Animal Treasure Island Gardaland

Inaugurated in 2025 as the crown jewel of Gardaland’s 50th Anniversary season, Animal Treasure Island is a groundbreaking water dark ride. This attraction is a world premiere, designed specifically for Gardaland before its concept is replicated in other Merlin Entertainment parks across the globe.

The ride is located in the legendary area formerly occupied by I Corsari. Following a massive €10 million investment, the site has been completely transformed into a 6,000 sqm subterranean world, plunging guests nearly 14 meters below the surface.

What is a Water Dark Ride?

A water dark ride is an immersive experience where guests board boats to drift along a custom-built canal. You travel through darkened, highly detailed environments enhanced by special effects, projections, lighting, and soundscapes.

Unlike "splash" attractions such as Escape from Atlantis, which focus on steep drops and getting wet, a water dark ride prioritizes storytelling and sensory immersion. Here, the water is your transport, not the source of the adrenaline.

The Journey: 20 Immersive Underground Scenes

Guests board 40-seat boats for a journey through 20 breathtaking scenes. The 600-meter indoor canal reaches depths of 14 meters underground, with some chambers reaching heights of nearly 14 meters to accommodate the massive, cinematic sets.

The attraction’s "magic" is powered by three cutting-edge technological pillars:

• 360-Degree Binaural Audio: With over 250 speakers placed strategically throughout the ride, the sound is three-dimensional. Voices, music, and ambient sounds move with you, creating a spatial realism that conventional audio systems cannot match.
• Original Orchestral Soundtrack: Every scene features its own bespoke musical score. Hundreds of hours were dedicated to composing tracks that amplify the emotional impact of every narrative beat.
• Custom-Built Hardware: The entire infrastructure was developed exclusively for Animal Treasure Island. Specialized global suppliers collaborated to create systems that exist in no other Merlin attraction worldwide.

Animal Treasure Island by the Numbers

Inauguration Year	2025
Type	Water Dark Ride
Surface Area	6,000 sqm
Max Depth	~14 meters underground
Track Length	~600 meters
Scenes	20
Boat Capacity	40 seats
Audio Setup	250+ speakers
Total Investment	~€10 Million

The Legacy: Honoring I Corsari

For long-time Gardaland fans, Animal Treasure Island occupies a site filled with nostalgia. I Corsari, the legendary pirate ride that defined the park for over 30 years, closed its doors in 2024.

The transformation was more than a simple replacement. The creative team worked to honor the "narrative soul" of the area. The structure of the adventure—a boat-based treasure hunt featuring allies and antagonists—maintains a golden thread of continuity with the past while introducing a vibrant, original universe.

Who is it for?

Animal Treasure Island is the ultimate family attraction. With no significant height restrictions and a smooth ride profile, it is perfect for everyone, from toddlers to grandparents. While some scenes feature darkness and mild tension, the experience is carefully balanced for a broad audience.

It is particularly recommended for:

• Families with children of all ages (including those too small for coasters).
• Story-lovers who prefer immersive worlds over high-speed thrills.
• Nostalgic visitors curious to see the evolution of the I Corsari site.
• Trend-setters wanting to experience a world premiere before it goes global.

Meet & Greet the Crew

Don't miss the exclusive Meet & Greet area! You can meet the stars of the ride in person: Captain Nine Lives, Bubbles, Dax Danger, and the formidable Captain Blackbear. It’s the perfect chance for a souvenir photo in a fully themed setting. Check the official Gardaland app for daily appearance times.

Practical Tips

• When to visit: As a major new attraction, queues can be long. Since the ride is entirely indoors and climate-controlled, it is the perfect escape during the hottest hours of the day (12:00 PM – 3:00 PM) when outdoor lines are at their peak.
• With small children: There are no drops or inversions. However, the darkness and loud sound effects in the first scene might surprise very sensitive children; a quick "heads-up" before boarding usually does the trick!
• Autumn & Night Openings: During Magic Halloween or summer night events, the ride feels even more atmospheric as you transition from the twilight outside into the deep underground world.