originally posted on 7/14/2023
Maximus – Der Flug des Wächters.
Photo: Rik Engelen. View full-sized image.
Whowouldathunk??
Legoland parks populate the globe. With target audiences of families with children under 12 years of age, visitors commonly see tamer family coasters such as The Dragon and Dragon’s Apprentice (by Zierer) at several parks. However, Legoland Deutschland (Günzburg, Germany) has done something dramatic.
Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) has arrived at a Legoland park. It almost seems unfathomable. Known for its monstrous, towering coasters, B&M seems an unlikely choice for a theme park geared toward the little ones, but believe it or not, it’s true. And it goes upside down!
Maximus is the first B&M coaster purchased by a Legoland park.
Photo: Rik Engelen. View full-sized image.
It all relates to the new Mythica land at Legoland Deutschland. The coaster is called Maximus – Der Flug des Wächters, which translates to “Maximus – Flight of the Guardian.” The Mythica realm is populated with creatures of different animal characteristics. Several Lego sculptures represent them, as do models throughout the queue (be sure to stop in the gift shop). Maximus is sculpted high above on the wall of the coaster’s station. He is a lion with wings.
A Lego sculpture makes a dramatic approach to the station.
Photo: Rik Engelen. View full-sized image.
But it’s a B&M??!
Right. Maximus is the company’s shortest coaster in terms of height and length. It stands 56 feet tall and has a length of 1,500 feet.
Photo: Rik Engelen. View full-sized image.
The coaster is one of B&M’s wing coasters, which are known for being less intense than other categories in its portfolio. The height doesn’t seem as if it would be tall enough to navigate inversions, but there are two. Following a helix, riders flip through a corkscrew. Some curves and directional changes follow, and the final inversion, a barrel roll — as if on ether — rotates over the entrance to Mythica and the heads of people coming in to explore.
Photo: Rik Engelen. View full-sized image.
The ride itself isn’t heavily themed, but both trains have the look of being made out of enormous Lego bricks.
So yes, it is indeed a B&M, but it still fits the demographic audience (or the bravest of them). It was a bold risk for the park to put in a ride that goes upside down — and a huge investment. The question is, will the other parks follow suit? Is this the beginning of a trend in Legoland parks? Only time will answer that.
The Mythica area also has another ride. A pair of family drop towers offers giggly thrills.
— Tim Baldwin, ACE News
Photo: Rik Engelen. View full-sized image.
Photo: Alexander Scheuber/Courtesy of Legoland. View full-sized image.
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