Walibi Belgium recently debuted Pulsar, Mack Rides’ first ever “Power Splash” model — a launched, shuttle-style water coaster unlike anything we’ve ever seen.
Yes, a launched shuttle water coaster —a mouthful. And it operates two boats. But how does it work?
Thanks to a rotating station turntable, Pulsar is able to operate two 20-seat boats simultaneously. While one boat is loading/unloading, the other completes the ride cycle.
After the turntable aligns with the track, linear synchronous motors launch the boat backward into a small camelback hill. This camelback will provide plenty of airtime throughout the course.
During the 70-second ride, the LSMs launch the boats three times: gradually increasing to a top speed of 62 mph.
Pulsar’s “spikes” stand just under 15 stories tall, creating a giant “U” shape. The track stretches roughly 712 feet.
Walibi Belgium built a dam to drain water in order to build the coaster’s foundation and to cordon off Pulsar’s “splashdown pond” from the larger lake.
The boat gains speed as it launches forward and then backward…
…climbing higher and higher, gaining speed with each subsequent launch.
As the boat enters the reverse spike for the last time, the pool at the base of the spike fills with water in roughly six seconds. The boat careens down the spike and into the pool of water, which acts as a natural brake.
The boat reenters the turntable and rotates back inside the station.
The park released an on-ride POV video of Pulsar earlier this month:
And the video below from Mack Rides showcases some incredible off-ride footage of Pulsar:
Where would you like to see another Mack Rides “Power Splash” coaster? Share your ideas in the comments section below.
Would be neat to see a North American theme/amusement park get a power splash coaster. If Six Flags was to get one, or Cedar Fair, or a different chain, it’d be interesting to see which park gets it first.
If it’s a Six Flags park, I could see either Six Flags Over Texas or Six Flags St. Louis as test park candidates. Cedar Fair, I could see either Knott’s Berry Farm or King’s Dominion being in the running for test park. If a SeaWorld/Busch Gardens park was to receive one, I could see SeaWorld San Diego getting one. Smaller/independent chains, either HFE’s Wild Adventures, Holiday World, Kentucky Kingdom (if they have the space for such a ride), or new Grand Texas (whenever that park opens). I don’t see Disney or Universal parks being interested in a power splash coaster.
This would be an awesome addition at Cedar Point as a replacement for Shoot the Rapids. I wonder what the capacity is?
@Nick – I like the Cedar Point idea, to compensate for the recent removal of Shoot the Rapids… if CP is looking to add its 18th coaster around 2017/2018-ish. This ride doesn’t take up too much space.
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