Europa-Park

48.2683333333337.7208333333333Koordinaten: 48 ° 16 ' 6 "N, 7 ° 43' 15" E

The Europa-Park Rust is a leisure park in Rust, Baden- Wurttemberg. With around 4.6 million visitors annually, it is the largest theme park in Germany. On a total area of 940,000 m² over a hundred rides and several shows are offered in 16 subject areas. The park includes five hotels, a hostel, a campsite and a cinema.

• 6.1 roller coasters
• 6.2 Other rides

• 7.1 TV productions from the park

• 8.1 Euro Dance Festival
• 8.2 Miss -Germany - election
• 8.3 Erlebnisgastronomie

• 9.1 Horror Nights
• 9.2 Tortuga - The Lost Pirates
• 9.3 The Villa
• 9.4 Halloween festival Mysteria

History

During a trip to the USA had Franz Mack and his son Roland in 1972, the idea to open an amusement park, which should serve as an exhibition space for the products manufactured within their company in Waldkirch. Suitable site for the park was first found in Breisach. Because this area was later awarded the Rhine floodplain, but it turned out as a park site. The name of Europa-Park was chosen based on the located in Breisach Europasee.

In the town of Rust Mack family acquired the castle park for Balthasar. Another area adjoining a fairytale park was purchased. The total amounted to 16 acres and the park was opened on 12 July 1975.

After the founding of the Europa Park and the entry into the theme park business in 1975, the park was originally planned as an exhibition area for products of the Mack family. He was led by Franz Mack and his sons Roland and later Jürgen. In the first year the park had 250,000 visitors, a year later, 700,000 and 1978 one million. In 1982 the opening of the first theme Italy and the implementation of European issues related concept. 1984 and 1985 the first two major railways, the Alpine Express " Enzian" and the Swiss bobsled were opened. Arisen with the implementation of European issues concept Holland (1984 ), England (1988 ), France ( 1990) ( with the landmark Eurosat ), Scandinavia ( 1992) and Spain ( 1994). 1991 two million people visited the Europa-Park.

The need for accommodation over 1995 worn with the opening of the El Andaluz, the first hotel at the amusement park, which was booked in the first year to 87 percent, invoice. 1999 followed by the construction of the second hotel Castillo Alcazar. Hotel occupancy in 2000 stood at 97.7 percent at three million visitors to the park. 2001/ 02 opened the park for the first time in the winter season, in which 180,000 visitors were counted. The park has evolved from one-day to multi-day excursions. In 2011, he had about 4.5 million visitors. 2012 includes the now 90 acre park eleven roller coasters, five topics hotels and 100 other attractions. By 2011, nearly 700 million euros were invested in the park. The annual turnover amounts to approximately 350 million euros.

Logo and Soundtrack

The logo of the park showing the lettering " EUROPAPARK " decorated with three flying, their points mimic wing movements. It is protected by trademark law.

In July 2011, the Europa-Park presented an orchestral soundtrack CD, which should give it a musical identity. Was specially composed the work from Freiburg composer Hendrik Black and recorded by the Belarus Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of conductor Bernard Fabuljan. The most prominent motif of the composition is referred to with reference to the flying stars of the park logos as the "Flying Stars Fanfare ". The remaining pieces of the soundtrack are mostly variations of this motif. They can be heard in various areas of the park since July 2011 and are used in advertising and information films. The title "The Old Man And His Dream" is a tribute to the founder Franz Mack Park died in 2010.

Input range

At the entrance to Europa-Park is the large statue of the park mascot, the euro mouse. It follows the " Fountain of the meeting", right after several ticket booth, and behind it is the actual entrance building. In the upper floor there is the Alexanderplatz station, which serves as a station for the monorail EP- Express.

Transport system

Due to the size of the park, the three tracks EP- Express, Monorail and panoramic train serve besides its function as a ride as a transport system.

