Mark Shapiro enjoyed southern atmosphere at Europa-Park

On 5 April, two leisure professionals from the US landed on the Black Forest Airport in Lahr: Mark Shapiro, President and CEO of Six Flags Inc., and the Vice President of the US-American leisure company Mark Quenzel came to Germany's biggest theme park for an informative visit and enjoyed not only many fascinating thrill-rides but also the southern ambience of the 4-star superior hotel "Colosseo?. They had been invited for an informative stay by Europa-Park's managing director Roland Mack.

The theme park experts were especially impressed by the variety of attractions and by the large offer for families at Europa-Park, because the reorientation of the altogether 21 American Six Flags theme parks clearly involves that the parks have to be designed more attractive for families. Especially with regards to family-offers, Shapiro and Quenzel were able to get new impressions and ideas at Europa-Park.

Among other attractions, the following rides were tested by Shapiro and Quenzel: the dark coaster "Eurosat?, the YoungSTAR Coaster "Pegasus?, the "Euro-Mir? in the Russian themed area and water coasters such as "Poseidon? and "Atlantica SuperSplash? - all of them built by MACK Rides in Waldkirch.

But not just the "thrill rides? in Germany's biggest theme park were among the favourites of the US-American visitors: they also went on an expedition to find the sunken city in the new theme ride "Atlantis Adventure? in the Greek themed area and the new "Science House? offered interesting insights into science and technology.

In the evening, the Six Flags delegation stayed in the Roman-Italian themed hotel "Colosseo?, which has given proof of the high standards of quality in Germany's biggest theme park already in 2004, when the IAAPA Summer Meeting was held in the new hotel. During its 32 years of existence, Europa-Park has continuously developed and is meanwhile the largest seasonal theme park in the world.

Europa-Park is open until 4 November, daily from 9 am to 6 pm (longer opening hours during peak season). Further information on www.europa-park.co.uk.