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Phantasialand

Coordinates: 50°48′00″N 6°52′46″E / 50.80000°N 6.87944°E / 50.80000; 6.87944
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For themed lands of Magic Kingdom, see Fantasyland.
Phantasialand
Kaiserplatz in the Berlin themed area
LocationBrühl, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Coordinates50°48′00″N 6°52′46″E / 50.80000°N 6.87944°E / 50.80000; 6.87944
OpenedApril 30, 1967; 57 years ago (1967-04-30)
Operated bySchmidt-Löffelhardt GmbH & Co. KG
Attendance2 million[1]
Area28 hectares (69 acres)
Attractions
Total32
Roller coasters8
Water rides4
WebsiteOfficial website

Phantasialand is a theme park in Brühl, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany that attracts approximately 2 million visitors annually.[1] It was opened in 1967 by Gottlieb Löffelhardt and Richard Schmidt. Although starting as a family-oriented park, it has added thrill rides, especially in recent years. Following the example of Europa-Park,[2] it has also decided to attract business customers, calling spring the slogan "Business to Pleasure".[3]

Phantasialand is known for its high theming detail. It introduces new attractions more often compared to other German theme parks, to compensate for its small area; and is regularly voted one of the world's best theme parks.[4][5][6]

Among its thrill rides is Taron, the world's third fastest multi-launch coaster; Black Mamba, a Bolliger & Mabillard inverted coaster; and a themed Mine Train roller coaster called Colorado Adventure, which runs between some of the mountains in the park's Wild West section, and was opened by Michael Jackson. The most recent addition was F.L.Y., a Vekoma launched flying coaster.

History

[edit]

Phantasialand opened in 1967.[further explanation needed]

Attraction "Deep in Africa"

On 1 May 2001, a fire destroyed two roller coasters, a theatre and parts of the Westernstadt. It was the result of a cable fire in the Grand-Canyon-Bahn caused by faulty wiring.[7] The blaze covered about 38 million Deutsche Mark (US$17 million) in damage[8] and 54 people were injured.[9] Phantasialand reopened the park about two weeks later and invested about €2 million in fire safety, equipping every building with sprinkler systems.

Phantasialand is also home to "Mystery Castle", an indoor Intamin Ride Trade Bungee Drop featuring a walk through a haunted castle. Next to the castle is "River Quest", a rapid river ride which features a lift, built by Hafema in 2002. It replaced the attractions destroyed by the fire one year before.

In 2002, Winja's Fear and Force, two indoor spinning coasters built by Maurer Söhne, were built along with a new area called Wuze Town.

New for 2006 was an African-themed B&M inverted roller coaster called Black Mamba.

A four-star on-site hotel called Hotel Ling Bao, which is Chinese themed, opened in 2004. The hotel's roof tiles were imported from China, and every room door was hand-engraved. The hotel has two restaurants; one of them - the LU CHI - is renowned for its Euro-Asiatic cuisine,[10] a bar, a pool with sauna, garden area, spa and its own entrance to the park. A second (three-star) hotel called "Matamba" opened in August 2008 in the Deep in Africa section.

Phantasialand opened another ride for 2007 called Talocan, a Suspended Top Spin by Huss Maschinenfabrik. It is located in the Mexican section of the park. In 2008 a splash battle ride, Wakobato, opened in the lake in the old fairytale forest. The attraction is highly debated amongst residents living next to the park, who complain about noise pollution.

In 2010 Phantasialand opened five new attractions for children in Wuze Town: Baumberger Irrgarten (Maze), Die fröhliche Bienchenjagd (Jump Around by Zamperla), Wolke's Luftpost (Magic Bikes by Zamperla), Der lustige Papagei (Crazy Bus by Zamperla), and Würmling Express (Monorail). The Berlin part of the park has also been reworked, with many Berlin-themed houses, fountains and a tribune for shows. Also new in 2010 was the show 'Sieben' (seven) by Jan Rouven.

