How has EnergyLandia changed over the years? EnergyLandia's history

It was a warm (with temperatures up to 26°C) and with occasional showers Monday, the beginning of the 2014 summer holidays. Exactly July 14, 2014 became a very important date for Poland On this warm day The largest amusement park in Poland opened its gates for the first time – EnergyLandia. Let’s go back in time and trace the history of EnergyLandia.

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How did the history of EnergyLandia begin?

Marek Goczal running a shoe business he had many business contacts with Italy. One of the business partners had a seat in Garda near the Gardaland amusement park. Mr. Marek visited him with his wife Agata and children Klaudia and Eryk. During their stay, Mr. Marek’s children asked their parents, Why don’t we have such an amusement park in Poland? This was apparently the impetus for Marek Goczał to explore the amusement park industry.

Gardaland inspiracją Marka Goczała właściciela Energylandii
Gardaland (source: Wikipedia)

Marek Goczał visited several other theme parks. He became familiar with the prices of attractions that, as it turned out, were beyond his reach. Despite everything, the current owner of EnergyLandia decided to try his luck and already in 2009 he submitted an application for co-financing from European funds. After several corrections of the application and 3 years, he managed to receive co-financing in the amount of PLN 42 million (this was an amount constituting 68% of the value of the entire project). This is how the history of EnergyLandia began.

Thus, the search for a large area located between two large provincial cities – Katowice and Kraków – began. It fell on 26 hectare plot belonging to the State Treasury, located on the western side of Zator. Interestingly, at that time on the other side of Zator there was already an amusement park called Zatorland (until 2011 under the name DinoZatorLand). The founder of the moving dinosaur park is Leszek Łysoń, who is also known for serving as president of the Miniature Park in Częstochowa.

At that time, it might have seemed that Zator, a town known for its carp and slowly becoming associated with the largest dinosaur park, „would not accommodate” two amusement parks. It was then that Marek Goczał started a conversation with the Łysoń family. He convinced them that opening another amusement park in this location would have a positive impact on the image of Zator in the whole of Poland. Thanks to the construction of EnergyLandia, Zator serves as an entertainment center in southern Poland. In turn, the offer of both parks complements each other, and does not compete with each other.

Liczne stawy hodowlane na północ od Energylandii
Numerous breeding ponds north of EnergyLandia

In the fields near Zator, the first shovel for the construction of what is currently the largest amusement park in Poland was turned in 2013. And already On July 14, 2014, EnergyLandia was officially opened.

EnergyLandia area in 2013 vs currently (source: Google Street View)

Opening of EnergyLandia – 2014

Right after opening in 2014 the park did not resemble the one we know today at all. Several paths, catering buildings and decorative figures have been placed on the empty fields nearby. Among them, a dozen or so medium-quality attractions have been collected, intended mainly for the youngest.

Entry to EnergyLandia in 2014
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqd8vu9vcts

The first zone that still exists in the same place was Bajkolandia. Already in 2014, the attractions Arctic Fun, Planes, Sissi, Super Pompa, Farm of the Dwarfs, Leoś, Jeep Safari and Flying Swings were available. The water attraction for children Treasure Island was also already available, but in a completely different place (next to the Leoś carousel). These are almost most of the attractions of today’s Bajkolandia. And what’s interesting, all of them are still active!

On the right: BajkoLandia / On the left: Family Zone
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqd8vu9vcts

Apart from Bajkolandia, there were also three water attractions: Atlantis, Splash Battle and Toffifee Gold Mine. All of them offered almost no scenery at the beginning, apart from the rafting track. Check out the rest in the photo below:

Atlantis attraction in 2014
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqd8vu9vcts

The foundation slab for the Frutti Loop rollercoaster was also ready. However, the attraction itself was not there yet.

Interestingly enough, in 2014, 5 extreme attractions were already available, which are still active today and are even located in the same places as originally (only Apocalypto was later moved a few meters lower). They were: Tsunami Drop, Space Booster, Space Gun, Apocalypto and a rollercoaster Viking. The concrete slab for the Aztec Swing was also ready.

In the distance, Space Booster, Space Gun, Tsunami Drop, Apocalypto and Viking are visible – in 2014
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqd8vu9vcts

To sum up – already In 2014 we had 18 attractions at our disposal, including 5 extreme ones. In addition to the attractions themselves, EnergyLandia already included the Coloseo and Egypt theater buildings, the famous pyramid and volcano, as well as the Scandinavia and Monster House restaurant buildings. The park itself was visited by about 250 thousand guests this year.

