Heide Park Review, Merlin Theme Park | Germany's Most Underrated Park

[@lunastilllovesquag1574]

I feel like heide park falls behind so many other parks just because they lack the intense theming of other parks. Hansa, Phantasialand, Europapark, heck even Tripsdrill. Could be a reason it falls behind a bit.

[@germancoasterenthusiast3123]

Its more because most german enthusiasts are idiots who cant handle the fact that a park is not spending all their money on theming.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I thought the theming was fine when combined with the natural beauty.

[@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od]

But The Coaster Lineup Is Pretty Good

[@pfirsichdrop]

The appearence of the park ist decent. People Just dislike it, because it has been better in the past. Merlin put in more IP based and cheap looking plastic theming, while the old Style was less themed, but very naturalistic and well landscaped. I do think these Styles Clash in some parts of the park, but Overall it's still a decently good looking Park.

[@maxhagenauer24]

Very massive and underated park. A lot of rides here are underated as well. With one of the biggest Intamin gyro drop towers, a B&M Dive and Wing, and Intamin accelerator, a crazy Intamin pre fab... everything is insane. I don't know why this place doesn't get talked about more, easily one if the best parks in Germany and probably all of Europe. It just gets love for Colossus which is a great ride but there's so much more.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I agree it has become somewhat underrated.

[@Joemama..]

I chose coming to Hansa Park over this when we stopped in Hamburg for my Baltic cruise and after watching this review. I think I might regretted my decision

[@CanobieCoaster]

Hansa has the best overall ride and better theming, but I think Heide has the far deeper ride lineup. Both parks are good though.

[@crittah74]

YAY! You got the pronunciation of Heide right! I really love that park and think your assessment is spot on. I agree with just about everything you say, except I didn't find Limit to be rough at all. It was my first SLC and I was so ready to hate it.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Maybe Limit got better, but it was atrocious in 2019.

[@TheOfficialSmudgy]

I’ve been watching a lot of your videos on Heide Park recently, they’re really good and informational, heck, I didn’t even know Heide Park evisted until your Bobohan (or however its spelt) review! Keep it up!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Thanks!

[@mikkellovesairtime]

So glad im visiting this in march!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Enjoy!

[@kefo025]

The problem with Heide Park is that there are so many closed rides that are just rotting away. There are even whole themed areas that have been rotting away for 15 years now. Many German coaster enthusiasts are annoyed by the park because they once used to be a thrill park that opens a huge coaster every 3 years or so but then started to open attractions and areas like the Peppa Pig Land, Ghostbusters dark ride or Dragons Untamed.... like bro, if I want to visit a film park, I go to Movie Park! But it is also a problem that probably never would've come up without the Merlins group.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I agree the closed rides just sitting there is not the best look.

[@kefo025]

@@CanobieCoaster yeahh and those are the main reasons why many enthusiasts first recommend other parks instead of Heide Park. But don't worry: it's not too underrated with 1.5 million visitors a year😀

[@KingJohnson1985]

@@kefo025 and which rides are closed? as i was there end of April, everything was opened except Limit, but they re-themed it. And the Go-Karts, because of they worked on Limit...so which ride is closed and rots?

[@kefo025]

@@KingJohnson1985 I'm talking about rides that are closed for years now and they're not getting replaced by something. Like the top spin or the whole Mayan vallay

[@phantafan7965]

@@kefo025 The downfall of the Maya-Tal is pretty sad. It was pretty well themed and it's always great to have a collection of classic flat rides in the park. The ride cycles weren't that thrilling tbh, but still fun and definitely better than just the 3 rides we've got today.

[@Skyfight]

I had my best ever Coaster Experience in the Heide Park at Colossos. After a good warm Day we got the last Colossos Ride in the Sunset in first Row and because we where all clapping and cheering after the first Lap we got a second one that was so Amazing and i will never forget that!

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's fantastic! They gave double rides for me as well at the end of the day.

