The Experience
Introduction
Euro-Mir is a 1997 Mack Rides spinning coaster at Europa Park. This was the companies first ever spinning coaster and was - at a time where Mack still mostly made powered coasters, wild mouse coasters and bobsled coasters - a pretty big deal. Not only was it their first of an exciting new model but it was also the biggest coaster they had ever made. This is partly due to Mack's fairly limited portfolio at the time but it's also because Euro-Mir is quite massive. This family-thrill coaster sits at a towering 92 ft and spans 3.215 ft in length.
A Product of its time
Today, Euro-Mir is kind of confusing as a coaster. A gigantic family coaster which is almost a mega coaster, doesn't actually spin (but rotates), is themed to a Russian space station and may or may not have real parts of it hanging outside its entrance. The truth about that is that it is very much a real module that the park bought from Russia but an identical training module that never actually were in space. Then we have the actual queue which feels like an abstract, indoor back alley leading to an industrial 1900s rave. The most amazing thing about the ride is without a doubt its massive, enclosed spiral lift hill in the dark, circling around a massive lit up spaceship prop while retro techno plays in the background. This is one of the most cool, unique and atmospheric ways to start a ride and we will always remember our reaction the first time we realized this awesome way the rides takes you to the top of its 92 ft track height.
Europa Park's most polarizing coaster
If you look up Euro-Mir online you will most likely discover about an equal amount of fans and haters of this legacy spinning coaster, and we agree with both sides. On one hand, Euro-mir is an awesome and ride offering both atmosphere, unique elements, great views and a much more intense ride experience than almost all newer spinners in the family market. On the other hand, it's also sort of an awkward ride, going between somewhat janky and kind of rough at points. The theming can feel a bit outdated and the most damning argument that we had against it: It doesn't actually spin. I guess Mack hadn't really figured out the spinning technology yet, so the cars on Euro-Mir doesn't actually spin but simply rotates 90 degrees three times between leaving and returning to the station.
Enjoy it while you can
Some will love Euro-Mir way more than we did while others will curse it and wonder, how did you guy enjoy it?Whatever you feel or might end up feeling about Euro-Mir, you should go ride it (or re-ride it) while you still can as it currently looks like it might only have a season or two more in it before making way for a new, supposedly better Euro-Mir (we don't know the details yet). Euro-Mir is European classic, and while we're really excited about its future replacement, we're also sad that such a notable coaster will be leaving us not too far into the future.
Conclusion
Euro-Mir is a huge family spinner with one of the greatest lift hills, amazing views, intense ride experience and long ride duration. It's also a bit janky and a bit rough at its most intense moments. We really like Euro-Mir but we also really wish that it would actually spin like all its younger brothers (or sisters) does. Euro-Mir is a really good family coaster and one that should be experienced as it might not be here for too long.
Gallery
Euro-Mir Gallery
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Strengths & Weaknesses
| Amazing spiral lifthill | |
| Great views | |
| Intense ride experience | |
| Unique Ride | |
| A bit Janky and Rough | |
| Doesn't Actually Spin |
Information
NameEuro-Mir
Year1997
ParkLoading...
ManufacturerMack Rides
ModelSpinning Coaster
ScaleFamily-Thrill
Ride Count2
Technical Specs
Specifications
Sit DownSpinningCustomSpiral Lift
TypeSteel
Length3215,3 ft
Height92,0 ft
Speed49,7 mph
Inversions0
G-Force4,0 G
Duration273 sec