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& Revue
European Star Award 2014
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Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, Coca-Cola light, das rote Rundlogo, die Konturflasche und die dynamische Welle sind eingetragene Schutzmarken der The Coca-Cola Company.
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EUROPEAN STAR AWARD 2014 &
Revue This year, all parks and manufacturers which have
ISSN 1436-6525 appears 12 x per year ■ Gemi Verlags GmbH
attained places 1, 2, and 3 are receiving exclusively manufactured sculptures hand-made from Bohemian crystal
Pfaffenhofener Straße 3 85293 Reichertshausen Tel.: +49 (0) 84 41/40 22-0 Fax: +49 (0) 84 41/718 46 info@gemiverlag.de g g www.kirmesparkrevue.de ■ Managing Directors Gerd Reddersen Rudolf Neumeier ■ Editoral Manager EAS-Special Frank Lanfer frank.lanfer@gemiverlag.de ■ International Representative Translation, Advertisements Agi Reddersen Phone: +49 (0 ) 84 41/8 10 57 Facsimile: +49 (0 ) 84 41/8 61 05 www.ag-advertising.de Kirmes.A@t-online.de ■ Representative USA Shari Viox ■ Representative Great Britain
INTRODUCTION very warm welcome to the twelfth Euro Attractions Show, which, following the event in 2009 has returned
A
once again to Amsterdam – and with that has achieved a record participation that surpasses previous years:
with over 400 exhibitors from around the globe, the exhibition impressively continues its recent success story!
Michele Emmett ■ Proof Reader
And we are also proud that as Europe's leading trade magazine we have also contributed a little and now for
Marcus Gaines ■ Editorial Assistant
the European theme park industry.
Heike Genz ■ Production
the third time are presenting the independent European Star Award – an award that is dedicated explicitly to
This award has been created with the assistance of an international team of experts voting in eleven categories, acknowledging the efforts within the European theme park branch, and bringing attention to entrepreneurial
Westner Medien GmbH ■ Printing
courage and exceptional innovations.
Kössinger AG Schierling ■ Advertisements
Our precise and honest voting method has already proved successful: Choices could be made from all theme
GEMI Verlags GmbH ■ Sales and Marketing Gerd Reddersen ■ Subscriptions DataM-Services GmbH Postfach 91 61 97091 Würzburg phone: +49 (0) 931/4170-178 (Mo-Tu 8-17, Fr 8-15) Facsimile +49 (0) 931/4170-179 services-abo@verlagsunion.de ■ Photo Credits We like to say thank you to all parks and our authors ■ Free Special Edition Online Download this edition for free on: www.kirmesparkrevue.com/eas Please visit our website: www.kirmesparkrevue.de Follow us on facebook: facebook.com/kirmesparkrevue All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be duplicated or published without written permission from the publisher. This prohibition also pertains to the commercial duplication by copying, input into an electronic database, and duplication onto a CD-ROM.
parks throughout Europe, including Russia and Turkey, with the minimum criteria of at least one (ride) attraction at the park. In each category, members of the trade jury were able to award their three personal favourites 3, 2 or 1 star(s) for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place. All we had to do then was add up the stars – and the winner was the park or the attraction with the most points. And it was only after this – and this fact must be clearly emphasised – that we followed through with targeted advertising enquiries. Our independence was and remains of supreme priority! Nevertheless our thanks must naturally be given to all jury members, sponsors, and advertising clients, who with their engagement secure the continued existence of this independent award. This year’s extended trade jury is intended to keep the European Star Award young and exciting – as a result there were several surprising changes in the top positions in comparison to last year’s awards. We would like to retain this dynamic for future awards as well and therefore we will have a slightly changed jury every year. If you would like to participate in the vote next year, if you are impartial and objective, and if you have a wide knowledge of the European theme park scene, please contact us. As already well known, next year the Euro Attractions Show will take place in Göteborg (6th to 8th October, 2015). And we are very pleased to announce that the European Star Awards 2015 event will take place in a theme park for the very first time – namely the very beautiful Liseberg! Our heartfelt congratulations to all theme parks and water parks that have been chosen to be among the Top 10, and recognised as the best of the best in Europe.
Certified active member of the
We wish you all an exciting and inspiring time in Amsterdam Frank Lanfer
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THE EXPERT-JURY OF THE EUROPEAN STAR AWARD 2014 Michael Badelt (Germany)
the magazine pertaining to amusement parks in Rus-
In his early childhood Michael Badelt developed a very
the near future, the concept of parks will dramatically
strong enthusiasm for fairgrounds and theme parks,
change, and standard entertainment will be replaced
way over the usual degree. And so there were ride con-
by robots that match the slogan “Hands-on, Minds-on”
structions made of cardboard, long before there were
to allow the visitor to set speed and extreme level, as
thematically fitting plastic bricks available from a firm
well as by 3D printing technology and augmented
in the Black Forest. Coasters and Ghost Rides as well
reality. Nowadays parks are competing for visitors
as themed rides were already creating elation in those
involving them in the game and improving the quality
times, continuing right up to this day. And so it's not
of guest experience by combining immersive experi-
too surprising that the hobby developed into a profes-
ences and special effects with high level of interaction
sia (www.newparkculture.ru/en). She believes that in
Michael Badelt Natalia Bakhlina
sion around the millennium. These days Michael
and engagement. Since the new generation of theme
Badelt operates the specialist firm for the amusement
park visitors have been raised with a mobile device in
industry (www.intya.net), t which primarily concentrates
their hand, content creation and interactivity is not a
on video and projection effects, show control systems,
possible alternative, but a lifestyle. Anastasia hopes
as well as the planning and operation of Haunted
that those companies that cause the greatest number
Houses and Walkthrough attractions. But despite all
of positive emotions of guests, who immediately want
his professionalism, Michael has not lost his enjoyment
to share it on Facebook, will become winners.
of the world of theme parks: "Being able to be surprised by a new attraction, is something a little like Christmas
Victor Cavaller (Spain)
isn't it?" He is the Managing Director of Garmisch Consulting
Natalia Bakhlina (Great Britain)
Group (www.garmischconsulting.com), the new Enter-
She has 10 years of consulting experience in real
to leading GCG, he was part of O-partners and of
estate economics with emphasis on entertainment
Thinkwell Europe, serving as Show Producer for the
tainment Design firm based in the German Alps. Prior
Anastasia Buzhor
Victor Cavaller
destinations and complex mixed-use developments
2007 “Furius Baco” coaster at PortAventura, as Pro-
including both urban and resort schemes. Natalia be-
ducer for the 2006 “Batman Begins & Police Academy
gan her career as an analyst at Knight Frank in
Stunt Shows” at Parque Warner Madrid, as well as be-
Moscow, where she led the office real estate market
ing Project Manager for “Ice Age Adventure!” at Movie
analytics. She moved to the UK in 2006, where she
Park Germany, and Ski Dubai’s Snow Park (the first in-
joined Economics Research Associates (ERA) and has
door cold play area of its kind in the world) at the Mall
since worked across Europe, Middle East, and Asia.
of Emirates in Dubai. Victor was also a part of the team
Over the years she has completed a wide range of
responsible for the award-winning “FiestAventura
leisure and attraction assignments including feasibility
Nighttime Spectacular”, the “Templo del Fuego” at-
studies, reviews of operational performance, econom-
traction, as well as the “Sea Odyssey” simulator at Port-
ic impact analyses, and due diligence for a number of
Aventura. Victor Cavaller has a degree in Audio/Visual
large-scale attractions and attraction groups. In 2014,
Communication from the University Autonoma de
Natalia became a Partner at Leisure Development
Barcelona, and has produced many Spanish feature
Partners (LDP), a leading consulting practice focused
films, documentaries, and commercials for television.
on leisure and entertainment real estate. LDP excels at
His credits in Spain include the feature films “Cravan
market and economic testing for both new projects
vs. Cravan”, “La leyenda del tiempo” and “La maleta
and existing operations, providing services to the de-
mexicana”.
velopment, investment and operations communities (www.leisuredevelopment.co.uk)
Matteo Crepaldi (Italy)
Anastasia Buzhor (Ukraine)
After obtaining a Master of Science degree in Space
She is the independent expert of the New Park Culture
dream of starting a career in the amusement industry
magazine. Due to the specifics of her job, Anastasia
became a reality. Since 2010 he has been writing for
has visited many expos of the entertainment industry
the Kirmes & Park Revue about Swiss and Italian parks,
and has communicated directly with manufacturers of
first working for a short period of time as a Design En-
attractions for the largest parks in the world. She
gineer for abc engineering, and since May 2014 he is
actively monitors trends in the CIS market and tells
employed by Intamin as Development Engineer and
business audience about them in New Park Culture –
Technical Editor. Because of this he was excluded from
Engineering, Matteo moved to Switzerland where his
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Matteo Crepaldi
Seite 5
Rik Engelen
voting in the coaster categories of the European Star
Dr. Michael H. Faber
Dr. Felix Fritz (Germany)
Dr. Felix Fritz Marcus Gaines
Awards. Matteo still enjoys travelling around the world to experience firsthand the weightlessness of outer
He has been fascinated by theme parks ever since his
space on earth as well.
father took him to Europa-Park as a child, and some
Rik Engelen (Belgium)
“roller coaster dynamics” during his time as a doctor-
time later by roller coasters. As a result, he worked on ate candidate after attaining his degree in mechanical Rik was born in 1975 and lives in Belgium (Flanders).
engineering. During this time he established contact
He has a law degree and works at the Belgian insur-
to TÜV SÜD in Munich (www.tuev-sued.de). He does
ance company Ethias. The 38-year-old has always had
reviews of technical documentation and on-site ac-
a childhood fascination for everything theme park re-
ceptance tests of rides worldwide for this company
lated – particularly coasters and water rides. He grew
nowadays. Although he knows the business behind
up with his hometown park Bobbejaanland. Once he
the magic, he still likes to visit parks and loves to take
began working and had his own car, he started to visit
some airtime on a roller coaster.
other European parks. Since his other interest is photography, it is a good combination for also writing for
Marcus Gaines (Great Britain)
Bart Gees
Kirmes & Park Revue, and other magazines. For example, somewhere around 2001 he started cooper-
He grew up as a theme park and funfair fan. All family
ating with www.rcdb.com. For a few years now, he has
holidays as a child involved visiting at least one theme
been handling the site’s photo management. His wife
park somewhere in the world. In the meantime Marcus
is also as passionate about roller coasters as he is, so
has visited over 260 different theme parks, in 19 diff-
they always travel together to fill out the blank spots on
erent countries, riding 1,200 different roller coasters.
their theme park map.
