15 April – Two Days Before Opening
Lucas sat at his desk in the small office behind Globe & Griddle, the faint hum of the heater filling the room. On the desk lay a neatly printed guest list, each name carefully chosen. This wasn't going to be a press event — this was a personal unveiling for the people who had played a role in bringing Jungle Splash Adventure to life, and those whose support would matter in the years ahead.
He began with the most formal invitations: embossed envelopes for the mayor of the town and several key members of the city council. The letters were worded with care, highlighting how the new attraction would bring more visitors — and revenue — to the region. He added a small personal note to the mayor's: "Your presence would mean a great deal to our team."
Next, he turned to Mack Rides. This was more than a business courtesy. Their engineering and build teams had worked for months on the ride, and Lucas wanted them to see the final product in action. For them, he composed a friendly but professional email, attaching high-quality preview photos of the themed elements and the towering final drop. He made sure to add: "You've built something incredible. Now it's time to enjoy it from a rider's perspective."
He also drafted warm, informal invitations to his own park staff. They had been the ones handling the guest experience during months of construction, keeping things running smoothly while heavy machinery and scaffolding filled parts of the park. "Bring your families," the note read. "This is as much your day as it is mine."
Finally, a short list of local business owners received hand-delivered envelopes. Lucas knew they'd appreciate the gesture — after all, a thriving theme park meant more customers for their shops, cafés, and hotels.
By the end of the afternoon, the stack of envelopes was gone and the emails sent. All that remained was to wait.
The first reply came within an hour — from the mayor's office. "The mayor will be delighted to attend. Please reserve two seats for the event." Lucas smiled. One down.
That evening, Mack Rides responded as well. The project manager wrote: "Our team would be honored. We'll send a small delegation, including the engineers who oversaw installation. We can't wait to see it in action."
Over the next day, messages poured in. Staff members replied with exclamation points and smiley faces. Local business owners promised to close up shop early so they could join. Even Walter stopped by the office, leaning on the doorframe with a grin.
"Looks like you're going to have a full house," he said.
Lucas leaned back in his chair, feeling the weight of anticipation settle in. This was it — the moment when months of work, planning, and risk would finally be seen. And for the first time, it wouldn't just be his vision. It would be theirs too.
By early afternoon, the VIP parking area near the entrance was filling with a mix of sleek company cars and local license plates. Lucas stood just beyond the gates, dressed neatly but without the stiffness of a corporate suit. Walter hovered nearby, a checklist in hand, scanning the arriving guests.
The first to step out was the mayor, accompanied by two city officials. He adjusted his tie as he looked up at the towering façade of Explorer's Landing.
"Impressive," he said, shaking Lucas's hand firmly. "This will put our town on the map."
"Glad you could make it," Lucas replied warmly.
Next came the Mack Rides team — two engineers and a project coordinator — who had made the drive from Waldkirch, Germany, earlier that day. Their eyes immediately went to the jungle zone beyond the plaza, where the flume's stone tower loomed above the treeline. One of them, a tall man in a navy jacket, gave an approving nod.
"Looks even better in person."
Within minutes, the small crowd was gathered in the entrance plaza, lanyards around their necks. Lucas began the tour, starting with Explorer's Landing. The group paused at the carousel, admiring its intricate details, then walked past Max Around the World, where the bright new travel-themed décor drew smiles from the city officials.
"Feels like we've stepped into another world," one of them murmured.
As they approached the jungle zone, the sound of distant drums and splashing water grew louder. The Mack Rides team slowed their pace, taking in the rockwork, the carved temple façades, and the layers of lush greenery that had been planted in just the past month.
Walter, keeping a few steps behind, noticed the mayor whisper something to one of his aides, both nodding appreciatively.
They stopped just outside the Jungle Splash Adventure entrance. The Mack Rides coordinator grinned.
"Shall we?"
Lucas gestured toward the queue. "Let's take a look — and maybe you'll be the first to try it."
The group chuckled, a few adjusting their jackets as if bracing for the inevitable splash
The queue for Jungle Splash Adventure was alive with the sound of rushing water, rhythmic drums, and the chatter of excited voices. The smell of damp wood and fresh greenery lingered in the warm April air as the group wound their way through the carved stone archway into the themed jungle path.
The mayor walked just behind Lucas, running his fingers over a moss-covered stone relief as they passed. "Feels like you built this decades ago and the jungle reclaimed it," he said with a smile.
The Mack Rides team moved slower, taking in every detail—the jaguar statues, the bamboo groves swaying gently in the breeze, and the weathered crates marked with faded expedition symbols. A few park employees, here with their families, joined the line further back, snapping photos as they walked.
They stepped onto the covered loading platform where log-shaped boats drifted forward one by one. A ride operator in expedition gear waved them on.
Lucas stepped into the first seat of the narrow, carved log-shaped boat, its sides decorated with faded maps and explorer symbols. Behind him, the mayor lowered himself into the second seat, followed by one of the city officials, then a Mack Rides engineer in the last seat. The boat rocked slightly as they settled in — no lap bars, no belts, just the reassuring height of the wooden sides and the calm water ahead.
