As Universal Studios plans a 700-acre theme park in Bedfordshire and Legoland becomes more accessible from London Gatwick, another European attraction is celebrating a milestone. Europa-Park in Rust, Germany, turns 50 this year, offering a compelling alternative to Disneyland Paris for British families.
Located near the borders of France and Switzerland, Europa-Park features 18 themed areas representing European countries. Highlights include a Moulin Rouge-inspired can-can coaster in the France section, a bobsled run in Switzerland, and a Norse saga wooden coaster in Iceland. The newest area, Croatia, opened last year with Voltron Nevera, a coaster themed to Nikola Tesla's electricity experiments.
The park's tallest coaster, Silver Star, reaches speeds of 79 mph. With around six million annual visitors—half that of Disneyland Paris—Europa-Park offers a more relaxed experience. This anniversary year includes the release of Grand Prix of Europe, a feature film starring mascots Edda and Ed Euromaus, with voices from Hayley Atwell and Lenny Henry. A new interactive 3D dark ride and shows like The Legend of Zorro are also debuting.
Accommodation options are expanding, with new Wild West-themed rooms at Silver Lake City and a brewery planned for 2026. The UK is represented by an England-themed area featuring spinning Hackney black cabs and a pendulum-swinging double-decker bus ride.