Panorama Train

The park railway was opened together with the park in 1975. First, it served only as an observation path, and their start and destination station was at the entrance of the park. Today the panoramic train stops next to the train station and Germany at the stations England, Spain and Russia.

Monorail

The monorail is the oldest monorail at Europa-Park. Originally opened in 1990 and rail was a pure prospect train with start and end point in Historama in the English subject area. Today, it also stops at the stop Iceland.

EP- Express

The EP Express was created in addition to its function as a panorama track, right from the start as a means of transport. Together with the Hotel El Andaluz opened in 1995, the second monorail served at Europa-Park also serves to connect the hotel to the main entrance. Over time, next to the train stations Alexanderplatz and Spain, Greece and railway stations Hotel Colosseo resort were opened.

Topics

The park is, according to its name, divided into 16 subject areas that are mostly associated with a European country or a European region and designed as authentic and local. They are intended to give the visitors the feeling of being able to discover a number of European countries within a day. The first topic was 1982 to Italy. As a structural template for the Swiss theme was the Swiss mountain village of Grimentz. Roland Mack is since 2006 an honorary citizen of the neighboring Chandolin. The " Choco Land" was a topic without direct reference country. In 2010 it was abandoned and the attractions added to the English subject area. The " Choco Land" was transformed into the " Europa-Park Historama " and set up an exhibition on the history of the Europa Park in the former revolving theater "time travel ". Other topics not covered by statutory reference are " Adventureland ", " Children's World " and " Grimm's Fairy Tale Forest ".

The following countries and regions are represented:

• Italy ( 1982)
• Netherlands (1984 )
• UK (1988)
• France (1989 )
• Austria (1992 )

• Scandinavia ( 1992)
• Switzerland (1993 )
• Spain ( 1994)
• Germany (1996 )
• Russia ( 1998)

• Greece ( 2000)
• Portugal ( 2005)
• Iceland (2009)

Attractions

The amusement park offers a mix of rides, themed areas and parks.

One of the main attractions is the roller coaster Silver Star, which was designed by the Swiss engineering company Bolliger & Mabillard Ingénieurs Conseils SA and created in collaboration with Mercedes -Benz. By early 2006, she was the fastest and by 2012 the highest roller coaster in Europe. The waiting area of the path leads through a equipped Mercedes -Benz Museum, where among other touring car and Formula 1 racing car can be viewed.

Another ride is the Poseidon water coaster, the first water coaster in Europe.

Other rides are the Euro -Mir, which is equipped with rotating gondolas, so that the track is temporarily through reverse.

In Eurosat the route runs within a space effects provided with big ball. Start of the season 2006 was dressed in accordance with the FIFA World Cup in Germany Eurosat with hand-painted films as World Cup ball team spirit.

In the subject area Iceland, the Blue Fire Mega Coaster, the first high-speed roller coaster of the Europa Park with linear motor launch and rollover elements is - a looping, two corkscrews and a Heartline Roll. This roller coaster accelerates from 0 to 100 km / h in 2.5 seconds, reaches a top speed of 110 km / h, 38 m high and 1,056 m long.

Roller coasters

Except for the Silver Star by Bolliger & Mabillard and the wooden roller coaster from Great Coasters International Wodan, all lanes were built by Mack Rides.

Since the opening of Wodan in 2012, the Europa-Park has now eleven roller coasters with the largest number of roller coasters in Europe; before Pleasure Beach Blackpool, who may have 10.

More rides

Additional elements of the driving field by several water rides, numerous rides and theme cruises. The latter are trips with a boat in a water channel or a cart on a track that put the visitors with the help of computer-controlled animated dolls ( so-called " Animatronics " ) in strange worlds and scenes. Examples of this are Pirates in Batavia or the universe of energy with dinosaurs.

Shows, parades and 4D cinema

The Europa-Park also offers about a dozen different shows, including figure skating, cabaret and flamenco shows, and for children the puppet theater, children's theater and puppet show.

