We all know how Disneyland famous attractions inspired others rides around the world and today, in the part one of an articles series, we will have a look to how Pirates of Caribbean inspired the "Piraten in Batavia" attraction at Germany's most popular theme park: Europa-Park.
Europa-Park is run by the Mack family which have produced vehicles since 1780, circus wagons since 1880 and rollercoasters since 1921. The park was opened in 1975 to act as a showcase for many of their different ride models - for example, the Wild Mouse roller coaster. Although the park "borrowed" many ideas from Disney parks - beginning by Epcot's Spaceship Earth ball design - Disney is sometime interested by MACK ride systems for a Disney attraction. Recently, Al Weiss, Philippe Gas - DLP chairman - Georges Kalogridis - now at the head of DLR - were at Europa Park for a secret meeting as i told you in previous articles.
At Europa-Park, guests who ride the Piraten in Batavia attraction (Batavia was a city in the Dutch indonesia colony and is known now as Djakarta) can "witness the attack of wild pirates on a southeast Asian Dutch colony in 1619, which has been reproduced to perfection. Already in the entrance area, you are taken to the Far East and put in the mood for the adventures yet to come. You pass by sceneries with Dutchmen who are far away from home, and suddenly – a deafening cannon shot. Here, you won’t have a chance to get bored! Then, you start an adventurous boat trip through the exotic world of the seaport Batavia in the former colony Dutch East India. Become a witness of the pirates’ attack on a peaceful colony!"
Does this synopsis of the ride sounds familiar? Well, although Piraten in Batavia took a lot of its inspiration in Disneyland's attraction - as you will see on the video below - the quality of the audio-animatronics is not as good as the one designed by WDI. But thanks to the lighting and decors, may be the guests don't see the difference...which i doubt.
Picture: copyright Coasters.com and Rides.nl
Youtube video: copyright Alexhardrock whom i thanks a lot
3 comments:
Disneyland is the number one themepark, no question. On the other hand I live near the Europapark and it is really a lovely park. Every detail is well done and the rollercoasters are great also. Isn´t the "Euro Sat" also a copy of a disney roller: http://www.park-rust.de/attraktionen/eurosat-achterbahn-europa-park-579.html?
do you know "i corsari" in Gardaland, the biggest italian theme park?
http://youtu.be/_XfIJKFjOKA
this is the exterior
http://www.gardaland.it/attachfile/content/attrazioni/0/511/0.2.0.r%23notte44_r3.jpg
I've visited about 160 amusement parks worldwide, my family is in a rollercoaster club and we get around. With that said my daughter and I made our first visit to Europa Park last summer, 2013. It was truly amazing, probably my single best visit to any amusement park and now my single favourite park in the World! I know others like Tokyo DisneySea, but I have yet to visit. My previous single overall park was Islands of Adventure in Florida. Here's how I'd compare Europa Park to 3 outstanding parks in the USA. Europa has the looks of Busch Gardens in VA,as well as rides, combined with many aspects of Cedar Point in Ohio and Disneyland. Simply put Europa park has just about everything that all the other great parks have. I would say they might not have any of my single favorite attractions, but as a whole I don't think Europa Park can be beat! Also, loved Pirates of Batavia, very well done ride. Yes, it is not quite on par with Disney but otherwise a top notch attractions. That is true for some of the other good dark rides at Europa Park, like their Ghost Castle, which again, is very similar to Disney's Haunted Mansion or Phantom Manor. My entire family is returning to Europa Park in about 10 days, I suspect It might be our best adventure yet!
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