The operator gave a friendly nod, nudged the boat forward, and they drifted away from the station. Behind them, the next boat waited at a respectful distance, the slow-moving current naturally spacing each vessel.
They floated beneath a massive stone archway, the name Jungle Splash Adventure carved in bold, weathered letters above. Ivy trailed down its sides, and a carved monkey peered from the greenery overhead.
To the left, an animatronic parrot flapped its wings and squawked a loud "Welcome!" in a mix of German and English, drawing a chuckle from the mayor. On the right, a weathered expedition camp came into view — wooden crates stamped with cryptic symbols, half-open tents swaying gently in the breeze, and a battered canoe pulled up on the sandy shore.
The background sounds were rich and layered — distant drums keeping a steady beat, soft rushing water, the chirping of unseen birds. The river began to ripple faster, guiding them toward the first lift hill.
The boat hooked onto the chain lift, the clanking echoing off the rocky walls around them. Moss clung to the stones, and faded wall paintings depicted a mysterious jungle tribe guarding sacred waters.
At the summit, they rolled onto Turntable 1, hidden under a thatched canopy. The mechanism hummed as the boat slowly rotated until they were facing backwards. The Mack engineer leaned forward slightly, inspecting the turntable with a grin.
Ahead, the river seemed to vanish. The roar of rushing water grew louder — and then they tipped over the edge, plunging down the 6-meter backward drop. The spray exploded around them, cool droplets misting their faces as the boat splashed into the pool below.
The current carried them into a short curve, leading to Turntable 2, nestled between tall jungle-draped cliffs. An animatronic explorer stood on a rocky ledge above, waving wildly.
"Watch out for the temple ahead!" it called, prompting the city official behind Lucas to laugh.
The platform rotated them forward again, and now the pace slowed. The jungle closed in on both sides — towering bamboo, exotic flowers, and thick vines framing the waterway.
They drifted past an ancient temple façade, its cracked stone steps overgrown with moss and roots. Water trickled from a carved jaguar's mouth into the river, glistening in the sunlight.
On a rock nearby, an animatronic crocodile snapped its jaws suddenly, making the mayor jump slightly before laughing at himself.
Around the next bend, the massive stone tower of the final lift came into view. The boat latched onto the chain, climbing upward into the torch-lit interior. Golden light flickered across carvings of explorers discovering idols, maps, and treasure. The deep drumbeat intensified with each meter they rose.
At the top, they rolled onto Turntable 3. A huge animatronic jungle chieftain stood here, moss hanging from his shoulders, raising a carved staff. In a booming voice, he shouted a blessing for the journey.
With a mechanical click, the boat aligned toward the towering final drop. The sunlight burst in around them as the view opened wide — the station, the waiting guests, and the splash pool lay far below.
The mayor let out a quick "Here we go!" as the boat tipped forward, gravity taking over. They plunged down the 14-meter drop, the wind rushing past their ears before the boat slammed into the pool below with a massive splash. Sheets of water cascaded over the sides, soaking their legs.
The river curved gently back toward the station. A small waterfall tumbled over rocks to their right, and the last few animatronic parrots called out as if bidding them farewell.
As they floated into the unloading area, Walter was waiting with a grin.
"Well?" he asked.
The Mack Rides engineer gave a nod of clear satisfaction. "Smooth, detailed, and that final drop? Perfect."
The mayor simply laughed, wiping water from his face. "Let's just say… I'll be back for another round."
The boat drifted gently against the rubber bumpers of the station. Water still sloshed around as the operator steadied it with a hook. Lucas stepped out first, turning to offer a hand to the others. The mayor, soaked halfway up his trousers, stepped onto the wooden platform with a wide grin.
"Well," he said with a laugh, brushing his wet blazer, "this is going to make our town more popular than I imagined."
The city official behind him nodded in agreement. "And it's not just a ride… it's a full experience. Everything fits together from start to finish."
The Mack Rides project coordinator was the last to step out, his eyes gleaming. "The theming ties perfectly into the layout. The water flow is smooth, the curves glide, and the turntables rotate exactly as we designed them. Very well executed."
On the dock, a few park employees stood with their families, having watched the ride from the sidelines. A young boy pointed excitedly at the drenched group and shouted to his mother, "Mom, I want to go on the big splash too!"
She smiled and waved toward Lucas. "It looks amazing, really."
Walter stepped forward, hands in his pockets but giving an approving nod. "I saw their faces, Lucas. That says enough."
One of the Mack engineers glanced back toward the towering drop in the distance. "That final plunge… you can see it from far away, and when you take it, it feels even bigger."
The mayor let his gaze wander over the jungle area, where sunlight streamed through the leaves and the sound of drums and rushing water blended together. "I think I'll take a look at that haunted house next," he said with a wink.
Lucas grinned. "Then I'll personally take you there."
The group began strolling back toward Explorer's Landing, while behind them another boat thundered down the 14-meter drop, sending a wall of water spraying high into the afternoon sun.