[@rct800]

I'd personally say that Hansa Park and Tripsdrill are definetly better in my opinion. Heide Park has a great coaster lineup, but especially the atmosphere, theming and general park management is far worse compared to the family owned parks. I also don't like how the park literally has tons of abandoned space with rides that they just closed down without replacement. I think they would be much closer to the top 2 (Europa Park and Phantasialand) if Merlin didn't own the park.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer this one to Hansa and Tripsdrill. Those 2 parks definitely have nice atmospheres.

[@KnightOfKnights]

This. All the closed areas and attractions and neglecting the less popular ones is really hurting

[@Fox_on_a_Rollercoaster]

The reason a lot of germans don't think fondly about this park is because of what it was before merlin took over. The missing flatrides really killed a lot, and that was especially the case when flug der dämonen wasn't even built. Today it still needs some. Spending time there during events or when the schools are on holidays is a chore thanks to the lines. I remember waiting about two hours when 45 minutes where advertised in front of the entrance and in the app. More flatrides would keep some guests occupied there. The fast passes are pretty expensive, especially if you think about how many you need for a family. Just a sidenote about the "weird suspended brakedance". It is a Huss Magic. A true legend in german fairs. It has a up and down wave motion like the Schwarzkopf Monster models. It is pretty much a suspended Monster II with a bit more force in the gondola twists since they are a lot heavier. While I prefer intense rides, I love this ride to bits. It's just pure fun :)

[@CanobieCoaster]

I only know the park since Merlin took over. That's fair they made some changes locals aren't a fan of.

[@ResonatedReaper]

I personally prefer Hansa Park over Heide Park however they have some nice rides, yet I hate that they have so much lost places in their park. For example under Flug Der Dämonen there are still relics of the old log flume 2. Also why does Limit still exists? Other than that Krake has an amazing first drop.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer Heide. The rides are better and I do like how the park looks.

[@dasneinhorn]

@@CanobieCoaster I like both parks, but I think that Hansa Park wins by a tiny bit because the theming is more consistent, Heide Park has some well themed rides/areas like Flug der Dämonen or Krake, but also little to non themed areas like big loop, limit and so on. Also, despite Heide Park having more good thrill coasters overall, I think that Hansa Park still wins because of Kärnan and Fluch von Novgorod being such good rides. Also, Hansa's other coasters like Royal Scotsman and Nessie are pretty underrated

[@danny.ray101]

@@dasneinhorn Even Efteling didn't theme Python (very similar to Big Loop) intentionally when it was upgraded. And if you haven't been there yet, let me tell you this park themes the shit out of everything, they even managed to turn the lackluster coffee cup ride into something really enjoyable. But I agree, Kärnan and Novgorod are insanely well done rides, whereas I consider the overall park experience better in Heide Park.

[@coastersandbrews]

Didn’t realize how big this park til we went. Hard to match the theming of the other parks in Germany but it’s a solid park with a solid coaster lineup. Also Colossus was butter smooth compared to El Toro because of that retrack

[@CanobieCoaster]

It does have a lot packed in.

[@destinedpotato1577]

As someone who grew up near Legoland Windsor, Thorpe Park and Chessington in the UK. Merlin are pretty decent at their theming. This isn't Universal or Disney level theming but its decent nonetheless. For some reason it seems that Merlin just hates flat rides, look at Alton Towers it has something like two total flat rides (excluding the retrosquad). Heide park is certainly on my list if I ever go to Germany and Colossos is definitely on my bucket list

[@CanobieCoaster]

Thorpe is the one Merlin park that seems to have great flats.

[@KingJohnson1985]

Universal or Disney theming after Movies/Cartoons, whereas most other Parks theming after more real themes...which makes it better than Universal or Disney...this shall not take anything away from Disney or Universal

[@admiral_ikea5243]

I dont think its underrated to be honest. When i grew up it was always between Heide Park and Europa Park. Phantasialand really became the Park it is today in the last 10 years (Fly, Taron, Chiapas etc.) and claimed its place as the best or second best Park in Germany, depending on who you ask. Heide Park didnt really add anything comparable in that time apart from Flug der Dämonen, which was back in 2014. I would rank it as the 3rd best Park in Germany but that is not as good as it sounds because it used to be atleast the second best and Parks like Hansa Park or Trippsdrill are getting close to push it further down the list for me. Edit: If you hit the Park again get some food next to Colossos, the Kebab there is really good.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Thanks for the food recommendation! I haven't seen this park getting much attention in the enthusiast community lately.

