Sweden: Gröna Lund Opens Ikaros

With today’s opening of the brand-new “Ikaros“ drop tower attraction at Sweden’s Gröna Lund (cp. EAP news from 29 June 16), the park offers its guests a new extra kick experience. Standing 95 meters tall, the tower provides passengers with a great view over the city– but not too long, because once they have reached the top, the seats suddenly tilt more than 90 degrees, bringing passengers (secured by shoulder restraints) into a horizontal position. After a brief moment of hesitation, riders, facing the ground, „skydive“ down towards the ground – at top speeds of up to 90km/h.

With its Sky Jump attraction, manufacturer Intamin Amusement Rides offers a new innovative free fall ride concept, which was first realised at Busch Gardens in Tampa/FL (cf. EAP 2/14). During the braking section, the seats tilt back again to the vertical position, bringing passenger into an upright position again so that they can get off.

„I have pretty much experienced all that there is in an amusement park. So I can honestly say that this is one oft he most terrifying drop towers in the world, but also one of the most exhilarating. The feeling of adrenalin pumping through your system as you fall towards the ground, is hard to beat. I would really recommend everyone who has the courage to try Ikaros,“ says Johan Tidstrand, majority owner of Parks & Resorts Scandinavia. Ikaros will be 134-year-old Gröna Lund’s 31st ride in total. (eap)