Iceland's new FEC

Park Profilewww.parkworld-online.comLandora is the name of Turkey’s first theme park, currently in soft opening phaseat the new ORA shopping and leisure complex in the capital of Istanbul.Park World takes an exclusive look with the help of designer Valerio MazzoliStudios (VMS) and ride supplier IE ParkLandoraThemed family fun in IstanbulBELOW: The park’s two coastersLocated on a 70,000 square metre site on theEuropean side of the city centre, this newdevelopment features direct subway, light railand bus access and is only four minutes from theTrans European Motorway and the E-5 arterial road,or 15 minutes from either of Istanbul’s two airports.Construction was overseen by the ORA IstanbulReal Estate Investment and Development Co. As wellas the theme park, visitors can also enjoy the ORAOutlet, ORA Arena and ORA Hotel featuring both aCrowne Plaza and Holiday Inn Express.Guests at the Crowne Plaza can enjoy all daydining in a restaurant overlooking Landora. Thisfantasy park spans 21,000 square metres spreadover two levels and comes complete with a storybooktheme and mascot devised by Valerio Mazzoli’s sonDavide Simon. VMS’ role also included the parkmasterplan and all design work. And yes, that castledoes look a bit like another but, hey, Mazzoli hasdone his time as a Disney Imagineer and who was heto tell the client what to do?“This was a major commitment for me,” declaresthe Italian designer, now based in Orlando. “Isupervised the site, working with a professional teamincluding project manager Enis Arkayin, a closefriend with extensive experience. During my visits Ineeded to check the quality of the work, make anymodifications necessary and completely rebuild theparts that weren’t compliant with the design.”The opening of the park was handled by DennisSpeigel and his team at International Theme ParkServices (ITPS) with park management overseen byThomas Kaferie. IE Park supplied a package of 20rides including a 12-gonola Balloon Wheel, 16-metre Drop Tower, Flume Ride, Carousel, CrazyDragon, Fire Fighter, Convoy Cars, Old Timer Cars,Swing Ride, Rocking Noah’s Ark, Mini Telecombat,Mini Carousel, Submarine Ride, Boat Ride, miniswing ship, mini carousel, mini-wheel and dinosaurthemedbumper cars. Also featured is a JuniorCoaster from Vekoma (as seen below).“Istanbul is a wonderful, cosmopolitan city,”remarks IE Park’s Andrea Munari, who has beenworking in the country for 15 years. “ORA is a primesite which we believe will mark a turning point for thetheme park business in Turkey and actually for all theBalkan and Anatolian region.”According to Munari, 17 of the 20 rides are nowopen, with the indoor portion of the park now fulloperational. The official launch is scheduledsometime around April when the hotels and shoppingcentre should be complete. Until now, Turkey boastedseveral “Luna Park” style operations, but no themedattractions.landoratemalipark.com.tr26FEBRUARY 2012