Cover photo courtesy of California's Great America
Not content to rule the world through street and adventure bikes, Ducati looks like it's moving into roller coasters. The company announced plans to open a 115,000 square foot branded area in Italy’s Mirabilandia theme park called The Ducati World Showcase.
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According to a report in PowerSports Business, the agreement between Ducati and Mirabilandia owner Parques Reunidos will create the first area themed after a motorcycle brand. Ducati World will be designed to attract motorcycle fans both from Italy and from abroad, and will include numerous attractions to involve the public in a real motorcycling experience. One of the projected attractions is a new generation roller coaster designed to turn each visitor into a Ducati rider, plus simulators, virtual reality, and childrens’ attractions. The proposal also includes a Ducati World showroom where visitors can see significant milestone models from the company’s past and present.
“Ducati World will give visitors a chance to live an exciting journey inside the Ducati brand,” said Alessandro Cicognani, Ducati Licensing and Corporate Partnership Director. “Thanks to this agreement, together with Parques Reunidos we’re developing the first motorcycle themed area in an Italian amusement park. Mirabilandia’s location, at the heart of the Motor Valley, adds further value to this project dedicated to fun.”
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“This partnership and investment will transform Mirabilandia, empowering the park to attract visitors from all over the world," said Parques Reunidos CEO Fernando Eiroa. "Ducati World continues the Italian strong tradition for sports and automotive and provides an engaging and innovative experience for motorcycling fans. Ducati is a global brand with a great reputation, as well as a strong local presence.”
Mirabilandia General Manager Riccardo Marcante echoed the enthusiasm.
“We are very proud to host a brand such as Ducati in our park since it represents passion and adrenaline for most of the Italians,” he said. “These are values which properly describe the experience our visitors live every day inside the park. Moreover, this partnership will for sure embody an added value for the territory where both Mirabilandia and Ducati were born.”
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The theme park is located near Ravenna in the Emilia-Romagna region, one of the most important tourist hubs in Italy. Mirabilandia has become the entertainment complex of reference in Italy and has received the recognition of the Italian Ministry for the Environment. Chances are the food will be pretty good, too (along with eye-wateringly expensive -Ed.).
