The third luxury resort of its kind, Atlantis Sanya opened recently on China’s Haitang Bay. Key to the offering, as at the existing Atlantis resorts in The Bahamas and Dubai, is an extensive waterpark.
Aquaventure – arguably the star of the 300,000 square metre resort – had its grand opening on April 28 and feature an abundance of thrilling rides and slides by ProSlide Technology.
Atlantis guests can also enjoy Dolphin Cay, where they can swim and play with friendly bottlenose dolphins. Meanwhile the Lost Chambers aquarium, themed around the lost city of Atlantis, houses more than 86,000 sea creatures. The accompanying lagoon is the largest open-air aquarium in China.
According to ProSlide president and CEO Rick Hunter, one of the most exciting attractions at Aquaventure is the RocketBlast waterslide coaster, the first of its kind in China. It uses water jet propulsion technology to power boats uphill, through quick turns and down steep drops. The technology lets boats rocket up hills that are 100% steeper than traditional ‘blaster’ coasters. The attraction can also operate at full capacity with 4-person boats. Sophisticated control systems and sensors save water and energy.
Other ProSlide attractions include Aquaventure/Atlantis’ Leap of Faith. On this freefall slide, riders plunge down a steep flume and through an underwater shark tank at super-high speed. The waterpark’s Tornado Spin ride, meanwhile, combines the ProSlide Tornado 60 funnel with the BehemothBowl 40 to create a hybrid ride path full of zero gravity moments and heart-stopping hang times.
One of the park’s most thrilling rides is SuperLoop. Over 100m with an astounding drop just shy of 80m, the attraction is packed with twists and turns. In total, Aquaventure at Atlantis Sanya features 15 water rides. Thanks to the various slide combinations, however, between them they provide 35 different experiences.
“We are thrilled for Atlantis Sanya,” says Yongneng Li, vice-president of business development for ProSlide China. “They really have an incredible water rides mix that is going to deliver thrills big and small for any age and interest. From traditional gravity rides to the water coaster to a huge kids’ water play area, they really have it all.”
“Atlantis Sanya and Aquaventure will be the ultimate vacation destination in the region,” predicts Hunter. “They will deliver so many incredible guest experiences in one park experience.”
Haitang Bay, part of the Hainan province, is the most quickly developing coastline in the Sanya tourist region. Already more than 16 million visitors travel each year to experience its tropical rainforests, Buddhist temples and white sand beaches.
