Movie Park Germany

Movie Park Germany is a theme park in Bottrop-Kirchhellen in western Germany, 50 km (30 mi) north of Düsseldorf. With an area of 40 hectare (98 acres), it consists of 7 areas based on movies and TV series. Nearby the park are several film studios.

Movie Park Germany
LocationBottrop, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Coordinates51°37′12″N 6°58′21″E
SloganHollywood in Germany
OwnerParques Reunidos
Opened30 June 1996 (1996-06-30) (as Warner Bros. Movie World Germany)
19 March 2005 (2005-03-19) (as Movie Park Germany)
Closed31 October 2004 (2004-10-31) (as Warner Bros. Movie World Germany)
Previous namesKirchhellener Märchenwald (1967 to 1976), Traumlandpark (1977 to 1985), Das Neue Traumland (1986 to 1991), Bavaria Filmpark Bottrop (1992 to 1993), Warner Bros. Movie World Germany (1996 to 2004)
Operating seasonYear-round
Attractions
Total38
Roller coasters7
Water rides4
WebsiteOfficial website
Bermuda Triangle - Alien Encounter

History

The park originally opened under the name "Kirchhellener Märchenwald" in 1967. Märchenpark was run by the West German family Allekötter. The park featured attractions consisting of huts in the woods where guests could press buttons to listen to different fairy tales.[1]

A couple named Hans and Ida Rosenberg bought the park after the 1976 season. They operated the park under the name "Traumlandpark". This became their second park, the first being the Tuddern safari park in Tüddern, West Germany which they purchased from Mr. Löffelhardt and Mr. Schmidt, who sold the park so they could focus on their newest project, Phantasialand. In 1985, the Rosenbergs ran out of money and had to declare bankruptcy with the debt of €22 million.[1]

Wolf-Dieter Jahn from Essen, West Germany and Alexandre Berthé from France, who had previously worked at the park, bought it in 1986 and reopened it in 1987 under the name "Neue Traumland". In 1989 they decided to sell the park to Bavaria Film, and it closed again on 31 August 1991.[1]

The park opened on 6 June 1992 under the name "Bavaria Filmpark". This park was originally scheduled to open in May 1991. The park closed in 1993 after not becoming very popular.[1]

In May 1994, Warner Bros. purchased the location, and began construction on "Warner Bros. Movie World Germany". The park had a grand opening on 29 June 1996 with 20,000 invited guests including Johannes Rau, Ernst Löchelt, August Everding, Gustava Everding, Michael Douglas, Sophia Loren, Ron Williams, Amanda Lear, David Copperfield, Claudia Schiffer, Chris O'Donnell, Hans Meiser and Heinz Hoenig as special guests.[2][3][4][5][6] The park opened to the general public on 30 June 1996.[1] Zeitgeist Design and Production's Ryan Harmon served as the Director of Show Development for Warner Bros. International Recreation Enterprises, where he conceived, wrote and managed the design team for Warner Bros. Movie World in Germany's worth of rides, shows and attractions.[7] Botticelli's - Atelier der angewandten Malerei and Sanderson Group were responsible for designing and painting the theming for the park.[8][9] Alan Griffith Architect and Alder Constructions were also involved in the park's development.[10][11]

At the end of 1999, Warner Bros. sold the park to Premier Parks (now Six Flags). Premier Parks continued to license the Warner Bros. Movie World name.[12]

In later years, large investments in bigger, faster, more action-packed attractions made Warner Bros. Movie World Germany no longer a crowd puller for families, but rather in the direction of teenagers and the young at heart. Families stayed away from the park, and many thrillseekers visited it. This, along with a decline in visitor numbers, resulted in Warner Bros. Movie World Germany being acquired by StarParks, a subsidiary of Palamon Capital Partners, on 3 April 2004, which led to the park reopening as "Movie Park Germany" on 19 March 2005, and having a grand opening on 24 March 2005, with the Warner Bros. theming removed from the park and replaced by newer themes from 20th Century Fox, MGM, and Nickelodeon.[13][14][15] Later themes included Van Helsing, AMC's The Walking Dead and Star Trek by CBS.

