Two new coasters for Tripsdrill

Cleebronn, Baden Wuerttemberg, Germany

We knew it was coming ever since the construction site sprang up near the parking lots, but Erlebnispark Tripsdrill still managed to surprise us by announcing that not one, but two new roller coasters will be opening at the park in 2020. Click the headline for more information

Alpen Coaster, Dom, Hamburg, Germany

A 44-year-old employee working near a curve died after he was hit by the coaster train during testing two days before the opening of the annual Winterdom. Source (in German)

Wilde Hilde opens at Schwaben Park

Kaisersbach, Baden Wuerttemberg, Germany

After minor delays testing and fine tuning the ride, Wilde Hilde opened at Schwaben Park. The Roller Ball coaster by RES (Ride Engineers Switzerland) is similar to an Intamin Zac-Spin coaster and is the first of its kind and the first coaster built by the company that specializes in flat rides and water rides. Click the headline for more information

Record-breaking drop tower for Hansa

Sierksdorf, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

Hansa Park announced Highlander, a gyro drop tower manufactured by Funtime GmbH, will open in 2019. With a height of 394 feet (120m), it will be the tallest freestanding drop tower in the world, and the third tallest overall. Highlander’s seats will be built to tilt, so riders drop down face first. Click the headline for more information and watch the announcement video

Massive Fire at Europa Park

Rust, Baden Wuerttemberg, Germany

Some 25,000 people had to be evacuated and seven firefighters were injured in efforts to put out a massive fire at Germany’s largest amusement park. No guests or employees were injured during the blaze at Europa Park, that completely destroyed the Pirates of Batavia boat ride as well large sections as the surrounding Dutch and Scandinavian-themed areas. The cause of the fire is not yet known. Click the headline for more information

Pirates of Batavia, Europe Park, Rust, Germany

Seven firefighters were injured in efforts to put out a massive fire at Germany’s largest amusement park. The fire at Europa Park completely destroyed the Pirates of Batavia boat ride as well large sections as the surrounding Dutch and Scandinavian-themed areas. Some 25,000 people had to be evacuated from the park, but none suffered any […]

Heide Park’s Colossos to reopen in 2019

Soltau, Lower Saxony, Germany

Heide Park announced that Colossos, the Intamin wooden coaster that has been out of operation since 2016, will reopen in 2019. The coaster was closed mid-season after severe material degradation was discovered, and the extensive costs of repair led many to fear that it would never reopen. However, 12 million Euros (nearly $15 million) will be invested in retracking and repair works, restoring the coaster to its former glory. Click the headline for more information

Last Eurosat rides before refurbishment

Rust, Baden Württemberg, Germany

Park guests took the last rides on the iconic Eurosat enclosed roller coaster today as Europa Park closed the custom Mack Rides coaster for a major refurbishment coming in 2018 entailing completely new track, some minor layout changes and a virtual reality experience that will have its own separate station as well as new look trains and ride entrance. Click the headline for more information

Spinning Barrels, Holiday Park, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany

An 11-year-old girl fell onto the ride platform and was crushed to death. Source

Commander, Traveling Fair, Bremen, Germany

Two passengers were injured when an gondola ripped from its swing arm. A similar accident happened in May 2010, injuring nine on-lookers. This time a cable prevented the gondola from leaving the ride platform. Source (in German)