Phantasialand Improvements for 2018

[roff]

Well, there's actually some new developments that could suggest that it's actually not China-Town getting the revamp next season, but Hollywood Tour (and presumably TotNh)
Somebody on Phantafriends reported that they saw new survey-markings inside of Hollywood Tour.

Secondly, the new entrance-gateway for Fantissima is cut-off from the regular path with a big, rather temporary looking fence:

What could be possible explanations for this? If Hollywood Tour would be ripped out of the complex in the 2018/19 off-season (Fantissima runs during that time),
they would need the path left to the fence for construction vehicles and stuff, so they would want to seperate it from the Fantissima-Guestway.

Thirdly, the source for the China-Town demolition (Freizeitparkcheck) only stated that there is a solicitation running for a demolition project, and the volume of it could very well indicate it's going to be China - but who's to say it's not going to be Hollywood Tour?

Only a few more months and we will see!

(image source)

 

[CSLKennyNI]

Personally I think the explanation for having a new Fantissima path that is cut off from the park is just to keep show guests seperate from the park. And for Fantissima guests it will be a more pleasant experience to enter via a purpose made gate, down a nicer, less steep ramp and then into the theatre - rather then enter through the fire engine access gate and that unpleasant corner of the park. A nicer and more practical entrance for a premium show (with ticket prices at 99 euros you'd expect a more polished experience than being let in through a fire exit) is probably a worthwhile small investment for the few years Fantissima has left at that location.

If that corner of the theme park was going to close for work why have they repainted and freshened up the back wall of the Wuze Kinderland? They are painting up the theme park side of the fence, installing lights on it and it seems for decorative reasons they are cutting the top of it in curves/waves. Which suggests this is a just a new fence to divide the paths rather than a construction site fence.

Even if it is possible to remove Temple of the Nighthawk (which is on top of the theatre) and Hollywood Tour but leave the section of the building which houses Fantissima standing, I can't see them being able to run Fantissima every night while that work takes place. There would be some serious structural work required, they couldn't have the public inside a building that is being demolished.

Yeah we don't know for sure that the demolition tender for this off season is for Geister Rikscha/China Town. It could be something else in the park (Silverado Theatre or the Admin building for instance).

But regardless I'm convinced the next major project will almost certainly be the redevelopment of China. Pretty much all rumours are pointing towards it, and the evidence for it has been increasing in the last few years (Ling Bao style changes, Klugheim gateway, relocating River Quest's entrance, new theming).

While this Hollywood Tour stuff all of a sudden; is nothing more than wild speculation based off a fence and someone claiming to have seen some markers for measurements in Hollywood Tour.

 

[Phantasiastisch]

Latest pictures from the new entrance of Fantissima:
https://www.phantafriends.de/topic/2885-fantissima-eingang/?page=11
Source: Phantafriends.de

It's looks very beautiful and it's an extension of the style of Fantissima itself.
Inside the park, for people who are in the park and wanna go straight to the show there is a second entrance which also fit the Fantissima style. It only doesn't fit to the Fantasy area.

However, this second entrance is probably temporary and it's not finished yet. Now Fantissima is getting completely separated from the rest of the building (Hollywood Tour & Temple), I expect the rumour a building is getting demolished, could be the temple building. In this way, the show could go on while a new site is arising.

 

[CSLKennyNI]

As Phantasiastisch posted above, Phantasialand's popular dinner show Fantissima started its new 2018/19 season last night giving us at look at the completed new entryway, and leaving us with a bunch of questions.
Pictures from PhantaFriends.de and PHL-infos on Facebook.

Since the show opened in 2004 guests have entered via the large gate for fire engines in between the Wuze Town and Temple of the Nighthawk buildings. Now beside that gate they have created a separate new prominent gateway at the former site of a picnic area.

The fire engine gate has also been covered with the Fantissima logo.

Once through the gateway guests walk down a new ramp (not as steep as the ramp at the large gate) down to the front of the theatre.
Some pictures from during construction work below:

Along the side a metal wall and two wooden fences separate the new path from the park. At the theatre door are some frosted windows, and doors into the park for staff.
The wooden fence has been slightly given a Wuze style but many have been saying it looks rather provisional compared to everything else.
Showing the exterior of the *almost complete* pathway yesterday morning:

The window at the end of the passage has the Fantissima logo on it. The picture below is from the other side so the F appears backwards.