The first two reverse queues in Poland – 2015

The year 2015 was undoubtedly the first such significant leap in the development of the park in Zator. First, in May 2015, a rollercoaster for the youngest guests debuted. We are of course talking about Energus.

Energus – 2015
Source: rcdb.com

Later we waited for the premiere the first two inverted rollercoasters (i.e. with tracks above the wagons) in Poland! Of course, we are talking about the well-known RMF Dragon rollercoasters (in Family Zone) and Mayan (in Extreme Zone).

Dragon became available to guests on June 4, 2015, and the rollercoaster was put into operation right after the summer holidays on September 12, 2015. Mayan Both of them were manufactured by Vekoma, which later became one of the main producers of rollercoasters for EnergyLandia.

Long queue for the Dragon rollercoaster (no other attractions nearby) – 2015
Source: rcdb.com

May 27, 2015 was noted on this negative side in the history of EnergyLandia. Namely, the first serious accident occurred in the park. One of the gardeners entered the closed area under the RMF Dragon rollercoaster. At around 8:30 a.m., while the park was closed, a 35-year-old Ukrainian citizen went to the closed area around the Dragon rollercoaster. The rollercoaster was performing its test ride. The employee was hit by the speeding rollercoaster. The gardener suffered serious injuries and was transported by helicopter to one of the hospitals in Krakow. It turned out that the Ukrainian employee only suffered broken ribs and an arm, and his condition was stable. Information later provided by EnergyLandia said that worker jumped over the fence and entered the construction site of the Dragon roller coaster.

Another year later, EnergyLandia has already been visited by twice as many guests – approximately half a million.

The first launch coaster in Poland – 2016

EnergyLandia did not rest on its laurels and surprised us year after year with new specific novelties. It was no different on June 25, 2016, when the first guests could ride the Formula – the first rollercoaster in Poland without a classic drive The traditional chain has been replaced with an electromagnetic drive, which allows the wagons to be launched right behind the loading station to a speed of 80 km/h in just 2 seconds!

Rollercoaster Formula visible in the background – 2016
Source: www.skyscrapercity.com

In the shadow of the Formula One premiere, on July 9, 2016, the first pool area, known today as Big Milk Water Park. It consists of 3 swimming pools with heated water and depth from 20 to 140 cm. What’s more, the pools are equipped with slides, fountains and other nooks that make water fun more enjoyable. The main attraction in the middle pool is the large playground, the Big Milk Ship.

It is also worth noting that in the 2016 season the barrier of 1 million guests was exceeded for the first time.

Water Park in EnergyLandia in 2016
Source: www.skyscrapercity.com

New attractions for younger guests – 2017

The year 2017 was another breakthrough in the history of EnergyLandia. It brought, among others, two major novelties. The biggest change was undoubtedly the completely new entrance gate and courtyard with shops, which was completed almost at the last minute before the start of the season. In addition, there was a lot of construction going on in the park: Speed, Jungle Adventure, and Anaconda were being built.

Construction of the new entrance building of EnergyLandia in 2017
Source: www.skyscrapercity.com

The biggest attraction opened this year was undoubtedly the shuttle coaster. The fun on it is that the track is not a closed loop, but the ride is first forward and then backward along the same route. It was in April 2017 that the cable car was opened for guests Boomerang.

Rollercoaster Boomerang – 2017 rok
Source: rcdb.com

On the other hand August 12, 2017 a water attraction was opened for guests’ use Anaconda with two water access routes covered by boats at speeds of up to 55 km/h.

Anaconda

Additionally, two smaller devices appeared in Bajkolandia: Circus Coaster (it is the smallest roller coaster in EnergyLandia) and Happy Loops.

Circus Coaster

In December 2017 (just 3 years after the park opened) for the first time you could hear about the owners’ ambitious plans park. EnergyLandia announced the results of the request for proposals for three rollercoasters: a double launch coaster (today Abyssus), a hybrid coaster (today Zadra) and a tilt coaster, which the park has withdrawn from implementing for now.

In 2017, unfortunately, there was no such large increase in visitors. After that season, the park recorded 1 million 200 thousand visitors.

A year of big premieres! – 2018

Just 4 years after the debut of the EnergyLandia park, 3 major premieres took place! The first one was the opening on April 2, 2018 the largest water rollercoaster in Europe about the name Speed. After a short water rafting trip the wagons are pulled up to the high tower using a lift. Then the boat goes down into the water with great force and completes a route ending with a strong splash effect. It is an ideal attraction for hot days and is popular during the summer heat.