[@UwePieper]

Phantasialand and Europa-Park are better without any discussion. (Except if you're only looking for thrills than it might beat Europa-Park). But I think I like Tripsdrill and Hansa Park better than Heide-Park, as well. They just have better and more complete and fitting theming and their headlining attractions are more memorable. Especially looking at the Geratlauer coasters (Novgorod, Kärnan, Karacho).

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer Colossos and Flug to anything at Tripsdrill. I agree Hansa and Tripsdrill look better, but I prefer Heide since it still looks nice and I think the ride lineup is far superior.

[@UwePieper]

@@CanobieCoaster I really like Karacho with a good launch and several whippy elements. But it somehow depends. If I was locked to one park for all my life I think I'd take Heide over Tripsdirll as I agree to you that it has quite a lot of really good rides. But for one or two days a year I definitely prefer the unique charme of Tripsdrill. In the end (fortunately) not everyone likes the same things :) - and why not have both 😀

[@pfirsichdrop]

I want to give a sad Update on the opening times of the park and the rides. This year, the operating hours are honestly sad. All of the Rides closed at 5pm, and Most of the Rides opened around 12am or 1pm. With Operations like these, it's hard to enjoy the good ride lineup and ride all the rides in one day, even if the lines aren't long

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's unfortunate. That would make it near impossible to do everything in a day.

[@ScottyMania313]

I see a lot of similarities with Michigan's Adventure with the layout of the rides encircling the water; Heide's definitely got a better ride line-up hands down. Like Michigan's Adventure, the flats for kids are definitely better than the flats for people over 48'" and that drop tower looks amazing. Taking an observation tower and turning it into a whole new drop tower is one of the most German things I've seen and I mean that in a great way. Beautiful park indeed.

[@je4a301]

The location reminds me more of Geauga Lake

[@ScottyMania313]

@@je4a301 I heard about that place. It was like Ohio 6 Flags? One of their coasters is at MI Adventure - the Vekoma I believe.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Michigan's Adventure can be proud they have a ride better than anything at Heide at least.

[@Fietonautoooo]

I totally agree that this Park is underrated but when I got to ride Colossus, I thought it would be at least half as good as El Toro, which I have also ridden. But it wasnt giving me anything, Mid Floater at best. I did ride it in the morning though.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I didn't think the first half needed time to warm up.

[@coastersandbrews]

Yeah I agree, didn’t have that El Toro ejector like I thought it was, but it was smooth as butter, can’t say the same with El Toro, this last year was the toughest it’s ever been, always had to avoid a wheel seat to enjoy the ride

[@ZoeyWiepert]

I am German and I grew up in this park I have ridden every ride there and I have also been to Hansa park. I loved both but nothing can beat Heide park

[@CanobieCoaster]

I like both a lot.

[@BottedBlake]

could you do a video (or a few) on walibi holland since im going soon!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Should be one by the end of the year.

[@DaríoMuñózCercós]

Imagine Toxic Garden being reverted back to Limit, the old paint scheme, and still running the old trains. What would you think about the ride, and making a review what would you rate it?

[@CanobieCoaster]

The over the shoulder trains are awful on this SLC.

[@me-myself-i787]

This is the 7th, maybe 6th best park in Europe imo. Behind (in no particular order) Disneyland, Europa-Park, PhantasiaLand, PortAdventura, EnergyLandia and Alton Towers. Although I probably shouldn't have opinions on parks I've never been to. The parks I've been to, worst to beat: Hyde Park Winter Wonderland Chessington: World of Adventures Thorpe Park Alton Towers Europa-Park

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's a very good park.

