indianexpress.com :: In search of wow, thrill finds a new pit stop at WOW

In search of wow, thrill finds a new pit stop at WOW

Gaelle Gonthier

Posted online: Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 2336 hrs IST

Noida, January 15
Touted as the country’s biggest amusement park, the Worlds of Wonder (WOW) in Noida may still be under construction but its spine-chilling thrills still draw enough adventure-seekers. Even on weekdays.

According to officials, the amusement park draws a steady 1,500 or so people on weekends, and some 700-odd even on working days. The park has opened seven “thrill rides” in what it calls the “teens section”.

“This is amazing. You feel you are somewhere else — maybe in Hell, but definitely not on Earth,” said one from a group of 15 students from Jaipuria Institute of Management in Noida. The troop was still recovering the “sensation of stepping back on earth” after having been shaken in the air for three whole minutes in the Rockin’Roller.

“You are like a free body,” said Anshur Soman, 20. The fascinated management student would advice you to ride the Feedback, provided you are not too scared at the thought of falling powerless from the top of a tower.

“Sunday is of course the busiest day for us,” said Shourya Saxena, team leader of the park. “But teenagers and youths come with friends mostly after the colleges in the area close — sometime around 4 or 4.30 pm. There’s a special students’ rate as well: Rs 225 for unlimited number of rides from noon to 8 pm, instead of the regular fare of Rs 275.

From the DJ corner to name of the rides, and right down to the floor design, everything has been conceptualised to fit the youth in the teens’ section. “Music has always been related to teenagers,” Saxena said. “Here you can choose your track and we play it for you. You can also notice pianos covering the floor.”

The park is scheduled to be fully operational by 2010, when 13 rides will be available in each of the four sections: teens, family, children, and the water park. Corners with computer-simulating games will also been available along with facilities for children’s entertainment.

“The family section will be opened in the next couple of months,” Rajan Nirula, managing director of WOW, said. He said the rides have all been imported from the US, Italy and Switzerland: “WOW follows European and American safety standards.”

Besides the park, the 147-acre area already has the Great India Place shopping mall, while a 200-room five-star hotel is also on the plans. Beyond the lagoon — not filled yet — plays and shows will be held in the amphitheatre.

	Print Story
In search of wow, thrill finds a new pit stop at WOW Gaelle Gonthier Posted online: Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 2336 hrs IST Noida, January 15 Touted as the country’s biggest amusement park, the Worlds of Wonder (WOW) in Noida may still be under construction but its spine-chilling thrills still draw enough adventure-seekers. Even on weekdays. According to officials, the amusement park draws a steady 1,500 or so people on weekends, and some 700-odd even on working days. The park has opened seven “thrill rides” in what it calls the “teens section”. “This is amazing. You feel you are somewhere else — maybe in Hell, but definitely not on Earth,” said one from a group of 15 students from Jaipuria Institute of Management in Noida. The troop was still recovering the “sensation of stepping back on earth” after having been shaken in the air for three whole minutes in the Rockin’Roller. “You are like a free body,” said Anshur Soman, 20. The fascinated management student would advice you to ride the Feedback, provided you are not too scared at the thought of falling powerless from the top of a tower. “Sunday is of course the busiest day for us,” said Shourya Saxena, team leader of the park. “But teenagers and youths come with friends mostly after the colleges in the area close — sometime around 4 or 4.30 pm. There’s a special students’ rate as well: Rs 225 for unlimited number of rides from noon to 8 pm, instead of the regular fare of Rs 275. From the DJ corner to name of the rides, and right down to the floor design, everything has been conceptualised to fit the youth in the teens’ section. “Music has always been related to teenagers,” Saxena said. “Here you can choose your track and we play it for you. You can also notice pianos covering the floor.” The park is scheduled to be fully operational by 2010, when 13 rides will be available in each of the four sections: teens, family, children, and the water park. Corners with computer-simulating games will also been available along with facilities for children’s entertainment. “The family section will be opened in the next couple of months,” Rajan Nirula, managing director of WOW, said. He said the rides have all been imported from the US, Italy and Switzerland: “WOW follows European and American safety standards.” Besides the park, the 147-acre area already has the Great India Place shopping mall, while a 200-room five-star hotel is also on the plans. Beyond the lagoon — not filled yet — plays and shows will be held in the amphitheatre.