Wonderla to make Tamil Nadu debut on December 2 with new Chennai park

Wonderla Holidays on Tuesday (Nov 18) announced that its fifth amusement park, Wonderla Chennai, will open to the public on December 2. The park will be inaugurated a day earlier by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, the company said.

Built with an investment of over ₹611 crore, the 64.30-acre park (of which 37 acres are currently developed) marks Wonderla’s entry into Tamil Nadu. Located along Old Mahabalipuram Road in Illalur village, the company said the park blends futuristic design concepts with elements inspired by ancient Tamil architecture.

Wonderla Chennai houses 43 rides across thrill, family, kids, and water categories, with a daily visitor capacity of 6,500. Ticket prices start at ₹1,489, with a 10% discount on online bookings and a 20% concession for college students carrying valid IDs.

The park will introduce Tanjora, India’s first and largest Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) inverted roller coaster, featuring multiple inversions, zero-G rolls and a floorless design. Other key attractions include Spin Mill, billed as India’s tallest spinning thrill ride at 50 metres, and Sky Rail, a 540-metre elevated monorail offering panoramic views from Viking-inspired gondolas.

The park’s layout aims to take visitors on a "journey through time and space," transitioning from stone-carved heritage zones to futuristic ride areas. The design includes shaded areas, natural ventilation, and the use of locally sourced stone and granite.

Wonderla Chennai includes eight themed dining venues with 1,384 seats, offering regional dishes such as Dindigul biryani, Chettinad chicken, and Chennai-style seafood, alongside international options. All food will be prepared under Wonderla’s "Make-Ready-Discard" system to ensure freshness.

Retail offerings will feature Tamil cinema-inspired merchandise and products crafted by local artisans, including Thanjavur and Marapachi dolls.

Guest amenities include changing and locker rooms, first-aid and paramedic stations, baby-care areas, accessible pathways and a 1,500-seat multipurpose conference hall. An 8,500 sq. ft. open-air event space will cater to corporate and community gatherings.

The project is expected to generate more than 1,000 direct and indirect jobs. It was facilitated by the Tamil Nadu Industrial Guidance & Export Promotion Bureau.

Sustainability features include a 3.75 crore-litre rainwater harvesting tank, a 1,000 kW solar installation (in Phase 2), over 32,000 sq. m of green cover and 1,000 indigenous trees. All ride and water systems comply with EN 13814, IS 3328 and IS 10500 standards.

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