Fantasiana Debuts Helios and Sonnenbucht

Fantasiana is a small, family-owned amusement park in the Austrian town Strasswalchen that Erich Wagner and Karl Heinz Grabler opened in 1996. For the 2025 season, the park opened a new themed area named Sonnenbucht—which translates to Sunny Bay—that includes a water playground and the new Helios roller coaster, manufactured by IAAPA member Mack Rides. On May 7, the park opened its newest expansion to invitees. A group of industry partners and colleagues, along with IAAPA, were invited to attend the VIP Opening.

An investment of more than €7 million for a park with less than 250,000 annual attendance is not common in the attractions industry, but it was a dream for Fantasiana’s late founder Erich Wagner, who passed away shortly after signing the contract with Mack Rides in March 2023. For as long as the family can remember, a Mack coaster was on their bucket list, and the opening ceremony involved an emotional series of shows, videos and presentations, highlighting the passion and eye for detail that went into the project. To pay tribute to Eric Wagner, a chapel also became part of the new themed area, where park visitors can pay their respects to the park’s founder.

Other IAAPA members who contributed to the project include IMAscore, who worked on the onboard music; Weigl, who worked on show control; and Universal Rocks for the theming. The result is set to be a key milestone in Fantasiana’s growth. “Helios is the most anticipated new roller coaster in the world according to the rollercoaster fan community; this came out of a poll with over 2,500 voters,” says Simon Spitzbart, managing director. It may not be the highest, nor the longest, but it packs a smooth ride with thrilling ride elements, including an inversion through the station building.

The Fantasiana team goes the extra mile and delivers added value through surprising features, details that make guests smile, and elements that thrill unexpectedly. These efforts contribute to strong word-of-mouth marketing and high rates of repeat visitation, positioning the park as an increasingly compelling destination.