This summer saw the opening of "Merlí", the new free-fall ride at Tibidabo Amusement Park. This new attraction becomes the highest-ever magic wand, providing 360° views of the city of Barcelona.
The commission was essentially to design and carry out the theming of the new ride and its surrounding area at Tibidabo Amusement Park. This project is by Varis Arquitectes and is the result of a tender won in a joint venture with Transversal Produccions Culturals.
The result has been the theming of the various functional elements required by the ride, such as the sales and control cabin, the queuing zone and shaded areas, which have been themed with finishes and lighting that simulate large machinery: like a large energy plant that generates the power for the wand to rise to the top.
The lighting for the queuing zone uses 2 types of elements: garlands fixed to the structure providing a warm white light, similar to other areas in the Park, and also high-powered RGB spotlights focusing on different uprights of the structure, bathing the canopies and queuing zones in coloured light, as well as being synchronised with the lighting effects of the ride.
In addition to the area around the ride itself, improvements have also been made and produced from the entrance to the Park to the arrival at the "Merlí" area, such as the repaving of the ticket office area, the planting of new shrubs on the slope at the entrance to the Park, as well as the creation of a new photocall with the Park’s mascots, TI, BI, DA, and BO. There’s also an illuminated sign with moving lights in the form of a sunrise, to attract people to the new “Merlí” ride.