One of the shows was the turning theater multimedia show "time travel ". Focal point was a circular theater, divided into six sections, with the spectators turned to the theater and each viewer so one section after another got to see. To the 35th birthday of the Europa Park on July 12, 2010, the theater was remodeled and received the new show name Europa-Park Historama - The Show. It shows the new 35 -year history of Europa-Park represented in spectacular fashion with 4D effects and a 180 ° view.

In the arena in the Spanish themed area, which can accommodate up to 2,000 visitors, medieval jousting lists. Built in the Italian theme Teatro dell'Arte shows in a baroque setting dance, acrobatics and illusions. In winter, the theme changes every year dinner show " Cirque d'Europe " will take place here. The ice rink was up to the 2007 season, the Swiss theme to, now it possesses a Greek facade and is headed by Ian Jenkins. Overall, Europa - Park over six hours show program.

The Shows 2013:

• Arena Show - Revenge of Milady
• Ice show - Surpr'Ice in Going on Vacation
• Globe Theatre - Waterloo Iridescent illusions
• Euro Mouse Show - The Mystery at the Lighthouse
• Children's musical - The Gunkel

Every day there will be a parade with colorful floats and costumed performers.

In the 4D cinema of the park several times daily runs an approximately 15 - minute short film, appropriate for each season ( on Halloween a scary movie, in winter was previously an executive summary of the Polar Express train ). In the evening after park closing a current movie will be shown in the cinema, but often with the additional 4-D effects.

Moreover, the first 4-D movie was produced The Secret of Balthasar Castle at Europa-Park. The film was so successful and the demand so great that Mack Media decided to produce a summer version of the film, which can be seen from the season of 2012.

From the winter 2013/2014 season runs Arthur 4D, a 15-minute summary of Arthur and the Invisibles trilogy, as a prelude to the 2014 issuing bank attraction Arthur - The Ride.

The Magic Cinema holds a total of 448 visitors, the size of the canvas, which measures 19 × 9 meters.

Television productions from the park

The Europa- Park wins as a media center for TV productions ever more important. BR, Sat.1, SWR, ZDF, ProSieben and Others distinguished annually about 200 TV shows on in the park.

Since 2005, Stefan Mross hosted every Sunday live from the IWS Arena at Europa-Park. The broadcast is transmitted from 10:00 bis 11:30 clock clock in the ARD. Among others, combined tickets are available, with which you can attend the show and the park on the same day.

Events

Euro Dance Festival

During the winter break of the Park festival takes place the Euro Dance in February. Here dance enthusiasts meet from all over the world. In over 200 workshops new step combinations, techniques and dances are taught by the best and most famous dance couples and dancers of the world. Among the guests were others already Detlef D! Soost, William Pino and Alessanda Bucharelli, Isabel Edvardsson, Franco Formica, Oliver Wessel - Therhorn, Kristina & Peter Stokkebroe, Luis Vazquez & Melissa Fernandez.

Miss -Germany - election

Since 2002 takes place the official selection of the Miss Germany Europa-Park Dome in February. It is organized by the Miss Germany Corporation of Oldenburg. The cooperation has been so successful that the cooperation was extended in 2010 for another decade.

Erlebnisgastronomie

The gastronomic experience plays a further role in the park. This is combined after park closing offered at various locations, including at the dinner show at the artistic evening event Malam Indonesia, the Alemannic knight as well as the evening event Dinner & Movie with entertainment programs.

Halloween

Since 1999, Halloween takes place in the Europa-Park. The park takes the visitor from late September to early November through countless pumpkins in a variety of colors, straw bales, corn stalks and skeletons in horror mood. Numerous attractions, shows, and also catering facilities are there annually adjusted to the Halloween theme.

Horror Nights

In the years 2007-2011 were each the " Terenzi Horror Nights " held in October in collaboration with Marc Terenzi. The visitors were able to walk in the dark by the Italian and French subjects in 2007 and 2008. 2009 was the event to the Greek, as published on the Swiss theme. Performers were dressed as different monsters, for example, zombies and chasing the guests fear and fright. 2010, this event was remarketed in the annual program was added and since the year 2011 under the title " Terenzi Horror Nights starring Marc ".

