From Strauss to Spielberg: Vienna Prater Attracts with Many New Attractions
The Vienna Prater also honors waltz king Johann Strauss II in its new season, celebrating his 200th birthday. "He lived very close by on Praterstraße, where he composed the famous Blue Danube Waltz," said the president of the Vienna Prater Association, Silvia Lang, on Wednesday at the season opening. A tribute to the artist is offered at the Mirage with a Strauss Dinner Show, where guests are "pampered with beautiful sounds and delicious cuisine".
New attractions for the season start at the Vienna Prater
But not only Strauss is honored, also the 50th anniversary of Robert Stolz's death, who composed the song "Im Prater blüh'n wieder die Bäume". On June 27, there will be a concert by the Hoch- und Deutschmeister at the Robert Stolz Monument on Gabor-Steiner-Weg.
"The Prater businesses have prepared many highlights again this year. Thanks to all the entrepreneurs and their teams who enable our guests to have a wonderful Prater experience with passion and hard work," emphasized the Prater Association president at a press conference. As of now, the "Laser Dance" announced last year is in action, where passengers are shaken in gondolas at high speed and 360-degree rotations. In April, Austria's largest roller coaster "Vienna Looping" is expected to start operating. And US director Steven Spielberg and the famous extraterrestrial E.T. will be the new wax figures at "Madame Tussauds".
The Wurstelprater welcomes guests again this year: Until October 31, "The Daemonium", the world's largest mobile family ghost train, is on the grounds of "Lili's World". With four spooky floors, state-of-the-art special effects, and animation, the "Daemonium" draws the brave into a dark world full of eerie creatures, gloomy settings, and surprising shock moments. Also visiting is "The Wild XXL Swing", which swings up to a height of 40 meters. Up to 20 people can fit at the same time.
Year-round operation at the Wurstelprater
"We are now starting the summer season, but there is always something happening at the Vienna Wurstelprater. Throughout the year, one event follows the next," said Alexander Ruthner, authorized officer of Prater Wien GmbH and deputy chairman of Prater Aktiv. "The Prater year begins with the broadcast of the New Year's concert, in February we host the largest children's carnival celebration in the country, spring highlights include the start of the summer season or the women's run. In June, the popular Prater picnic takes place. And autumn also has a lot to offer with the legendary Vienna Kaiser Wiesn or the spooky Halloween parade. The crowning conclusion of the year is our successful winter market at the Riesenradplatz," said Ruthner.
Construction of "Theater in the Prater" planned to start in autumn
Ruthner described the realization of the "Theater in the Prater" project as a "cultural milestone." Construction is scheduled to begin this autumn and be completed by 2027. "This will expand Vienna's profile as a tourism and cultural location. The Prater will become known to an even larger audience. And when theater guests stroll through the Prater, the businesses will also benefit. According to market analysis, the Theater in the Prater is expected to generate an annual added value of 150 million euros," he is convinced.
Flood disaster abruptly ended summer season
"Last year started promisingly, but the flood disaster abruptly ended the summer season. Both the showmen and our gastronomy businesses felt this strongly. Efforts to make the Prater attractive in winter are running successfully. Thus, the winter season, for example with the winter market at the Riesenradplatz, is developing continuously. Overall, 2024 was in good average," summarized Karl Kolarik, chairman of Prater Aktiv and managing director of the Schweizerhaus.
(APA/Red)
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