It’s not often that a new theme park arises in Europe, especially in the Netherlands. After Edwin Bomers of Marveld recreatie announced the building of Bommelwereld, there was a lot of speculation on the rides we’d find in this huge indoor theme park. Today, Jora Vision, the company that designed the picturesque park, took visitors of the IAAPA Expo in Amsterdam on a virtual tour through the park, finally sharing which rides we can expect to hop on in 2025.
Bommelwereld, the brainchild of Edwin Bomers, owner of Marveld Recreatie, promises a unique blend of nostalgia and cutting-edge amusement park technology. The park is designed to appeal to multiple generations, from those who grew up with Marten Toonder's iconic characters to young adventurers experiencing the curious world of Olivier B. Bommel for the first time.
Olivier is a beloved character from Dutch literature - an aristocratic bear known for his well-meaning but often clumsy attempts at gentlemanly behavior. His adventures with his clever friend Tom Poes have captivated readers for generations, making them the perfect inspiration for a theme park. Those unfamiliar with the star of the park, could meet ‘Ollie’ for the first time today at the show and obtain one of his comic strips or take a picture.
A grand tour
Sjors van Roosmalen, Senior Creative Director at Jora Vision, hosted a virtual tour today, with the beautiful birds-eye illustration that Jora Vision made of the upcoming park as a map for the grand tour of the premises. Stopping at each highlight, visitors were taken through the whole park.
As visitors approach Bommelwereld, they'll be greeted by an impressive medieval castle facade, setting the stage for the adventures that await inside. The 21-meter-high spires of the castle will be visible from far and wide. Upon entering the castle, guests will experience a Hall of Fame, a portrait gallery immersing them in the rich history of Olivier B. Bommel and his world. A grand theatre will feature exciting shows with the characters.
To enter the main hall, guests can take one of two routes. The journey truly begins with a thrilling descent down the Roetsjbaan Super Slide, a 9-meter high, 32.6-meter long slide that's sure to excite visitors of all ages. On this slide by Metalbau Emmeln, guests speed down into the Bommelwereld hall. People that would like to take it slow, can simply stroll down the broad stairs through the castle.
A garden for everyone
Once down, you’ll encounter a lush garden area with a restaurant that that would make the average aristocrat jealous. In fact, the restaurant’s renaissance façade is based on the Marquis De Canteclaers palace. This pompous and pretentious rooster is one of the characters of the world of Ollie B. Bommel. “In the Bommelsaga there are only one or two drawing of the house of the marquis. This shows the challenge we had as Jora Vision to bring this comic to life in the real world”, explains van Roosendaal.
In the gardens, guests can hop aboard the Oude Schicht, a charming oldtimer ride by Metalbau Emmeln that takes them on a 147-meter journey through a park area. Next to it you findVriendelijke visjes, a Zamperla kiddie carousel with colorful fish offers a round trip for even the smallest visitors.
Rommeldam: the heart of the park
From the gardens, guests can enter Rommeldam: a charming village where quaint buildings are stacked and squeezed around a village square. At the heart of this square stands the Rommeldamse Spil, a magnificent double-decker Venetian Carousel by Italian firm Bertazzon that reaches an impressive height of 8.7 meters. The paintings above the carousel will feature portraits of famous inhabitants of the town.
Nearby, younger visitors can enjoy the Bots Bolides mini bumper cars and the Klautermagazijn, an expansive indoor play structure by ELI Play, where the littlest can crawl over all kinds of crates and objects in a friendly warehouse.
Get lost in a wizard’s Magical Emporium
For those seeking a touch of magic, Hocus P. Pas' Magisch Emporium offers a 5-minute Gosetto fun house experience. This meticulously designed funhouse, spanning 15 meters by 10 meters over two levels, features a short pre-show and 16 illusions. Guests are invited to the magical emporium of the manipulative wizard Hocus P. Pas, where the things that happen get stranger and stranger. From a disorienting rotating cylinder to a mind-bending mirror maze, the Magisch Emporium promises to surprise guests of all ages.
Harbour trips
On the other side of Rommeldam is a harbour area. Young thrill-seekers looking for a view will delight in De Zware Last, an interactive climbing and rotating Sunkid tower that provides breathtaking 360-degree views of the park. Or how about Professor Prlwytzkofski's Protonen Spitz, a family-friendly Zierer free-fall tower that combines drops, rotations, and dazzling light effects. Another exciting boat trip is provided by De Dolle Albatros, Bommelwereld's exhilarating Rock'n Tug ride, offers visitors a thrilling nautical adventure in the spirit of Olivier B. Bommel's seafaring escapades as this Zamperla-manufactured attraction simulates the motion of a ship caught in stormy seas. Families with young children will adore De Vreemde Eend, a whimsical duck carousel by Metalbau Emmeln, featuring animal-shaped boats gliding through water.
Making a splash near the circus
Razende Rommel, the mini flume ride at Bommelwereld, takes visitors on a water-based journey on the Rommel river. Designed by Jora Vision and built by ABC Rides, the attraction starts with a short dark ride section through a cave before emerging into a scenic hillside. Riders then ascend to a 4-meter height, getting a view of the park before a swift descent and splash finale.
From the flume ride, you can clearly see that a circus has pitched up their red-white tent in the park. Inside you’ll find the Daverend Draken Spektakel, a Zamperla mini jet ride with flying dragons that glide through the air in the circus tent.
Spinning around
Near the circus is Wentelkratten, a unique figure-eight ride by ABC Rides, that has spinning cars that create the illusion of near collisions. Zwevende Zwam, a vibrant swing carousel from Bertazzon, lifts riders up to 7.4 meters for a breezy, spinning adventure. The ride has a unique fully themed custom design that makes it look like a humongous mushroom with a colorful cap.
The grand finale of the Bommelwereld experience is the Bulder Baan, a Vekoma family coaster that stretches 257 meters and reaches heights of 12.5 meters, providing a thrilling conclusion to the park journey at speeds of up to 45 km/h. The track takes people through the mysterious mountains and promises to be the first coaster experience for many young visitors.
A celebration of Dutch cultural heritage
Steeped in the stories and characters created by Marten Toonder, the park truly can call itself the world of Bommel. One notable addition will be the collection of the Bommelzolder, a museum completely dedicated to the aristocratic bear and his companions.
"Bommelwereld is more than just an amusement park; it's a celebration of Dutch cultural heritage," says Edwin Bomers. "We're excited to offer a year-round destination where families can create lasting memories while immersing themselves in the charming world of Olivier B. Bommel."
The park expects to welcome 100,000 visitors annually and will also feature a conference center, a large theater, and space for a Bommel Museum, making it a comprehensive entertainment destination. With its unique blend of storytelling, innovative attractions, and timeless characters, all brought to life through Jora Vision's expert design, Bommelwereld promises to set a new standard for indoor amusement parks in Europe when it opens its doors in 2025.