General info
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Park
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Category
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TypeEndless Chain
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StatusSBNO
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Opened
Description
Geisterschloss is an Omnimover haunted house spanning two floors in the style of the Italian renaissance. It is partially modelled after Disney's Haunted Mansion. The most striking resemblance to Disney's version is the incorporation of a ''Stretching Room'' as pre-show.
"Geisterschloss" is German for "Ghost Castle".
History
Geisterschloss was originally called Spukschloss (or Spuk-Schloß), later Geisterbahn and then Geisterschloß. It was alternatively called Castello Leone up until the mid 90s. The ride is found in the Italian part of the park which was Europa-Park's first themed area. Originally the scenes were loosely based on the legends of the Medici family.
The ride was produced by Heimo. Golding Leisure Design also produced earlier designs including the themed station - as such it shares a resemblance to that of Phantom Fantasia at Thorpe Park (opened a year later in 1983).
Over the years, scenes have been altered, most notably in 1996 when a large part of the upper floor was redesigned. In 2005, another overhaul brought with it the singing busts gag, among other additions and a rearranged soundtrack. In more recent times characters from the musical Spook Me!, the movie Happy Family and Jack The Ripper were added. New animatronics (as well as re-used ones, like from the Baron William's Mystery Hall walkthrough) are still regularly added.
The ride shut for refurbishment in 2024.
Statistics
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Number of vehicles70 vehicles
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Seats (per vehicle/theatre)2 seats
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Capacity2050 p/h
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Ride duration4 minutes
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Ride length192 m
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Maximum speed1 km/h