Arthur – The Ride

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.

ARTHUR
A train in the second outdoor section
Europa-Park
LocationEuropa-Park
Park sectionARTHUR - In the Minimoys Kingdom
Coordinates48.263901°N 7.723704°E / 48.263901; 7.723704
StatusOperating
Opening dateJune 2014 (2014-06)
Cost€25 million
General statistics
TypeSteel – Inverted – Powered
ManufacturerMack Rides
Height13.5 m (44 ft)
Length550 m (1,800 ft)
Speed31 km/h (19 mph)
Inversions0
Duration4 minutes
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.
ARTHUR at RCDB
Pictures of ARTHUR at RCDB

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] 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. 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. Pastuszak, Frederic (5 October 2013). "Reportage Arthur – Im Königreich der Minimoys Europa-Park". YouTube. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  5. Marden, Duane. "Arthur – die Attraktion  (Europa-Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  6. "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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