NGlobal Magazin 01-2010

In Wolfsburg one knows how to realise innovative ideas

Niedersachsen Global www.nglobal.de After Work 73 Park & Ride “It’s hard to see this 62-year-old cutter become a real pirate ship any time soon.” The disbelief in the faces of the people working at the Heide-Park could not be mistaken when their ship arrived on a police-escorted heavy-goods vehicle to the park. A few weeks earlier they had bought the twelve me- tres long and four metres wide ship at an eBay inter- net auction. Even if right now the old ship looks as if it had already lost one battle or the other, they have big plans for it at the edge of the Lüneburg Heath. Beginning in March 2010 the pirates will take over command in the Heide-Park resort. And the new ship will become the lake stage for a new and spectacular stunt show. Captain Hook and Jack Sparrow, though, are not the only attractions to enthuse adults and kids in Soltau. 1.6 million visitors came to the Lüneburg Heath last year to experience the 40 rides and see the numerous live shows. Particularly spectacular is Colos- sos; at 52 metres it’s the world’s highest, and for a long time even steepest, wooden rollercoaster. Those who not only want to watch pirates, but feel like pirates themselves can also stay overnight in one of the pirates’ cabins at the park’s own hotel. The “Captain Hook” Bar will certainly be able to offer the appropriate barrel of rum. Aye aye maties, ship ahoy! by Inka Ziegenhagen Ready, steady, curtain up. The Pirates are on the loose in the Heide-Park,   Northern Germany’s largest theme park. Heide-Park Highflight Heide-Park Soltau Opening hours From 27 March until 31 October 2010. Daily from 9 am until 6 pm. Admission until 4 pm. www.heide-park.de Colossos With 60 metres Colos- sos is the steepest wooden roller coaster in the world. Top speeds of 120 km/h are in the realm of the possible. Scream Scream ist the largest gyro-drop tower the world has ever seen. It is a real experience for the ‘unshockable’. Height 103 metres, free fall from 71 metres. At a speed of 100 km/h! Steam Boats The ‘Mark Twain’ and ‘Peter Pan’ Mississippi steamboats are exact replicas of the famous paddle boat steamers of America. Swiss Ride Get hurtled through claustrophobic chan- nels at 50/h where the closeness of the side walls forces you to look straight ahead. Desert Race The breathtaking ride of Desert Race is 640 meters long and ‘only’ 19 metres high but it is fast. Very fast: ‘Desert Race’ shoots its pas- sengers from 0 to 100 km/h in vertiginous 2.4 seconds—airtime at its best! Experts speak about 4.7 G.! Photo: Heide-Park Soltau Photos: Heide-Park Soltau