The first week of July brought warm weather — and a system balance that made Lucas's next move possible. June had been strong, with weekend crowds spilling through Explorer's Landing and F&B sales boosted by warm afternoons.
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📊 System Funds: €10,042,000
📊 Park Budget: €3,210,000
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Lucas sat at his desk, fingers resting on the mouse, the Intamin website open on his screen. He'd been here before — scrolling through photos of their launch coasters, reading the specs, imagining one winding through the Jungle Zone.
But this time was different. This time, he was ready to make contact.
He drafted the email carefully, keeping it professional and concise:
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Subject: Inquiry – Family Launch Coaster Project at Elysion Park
Dear Intamin Sales Team,
I'm reaching out regarding a potential new attraction for Elysion Park in Germany.
We are currently exploring the addition of a custom family launch coaster for our Jungle Zone, with an intended opening in summer 2017.
The available plot is approximately 50m x 100m, adjacent to our existing Jungle Splash Adventure and Secrets of the Silk Road attractions.
Our goal is to create a thrilling yet family-friendly ride with immersive theming.
I would like to arrange an on-site meeting to discuss possibilities and review the location in detail.
Please let me know your availability for a visit in the coming weeks.
Kind regards,
Lucas Vermeer
Owner – Elysion Park
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He read it twice, made a small tweak, and hit Send.
Two days later, the reply arrived:
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Subject: Re: Inquiry – Family Launch Coaster Project at Elysion Park
Dear Mr. Vermeer,
Thank you for your interest in Intamin and our family launch coaster designs.
We would be delighted to visit Elysion Park to review the location and discuss your project in detail.
Our project engineer, Markus Fischer, is available for a site visit on July 18th.
Please confirm if this date works for you, and we will make the necessary arrangements.
Best regards,
Anna Keller
Sales Manager – Intamin Amusement Rides
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Lucas leaned back, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
July 18th — the day the future of the Jungle Zone would start to take shape.
July 18th arrived warm and clear, the kind of summer morning that made the park's freshly painted entrance gleam.
Lucas waited at the staff gate as a dark silver rental car pulled up. A tall man stepped out, slim briefcase in hand, a light breeze tugging at his jacket.
"Mr. Vermeer?"
"Please, call me Lucas."
"Markus Fischer, Intamin." They shook hands, firm and businesslike, but Markus's eyes were already drifting toward the main gates.
They walked into Explorer's Landing, and Markus slowed almost immediately. "Impressive," he said, taking in the polished stonework, warm lighting, and the elegant carousel turning slowly in the center. "I wasn't expecting this level of finish in a park this size."
Lucas smiled. "That was the goal — to set a new standard for everything else."
They moved through the park toward the Jungle Zone. As they rounded the final bend, Jungle Splash Adventure came into view, its towering temple façade catching the sunlight. A boat splashed down the final drop, sending up a glittering spray.
Markus stopped. "Now this… this is excellent work. The scale, the detailing — you could put this in any top-tier park and it would fit."
"That's exactly the quality the new coaster will have," Lucas said. "Same attention to detail, same immersion. Different ride, same standard."
Markus nodded, clearly picturing it. "If that's the benchmark, then we can design something that feels truly integrated here."
They reached the fenced-off plot beside Secrets of the Silk Road. Markus stepped inside, pacing the length and width with practiced precision, occasionally jotting notes in a small pad.
"Fifty by a hundred meters," he said at last. "Flat ground, decent access for construction. We can work with this. I'll have my team start with a family launch concept — two launches, max height under twenty meters, weaving in and out of theming. It will fit the space, and from what I've seen today… it will look spectacular."
Lucas felt a flicker of excitement. The vision was starting to take shape.
Far away in Schaan, Liechtenstein, the Intamin design office buzzed with quiet focus. Markus Fischer set his briefcase on the conference table and connected his laptop. Photos of Elysion Park's Jungle Zone appeared on the wall screen, along with site measurements and notes.
"Fifty by a hundred meters," Markus began. "Flat terrain, good access, and they want a family launch coaster with high theming quality — matching their new log flume."
The lead designer, Sofia Meyer, leaned forward. "Two launches?"
Markus nodded. "Yes. And max height under twenty meters."
Sofia sketched a loose oval with intertwined curves. "Alright, we'll start with a compact double-launch layout. I'll have the first draft ready in three weeks."
Markus smiled. "Lucas will like that."
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Back in his office at Elysion Park, Lucas closed the financial spreadsheet he'd been working on. The system pulsed softly in his mind.
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[System Notice] – Intamin design process initiated.
Estimated delivery of first concept: Early August 2016.
Projected contract signing: September–October 2016.
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Lucas leaned back, satisfied. There was time before the coaster project truly ramped up — and that meant room for something else.
"Show me flat ride options for Explorer Zone," he thought.
Three images appeared in his mind's eye, each tagged with cost, build time, and potential opening date:
1. Zierer Wave Swinger 48 – Classic wave swinger, high capacity, family-friendly.
Opening: November 2016
Cost: €1.4M (system funds)
Theme potential: "Wind Voyage" — airship gondolas or balloon baskets.
2. Mack Rides Twist'n'Splash – Interactive water carousel.
Opening: March 2017
Cost: €2.0M (system funds)
Theme potential: World harbors and exploration boats.
3. Zamperla Discovery 16 – Compact frisbee ride with gentle swing arcs.
Opening: March 2017
Cost: €1.9M (system funds)
Theme potential: "Explorer's Compass" — a giant navigational wheel spinning above the zone.
Lucas spread the three flat ride proposals across his desk, each printed on a glossy spec sheet. Walter sat opposite him, glasses low on his nose as he studied the numbers.
"The Wave Swinger is classic," Walter said, tapping the first sheet. "Good capacity, nice for families. But… it's not exactly a headline attraction."
Lucas nodded. "I want something that gets noticed. Something people will want to ride just from seeing it in motion."
Walter moved to the second sheet. "Twist'n'Splash — I like the interactive element, but it's seasonal. On cooler days it won't pull the crowds you'd expect. Plus, it's more expensive than the Wave Swinger."
Then he picked up the third sheet. The rendering showed a striking wheel-like structure swinging gently back and forth. "The Discovery 16. Compact footprint, medium thrill, good visual presence. This one will stand out without scaring off half your guests."
Lucas glanced at the price in the corner. "€1.9 million. That's well within the park budget."
Walter nodded. "And with a March 2017 opening, it's a perfect way to start the season strong. You'll get fresh marketing material before the coaster even arrives."
Lucas leaned back, imagining the ride swinging above Explorer Zone, the painted compass design catching the sunlight. "Alright. Let's do it."
Walter smiled. "I'll get the supplier details. You handle the order."
As Walter gathered the papers, Lucas was already thinking ahead. One more attraction in the line-up — and another step toward making Elysion Park unforgettable.