The Netherlands: Efteling’s New Dive Coaster Dubbed „Baron 1898“

As we have already reported on in EAP issue 4/2014, the Dutch theme park Efteling will open a new exciting rollercoaster in the summer of 2015, a Dive Coaster. Featuring a 37.5 meter long free fall element, the new coaster called “Baron 1898” will take its passengers on a journey through an old mine. The ride’s theming will be based on the story of the greedy mining baron Gustave Hooghmoed, who, according to the storyline, wants to search for gold in the underground tunnels with the help of the passengers but then is confronted with the fairylike Witte Wieven (White Women), who want to protect the mine. A total of about 18 million Euros will be invested in the new ride, which is part of the first phase of a growth plan that is scheduled to be implemented by 2020. The new ride is designed to appeal in particular to families with teenage children. Furthermore, the Dive Coaster is a rare rollercoaster variant in Europe up to now. (eap)