Movie Park Germany

Movie Park Germany is a theme park in Bottrop-Kirchhellen in western Germany, 50 kilometres (30 mi) north of Düsseldorf, with an area of 40 hectares (100 acres). It consists of 7 areas based on movies and TV series. Nearby the park are several film studios.

Movie Park Germany
Previously known as Kirchhellener Märchenwald (1967–1976)
Traumlandpark (1977–1985)
Das Neue Traumland (1986–1991)
Bavaria Filmpark Bottrop (1992–1993)
Warner Bros. Movie World Germany (1996–2004)
Main Entrance
LocationBottrop, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Coordinates51°37′12″N 6°58′21″E / 51.62000°N 6.97250°E / 51.62000; 6.97250
Opened30 June 1996 (1996-06-30) (as Warner Bros. Movie World Germany)
19 March 2005; 19 years ago (2005-03-19) (as Movie Park Germany)
Closed31 October 2004 (2004-10-31) (as Warner Bros. Movie World Germany)
OwnerParques Reunidos
SloganHollywood in Germany
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, Arnold Schwarzenegger, George Clooney, Chris O’Donnell, Alicia Silverstone, Joel Schumacher, 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][7] 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 Germany's worth of rides, shows and attractions.[8][9] Botticelli's - Atelier der angewandten Malerei, Sanderson Group and Kevin Cardani were responsible for designing and painting the theming for the park.[10][11][12] Alan Griffith Architect and Alder Constructions were also involved in the park's development.[13][14]

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.[15]

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.[16][17][18][19]

In August 2006, the two-lane roller coaster Cop Car Chase (previously Lethal Weapon Pursuit) was shut down and dismantled as a repair would have been too expensive from an economic point of view. The vacated space was used for the new Santa Monica Pier themed area, which opened in May 2007. The area based on the Californian Santa Monica Pier also uses part of the area of the also partially dismantled, partially redesigned Downtown area (previously Marienhof). The main attraction of the area is Germany's first stationary Disk'O Coaster.[citation needed]

In addition, the kids' area Wonderland Studios was expanded with Nickland by 15,000 m² for the 2007 season. The themed area, built in collaboration with the German version of Nickelodeon, deals exclusively with the station's characters and themed worlds. Attractions include a Suspended Family Coaster (Jimmy Neutron’s Atomic Flyer) and a water attraction (Spongebob Splash Bash). In addition, the 2007 season brought a change of motto; instead of "A day like in the film", it is now "Hurray! I'm in the film" (until 2004, the slogan was "Hollywood in Germany"). With the opening of Nickland, old attractions such as Dishwasher were re-themed.[20][21][22]

Since 2007, the sidewalks of the park have been paved. The entire Nickland, Main Street and Vine Street are now paved.

For the 2008 season, Wonderland Studios was integrated into Nickland. For this purpose, old children's attractions have been relocated or demolished and other attractions have been redesigned. In addition, a wild water course was built on the site of the go-kart track; the latter was demolished. Another new attraction is an carousel of the model Aviator. The new area opened in May 2008. In the Roxy 4D-Kino, a film about SpongeBob SquarePants was replaced by Shrek,[23][24] which again was replaced for the 2012 season by Ice Age. To this end, the Roxy 4D-Kino was redesigned and a new preshow was installed.

On 17 May 2010, Parques Reunidos bought the park from Palamon Capital Partners. No changes to the park's name or theming occurred.[25]

For the park's 15th birthday on June 18, 2011, the combination of roller coaster and dark ride Van Helsing’s Factory was opened in the hall that formerly housed the Gremlins Invasion and had only been used for Halloween since 2005. The roller coaster was built by the Gerstlauer company, the theme is based freely on the character of the vampire hunter Van Helsing from the 2004 film of the same name. According to the park, the roller coaster and the show Shadows of Darkness, which uses the character of Van Helsing, are attractions that do not require a license. In addition to Shadows of Darkness, which replaced X-Men Revenge - The Ultimate Action Show (ran in 2010 and 2011 in Studio 7), three more shows were revised for 2012.

The novelty for 2017 was announced for the 20th anniversary of the park. It is a new roller coaster from Mack Rides and is called: Star Trek: Operation Enterprise. The track is located in a completely new themed area that is devoted to Star Trek. The themed area takes up the last parts of the former Marienhof, the former film museum and the unused space between Bermuda Triangle - Alien Encounter and The Lost Temple. The 40-meter-high launch coaster is the second tallest structure in the park and replaces the plans for the Air Driver roller coaster that were rejected in 2012. The following year it was announced that the Mystery River, one of the most popular and oldest attractions in the park, would be subject to a complete thematic redesign. The main changes are the waiting area, the theming and the effects during the journey. The ride also received a new soundtrack from IMAscore. The course of the journey itself remains largely unchanged.[26] In 2019, the theming of Bermuda Triangle - Alien Encounter was slightly changed. The ride was renamed Area 51 - Top Secret, and a new soundtrack from IMAscore was included.[27]

In the building of the former dark ride Ice Age Adventure, a new roller coaster with the name Movie Park Studio Tour was built. On 23 June 2021, this new attraction had its opening to celebrate the 25th birthday of the park.

