Wisconsin Dells Theme Park Unveils $10 Million Expansion

Article written by:
Eric Gieszl, Editor

Wisconsin Dells, WI -- Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park announced plans to open three new attractions for the 2005 season. The expansion plan includes a new wooden roller coaster, go-kart track and waterslide complex. The three new rides are part of a $10-million expansion that is expected to be open by Memorial Day weekend.

The new construction marks the start of the first phase of an $80-million deal announced last October that merged Big Chief's Mt. Olympus Theme Park, Treasure Island Waterpark and Family Land Waterpark. The combined parks form a 150-acre, Greek-themed "mega-park", the largest in the area.

"We are really trying to step up our waterpark presence on the Wisconsin Dells Parkway," said Jim Mattei, co-owner of Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park. "Raising an old motel that was acquired in the merger deal opens up the front of the park so visitors can see the existing waterpark rides they can enjoy. The new Triton complex will be one more layer of fun."

The park's new 160-foot tall wooden roller coaster, Hades, is a record-breaking coaster on three fronts. Hades will have the steepest descent of any wooden roller coaster in the US with a 140-foot drop at a 65-degree angle. The coaster will also traverse two tunnels, one of which is the longest underground tunnel on a roller coaster. Finally, Hades will make an extreme 90-degree banked turn in complete darkness while underground, another first for a wooden coaster.

Construction on Hades is already 90% complete.

Besides Hades Mt. Olympus is building "Triton," a 5-story multi-run waterslide complex. Triton will feature eight waterslides, including two family tube slides, which can accommodate up to four riders at once. The Triton slide tower, a first in the Wisconsin Dells, will also offer six speed slides in which single riders race down on mats, competing against one another.

"It's been a wild ride the past few months getting these new attractions underway," said Nick Laskaris, co-owner of Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park. "From the family-oriented waterpark fun of Triton to the extreme thrills of Hades, we are trying to offer something for everyone at Mt. Olympus this year."

Plans also call for an expansion of the Titan's Tower go-kart track. Details have not been released, but the park indicates that the track will incorporate a large, ancient Greek-style structure. The size will be similar to the park's 65-foot tall Trojan horse, an icon of the Wisconsin Dells.

Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park is the first Wisconsin Dells property to combine both indoor and outdoor waterpark amenities with dry amusement attractions under one ticket price - $32 for an all-day pass.

For more information visit mtolympusthemepark.com.