OK Corral Announces “Grande Ourse” First Kontiki XL Ride for France

(eap) The OK Corral amusement park in the French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur has announced a new attraction for this summer: “Grande Ourse”, a Kontiki XL from the German Zierer company, which will be the first of its kind in France. The XL version of the Kontiki is approximately 25 meters long (length in ride mode) and, with five people in the eight rows of seats, can accommodate a total of 40 passengers. This gives a theoretical hourly capacity of 1,080 passengers. The gondola, which moves back and forth on the halfpipe-like track, can also rotate on its own axis, which of course provides more thrills and fun. The attraction will be open to riders over 90 cm tall – fun for all ages.

The park management is particularly proud of the elaborate theming that the ride will offer. As the name Grande Ourse suggests, nature and the brown bear form the central theme of the story around the new attraction, with an allusion to Native American totem animals and the constellation of the Great Bear. As park director Henk Bembom, son of CEO Mathijs Bembom, revealed to EAP, the entrance to the queuing area will be designed in the shape of a giant uprooted tree trunk. Visitors will then enter the bear cave. A large rock arch will span the ride, and a ten-meter-high waterfall with an additional water surface in form of a small lake will complement the scenery. The company Universal Rocks is responsible for the design and implementation of the rocks. The park is carrying out a large part of the work in collaboration with local companies. OK Corral is investing a total of two million euros in the creation of the new attraction, which is scheduled to open in due time for the start of the summer holidays in France. About 400,000 guests visit the park annually. ■