Marcus typically spends 30 days a year in a theme park somewhere in the world. As the father of 2 young
Dr. Michael H. Faber (Germany)
boys Marcus now looks at theme parks differently, paying as much interest in the family rides as thrilling roller
As a child he was enthralled by motorbikes and fire
coasters. Graduating from university in 1999 with an
engines on kiddie carousels. During his studies his in-
honours degree in Media Production and Technology,
terests were in work-related mobile population groups,
his first job was show technician for the Disney Cruise
and he immersed himself in the world of the showman
Line. These days he works for one of Britain’s largest
as a young man, wanting to travel with them. The cul-
broadcasting companies, and he is often called upon
tural academic from Bonn, graduating with his disser-
to use his knowledge of the amusement industry to
tation about showmen, is considered to be cofounder
work on documentaries and news features involving
of a folkloristic socio-historic showman and fairground
theme parks and roller coasters. Many of his videos
research. In 1995, as Deputy Director of the Landes-
from around the world can be seen at www.coaster-
museum für Volkskunde, Freilichtmuseum Kommern
touring.com
Dr. H. Jürgen Kagelmann
(www.kommern.lvr.de; State Museum of Folklore), Dr. Faber laid the foundation of the nationwide represen-
Bart Gees (Belgium)
tative format for historic funfairs, with the still existing “Jahrmarktes anno dazumal”. Faber supports the Ger-
After several marketing and sales roles for AB-InBev
man Showman Association with his petition for the
and Coca-Cola Enterprises, he joined The Coca-Cola
recognition of the German Volksfests as immaterial cul-
Company in 2012 as International Manager for Travel
tural asset in the UNESCO-World Heritage listing.
and Leisure. In his role, he is responsible for inter-
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national customers in the lodging and leisure parks
integrator to conduct the business development of the
channel in Europe. As Coca-Cola operates with a fran-
company in Europe. Furthermore, he also manages
chising system with local bottlers, Bart is supporting
OOPARC, an online theme park guide for French-
the local teams in developing best-in-class execution
speaking visitors (www.ooparc.com)
in this exciting Leisure Parks channel. With his global network he has a view to the new innovations and de-
Frédéric Pastuszak (France)
velopments around the world, and shares best practices between the different countries. For Coca-Cola,
His passion for our industry began during his youth
leisure parks are not only a sales opportunity, but also
with regular visits to funfairs. But after his first visit to
a channel to build brands by offering unique experi-
Europa-Park in 1989, he found his vocation: planning
ences to the visitors. Bart is from Belgium, married, has
and designing theme parks, rides, and attractions.
two sons and is cycling and music.
Since he graduated as an architect in 2004, he spent most of his career abroad. In Dubai, he worked on the
Mario O. Mamon
Dr. H. Jürgen Kagelmann (Germany)
François Mayné
The qualified psychologist and tourism researcher is
worked as Master Planer and Theming Consultant on
lecturer on the subjects of health and wellness tourism
many projects for theme parks, water parks, zoos and
at the Bremen University, tourism psychology and so-
aquariums all over Europe, the Middle East, and even
ciology at the Duale University Ravensburg, and was
in China. In the USA, he spent two years working with
design of themed shopping malls, before joining Atelier Artistique du Béton (AAB) in Paris, where he
appointed Professor for Tourism and Recreation in
PGAV Destinations on many international attractions,
Chur/Graubünden in 2009, and has been generally op-
amongst others, for SeaWorld and the Busch Gardens
erative in tourism science since 1987. He is cofounder
parks. Back in Europe in 2009, he became Master
of the "Deutschen Gesellschaft für Tourismus", the pub-
Planner and Project Architect at Europa-Park and cre-
lisher of the standard work "Tourismuspsychologie und
ated, amongst others, the wooden roller coaster
-soziologie", is author and publisher of over 30 books
"Wodan" and the newly opened indoor attraction
and studies, and is also occupied as a travel journal-
“Arthur - In the Minimoys Kingdom”. Frédéric works
ist (focal points: theme parks, experience worlds,
now as a creative consultant on various projects in the
health and wellness tourism, applied vacation psy-
Middle East.
chology), and publisher of trade literature in the areas of tourism and recreation (www.profilverlag.de)
Wolfgang Payer (Austria)
Mario O. Mamon (Malaysia)
The electrical engineer with ten years professional
Frédéric Pastuszak experience in field service as engineer for EDV-equipHe is the Chairman and President of Enchanted King-
ment has been responsible for controlling and cost
dom, the Philippines’ first and only world-class theme
accounting at the Vienna airport for many years. His
park. For almost twenty years, Enchanted Kingdom
first contact to theme parks was in 1989 when he vis-
(www.enchantedkingdom.ph) has been at the fore-
ited Disney World with his two daughters. Since then
front of the amusement and attractions industry in the
his interest in theme parks and in particular coasters
Philippines and is expected to continue to do so in the
has continually increased. He is a member of various
coming years as it prepares to transform from a stand-
fan clubs and is a master of photography (his work can
alone theme park into a weekend destination resort.
be found at www.wolfgangpayer.com).
The park is divided into seven meticulously themed zones that transport the park visitor into a certain place
Jochen Peschel (Germany)
and time in history, accentuated by the various rides, attractions and entertainment offerings in each of the Wolfgang Payer
The patent attorney in a Munich law office is occupied
zones. In his function as Acting IAAPA-President, he
in the area of Intellectual Property and other topics, as
has visited and familiarised himself with many Euro-
well as questions concerning commercial legal pro-
pean theme parks.
tection in the amusement branch. As a student he was able to take a look behind the scenes of the Pützchens
François Mayné (France)
Markt, with his interest in fairgrounds and theme parks
Born in Brussels, he has had a passion for the theme
studies in Aachen. Since then he is responsible for the
park industry since he was a child. After graduating in
contents of www.coastersandmore.de, the online
being awakened during his electrical engineering
8
marketing, he moved to France to work at Disneyland
magazine A career as engineer at a ride manufactur-
Paris. In early 2010, he decided to develop his own
er never came into question, and instead he concen-
business and became the editor of NewsParcs, an
trated on being a part-time specialist-journalist in the
online trade publication dedicated to theme park
area of technical aspects of roller coasters and other
industry professionals. He recently joined a French A/V
amusement rides.
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Marek Pisarski
Stefan Rothaug
Marek Pisarski (Poland)
Dr. Igor Rodionov (Russia)
He is a consultant in the sector of tourism, recreation
He is a graduate of the Moscow State University of Cul-
and educational entertainment, and is owner of PAIT
ture and Arts, and at present he is the Vice President
Consulting (Polish Leisure and Amusement Consult-
of the Russian Association of Amusement Parks and
ing). He is the author of several projects in the leisure
Attractions RAAPA, as well as being Chief Editor of the
industry and in the sector of science and discovery
Russian industry specialized magazine Attractions
centres in Poland (www.atrakcje-marekpisarski.pl). He
and Entertainments. The 29-year-old is a founder of a
also does consultancies for different government in-
training centre for specialists of amusement parks and
stitutions. He organizes and arranges designs for diff-
family entertainment centres. At this time, over 750
erent themed and interactive exhibitions and attrac-
specialists from different companies in the amusement
tions. He is Editor-in-chief of the online magazine for
industry have been trained and certified at the centre.
the leisure industry “Atrakcje” (www.magazynatrakc-
Since 2010 Igor has been acting as a Director of
je.pl). And last but not least he is Chairman of the
RAAPA Expo (www.raapa.ru). In 2011, Igor wrote and
Association for Polish Touristic Attractions called
defended his thesis on the topic “Development of cog-
“Festiwal Polska”. His interests and passions are Imag-
nitive activity of children and teenagers in the parks of
ineering and searching for ideas for new themed
culture and leisure”. He was awarded a scientific de-
attraction realizations, as well as informal learning, the
gree of PhD in Pedagogic. Igor has published a great
interactive form of education.
number of articles and publications for Russian and
Dr. Igor Rodionov Dennis Speigel with Garfield
Marc Spies
foreign industry specialized magazines, and he acts
Stefan Rothaug (Taiwan)
as a speaker at many conferences and forums. He regularly takes part in the international trade shows of the
Born in Marburg, Germany, his first contact with theme
amusement industry. He has attended many Russian
parks came about in his early childhood at the
and foreign amusement parks and leisure complexes.
