In a hurry? Just for you, a quick overview of the feature with the Revo-Rama minute! ?
1 minute to discover the #Walibi Rhône-Alpes #Park? It’s possible with the Revo-Rama minute! @WalibiRA pic.twitter.com/J8qADgMbBe
— Le Revo-Rama (@LeRevoRama) 12 novembre 2018
Walibi Rhône-Alpes, a regional park, near Lyon, which has all it needs to become a national destination
Way back in 1979, Avenir (future) Land was opened, and a few years later it became Walibi Rhône-Alpes, when it joined the Rhône-Alpes group. People of my age (the same age as Walibi give or take a couple of months), will remember the Intervilles TV show which transformed the park into a national destination. Unfortunately, the park then went through hard times (it was even taken over by the Six Flags group at one stage, known for its parks in the Americas), like a lot of its peers, and although it got back on its feet, it still has some scars. We’ll never get to see it as it’s no longer there, but there was a Zygofolis Merry-go-round (probably the first park that I visited as a child) for a few years before it was replaced…
Je me souviens bien de Zygo.
— Pascal KAMMERER (@pka13) 14 mars 2017
(Of the parks that opened #30years ago, @futuroscope is the only one that is + than a mirage or a folly: who remembers #Mirapolis or #Zygofolis? / I remember Zygo.)
If we were to be mean, we’d suggest that this park which is 10 years older has been completely overshadowed by its younger cousin Parc Astérix, with which it has some similarities (besides the fact that they both belong to the Compagnie des Alpes, as do Futuroscope and Musée Grévin). But we’re really hopeful that, like Asterix, Walibi RA will improve with a lot of investment, re-theming and some new attractions for all ages.
We travelled by OuiGo to the Saint-Exupéry airport from where we took a OuiBus which set us down in front of the park. Unfortunately, the travel times aren’t practical which meant that we had to stay two nights at a hotel near the airport. What’s more, we regretted the lack of an official accommodation offer, as we were very disappointed by the Auberge des Avenières, which had been recommended to us. Very different to what we’re used to finding in theme parks. Maybe one day accommodation will be among the park’s projects?
Come with us as we discover Walibi Rhône-Alpes in this video episode of the Revo-Rama!
The Ouibus from the Airport Lyon Saint-Exupéry. It’s a pity that the time schedules between the TGV/Oui Go don’t coincide better.
Our arrival by Ouibus at Walibi Rhône-Alpes
The W at the entrance to Walibi Rhône-Alpes
Great idea (and essential for our trip): automatic lockers at the park entrance. Very practical!
The map of Walibi Rhône-Alpes. We didn’t find the mobile app. Which is pretty rare nowadays.
Merchandising is trying to keep the Walibi musical universe alive through comics and DVDs. Given the deals on offer, it doesn’t seem to be easy. We bought the comic book.
The new Festival City at Walibi Rhône-Alpes
The new Festival City at Walibi Rhône-Alpes
Tempo Attack, 4D cinema re-baptised 3D. The short-animated film was nice with some effects, but the theatre itself was pretty basic. Temporary?
EqWalizer, the main coaster at Walibi Rhône-Alpes. We preferred Timber.
High flying chairs? It’s possible with Hurricane. You spin at over 49 metres high.
The Wailibi Rhône-Alpes drop tower: SkunX Tower for a 55 metre drop.
Bambooz River. A park without a log ride. Only at Disneyland Paris, right? ?
Since its takeover by the Compagnie des Alpes, Walibi Rhône-Alpes is experiencing the start of its makeover: Timber and Festival City
Since 2006 Walibi RA has belonged to the CDA, a rebranding tentative is underway around new characters. (Very) complicated when they are not well known, they’re neither Mickey nor Asterix. I prefer what they tried with Walibi Smurf in the Lorraine region (now Walygator Parc). At least the characters were already well known which makes a good base to work from. The DVD’s on sale are a sign in themselves, the comic books are (a bit) more interesting.
Some attractions have been renovated to correspond to this new positioning and there is even a new Festival City zone and a 4-3D cinema. Luckily that’s not all as they have added some new high-profile attractions like Hurricane and TIMBER, wooden roller coasters that we really liked. We must add that there is also a wide variety of attractions for the whole family, even if most of them have been seen before, with a special mention for Tam Tam Aventure for its novelty and Aqualibi for fun in the water.
Come and check out these rides through our onboard camera as though you were there, in this video episode of the Revo-Rama!
Tam Tam Aventure at Walibi Rhône-Alpes
Tam Tam Aventure at Walibi Rhône-Alpes
The good surprise, this interactive musical tour, Tam Tam Aventure. Thumbs up.
Bamba, another family classic, at Walibi Rhône-Alpes
Walibi Rhône-Alpes ladybird, the family Coaster
The Walibi Rhône-Alpes mini farm.
I love the sign for the Golden Burger, a bit Steam Punky
Traditional menu, burger and fries (with an Asterix compote, the CDA must buy them in bulk ?)
The Walibi Rhône-Alpes merry-go-round with its Festival City theme
Melody Road, the Walibi Rhône-Alpes classic little car ride
The TIMBER wooden roller coaster, at Walibi Rhône-Alpes
The Walibi Rhône-Alpes team were really nice and cool with the Go Pro. I hadn’t noticed he was also called Pascal ?
We had two great days at Walibi Rhône-Alpes, and were delighted to get to know this park. While chatting with other visitors we got the impression that they couldn’t understand why “Parisians”, who have Disneyland Paris and Parc Astérix, would be bothered to come here (you’d never hear that at Futuroscope).
For sure, while there are some really great attractions and suitable for the whole family, a lot have been seen before. However, the park’s friendly atmosphere, the reasonable queues, the good weather and Aqualibi (before it gets mobbed each day) did their job. We’ll undoubtedly wait a bit before we go back, and hopefully find nicer hotels and park shuttles (we took a Taxi for around 15 euro per trip, but we had to find it ourselves…). New attractions are coming over the next few months, one of which is a bit similar to Efteling’s Baron:
“In 2019, for the 40th anniversary, the park will receive a new Infinity Coaster type high thrill attraction, built by the German specialist Gerstlaüer! 575 metres long, the future attraction will take its passengers for a tour at over 85km/h with a dizzying 31 metre drop!”.
The next high thrill attraction at Walibi Rhône-Alpes: an Infinity Coaster
Walibi has latched onto the race for high thrills. Let’s hope they don’t forget the families and keep enough variety (dark rides, simulators, Madhouse …). The good news is that this could have the same positive impact as Oziris at Parc Astérix.
Our ride on TIMBER, with the onboard camera.
The souvenir photo from our ride on TIMBER. Essential and not too expensive.
Gold River, a ride on wild water. A classic in several theme parks, and also at Walibi Rhône-Alpes. It would be nice to have some lighting effects in the tunnel.
A little rest on the monorail, to see Walibi Rhône-Alpes from a different angle.
You have to pay extra for Aqualibi at Walibi Rhône-Alpes. But it’s still packed after a certain time of day…
Aqualibi, at Walibi Rhône-Alpes, it’s not Volcano Bay, but it was nice all the same.
Aqualibi, water park, at Walibi Rhône-Alpes
Auberge Les Avenières, one of the park’s partner hotels