Case Study: Land of Legends Expansion

After its continued growth since opening in 2016, The Land of Legends in Turkey had become so popular that it naturally became time to add some new rides to absorb some if its growing guest demand and accommodate the thousands of riders flocking to the park annually. 

The answer came from looking up. Across the water park industry, a clear trend has been emerging: vertical water slide towers. Rather than taking up more land, parks are building upward, stacking multiple slides on a single compact footprint. The Land of Legends recognized this opportunity and partnered with WhiteWater to create Europe’s tallest water slide. The result has solved their queue crisis, uses their real estate wisely, and gives returning guests a reason to rediscover the park—all from one skyline-defining structure. 

The Capacity Diagnosis 

Themed after the dragonfly, the new water slide tower is called Waterfly in honor of the creature known for its speed, precision, and predatory efficiency. With nine new water slides, the project was ambitious.  

Ambitious in terms of height and scope, but mainly because of time. The park wanted the tower to open in less than a year, and that required demolition of an existing building. Working around the clock, WhiteWater cleared the building and began engineering, running hundreds of simulations to account for wind loads, soil conditions, and the dynamic forces of rafts carrying riders at high speeds. The ground had previously supported a different building, which meant new testing, new calculations, and new reinforcement to ensure guest safety. 

Throughout the construction process, the park remained open. Guests watched from nearby attractions as the new water slide tower rose around them. This created its own pressure: the construction team couldn’t afford delays. WhiteWater’s Project Managers Ayberk Yuksel and Okyay Halavurt coordinated every moving piece, managing the construction zone, logistics, subcontractors, and the global supply chain simultaneously to keep the project on time and budget. 

Breaking Records: The Tallest in Europe 

The results of the effort speak for themselves. Not only does the Flatline Loop hold the title of Europe’s tallest water slide, but the tower also features a world-first attraction: the Master Blaster + Helix Twist + Tailspin Fusion, marking the first Helix Twist ever built. Unlike traditional slides, where the path is predictable, the Helix Twist introduces a completely new way to experience movement on a water slide. Rather than simply following a fixed route, riders pass through a series of helical turns that create a shifting sense of direction and perspective. The geometry of the slide plays with both motion and visual perception, creating what feels like part thrill ride, part optical illusion. Riders enter enclosed sections before emerging into wider elements where the twisting path becomes more pronounced, building anticipation and making it difficult to predict what comes next. 

What makes the Helix Twist impactful is how it changes the overall ride experience. The twisting layout adds variation, surprise, and a sense of disorientation that keeps riders fully engaged from start to finish. There is also a strong element of curiosity built into the design, as riders try to understand the path and anticipate what comes next, often leading to repeat rides. Even underneath the ride tower, the movement of the rafts through the element creates passive capacity, giving guests something to watch and building anticipation before they even get on the ride.  

Creating an Area Just for Kids 

The Land of Legends understood that a successful expansion cannot focus solely on thrill seekers. Families arrive with children of all ages, and if the youngest guests have nothing to do, the entire group leaves early. That is why the team placed a dedicated kids’ area right next to the runout lanes of the new slide tower. The juxtaposition is deliberate: parents can watch the big thrills and the little ones simultaneously, turning what could have been a trade-off into a win-win. While Water Fly commands the sky, the ground below tells the story of the butterfly, creating a theme fit for younger kids. 

This area is not just an add-on. It introduces the Mini Blaster + Rattler Fusion, bringing together two ride elements typically found on larger slides into a format designed for younger riders. By combining uphill blasts with high-banking turns, the attraction gives kids an early introduction to the dynamics of bigger rides elsewhere in the park. It adds depth to the experience while keeping it accessible, helping younger guests build confidence and encouraging repeat rides.  

The Result 

The Land of Legends expansion shows what can be achieved when teams work closely together toward a shared goal. WhiteWater and The Land of Legends removed an existing structure, built the foundation for a 50+ meter tower, installed the steel structure, and introduced the world’s first Helix Twist, all while the park continued to operate and welcomed thousands of guests each day. 

The result is a new landmark for the park, one that helps reduce wait times, increase capacity, and add a strong visual presence to the skyline. Delivering a project of this scale in under a year is no small task. It reflects the level of coordination, commitment, and problem-solving behind the scenes. When the right teams come together, even the most challenging timelines can be achieved.