ARTHUR
A train in the second outdoor section
Europa-Park
LocationEuropa-Park
Park sectionARTHUR - In the Minimoys Kingdom
Coordinates48°15′50″N 7°43′25″E / 48.263901°N 7.723704°E / 48.263901; 7.723704
StatusOperating
Opening dateJune 2014 (2014-06)
Cost€25 million
General statistics
TypeSteel – Inverted – Powered
ManufacturerMack Rides
ModelInverted Powered Coaster
Height13.5 m (44 ft)
Length550 m (1,800 ft)
Speed31 km/h (19 mph)
Inversions0
Duration4:00
Capacity1,600 riders per hour
Height restriction100 cm (3 ft 3 in)
Trains9 trains with a single car. Riders are arranged 4 across in 3 rows for a total of 12 riders per train.
WebsiteOfficial website
Single rider line available
ARTHUR at RCDB

ARTHUR is an inverted-spinning dark ride roller coaster at Europa-Park in Rust, Germany. The attraction opened in spring 2014 as part of the wider "ARTHUR - In the Minimoys Kingdom" area themed after the Arthur series of books and films by Luc Besson.

History

In mid-November 2012, Europa-Park announced the addition of an Arthur and the Invisibles themed area for 2014.[1] The announcement was timed with the annual International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Trade Show in Orlando, Florida, and detailed a dark ride and a carousel would be included in the area.[2] Construction for the attraction began in early 2013[3] on a plot of land set aside for an indoor attraction in 2000.[4] Testing for the ride was scheduled to begin in February 2014.[4] Arthur – The Ride, along with the larger Kingdom of the Invisibles themed area, is officially opened to the public in June 2014.[5]

Ride experience

The ride system behind Arthur – The Ride was developed by Mack Rides, who own Europa-Park,[2] making it the first, and currently only inverted coaster produced by a company other than B&M, Intamin, or Vekoma. Riders are suspended beneath the steel roller coaster track in one of nine, 12-person vehicles.[5] The 550-metre-long (1,800 ft) attraction features a theoretical hourly capacity of 1,600 riders.[5] The ride features seven scenes both inside and outside the show building.[6] Unlike most roller coasters, Arthur – The Ride does not require gravity for movement, instead it is powered by motors inside the trains.[5][7] It begins with a spiral lift hill.[4] The ride features animatronics by Life Formations and Heimotion,[6] as well as other 4D effects such as water, wind and scents.[4]

Themed area

Arthur – The Ride is one of several attractions within the Kingdom of the Invisibles themed area. The area spans 3,500 square metres (38,000 sq ft), beneath a 15-metre-tall (49 ft) dome and encompass an island, two streams and an enchanted forest. Theming inside the area was developed by P&P Projects, Neverland Decors, TAA and AAB. This theming is proportionately oversized, such that a guest feels like they are the size of an ant. Other attractions within the area include Poppy Tower, a 10-metre (33 ft)[8] family drop tower by Zierer; Mul-Mul, a Jump Around by Zamperla; and a playground with slides by Atlantics GmbH. The area also features food, beverage, and retail outlets.[6]

Reception

Brady MacDonald of the Los Angeles Times ranked the attraction as number 8 on his top 14 most anticipated attractions for 2014.[9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Europa-Park baut an neuer Achterbahn – Start 2014". Badische Zeitung (in German). 13 November 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  2. 1 2 MacDonald, Brady (17 November 2012). "IAAPA: What's new and what's next at theme parks". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  3. ↑ Pastuszak, Frederic (3 April 2013). "Video-Blog "Europa-Park Neuheit 2014 – Arthur im Königreich der Minimoys"" (in German). YouTube. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Pastuszak, Frederic (5 October 2013). "Reportage Arthur – Im Königreich der Minimoys Europa-Park". YouTube. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Marden, Duane. "Arthur – die Attraktion  (Europa-Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  6. 1 2 3 "Arthur at Europa-Park". Park World Magazine: 24. October 2013.
  7. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Glossary  (Powered Coaster)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  8. ↑ "In the Kingdom of the Invisibles" (Press release). Europa-Park. November 2012. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  9. ↑ MacDonald, Brady (6 July 2013). "For 2014, top 14 new rides at theme parks around the world". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 26 October 2013.

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