Water rollercoaster Speed

Right next to Speed, a pontoon ride on the wild river was launched. The Jungle Adventure attraction is similar to Atlantis, but the pontoons are larger, and the river itself surprises with water effects. This is also an attraction from the Intamin company.

Jungle Adventure

In June 2019, the water park was expanded with the Tropical Fun zone, which brings as much as 10 new and large slides.

Tropical Splash
Tropical Splash

The cherry on the cake of 2018 was undoubtedly the second highest rollercoaster in Europe by Intamin. July 14, 2018a rollercoaster was made available for guests Hyperion with a height of 77 meters, a drop at an angle of 85 degrees and a total drop height of 82 meters, and most importantly at a speed of up to 142 km/h.Hyperion needs no introduction. It can be seen from afar, and when entering the parking lot it is impossible to take your eyes off it.

Hyperion

At the end of October 2018, during a press conference, EnergyLandia presented its ambitious plans for the coming years. It was then for the first time we heard about the creation of the Dragon Castle and the Zadra rollercoaster.

In 2018 it took place the second serious incident in the park. On August 16, 2018, at approximately 8:30 p.m., just before the park closed, one of the servicemen responsible for the Hyperion roller coaster entered the closed area under the track. Unfortunately, the line hit the 37-year-old employee with a huge impact. Despite the rapid response of paramedics and resuscitation, the employee could not be saved.

Rollercoaster Hyperion z lotu ptaka
Hyperion rollercoaster from a bird’s eye view

From the information I found, it appears that the employee went to a closed area to find the mobile phone of one of the guests who had previously ridden the Hyperion.

After an investigation by the prosecutor’s office and an inspection by the National Labor Inspectorate, the investigation was closed. No confirmation was found that the death of the 37-year-old was the fault of third parties who did not follow safety rules. It was determined that the employee’s death was the result of his unauthorized entry and violation of all applicable regulations at EnergyLandia.

It is also worth adding that in the 2018 season the park in Zator was visited by approximately 1 million 400 thousand guests, which is only 200 thousand more than a year ago.

First themed zone and second best rollercoaster – 2019

The year 2019 began with an unpleasant event. On the night of March 10-11, 2019, a strong storm with wind speeds of up to 110 km/h passed over Zator. Such strong gusts led to collapse of part of the wooden structure under construction for the Zadra rollercoaster. Fortunately, due to the early stage of the works, EnergyLandia informed that the completion date of the works is not at risk.

Collapsed structure of Zadra – March 2019
Source: NaszeMiasto.pl / photo: Bogusław Kwiecień

And so it happened. In the relatively hot summer of 2019, to be precise On July 20, 2019, the first fully themed zone was opened to guests for testing purposes Dragon Castle. Two new family rollercoasters were launched in the zone at once: Frida and Draken.

Dragon Castle

A month later – August 22, 2019– it was put into use at that time the highest and fastest hybrid roller coaster in the world – Zadra.

Zadar

In turn, right after the holidays (on September 17-19, 2019), at the IAAPA trade fair, the Dutch company Jora Vision presented the thematic concept of the new zone, which was to be created in EnergyLandia by 2020. Of course, it was Aqualantis.

EnergyLandia itself officially confirmed the construction of both the new zone and its flagship attraction at the end of October 2019 – Abyssus rollercoaster. What’s more, it was announced that from 2020 EnergyLandia for the first time It will also be open on selected winter days..

This season, the park was visited by over 1 million 600 thousand visitors, which is, similarly to last year, 200 thousand people more.

Wizualizacja piękny Aqualantis Abyssus
Visualization of the Aqualantis zone
Source: EnergyLandia

Strange times – 2020

There’s no need to remind anyone that the pandemic times were strange, to say the least. This could be felt even in EnergyLandia itself. Ubiquitous disinfectants, or riding rollercoasters in masks were the norm.

Pandemic times in EnergyLandia
Source: EnergyLandia

The second themed zone, Aqualantis, was supposed to premiere in spring 2020. First, the premiere was postponed to May 16, then to June 6.

In July, however, EnergyLandia finally announced that Aqualantis will not debut until the 2021 season due to delays resulting from the ongoing pandemic.

2020 ended with only 800,000 visitors, but this was obviously due to changes in the calendar and the ongoing pandemic.

