ART Engineering, an amusement ride manufacturer that develops roller coasters, dark rides, carousels, water rides and more, has announced the successful commissioning of its newest family rollercoaster, the Family Spike Launch Coaster, at Tier- und Freizeitpark Thüle.
The compact rollercoaster, named Maui’s Peak, opened in mid-July and has been enjoyed by both children and adults since its debut.
A bespoke ride experience
The new attraction is situated in the park’s Tiki-themed zone, offering a lively, family-friendly feature that complements the current ride selection. It is a custom Family Spike Launch Coaster that blends fun, innovation, and a compact design within an area of approximately 76 by 30 metres.
Tier- und Freizeitpark Thüle's new ride includes a Spike element, an open-ended section where it changes directionImage courtesy of ART Engineering
The ride starts with a forward launch from the station over the first friction wheel. It then winds through a series of turns and experiences a second launch before ascending the Spike—an open-ended section of track where the direction shifts.
Next, the train reverses over a switch track that reroutes it onto its own path, then re-enters the Spike via a friction wheel launch. Finally, it accelerates forward into the station.
The ride covers about 260 metres and reaches a height of around 16 metres. It attains speeds of up to 45 km/h and can serve roughly 400 passengers per hour.
Maui’s Peak is suitable for children over 90 cm tall, designed to ensure comfort and enjoyment for younger visitors. With six cars, the train holds twelve guests, allowing families to ride together.
Bespoke theming ensures that ART Engineering's Maui's Peak coaster fits the park's Tiki zoneImage courtesy of ART Engineering
A notable highlight is its integration into the park’s Tiki-themed zone. Developed jointly with Tier- und Freizeitpark Thüle, the attraction fits seamlessly into the existing themed environment and serves as a striking feature for local and visiting families.
Compact and efficient
With Maui’s Peak, ART Engineering showcases how premium rides can be created even in tight spaces and with a focused budget. Its compact design, reliability, and family-friendly thrills make it a standout choice for theme parks seeking innovative attractions tailored to their visitors.
“With Maui’s Peak, we are once again demonstrating how launch technology, an open track end and a switch can be combined to create a compact yet extremely dynamic ride experience," says Georg Behringer, managing partner of ART Engineering.
"We would like to thank the team at Tier- und Freizeitpark Thüle for their collaborative partnership in bringing this project to fruition.”
The design of Maui's Peak allows Tier- und Freizeitpark Thüle to fit several different thrill elements into a small footprintImage courtesy of ART Engineering
Alexandra Grothaus, owner of Tier- und Freizeitpark Thüle, adds: “With Maui’s Peak, we have worked with ART Engineering to create an attraction that perfectly meets our standards: family-friendly, high-quality and offering a unique ride experience.
"We are delighted to be able to offer our guests another highlight with this new rollercoaster.”
ART Engineering has also created a new Adventure Coaster concept that blends dynamic ride mechanics with immersive storytelling. The ride is already in operation at Legoland Florida Resort and Legoland California Resort, where it opened earlier this year as Galacticoaster, an experience designed for families to enjoy together.
