Heide Park

Heide Park, 8.2 out of 10 based on 66 ratings

Rating: +65 (from 65 votes)

Rating: 8.2/10 (66 votes cast)

Heide Park in Soltau is biggest theme park in Northern Germany with an overall area of over 850,000 m² (210 acres). Let me start by saying that when we first visited in June 2013 i was really surprised and impressed with this park. In our second visit in 2015 the first impressions were confirmed. Although you don’t hear a lot about the park outside of Germany, it could definitely rank in Europe’s top 10 theme parks in the near future. Not only the park has now four world class coasters (Flug der Dämonen, Colossus, Desert Race, Krake) and a ton of other great rides, but also the surroundings are great.

The park is located in the middle of a forest, it has a huge lake and all the gardens are very nice and well kept. Finally, the Statue of Liberty replica inside Colossus coaster is a must. The park proudly remind us that this replica (erected on July 4, 1986) was applauded by then-president Ronald Reagan due to the park being located merely 70 km (45 miles) away from Eastern Germany, then Soviet territory. A landmark on the fight the Germany’s reunification and Europe’s freedom that has both political and historical value.

The park is divided into 5 areas: 1. Park Entrance that features some charming Lower-Saxony style buildings, 2. Bucht der Piraten (Pirate Land) that is mainly themed around the world of pirates, 3. Transilvania with a medieval-style castle on top of the hill surrounded by a forest, 4. Land der Vergessenen (Land of the Forgotten) which hosts the park’s award-winning wooden roller coaster Colossus as well as the Mayan Village that has many flat rides on offer, and finally 5. Wild Wild West a kiddie land that was opened in 2008 to celebrate the park’s 30th anniversary.
Heide Park currently has about 40 rides, including Colossus, a wooden roller coaster, which until the opening of Balder, on 12 April 2003 in the Swedish amusement park Liseberg, was the steepest wooden roller coaster in the world. The two latest roller coasters are “KRAKE” and Flug der Dämonen. Krake opened in 2011 and it is Germany’s first dive coaster reaching a maximum of 6G positive during the ride. The coaster is located near the lake and has a 360 degree spin inside the lake with a big splash (for all the riders passing by). After taking one of my best photos of the ride i had the change clothes because i was completely wet. Flug der Dämonen opened in 2014 and is a Bolliger & Mabillard Wing Coaster with several top notch elements including a Dive Drop, a Immelmann, a Corkscrew and a Demonic Knot.

The ticket prices are reasonable (from 36€ per adult if you buy it online and in advance). The park also has a budget camping site with several bungalows and the new Port Royal hotel with direct access to the park. Sometimes they offer special package deals with two overnight stays and 2 day passes for the park at a good price. And you need 2 days to enjoy the park fully. A piece of advice: Don’t chose to go to Heide Park on a hot day though and stay hydrated. Also bring comfortable clothes and walking shoes. Food is nothing special (standard fast food).

The park recently added a virtual queue system which let you ride several attractions without having to stand in line and also provides free wifi on selected areas. The queue system it’s called Express Butler and make sure to take advantage of it, because the park is always crowded (nearby Hamburg is one the most vibrant cities in Germany). There are lots of shops were you could buy the park’s mascot merchandise: a bear called Wumbo.