Fantasiana, the largest family-run theme park in Austria, has opened its new Helios roller coaster in a new themed area.
Inspired by the sun, the €7 million coaster opened on 12 April. It is designed by Mack Rides and joins Fantasiana as its second coaster after Fridolin’s Crazy Magic Express.
Helios is Mack Rides’ second Stryker Coaster after Voltron Nevera, which opened at Europa-Park in Germany last year.
Helios utilises state-of-the-art technology, special effects, and an innovative design.
Instead of a launch system, the coaster features a traditional lift hill at the start followed by a tight layout interwoven around a series of buildings in the park.
During the ride experience, guests will enjoy 471 metres of track, three inversions, and top speeds of 75 km/h.
Highlights include an overhead element above the theme park’s entrance, an outward-banked curve, and several near misses.
New Mack Rides at Fantasiana
Helios is part of a new Mediterranean-themed zone at Fantasiana called Sonnenbucht (Sun Bay), which represents the largest investment in the park’s history.
Sun Bay is inspired by the Mediterranean’s coastal regions. It includes a chapel where guests can pay their respects to the park‘s founder, Kommerzialrat Erich Wagner.
It also features an ice cream stand and a water playground with fountains and more aquatic features.
Simon Spitzbart, managing director at Fantasiana, told blooloop in an interview in 2023: “We are a family-operated theme park, so we put a lot of love in our attractions and operations.
“There are many details you typically wouldn’t see in a big theme park. We try to make every day the best day for our guests and there is a very family-like atmosphere. We are also very focused on theming.”
Images courtesy of Fantasiana
