Skyline_Park

Skyline Park

Skyline Park

Amusement Park in Bavaria, Germany


Skyline Park (also known as Allgäu Skyline Park) is a 35-hectare (86-acre) amusement park in Bad Wörishofen, Bavaria, Germany. The facility includes several thrill rides, family attractions, and playground amenities. The park is run by the Löwenthal family of showmen.

Quick Facts Location, Coordinates ...

History

Kirchdorf Leisure Park and Skyline Park's beginnings (1975–1998)

Skyline Express (formerly ICE-Express) opened at the park upon Löwenthal's acquisition in 1999. It was removed following the 2016 season.

The beginnings of Skyline Park can be traced back to the Kirchdorf Leisure Park in Stadtbergen, a town within the district of Augsburg. The park - essentially a giant playground - was located there from 1975 to 1991, but a disagreement with the land's owner over expansion plans led to the park's move to its present location in Bad Wörishofen.[2] The Leisure Park's attractions consisted mainly of several slides, pedal-powered rides, and an electric-powered car ride. The park began to install larger rides in the late 90s, most notably with the addition of the Anton Schwarzkopf roller coaster Silberpfeil.[3] In 1999, the park was bought by the Löwenthal family of showmen and was formally reopened as Skyline Park. Park owner Joachim Löwenthal quickly brought a multitude of larger rides into the park upon its acquisition, including the Sky Rider suspended roller coaster and Bob Racing powered bobkart attraction.

Continued growth and development (2004–2014)

Sky Wheel at Skyline Park

In the spring of 2004, the Löwenthal family approached Maurer Söhne (now knows as Maurer AG), a German firm whom were at the time making headlines around the industry with their innovative X-Car coaster design.[4] The park opened the Sky Wheel roller coaster in late 2004, and formally in 2005. The coaster was shaped like a vertical arc and described to the public as a "ferris wheel without spokes".[4] The success of the Sky Wheel resulted in several similar attractions and X-Car designs built around the world over the next several years, with varying degrees of success.

In 2009, the former Condor was purchased from Heide Park and rechristened as the Sky Twister. The Autoscooter bumper cars, which were installed during the previous year, was expanded in order to become the largest bumper car attraction in Germany.[5] For the 2010 season, Skyline Park added the Sky Rafting rapids ride, which had formerly traveled on the fair circuit with the Löwenthal family.[6] Its addition was a part of a 2-hectare expansion to the northeast corner of the park.[7]

The 2012–2013 seasons saw Skyline Park purchase two retired attractions from the United Kingdom. For the 2012 season, the Sky Jet thrill ride was added near the Sky Rafting. The ride was a Zierer Star Shape that had formerly operated as Bling at Blackpool Pleasure Beach from 2004 to 2011.[8] Sky Jet was removed following the 2019 season and sold to Fantasy Island in the UK.[9][10] For the 2013 season, the park purchased the Whirlwind, a Maurer AG spinning coaster, from the former Camelot Theme Park, which had ceased operations in late 2012.[11] The coaster was refurbished and rechristened as Sky Spin.[12]

Expansion and further investments (2015–present)

View from Riesenrad ferris wheel in 2021

Various new attractions were installed at the park during an expansion to the western side of the property between 2015 and 2019. During this time, the Italy-based SBF Visa Group provided multiple rides, most notably the High Fly pendulum ride, Kids Spin junior spinning coaster, and Zero Gravity rotor.[13] Joachim Löwenthal retired two well-known attractions from the fair circuit and permanently installed them at the park, in 2017 and 2019, respectively; Wildwasserbahn III (1992), the world's largest transportable log flume, and Geisterschlange (1979), a ghost train style dark ride. The headlining installation, however, was Sky Dragster, a prototype Spike Coaster from Maurer AG. On this attraction, riders straddle a monorail-ensue track and are able to control the speed of their car. Although the coaster concept won various innovation awards, it ultimately suffered from severe mechanical failures throughout its lifetime, to the point that for a period of time in 2020 park management brought the coaster's long-term viability into question.[14][15]

For the 2020 season, two major new rides were added to the park. The first, Sky Fall, was a portable drop tower that stands 85 metres (279 ft) tall and is one of the tallest active fairground drop towers. As the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic had cancelled festivals across Europe, Löwenthal invited Sky Fall's operators – the Goetzke family – to set up the attraction at the park in order to make a profit.[16][17] Although it was intended to only be rented out for 5 months, the Sky Fall stayed at the park through to the 2021 season. The second attraction was the Allgäuflieger, a Funtime Starflyer attraction.[18] The Allgäuflieger currently stands as the world's tallest of its kind at 150 metres (490 ft), and is thus one of the tallest tower rides ever built.[19]