On 17 May 2010, Parques Reunidos bought the park from Palamon Capital Partners. No changes to the park's name or theming occurred.[16]

Attractions

The park is divided up into 7 areas each with their own collection of attractions.[17]

The Hollywood Street Set
  • Area 51 - Top Secret – Intamin spillwater (formerly Bermuda Triangle: Alien Encounter (19 March 2005-2018), Das Bermuda Dreieck (30 June 1996-31 October 2004)). It is a replica of the previously operated Sea World ride in Australia.
  • Looney Tunes 4D - Roadrunner & Wile e Coyote - A 4-D film shown at the Roxy 4D-Kino.
  • The Lost Temple - Simworx Immersive Tunnel (replaced Movie Magic - Voyagers to Mars (19 March 2005-2010), Movie Magic Special Effects Stage (1996-2004))[18]

Streets of New York

(formerly Gotham City)

Former attractions:

  • Cartoon Theatre - movie theatre (1996-2002)

Nickland

(formerly Wonderland Studios (2005-2006), Looney Tunes Land (1996-2004))

- Zuma’s Zoomer - Zamperla Speedway (-2018 Swiper's Sweeper)
- PAW Patrol Adventure Tour - Zamperla Convoy
- Zuma and Rubble theme - Children's Playground
- Skye’s High Flyer - Zamperla Kiddie carpet (replaced Team Umizoomi Number Tumbler (2012 -2019), Teenage Robot Turnabout (2007-2012), Flying Cloud (2005-2006), The Daffy Duck Thundercloud (1996-2004))
- PAW Patrol Meet&Greet

Former attractions:

  • Adventure Express - Zamperla Kiddie Train (2008-2012; replaced Dora's Adventure Express (2007), Wonderland Studios Steam Tour (2005-2006), Yosemite Sam Rail Road (1996-2004))
  • Beetle Dance - Zamperla Turtle Parade (2005-2007; replaced Porky Pig Parade (1996-2004))
  • Blue's Skidoo - SBF Rides|SBF Jet ride (-2018) - The ride is based on the television show Blue's Clues.
  • Brandy Bird's Hat Dance - Mini Jet (2005-2007; replaced Tweety und Sylvester Jr. Chase (1996-2004))
  • Diego's Rescue Rider (-2018) - Zamperla Jump Around
  • Max Mouse Moto - Motorcycle Jump (2005-2007; replaced Taz 500 (1996-2004))
  • Movie Crew Carousel (2005-2006; replaced Looney Tunes Carousel (2000-2004))
  • Nick Speed Racers - go-kart track (2007; replaced Mister Valentino's Go Kart Races (2005-2006), Speedy Gonzales Go Cart Races (2003-2004), Speedy Gonzales Taxi (1996-2002))
  • Robert's Rat Race - Farm Tractor (2005-2007; replaced Elmer Fudd's Tractor Race (1996-2004))
  • Wonder Pets Flyboat - SBF Kiddie Freefall Tower - based on the television show Wonder Pets (2008-2018 replaced The Backyardigans Hip Hopper (2007), Maple Hopper (2006), Miss Patricia's Treehouse (2005), Tweety's Treehouse (2001-2004))*

The Old West
  • Bandit – Germany's first wooden roller coaster of modern times (Based on the Coney Island roller coaster The Cyclone)
  • Lucky Luke – The Ride: Die Daltons brechen aus (summer 2020) – Vekoma Suspended Looping Coaster - former MP Express
  • Side Kick - Huss Frisbee (replaced Blazing Saddles (2000-31 October 2004))
  • The High Fall - Intamin Tilting Gyro Drop. A clone of Acrophobia at Six Flags Over Georgia (replaced The Wild Bunch (6 April 2002-31 October 2004)).
  • new interactive laser walkthrough in Studio 7 (ghost hunting theme) - opening within season 2020

Former attractions:

  • Josie's Bath House - Huss Breakdance 4 (2000-2007; dismantled in 2008)
  • The Walking Dead: Breakout - all year-maze, featuring authentic sets from the TV-Show.

