Park Profile
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Urs Zimmermann, executive vice president of ABC Rides:
Why is the Tube Coaster suited to the Arkan Castle concept? The guest profile is families with young children which looking for smooth and attractive recreation facilities in a beautiful outdoor environment. [Schloss Dankern is] continuously enlarging its sections providing different activities, but no amusement ride was available till now.
What were the challenges of construction on the Arkan Castle coaster?
The limitations created by existing buildings, infrastructure and walkways, specifically not hindering the fire-freighter passing road. Also to create and design a unique attractive ride experience for all riders within a limited space.
What makes this project different from other coaster projects you have worked on? The impressive decoration work on this wonderful Castle and also the Middle Ages village, with many edutainment spots inside. The Baron Freiherr von Landsberg-Velen, and his Wife [owners] have laid-out and created this unique attraction.
A concept for a castle The medieval theme was chosen in keeping with Schloss Dankern’s long history. In fact, ‘Schloss Dankern’ means ‘Castle Dankern’, and is a reference to the real life castle that forms the central focal point of the holiday park. About 500 metres away, and 500 years ago, wooded terrain indicates the place where it is thought an early medieval Rundburg (literally ‘around the castle’) must have been. Amusement park designer Gert Eussen in partnership with play and leisure equipment creator Kinderland Emsland Playgrounds created the medieval design work, producing everything except the coaster itself. “The main challenge was to integrate the roller coaster, which has a 14m boarding station. After our first concept in March 2016, we developed it further in cooperation with the owners of Schloss Dankern so that the optimal solution was created. My part in the design process was the creation and visualisation of the concept, including all the necessary details and elevation drawings, and the overview of the decoration process. Kinderland, as always, did an excellent job with the technical process and the realisation.”
Interactivity and independent play After visiting the Tube Coaster by Swiss manufacturer ABC Rides at Billy Bird Park in the Netherlands, which also has its entrance at the top and exit at the bottom, Schloss Dankern chose the model for its adaptability and size. A big coaster, the company explained, would have been “too big a step from what we are so far.” The coaster has three trains, each with two cars that seat
either two adults, or one adult with two children, which are designed to look like cannonballs being fired. It can be ridden by children from four years old or 1.05m height if accompanied by an adult, or children from eight years (1.30m) without accompaniment. “Schloss Dankern is not about rides, it is about playing, says Schloss Dankern’s Christian Ahuis. “We want parents to play with their children, and we see that it works. Within the last years some smaller attractions have been, including a Sunkid/Heege Tower and Bumper Cars.” The Tower and the bumper car are both rides in which the guests control their own experience. “We never
wanted a ride where they just sit and do nothing to get the experience.” “We wanted the kids to do a little more work when re-
riding the coaster,” he continued, “so they have to climb the way up to the station themselves, and can explore many great things and play along the way,” explains Christian. “It is different to a classic waiting line, which often looks great but does not add that much after you have done the coaster four times or more.” This desire for detail and complexity in throughout the new
area led to a number of challenges. The whole waiting area is filled with playground equipment and activities, meaning the operator had to make careful decisions about each floor and the amenities placed on it. “Also we wanted them to connect with the medieval times. On one floor there is an area where the kids can walk on books, mounted to the wall, which are linked to the invention of the Gutenberg printing press. Different professions from the medieval time are also shown. One area is designed with candles as a reference to the candlemaker, another to barrel makers.”
Further expansion plans? “We always think about what we can do next - but so far we are keen to find out how the guests like this new area. If it works out properly, I am sure we will invest into similar attractions for the future as well.”
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APRIL 2018
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