New Ferrari Theme Park Announced for PortAventura Resort

Spain's PortAventura means business when it says that it wants to become the premier European destination resort!  They've been expanding like crazy in the past 5 years - most recently with the Shambhala coaster seen above, last season with a huge water park expansion, and now this year with an equally impressive splash battle style ride.

On the heels of that growth the resort has announced that they've reached a licensing deal with Ferrari to build a $140 million (at the current conversion) theme park named Ferrari Land.  The project will sit on over 18 acres and include a boutique styled, Ferrari themed five-star hotel.

Planned to open in 2016, this concept image shows us an idea of what to expect at Ferrari Land.  The project will be the second to open under the brand, after Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi.  Your eyes were probably drawn to the large coaster stretching the length of the park, mine certainly were.  It would appear to be a clone of Kingda Ka, at Six Flags Great Adventure, currently the tallest in the world.  For now, the press release for this development only says that Ferrari Land will have "highest and fastest vertical accelerator in Europe."  I think that quote means the ride would only have to beat Stealth at Thorpe Park, which stands 205 feet tall.

Here's another conceptual image from inside the park.  A large section of it seems to contain a building - exactly what is inside I'm not sure of.  There are some pretty elaborate go-karts located outside, and seen in the background of this image.

Taking another gander at the roller coaster also shows that it will come with three drop towers (just like Zumanjaro on Kingda Ka) ready to plunge riders toward the earth.  Very smart of the park to incorporate them right off the bat!

Other attractions that may be a part of Ferrari Land have not yet been revealed, giving us something to speculate on over the next couple years.  PortAventura did release some slick concept images of the hotel that will be built adjacent to the new park.  Fully themed to the Ferrari brand, the 250 room hotel has a design that is clearly inspired by the vehicles of the company.

The hotel will offer guests "5 star service, restaurants, shops and large simulation areas for car racing."  This image also shows off a relaxing pool area that looks great for sun bathing while the kids stay busy on the water slides!

PortAventura had over 4 million visitors last year, and hopes to eventually bring that number up and over 5 million.  More than 50% of their visitors come from outside Spain, showing just how large of a destination PortAventura has become.  This will be a great project to follow in the future - especially when we get more details on the launch coaster.