By morning, the announcement had spread far beyond Elysion Park's gates.
On the park's Facebook page, hundreds of comments piled up within hours:
"Finally! The whole place could use the Explorer's Landing treatment."
"Please don't close the Wild Mouse — my kids love it!"
"New attraction? I'm guessing another coaster…"
Some were cautious, others wildly enthusiastic, but all were talking.
Inside the staff canteen, the buzz was just as intense. Walter sat at one of the corner tables, sipping coffee while two younger ride operators debated.
"They're calling it the biggest project in the park's history," one said, leaning forward. "What does that even mean? New paint on everything?"
"More than that," the other replied. "I heard it's going to be like Explorer's Landing, but all over the park. Probably costs a fortune."
Walter chuckled but said nothing. He'd seen enough in the past weeks to know this was far more than just a coat of paint.
When Lucas walked in, conversations paused for a moment. Then one of the park's longest-serving employees, a woman from the ticket office, spoke up. "So… every zone? For real?"
Lucas nodded. "Every single one. By October, this place will feel brand new." He hesitated just long enough to add, "And yes, we're exploring a major new attraction. Nothing to share yet — but it's in the works."
A ripple of excitement went through the room. Even the staff who had been skeptical about the changes after his uncle's passing now leaned forward with interest.
By midday, the first media calls came in. A regional radio station wanted him live on air that afternoon. A local newspaper asked for a site tour to photograph "the park before the big transformation." Lucas agreed to both. The more buzz now, the bigger the payoff in October.
That evening, as he walked through Explorer's Landing on his way to the office, he noticed something different. Guests were already stopping in front of the announcement boards, pointing at the concept sketches and talking in excited tones. A little boy tugged his mother's sleeve and asked, "Can we come back when it's finished?"
Lucas smiled to himself. That's exactly the plan.
Two days after the announcement, the first media crews arrived.
Lucas stood at the park's main entrance, adjusting the cuff of his shirt as a van from the Rhein Gazette rolled into the staff parking lot. Behind them, a smaller car from the regional radio station pulled up. The journalists stepped out with cameras, microphones, and the unmistakable look of people already hunting for a good headline.
"Morning, Mr. Vermeer," the lead reporter greeted, shaking his hand firmly. "Thanks for letting us see the park before the big changes."
"My pleasure," Lucas replied, keeping his tone open but careful. "We want people to see what's here now — and to look forward to what's coming."
They walked through Explorer's Landing, where the familiar carousel music drifted over the plaza. The journalists took plenty of wide shots, focusing on the contrast between the vibrant entrance zone and the older areas beyond. As they entered the Explorer Zone, one photographer paused by a faded snack stand and muttered, "Can't wait to see what this will look like in October."
Lucas simply smiled. "It'll be worth coming back for."
Further down the path, the first signs of work were already visible. Wooden construction walls had gone up along a stretch between Sky Balloon Voyage and the Wild Mouse, painted in the park's colors with "Pardon our dust — adventure in progress!" printed across them. Behind the walls, the muted sounds of power tools hinted at the changes underway.
By the time the tour ended in the Jungle Zone, the reporters had enough footage to run several stories. As they left, the radio journalist called back, "We'll make sure everyone in the region hears about this!"
That evening, Lucas walked the park again with Walter. The construction lights glowed softly against the night sky, casting long shadows over the paths.
"Feels different already," Walter said.
Lucas nodded. "This is just the beginning."
In the distance, past the Jungle Zone, that fenced-off plot of land waited in silence. He knew it wouldn't stay that way for long.
Late in the afternoon, Lucas sat in his office with a large site map of the Jungle Zone spread across the desk. Walter leaned over it, one hand resting on the paper while the other held a mug of coffee.
In the back of his mind, the system responded to his silent command:
"Show coaster options that fit in the available space next to Secrets of the Silk Road."
A translucent list appeared in his thoughts — manufacturer names, model types, footprints. He studied it for a few seconds, then began searching for the same coasters on his laptop. Each time the system suggested one, he typed it into the browser or pulled up a PDF from his folder of supplier brochures.
"Alright," Walter said, looking at the first design on the laptop screen. "That's a Mack multi-launch… gorgeous, but too big for this plot unless we eat into the Splash area. Not worth it."
Lucas clicked to the next file. "Vekoma Family Boomerang."
"Fun ride, but maybe too short," Walter replied. "We've got space for something with a bit more flow."
Another click — a Gerstlauer Infinity Coaster layout appeared on-screen.
"Compact and punchy," Lucas noted.
Walter hesitated. "Thrilling, but I'm not sure it fits the jungle theme as naturally."
Then Lucas searched the next system suggestion: Intamin Family Launch Coaster. The layout filled the screen — a station tucked against the walkway, a launch track hidden inside a temple façade, sweeping curves diving through greenery, and a second launch mid-course.
Lucas pointed to the schematic. "Eighteen meters max height, 650 meters track length, two launches, top speed seventy-five. Fits with room to spare for theming."
Walter leaned closer. "That's the one. Fast enough to get the thrill crowd's attention, but smooth and family-friendly. And two launches will feel huge for a park this size."
In his mind, the system quietly added more data:
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Projected Cost: €8.5–9 million (ride hardware only)
Estimated Timeline: 12 months from contract signing
Earliest Possible Opening: June–July 2017
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Lucas didn't share those numbers. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, thinking, If we wait a month, system funds should be back near ten million. Enough to cover this without touching the park budget.
Walter traced the outline on the paper map. "Picture it — guests come out of the walkthrough, hear the launch, and see trains darting through the jungle. That's a statement piece."
Lucas smiled. "Then we wait. And when the time's right… we make the call to Intamin."