Mack Rides’ new rocking-boat ride system at Futuroscope will change theme parks
Mack Rides’ new ride system, the world’s first rocking-boat ride, could change the future of theme parks after debuting at Parc du Futuroscope in France.
By Chloé Falco L’Hérault
A refreshing prototype from Mack Rides
Futuroscope strikes again with its new Mission Bermudes attraction, proving itself as a leader in innovative experiences worldwide.
Mission Bermudes is a hybrid water ride using the new “rocking boat” ride system developed by Mack Rides. It follows the style of storytelling implemented with Futuroscope’s Chasseurs de Tornades in 2022, consisting of an array of original characters accompanying guests throughout the adventure.
The ride system is a clever variation of the already famous water coaster type from Mack Rides. This time, the boat itself isn’t directly on the track; it is attached to a chasis instead via a jointed framework. The boat can have a variety of movements, like swaying, floating, accelerating, and going backward, as well as taking sharp turns both on the ground, in the water, and even in the air if we consider the ride’s elevator moment.
This ride system is rumored for future use in a potential “Creature of the Black Lagoon” attraction at Universal Epic Universe in Orlando, Fla. (Dark Universe’s creative director did tell us “more monster stories” could be on the way in an Epic Universe expansion, after all.)
While some segments of the ride use linear induction motors (LIM) to advance, some others rely on powerful water movements from hidden pumps.
Parc du Futuroscope invited Attractions Magazine out to the pre-opening of the ride ahead of its official opening on June 28, 2025. The overall experience of Mack’s ride system as executed in Mission Bermudes is exhilarating. The natural movements offered with the floating system give a touch of realism to a supernatural scenario and is balanced by the over-the-top elements for a touch of unashamed fun. With onboard audio and light effects, it feels like the water equivalent of Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland in California and Dinosaur at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando. There seems to be a promising lighting package, but with it only being visible at night, we’ll have to wait for winter to see how it enhances the adventure.
This ride system is only in its infancy and yet delights us all already. The possibilities are exciting, mainly for a possible new generation of dark rides.
With the ride being accessible to individuals from 1.05 meters tall (41 inches) and not having a height or weight maximum restriction, it makes for an inclusive experience for entire families to enjoy. The hourly capacity being of 1,000 people with nine boats and only one station also makes it efficient and fitting for such a major attraction in the park.
The backstory of Mission Bermudes
The storyline? Dispatched by the fictional Atlas Team, three explorers are sent on a mission to the Bermuda Triangle. Their objective is to uncover the secrets of this area, infamous for the many unexplained disappearances of planes and ships that occur there. Once on site, everything takes a dramatic turn. One by one, the team members vanish, and when the visitors arrive at the base camp, there’s no one left. Riders now must embark on an expedition to search for the missing explorers.
Photos by Chloé Falco L’Hérault
After navigating through the dark rocks of the Bermuda Triangle, witnessing supernatural occurrences, and escaping the turmoil of the rapids, new explorers will have to pass through a space-time portal, materialized by a 16-meter-high (52-foot-high) drop at over 60 km/h (37 mph) to travel back to the base.
Environmentally friendly, geographically authentic
Futuroscope’s commitment with the environment is honored with the installation of this new attraction and ride system. A smart water cycle has been implemented, reusing water from the Aquascope water park after being filtered for the ride, which in turn head toward the body of waters surrounding the Ecolodgee hotel. This also represents two constructed wetlands for 5,000 m3 of water, treated by phytoremediation: natural stones and plants implemented in the area to naturally filter said waters.
Photo courtesy of Moment Factory / Futuroscope
There are about 72 types of plants throughout Mission Bermudes. The park’s design teams prioritized plants suited to the region’s climate and require little water, in line with a water-efficient and low-maintenance approach.
True to their edutainment history, the creative teams of the Futuroscope maintained a few historical and geographical references to bring their own Bermuda Triangle to life. The queue offers displays about famous mysterious disappearances of boats (like the Mary Celeste) and other vehicles.
The creative team sourced real French vintage planes and boats to add throughout the area instead of building custom ones. The menu at the nearby Bermuda Bar consists of Cuban food and concoctions, referencing the supposed location of the mythical area.