In October 2021, Löwenthal declared to the press the park's intentions to invest €8-10 million into a major new coaster for the 2024 season, which would become one of Germany's tallest roller coasters at 70 metres (230 ft) of height (3 meters shorter than Germany's current tallest coasters, Europa-Park's Silver Star and Hansa-Park's Kärnan) as well as a track length of 1.2 kilometres (3,900 ft).[20] It is reported that Bavarian manufacturer Gerstlauer will manufacturer the project.[21] Although the project ultimately didn't come to fruition, the park installed three attractions from SBF Visa between 2023 and 2024; the children's coaster Flotter Otto, the Looping Alois thrill ride, and launched Berg- und Tal Hetz.[22]

Rides

Roller coasters

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Water rides

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Rides

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Other attractions

  • Humoristisches Velodrom - An arena filled with disproportionally designed bicycles.
  • Kids Farm - A large children's playground, built in 2015.
  • Sky Jump - A bungee trampoline attraction for children.
  • Sky Walk - A zipline obstacle course suspended above the ground, installed in 2015.
  • Spassbad - A swimming pool area with a small pair of waterslides, built in 2004.
  • Trampolin - Trampolines.
  • Wasserspielplatz - A water hole and area where children can cool off.

Former attractions

More information Name, Year Opened ...

