Imaginize, a full-service experience design studio, is celebrating the opening of Dämonen Gruft (Demons Crypt), a new dark ride at Heide Park resort, northern Germany’s largest theme park. Alongside Merlin Magic Making (MMM), Imaginize delivered the detailed design package, from initial storyboarding and idea generation to concept and detailed design development.
The key design focuses included queue lines and ride scenes, 3D modelling and sculpting, and themed signage and graphics throughout the attraction.
A true partnership
Liz Cummings, creative lead at MMM, says:
“It has been fantastic working with the Imaginize team on this project. Their approach and process are a true collaboration with the team here at Merlin—they have the extraordinary ability to turn a spark of an idea into something spectacular and never shy away from a challenge!”
Dämonen Gruft is a four-seater, rotating, tracked dark ride featuring high-intensity frights. It is located below the famous wing coaster Flug der Dämonen (Flight of the Demons) and uses the former station building of an old whitewater ride. The ride was produced by Alterface, a leader in interactive technology.
Creepy catacombs
The attraction is themed around the story of ancient catacombs that were discovered by the locals during excavations on the site, but not everything is as it seems.
Too afraid to enter themselves, locals trick guests with a historical tour of the ancient catacombs. But they’ve actually lured them on a chilling journey through the tunnels and caverns of the Demons’ Crypt.
The Heide Park website teases, “Dark secrets have been shrouded in mystery over the last few months about the Katakomben Tour.
“The villagers living around the catacombs took many intrigued people underground, some of whom disappeared without trace and have still not been found despite extensive searches.”
Imaginize has recently collaborated on several new Merlin Magic Making projects in the UK, including the Cadbury Chocolate Quest at Cadbury World in Birmingham and the Nemesis Reborn coaster at Alton Towers.
It has also worked on the eagerly awaited Hyperia coaster at Thorpe Park and the resort’s new Big Easy Boulevard area.
