Flash Coaster: Sensational Roller Coaster at Aquashow Park Portugal | MACK Rides

The world of amusement parks is buzzing with excitement as Aquashow Park, located near Vilamoura in Portugal, has officially unveiled its brand-new marvel, the Flash Coaster. This multi-launch roller coaster, the result of MACK Rides' cutting-edge engineering, promises an electrifying experience with a remarkably compact layout, dotted with daring inversions. Opened to the public on July 23, 2025, the Flash Coaster marks a significant milestone for Aquashow Park and for the thrill ride offering in Portugal, becoming the country's first major roller coaster to include inversions.

MACK Rides and Aquashow Park: A Partnership of Excellence for a Unique Attraction

The design and construction of the Flash Coaster were entrusted to MACK Rides GmbH & Co KG, a name synonymous with innovation and quality in the roller coaster industry. Based in Germany, MACK Rides is renowned for its attractions that are both comfortable and intensely exciting, and the Flash Coaster is no exception. The company rose to the challenge of limited space by designing a "narrow and tall layout," thus maximizing the impact of the sensations on a reduced footprint. This collaboration has given birth to an attraction that not only pushes technical boundaries but also integrates harmoniously into the already rich setting of Aquashow Park Portugal.

Anticipation for this novelty has steadily grown since its mention in the November 2023 issue of Kirmes & Park Revue magazine, confirming the arrival of a "large roller coaster" for 2025. Rumors concerning its initial name, such as "Furacão" (Hurricane in Portuguese), circulated, fueling the impatience of thrill-seekers. Today, the Flash Coaster is a reality, ready to unleash its power on visitors.

Flash Coaster: Technical Characteristics and Ride Elements (Inversions, Speed)

The Flash Coaster is a masterpiece of modern engineering, classified as a "Sit Down" steel roller coaster, offering an "Extreme" experience. Its technical characteristics are impressive for such a compact layout:

• Maximum Height: The Flash Coaster culminates at 137.8 feet (approximately 42 meters), offering a breathtaking view of the park before plunging passengers into a succession of elements.
• Top Speed: The trains reach a blazing speed of 62.1 miles per hour (approximately 100 km/h), propelled by a multi-pass LSM (Linear Synchronous Motor) launch system. This type of launch allows for intense and repeated accelerations, adding a unique dynamic dimension to the experience.
• Flash Coaster Inversions: True to its promise of "multiple inversions," the Flash Coaster features three breathtaking figures that turn passengers upside down. These inversions include a daring Barrel Roll Downdrop, an elegant Immelmann, and an exhilarating Heartline Roll. Each inversion is designed to maximize the effect of gravity and orientation, providing sensations that are both intense and fluid.

Beyond these figures, the compact layout of the Flash Coaster is a feat of design. MACK Rides has demonstrated its ability to integrate an emotionally rich course into a confined space, using every meter of track to create a constant flow of sensations. The train system consists of a single train with 4 cars, each car accommodating 4 passengers (2 per row), for a total of 16 passengers per ride. Modern seats, equipped with lap bars rather than over-the-shoulder restraints, guarantee maximum freedom of movement while ensuring optimal safety, a characteristic appreciated by MACK Rides enthusiasts.

Experience the Flash Coaster: Guaranteed Thrills in Portugal

The experience aboard the Flash Coaster begins with one or more LSM launches, propelling passengers with an exhilarating force. Unlike traditional chain-lift roller coasters, the multi-launch offers a sequence of progressive accelerations that intensify anticipation and adrenaline. Once top speed is reached, the train embarks on an aerial ballet of spectacular inversions.

The Barrel Roll Downdrop is a hybrid figure that combines a drop with a barrel roll, disorienting passengers in an exciting way. The Immelmann, meanwhile, is an elegant inversion that combines a half-loop ascent followed by a half-twist, allowing the train to change direction while inverting. Finally, the Heartline Roll, or "roll at the heart level," rotates the train on its longitudinal axis, offering a sensation of floating and disorientation that is both gentle and intense.

The ride is a succession of tight turns, ascents, and descents, all executed with a fluidity characteristic of MACK Rides' creations. The team aimed to create an experience that is both intense for thrill-seekers and accessible enough for visitors wishing to discover the joys of inversions for the first time. The compactness of the layout also means that the elements follow each other quickly, maintaining a high pace throughout the attraction.

Impact of the Flash Coaster: Aquashow Park, Algarve's Flagship Destination

The arrival of the Flash Coaster is a major asset for Aquashow Park. Already renowned for its water attractions, the park is now strengthening its "theme park" offering with an international-caliber roller coaster. This new attraction is likely to attract a wider audience, including roller coaster enthusiasts and families looking for thrills. By being Portugal's first major roller coaster to feature inversions, the Flash Coaster positions the country on the global map of amusement park destinations for thrill-seekers.

The investment in an attraction of this scale demonstrates Aquashow Park's desire to continue innovating and offering cutting-edge experiences to its visitors. This new feature is also an excellent driver for tourism in the Algarve region, encouraging vacationers to extend their stay or choose Portugal as a leisure destination.

Ready for the Flash Coaster at Aquashow Park?

The Flash Coaster is much more than just a new attraction; it's a statement. It's proof of MACK Rides' ingenuity, capable of creating a maximum experience in minimal space. It's a step forward for Aquashow Park, solidifying its position as an unmissable entertainment destination. And it's an open invitation to all adrenaline junkies to come and discover the electrifying sensations of this multi-launch roller coaster in the heart of the Algarve. With its powerful launches, three captivating inversions, and compact layout, the Flash Coaster promises unforgettable moments and memories that will leave a lasting impression on all who dare to take on the challenge.