Europa-Park invited us to the official inauguration of Voltron Nevera powered by Rimac, the new multi-launch roller coaster from MACK Rides.

For the most highly anticipated ride opening in Europe this year, Germany's largest theme park pulled out all the stops with an impressive press event on Wednesday April 24, 2024.

Voltron Nevera is part of a beautiful new Croatian themed area of the park, where the history and culture of Croatia are now celebrated, and this incredible ride sets a new standard for Europa-Park.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  

As we entered this new 20,000ft² expansion to Europa-Park, we were immediately in awe of the imposing main building, the attractive limestone piazza surrounded by villas, ruins and a replica of a Croatian bell tower.

Beyond the main area, generous planting includes an 800-year-old olive tree, and especially for the event there were people in traditional Croatian attire wandering the cobbles. A selection of food and drink inspired by the Mediterranean country was offered to guests.

For the official inauguration, there were speeches from Roland Mack (the founder of Europa-Park), Michael Mack (managing partner and CEO) and Patrick Marx (head of new development and masterplanning). The event also featured representatives from the Croatian tourism agency, and the Croatian company Bugatti Rimac showcasing their flagship electric car, the Rimac Nevera.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  

Guests are invited to visit a former hydroelectric power plant that came into possession of famous inventor Nikola Tesla, where he has been conducting experiments with transporting electricity through the air. In his latest experiment, Nikola Tesla believes he can now transport people from point A (the coaster's station) to point B (the coaster's turning point) and back again. For this he has built two towers, which are actually half scale replicas of Nikola Tesla's original Wardenclyffe Tower.

The queue line begins with an outdoor area, featuring various equipment and a novel 'water tunnel' feature. Moving inside, guests pass Nikola Tesla's office where various plans and models can be found on and around his desk. Once inside the huge central hall, an animatronic of Nikola Tesla welcomes you to the electric age as electricity pulses and crackles above you. It's a dramatic space that effectively builds anticipation for the ride.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  

The station for Voltron Nevera utilises a moving platform, so each of the seven 16-seater trains are loaded in conveyor belt fashion. With a train being dispatched approximately every 36 seconds, the new ride can accommodate an impressive 1,600 passengers per hour.

Each train consists of 24,893 components, is equipped with lighting elements, and a lovely feature: the elaborate design of the seats in the style of old, quilted leather armchairs. They are very comfortable and you feel really secure throughout the ride.

Shortly after dispatch, riders pass through a show scene and enter a pre-show. We won't spoil the surprise, but a unique ride element and various special effects are combined for a 'shocking' start to the ride.

• 
• 
• 
•  

The innovative multi-launch roller coaster from MACK Rides offers an incomparable combination of thrills, atmosphere and technology. Voltron Nevera is the 14th roller coaster at Europa-Park and it features 4 moments of catapult-like acceleration up to 100 kilometres per hour, one of which is backwards.

With 7 inversions, 2.2 seconds of continued weightlessness and the world's steepest launch of 105 degrees, the new coaster not only sets new records, but also offers an intense ride experience that is unique in the world.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  

At a whopping 4,544ft (1385m) in length, Voltron Nevera is the longest launched coaster in Europe. The ride is divided into two sections, as you race from one of the gigantic Tesla towers to the other, and back again.

The ride has a duration of 3 minutes, and we found every moment of those 3 minutes utterly electrifying! During the course of the event, we had the opportunity to try out many of the different seating positions and there really isn't a 'bad seat'. Our preference would be the front row, ideally in the far left or right corner seats, as this offered the most exposed feeling and elevated the sensations to the maximum.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  

After the ride, guests enter Suveniri Nikola, where on-ride photos are available, along with an extensive range of Voltron Nevera branded merchandise, as well as various items inspired by Croatia.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  

Also within the new area, ice cream parlour Sunce i Lavanda was serving up the most delicious flavours. Just for this event, several displays of traditional Croatian clothes, musical instruments and jewellery were on show. There were even donkeys and goats to see!

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  

We also returned to the Croatian themed area later in the day to spend the evening watching the sunset, and waited for our opportunity to ride Voltron Nevera in the dark. As the sky turned to black, and the Tesla towers began to be illuminated with various lighting effects, we took our seats for one final ride.

Voltron Nevera is already a very wild ride, but it's even wilder at night! There are moments where the ride simply plunges through the darkness, and other times when you swoop over and under dramatically lit features. We were left speechless - what an incredible end to an incredible day.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  

That's not all the Voltron goodness on offer at Europa-Park this year... 

Voltron 4D

MACK Magic presents Voltron 4D, an exciting 12-minute film adventure exclusively in Magic Cinema 4D.

Be there up close in 4D as the inventor Nikola Tesla makes a ground-breaking discovery: experience with all your senses how he transforms people into cosmic energy and transports it from one place to another as a lightning bolt. However, the scientist, born in present-day Croatia, encounters great resistance with his visionary device - does he still manage to usher in the electric age with the support of the legendary Adventure Club of Europe? 

With breath-taking action and special effects in 4D, including 3D projections, wind, scent and moving seats, viewers become part of an immersive cinema experience for the whole family.

• 
• 
• 
•  

Nikola Tesla's Beautiful Croatia

The 360° film adventure Nikola Tesla's Beautiful Croatia in presented in the Dome of Dreams and takes you on a journey through the gorgeous scenery of Croatia.

Your tour starts in the middle of the laboratory of Nikola Tesla, and the revolutionary invention of the scientist enables a completely new way of travelling, with which you can explore the most beautiful places in Croatia.

For this experience, the Dome of Dreams has been equipped with a new screen and state-of-the-art projectors.

• 
• 
• 
•  

Surpr'Ice presents Energ'Ice

Prepare for an ice show that combines the athleticism of international award-winning figure skaters with pure energy and electricity. Beautiful costumes and thrilling choreography literally melt the ice.

The show is performed several times per day in a purpose-built arena opposite the new Croatian themed area.

• 
• 
• 
•  

Hotel Bell Rock

On this press trip to Europa-Park we stayed in the 4-star superior Hotel Bell Rock, a nautical-themed hotel just a short walk from the park. The many on-site facilities include the Captain's Finest and Harborside restaurants, Spirit of St. Louis bar and Mayflower leisure club.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  

Our well-appointed room included a double bed, and rowing boat-themed bunk beds, air-conditioning, shower room with separate WC, hairdryer, flat screen TV, desk, phone, safe, Wi-Fi and complementary mineral water. The only disappointment was the view.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  

In the evening, the outdoor areas are beautifully illuminated, with underwater lighting and floating fire pits. It's a wonderful place to return to after a long and busy day at the park.

• 
• 
• 
•