| ARTHUR | |
| Imagedimensions: | 250px |
| Location: | Europa-Park |
| Section: | ARTHUR - In the Minimoys Kingdom |
| Status: | Operating |
| Year: | 2014 |
| Cost: | €25 million |
| Type: | Steel |
| Type2: | Inverted |
| Type3: | Powered |
| Manufacturer: | Mack Rides |
| Model: | Inverted Powered Coaster |
| Height M: | 13.5 |
| Length M: | 550 |
| Speed Km/H: | 31 |
| Inversions: | 0 |
| Duration: | 4:00 |
| Capacity: | 1,600 |
| Restriction Cm: | 100 |
| Trains: | 9 |
| Carspertrain: | 1 |
| Rowspercar: | 3 |
| Ridersperrow: | 4 |
| Single Rider: | available |
| Rcdb Number: | 11114 |
ARTHUR is an inverted-spinning dark ride roller coaster at Europa-Park in Rust, Germany. The attraction opened in spring 2014 as part of the wider "ARTHUR - In the Minimoys Kingdom" area themed after the Arthur series of books and films by Luc Besson.
In mid-November 2012, Europa-Park announced the addition of an Arthur and the Invisibles themed area for 2014.[1] The announcement was timed with the annual International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Trade Show in Orlando, Florida, and detailed a dark ride and a carousel would be included in the area.[2] Construction for the attraction began in early 2013[3] on a plot of land set aside for an indoor attraction in 2000.[4] Testing for the ride was scheduled to begin in February 2014. Arthur – The Ride, along with the larger Kingdom of the Invisibles themed area, officially opened to the public in July 2014.
The ride system behind Arthur – The Ride was developed by Mack Rides, who own Europa-Park, making it the first inverted coaster produced by a company other than B&M, Intamin, or Vekoma. Riders are suspended beneath the steel roller coaster track in one of nine, 12-person vehicles.[5] The 550adj=midNaNadj=mid attraction features a theoretical hourly capacity of 1,600 riders. The ride features seven scenes both inside and outside the show building. Unlike most roller coasters, Arthur – The Ride does not require gravity for movement, instead it is powered by motors inside the trains.[6] It begins with a spiral lift hill. The ride features animatronics by Life Formations and Heimotion, as well as other 4D effects such as water, wind and scents.
Arthur – The Ride is one of several attractions within the Kingdom of the Invisibles themed area. The area spans 3500sqm, beneath a 15adj=midNaNadj=mid dome and encompass an island, two streams and an enchanted forest. Theming inside the area was developed by P&P Projects, Neverland Decors, TAA and AAB. This theming is proportionately oversized, such that a guest feels like they are the size of an ant. Other attractions within the area include Poppy Tower, a 10m (30feet)[7] family drop tower by Zierer; Mul-Mul, a Jump Around by Zamperla; and a playground with slides by Atlantics GmbH. The area also features food, beverage, and retail outlets.[8]
Brady MacDonald of the Los Angeles Times ranked the attraction as number 8 on his top 14 most anticipated attractions for 2014.[9]