Panoramapark and Safaripark Stukenbrock. His first
Igor lectures at the Moscow State University of Culture
coasters were the "Münchnerbahn" at Traumlandpark
and Arts on “Attractions and technical support of the
and the "Big Loop" at Heide-Park. During his studies
leisure industry”.
of economic sciences he was employed in the marketing divisions of Fort Fun Abenteuerland, Panorama-
Dennis L. Speigel (USA)
park, and Phantasialand from time to time. After he fell in love with the Asian continent through countless trips
He is the President of International Theme Park Ser-
to Japan and Korea, he moved to Tokyo in 2006 and
vices, Inc. (ITPS), a leading, independent full-service
later to Taiwan, from where he observes the Asian park
management/consulting firm in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
scene to this day. With the development of the park
(www.interthemepark.com). Dennis is an internation-
scene, Stefan's focus has changed: whilst in the early
ally recognized leader and expert in the theme park
years he was mainly travelling in Japan, the first and
and leisure industry with over 50 years’ experience. He
foremost in his calendar in the meantime is Chinese
began in 1960 as a ticket taker and seasonal employ-
parks, thus travelling through Southeast Asia more and
ee at Coney Island Amusement Park (Cincinnati,
more. The 33 year-old enjoys connecting his enthusi-
Ohio), and worked his way up to manage Kings Island
asm for Asia, theme parks, and travelling, with his
(Ohio), Kings Dominion (Virginia), and then became
journalistic activities. There is nothing more enjoyable
Vice President of International Operations for the Taft
for him than to return to Tokyo from time to time, and to
Broadcasting Company’s Leisure Division. He is also
take a walk through his favourite park DisneySea.
a Past President of IAAPA (International Association of
Dr. Werner Stengel
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Seite 8
Amusement Parks & Attractions). In 2010 he received
Islands in Germany. He is currently working in Florida
the Life Time Achievement Award for his service to the
on one of the world’s first extreme sports theme park
theme park industry. Quoted daily, he regularly ap-
and resort developments. With his broad knowledge
pears in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Los
and know-how in project management and develop-
Angeles Times, USA Today, and news publications
ment, technical and operational facility management,
around the world. His company has worked on over
budgeting, control and management, he sees oppor-
500 projects in more than 50 countries.
tunities and looks outside the box for unique and successful solutions to keep the project within budget and
Marc Spies (Germany)
on schedule. He is a team positive builder who believes that a rising tide lifts all ships; he knows that no
Francis Stokkel
Following his course of studies in social work, he is
one achieves success alone. As an analytical driver he
mainly occupied in stationary youth welfare, and is also
has a passion for working with collaborative cross-
occupied in adult education consultancy as well as
functional teams. He has also deep knowledge in all
being a freelancer for media companies. He has been
kind of rides and ride constructions.
interested in fairs, parks, and water parks since his Dr. Sacha Szabo
early childhood, and with increasing age and mobility
Dr. Sacha Szabo (Germany)
often travels inland and abroad to test novelties and to experience the classics. He is indispensible in the area
Born in Freiburg, he was already fascinated by Europa-
of water parks and water slides for the Kirmes & Park
Park from his earliest childhood. During his studies of
Revue.
sociology, German philology and philosophy, he also undertook an academic view of recreational worlds
Dr. Werner Stengel (Germany)
such as theme parks, cinemas, and computer games. This led to the promotion of amusement attractions
Prof. Dr. Torsten Widmann
There’s hardly another person who has characterised
(“Rausch und Rummel”), from which many indepen-
the amusement branch as strongly as Dr. Stengel, who
dent publications have resulted. He currently works as
these days is 78 years old. He began his work in the
an entertainment scientist and trend analyst at the In-
amusement industry in 1963, working together with
stitut für Theoriekultur Freiburg and analyses everyday
Anton Schwarzkopf on the first German steel coaster.
phenomena (www.sacha-szabo.de). Naturally he de-
With him and later with other manufacturers too, he rev-
lights in testing new attractions, but Sacha Szabo is
olutionized the amusement branch repeatedly. For ex-
just as enthusiastic about putting his nose into the lat-
ample in 1976, thanks to his ingenuity, the first modern
est research. All in the name of the science of pleasure
coaster in the world with vertical loops was realised.
– or perhaps a pleasurable form of science?
Since 1974, he has been a working member of the German standard committee for DIN 4112, now the EN
Prof. Dr. Torsten Widmann (Germany)
13813. In 2004, he stepped back from active office
Andrej Woiczik
work, with his son-in-law Andreas Wild, and colleague
The 43-year-old studied tourism geography, business
Harald Wanner taking over office leadership. In 2005,
administration and economics at the University of Trier.
the Faculty of Science at the Göteborg University
Since 2007 he is Professor for Tourism and Leisure
awarded an honorary doctorate to him, in recognition
Management, initially at the Cologne Business School,
of his enormous creativity in connecting physics and
and from 2009 he is Director of the Bachelor course of
design with the experience of the human body on roller
studies “Management of Leisure and Recreation Fa-
coasters and other rides. And in 2009, Dr. Stengel was
cilities” at the Cooperative State University of Baden-
awarded the Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of
Württemberg, Ravensburg (more information on:
Germany. And last but not least, in 2013 he was be-
www.dhbw-ravensburg.de). The study path has since
stowed with the first European Star Award’s “Lifetime
developed into a proven cooperative education mod-
Award” for outstanding achievements in the amuse-
el, joined together with numerous training partners for
ment industry. Over the past decades the Stengel
junior managers for the amusement industry. A prac-
GmbH has developed the design of 650 coasters plus
tical training in partner operation evolved within the
another 600 other ride attractions worldwide.
frames of the dual study, the theoretical training at Campus Ravensburg. New partner operations are very
Francis Stokkel (USA)
welcome.
The native-born Dutch Engineer began his career in
Andrej Woiczik (Germany)
the industry with Warner Bros. Theme Park in Germany,
10
and now has almost 20 years of experience in the
Visiting theme parks all over the world has been the
leisure industry. He was involved in numerous theme
hobby of the businessman in ground and residential
park projects such as Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi,
trade, since his early childhood. His first visit to a theme
Warner Bros. Europe, Six Flags Holland and Tropical
park was in August 1976 to Legoland Sierksdorf (these
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Seite 9
Melanie Yankers-Lauterbach days Hansa Park). Since that time he has visited over
Frank Lanfer
Agi Reddersen
Frank Lanfer (Kirmes & Park Revue)
Karl Ruisinger
80 different theme parks around the globe. In his free time he gathers together his experiences, adventures
He studied architecture and urban planning at the
and impressions and posts them on the internet theme
Technical University Braunschweig, and received his
park portal Parkscout and on www.freizeitpark-welt.de
engineering degree in 2004. In 2001 he also began his
in written form, as independent editor, presenting
main occupation as Editorial Manager for the Kirmes
theme parks from around the world. The travel enthus-
& Park Revue. But part-time he is still occupied with
iast from Berlin is also a passionate runner and has tak-
theme park design and stage design, e.g. for German
en part in German and European marathon champion-
musician Peter Maffay.
ships of over 10 kilometres.
Agi Reddersen (Kirmes & Park Revue) Melanie Yankers-Lauterbach (Germany) She moved to Germany to marry, leaving her employShe received a diploma in journalism and has worked
ment as nationwide Litigation Manageress of a large
in the meantime for over 12 years for the popular week-
international banking conglomerate in Australia, over-
ly knowledge magazine "Abenteuer Leben", shown by
seeing and managing the relevant departments in all
the German television station called “Kabel 1”
aspects. She speaks three languages fluently, and is
(www.kabeleins.de/tv/abenteuer-leben). As editor she
International Representative for Gemi Verlag for all
produces own films, is additionally also deputy chief
magazines produced by the firm. Together with her
editor, plans and organises shows, and supervises her
personnel from her own company (www.ag-advertis-
colleague's films. In her reports for “Abenteuer Leben”,
ing.net), she translates the English version of the
she has often covered various aspects of theme parks
Kirmes & Park Revue each month. She also travels
and ride attractions. For example, she has accompan-
extensively around the world for the company, and
ied showmen from fairground to fairground, has doc-
never misses an opportunity to visit a theme park
umented the build-up of attractions at theme parks, or
wherever she may be.
Ralf Schmitt
reported about the opening of water parks. Thus she has become a top insider of the leisure industry virtu-
Karl Ruisinger (Kirmes & Park Revue)
ally in passing, as part of her job. Especially exciting for her are insights behind the scenes of the industry,
He studied German Philology and journalism at the
which one does not have as a normal park visitor.
Munich University. He has been Chief Editor at Gemi
OUR ADS
Verlags GmbH since 1988. His editorial responsibility
Stefan Zwanzger (UAE)
is not only focused on the Kirmes & Park Revue, but also for all other magazines of the publishing house.
t is important to point out
I
the independance of the
Stefan founded the online marketing portal affiliate.de
Karl by the way was the founder of the Kirmes & Park
voting. Targeted advertis-
after he left school and earned a small fortune. He was
Revue in 1986.
ing sales began only after
also active in film production prior to emigrating from Germany in 2005. Since 2007, he doesn't do anything
the count of votes. We
Ralf Schmitt (Kirmes & Park Revue)
else but travel around the world, visiting, picturing and
want to thank all advertisement clients as well as our
trying to understand theme and water parks from every
He studied Management in his hometown Kaiser-
sponsors for their support,
angle, whether operating, under construction or aban-
slautern, and later he moved south and has worked as
helping us to keep this in-
doned. His experiences, reviews, construction up-
Editorial Manager for the "Kirmes" section of the mag-
dependant award alive.
dates and photography - including exclusive aerials –
azine since 1989. He travels around Europe due to his
Thank you!
can be found on: www.thethemeparkguy.com
occupation.
■
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EUROPEAN STAR AWARD 2014
EUROPE’S BEST THEME PARKS
EUROPA-PARK
uropa-Park was again very
E
which naturally leads to an increase in visitors annual-
convincing and elected as
ly. No other park has the good fortune of its operating
Europe’s Best Theme Park in the
family being simultaneously a manufacturer of attrac-
third European Star Award. The
tive rides. And so Europa-Park is not only a tourist and
family-operated park’s outstand-
popular recreation destination, but at the same time is
ing position is secured by its in-
a showcase for Mack Rides. This year’s new develop-
novations and large investments.
ment “Arthur und die Minimoys”, which reached sec-
Almost every season sees the
ond place in the category “Europe’s Best New Rides”
opening of a large attraction,
should also be viewed from this aspect.
