Die ''Europa-Park'' Macher

Europa-Park is throwing a grand celebration for its 50th anniversary: ​​midnight opening, fireworks, and a gala with 900 guests. For the Mack family, this is a very special event in the company's long history. For the very first time, a camera crew is attending a management meeting. Show director Mathias Reichle presents the gala program: Up to 100 performers will be on stage, with prominent guests such as former German President Christian Wulff in attendance. Monika Lang sets the tables with millimeter precision, while Roland Mack oversees every detail. During the dress rehearsal for tightrope walker Viviana, the lighting isn't quite right - a night shift ensues.

A premiere at Europa-Park: For the first time, an entire train on the new "Voltron" roller coaster is being removed from the track for a safety check. Andreas Gauerhof, team leader in the mechanical department, is responsible for this. For months, every part is inspected, every screw checked. After reassembling, there's a shock: The train doesn't start during the test ride. There are also thrills in the saloon in Silver Lake City. Western artist Florian Lica has been performing in the park since 2010 with lassos, whips, and axe throws. By day, he and his wife Sandra photograph wedding couples – even on roller coasters. Perfection is his goal, but in the packed saloon, an axe goes wild during one performance. Kathrin and Andreas Haußmann have their son Maximilian baptized in the park's Norwegian Stave Church. It's a special ceremony, while the roller coasters rattle outside.

The stands are to be freshly painted for the SWR show "Immer wieder sonntags" (Every Sunday) with Andy Borg. However, painters Daniel Klausmann and Dirk Schöpflin have to overcome a few obstacles first. Event manager Ludovic Zimmermann is organizing tents, refrigerators, and catering for the hit show. Hundreds of guests and VIPs will be there. He hopes the open-air event will go ahead without rain. It will also be strenuous for Florian Frey, who is responsible for the roller coasters at Europa-Park. Today, he and industrial climber Julien Thillou are inspecting thousands of screws on the wooden roller coaster "Wodan" – 40 meters above the ground. Amidst all the hustle and bustle, the park also has spiritual moments: The church at Europa-Park is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a special service, which will also be attended by an archbishop and the regional bishop. For the operators of Europa-Park, the Mack family, it has always been clear: pleasure and faith belong together.

Europa-Park is getting a new resort: "Silver Lake City," a detailed western town. A project by Ann-Kathrin Mack. The bar is equipped with original props that head of decor, Stephan Hercher, has collected over many years. The showpiece in the saloon is supposed to be the giant bison head, but shortly before the opening, it's gone – the search begins. Ann-Christin Gerach is an employee at Europa-Park. She and her partner Timo have always dreamed of a wedding in the middle of the park. From the photo shoot between the roller coasters to the emotional wedding vows in the stave church, everything is exactly as they dreamed. The diminutive bubble artist Hammou Bensalah has been entertaining park guests with his shows since 2013. Children especially love him. Eight-year-old Sophia's greatest dream is to one day stand in one of Hammou's giant bubbles. Now he's making her dream come true.

Europa-Park is planning major innovations for its anniversary. The "GRAND PRIX EDdventure" is set to open, a state-of-the-art 3D dark ride where guests can hit targets using virtual reality to collect points. The attraction has been planned for years, but there is only a narrow time frame for its implementation. The shell construction, installations, and computer technology are all running in parallel. Jasmin Dietrich and her team are also installing new animatronics. However, the manufacturer of the figures has not adhered to the specifications. Europa-Park CEO Roland Mack demands close coordination and conducts the first test run. Everything is on track – but the night before the opening, a malfunction jeopardizes the premiere.

Europa-Park is undergoing repairs and improvements during its winter break. When the theme park reopens at the end of March, everything should shine brightly for its anniversary, including the many figures. Jasmin Dietrich is the head of the figure workshop. She and her team are overhauling the animatronics, the elephant in "Batavia," and the horses and cows on the "Matterhornblitz" roller coaster. One of the pirates is getting an upgrade – a hand with movable fingers. The daily float parade is now receiving new floats. But technical problems and narrow passageways aren't exactly making things easy for Carolin Kirch and Maren Dreher. The founding Mack family will also be watching closely at the dress rehearsal. The question of the park's future is an emotional one: Roland Mack is in his mid-70s, and his daughter Ann-Kathrin will become the first woman to join the management team in March. Together with her brothers Michael and Thomas, she will continue her father's legacy.

The start of the anniversary year at Europa-Park means, above all, tinkering, renovating, and renovating in every nook and cranny before the season opens in March. Ed Euromaus, the meter-high landmark and mascot that greets park visitors, is getting quite old and is to be repainted by painter Daniel Klausmann. CEO Roland Mack was initially unhappy with the idea. But now he's excited to see the results. The Rulantica water park features a new light show, in which the diminutive artist Hammou Bensalah enchants the audience with soap bubbles. Roland Mack's infamous inspection tours through the park are not without consequences and provide insights into what makes the founder of Germany's largest theme park tick. So, there's a lot of construction work, and the opening of the anniversary year is inexorably approaching. But amidst inspections, creative decisions, and extreme time pressure, the special spirit of the large Europa-Park team is also evident.