Go on a Mission and an EDventure in Europe
Two attractions to watch for in 2025
I’ve already shared my picks for the 10 most anticipated attractions and rides debuting in 2025 (along with the year’s 10 most anticipated roller coasters in North America as well as beyond the continent). But I want to share two more attractions debuting in the coming months that previously passed under my radar. Both are being manufactured by the German family-run business, Mack Rides. The details are a bit scant on the two attractions, but there has been enough revealed to get a good sense of what’s in store–and to get excited about them.
Grand Prix EDventure at Europa-Park in Germany
One of the attractions is slated for Europa-Park, which is owned and operated by the Mack family and which serves as a showcase for its innovative rides company. Grand Prix EDventure will be an interactive 3D dark ride featuring Ed & Edda, who have been the park’s mouse mascots since its founding in 1975. Guests will be invited to become members of the duo’s racing crew and and take a journey across Europe. The park says that the attraction will feature practical sets, animatronics, and state-of-the-art multimedia (in other words, screens).
Grand Prix EDventure is replacing Journey to Rulantica, which was a theater-based attraction in which banks of seats revolved around a stage with multiple scenes (something akin to Disney’s Carousel of Progress). The new configuration, which the park is calling the Gameplay Theater, will include ride vehicles that will apparently travel on a continual loop and incorporate a dark ride in a small show building. The vehicles will be outfitted with interactive shooters, although it’s unclear what passengers will be shooting at or what role the gaming will play in the attraction.
The new ride will be tied into “Grand Prix of Europe,” an animated film starring Ed and Edda that’s set to be released this summer. It will be the first big-screen movie featuring the mouse characters and the first film developed by the Macks. Warner Bros. is co-producing the movie and will be distributing it. The enterprising family will also be releasing an Ed & Edda video game in 2025.
Grand Prix EDventure will be part of Europa-Park’s 50th anniversary celebration. Last year, the park debuted the highly acclaimed launched coaster, Voltron Nevera. It also opened Eurosat Coastiality – The Phantom of the Opera, a VR retooling of its Eurosat coaster.
Mission Bermudes at Futuroscope in France
The future-themed Futuroscope will be launching Mission Bermudes, an unusual water ride that will include themed dark ride elements. It will represent the first iteration of Mack Rides’ Rocking Boat ride concept. Ten-person vehicles will navigate a 1,640-foot course that will occupy 3.5 acres and include both outdoor and indoor scenes. The vehicles will mostly move through water, although they will be tethered to a coaster-like track and will include some aerial maneuvers out of the water.
The one-of-a-kind experience will borrow from flume rides, river rapids rides, and water coasters, but will be wholly unique. The submerged track will be used to literally rock the boat to and fro and perform tight turns. It appears the vehicles may head backwards for part of the ride.
Themed to the mysterious Bermuda Triangle, passengers will encounter water explosions, fog-enshrouded scenes, and other effects. The 10-minute-long ride ride will culminate with an elevator lift that will raise the boats up 53 feet for a 37-mph drop.
Get a sense of the Rocking Boat concept in this video from Mack Rides.
Might you be planning a visit to either Europa-Park or Futuroscope? What[s your take on Mack Rides’ new Gameplay Theater and Rocking Boat ride concepts?