Q
uite rightly, the Spanish theme park
family friendly and breathtaking attractions make Port-
PortAventura has been voted 2nd
Aventura a unique experience that is attractive to both
place once again this year. Located in the
families and young people. Additionally there are very
■
PORT AVENTURA
immediate vicinity of the Mediterranean
few parks in Europe that have made such large
in sunny Spain, the park has a great
investments as the theme park resort located near
holiday atmosphere often remaining
Barcelona, presenting an unparalleled large attraction
open until midnight, and the mixture of
almost every year.
thrills the European Star Award
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DISNEYLAND PARK PARIS
he French Disneyland counts
two Looping Coasters) than any other Disneyland Park
without any doubt amongst the
in the world by far. So it’s not without good reason that
T
best of the best. Added to that, this
the Disneyland Park Paris has been voted to be in the
European
top positions again, as it not only offers enough variety
Disneyland
contains
more thrill attractions (among them
for children, but also for teenagers and adults.
■
EFTELING
A
t over 60 years of age the theme park resort in the
adults alike. The 200 hectare sized area also contains
Netherlands stands for fairytales, fun, and enter-
the extensive holiday village “Bosrijk” in the style of a
tainment. It is a huge fairytale land for children, as well
small village. Particular value is also attached to high
as being a large theme park for young adults and
quality shows such as “Raveleijn” and “Aquanura”.
■
TIVOLI GARDENS
T
he oldest, still existing
park dedicated to both tradition as well as thrill-
amusement park already
seekers, but is also “Copenhagen’s parlour”, with
opened in 1843, and is still
restaurants and concerts inviting guest to visit every
located in the heart of the
evening. Being open until midnight, the park offers all
capital city of Denmark. It is
night owls attractive rides, very often a party atmos-
not only an attractive theme
phere, and a fantastic sea of lights.
thrills the European Star Award
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EUROPEAN STAR AWARD 2014
EUROPE’S BEST FAMILY PARKS
DISNEYLAND PARK PARIS
onym for a theme park. There’s not a second park that brings such a sparkle into children’s eyes as far as fantasy, adventure, and experience goes. The Resort with its two parks, huge hotels and varied entertainment possibilities each evening, is an individual holiday destination, and in particular a universe for children. he largest resort in Europa by surface area and
There’s no other park that contains such strong trade-
visitor numbers is Disneyland and stands as a syn-
marks as Mickey Mouse, Cars & Co as Disneyland. ■
he earlier fairytale park has developed into a high
T
tales here often experience an interactive renaissance
value theme park over the past decades with many
that not only fascinates children. Connected up with
breathtaking ride attractions, which mostly do not exist
the park owned hotels and the huge overnight ac-
anywhere else. However the classic fairytale has never
commodation resort, Efteling offers the perfect condi-
been lost sight of, in fact quite the opposite. The fairy-
tions for the multi-day visitor.
T EFTELING
thrills the European Star Award
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HANSA-PARK
he Hansa-Park is located directly on the Baltic Sea
T
park offers young thrill seekers enough large attrac-
coast. This fact alone makes it something special.
tions, for example the coaster “Fluch von Novgorod”,
However optically the park also has unique character-
as well family experiences. The beautifully growing na-
istics: the theme areas are dedicated to the history of
ture and the breathtaking view of the Sea make Hansa-
the Hanse. Enriched with interesting attractions, the
Park a real pearl in the theme park landscape.
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LEGOLAND DEUTSCHLAND
he German Legoland is a suc-
on the park where there is not only the obligatory Mini-
T
cess model, which over the
land made of hundreds of thousands of Lego bricks,
past years in particular was con-
but also a number of unique attractions for Lego,
tinually extended in the direction of
among them for example the “Flying Ninjago” from
a multi-day resort. In the mean-
Gerstlauer. The secret of the success of all Legoland
while there are almost 1,000 beds
parks worldwide however is the intergenerational fas-
– more than in any other Legoland
cination for the small colourful plastic bricks that are
worldwide. The focus naturally is
loved by both children and their parents alike.
■
PLOPSALAND DE PANNE
he
T
Belgian
Meli-
an company Studio 100, the very popular honeybee
Park, operated by
Maya found a permanent and “real” home here a few
honey producer Flori-
years later. Additionally the Plopsa Group extended its
zoone between 1936
home-park consistently, in order to present other well
and 1999, already had
known comic characters such as the little Viking
a bee-theme in those
Wickie. In addition to over 30 ride attractions, the first
days. However with the
class theming that is attuned to popular European kid-
takeover by the Belgi-
die series can really be considered as remarkable. ■
thrills the European Star Award
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EUROPEAN STAR AWARD 2014
EUROPE’S BEST WATER PARKS
SIAM PARK t is one of the most popular
I
tourist attractions on Canary
Island’s Tenerife – not only due to its large number of slide varieties, but also because the water park that opened in 2008 has an unusual Thai theming, as the name suggests. Added to that, all the slides are so well integrated into the craggy terrain, so that there was no need for any of the often obligatory steel slide towers. Whilst a number of
and a wave pool with the highest artificial breakers.
the slides travel through pools occupied by sea
And last but not least, due to exemplary water man-
dwellers – such as through a shark pool – the 18.5 hec-
agement, it is the first company in Europe that carries
tare sized Siam Park also has the longest Lazy River
the prestigious title “Green Water Park”.
■
COSTA CARIBE
he half Caribbean half Sesame Street designed
T
Spanish
water park at the PortAventura Resort was opened
There
in 2002, and in 2013 was generously extended to twice
only the 31 me-
the size. Now available are 16 water slides from Pro-
tres
Slide, a large wave pool, a children’s bathing area that
water slide in Europe, but also many set pieces from
is
sun. not
highest
is just as large, and a huge relaxation lagoon area.
Sesame Street, which has existed in the neighbouring
Costa Caribe also promises all thrill-seekers as well as
theme park since 2011. Four park-owned theme hotels
all children many refreshing moments under the
round off the portfolio perfectly.
thrills the European Star Award
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TROPICAL ISLANDS
A
top class subtro-
ing two swimming bays, a slide tower, a kiddie play-
pical experience
ground, a number of restaurants and bars, and a huge
world now exists on
nude sauna world. Overnight accommodation is avail-
an area where once
able in the countless suites, in simple tents, or simply
a huge airship was to be built. Tropical Islands has in
on the loungers on the sandy beach. There is around-
the meantime spread in the largest unsupported hall
the-clock pool operation under the more than 100 me-
in the world, with a tropical bathing paradise contain-
tres high dome – found nowhere else in the world. ■
AQUA FANTASY
Izmir, and offers a gently sloping
sandy
beach
with bars, a number of (indoor)
pools,
and
2,500 beds. The heart of the large and most successful all-inclusive-resort in the county is the water park opened in 2000, which in those days had been constructed by the Texan firm NBGS. In the meanwhile the most modern slide
attractions
from
ost probably the most beautiful holiday resort in
Turkish manufacturer Polin dominate, and are almost
Turkey is situated directly on Mediterranean near
a type of showcase at the park.
M
GALAXY THERME ERDING
■
complex in Europe, located not far from the Munich airport. In addition to
the
bathing
area for families and the large sauna world for adults only, the Galaxy is one of the main components. The roof of this indoorslide world can be he Slide Galaxy
T
opened, however even the outside area for summer
is part of the lar-
operation has been strongly extended this year with a
gest thermal bath
large slide complex from Wiegand-Maelzer.
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EUROPEAN STAR AWARD 2014
EUROPE’S BEST NEW RIDES 2014
HELIX
urope’s most var-
launch sections, a track difference of 51 metres, and
ied coaster open-
a track length of an unbelievable 1,300 metres. Ad-
ed this year at the
ditionally the ride experience from Mack Rides plays
Swedish theme park
through without any pause for breath on a green hill in
Liseberg. “Helix” not
the middle of Göteborg, and there’s nowhere in the
E
only has seven com-
park that the track course is completely visible. This
pletely different inver-
leads to many surprising moments – for both the
sions, but also two
passengers as well as park visitors.
■
ARTHUR
he longest part of the 505
with permanent current collector with hanging cars
metres
of
that can even rotate horizontally. Simultaneously the
“Arthur” runs under the 16 metres
construction is a type of Darkride with skillful theming
high dome of “Arthur – Im König-
and a brilliant onboard-sound system with a perfectly
reich der Minimoys”. It’s the
coordinated movement sequence. Children can par-
world’s first Inverted Powered
take in the four-minute coaster experience already
Coaster, in other words a coaster
from a height of 100 centimetres.
T
track
course
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SKY SCREAM
his coaster is not for the faint-
T
hearted, because what Premier
Rides has realized here is a construction for genuine white-knuckle-fans. The 12-seat train is catapulted into the skies by way of a strong LIM drive, after which at the highest point of almost 46 metres a Heartline-Loop is experienced as well! The 263 metres long and 99 kilometres
per
hour
Vertical
Coaster “Sky Scream” extends the ride portfolio of the park in the Palatinate brilliantly.
CHIAPAS
■
hantasialand has built a “state of
P
the art” ride in every respect with its
new water attraction “Chiapas”. Almost all components are prototypes and innovations from Intamin, for example the switch-system that brings the boats from one water canal to the other at lightning speed. Additionally the new construction has been themed in detail fittingly to the Mexican theme area where it has been wonderfully integrated – as is usual for Phantasialand.
