The Experience
Introduction
Flug der Dämonen is a 2014 B&M Wing Coaster at Heide Park, Germany. At the time of writing, this is still the park's most recent coaster addition, but it is certainly a major one. Dämonen serves as the official replacement for Wildwasserbahn II, a much-beloved Schwarzkopf log flume, and is situated on the park's Transylvania hillside. As with most coasters at Heide Park, it sports white track and green supports - just like the adjacent Bobbahn and the nearby Big Loop - resulting in a beautiful yet confusing mess of steel.
Flight of the Demon
Flug der Dämonen is themed to a village that practiced the dark arts and successfully managed to summon demons. To the surprise of absolutely no one, this turned out to be a terrible idea, as the demons require fresh human sacrifices. However, the villagers have a plan: rather than sacrificing themselves, they will just sacrifice... you!
As you descend the hillside through the beautifully themed queue, you end up inside an old, abandoned village church where the massive demons (the trains) wait for you (their sacrifice).
From just glancing at the ride, you might think the theming would be something empowering, like flying on the back of a large winged demon that you've tamed or something. But I guess the actual theming here is: you get violently dragged through the sky by large demons until they eat you?
Regardless, it's a fantastic theme for a Wing Coaster. The dark, detailed atmosphere greatly elevates the pre-boarding experience and brilliantly builds anticipation.
As you descend the hillside through the beautifully themed queue, you end up inside an old, abandoned village church where the massive demons (the trains) wait for you (their sacrifice).
From just glancing at the ride, you might think the theming would be something empowering, like flying on the back of a large winged demon that you've tamed or something. But I guess the actual theming here is: you get violently dragged through the sky by large demons until they eat you?
Regardless, it's a fantastic theme for a Wing Coaster. The dark, detailed atmosphere greatly elevates the pre-boarding experience and brilliantly builds anticipation.
Demon Slayer
You ascend the 131-foot lift hill before maneuvering through the classic wing-over dive drop that many Wing Coasters feature. This is always a fantastic way to start a ride. Thanks to the unique seating position, the drop offers completely different sensations depending on which side of the train you sit on - you either get pushed down sideways or flung upwards before plummeting toward the ground.
Dämonen then immediately hits you with a small airtime hill that delivers surprisingly potent airtime for this type of ride model. It also offers a fantastic headchopper effect as you fly directly through a thematic structure (a visual trick this coaster model is known for).
The rest of the layout can best be described as a beautifully chaotic mess of track spiraling around itself, consisting of tight turns and inversions.
The signature element here is the appropriately named "Demonic Knot," which is a weird sort of extended double corkscrew with an upward banked turn in between. It is probably best described as an inclined pretzel loop, but whatever it is, it is certainly unique and heavily adds to the disorienting feel of the coaster.
In the end, you return to the station seemingly unharmed. Perhaps you did get the better of the demon after all?
Dämonen then immediately hits you with a small airtime hill that delivers surprisingly potent airtime for this type of ride model. It also offers a fantastic headchopper effect as you fly directly through a thematic structure (a visual trick this coaster model is known for).
The rest of the layout can best be described as a beautifully chaotic mess of track spiraling around itself, consisting of tight turns and inversions.
The signature element here is the appropriately named "Demonic Knot," which is a weird sort of extended double corkscrew with an upward banked turn in between. It is probably best described as an inclined pretzel loop, but whatever it is, it is certainly unique and heavily adds to the disorienting feel of the coaster.
In the end, you return to the station seemingly unharmed. Perhaps you did get the better of the demon after all?
A forceful and bouncy Beast
What really impressed us is just how forceful the ride is. The same can be said for its sister coaster, Fēnix at Toverland, but whereas that ride features an elongated layout with more drawn-out elements, Dämonen is very compact. It constantly folds in and over itself, leading to many moments of positive G-forces and fun sensations occurring in rapid succession.
Although it is a very popular ride model, enthusiasts have expressed quite a bit of negativity toward the B&M Wing Coaster, especially regarding the restraints and the "bouncing" of the trains. While the restraints do sit fairly tight against your body, we don't have a problem with them whatsoever. They are decently comfortable and even allows you to feel that one moment of airtime toward the beginning of the layout.
We do agree that some up-and-down bouncing can be felt, especially toward the back of the train. While it can be a bit distracting, calling Dämonen "rough" is definitely not something we agree with. However, if you are sensitive to it, we highly recommend sitting toward the front.
Although it is a very popular ride model, enthusiasts have expressed quite a bit of negativity toward the B&M Wing Coaster, especially regarding the restraints and the "bouncing" of the trains. While the restraints do sit fairly tight against your body, we don't have a problem with them whatsoever. They are decently comfortable and even allows you to feel that one moment of airtime toward the beginning of the layout.
We do agree that some up-and-down bouncing can be felt, especially toward the back of the train. While it can be a bit distracting, calling Dämonen "rough" is definitely not something we agree with. However, if you are sensitive to it, we highly recommend sitting toward the front.
Conclusion
Flug der Dämonen is a great coaster. Its dark but beautiful theming perfectly matches the ride type, and the queue is an adventurous, detailed path offering lots of great views of the coaster in action.
While it doesn't offer breakneck pacing, crazy whip, or a buffet of airtime, it does feature a forceful layout with a unique first drop, disorienting inversions, fantastic headchoppers, and even a great airtime moment toward the start.
Flug der Dämonen is undoubtedly the second-best coaster at Heide Park - a title it will probably hold for quite some time, given the rate at which the park adds new coasters (or doesn't).
While it doesn't offer breakneck pacing, crazy whip, or a buffet of airtime, it does feature a forceful layout with a unique first drop, disorienting inversions, fantastic headchoppers, and even a great airtime moment toward the start.
Flug der Dämonen is undoubtedly the second-best coaster at Heide Park - a title it will probably hold for quite some time, given the rate at which the park adds new coasters (or doesn't).
Gallery
Flug der Dämonen Gallery
Loading images...
Strengths & Weaknesses
| Great theming and a nice queue | |
| Unique seating position | |
| Great wing over dive drop | |
| Quite forceful | |
| Many good inversion | |
| Does have some bounce to it |
Information
Technical Specs
Specifications
WingMegaCustomInverting Drop
TypeSteel
Length2532,8 ft
Height131,2 ft
Drop128,0 ft
Speed62,1 mph
Inversions5
G-Force4,0 G
Duration150 sec
Notes
Flug der Dämonen means "Flight of the Demons" in German