In 2011 Phantasialand opened two new attractions: Maus au Chocolat, an ETF dark ride[11] in Alt Berlin and a chair-swing on the Kaisersplatz. The old shop in Berlin was replaced with a funhouse-style attraction called "Verrücktes Hotel Tartüff", built by the park's engineers and opened in 2012.[12]

For the 2013 season, Phantasialand built a new log flume-style attraction to replace their two previous water attractions. It is embedded in a large area of canyons and mountains, as a miniature model on display in the park had already revealed during construction. Chiapas: DIE Wasserbahn opened on 1 April 2014.[13]

After the winter season 2013–14, Silver City (a western theme town) and the dark ride Silbermine were removed to allow construction on the park's 2016 launched roller coaster, Taron, and the new themed area Klugheim, which was to become a part of the Mystery area. Another roller coaster, Raik, is located in the Klugheim area, and is more family-oriented than the likes of Taron. The coaster is a Vekoma family boomerang model attraction.[14]

Also in 2016, Race for Atlantis was removed to make way for a new themed area called Rookburgh with a rollercoaster named F.L.Y., the world's first launched flying roller coaster and the longest flying roller coaster in the world.[15] Rookburgh and F.L.Y. opened to the public on Thursday, September 17, 2020.

Theme areas

[edit]
Name Theme Dragon Opening date
Berlin
(with Rookburgh)		 Historic Berlin with the nostalgic flair of the early 20th century; Boulevard with the Kaiserplatz; Industrial quarter "Rookburgh" in steampunk design Drago 1970
Mexico Plaza Mariachi with Mexican buildings; Rockwork of Chiapas; Aztec and Maya cultures Quetzal 1973
China Town Traditional Chinese buildings and gardens Wang 1981
Mystery
(with Klugheim)		 Medieval village "Klugheim" with Nordic symbolism in a mystical dark atmosphere; Basalt Mountains; gloomy castle complexes Schneck 1998
Fantasy

(with Wuze Town)

Playful, child-friendly fantasy world around the Wuze people in Wuze Town and Baumbergen at the "Mondsee" (moon lake) Phenie 2002
Deep in Africa Savannah and rainforest landscape with West African adobe buildings Kroka 2006

Roller coasters

[edit]
Coaster Picture Opened Manufacturer Area Description
Black Mamba 2006 Bolliger & Mabillard Deep in Africa An inverted roller coaster
Colorado Adventure 1996 Vekoma Mexico A mine train
Crazy Bats 1988 Vekoma Fantasy An indoor steel roller coaster with an additional virtual reality experience
F.L.Y. 2020 Vekoma Berlin (Rookburgh) A launched flying roller coaster
Raik 2016 Vekoma Mystery (Klugheim) A steel family boomerang
Taron 2016 Intamin Mystery (Klugheim) A multilaunch steel roller coaster
Winja's Fear & Force 2002 Maurer Söhne Fantasy (Wuze Town) Duelling spinning roller coasters

Water rides

[edit]
Ride Picture Opened Manufacturer Area Description
Chiapas 2014 Intamin Mexico A log flume
River Quest 2002 Hafema Mystery A rapids ride
Wakobato 2009 Preston & Barbieri Fantasy A boat ride
Wözl's Wassertreter 2003 Phantasialand Fantasy Pedalos

Thrill rides

[edit]
Ride Picture Opened Manufacturer Area Description
Mystery Castle 1998 Intamin Mystery Enclosed drop tower
Talocan 2007 HUSS Mexico Suspended top spin
Wellenflug 2011 Zierer Berlin Chair swing

Dark rides

[edit]
Ride Picture Opened Manufacturer Area Theme
Geister Rikscha 1981 Schwarzkopf GmbH (System)

Heimo (Theming)