■
NEFESKESEN
he first large Turkish coaster is
even more exciting because the attractive “Top Hat”
simultaneously
breathtaking
element has been erected over a cliff of an earlier
and top class construction. The
quarry. This unique location goes for all of Vialand
Launch Coaster from Intamin cata-
Park, opened last year: the first modern theme park in
pults its ride guests 45 metres into the
Turkey that to be located on an Istanbul hill. With its
skies directly after the kick-start. The
new 660 metres long and 110 kilometres per hour
immediately following vertical drop is
coaster, it can already be seen from far away.
T
a
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EUROPEAN STAR AWARD 2014
EUROPE’S BEST STEEL COASTERS
SHAMBHALA
he coaster from B&M that opened in 2012, has a track
T
difference of 78 metres and is not only the highest in Europe
but continues to be the best. In actual fact it’s not only the height that speaks for “Shambhala”, but also the consistently stringed together parabola formed hills, which paired with the usual B&M smooth course characteristics, also offers breathtaking airtime. The 1,564 metres long airtime orgy is only interrupted by an overbanked turnaround in the form of a standing eight, and the nonetheless breathtaking view of the Mediterranean nearby.
■
EXPEDITION GEFORCE
oted right to the top again this
V
GeForce” is Holiday Park. In addition to its smooth ride
year is the coaster that already
characteristics thanks to the perfectly worked bends
opened in 2001 from Intamin. The
and a varied layout with parabola hills, airtime hills, and
location of the 52 metres high and
steep curves, the first drop offers an 80° steep descent
over 1,200 metres long “Expedition
with simultaneous 90° rotation of the track axis.
thrills the European Star Award
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ORKANEN
here has been quite a row of the so-called Family
T
to be one of the best steel coasters in Europe this year.
Suspended Coasters realized by Vekoma. How-
It offers a number of airtime sequences at a continuous
ever the customised example at Denmark’s Fårup
high pace, several “near misses”, a spectacular
Sommerland really is something despite its manage-
underwater tunnel, and a track course leading mostly
able track length of 453 metres, and it was considered
over the water surface.
■
OZIRIS
T
he spectacular Inverted Coaster “Oz-
course and an underwater tunnel, but the complete
Iris” at Parc Astérix has justifiably been
tracks are – as is usual for B&M – is perfectly con-
voted to a top position once again. The con-
structed. The result is 35 metres of height and 1,030
struction not only has a very attractive track
metres of lengthy first class riding pleasure.
■
BLUE FIRE
he first Looping Coaster of their own production
T
was erected by the Mack family in 2009 in its own
theme park – and with that set new standards that are of interest to many parks. The result is that there are now a number of constructions of this type, some even as a 1:1 copy. The 1,056 metre long and 38 metre high “blue fire” at Europa-Park offers an intensive experience, and simultaneously very high ride comfort.
thrills the European Star Award
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EUROPEAN STAR AWARD 2014
EUROPE’S BEST WOODEN COASTERS
COLOSSOS
ince the beginning of our
well in the lead again. Europe’s highest wooden coas-
S
awards, “Colossos” and
ter captivates with perfectly designed parabola formed
“Balder” have been in a neck-
hills resulting in maximum airtime. “Colossos” was
and-neck
year
opened in 2001 and its 52 metre high and 1,344 metre
Heide-Park’s gigantic coaster is
long ride offers accelerations from +4.5 g to -1.5 g. ■
he special charac-
according to calculations per CNC-milling, and with
teristics of both
that make possible an unusually and relatively smooth
race.
This
BALDER
T
coasters “Balder” and
ride experience for wooden coasters. The 1,070
“Colossos” is the fact
metres long wooden coaster at Sweden’s Liseberg has
that
been erected on relatively compact grounds, however
the
wooden
tracks of both con-
without it being deprived of abundant airtime
structions were pre-
moments. There are even many “near misses” whilst
fabricated
travelling through its own wooden structure.
exactly
thrills the European Star Award
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SUBSCRIPTION-ORDER I order the next 12 editions of the KIRMES & PARK Revue in english from issue Nr. at a subscription price of 102,– € incl. 7 % MWSt. and postage (Germany) I order the next 6 editions of the KIRMES & PARK Revue in english from issue Nr. at a subscription price of 57,– € incl. 7 % MWSt. and postage (Germany) I order the next 12 editions of the KIRMES & PARK Revue in english from issue Nr.
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TWISTER
T
he fact that wooden coasters don't
in Sweden. Airtime, lateral forces, crazy curves and
always have to be big in order to
near-misses, as well as exciting turns make this Hybrid
offer fun is proved impressively by the
Coaster (wooden tracks on steel supports) from The
2011 opened "Twister" at Gröna Lund
Gravity Group absolutely unique.
JORIS EN DE DRAAK
■
his wooden coaster is both a
T
very stately and rare construc-
tion, as in comparison to the USA there are very few Racing Coasters in Europe. One of these rare examples is at the same time a large-scale structure, as both courses of “Joris en de Draak” from Great Coasters are 720 metres long and 22 metres high. Additionally the tracks don’t always run parallel to one another, so that in this respect one could even talk of a Duelling
Coaster.
Since
the
opening in 2011, the ride offers a whole lot of fun at Efteling in the Netherlands.
■
MAMMUT
he fact that theme parks with well under one million
T
visitors can annually can erect and operate a very con-
vincing wooden coaster has been proved by the very likeable Erlebnispark Tripsdrill. The 860 metres long and 30 metres high “Mammut” from Cordes Coasters has been spoiling park guests since 2008 with distinctive drops, sharp curves and great airtime sections. Additionally there are also the sophisticated theming and a surprising Darkride sequence. ■
thrills the European Star Award
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EUROPEAN STAR AWARD 2014
EUROPE’S BEST WATER RIDES
DIVERTICAL very unusual interpretation of a
A
Water Coaster is located at
Italy’s Mirabilandia. This successful combination of coaster and water attraction by the name of “DiVertical” from Intamin begins with a 55 metres high vertical lift. This is followed by a deep drop and a short dip into the cool wet, before the speedy coaster sequence is reached. As a finale there is more water, this time however considerably more refreshing. The total length of this attraction is 800 metres (550 metres of the length are coaster tracks).
■
POSEIDON
he attraction at Europa-Park is also a so-called
T
Each is followed by a coaster sequence with a sub-
Water Coaster as it links together real roller coaster
sequent water sequence. The final drop has a built in
elements with the advantages of a refreshing water
intensive airtime hill. Additionally, the water coaster
attraction. Two lifts have been built into the 836 metres
has been successfully integrated into the Greek
long and 23 metres high “Poseidon” from Mack Rides.
theme area and is also an optical pleasure.
thrills the European Star Award
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RIVER QUEST
T
he perhaps highest, but definitely
ber of levels. The 20 m high vertical lift is followed by a
most unusual Rapid Ride world-
number of drops – the largest is 11 m deep! A whirlpool,
wide can be experienced at Phantasia-
and even a freefall sequence – an enormous torrent of
land. Due to little space available, the
water rips the round boats downwards – make "River-
340 m long course is located on a num-
Quest" from Hafema an innovative and unique Rafting. ■
VALHALLA
he indoor water ride at
T
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
has a length of 610 metres, and a height difference of 18 metres. However it’s the incomparable overall concept (Design from Sarner; effects from Technifex), that makes the “Valhalla” from Intamin something very special: the elaborate design, the grandiose effects, the variations in temperature of – 20° to + 40° Celsius, and – typical England – the unbelievable degree of wetness, are the outstanding characteristics.
■
PINGUINE! ABENTEUER
ith the new 2013 opened Sea
gral theme park experience. And the main attraction
Life Abenteuer Park, the Mer-
at the first park of this type is the water attraction “Pin-
W lin
has
guine! Abenteuer Antarktis” from abc rides. Built into
brought another attractive product
Entertainments
Group
the 250 metres long course there are a 14 metres high
into its portfolio: the extension of the
drop and a ride through a penguin habitat – a very rare
popular SeaLife aquarium to an inte-
combination in Europe.
thrills the European Star Award
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EUROPEAN STAR AWARD 2014
EUROPE’S BEST DARK RIDES
TWILIGHT TOWER OF TERROR
he Freefall attraction at Disney Studios Park Paris has been chosen as
T
the best Darkride in Europe for the third time. Themed Freefall Towers
are extremely rare – especially when they as high as this one. The enormous amount of ride fun with multiple falls is not for the faint-hearted, but in this case everything simply fits correctly – even the waiting area is part of the experience. The excellent overall design, the fantastic inside architecture and the perfectly coordinated sequences make the 55.8 metre high “Tower of Terror” with a lift system from Otis into a unique attraction.
■
RAVING RABBIDS
n unusual update of an already existing
A
attraction celebrated its reopening this
year: based on the video game “The Raving Rabbids” from the French firm Ubisoft. JoraVision developed a completely new, completely wild and crazy experience with five scenes, three-dimensional full HD-technology, special effects and animatronics. ■
thrills the European Star Award
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VAN HELSING’S FACTORY
t’s very seldom that an indoor coaster is convincing from beginning to
I
end. However the situation is quite different in the case of “Van Helsing’s
Factory” from Gerstlauer: starting with the queuing area over the station, the ride itself right up to the exit, Movie Park Germany has managed to create a consistent overall total experience, even though the attraction itself is merely 400 metres long and has a maximum height of 7.7 metres ■
with two lifts.
DROOMVLUCHT
he indoor fairytale attraction that scheduled to
T
open in 1992 (the year when Disneyland Paris
started) was ready in 1993. The ride is enjoyed in open suspended gondolas that carry passengers through five different scenes. The 425 metre long ride taking six minutes was realised under the direction of Efteling. Playing an essential role was also the Trans Lift firm which built the transport system with hanging and rotating gondolas. The highlight is the coasterstyle spiral, which conquers a height difference of 13 metres. The attraction was completely worked over for the 2013 season.
