originally posted on 6/2/2025
All photos: Tera Žáková. View full-sized image.
ACE Europe was invited to the press conference and opening of Helios — the new Mack Big Dipper coaster at Fantasiana, a small family-oriented theme park in Austria near Salzburg.
Fantasiana closed its Wild Train coaster in 2024 to replace it with a new area called Sonnenbucht (“Sun Bay”), the biggest investment in the history of Fantasiana park. The whole area is very nicely themed with Mediterranean-style buildings and a big fountain in the center.
Helios is the newest addition to Fantasiana, a small amusement park in Austria that may soon become a recognized destination.
Helios opened to the public on April 12. Even though it is not a huge ride, it is something definitely not often seen at family parks. It looks impressive from outside the park, as guests pass under it to get to the park entrance. The whole experience starts with a nicely themed queue with beautiful views of Helios.
After dispatch, there is a brief animated preshow, followed by a 23-meter-tall (75-foot) lift hill. The ride reaches speeds of 75 km/h (46 mph), takes riders around all the Sun Bay buildings, across the park entrance and through three inversions, the last of which is located in the boarding station building. The whole experience is accompanied by onboard music by IMAScore.
While not built to the same scale, comparisons to last year’s Voltron are inevitable.
View full-sized image.
The ride is smooth, exciting, packed with elements and intense enough even for experienced riders. This author has taken to calling it “Voltron's baby sister.” Even though it is impossible to compare the two, there are some similarities like Stryker coaster trains.
The other rides worth mentioning include a family multilaunch coaster Fridolin's verrückter Zauberexpress (“Fridolin's Crazy Magic Express”; Fridolin is the park mascot), dark ride drop tower Knights Ride Tower, plus the brand new Wild Swing flat ride by ART Engineering.
If Fantasiana wasn't already on one’s theme park bucket list, it should be added because Helios is worth the visit!
— Tera Žáková, ACE Europe Assistant Regional Representative, Czechia
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