Hi, my name is Romee Popelier, and I have always been fascinated by the excitement and thrill of roller coasters and attractions. As a child, I was drawn to the technology behind these machines that entertain people. I remember my first visit to Efteling back in 1998. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the Python going through its loopings without falling off the track.
The visit to Efteling and the annual fair in our hometown made a big impact and inspired me to start building amusement rides with K’nex. I was so determined that I ended up building models that didn’t even fit in our house! In 2006, I began showcasing my K’nex models at exhibitions under the name of RP Rides.
I completed my secondary school education in Belgium, where I focused on engineering. While my friends went to the club, I continued working on my roller coaster dream. Later, I pursued my studies in mechanical engineering and theme park management. I realized that the creative and technical side of attraction development is interdependent and essential. Understanding both worlds would be a significant benefit in my pursuit of creating innovative and exciting rides.
Fueled by a dream of becoming a roller coaster designer, I tried to find my way into the industry. When I turned 18 I started my career in the industry as a ride operator at Toverland. This experience gave me valuable insights into ride operations and maintenance and opened many doors for me.
One day, the director invited me for a cup of coffee and showed me the park’s expansion plans. He gave me the best advice I’ve ever received: attend the IAAPA trade shows to network and meet roller coaster manufacturers. Without hesitation, I skipped a week of school and traveled to the IAAPA Expo in Berlin. It was like being a kid in a candy store. I returned home more certain than ever that this was the industry for me.
Alongside my studies and work at Toverland, I made it a priority to attend every IAAPA tradeshow that I could afford. This decision proved to be invaluable in building a strong network. It secured internships and job opportunities at places like Hersheypark, Efteling, and TUV Nord. After an internship at a consultancy agency for amusement rides, I finally got the opportunity to design roller coasters. A few years later, my dream became a reality when my first roller coaster opened in Denmark.
In 2014, I founded RP Rides, a company specializing in design and consultancy for amusement rides and attractions. Today, I am proud of the reputation I’ve built with RP Rides. I love working on innovative and exciting rides for clients around the world to make this world a little bit brighter every day.
RP Rides is a consulting agency that was founded in 2014 by Romee Popelier. Initially starting as a freelance roller coaster design agency after Romee Popelier completed her internship with a roller coaster supplier. Over the years RP Rides has evolved into a leading sales consultancy for amusement rides and experiences.
In response to the economic challenges in 2020, Romee Popelier utilized her extensive network and passion for the industry to pivot the company’s focus toward selling amusement rides. RP Rides 2.0 was born, and with it came a range of innovative products and services for the theme park industry.
With over 15 years of experience in the field and a strong network, RP Rides is uniquely positioned to assist clients throughout the entire ride development process. We collaborate with a variety of organizations, including theme parks, zoos, museums, and showmen to create exciting ride experiences that captivate guests of all ages.
Working closely with our reliable partners, we have successfully completed numerous projects. We are always on the lookout for new opportunities to collaborate with clients in the industry. Be sure to check out our references to see some of the exciting projects we have worked on in the past!
We have a global network of park operators, manufacturers & suppliers, designers, master- planners and more to create your new ride.
We believe in personal sales based on long-term relationships.
Theme parks & leisure are our passion, we care about your business.
We work only with the best suppliers that guarantee the highest safety & quality standards in our industry.
Our manufacturers produce rides that grant a long life cycle.
We assist our clients from concept & proposal stage until delivery & after sales.
Tell us more about your project! We’re happy to answer your questions and provide you with additional information.