References

  1. Frank, Thomas (November 15, 2017). "Skyline Park blickt zurück auf erfolgreiche Saison 2017: Besucherzahlen leicht gestiegen". www.parkerlebnis.de (in German). Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  2. "Freizeitpark Stadtbergen". www.geocaching.com (in German). September 11, 2014. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  3. "Silberpfeil". skyfans.de (in German). Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  4. "X-Car - Kopfüber ohne Schulterbügel". www.coastersandmore.de (in German). Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  5. "Zum Saisonstart am 4. April präsentiert der Skyline-Park zwei neue Attraktionen". www.freizeitpark-welt.de (in German). March 20, 2009. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  6. "Skyline Park inaugurará Sky Rafting en 2010". www.parqueplaza.net (in Spanish). November 25, 2009. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  7. "Neue Attraktion "Sky Rafting" im Allgäu Skyline Park". www.reisenews-online.de (in German). December 7, 2009. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  8. "Sky Jet im Skyline Park". www.parkscout.de (in German). June 8, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  9. Hennessy, Peter (January 17, 2020). "Take a look at the newest ride coming to Fantasy Island". Lincolnshire Echo. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  10. "Turbulence thrill ride new at Fantasy Island in 2020". www.themeparks-uk.com. January 16, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  11. "Camelot Theme Park in Lancashire closes down". BBC News. November 4, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  12. Frank, Thomas (February 26, 2013). "Skyline Park – Neue Achterbahn 2013: Sky Spin!". www.parkerlebnis.de (in German). Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  13. Chris (May 10, 2018). ""High Fly" im Skyline Park eröffnet". www.themepark-central.de (in German). Retrieved July 19, 2021.
  14. "Game-changing innovation on Maurer's Spike Racing Coaster". ParkWorld. January 11, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  15. "Skyline Park ditches Dragster". CoasterForce. February 16, 2020. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  16. Weyh, Martina (May 27, 2020). "Allgäu Skyline Park: Saisonstart Ende Mai mit "Sky Fall"". Busplaner (in German). Retrieved July 19, 2021.
  17. "Skyfall - Allgäu Skyline Park - Bayerns größter Freizeitpark". www.skylinepark.de (in German). Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  18. "Mehr als 60 Attraktionen im coolsten Freizeitpark Bayerns - Skyline Park". www.skylinepark.de (in German). Retrieved July 19, 2021.
  19. Von Ulf Lippmann (September 4, 2020). "Skyline Park: Rekord-Karussell Allgäuflieger hebt ab - fliegen Sie mit!". Augsburger Allgemeine (in German). Retrieved July 19, 2021.
  20. Von Alf Geiger (October 28, 2021). "Der Skyline Park hat in den nächsten Jahren große Pläne". Augsburger Allgemeine (in German). Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  21. Frank, Thomas (October 29, 2021). "Skyline Park will 2024 mit Millionen-Investition seine höchste und längste Achterbahn eröffnen". www.parkerlebnis.de (in German). Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  22. Frank, Thomas (March 17, 2022). "Skyline Park stellt neue Achterbahn und Looping-Karussell für 2022 vor". www.parkerlebnis.de (in German). Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  23. Marden, Duane. "Berg- und Tal Hetz  (Skyline Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  24. "Skyline Park". facebook (in German). March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  25. Marden, Duane. "Flotter Otto  (Skyline Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  26. Marden, Duane. "Kids Spin  (Skyline Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  27. "Sky Dragster - Maurer Rides". Maurer AG. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  28. "Duits pretpark heropent achtbaan: nieuw ritprogramma". looopings.nl (in Dutch). December 3, 2014. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  29. Marden, Duane. "Sky Dragster  (Skyline Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  30. Marden, Duane. "Sky Rider  (Skyline Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  31. Howarth, Rachel (February 16, 2020). "Camelot theme park ride dismantled eight years after closure". www.lancs.live. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  32. Marden, Duane. "Sky Spin  (Skyline Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  33. Marden, Duane. "Whirlwind  (Camelot Theme Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  34. Marden, Duane. "Sky Wheel  (Skyline Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  35. "Nautic Jet - Skyline Park". freizeitpark-welt.de (in German). Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  36. Frank, Thomas (October 4, 2016). "Skyline Park holt sich Löwenthals „Wildwasserbahn III" als Neuheit 2017". www.parkerlebnis.de (in German). Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  37. Frank, Thomas (February 9, 2019). "Skyline Park präsentiert mit neuem „Breakdancer" 2019 eine Deutschland-Premiere". www.parkerlebnis.de (in German). Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  38. Frank, Thomas (February 4, 2019). "Skyline Park eröffnet 2019 neu mehrstöckige Geisterbahn „Geisterschlange"". www.parkerlebnis.de (in German). Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  39. Frank, Thomas (February 9, 2015). "Skyline Park eröffnet 2015 neues Kinderkarussell". www.parkerlebnis.de (in German). Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  40. Holt, Andre (December 12, 2022). "Skyline Park will historisches Allround-Fahrgeschäft ab Saison 2023 permanent anbieten". www.parkerlebnis.de (in German). Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  41. "Riesenrutsche - Toboggan & Slides". www.freizeitparkcheck.de (in German). January 20, 2015. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  42. "Sky Fall - Skyline Park". www.freizeitpark-welt.de (in German). Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  43. "Condor". www.heide-park-world.de (in German). Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  44. "[verlorene Parks] Portopialand in Kure (JAP)". onride.de (in German). Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  45. Heimrich, Sandra (March 17, 2017). "Skyline Park gestaltet neue Zentrifuge "Zero Gravity": Zeitreise-Thematisierung angekündigt". www.parkerlebnis.de (in German). Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  46. "Apres Ski Party - Fackler (D)". polypweb.eu (in German). January 5, 2014. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  47. Weber, Bruno (June 12, 2022). "Skyline Park präsentiert 2022 Durchlauf-Attraktion „Après-Ski Party"". www.parkerlebnis.de (in German). Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  48. Frank, Thomas (April 22, 2016). "Eifelpark Gondorf 2016 mit „Breakdance" als saisonale Attraktion". www.parkerlebnis.de (in German). Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  49. "Bob Racing - Coasterrider". coasterrider.fr. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  50. Frank, Thomas (July 30, 2021). "Neuer Achterbahn-Aufbau am Skyline Park für Testzwecke gestartet". www.parkerlebnis.de (in German). Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  51. Chris (April 16, 2018). "Skyline Park schließt zwei Attraktionen". www.themepark-central.de (in German). Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  52. Frank, Thomas (December 3, 2014). "Skyline Park – nostalgische Achterbahn zieht um und erhält neuen Anstrich". www.parkerlebnis.de (in German). Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  53. "Der Rote Baron in Skyline Park - Rides". www.rides.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  54. "Oktoberfest 2019: SkyFall - Free Fall Tower". www.ganz-muenchen.de (in German). Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  55. "Abriss des "Skyline Express" im Skyline Park". www.freizeitparkinfos.de (in German). March 10, 2017. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  56. "Pirateninsel - Eifelpark". www.freizeitpark-welt.de (in German). Retrieved August 7, 2021.

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