Rocking Around Europa-Park
Spirits were bright on Dec. 9, as over 90 industry professionals gathered for IAAPA EMEA Christmas Summit 2021, sponsored by Mack Rides and HB Leisure. Attendees represented 14 countries from the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region and beyond.
The summit was hosted by Europa-Park in Rust, Germany, which was transformed into a winter wonderland. Decorations abounded, with 3,000 snow-decked fir trees, including a nearly 50-foot-tall tree on the Luxembourg Square.
Dr.-Ing. h.c. Roland Mack, founder of Europa-Park, opened the event with former IAAPA Chairman Amanda Thompson OBE, managing director of Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Mack and Thompson reflected on the past two years and the industry’s current situation, as well as what to expect for the future. Mack also shared plans for upcoming investments, including the new Eatrenalin concept and streaming platform, an expansion of Rulantica and Kronasar hotel, and a large, new ride at Europa-Park.
Attendees participated in two behind-the-scenes EDUTours of the parks. One EDUTour took them around Rulantica, a Scandinavian-style water park, which opened in November 2019, and the other was specifically for “Pirates in Batavia,” Europa-Park’s water dark ride, which reopened after a two-year reconstruction.
Throughout the Rulantica tour, guests heard about how the water is filtered for the park’s pools and how the attraction ensures user safety. They also visited the Rulantica’s spa area, backstage operational center, and technical areas beneath the park itself.
For the EDUTour of “Pirates in Batavia,” participants learned about the reimagining of the attraction before experiencing the ride firsthand. They met with designers, who presented information about the ride’s technical aspects, construction, and storytelling. Attendees also viewed the new Mack attraction “The Rocking Boat” and the new “Panoramabahn” maintenance center—attached to the “Pirates in Batavia” ride.
In addition to its EDUTours, IAAPA EMEA Christmas Summit 2021 offered a variety of networking opportunities and entertainment. Attendees enjoyed the “Christmas Dinner Show”—a four-hour show with a mix of acrobatics, singing, and dance numbers set to a medley of popular music, a magic act, and a meal prepared by a two-star Michelin chef, which concluded the program.
- Visit IAAPA.org/EMEA to learn about upcoming IAAPA events in the EMEA region.
- Learn more about IAAPA Middle East Summit at: IAAPA.org/events/connections/summit/iaapa-middle-east-summit-2022