■
KNIGHTS RIDES TOWER
ast
L
year
there
was
a
world
the 10-seat “Knights Ride” gondola stops on various
première at the Austrian Fantasiana
levels where animatronics and video projectors pre-
Erlebnispark Strasswalchen. For the
sent mystic elements. The freefall also has two inbuilt
first time a number of effects were
features, which are generally known from 3D-cinemas
combined with each other in the in-
– achieved by way of strips of rubber around the foot
door Freefall Tower from abc rides,
area, riding guests have the experience of spiders
which opened in 2013: before the fall
climbing up their legs, as well as the feeling that a thorn
takes place from a 16 metres height,
is “boring” into their backs.
thrills the European Star Award
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EUROPEAN STAR AWARD 2014
EUROPE’S BEST FAMILY RIDES
ANGKOR
urope’s longest battle boat ride from Mack Rides opened this year:
E
“Angkor: Adventure in the Lost Kingdom”. The 323 metres long water
canal winds and meanders through the imposing and artificial temple landscape of Cambodia. It takes a whole ten minutes for to enjoy the very wet adventure at the Spanish PortAventura Resort that is operated without any age restrictions whatsoever – in other words a real family ride.
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DIE SCHLANGE VON MIDGARD
his attraction is the perfect “beginner”
T
coaster for future coaster fans for whom
Hansa-Park naturally also offers a lot of variety right next door. However the nine metre high and
fore the ride proceeds into the outdoor area offering a
200 metre long “Schlange von Midgard” is convincing
number of thoroughly speedy drops and curves over a
with a lively layout, good ride characteristics and great
water surface. All park guests with a minimum height
theming. There is even an indoor sequence with lift be-
of one metre may partake of the ride.
thrills the European Star Award
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DE GROTE GOLF
ickie the Viking has moved into Plopsaland De Panne and at the same
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time also brought along a complete Viking village together with two
attractions. “De Grote Golf” is a 40-seat “Disk’O Coaster” from Zamperla that has been thematically embedded into a rock massif and at the same time marks the entrance to the new “Wickie Land”. The waiting area of the 92.5 metres long and up to 15.5 metres high comfortably running ride has also been successfully designed.
MAMMUT TREE
■
It is the nightmare of every
I
skier: the crash of a ski lift
gondola. This however is exactly what visitors can be experienced at the Switzerland’s Connyland as though it were real. And if there would have been a category
“Family-friendliest
Thrill Rides”, the new ride construction called “Mammut Tree” from Swiss Rides would have won hands down, as the attraction is the perfect combination of cable railway and breathtaking special effects.
crash in complete darkness, before returning again to
The 16-seat gondola is brought to a controlled
the lower station – a really innovative ride concept. ■
ALLIGATOR ISLAND
he theme park OK Corral in the south of France
two persons each, designed as alligators, but at the
opened a “Jet Ski” attraction this season from
edge of the major ride lurks a fine specimen of the
Zierer, which is most probably the most beautifully
species that appears to be only waiting for one of the
themed of its type. Not only are there nine gondolas for
other passenger to be thrown off.
T
thrills the European Star Award
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No.1 Family Ride in France
www.okcorral.fr
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EUROPEAN STAR AWARD 2014
EUROPE’S BEST ATTRACTIONS
VERTIGO
he“Vertigo”, which opened at Denmark’s Tivoli in 2009, is one
T
of the most unusual rides ever. The ride that at first glance
appears to be one of the current and popular “Propeller” major rides produced by various manufacturers actually turns out to be at second glance an innovative attraction, on which ride guests can influence the ride sequence with two joysticks. In the case of the 37 metres high “Flying Fury” (Technical Park term), one of four passengers per gondola determines just how intensively the flight manoeuvre should be experienced – at up to an impressive 100 kilometres per hour and with g-forces of up to 5.2 g.
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TALOCAN
he “Top Spin” is one of the biggest sales hits for manufacturer Huss Park
T
Attractions, located in Bremen. The 18 metre high suspended-version can
be met up with at all the parks in the world, but it’s particularly the 2007 erected “Suspended Top Spin” at Phantasialand that imparts a great and exciting ride feeling due to its intensive theming for all the senses: water and fire effects, and a setting that half encloses the ride is simply impressive.
thrills the European Star Award
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FLYING NINJAGO
he ride experience of
T
the “SkyFly” attraction
from Gerstlauer is simply innovative. The wind current is quite enough to be used cleverly by passengers to cause a number of inversions with a huge sail – as many as one wants. Every passenger can decide just how thrillheavy the ride experience should be. The first attraction from this construction series is located at Legoland Deutschland.
SLEDGE HAMMER
■
t was one of the world’s first
I
and Europe’s first “Giant
Frisbee” from Huss Park Attractions, when it went into operation in the 2004 season at Belgian’s Bobbejaanland. And with an outward swing to the side of 120° – in the case of a normal “Frisbee” it was generally 90° – a maximum flight height of 42 metres and a speed of up to 110 kilometres per hour, the ride experience was at that time still novel. A ride on such an attraction remains spectacular even these days.
■
SYNKOPE
he manufacturer Mondial also offers such a large
T
swing construction with a rotating gondola. “Syn-
Kope” has been whirling passengers into the lofty heights at the Spanish theme park Terra Mitíca since 2004. This attraction has a ride height of 35 metres and reaches speeds of up to 90 kilometres per hour.
thrills the European Star Award
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s gratulate KMG con alley for their #9 er V award Lightwat raction’ t t A t s e B ‘Europe’s ’s Claw’ le g a ‘E e for th
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EUROPE’S BEST WATER SLIDES
EUROPEAN STAR AWARD 2014
KINNAREE
E
urope’s best water park also contains
winder (or rather the function of a steep curve as on a
Europe’s best water slide, as this year the
coaster), and a number of tunnel sequences on a 200
novelty “Kinnaree” stands right at the top for
metre length. Large four-passenger rafts provide for an
the first time. Manufacturer of this combination
adequate capacity and disorientating spins on its own
slide from the year 2012 is the Canadian com-
axis. Despite its respectable size it could be perfectly
pany ProSlide. This attraction that combines
integrated into the sloping terrain, as with all other
various slide types offers a funnel slide, a side-
constructions at Siam Park.
LE KING COBRA
■
stantial second place. The construction that was erected in 2012 at the French Aqualand Fréjus Park was the very first of quite a number of structurally identical examples produced. It initially offers water park visitors a type of figure8-sequence that is partly roofed over before it flows into an eight metre deep and surprising he colourful and up until now un-
T
airtime drop. A sidewinder element awaits the pass-
rivalled “King Cobra” water slide
engers, which is recreated as a snake head that sprays
from Polin attained first place twice,
water onto bathing guests. It features two side by side,
but was narrowly beaten this year.
mirrored, courses that unexpectedly bring guests
However it still reached a sub-
together in the final sidewinder element.
thrills the European Star Award
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ppowered byy
MEDIEN GMBH
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FAMILY RATTLER
and curvy sequence is the symbol of the “Family Rattler” from Canadian manufacturer WhiteWater. The four-person round “Mega Tubes” in which riders rise in a Halfpipe style on both sides a number of times, have a diameter of up to five metres. A 134 metres high attraction has been erected on the Black Sea Coast in he combination of “Mega Tubes” in three different
the Georgian city of Anaklia, and is part of the water
lengths, each of which is connected with an open
park called Aqua-Lazika.
T HIGH FLY
■
opened in 2007 at Therme Erding: the “High Fly” from Wiegand-Maelzer. Viewed from the side it appears similar to a ski jump, however in this case there is no use of skis, but lying down in a bathing costume. The start height is a considerable 12 metres, and the total length is 32 metres. Due to the free flight there are strong restrictions: only bathing guests from 15 years of very unusual Bodyslide went into op-
age and with a weight of between 50 and 85 kilos are
eration at the Galaxy slide world that
allowed to measure their flight.
A
■
SUPER COMBO
F
our slides in the
out a new and unique experience. And the 21 metres
first five placing
high “Super Combo” from Polin at the Turkish water
make it very clear
park Aqua Fantasy is no exception. It unites four ele-
what is the current
ments that have never existed in this combination be-
trend: the combina-
fore: a pipe slide, a bowl-sequence, an uphill-slide and
tion of various slide
a new type of sphere. These completely varied ele-
styles to bring ab-
ments are experienced in two-seat rubber tubes.
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52_55_Social_Web
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SPECIAL Mass action: Port Aventura involved their community of fans in breaking a world record – the largest photo mosaic with 183,713 photos in just three months
The social network becomes more and more popular and important,
also
in
respect
of
marketing strategies and publicity measures. What earlier was known as "word of mouth recommendation" has long since been overtaken by the internet and online services such as Facebook, Twitter & Co. Therefore it's all the more important
Parks and Social Media
that this social trend is researched more precisely regarding the
W
Discussion Volume (Total)
one of the first studies world-
convey how relevant social media is for this branch.
We were able to identify 22,652 mentions in the
wide regarding this branch. In-
Additionally we hope that it may well inspire you to
period between 01.05 and 13.08.2014. During the
itially the larger German theme
further ideas and suggestions, for further analysis.
season it could be observed that the discussion
parks have been taken into con-
We have been observing the discussion volume on
volume increased considerably during the summer.
sideration, but without a doubt
the web with our tool "Radarly" since the middle of
The largest volume was generated by the following
findings and results will extend
April 2014, in respect of the following theme parks:
social media channels: Twitter (11.2K), Facebook
to other countries in Europe as
Europa-Park, Phantasialand, Tripsdrill, Movie Park
(3.8K) and Foren (863). Media sites (e.g. Spiegel
well. Yannick Rieder, Digital Re-
Germany, Heide-Park, Legoland Deutschland,
Online) generated 1.5K and other websites (5.1K),
search Manager at Linkfluence,
Hansa-Park, Belantis, and Holiday Park.
also playing an important role.
amusement industry. The Linkfluence Institute has compiled
introduces the study.
e wish to introduce the first results of our theme park monitoring. These results will
Our tool gathers information in addition to mention-
Considerably fewer contributions were observed
ing websites (for example Blogs), about social net-
on Blogs (81) and YouTube (66). As these types of
works such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and In-
entries are of a bigger effort and mostly of a higher
Text:
Yannick Rieder
stagram also. Additionally we measure the perfor-
content quality, the volume should be classified as
Photos:
Linkfluence,
mances of the Twitter and Facebook channels of
notable.
