The Ride to Happiness by Tomorrowland opened on July 1, 2021, at Plopsaland Belgium in Adinkerke, Belgium, becoming Europe’s first Mack Rides Xtreme Spinning Coaster. Themed around the famous Tomorrowland electronic dance music festival, the ride pairs a pulsing soundtrack and lighting with a track that launches riders through two separate LSM launch sections.
The coaster’s individual four-seat cars spin freely and unpredictably through six inversions, including a distinctive double-inverting dive loop, giving it the record for the most inversions on any spinning coaster. Reaching speeds of about 56 mph (90 km/h) along a 3,018-foot layout, it cost an estimated €17.5 million to build and remains one of the park’s signature attractions.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Plopsaland Belgium (De Panne)
- Manufacturer: Mack Rides
- Opened: July 1, 2021
- Height: about 108 feet (33 m)
- Top speed: about 56 mph (90 km/h)
- Length: about 3,018 feet (920 m)
- Inversions: 6
The Ride Experience
Riders board individually spinning four-seat cars that rotate freely based on weight distribution and momentum, meaning no two rides are ever quite the same. Two linear synchronous motor (LSM) launch sections propel the cars through a compact but intense layout packed with inversions, including a signature double-inverting dive loop.
The entire experience is synced to a pulsing electronic soundtrack and light show inspired by the Tomorrowland music festival, reinforcing the ride’s identity as a celebration of the DJ culture the festival is known for rather than a typical theme park storyline.
Records and Recognition
As Europe’s first Mack Rides Xtreme Spinning Coaster, The Ride to Happiness holds the distinction of offering more inversions than any other spinning coaster in the world. Its combination of free-spinning cars and inverting elements was considered a genuine engineering first when it debuted.
The ride has also drawn attention from the enthusiast community, ranking among the top steel coasters in the Golden Ticket Awards rankings in the years following its opening, cementing Plopsaland’s reputation among serious coaster travelers despite the park’s smaller regional profile.
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The Ride to Happiness FAQs
Where is The Ride to Happiness located?
It is located at Plopsaland Belgium, a theme park in Adinkerke (De Panne), Belgium.
Who manufactured The Ride to Happiness?
Mack Rides built the coaster as its Xtreme Spinning Coaster model, the first of its kind installed in Europe.
How many inversions does The Ride to Happiness have?
It features 6 inversions, including a double-inverting dive loop, giving it the record for most inversions on a spinning coaster.
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Photo: Jérémy-Günther-Heinz Jähnick / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.