Mystic at Walibi Rhône-Alpes Casts a Spell

Recommend

originally posted on 9/24/2019

Photo: Courtesy Gerstlauer. View full-sized image.

Walibi Rhône-Alpes (Les Avenières, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes) went all out for its 40th anniversary celebration and debuted several new rides, among them Mystic, an Infinity coaster from Gerstlauer Amusement Rides GmbH that opened on May 30, 2019. This impressive steel shuttle coaster is located in a New Orleans-themed section of the French park (the “Voodoo Quarter”), along with a rethemed drop tower, a new restaurant and a family teacup-style ride.

The first Infinity coaster in France, Mystic draws attention with its purple track and accompanying themed buildings, which create a feeling of dread among riders before they even reach the station. And speaking of dread, it’s hard to miss the exploded track piece rising high in the air leading to — nothing! Will riders fly off into nothing too? The eerie theming continues in the station where the walls are covered with masks, skulls and other voodoo paraphernalia, and the track sports a coaster train that’s fronted by a large symbol-covered skull and a few smaller spirit totems. And speaking of trains, two of them will run, each train containing three cars, with four seated across in single rows (12 passengers per train).

Photo: Courtesy Gerstlauer. View full-sized image.

A lot happens on Mystic’s 1,886 feet of track during the almost two-minute ride. After a slow climb to the top of the 101-foot vertical chain lift hill, riders will experience a 73-degree twisted drop and, while speeding along at close to 53 mph, a noninverted dive loop and zero-G roll, a top hat and then an abrupt end at the top of that exploded piece of track. Or is it the end? After the train pauses at the top, it begins its twisted inline rollback, ending just past the station. Switch track enables the train to pull forward and transfer riders back into the station.

Photo: Courtesy Gerstlauer. View full-sized image.

Enthusiasts who need a break from voodoo drama may want to try Walibi Rhône-Alpes’ other coasters: one wood and three steel. From oldest to newest, EqWalizer (Vekoma Boomerang) made its debut in 1988, Coccinelle (Zierer junior steel) in 1992, Woodstock Express (Zamperla Wild Mouse coaster, whose former names were Zig Zag and Scratch) in 2002 and Timber (Gravity Group woodie) in 2016.

Walibi Rhône-Alpes, the largest theme park in the Rhône-Alpes region, has other attractions besides coasters: a total of 33 rides plus a waterpark. The theme park, which opened in 1979 under the name Avenir Land, was given its current name in 1989. It has been owned and operated by Compagnie des Alpes since 2006 but formerly was owned by Six Flags and Star Parks.

— Lee Ann Draud
ACE Publications Director