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Europa-Park chooses popular French IP to create
an indoor themed area including MACK Rides coaster
Update : 12/06/13 - 18h19Published by François Mayné the 11 June 2013, New.
This is a first in the history of Europa-Park. The German theme park, owned by the Mack family since 1975, has chosen to work with an intellectual property by signing a licensing agreement with the French film studio EuropaCorp. This agreement is over the creation of an indoor themed area inspired by the universe of Arthur and the Invisibles from famous French filmmaker Luc Besson.
The Mack family has so far invented his own characters around the theme of the European Union. By signing this agreement, they adopt a proven trend within the attractions industry : the alliance with a major entertainment brand. By welcoming Arthur and the Invisibles in Europa-Park, they specifically target the French visitors, a fast-growing segment in recent years. In 2012, it accounted for nearly 1 million admissions up 25% compared to 2011.
“With our great new attraction 'Arthur – In the Minimoys Kingdom' we are building Europa-Park’s biggest indoor attraction,” explains Roland Mack, managing partner at Europa-Park. “You could say it will be the year of the French! About 50% of our employees are French and with this project in cooperation with the famous French filmmaker Luc Besson, we once again show our close relationship with France.”
The project, whose investment amount has not been disclosed, is planned to be open in early 2014 of a 3,500 sqm complex housing several rides, a play area, a gift shop and a snack bar with 60 seating space. Seen from the outside, the building - whose main element will be a 15 meters/ 42 feet high dome - will be vegetated to blend in with nature and give the impression to visitors that they enter into an unexplored world.
On the inside, visitors will discover a fantasy universe inspired by the village of the Invisibles, those tiny people living in harmony with nature. This is the art department of Europa-Park Mack Solutions which oversees the entire project. Its team has appealed to the French set decorator Hugues Tissandier and asked him to design the area by using the scale model he made for filming the movies. The objective: to recreate a human-sized village with its numerous natural elements (giant roots, flowers, stones, snail shells, pine cones, nuts, etc.) taking into account the technical characteristics of an amusement park. The names of the companies selected to perform the theming job will be announced shortly.
MACK Rides is supplying the main attraction of the project: a family suspended powered coaster whose cars will spin during the ride. It will be the first installation of this kind in the world for the German manufacturer. Each train will be equipped with individual lap bars adapted to accommodate children from 100 cm / 39.37 inches.
Imagined as a dark ride, the track of 550 meters/1,804 feet long will consist of a ten scenes with multiple special effects and a section outside of the building. The ride experience will give to passengers the impression of flying in the airs above of the microscopic world of the Invisibles.
In addition to this major family attraction, Arthur - In the Minimoys Kingdom will also include a 10 meter high mini drop tower shaped like a poppy (supplied by Zierer) and a carousel with gondolas shaped as characters seen in the movies (supplied by Zamperla), a playground for children and several slides.
Adapted from a series of children's novels sold more than 3 million copies, the saga of Arthur and the Invisibles (three animated films were released in fifty countries between 2006 and 2010) conducted over $189 millions in worldwide box office. In France, the franchise has had some success with more than 13.5 million viewers. This is the second time that Luc Besson and EuropaCorp (for whom he is CEO) work with an amusement park: they had indeed collaborated with the Futuroscope in France for the development of 'Arthur l'Aventure 4D', adapting an existing Imax simulator ride with the universe of films. An achievement that has been recognized internationally with a Thea Awards (Themed Entertainment Association) in 2011.
Last season, Europa-Park consolidated its position as one of the largest regional amusement parks in the world in exceeding for the first time in its history 4.5 million visitors. After having opened a new 225-room resort (Hotel Bell Rock) and the wood coaster WODAN Timburcoaster designed by Great Coasters International, the park has focused this year on families with the expansion of the Enchanted Forest themed area.
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NewsParcs will do a full coverage of the IAAPA Attractions Expo 2013 in Orlando to have a look at the latest trends and developments of the global theme park industry.
