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At IAAPA Expo Europe in London, ProSlide unveiled a new concept that could reshape the way indoor water parks think about space, light, and thrill rides. The company’s latest innovation, ATRIUM, is designed specifically for the TornadoWAVE 60 and introduces a new kind of ride environment that extends beyond the building envelope while keeping the enclosed, year-round experience that indoor parks rely on.
What makes ATRIUM stand out is not only the engineering behind it, but the experience it creates. Rather than treating the outside transition as a compromise, ProSlide has turned it into part of the attraction itself. Built around a domed structure and enhanced with SuperCLEAR fiberglass, ATRIUM gives riders a bright, expansive setting that feels open and architectural, while still protecting them from weather and seasonal limitations. For indoor water parks looking to grow without expanding their footprint, the concept offers both spectacle and practical flexibility.
“Indoor water parks face a unique design challenge: every square meter inside the building matters,” said Aaron Wilson, SVP Business Development – EMEA & LATAM, ProSlide. “ATRIUM gives designers and operators greater freedom to think beyond the walls of the park without compromising the scale and impact of the TornadoWAVE experience.”
That balance between freedom and immersion is central to the appeal of the new concept. By moving one of the ride’s largest elements outside the main building volume, ATRIUM frees valuable indoor floor space for other attractions, guest amenities, and circulation. At the same time, the structure itself becomes part of the guest journey, with generous overhead clearance and natural light helping to create a sense of openness that is rare in indoor water parks. For operators, that means a chance to deliver a signature ride while making smarter use of premium interior real estate.
The first ATRIUM installation will be developed for Waikiki, Aqualibi’s TornadoWAVE attraction in Belgium. The project builds on a long-standing partnership between ProSlide and Aqualibi, and it reflects a broader strategic focus on guest experience and long-term sustainability. Jean-Christophe Parent, General Manager of Walibi Belgium, said the investment was driven by both comfort and environmental goals. “First and foremost, it will further enhance the guest experience and comfort, which remains at the heart of everything we do at Aqualibi,” he said. “Secondly, it will help us improve our energy efficiency and continue progressing towards our ambition of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2030.”
The introduction of ATRIUM also points to a wider trend in the indoor water park industry: the growing importance of architecture as part of the ride experience. Rather than hiding structural elements, designers are increasingly using them to shape atmosphere, visual drama, and guest anticipation. In this case, the dome-like form does more than shelter the attraction — it creates a destination within the destination, with natural light and scale helping the TornadoWAVE feel even more dramatic.
For creators, operators, and venue planners, the takeaway is clear: the future of immersive water attractions may depend as much on design ingenuity as on ride intensity. Concepts like ATRIUM show how manufacturers are responding to the constraints of indoor venues with solutions that improve efficiency without reducing excitement. For parks, that could mean more room for additional programming and stronger sustainability outcomes. For the industry as a whole, it suggests a growing appetite for attractions that are not just thrilling, but intelligently integrated into the spaces that house them.
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Originally reported by IPM News via www.inparkmagazine.com on 2026-09-22 13:16:00.
Read the full original article here: www.inparkmagazine.com