Arthur – The Ride
Roller coaster at Europa-Park
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 | |
| Location | Europa-Park |
| Park section | ARTHUR - In the Minimoys Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 48.263901°N 7.723704°E |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | July 2014 |
| Cost | €25 million |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel – Inverted – Powered |
| Manufacturer | Mack Rides |
| Model | Inverted Powered Coaster |
| Height | 13.5 m (44 ft) |
| Length | 550 m (1,800 ft) |
| Speed | 31 km/h (19 mph) |
| Inversions | 0 |
| Duration | 4:00 |
| Capacity | 1,600 riders per hour |
| Height restriction | 100 cm (3 ft 3 in) |
| Trains | 9 trains with a single car. Riders are arranged 4 across in 3 rows for a total of 12 riders per train. |
| Website | Official website |
 Single rider line available | |
| 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, officially opened to the public in July 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 inverted coaster produced by a company other than Bolliger & Mabillard, 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]