The interior of the new passage is said to be very nicely styled, fitting with the Fantissima interior and new entrance.


This was an extremely surprising development. For years people have speculated/rumours have said that Fantissima would one day be moved elsewhere (the park had planned for a purpose built theatre as part of their expansion plans but as we know these were unsuccessful). It's relocation would then pave the way for the removal Temple of the Nighthawk and Hollywood Tour as that entire building could then be flattened.

However the new ramp, stylish passageway and entrance are significant improvements/investments which would suggest that Fantissima may be staying where it is. Its turned out to be more substantial than just a new gate and a wooden fence as previously presumed.


Question is what does this mean for Temple and Hollywood? They will almost certainly be removed at some stage given the park's severe lack of space for new additions and for the last 10 years their top priority has been, to quote the owner, "bring the park to a higher level, so that all of the rides are modern 'e-ticket' attractions".

I've no knowledge of structural engineering but I assume it would be possible to demolish the building but leaving the Fantissima theatre section standing? When the Silbermine dark ride was removed in 2014 they kept a part of the building for use as a workshop by just resealing, insulating and strengthening it. So must be able to do something similar - only big difference though is that Temple is actually on top of Fantissima as well. Of course they may also just reuse the existing hall's structure and just re-clad the exterior to make it more visually appealing.

But with Fantissima guests now separated from the park by the new passageway and if the path up to Temple + Hollywood's entrances was closed the open space up there would be empty for deconstruction activities. So a hole could be made in the side of the building at Hollywood's entrance to remove stuff through there. Debris, demolition vehicles and machinery could come in and out of the site via the now clear large fire engine gate.
They could clear out the rest of building (bye bye Temple and Hollywood) and then in the summer when Fantissima has its own 3 month off-season they could dismantle the hall safely with no guests in the building.

Diagrams from PhantaFriends.de showing the layout of the building:

Lower level with Fantissima and Hollywood Tour.

Upper level which is home to Temple of the Nighthawk.

Especially given the height of the building it still is a substantial bit of space to work with for some new attractions.

This is seriously starting to enter the realms of wild speculation (and making this post even more unnecessarily long) but I feel its worth mentioning: it was suggested by the park's neighbours during the mediation process back in 2012 regarding the park's expansion plans that the gap between the houses to the north of the park and the Temple building should be closed up. The suggestion was a new 'aesthetically pleasing building' on the site of the Baumberger Irrgaten Maze (behind Temple) to act as a sound and visual barrier to the proposed extension on the land/forest to the west of the Fantasy and Berlin areas.

The park are not required to do it. And of course they have not yet managed to secure that expansion land however I think it would help their chances if they do build this "barrier building". Plus regardless of expansion plans it also just lets us know they are actually allowed to develop that land.
It would make sense to combine that with the Temple/Hollywood site to win back some of the space lost to Fantissima, and open up a larger bit of land for use (which could potentially be similar in size to Rookburgh). Maybe a new indoor themed area?

So what's next?
After the regular pattern of ride removals (Jan 2016 - Race for Atlantis, Jan 2014 - Silbermine, Nov 2011 - Old Flumes) and the strong rumour of there having been a tender for a large demolition project in the main off season (January - Mar/Apr 2019) - which a few sources claim is for a large hall* - its likely something will close at the end of the Winter season (20th January). *a description which fits Temple however also Geister Rikscha imo as its just an underground hall.

The main bit of evidence for that the China project would be next was that there was still no new venue for Fantissima to move to, but now that seems to no longer be the case. So were the China Town/Geister Rikscha rumours not true and just based off false speculation? And Temple/Hollywood will actually go first?
Or the Fantissima passageway is just preparing for Temple's removal in 3 years time and in the meantime is just something to create a nicer experience for show guests.

