Erlebnispark Tripsdrill

Erlebnispark Tripsdrill is a prominent wildlife and amusement park located near Cleebronn in Southern Germany. Established in 1929, it holds the distinction of being Germany's oldest amusement park and continues to be owned and managed by the founding Fischer family. The park spans a total of 77 hectares (190 acres) and offers visitors a unique blend of historical themes, thrilling rides, and animal encounters.

History and Development

The park's origins trace back to Eugen Fischer, who built a windmill and opened a restaurant on the site in 1929. Following his death during World War II, his son Kurt Fischer took over and began expanding the establishment into a park. The original windmill was destroyed by fire in 1946 but was rebuilt by Kurt in 1950. Over the subsequent decades, the park steadily added attractions. A zoo was introduced in 1957, which was later transformed into a wildlife park and petting zoo in 1972, eventually expanding to house over 1,000 animals by 1976. The park also features the "Vinarium" wine museum, which boasts the largest collection of wood-spindle presses in Germany. The management of the park was passed down to Kurt Fischer's sons, Roland, Helmut, and Dieter, in 1996.

Current Offerings and Attractions

Annually, Erlebnispark Tripsdrill attracts approximately 600,000 visitors and employs around 150 staff members. The theme park operates seasonally from late March to early November, while the wildlife park remains open throughout the year. A key emphasis at Tripsdrill is originality, meticulous attention to detail, and a preference for employing local construction firms and materials. The park is credited with being one of the first to install the widely recognized "teacups" ride and features the tallest Bathtub Flume Ride in Europe.

The overarching theme of the park is "Schwaben anno 1880" (Swabia in 1880), with many attractions designed to evoke everyday life from that era, including themes of bathing and laundry. A significant installation is the "Mammut" roller coaster, an entirely wooden structure built in 2008. This coaster, the first of its kind in Southern Germany, is themed as a sawmill and was designed by the renowned Ingenieur Büro Stengel GmbH. In 2009, extreme in-line skater Dirk Auer set a world record on Mammut, reaching speeds of up to 90 kilometers per hour.

Wildlife Park

The wildlife park, which evolved from a petting zoo, is dedicated to nature and animals across 47 hectares (120 acres). It is home to 130 animals of various species, many of which can be fed and petted by visitors. The park's forested areas and fields support species such as Arctic wolves, mouflons, fallow deer, raccoons, and brown bears, alongside "wild horses." The wildlife park also includes falconry demonstrations, feeding viewings, walking paths, and a playground. Entry to the wildlife park is included with general admission to the theme park.