China Town Chinese mythology
Maus au Chocolat 2011 ETF Ride Systems

Alterface

Berlin Cake factory with

a plague of mice

Other attractions

[edit]
Ride Picture Opened Manufacturer Area Description
Avoras 2024 Kinderland Emsland Spielgeräte Fantasy Playground
Bolles Flugschule 2010 Preston & Barbieri Berlin Red Baron
Bolles Riesenrad 2010 Preston & Barbieri Berlin Ferris wheel
Bumper Klumpen 2003 Preston & Barbieri Fantasy Bumper cars
Das verrückte Hotel Tartüff 2012 Hofmann GmbH Berlin Funhouse
Der lustige Papagei 2010 Zamperla Fantasy Crazy Bus
Deep in Africa - Adventure Trail 2022 Phantasialand Deep in Africa Walk-Through
Die fröhliche Bienchenjagd 2010 Zamperla Fantasy Jump Around
Feng Ju Palace 2002 Vekoma China Town Madhouse
Mopti's Monkey Depot 2024 Kinderland Emsland Spielgeräte Africa Playground
Pferdekarussell 1998 Preston & Barbieri Berlin Merry-go-round
Tikal 2011 Zierer Mexico Family drop tower
Tittle Tattle Tree 2002 Vekoma Fantasy Para Tower
Wabi's Krabbelinsel 2003 ? Fantasy Indoor playground
Wirtl's Erlebnishöhle 2003 ? Fantasy Indoor playground
Wirtl's Taubenturm 2007 Heege Fantasy Lifting tower
Wolke's Luftpost 2010 Zamperla Fantasy Magic Bikes
Wözl's Duck Washer 2003 Preston & Barbieri Fantasy Teacups
Wupi's Wabi Wipper 2003 ? Fantasy Children's drop tower
Würmling Express 2010 Preston & Barbieri Fantasy Monorail

Removed attractions

[edit]

Due to its particularly small area Phantasialand is known to remove attractions more frequently than other theme parks to gain space for new attractions.

Ride Picture Opened Closed Manufacturer Description Theme
Autoscooter 1968 1986 ? Bumper cars none
Ballonfahrt 1993 2009 Zamperla Balloon ride none
Baumberger Irrgarten 2010 2021 Phantasialand Maze Maze
Bienchenflug 1979 2009 ? Carousal with bee-looking gondolas none
Bolles Spieleland/Penaten Kinderparadies/

Ronnies Spieleland

1970s 2010 Phantasialand &

Penaten

Playground none
Bottichfahrt 1971 1993 Phantasialand Water ride with tub-looking gondolas none
Bullenreiten 2004 2009 Phantasialand Mechanic bull American frontier
Cine 2000 1978 1995 ? 180-degree Cinema none
Condor 1986 2006 HUSS rides Condor none
Djembe Musikschule 2006 2020 Phantasialand Djembe drums Africa
Crazy Loop 1995 2004 Fabbri Group Breakdance 1995-1996: none

1997-2004: Mexico

Galaxis-360 1982 1985 ? 360-degree Cinema none
Galaxy 1994 2005 (re-themed to Race for Atlantis) Simtec & IMAX Corporation Simulator ride Science fiction
Gebirgsbahn 1975 2001 (burned down) Schwarzkopf GmbH Speed Racer (Roller coaster) Mountain range
Gondelbahn 1001 Nacht 1970 2009 Phantasialand Dark ride Stories from One Thousand and One Nights
Grand-Canyon-Bahn 1978 2001 (burned down) Schwarzkopf GmbH Powered roller coaster Mountain range
Hollywood Tour 1990 2020 Intamin Fantasy Hollywood movies
Jumbo 1979 2000 ? Aerial carousal ride with elephant-looking gondolas none
Käpt'n Blackbeards Piratenflotte 2001 2004 Phantasialand Model ships navigated by water guns Pirates
Kinder-Riesenrad 1993 2009 Zamperla Ferris wheel for kids none
Klettergarten 2009 2012 Phantasialand Climbing parcourse none
Märchenwald 1967 2007 Phantasialand Fairytale Forest Fairytales
Octowuzy 2003 2023 ? Water playground Fantasy
Oldtimerbahn 1967 1986 Phantasialand Vintage Car Adventure none
Phantasialand Jet 1974 2008 Schwarzkopf GmbH Monorail 1974-1996: none

1997-2008: Mexico

Polyp 1975 1983 Schwarzkopf GmbH Octopus none
Ponyreitbahn 1967 1975 Phantasialand Pony ride American frontier
Professor Wuzipuh's Clever-Bollen 2003 2016 Phantasialand Edutainment Fantasy
Race for Atlantis 2005 2016 Simtec & IMAX Corporation Simulator ride Atlantis
Ruderboote 1967 1967 Phantasialand Rowing boats none
Schloss Schreckenstein 1972 2008 Phantasialand Walkthrough Scary castle
Seeräuberfahrt nach Carthagena 1968 1978 (re-themed to Wikingerbootsfahrt) Phantasialand Themed water ride Pirates
Silbermine 1984 2014 Schwarzkopf GmbH (system)