Santa Monica Pier
  • Crazy Surfer - Zamperla Disk-O Coaster
  • Pier Patrol - Zierer Wild Water Rondell
  • Pier Side Carousel - Zierer Wave Swinger
  • Rescue 112 - Zamperla Fire Brigade
  • Santa Monica Wheel - SBF Ferris Wheel
  • Stormy Cruise - Zamperla Rockin' Tug

Adventure Lagoon

(formerly part of Looney Tunes Land (1996-2004))

  • Excalibur - Secrets of the Dark Forest - Intamin rapid ride
  • Movie Park Studios - Multi Dimension Coaster - Intamin

Former attractions:

Federation Plaza

(formerly Downtown (2005-2006), Marienhof (1996-2004))

Shows

Movie Park Germany features many live shows as well as a 4-D movie.[20]

  • Nicktoons Character Show - Let's Party with the Nicktoons
  • Meet the Moviecals Show - live show (2005-2007; replaced Bugs 'n Friends Rock'n Roll Party (2002-2004), Bugs 'n Friends Music Party (1996-2001))
  • Crazy Cops New York - Action Stunt Show - a live action stunt show (replaced Crazy Cops - Action Stunt Show (2013-2016), Crazy Action Stunt Show (2005-2013), Police Academy Stunt Show (1996-2004))
  • Meet the Stunt Crew
  • Meet the TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)
  • Street Entertainment in several areas of the park (e.g. Western Stunt Show, Character meeting, Marilyn Monroe impersonator)

Halloween Horror Fest

The Halloween Horror Fest is an annual event around Halloween time that began in October 1998. It features over 250 scare actors and extra attractions like mazes and scarezones, as well as shows.

Current mazes (2018)

  • Deathpital Reloaded (16+)
  • Circus of Freaks (16+)
  • Insidious 2 (16+)
  • The Slaughterhouse (16+) (housed in the Cartoon Theatre show building since 2015)
  • The Walking Dead Breakout (Operates the whole season, 16+)
  • Campout (12+)
  • Hostel (18+)
  • Wrong Turn (16+)

Former mazes (1999-2014)

  • Terror Train (housed in the Gremlin Invasion show building from 2002 to 2007)
  • House of Horror (housed in the Cartoon Theatre show building from 2002 to 2008)
  • The Dark Goldmine (housed in the Gremlin Invasion show building from 2008 to 2010)
  • Infected (Former: The Walking Dead, based on the TV show The Walking Dead, 16+)
  • Baboo Twister Club (12+)
  • The Forgotten (16+) (housed in the Cartoon Theatre show building from 2011 to 2014)
  • Noxam Nocere (housed in the Cartoon Theatre show building from 2008 to 2009)
  • City Of The Damned
  • Deathpital
  • Panic Zone
  • Paranormal Activity 2 (based on the 2010 motion picture; housed in the Cartoon Theatre show building in 2010)
  • Knott's haunted Mountain (water ride with live scare actors. The attraction, now known as 'Bermuda Triangle: Alien Encounter', operates the whole season, but without scare actors)

During the HHF the Nickland theme area is a 'Monsterfreie Zone' (engl. 'monster free area') where children can stay at the park without being scared of the scare actors.

References
  1. "Movie Park Germany (Bottrop, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  2. "Movie World - wie alles begann: EURE STORIES". Freizeitparkweb. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  3. "Zuhause auf Zeit für Batman und Bugs Bunny". Der Westen. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  4. "August Everding Frau Gustava Bei Eröffnung Von 'Movie World' In Bottrop". Getty Images. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  5. "German fashion model Claudia Schiffer with her mother at the opening of a theme-park in Bottrop-Kirchhellen (North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany) on 29 June 1996". Alamy. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  6. "Glamour Hits the Ruhr River Valley with Warner Bros. Movie World". AP News. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  7. "Home". Zeitgeist Design + Production. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  8. "Movie Park". Atelier Botticellis. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  9. "WARNER BROS - Movie World - Germany". Sanderson Group. Archived from the original on 2003-03-11. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  10. "Alan Griffith Architects". Architect Gold Coast. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  11. "Inside Today:the Bat, the Bunny & The Bermuda Triangle". Parkz. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  12. O'Brien, Tim (18 October 1999). "Premier Purchases WB's European Parks Division". Amusement Business: 1, 32.
  13. "Movie Park Germany". onride.de. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  14. "Germany's Movie World to change in 2005" (Press release). StarParks. 31 August 2004. Archived from the original on 4 February 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
  15. "Movie Park Germany im neuen Gewand". Coastersandmore.de. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  16. "Parques Reunidos buys Movie Park" (Press release). Park World. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  17. "Attractions". Movie Park Germany. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
  18. "Movie Magic - Voyagers to Mars". MoviePark-Infos.de. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  19. O'Brien, Tim (May 17, 1999). "New Family Rides Add Plenty Of Capacity". Amusement Business. 111 (20): 20.
  20. "Shows & Entertainment". Movie Park Germany. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
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