Areas

The park is divided up into 7 areas each with their own collection of attractions.[28]

The Hollywood Street Set

  • Area 51 - Top SecretIntamin 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 4-D: Starring Road Runner & 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))[29]

Streets of New York

(formerly Gotham City)

Former attractions:

  • Cartoon Theatre - movie theatre (1996-2002)

Nickland

Nickland is themed to the programmes and characters of Nickelodeon. The land initially opened in 2007, and expanded in 2008 to the "Wonderland Studios" section, itself formerly being themed to the Looney Tunes and named "Looney Tunes Land" during the park's period as Warner Bros. Movie World Germany.

NameOpenedManufacturerDescription
Avatar Air Glider2008ZamperlaSkychaser ride.
The Backyardigans: Mission to Mars1996VekomaFamily Roller Coaster. Formerly known as "Coyote und Roadrunner's Achternahn" (1996-2004) and "Rocket Rider Rollercoaster" (2005-2007)
Back at the Barnyard Bumpers1996Preston & BarbieriSet of Bumper Cars. Formerly known as "Marc Antony's Autoscooter" (1996-2004) and "Ram Jam" (2005-2006)
Dora's Big River Adventure2008ZamperlaThemed Log Flume.
Fairy World Spin1999Mack RidesThe Fairly OddParents-themed Teacups ride. Formerly known as "Looney Tunes Tea Party" (1999-2004),[30] "Dishwasher" (2005-2006) and "Danny Phantom Ghost Zone" (2007-2012)
Ghost Chasers1996Mack RidesSpongeBob SquarePants-themed Wild Mouse coaster based on the Flying Dutchman character. Formerly known as "Tom and Jerry - Mouse in the House" (1996-2004) and "Mad Manor" (2005-2007)
Jimmy Neutron's Atomic Flyer2007VekomaSuspended Family Coaster.
Sea Swing2008SBFSwing ride themed to SpongeBob SquarePants-themed Swing ride based on the jellyfishes.
Splat-O-Sphere2008Chance RidesAviator ride themed to Nickelodeon's trademark logo and color.
SpongeBob's Splash Bash2007Preston & BarbieriSplash Battle ride.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: License to Drive2013A driving attraction for kids.

PAW Patrol Adventure Bay

PAW Patrol Adventure Bay is a sub-area of Nickland dedicated to the PAW Patrol franchise. The area opened in 2019.

NameOpenedManufacturerDescription
Zuma’s Zoomers2008ZamperlaSpeedway ride. Formerly known as "Swiper's Sweeper" (2008-2018)
PAW Patrol Adventure Tour2019ZamperlaTracked Convoy ride.
Skye’s High Flyer1996ZamperlaKiddie carpet ride. Formerly known as "The Daffy Duck Thundercloud" (1996-2004), "Flying Cloud" (2005-2006), Teenage Robot Turnabout" (2007-2012) and "Team Umizoomi Number Tumbler" (2012-2019)

Former Attractions

NameOpenedClosedManufacturerDescription
Adventure Express19962012ZamperlaKiddie Train ride. Formerly known as "Yosemite Sam Rail Road" (1996-2004), "Wonderland Studios Team Tour" (2005-2006) and "Dora's Adventure Express" (2007). Removed to make way for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: License to Drive.
Beetle Dance19962007ZamperlaTurtle Parade ride. Formerly known as "Porky Pig Parade" (1996-2004). Removed to make way for the Nickland expansion.
Blue's Skidoo20082018SBFJet ride. Removed to make way for the "PAW Patrol Adventure Bay" area.
Brandy Bird's Hat Dance19962007Mini Jet ride. Formerly known as "Tweety and Sylvester Jr. Chase" (1996-2004). Removed to make way for the Nickland expansion.
Diego's Rescue Rider20082018ZamperlaJump Around ride. Removed to make way for the "PAW Patrol Adventure Bay" area.
Max Mouse Moto19962007Motorcycle Jump ride. Formerly known as Taz 500 (1996-2004). Removed to make way for the Nickland expansion.
Movie Crew Carousel20002006Traditional Carousel ride. Formerly known as "Looney Tunes Carousel" (2000-2004). Removed to make way for Nickland.
Nick Speed Racers19962007Go-kart track. Formerly known as Speedy Gonzales Taxi (1996-2002), Speedy Gonzales Go Cart Races" (2003-2004) and "Mister Valentino's Go Kart Races" (2005-2006). Removed to make way for the Nickland expansion.
Robert's Rat Race19962007Farm Tractor ride. Formerly known as Elmer Fudd's Tractor Race (1996-2004). Removed to make way for the Nickland expansion.
Wonder Pets Flyboat20012018SBFKiddie Freefall Tower. Formerly known as Tweety's Treehouse (2001-2004), Miss Patricia's Treehouse (2005), "Maple Hopper" (2006) and "The Backyardigans Hip Hopper" (2007). Removed to make way for the "PAW Patrol Adventure Bay" area.