I had been pretty convinced by the China project evidence and rumours up until these Fantissima changes turned out to be more substantial than I though they would be. Now I feel it could really go either way.
50/50.
Geister Rikscha or Temple of the Nighthawk and Hollywood Tour? Will be interesting to see what goes come Winter... unless they throw us a massive curve ball and its neither haha

EDIT: Phantasialand have released a video about the premier evening with a couple of glimpses of the new entrance.

Another new feature in Fantissima this year is projection mapping on each table.

 

[CSLKennyNI]

As a follow up to the previous post; some pictures from PhantaFriends of the inside of the new Fantissima entrance.

Just a month after the introduction of a new soundtrack for the Berlin area, Phantasialand and IMAscore are now testing new music for Wuze Tal (the outdoor part of the Fantasy Area). As well as new music the 15 minutes long test soundtrack also includes whimsical remixes of the Tittle Tattle Tree and Temple of Nighthawk soundtracks.

It has been known for a while now that Phantasialand eventually want all music in the park to be unique soundtracks especially made them, and to no longer be dependent on any licensed music.
We already saw the start of this in 2015 when River Quest, Mystery Castle, Talocan and Temple of Nighthawk received new IMAscore soundtracks.

Now with Berlin and Fantasy being sorted that leaves China Town and Colorado Adventure (the coaster and its surrounding area) as the only places without their own unique soundtracks.

Can't be a coincidence that the next major project is likely to be the redevelopment of China Town and hopefully a refurbishment of Colorado Adventure; as part of which they will almost certainly receive new music.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1051844607674392577

IMAscore have now officially confirmed their involvement in the new Fantasy music.

And on the topic new soundtracks: last week testing has allegedly started for new music in the China Town area.
So that just leaves the area around Colorado Adventure and Tikal as the last place in the park without an unique soundtrack. Since the summer season is almost over I think we will probably see it receive a soundtrack at the start of the 2019 summer season - which would mean the park would no longer need to license any music for 2019 and beyond.

 

[VikingsAf]

New music for China? Does that mean they will keep China alive? Since new music would be silly if the area is 80% under construction next.

 

[CSLKennyNI]

New music for China? Does that mean they will keep China alive? Since new music would be silly if the area is 80% under construction next.

Well obviously we cannot be certain as to the extent of the rumoured China Project - and if that is actually going to be the next park project (although I think it will be).
In my big speculation post on the previous page I theorised the following space would be the construction site:

This would still leave the paths in front of Feng Ju Palace, China car park entrance and Mandschu - and regardless of what happens to the rest of the area they still need music. Plus it helps the park achieve there goal of no longer having to pay for licensed music sooner.

 

[Ethan]

I don't think a new soundtrack means "China" is here to stay at all, at least not as it is. Music with a more Tibetan influence would still fit in with the area in my opinion, and it would match the rumoured theme of the area after it's refurbishment.

 

[Ben]

Yeah I can't see them flattening China and starting again with something totally different, it doesn't make sense with Ling Bao right there. I really like the Tibet idea but, we'll see.

I'm literally just speculating but CSL's long post about why it might be Temple and Hollywood makes a lot of sense, and it really looks like you could take them out and do more work there and not touch the show.

Unrelated really - but is Fantissima any good and do you need to speak German? I always look at it but I've never actually bothered.

 

[Fluorineer]

Unrelated really - but is Fantissima any good and do you need to speak German? I always look at it but I've never actually bothered.

You don't need to speak German at all, but it's also not all that related to Phantasialand. Go there if you enjoy yourself a good dinner-show at Phantasialand-level quality, not because of Phantasialand itself.

 

[CSLKennyNI]

The park have released a new article about the recent new music along with some short samples.

New Music for Worlds full of Phantasy...

Close your eyes! Where are you now? If you're in Phantasialand, you can certainly answer that question. Because our themed areas do not only look like Mexico, Berlin or Africa - they sound that way too! In each of our worlds you can hear individual music and sound effects, which underline the character of the subject areas. In China Town and Fantasy we have now even once again perfected this sound experience for you - together with the experts of IMAscore.

IMAscore has been working closely with Phantasialand for many years. It all started with the unique soundtrack for Chiapas. In close coordination with Phantasialand, IMAscore transformed our ideas into a specially composed music, which was recorded by the Budapest Film Orchestra. For Klugheim and Berlin as well, unique compositions were created. IMAscore has set standards with its projects for Phantasialand.