PortAventura Resort
the various theme parks, as well as their relative
The large number of Twitter entries is due to two
websites.
reasons: firstly the younger target group (< 20 years of age) is very active (35% is active). Secondly the low privacy settings allow for a better observation
Park mentions: 23,520 /
of the channel.
Mentions have been counted here; the numbers diverge from
Total Volumes
the total value as a number of theme parks were referred to in
As already apparent during the process, the
one posting
volume in general is of a very high standard. Even without discussions in the social web fuelled by advertising promotions and other actions, smaller parks also reached over 500 mentions in the course of time. Europa-Park has the most mentions by far, which can be led back to a very strong media presence (due to events such as the Miss WM voting). Heide-Park and Phantasialand each drop by 3,600 mentions, which on an average means 34 posts a
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SPECIAL
Peak (1) refers to 28.05.2014; On that day two employees were injured during work on the coaster "Arthur"; Peak (2) on the 30.05.2014 leads back to the Miss WM voting, which took place at EuropaPark, and about which many
day. Movie Park and Legoland with 2,114 and 1,347
Performance of the Social Media Profile
mentions respectively, are slightly behind. Holiday-
media sites (yellow) reported; through shares, the number of
Park, Hansa-Park, Belantis and Tripsdrill have ap-
In the following section we have analysed the profile
mentions increased on Twitter
proximately 2,500 postings. When one compares
of a number of theme parks by comparison: the
and Facebook also on that day
these rankings with the visitor numbers, there is a
data relates to the month of June, and each of the
similar picture (cf. Global Attraction Attendance
changes relate to the previous month. The en-
Report 2013, own data).
gagement-rate is calculated by the number of the interactions (Favs, Likes, Shares, and Re-Tweets)
Media Channels
divided by the number of followers/fans. This is an established indicator suitable for the measuring of
During channel comparison one can clearly recog-
activities on certain channels.
nize the relevance of Twitter, with the larger theme parks in particular having the bigger share of Twitter
mentions. Europa-Park in comparison has a lower proportion, but this is compensated for by the very
In the case of mentions only explicit references to
high number of Facebook mentions. Media and
the channels are intended (in the case of Twitter the
similar websites enjoy on average one-third of the
linking with a @ sign). Europa-Park has by far the
mentions. Infrequently contributions could be
most fans, but it can be seen however that only a
identified in forums and blogs. In addition to already
low proportion of its followers move to interaction,
referred-to reasons, very often the motive of the vis-
such as the case of Heide-Park. This phenomenon
itor to make a posting is to inform friends what they
is shown often in channels with many followers, as
are currently doing, for which fast-paced mediums
there are frequently "fake fans" among them.
such as Twitter and Facebook are more ideal.
Despite the high potential, the examined theme
Number of mentions according to media channels
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SPECIAL
Performance of the social media profile: Twitter
Performance of the social media profile: Facebook
Performance of the park websites
parks play scant attention to the Twitter channel,
Performance of the Websites
and post little of their own subject matter. Three of the five theme parks posted under 10 articles in the
The page ranking is a key performance indicator
past 3 months. Additionally, the channels are most-
introduced by Google that can accept the values of
ly treated as "poor relations" and mostly and often
1-10. As comparison: t-online.de has a page rank
consist of only copies of Facebook communica-
of 6 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; mentions refer to the references/linking of
tions (for example @legoland_DE or @holiday-
websites in the complete data record. The website
ParkHP). Belantis has even waived the Twitter
of the parks shows a similar picture. The number of
profile completely.
mentions depends strongly on the PR-activity altogether, and the news on each of the relevant
sites. Europa-Park and Legoland are very active in
Facebook is substantially more established in the
page ranking of Legoland could well be that the
theme park branch. Each park has its own page
park guests are younger, and that the website is an
and fills it more or less regularly with contents. In
important information channel for the parents.
this area. An additional reason for the very good
the following diagram the number of postings has been shown as a comparison. For example EuropaImpressions and themes:
Park shows that theme parks are self-propelling,
Pictures from the entrance and
and even without activation measures, can gener-
Family videos are popular
ate high engagement rates. The outstandingly high number of commentaries on the Phantasialand postings can be led back to a competition, whereby free tickets were raffled among the commenting users. The fan numbers and the engagement rates of theme park profiles are comparable to large international brands: IKEA Germany (680,637 Fans; ERate: 0.21), Burger King Germany (674,100 Fans; E-Rate: 0.06), DB Bahn (332,400 Fans; E-Rate: 0.19). In comparison to the German fan pages such as "Places / Event-Locations", in Germany, the rankings of Phantasialand, Europa-Park, Heide-Park are under the Top-10, and Movie Park is in 13th place (cf. Socialbakers 2014).
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SPECIAL Impressions and themes: Selfies and Onridepictures via Twitter
Impressions and User Themes
Summary
The contents that are disseminated are mostly very
The theme park discussions volume is of a very
visual. Subsequently we have closely examined a
high standard, when compared to other branches.
number of themes and situations that can be fre-
Contributions from visitors predominate in volume.
quently identified. The way to the theme park is cap-
It's the younger visitors in particular who use Twitter
tured; the entrance to the park is one of the most
and other channels in order to give account of their
popular motives. And the attractions are photo-
experiences and fun. The articles are predomi-
graphed from outside and from the cars â&#x20AC;&#x201C; similar to
nantly positive and non critical. Communication
a trophy. A Selfie is a must for most visitors in a ride
media that are visual and fast-paced such as
construction or during a break, and they are a wide-
Twitter, Facebook and Instagram are mostly used.
ly spread phenomena particularly among the
Unused potential: despite less activity by theme
younger generation. Definition of a Selfie is a photo
parks on the various channels, the follower/fan
taken with a digital camera, showing mostly the
numbers are on the same level as large interna-
photographer together with others in a special lo-
tional brands such as Burger King, Adidas and
cation or in a particular situation. It is a snapshot
others. The users integrate with the profiles without
taken with the idea of making it public in social
invitation and even place postings (for example
networks (Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter). Very
with @ at Twitter).
often social networks offer additional functions
Due to the positive tonality, social media is perfect
such as filters or the possibility of integrating tags.
for bringing increased attention with low triggers.
We also discovered another phenomenon: young
That means that a positive posting for a theme park
families posting elaborately arranged compilations
is classic word-of-mouth propaganda, and there-
Linkfluence is a specialist
of their theme park visit.
fore is of particular value.
in the area of Social Media
MORE ABOUT
A general media presence
Intelligence,
leads in the case of Europa-
founded in 2006. The com-
Park to a considerably in-
pany has offices in France
creased presence in the
and Germany; and com-
web, mainly driven by media
prises of around 70 exper-
sites. Negative catch lines
ienced social media ex-
can be noticed in the dis-
perts, web analysts, mar-
cussion volumes, which can
ket researchers, and IT-
and
was
spread. Another interesting
specialists. The data from
phenomenon could be dis-
this study was made pos-
covered on YouTube: young
sible with the assistance of
families making their visit to
the Linkfluence developed
a theme park public with
social media monitoring
elaborately arranged com-
tool "Radarly". The com-
pilations. Overall it is shown
plete study may be down-
that a visit to a park is of huge
loaded at no charge from:
emotional value for the vis-
www.linkfluence.com/de/
itor, similar to a concert visit
beispiele
or a classic holiday.
â&#x2013;
â&#x2013;
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56_62_History_E
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HISTORY The "Berg und Talbahn" (1913) at the Lunapark in Harnburg-Altona; the park was taken over by Hugo Haase in 1922
Approaching a fairground or a theme park, one of the first things visitors see is a huge steel construction, already visible from afar, soaring into the sky, and from it come hysterical screams accompanied by a low, rattling, rumbling sound. It truly is a “scream machine”, known as “roller coaster”, which really
Roller Coaster History from
is a “thrill ride”.
T
he history of this attraction goes back to Saint
During the Napoleonic Wars, French soldiers saw
Petersburg in the 17th century, when in winter-
these unfamiliar constructions and took them home
Text:
Dr. Sacha Szabo
time the local population built huge wooden scaf-
to France, where the first constructions erected
Photos:
Archiv Szabo, Archiv Lanfer
folding with a sloping ramps. Water was poured
were named “Montagnes Russes” (translation:
over the slopes and it would freeze, and the Saint
“Russian Mountains”) after their origin.
Petersburg residents would slide down over them.
A particularly beautiful construction was the “Prom-
True to the motto “faster, higher, larger”, familiar
enade Aerienne”, with the attraction being inte-
right up to our current day, these constructions
grated into the architecture of the building and al-
started to grow increasingly taller even way back
ready featured the first curves. This example shows
then. Some were up to 21 metres tall, and from this
that coasters are an architectural ride experience,
Two European coaster constructions in Paris in the 18th century
perilous height, thrill seekers sped down the icy
and that architecture can be experienced as an
slope.
immediate body sensation; something that cannot be felt elsewhere, with the exception perhaps of lifts and escalators, which are also fixtures in fairground attractions.