[@kriss_b]

It seems to be a theme amongst Merlin parks that they lack decent flat rides. Alton towers has removed most now, the same is happening here and Thorpe doesn't have the best collection

[@CanobieCoaster]

Thorpe had a good collection when I was there, but I agree with Alton.

[@clairefunnell8481]

Looks like a really great park. Fun, fun, fun.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yes

[@upsidedown_]

I also love this park and completely agree on this

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@enzospike7802]

yes heide park amazing number 3 in germany

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's a very good park.

[@peakthrills]

might add this to my Europe trip now!

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's wonderful.

[@Flopettes]

Your next review series should be on the portaventura rides and both parks.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'm waiting to do that one. Haven't been since 2017.

[@Flopettes]

@@CanobieCoaster ah I see

[@mitchellries256]

I say the next one should be Hansa Park. He said that one was nearby and this was better so let's lesson and then compare and contrast.

[@hoosiercoasterfan2655]

I loved to mess around with this park in Roller Coaster Tycoon when I was young, I would redo the color schemes of the coasters so they weren’t all white.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@mitchellries256]

When you said the hours were from 10 to 6, that got me wonder if it's very common for European parks to close a lot more early than American parks?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Unless they're in a downtown city area, yes. Most of these parks are close to towns and villages.

[@brenonymouscoasterdesign6193]

Agree with everything you said, you should try the Nitrogenie ice cream place by Big Loop - very nice ice cream.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'll remember that for my fiancee, but I don't like ice cream and sweets.

[@ryanleeuwis1602]

I like this park it had a lot of great rides but when you walk around you see a lot of empty spaces for old flat rides and other empty abandoned areas

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'd love to see those filled in.

[@paulbeale5812]

It seem like they have a fair amount of variety in this park.

[@CanobieCoaster]

They do.

[@KnightOfKnights]

As someone whose home parks are Hansa Park and Heide Park... In Heide Park they just don't have the upkeep for some lesser popular attractions. Not to mention all the things they just have closed over the years, even a whole section of the park Also so much of the old theming they just removed. Sure it would have needed a little overhaul. But pushing on more IPs like Peppa Pig and forcing new themes on older attractions like the Bob Bahn kind just hurts x,x

[@CanobieCoaster]

I can see how that would sting for a local who saw the park change in front of them. I've only been since those changes happened.

[@youkonstriker]

Yesss I love Heide Park!!!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Me too.

[@danny.ray101]

The comment section is proof this park is underrated. There is plenty of good theming, lots of natural beauty, plenty of different rides, ticket prices are low and you get relatively huge amounts of good food for a decent price. I have a feeling they don't have the best operations at high attendance rates, but apart from that I will have the presumptousness and rank it higher than Europa Park (if you want to visit my place with a kitchen knife or baseball bat, write a PM and I will give you my address :P).

[@CanobieCoaster]

I much prefer Europa, but I like this park a lot too.

[@beepboop9848]

10-18 is short hours? thats the time schedule for every theme park ive ever known

[@CanobieCoaster]

Compared to comparably sized parks in the US, that is short.

[@beepboop9848]

@@CanobieCoaster wow youre still replying after a year thats awesome. Im in europe for context. im going to Heide on friday. What are the usual hours in US parks?

[@KingJohnson1985]

Its quite rare someone uses "smooth" and "Big Lopp" in one sentence xD

[@CanobieCoaster]

I don't find it rough.

[@KingJohnson1985]

@@CanobieCoaster i had a major headache after just one ride on Big Loop...I dont get headaches from smooth rides... xD

[@kelsoRulezz]

You live the life of a theme park God

[@CanobieCoaster]

I worked hard through school so I could travel after.

[@JacobMerrithew]

I am going to be on top of the MUSIC INDUSTRY, I promise…..🔝😈🚀🔥

[@CanobieCoaster]

Best of luck!