A holiday for your ears in China Town!
The roofs of original Chinese pagodas shimmer in the sun. A dragon of flowers meanders through the landscape. And on the terrace of Restaurant Mandschu you can enjoy authentic Chinese food, while the Kois make their rounds among you. To the sound of Asian instruments you can really relax here - and feel like you are on holiday!

But how exactly does the music put you in Asia? With Chinese plucked instruments, for example, and the violin Erhu, which sounds so different from the European violin. The special harmonies and semitones in the melody are as Asian as the buildings that surround you. This serene orchestral composition mirrors China Town in a wonderful way - and highlights the splendor of the pagodas. Just listen to a sample of it for yourself!

Familiar sounds in the valley of the Wuze
The Fantasy themed area is a happy place. It's colourful here, playful and simply magical. With the great fun rides for the little ones who can go on a hunt for bees or explore the air with the funny parrot.
A special sound so friendly that it welcomes you directly in this wonderful world is needed.

Accompanied by a recorder and xylophone, you will literally hop through the Wuze Valley. You can not help but hum along with this beautiful melody. And there's something about it that's familiar to you ... is not the sounds of the Tittle Tattle Tree next door in Wuze-Town? Yes it is, and that is not the only ride soundtrack you can hear whimsically remixed in the new sound of the Wuze Valley - do you recognize it?

The melody has been slightly simplified, but you will have certainly recognise it, because it accompanies you as you whiz through the darkness on "Temple of the Night Hawk". So listen on your next visit - there are so many new things to hear! Do you already know, for example, the new soundtrack of Berlin? There is a whole symphony orchestra playing for you since this summer!

Original German Article:
https://phantasialandblog.de/neue-musik-fuer-welten-voller-phantasie/

 

[Phantasiastisch]

"How is that possible, which was not there yet yesterday?
Yesterday the summer season ended and we immediately started with the change for Wintertraum! Every day we will provide you with an update! ", says Phantasialand on Facebook.

As of today, daily updates regarding the preparations for Wintertraum, as previous years.

EDIT:
" ... and we continue happily with the preparations for Wintertraum! Throughout the park, teams are busy hanging garlands, lights and other decorations."

 

[CSLKennyNI]

Santa has hung his washing up in Klugheim which can only mean that Phantasialand's Wintertraum is upon us.

Source Phantasialand Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/

As seen in the previous post the central feature of the Berlin square is the large Christmas tree. In this video from last year you can see how the tree is set up. Previously it was brought in over the backstage yard behind Race for Atlantis but due to the construction of Rookburgh this no longer exists so a thinner (although slightly taller to make up for it) tree has to be used and taken through the tunnel under the park so it can then be lifted into Kaiserplatz by crane.

This year's winter season is sees two new shows added to the line up. In the Silverado Theatre a story about a Winter fairy tale for which they have modified and temporarily added extensions to the et of the summer stunt show "Jump!" to create an Ice Castle. And a new comical Christmas ice dancing show will be in the Arena de Fiesta.

The park has had various fireworks displays over the past decades. The daily end of day Wintertraum show "The Magic Rose" since its introduction in 2010 has had a fireworks display as its finale.

https://www.facebook.com/

This display has been limited to a short 3 minutes, sychronised with a lighting programme (on the trees, buildings and performers) and a specially composed IMAscore soundtrack. Its a major pull mentioned in all the marketing for the event but it is currently under threat.

Last year a few residents complained about the noise made by the fireworks. The park then made some changes mid season limiting louder effects.

But now ahead of the start of this year's Winter season Phantasialand's lovely neighbours have been in the press again regarding the fireworks.

"From Friday, November 23, Phantasialand in Brühl invites people again to their Wintertraum event. Rides, shows and culinary offerings are part of the programme that will undoubtedly attract many visitors in the coming weeks. The managers of the amusement park call it the best winter event in Germany. There is a fireworks display for the grand finale of the program, which will rise daily, with a few exceptions, until 20 January.

