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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. HistoryIn 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 experienceThe 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 B&M, 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 areaArthur – 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] ReceptionBrady MacDonald of the Los Angeles Times ranked the attraction as number 8 on his top 14 most anticipated attractions for 2014.[9] See alsoReferences
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