originally posted on 11/24/2025
Euro-Mir.
Photo: Jonathan Hymes. View full-sized image.
Jet Star 2.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Euro-Mir Going
Coaster fans of the curious and unique Euro-Mir at Europa-Park (Rust, Germany) will soon be saying goodbye.
Well, soon is relative.
This fall, the park confirmed that Euro-Mir is headed for the chopping block. No official word has been made on when the coaster will give its last rides, but insiders have shared that visitors in 2026 could still have an opportunity to take another spin (pun intended) on the spinning coaster. Still, nothing “official” has been reported.
Euro-Mir opened in 1997. It was a huge anchor attraction for the Russian section of the park. Unlike most Mack Rides spinners, the rotation is controlled. Other models, such as Sierra Sidewinder at Knott’s Berry Farm (Buena Park, California), let weight distribution dictate the spin. Euro-Mir, in contrast, is completely controlled.
The mirrored towers are a unique feature of Euro-Mir.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
But there are so many characteristics to this ride that really make it a standout. Many ACEers have found the danceable theme music played during the spiral lift to be a catchy groove to be put on repeat. After the very long lift, riders zigzag on the outside of mirrored towers prior to the first drop. Seeing fellow passengers — as well as oneself — reflected in the glass always brings smiles. The attraction also dazzled with its throughput. No matter how many of the nine trains the park has in operation, one train is dispatched and the next moves in … like clockwork. It cranks numbers.
Another quality of the ride that isn’t as nifty is that Euro-Mir is a bit clunky. Park officials and Mack Rides admit that technology in the 1990s wasn’t what it is today. In recent years, Europa-Park did a complete retrack of its Eurosat coaster into Eurosat ‒ CanCan Coaster, and it was wonderfully smooth. Could that be done here? And could hardcore fans hoping for an Extreme Spinning Coaster that Mack Rides has been producing finally get their wish?
No.
This is what Europa-Park management has confirmed: “Currently, our midterm plans are becoming more concrete. The Euro-Mir roller coaster will be replaced by a new family roller coaster from our parent company, Mack Rides. This will allow us to keep up with the rapid technological advancements in roller coaster design and continue to offer our guests unique and innovative experiences.”
Photo: Jonathan Hymes. View full-sized image.
Voltron Nevera opened in 2024. To follow up the wildest ride the park has ever done with another extreme coaster is not in the Mack family mindset. Management has always preferred rides the family can ride together. Mack Rides has also noted that the extreme spinning coaster cannot provide the capacity a park as massive as Europa-Park needs.
The beloved space theme of this popular attraction will remain. But the Russian theme will not. The new attraction will be a part of a new themed area.
“We are currently in intensive discussions with the European Space Academy (ESA) about a possible collaboration. The completion of this project is scheduled for 2028, and additional attractions are also being planned,” a statement read.
So, if rides are still possible in 2026, that still allows time for a new attraction to be designed and installed in the following years.
Jet Star 2.
Photo: Jeffrey Seifert. View full-sized image.
Jet Star 2 Gone
Not so lucky are fans who would love to get one last ride on Jet Star 2 at Lagoon (Farmington, Utah). On November 9, the last rides were given. Notice was announced a few weeks before closing weekend, if someone wished to make one last pilgrimage, but this was a tough one to lose.
Photo: Curt Schimmel. View full-sized image.
It’s no surprise that historic rides eventually live out their lifespans. Anton Schwarzkopf and his creations were — and are — highly lauded by coaster fans. Jet Star 2 opened at the park in 1976 and enjoyed 50 seasons, a respectable run for any coaster.
This was the only Jet Star 2 model to operate in North America. The motorized spiral lift found on the Jumbo Jet models, as well as theme park models, such as the existing Whizzer at Six Flags Great America (Gurnee, Illinois), was also used on Jet Star 2 installations. However, single cars would transport only six riders at a time.
Colossus Fire Dragon.
Photo: Alex Rigsby. View full-sized image.
Lagoon still offers Colossus Fire Dragon (1983) on the other side of the park, and operations are spectacular on this Schwarzkopf coaster. The double-loop steel thriller provides great forces and dynamic curves. Enthusiasts can only pray this spectacular ride can continue to wow fans for many more years.
— Tim Baldwin, ACE News
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