Further steps impossible
The latter, of course, can be seen beyond the boundaries of the amusement park and above all to be heard - which, in turn, pleases the visitors of the theme park, but not every resident. One year ago, the spectacle caused more protests.

The park management reacted promptly and made technical changes before the end of the season. "At that time, we significantly reduced the number of louder effects," explains park director Ralf-Richard Kenter.

Further steps are not possible without significantly affecting the program. "You just can not create a great picture in the sky without making any noise," says Kenter. This season's noise would be about the same as the end of the last season's.

Dr. Michael W. Müller, who represents the residents' interests as chairman of the opposition association Bovivo, was not happy with this announcement from park management; "But first we want to wait and see what the noise is like in reality and how the response from the local residents will be," says Müller. "If we are unhappy, we will talk with the park management and look for solutions.
He reiterated that they currently stand in a constructive dialogue with the management of the amusement park.

Will be interesting to see what happens. Sadly I doubt it will be positive for the park, the residents seem to always get their way. Hopefully not though; perhaps a solution can be found. *fingers crossed*

 

[CSLKennyNI]

The park are introducing a new 'lighting concept' in the Arica themed area for this year's Winter season.

Mission Wintertraum: Safari in the glowing lights of Africa

Red-hot bonfires immerse the frosty green of the African jungle in warm light. The rustling of leaves rustle reveals the Black Mamba rapidly making its way through Africa. And what is that back there - is there a zebra grazing there? And who is taking a look over the treetops? If you go on safari this year in the Phantasialand Wintertraum, keep your eyes open! Because there is so much to discover here!
We bring our theme Deep in Africa to life for you - plunging the jungle into a warm light and making lifelike exotic animals shine in fabulous light.

New red lighting creates the effect of fires down in the depths of the landscape to make the area seem full of life. While the new blue lights shine on the rock faces to give the effect of the moon light shining on them. Meanwhile in the jungle just visible from the public paths people can go a safari and see the new light up animals like zebras and giraffes.
You can see the lights in this video and those of some other themed areas as well.

The new lighting package should certainly enhance night rides on Black Mamba!

 

[Ethan]

Light up animals are hideous in my opinion but nice to see them doing upgrades as usual.

 

[VikingsAf]

The animals are a bit strange indeed. But ill have to see it in real life to judge

 

[CSLKennyNI]

Today the park opened for their Winter season. Some surprise new decorations in the China themed area.
Some cranes and lotus flowers around the Mandschu restaurant. (was there a light up animal sale on this year?)

This massive lantern shaped like a bird on a themed stand was placed in front of Feng Ju Palace.
Turns out this is a Fenghuang - a mythological bird that rules over all others. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fenghuang
Its also commonly referred to in the Western world as the Chinese Phoenix.

On the stage in the middle of the area the fire breathing Ice Dragon statue has sadly been retired but it has been replaced with this massive lantern of two dragons going through Tibetan Stupas... again even more new Tibetan elements (following the hotel renovation and the new prayer flags earlier this year).

Also 2 new surprise attractions were added. A carousel for kids to sit in rings which are dragged along the ice, and a small ice slope for tubing.
All the rings/tubes have been specially made for the park it seems as they're decorated/branded with the park logo and dragon mascots.


Pictures from Ride On Blog.de and PHL-Infos.de on Facebook.

EDIT:
Promotional images for the new shows.

^ Interesting to note that the daughter of the park's owners is performing in the Talvia show (middle row second in wearing light blue).

 

[CSLKennyNI]

New magazine article by the park all about the new figures in the China area for this year's Wintertraum event.
https://magazin.phantasialand.de/licht-in-neuen-dimensionen/

Lights in a new Dimension - How Impressive Mythical Creatures Conquered China Town

End of January 2018: 10 months to Wintertraum
Something big is planned in China Town. In November, when the 2018/19 Wintertraum starts, the Asian theme area in Phantasialand should surprise guests with something completely new. Impressive installations that fascinate during the day and especially enchant with their light in the evening. Annette Pieck in January 2018 takes centre stage on the stage in the middle of China Town and gazes over the area. What would make China Town even more grand with its original Chinese pagodas in winter? Characters? Animals? Or ... mythical creatures?
"I immediately remembered the Chinese Lantern Festival," says the construction and project manager at Phantasialand. "This marks the end of the multi-day New Year celebration - with lots of big, bright lanterns and mystical figures. Such authentic things would go great with China Town!"
First of all, Annette Pieck has to research the styles of traditional Chinese lighting elements and what companies could create high quality oversized figures for Phantasialand in time for the start of the winter season.