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a Scientific Perspective This is only one lineage of the modern roller coaster
later, this construction was used for transporting
however. Another comes from North America,
coal in the mornings only, and carried passengers
where the “Mauch Chunk Switchback Railway” is
from throughout the entire region in the afternoons.
the forefather. In Pennsylvania, gravity was used to
All roller coasters, from the first stationary wooden
transport coal to the valley from a coal mine. Coal
coaster right up to the modern Looping, Launch
was loaded at the top of the hill and the little wag-
and Hyper coasters, derived from these two an-
The "Hochschaubahn" at the Vienna Prater (built 1909)
ons simply rolled down. Wagons in the valley were
cestors.
towed back up the hill again by donkeys. Upon
What can be seen in both these lineages, from
reaching the top of the hill, the donkeys were
Russia and the USA, is actually quite typical of
placed without further ado into some of the wagons
every amusement attraction. They are technical
and sent back down the hill. On perceiving that the
installations created to provide fun. Originally, many
donkeys actually enjoyed the downhill ride, the
attractions like these are technical installations that
workers – never at a loss for ideas – thought that
have been removed from their industrial production
might be fun for them as well, and so also sat in the
context to produce non-industrious, intangible,
coaster: the "Mauch Chunk
wagons and rode down the hill! Already a few years
plain good thrills.
Railway" (left) and the
The North American predecessor of the modern
"Switchback" at Coney Island
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In central Europe it was the transportable coasters from 1909 that caused a furore: the pioneer and carousel king Hugo Haase travelled with a number of structurally identical constructions to the American models simultaneously; one notes the "8" on the tower peak as his trademark
Roller Coasters with elaborate theming very soon
There are two types of thrilled feelings aroused by
of negative g-forces. The train travels up a hill, and
made their appearances in
a roller coaster; firstly a bodily or physical thrill, and
the moment it crests over the top of the hill and
theme parks, often named as
secondly a psychological one. Physical thrill is
drops down, the passengers are briefly catapulted
"Gebirgs-Szeneriebahnen";
stimulated by directly addressing the body. The
upwards. They seem to float out of their seats, ex-
here earlier examples from 1913:
basic element of a roller coaster is the up and down
periencing negative g-forces, or weightlessness;
the Luna-Park am Halensee
movement. This comprises two essential construc-
â&#x20AC;&#x153;airtimeâ&#x20AC;? as this effect is called in official, 'roller
(Berlin) and the Lunapark in
tion elements, one of them creating the experience
coaster language'.
Leipzig-Wahren (right)
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Seite 5
the body to its limits and thus
Heinrich Mack from
creating a profound physical
Waldkirch was very soon
experience for passengers
strongly involved in the
at the same time. This en-
construction of transportable
hancement of the body's
track attractions (all of wood):
normal experience is one of
the Bob Sleigh coaster (1952
the reasons why roller coast-
upper left), the Monorail coaster
ers have boomed during the
(1955 up left) and the “Turm-
last few years.
bahn” with a spiral lift (1921, left)
In addition, a roller coaster ride also appeals to the psyche. Already during the runup to a coaster ride, the excitement builds up. Even By contrast, positive g-forces are experiences
days in advance, excitement grows and grows, and
when the train travels through a valley, travels up
increasingly so with every step prospective pas-
again or into a loop. At this very point of the ride
sengers take as they approach the construction on
of the 20th century were also the
passengers are subjected to a the multiplying of
the 'big day'. Eventually they find themselves stand-
multi-month appearances of
their body weight. This lasts only for some seconds
ing in the queue – another important element for the
exhibitions for which very often
however, before airtime occurs once again. As a re-
roller coaster experience, as on the one hand they
a complete theme park was
sult a coaster ride is a kind of choreography, taking
hear the screams, which increase excitement yet
erected; here the British Empire
Popular at the beginning
Exhibition in Wembley in 1924
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Seite 6
The oldest still operating
again, and on the other hand, they see the safely
arm-waving with delight – both types of riders have
coaster in Europe is the "Rut-
disembarking passengers, which inspires confi-
the same ride experience, and are focused on
schebanen" at Tivoli – a classic
dence that the infernal ride will end well! Of course,
thrills. Psychologists distinguish between 'ocno-
Gebirgs-Szeneriebahn from the
a ride on a roller coaster is also a test of courage,
phils', that is to say 'lovers of thrills' and philobats,
year 1914
yet it is much more than just that. Those who have
or those erring towards hesitation, if one will. Ac-
taken a ride on a roller coaster know the two ideal
cording to Michael Balint, both types follow differ-
types of riders; those holding tight and closing their
ent strategies to reach the same goal; namely to be
eyes and those, more often than not sitting directly
at 'one with the world'. For him, as an advocate of
next to them, shooting their arms up in delight.
Sigmund Freud’s theses, the world is represented
The "Big Dipper" has been enjoyed by all visitors at Black-
by the mother’s breast. It is characteristic of lovers
pool Pleasure Beach since 1923
of thrills that when breast-fed they spat out their mother’s breast and went back to it again in order to make sure of 'being one with it' through this primary interaction. Lovers of hesitation, on the other hand, clung to the breast and did not want to let it go, in order not to give up this pleasant bonding experience. This psychological typology can easily be applied also to other everyday phenomena, such as horror films. Some people cannot watch and keep their eyes closed, while others expose themselves to these impressions seemingly full of self-confidence. These films are often called thrillers or psychological thrillers, featuring the term Balint uses for this phenomenon, namely thrill. Thus the The "Hullámvasút" has
As different as these manifestations are – the intro-
term “thrill rides” is highly appropriate for a roller
been operated since 1926 at Bu-
verted holding fast, the extroverted screaming and
coaster.
dapest Zoo (earlier Vidámpark)
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But why is it attractive to expose oneself to thrill or
experience a state beyond daily life; it
fear? Human beings are one of the few creatures
is a train journey to Paradise. This way,
with a reflective self-awareness, which has the
roller coasters have an important func-
advantage that they can form an opinion of them-
tion; they expose humans to an im-
selves and their environment. The price for this abil-
mediacy they rarely experience in
ity is the awareness of their own vulnerability and
daily life, but which is necessary to ex-
mortality. These are two elementary anthropologi-
perience reality in an unreserved way.
cal anxieties, mythologically adapted as the bibli-
For the duration of a roller coaster ride,
cal 'expulsion from Paradise'. Human beings learn
humans are natural beings. Thus the
that they are mortal. However, death is an experi-
roller coaster is a good example for a
ence that cannot be grasped cognitively as nobody
special feature of human culture,
can imagine their own death. This thought is so
which on the one hand is based on re-
painful that human beings try to avoid it. These anx-
moving human beings from their naturalness, thus
The first attempts to
ieties are joined by everyday worries. Will every-
creating culture. At the same time however, human
turn passengers upside down
thing work out with my job? Will there be problems
beings have to experience their naturalness to feel
were already taking place since
in my relationship? What about money? Anxieties
themselves as vital beings. In this way, culture pro-
the middle of the 19th century
can have physical effects that can cause further
vides gates to a world beyond daily life; it creates
(see poster from London);
worries.
wormholes to the extraordinary.
looping constructions called
The special feature of the unique medium, roller
This feat makes the roller coaster a cult object of
"Flip Flap Coaster" were being
coaster, is its ability to make one forget all these
popular culture, where this function is used as a
erected from 1900 in the USA
worries by providing a thrill. At the point of maxi-
symbol, from pulp fiction series, such as John Sin-
(photo above in Atlantic City,
mum thrill, all existential worries are forgotten. This
clair with the meaningful title “Rollercoaster into the
photo under in Brooklyn)
experience is combined with a substantial en-
Afterlife”, biographies such as “Das Leben ist eine
hancement of bodily experience, providing for a
Achterbahn” (“Life is a Rollercoaster”) by Martin
short-term unity of body and mind. Passengers
Semmelrogge, or guide books on raising children
The double coaster by the name of "Loop-the-Loop" was erected on Coney Island in 1901, and already had elliptical steel loops
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with the title “Rollercoaster to the First Milk Tooth” to
However, the metaphor of the roller coaster for
cards from showman and park
serious scientific literature, such as the guide book
human life is far more than mere symbolism, as the
owner Hugo Haase
on depressions called “Roller Coaster of Sensa-
coaster ride itself makes passengers experience
tions”. Naturally, there are a high number of adver-
human life sensually. This is wonderful to see in
tising photos featuring roller coasters in the back-
modern Launch Coasters, where the train is
ground and, of course, roller coasters also appear
launched from the dark station by a linear drive, and
in essential films scenes; for example most notably
travels on through different inversion elements after
in the film “Rollercoaster” with George Segal and
the first hill. Symbolically interpreted, this means
Richard Widmark. This pop cultural inclusion is
that human beings are launched from the uterus
rounded off by pop music ranging from character-
into life, the first hill is childhood, the first drop
istically German Schlager, as well as pop and rock
puberty, from where the turbulent journey goes on
music (for example by Rosenstolz or Die toten
to first love, school-leaving, family, divorce, unem-
Hosen) to internationally successful songs, not to
ployment, new job, up to a smooth braking into
forget the probably best known title “Life is a Roller
retirement. However, many roller coaster rides end
Coaster” by Ronan Keating.
just as abruptly as real life.
Roller coaster post
PUBLICATIONS he following publications
T
that were also used as
sources for the speech and the text are recommended for further information about the history of roller coasters: ■
“Volksbelustigungen”
by
Florian Dering (Delphi Verlag, Nördlingen, 1986) ■ “100 Jahre Achterbahn” by Frank Lanfer (Gemi Verlag, Reichertshausen, 1998) ■ “Rausch und Rummel” by Sacha
Szabo
(Transcript,
Bielefeld, 2007) ■ “Kultur des Vergnügens” by Sacha
Szabo
Bielefeld, 2009)
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(Transcript,
■
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