The Old West

  • Bandit – Germany's first modern wooden roller coaster (Based on the Coney Island roller coaster The Cyclone)
  • Iron Claw — 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

Former attractions:

  • Cop Car Chase - Intamin dueling roller coaster (2005-2006; replaced Lethal Weapon Pursuit (1996-2004))
  • The Walking Dead: Breakout - all year-maze, featuring authentic sets from the TV-Show.

Adventure Lagoon

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

  • Excalibur - Secrets of the Dark Forest - Intamin rapid ride (replaced Mystery River (2005-2017), Unendliche Geschichte (1996-2004))
  • Movie Park Studio Tour - Multi Dimension Coaster - Intamin (replaced Ice Age Adventure (2005-2016), Looney Tunes Adventure (1996-2004))

Federation Plaza

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

Attractions

Roller coasters

PictureNameFormer NamesManufacturerTypeOpenedClosedAreaSpeedNotes
Backyardigans: Mission to MarsCoyote's und Roadrunner's Achterbahn (1996-2004)

Rocket Rider Rollercoaster (2005-2007)

VekomaJunior Coaster1996Nickland35 km/h (21.7 mph)
BanditWild Wild West (1999-2004)Roller Coaster Corporation of AmericaWooden roller coaster1999The Old West80 km/h (49.7 mph)Oldest operating German wooden coaster
Cop Car ChaseLethal Weapon Pursuit (1996-2004)IntaminDueling Coaster19962006Marienhof / Downtown

(now: Federation Plaza)

50 km/h (31.1 mph)only dueling coaster in Germany
Ghost ChasersTom and Jerry's Mouse in the House (2000-2005)

Mad Manor (2005-2007)

Mack RidesWild mouse2000Nickland45 km/h (28.0 mph)
Jimmy Neutron's Atomic FlyerVekomaSuspended Family Coaster2007Nickland
Lucky Luke – The Ride:

Die Daltons brechen aus

Eraser (2001-2004)

FX (2005)

MP-Xpress (2006-2020)

Baboo Twister Express (2020)

VekomaSuspended Looping Coaster2001The Old West80 km/h (49.7 mph)in 2011, the roller coaster was part of the

German crime TV film

Marie Brand und die letzte Fahrt

Movie Park Studio TourIntaminIndoor roller coaster /

Multi Dimension Coaster

2021The Hollywood Studio Set60 km/h (37.3 mph)Contains multimedia 360-degree

rotating platform with friction wheel

launching to the front as well as to the rear

Star Trek: Operation EnterpriseMack RidesLaunched roller coaster2017Federation Plaza90 km/h (55.9 mph)
Van Helsing's FactoryGerstlauerIndoor roller coaster2011Streets of New York36 km/h (22.4 mph)

Water rides

PictureNameFormer NamesTypeOpenedClosedArea
Area 51 – Top SecretDas Bermuda-Dreieck (1996-2004)

Bermuda Triangle: Alien Encounter (2005-2018)

Shoot the Chute1996Hollywood Street Set
Dora’s Big River AdventureLog flume2008Nickland
Excalibur – Secrets of the Dark ForestUnendliche Geschichte (1996-2004)

Mystery River (2005-2017)

River rapids ride1996The Hollywood Studio Set
Ice Age AdventureLooney Tunes Adventure (1996-2004)Water Dark Ride19962016Wonderland Studios / Looney Tunes Land /

Adventure Lagoon

(now: The Hollywood Studio Set)

SpongeBob Splash BashSplash Battle2007Nickland

Other

PictureNameFormer NamesTypeOpenedClosedArea
Avatar AirgliderGiant Sky Chaser2008Nickland
Back at the Barnyard BumpersBumper cars20082024Nickland
Blue's SkidooCarousel20082018Nickland
Brandy Bird's Hat DanceTweety und Sylvester jr. Chase (1996-2004)Carousel19962007Looney Tunes Land / Wonderland Studios