April 2018: 8 months to Wintertraum
On the desk of Annette Pieck sketches and photos pile up. While outside the first guests of the summer season discover the Phantasialand, she is in the middle of work for the winter season.
"We have found that the available Chinese Lantern Festival figures are very beautiful and exotic, but do not really fit Phantasialand. So we made our own designs. It soon became clear to us that we wanted to have two different dragons on the China Town stage - among other things because dragons are China's best-known mythical creature."

The new light installations in China Town all have a traditional meaning in Asia. Dragons are a symbol of strength and divine protection, and a phoenix should bring happiness. And also the cranes are positively occupied with the attributes wisdom and old age. After all, the lotus blossoms over which the dragons in China Town so jealously watch, stand for purity and enlightenment.

"It is impossible to get such figures in Europe", says Annette Pieck. "We have had our new lighting elements for China Town produced specially for us in China, where for centuries similar figures have been produced for the Lantern Festival."
After a long search, the choice fell on a company in the far southwest of China, which has specialized in the construction of giant luminous figures. However, there is also a challenge for the professionals: their new lighting elements for the Phantasialand have to be sturdy and last a long time. After all, in the Wintertraum they are meant to thrill the visitors for more than eight weeks - and not just for one day, like during the traditional lantern festival in China. The solution: a special paint job.

Construction of the figures in China.

August 2018: Only 3 months until Wintertraum
"We have another video!" Annette Pieck cheers. The Chinese province of Sichuan is making progress. "The whole elements are handmade. On the metal framework the substructures made of wire are equipped with countless lamps and then covered with silk - which is painted by hand appropriately." No simple already coloured fabrics are used here.
The producers from China keep Annette Pieck up to date with photos and videos of their progress. "They've already built the Phoenix for us - and it looks great!" In fact, as the Phoenix in a the far away factory China shines so brightly, you get a glimpse of how spectacular it will be look between the pagodas in China Town.

Beginning of November 2018: 2 and half weeks until Wintertraum
The shipping containers are here! And Annette Pieck is a bit excited. "We know what the figures look like. But still, we've never been so close to them, never touched them, and never seen every detail. That's why it's a great little surprise."
And its a success the head of the fire dragon is looks almost alive even when under the protective foil. And only the size of a single phoenix tail feather makes the park staff speechless.

Just 1 week until Wintertraum!
"A little further to the left!" The head of the fire dragon dangles four meters above the ground - and floats very slowly to its place.
"The construction is a real challenge," says Annette Pieck. "The ground on which the dragons stand with their upper body is a bit uneven and we have to balance the weight of the heads quite differently than in China in the workshop."
And the dragons did not travel alone. The great phoenix must also learn to fly and conquer its nest. Not to mention the cranes that are supposed to land in front of the Manschu restaurant.

23rd November - Opening Day!
It has worked! Just in time for the opening day, the Phoenix between the glittering pagodas in China Town seems to stretch comfortably and spread its magnificent wings above the heads of the visitors. Two unique dragons meander through towering towers and jealously guard their lotus palace, while agile cranes frolic in front of the Manchu restaurant.

As darkness falls, the mythical creatures come to life in all their colourful splendour. In the midst of sparkling lights, the dragons conquer the scenery, while the Phoenix sits in majestic peace above the action.
"Our light figures bring China Town to life. And you also see that they belong right here, "enthuses Annette Pieck. "Fascinating lighting elements have long been an important element of our Wintertraum. But this is a new dimension, which combined with our glittering sea of lights - that's more than overwhelming."

 

[Hixee]

Wow, they're beautiful. Quality photographs probably helps, too!

 

[JoshC.]

I wonder how much the nearby Köln Zoo's successes with a similar light festival over the past couple of years inspired the park to do this?

Looks really awesome though, and can't wait to see it in person!