[@clubstep8244]

Heide Park is cool but they like to run 1 train on not so busy days to sell speedy Passes... in the german GP colossos is best known for its inhuman Queuetime which nearly always exceeds 70-80 Minutes, and if it doesnt they make it so that it does. I really like the coasters but i rather spend a Day at Hansapark

[@CanobieCoaster]

I've had good luck with their operations in my visits, but I've always gone in summer.

[@acidalex420]

you think 10am - 6pm is bad? man the uk standard hours are 10am - 5pm.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Alton Towers is the worst.

[@acidalex420]

@@CanobieCoaster 🥲 they enjoy us suffering in this country

[@noheightrestrictions]

I've seen on their website that all of their thrilling rides are listed with a 1m95 limit. Is it strictly checked? I'm 1m93 and depending on my shoes it can be an issue. If anyone as a feedback on that, it will greatly appreciated.

[@albilan1]

yes, they are strict. so better try to look shorter on that day 🙃

[@noheightrestrictions]

@@albilan1 thanks for this feedback! Almost failed to ride Fēnix and Hyperion because of that...

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'm not sure how strict they check.

[@noheightrestrictions]

@@CanobieCoaster still thanks for answering!

[@bluetomato2184]

I actually prefer this park to Europa Park!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Wow, not me.

[@stonie13]

I was there for 2 days last year. The park is definitely Quantity over Quality for me. Colossos and Flug der Dämonen are good but the rest of the Lineup is kinda lacking. I also think the theming is pretty bad for the most part. I still had 2 very enjoyable days there but out of the 5 parks i visited in germany so far it was my least favorite.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I thought the theming was fine and the supporting cast had enough for me.

[@stonie13]

@@CanobieCoaster it was fine but I think it is a pretty mediocre park in general . I preferred Europa park , phantasialand , Hansa Park and even tripsdrill over it .

[@stonie13]

@@CanobieCoaster but I definitely had a good time there and would visit again

[@bakerguy3844]

Why do you call the B&M Dives, "Dive Machines"?

[@TheMediaArchivist]

When the model was introduced with Oblivion at Alton Towers, the model was officially known as a dive machine. Sometime later, it was renamed as a dive coaster. I guess he just prefers the older name.

[@EastCoasters]

B&M dubbed the model “Dive Machine” as the dive coasters genre.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I've heard that name used by B&M.

[@dytamic]

the worst dive and the best wing

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yes

[@cliquet3scliquet3s96]

Back when you first visited, did you like the rides on all coasters at the park, Limit, Big Loop, Flüg der Dæmonen, Bobbahn, Colossos, Desert Race, Krake, Gröttenblitz, and Indy-Blitz?

[@CanobieCoaster]

I preferred the larger coasters minus Limit.

[@antonytsai6611]

retrack the slc and give it new trains

[@CanobieCoaster]

I wish.

[@Colososlover]

Eat Colosos snack or hoot dog

[@CanobieCoaster]

Ok thanks.

[@Colososlover]

@@CanobieCoaster np

[@brickstv8761]

First

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@gerardolivier5250]

its a messed up park, hansa park is 10x better

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer this to Hansa.

[@cliquet3scliquet3s96]

Speaking about how they rethemed Limit. Since the change, do you think it got new trains or do you think it is still running the old trains? And to ride, try it again.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I believe it kept the old ones.

[@cliquet3scliquet3s96]

See in RCDB: do you know something called Toxic Garden in the world? What did you see? Imagine reverting the ride back to Limit and with the old trains. What would you think?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Limit was awful when I rode it.

[@cliquet3scliquet3s96]

If I was asking you about Heide Park, the first time you went to visit it. Was it 2018? What do you think?

[@CanobieCoaster]

2019

[@cliquet3scliquet3s96]

And see Big Loop at Heide Park, so what would you rate it? And why?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Probably a 5 or 6.

[@cliquet3scliquet3s96]

See in RCDB: Do you know something in the world called Toxic Garden? What do you think? Imagine the ride retaining the old trains. What would you think about the ride?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yes I saw they rethemed Limit, but I have not been there since the change was made.