(now: Nickland)

Crazy SurferDisk'O2007Santa Monica Pier
Diego's Rescue RiderJump Around20082018Nickland
Dora's Adventure ExpressYosemite Sam Railroad (1996-2004)

Wonderland Studio Tour (2005-2006)

Kids' Railway19962013Looney Tunes Land / Wonderland Studios /

Nickland

Fairy World SpinLooney Tunes Tea Cup Ride (1996-2004)

Dishwasher (2005-2006)

Danny Phantom Ghost Zone (2007-2012)

Teacups1996Nickland
Film Studio TourTram tour19962007Hollywood Street Set
FilmmuseumMuseum19962013Marienhof / Downtown

(now: Federation Plaza)

Nick Speed RacersSpeedy Gonzalez Taxi (2003-2004)

Mister Valentinos Go Kart Race (2005-2006)

Kart racing20032007Looney Tunes Land / Wonderland Studios

(now: Nickland)

Gremlins InvasionDark ride19962005Marienhof

(now: Streets of New York)

Josie's Bath HouseBreakdance20002007The Old West
Pier Patrol – Jet SkiCarousel20072024Santa Monica Pier
Movie Crew CarouselLooney Tunes Carousel (1996-2004)Carousel19962007Looney Tunes Land / Wonderland Studios

(now: Nickland)

N.Y.C. TransformerRiddlers Revenge (1999-2004)Top Spin1999Streets of New York
PAW Patrol Adventure TourConvoy2019Nickland
Pier Side CarouselMarienhof Karussell (2000-2006)Wave Swinger2000Santa Monica Pier
Ram JamBumper cars?2007Wonderland Studios (now: Nickland)
Rescue 112Fire Brigade2007Santa Monica Pier
Robert's Rat RaceElmer Fudd's Tractor Race (1996-2004)Carousel19962007Looney Tunes Land / Wonderland Studios

(now: Nickland)

Santa Monica WheelFerris wheel2007Santa Monica Pier
Sea SwingSwing ride2007Nickland
Side KickBlazing Saddles (1999-2004)Frisbee1999The Old West
Skye's High FlyerThe Daffy Duck Thundercloud (1996-2004)

Flying Cloud (2005-2006)

Teenage Robot Roundabout (2007-2012)

Team Umizoomi Number Tumbler (2013-2019)

Crazy Bus1996Nickland
Splat-O-SphereAviator2008Nickland
Stormy CruiseRockin' Tug2003Santa Monica Pier
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles:

License to Drive

Driving school2013Nickland
The High FallThe Wild Bunch (2002-2004)Drop tower2002The Old West
The Lost Temple4D simulator2014Hollywood Street Set
The Walking Dead: BreakoutMaze20162020The Old West
Time RidersBatman Abenteuer (1996-2004)Simulator ride1996Streets of New York
Wonder Pets FlyboatKids' Drop tower20082018Nickland
Zooma's ZoomersSwiper's Sweeper (2007-2018)Speedway2007Nickland

Shows

Movie Park Germany features many live shows as well as a 4-D movie.[32]

  • Nicktoons Character Show - Let's Party with the Nicktoons
  • Meet the Movicals - live show (2005-2007; replaced Bugs and Friends Music Party (2001-2004), Bugs and Friends Rock 'n' Roll Party (1996-2000))
  • 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 1999. It features over 250 scare actors and extra attractions like mazes and scarezones, as well as shows.

Mazes:

  • Murder Museum (16+) (2023 to...)
  • Final Stop (16+) (2023 to...)
  • Hell House (16+) (2022 to...)
  • Projet Ningyo (16+) (2019 to...)
  • Circus Of Freaks New version (16+) (2023 to ...)
  • The Slaughterhouse (16+) (2015 to ...)
  • St Elmo UPGRADE(16+) (2022 to...)
  • Chupacabra (16+) (2020 to...) (12+ since 2023)

Former mazes (1999-2022)

  • Hostel (18+) (2017 to 2022)
  • Fear Forest (12+) (2021 to 2022)
  • Circus Of Freaks New version (16+) (2021 to 2022)
  • St Elmo (16+) (2020 to 2021)
  • Acid Warrior (16+) (2021 to 2021)
  • Circus Of Freaks reloaded (16+) (2020 to 2020)
  • Insidious 2 (16+) (2016 to 2020)
  • Campout (12+) (2016 to 2020)
  • Deathpital Reloaded (16+) (2014 to 2018)
  • The Walking Dead Breakout (Operates the whole season, 16+)
  • Wrong Turn (16+) (2018 to 2019)
  • 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

External links