Germany: Fränkisches Wunderland Amusement Park Not to Reopen Before 2015 Season

Plech, Germany’s Fränkisches Wunderland amusement park will see a complete overhaul during the current year in order to be able to keep up with competitors and to increase its visitor numbers in the long term. Therefore, the park will be closed during 2014 and not be opened again before the 2015 season. According to CEO Ernst Schuster, it is possible that the park’s highlights will be preserved and complemented by new offers and ideas. Another possible solution could be to bring into focus appealing themes which are to be presented in a modern and service-oriented way. While some of the rides will be sold within the industry, the park’s animals will be given away. Existing employment contracts are to be continued for the time being. The question of who will operate the park in the future remains open – discussions with potential operators are said to be already underway. However, Wunderland AG could imagine continuing operations under their own direction after a fundamental restructuring of the park. (eap)