on their way through the Pays de Ribambelle can also stop and enjoy the sparkling new SCENE DE RIBAMBELLE, a 160-seat outdoor theme amphitheatre where Ribambelle and his band will entertain young and old every day this summer.

In addition to these exhilarating new rides, La Ronde has integrated four of its fun existing rides within the all-new Pays de Ribambelle. First, the train from the very popular Petites Montagnes Russes ride will be completely transformed into the MARCHE DU MILLE-PATTES. Then, the traditional Montgolfières will be rejuvenated and transformed into the GRANDE ENVOLEE. Naturally, the Pays de Ribambelle will keep the Ile aux trésors, the only water ride designed for the youngest visitors, and which will become the JOYEUX MOUSSAILLONS. Finally, the indispensable TCHOU TCHOU will remain the same so that children can continue playing railway engineer.

With close to 2,000 employees working on site during the operating season, La Ronde is the largest seasonal employer in Québec. The 2005 recruiting campaign has already started and all details are available at www.laronde.com.

Via press release