Construction of the Aqualantis zone
Source: glos24.pl

Second Themed Zone and Third Best Rollercoaster – 2021

In the summer of 2021 (exactly on July 5), EnergyLandia expanded with another water zone – Exotic Islands. The zone features two huge pools with a total area of almost 3,800 sq m. There are two levels of depth: for children 30 cm and for people who can swim 140 cm. Of course, just like in Big Milk Water Park, the water is also heated here.

Exotic Island
Exotic Island

In addition to the pools, Exotic Island also features a large Funky Monkey water playground. It has 5 water slides, jet attractions, water mill wheels and other elements for water fun. This zone also has a 20 cm deep paddling pool for the youngest guests of EnergyLandia.

Funky Monkey

In turn, 5 days later, after the shift from the previous year –July 10, 2021 – it happened test opening of a new zone Aqualantis. Official opening of the zone with a rollercoaster Abyssus (the first rollercoaster in Poland with a double electromagnetic drive) and the Light Explorers train took place July 14, 2021.

Abyssus in 2022

Just after the holidays – October 22, 2021EnergyLandia officially announced the construction of the third themed zone, this time dedicated to the youngest guests. Sweet Valley was to see two more roller coasters: Choco Chip Creek and Honey Harbour by Vekoma.

In 2021, as in 2019, EnergyLandia was visited by 1 million 860 thousand guests.

Sweet Valley Construction Starts in Early 2022

The largest mill wheel in Poland – 2022

While the zone Sweet Valley grew like a weed in 2022, EnergyLandia surprised with one new attraction – the largest mill wheel in PolandWonder Wheel 53 meters high. Exactly June 28, 2022 the official opening of the observation wheel took place, located right at the entrance to the Dragon Castle.

Wonder Wheel

On the same day, guests could use another water zone – Bamboo Bay. It has 16 slides and water tracks, and everything was maintained in an African climate.

The year 2022 ended with almost the same number of guests as last year – 1 million and 850 thousand.

Bamboo Bay
Bamboo Bay

No news – 2023

Year 2023 didn’t bring any spectacular news nor any new attractions. Some decorative elements were improved in the park and new elements of small architecture were added (e.g. the fountain at the entrance to Aqualantis). One of the biggest news was undoubtedly the completion of the full theming of the Tidal Wave Twister attraction, which from this year onwards looks much more impressive.

New Tidal Wave Twister Theme

Another event worth noting is the dedicated train stop called Zator Amusement Park. It is located north of the Mayan rollercoaster, exactly 1100 meters from the entrance to the park.

For the first time, EnergyLandia broke the barrier of 2 million guests. In 2023, the park was visited by 2.5 million people.

Zator Amusement Park train stop

Third Themed Zone and 10th Birthday – 2024

After a year’s delay in opening the third themed zone, exactly On April 27, 2024, a colorful land called Sweet Valley opened its gates for guests. The park has gained another 9 attractions, including two family rollercoasters.

Sweet Valley in 2024

On the other hand July 14, 2024 was a very important date for EnergyLandia itself. Because that day the park celebrated its first round 10 years of existence. It was on July 14, 2014 that guests were able to visit the largest Polish amusement park for the first time. Without a doubt, the pace of development, quality and number of attractions are impressive. Today, EnergyLandia is not just a small amusement park near the Małopolska province of Zator, but one of the most important amusement parks in Central and Eastern Europe With attractions such as Hyperion, Zadra and Abyssus, Zator EnergyLandia appears high in European and even world rankings.

The park is visited by over 2 million guests a year, a large part of whom are visitors from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Ukraine or Germany. Some even fly from Italy and other distant countries to Krakow’s Balice for one purpose – to see Hyperion or Zadra.

So, my dear Readers, we have reached the end of this very dynamic, but also a beautiful history for our country. The story of a park founded and run by an inconspicuous Polish family that had enough determination and patience to finally make Poland less ashamed of itself on the amusement park market.

Already In 1997, Michael Jackson himself announced his vision of building in Bemowo in Warsaw an amusement park with a Ferris wheel and girls in folk costumes dancing the moonwalk. Michael wanted to restore Warsaw’s position in the world.

Marcin Święcicki with Michael Jackson in Warsaw
Source: www.swiecicki.blog.onet.pl

Nothing came of these cosmic plans, there was a lack of determination, and the idea itself lost to politics. It was in 2009 that Marek Goczał began the first formal works related to the construction of the park…

We already know very well how the history of EnergyLandia unfolded, and if we don’t know yet, we just need to start reading this article from the beginning.

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