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Attraction Profile
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PRATER
One of the biggest challenges has been convincing
operators, many of whom have been at the Prater for several
generations, to think differently. With over four million visitors
passing through the park each year, but as many as 80
individual operators, many use bright lights and loud music to
Back to the future
compete for a slice of the action. It works to some extent, but
it’s made harder for those operators whose attractions are
duplicated across the park. Ghost Trains and bumper cars, for
example, are there in abundance.
Taking the plunge by coming on board to operate the two
hi-tech new attractions in the Riesenradplatz was the Calafatti
company, whose owners include Peter Petritsch, operator of the
famous Ferris Wheel. With Miraculum (a “5D” effects theatre)
and Vienna Airlines (a next generation flight simulator),
Calafatti can now offer a package of attractions for the coach
tours that stop off at the Prater as part of their tour of Vienna.
Yet it has still been a steep leaning curve for the
operator: “At first they had a little difficulty understanding how
to market attractions like this,” notes Andreas Kornprobst,
Explore 5D’s executive vice-president, “but now we are
supporting them with a few ideas to convey the excitement of
what goes on inside the buildings to the passers-by outside.”
Already believed to be increasing dwell time, the
ABOVE: The new Vienna’s Prater has gone back to the future with Riesenradplatz provides a relaxing new area that is both
Riesenradplatz buildings,
the opening of Riesenradplatz (Giant Wheel an antidote and a precursor to the thrills that lie beyond.
home to Vienna Airlines and
Square), giving a starring role to the park’s iconic The ambience here is underpinned by a custom-
the Miraculum
1897 Ferris Wheel. Those that make the effort to produced soundtrack, which plays throughout the day.
peer inside one of the faux period buildings that There are, however, some attractions that bridge the
surround this new entrance plaza will also find two gap between park and plaza. A Wave Swinger ride
Wheel
exciting multimedia attractions. Owen Ralph operated by the AET Group has been moved from
Business
reports elsewhere in the Prater and fits into the area perfectly
thanks to its classic theming. And behind the period façade
The Prater’s 65-metre Giant
A
s readers of this publication will be only too aware, the of one of the new buildings, a giant nightclub will open
Wheel, or Riesenrad, is a Prater is undergoing a gradual “renaissance” as the this October for those guests leaving the park and wanting
world-famous attraction.
Vienna authorities attempt to bring it into the modern to keep the energy levels high until the early hours.
Constructed in 1897, it was
era, while paying tribute to its past. Following a masterplanby
inspired by the original Ferris
Imaginvest of Paris, the local firm Explore 5D was selected to Vienna Airlines
Wheel at the Chicago
design, develop and implement the entire Riesenradplatz “People dream of flying like a bird,” says Gerhard Frank. Now
Exposition of 1893. Ride
project – a big opportunity for this young company. his company is giving the people of Vienna a chance to do
proprietor Peter Petritsch has
Designed as a city square, the plaza covers 16,000 square almost that – right over the rooftops of their own city.
recently gone on record
saying he is in talks to bring
metres, including new restaurants and shops and a service Vienna Airlines is a next generation flight simulator
in Merlin Entertainments as
area with ticketing, retail, and an information point/lost developed in association with international partners
operator of the attraction,
property office. The latter is significant, as the Prater never had including Bosch-Rexroth, which supplied the mighty
although neither side appear
a guest service point before. motion base that sits beneath the 33-person ride
to want a change ownership.
Managing the project has been a delicate process for platform. The attraction uses Explore’s unique Flyboard
Clearly Merlin’s track record
Explore 5D. “The regeneration is challenging at many passenger support devices, in which riders stand leaning
with the London Eye, and its
levels,” confirms the company’s CEO, Dr Gerhard Frank. forward at angles of up to 35 degrees. Right away they
marketing nous, would make
“There are many different families that own the individual feel part of the action.
this an interesting attractions and we have had to work closely with them, the In the beautifully-themed pre-show area, guests are
proposition. We’ll keep an city authorities and investors to ensure future developments shown an introductory film explaining Vienna’s role in the early
“Eye” on it. are to everyone’s satisfaction.” days of human flight. The Prater was, in the 1900s, one of the
Vienna Airlines’ Explore 5D’s Flyboard passenger support devices
pre-show area
40
SEPTEMBER 2008
The new Riesenradplatz buildings, home to Vienna Airlines and the Miraculum
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