Since 2013, the event will take place without Marc Terenzi and only " Horror Nights " is.

Tortuga - The Lost Pirates

From 2006-2011 was in the Scandinavian theme Tortuga - The Lost Pirates, where waiting in dark corridors Live Erschrecker to the visitors. The Spanish name refers to the Tortuga second largest island of Haiti, which was 1640-1670 point by pirates. This show was only in the Halloween weeks.

The Villa

Following the abolition of the Tagesmazes Tortuga - Pirates Forgotten taught in the years 2012-2013 The Villa the day visitors to fear. Decorated as Victorian Dream House from the 19th century Grusellabyrinth in the Greek area waited beside numerous live Erschreckern with special effects on the visitors.

Halloween Festival Mysteria

The great Halloween show Mystria held every two years, alternating instead of a 30 -minute concert of Swiss Stars DJ Bobo on the festival grounds of the park. With live vocals, artistic performances and pyro and laser effects the show enthusiastically in the last week of the summer season visitors.

By 2011 the show played under the motto Castillo Mystico in a spooky castle. 2013 was an entirely new story about two feuding gangs in a container village on the outskirts.

Winter Season at Europa-Park

In the 2001 / 02 season, the Europa-Park opened for the first time for a winter season. The number of visitors at that time amounted to 180,000 guests and rose to 2011/12 to just under 500,000 visitors. With an ice-skating rink, a Skibobstrecke, a large Christmas market and Christmas ornaments and a specially built Ferris wheel in the park of the season is changing.

Europa-Park Resort

The five hotels, the guest house and the camping area of ​​the park are summarized in the so-called Europa-Park Resort. The largest hotel resort of Germany covers approximately 4,500 beds. From the hotels in the south of the site, guests receive VIP access to the park. The guest house with 23 rooms is constructed in a simpler style and built in 1996. It is located in the German Avenues, right next to the main entrance of the Europa-Park. As theming colorful circus motifs are used.

The Europa-Park Camp - Resort consists of a tipi village and caravans. In Tipidorf there as accommodation tipi tents, log cabins and vans. They are arranged in a small Western village on a lake. At Europa-Park Caravan visitors are 200 pitches for caravans or tents.

Under the of Conference and Entertainment ( " days and celebrations " ) compound term Confertainment, the park since 1998, meeting and events facilities are available.

Traffic

The Europa- Park is located in Rust Baden between Freiburg and Offenburg west of the A5 motorway near the border with France.

He has since 2002 on its own motorway junction with its own, partly four-lane access road. The nearest railway station is ring home. Between the station and the main entrance to the park several times a day the SüdbadenBus (SBG ). Direct buses also run from Emmen things and Herbolzheim.

After the approval of the Regional Council Freiburg, Lahr Airport ( "Black Forest Airport " ) to use as a feeder airport, 2007 Shuttle flights from Vienna, Rotterdam and London can be booked since middle. In the first season in 2007 about 3,500 guests were flown in 51 planes to Europa-Park. However, the airport in 2008 did not prove to be profitable, so the operation was discontinued in 2010. With scheduled flights, Europa-Park on the airport Karlsruhe - Baden Airpark accessible, offered from which shuttle services.

Visitor

The total number of visitors in the history of the park totals more than 90 million guests. Of the 4.5 million visitors to the park in 2011, the first-time visitors accounted for about 20 percent and about 80 percent of repeat visitors. 23 percent are multi-day guests. The target group of the Europa Park are families who presented in 2008 70 % of the visitors. On average, the park visitor has an age of about 29 years.

The nationalities were divided in 2011 as follows:

• Germany: 49 percent
• Switzerland: 20 percent
• France: 20 percent
• Other countries: 11 percent

Find out more

• The "Old Elz " flows through the park. In a hydroelectric power plant electricity is generated to power the park.