Hofmann (Theming)

Dark Ride American frontier
Silverado Up 'n' Down / Wamazonen-Flugcenter / Wuzi's Going Up 2004 2015 Phantasialand Bungee-trampolines none
Space Center 1988 2001 (re-themed to Temple of the Night Hawk) Vekoma Roller Coaster Space
Spider 1984 1985 Schwarzkopf GmbH Octopus none
Stonewash Creek 1974 (together with

Wildwash Creek as Wildwasserbahn)

1992: split into two water rides

2011

Mack Rides Log flume American frontier
Temple of the Night Hawk 2001 2019 (re-themed to Crazy Bats) Vekoma Roller Coaster Jungle
Tretboote 1967 1968 Phantasialand Pedal Boats none
Walzertraum 1993 2009 Mack Rides Themed water ride Flowers
Wikingerbootsfahrt 1979 1999 Phantasialand Themed water ride Vikings
Wildwash Creek 1974 (together with

Stonewash Creek as Wildwasserbahn)

1992: split into two water rides

2011

Mack Rides Log flume American frontier
Wosi's Abenteuerpark 2003 2013 ? Indoor playground none
Yeti 1989 2004 Phantasialand Animatronic Yeti

Performance shows

[edit]
  • Silverado Theatre: Battle of the Best – a show featuring basketball and trampoline stunts as well as dance-offs
  • Arena de Fiesta: Rock on Ice
  • Wintergarten: Nobis - Der lange Weg vom Ihr zum Wir
  • Schauspielhaus Pirates 4D
  • Miji African Dancers (does not take place)
  • China artistry (does not take place)
  • Wuze Town: Hack and Buddl Children's Show (does not take place)

There are several additional 'mini shows' featured in the new leaflets for 2014, most of them taking place at 'Kaiserplatz', as well as a chance to meet up with the park's dragon characters.

A dinner show called Fantissima is also offered on select evenings, for an additional fee. The show run-time is approximately four hours.[16]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "TEA/AECOM 2019 Theme Index and Museum Index: The Global Attractions Attendance Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association (TEA). 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  2. ^ Silver Lake Saloon. "Europa-Park – Erlebnis-Resort – Deutschlands größter Freizeitpark". Confertainment.europapark.de. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  3. ^ [1], http://www.phantasialand.de/en/#business-to-pleasure.
  4. ^ "Attraction Review: Is Phantasialand The Best Theme Park In The World?". Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  5. ^ Bonn, General-Anzeiger (16 September 2016). "Amusement Parks: Phantasialand ranks in world's top ten". General-Anzeiger Bonn (in German). Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  6. ^ "Phantasialand – Best theme park in Europe?". Coaster Chat. 25 August 2017. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  7. ^ "RZ-Online: Feuer im Phantasialand". Archiv.rhein-zeitung.de. 2 May 2001. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  8. ^ "Germany / U.S. Foreign Exchange Rate - St. Louis Fed". research.stlouisfed.org. 8 March 2006. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
  9. ^ "CNN.com - Rollercoaster fire injures 54 - May 1, 2001". 1 May 2001. Archived from the original on 27 June 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
  10. ^ Busche Verlagsgesellschaft mbH. "Fehler - Schlemmer Atlas - Restaurantführer: Restaurants in Deutschland, Frankreich, Österreich, Schweiz, Niederlande, Luxemburg und Italien". Schlemmer-atlas.de. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  11. ^ "Maus au Chocolat". Park World Magazine. 12 August 2011. Archived from the original on 14 November 2013. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  12. ^ "Phantasialand – Unsere Neuheiten". Phantasialand.de. Archived from the original on 7 May 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  13. ^ "Neu 2013 CHIAPAS - DIE Wasserbahn - Seite 10 - Phantasialand". Phantastische Fans. Archived from the original on 31 January 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  14. ^ "Fakten und Hintergrundgeschichten Klugheims" (PDF). Phantasialand.de. 4 July 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  15. ^ "F.L.Y. announced". Looopings. 20 June 2017. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  16. ^ "Dinner show Fantissima - Phantasialand".
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