Europa-Park Founder Roland Mack Turns 75 – Still Testing Roller Coasters and Planning for the Future

Roland Mack, founder of Europa-Park, will turn 75 on Saturday, October 12, 2024. Despite his age, Mack remains active and continues to personally test new roller coasters. Under his leadership and that of his father, Franz Mack, Europa-Park in Rust has grown into one of the largest and most successful amusement parks in Europe, attracting millions of visitors each year.

Personal Roller Coaster Test Rides

Even at 75, Roland Mack still conducts the test rides of new roller coasters at Europa-Park himself. Before the rides are opened to the public, they are first tested with weights, known as “dummies.” After that, Mack is one of the first to personally experience the new attractions. "There’s a lot of tension involved, especially since these rides represent multi-million-euro investments," Mack explains. But more important than his own opinion is the feedback from the first customers who experience the roller coasters.

A Family Business Rooted in Tradition and Growth

Europa-Park, which Roland Mack founded together with his father Franz in 1975 in Rust, is now Germany's largest theme park. Each year, around six million visitors come to the park, many of whom travel from neighboring countries like Switzerland and France. With 14 roller coasters, multiple themed hotels, and a wide range of culinary offerings, the park caters to visitors of all ages.

Roland Mack’s younger brother, Jürgen, is also a managing director of Europa-Park, and together with the rest of the family, they manage the company. For over ten years, Mack’s children—Michael (45), Thomas (43), and Ann-Kathrin (34)—have been shareholders and play an active role in the operational leadership. Michael and Thomas serve on the management board, while Ann-Kathrin holds the position of authorized officer. The company employs around 5,000 people and generates an estimated annual turnover of more than 500 million euros.

The Origins of Europa-Park and Mack Rides

Europa-Park's history is closely tied to Mack Rides, the family’s traditional business that began in the 18th century in the Black Forest, originally manufacturing carriages. The company later specialized in building rides and attractions. Europa-Park was originally conceived as a showcase for Mack Rides' products. Over time, however, the park evolved into an independent attraction that became well-known far beyond the carnival industry. In the 1990s, the addition of several themed hotels transformed Europa-Park into a year-round destination.

Future Prospects: 50th Anniversary and New Attractions

Next year, Europa-Park will celebrate its 50th anniversary. To mark the occasion, several exciting developments are planned. A new attraction in the Luxembourg-themed area is set to open at the start of the 2025 season. Additionally, in the summer, the animated film Grand Prix of Europe, featuring the park’s mascots Ed and Edda, will be released in theaters. However, despite speculation about the reconstruction of the iconic Euro-Mir roller coaster, this project is not planned for the anniversary year.

Safety and Past Incidents

Safety remains a top priority at Europa-Park. In recent years, two major fires made headlines, damaging attractions such as the Alpine Express Enzian and the Tirol Log Flume. Both rides were quickly rebuilt, ensuring that the safety and enjoyment of visitors were not compromised. Roland Mack emphasizes the responsibility that comes with running a park of this size: "We are transporting people, not sandbags."

Walt Disney as a Role Model and the Future of Roller Coasters

For Roland Mack, Walt Disney has always been a major inspiration. Disney’s attention to detail and commitment to quality, which defined the creation of his amusement parks, are values that also drive Europa-Park. Mack believes that amusement parks, particularly roller coasters, have a bright future. While the mobile amusement industry, such as roller coasters at fairs and carnivals, has reached its limits due to cost and logistical challenges, permanent roller coasters in theme parks continue to have great potential. “The emotions guests experience on roller coasters are incredibly powerful,” says Mack, confident that roller coasters will remain a central attraction for years to come.

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