Photo by JL Audy / Futuroscope
This is also the first time the Futuroscope team built a fully themed outdoor ride and area. The vegetation still needs to grow to sell the illusion of a tropical island and hide the surrounding buildings, though it seems on a good path and quite the impressive feat for a first try.
Mack Rides’ rocking-boat ride system is a game-changer for Futoroscope
Apparent budget cuts on the 25 million investment do show on the tower element, previously shown as a control tower building, fully closed, being now a simple coaster elevator out in the open. An indoor media segment seems to have been cut as well.
If there really was anything to note, it would be the presence (or lack of) of the cast we meet during the ending segment: we found them and brought them back, though they’re nowhere to be seen.
Nonetheless, the ride holds its promise of a unique, fun and innovative experience, that could be found nowhere else.
Mission Bermudes is a game-changer for Futuroscope in many aspects. With a legacy of simulators and screen-based attractions, a themed outdoor water-ride comes as a pleasant surprise and very important first asset to broaden their offer.
It closes off a prolific five-year-plan that has us asking for more.
An adventurous pre-opening day
During our media day preview of Mission Bermudes, it’s 9:30 a.m. when we step on the platform of Futuroscope’s TGV Train Station. Heading out of it, we already find ourselves inside the park, thanks to the very convenient second entrance, next to the Danse avec les Robots attraction. A joyful marching band greets us as we make our first steps in, and escorts us to our mysterious new adventure: Mission Bermudes.
Photo by Chloé Falco L’Hérault
As we approach this brand-new area, new sounds fill the air as the guitars from the music band staged in front of a new bar plays. The Hispanic tones of their song, reminiscent of the presumed location of the infamous Bermuda Triangle, set the tone for the opening ceremony.
Another stage has been installed on the new esplanade, next to the ride entrance, giving us a view of the body of water where the last segment (including the main drop) and the station of their novelty is located.
We are introduced to the Atlas Exploration Team, the fictional company behind the expedition we’re being offered today. The director Agent Sabrina Morel introduces us to two of the three scientists leading the exploration, Jennifer and Victor, before sending them off to the base to prepare the first expedition.
Between fiction and reality, it is now time for the various representatives of both the government and Futuroscope to say a few words before the very first operating team of the ride joins the inauguration.
As the Minister of Tourism Nathalie Delattre and the General Manager of Futuroscope Rodolphe Bouin cut the ribbon, one of the boats from the ride descends its final drop for all to see, accompanied by colorful pyrotechnics and a thunder of applause. The instant the crowd realizes the boat is empty, fictitious Agent Morel rushes back on stage, claiming the explorers have vanished.
It is now time to send rescue missions into the Bermuda Triangle. The adventure begins!
We make our way toward the entrance of the ride as the first group of individuals to be officially partaking in the adventure. We note the presence of Michael Mack, CEO of MACK One and Europa-Park. (Remember, Mack is the manufacturer of the brand-new ride system used in Mission Bermudes.)
Coming out of the experience completely soaked, we’re offered to try the convenient turbo dryers at the exit before taking a picture with the actors from the Atlas Team and heading toward the conference room for a small committee presentation.
The conference consisted of a presentation by Rodolphe Bouin on the overall role Mission Bermudes plays in the Futuroscope’s 2025 plan, the 2030 horizon, and then a technical overview of the ride with project managers Camille Boulay and Adrien Pereyrol.
Photo by Chloé Falco L’Hérault
The ride is the last project of the 2025 plan, following the opening of their first roller coaster, Objectif Mars; two THEA Awards recipients for the ride Chasseurs de Tornades and the Aquascope water park; as well as two hotels, Station Cosmos and Ecolodgee; the Futuroscope Arena and a new entrance plaza, costing 300 million euros.
As for 2030, no major announcements were made at the time. The Omnimax pavilion and the Sébastien Loeb Racing Xperience will be reimagined for 2026 and a new coaster is in the works for 2028, as well as a fourth hotel for the destination, though no further details were revealed.
With the conference coming to an end, we were allowed to explore the park for the rest of the day at our heart’s desire, that included being able to re-experience Mission Bermudes as many times as we wished to properly assess their new offer, and let’s not lie, enjoy ourselves on this fun-packed ride.
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