The Experience
Introduction
Krake is a 2011 B&M Dive Coaster at Heide Park, Germany. It was part of an eight-year period during which the park saw several coaster additions - including Desert Race, Indy-Blitz, Flug der Dämonen, and Krake itself - a trend that Heide Park abruptly followed up with many years of zero new coaster additions at all.
Release the Krake!
Krake sits in the "Bucht der Piraten" (Pirates Bay) area of Heide Park - a zone that feels somewhat underused, functioning more as an intersection featuring Krake rather than a fully fledged-out land that you can truly immerse yourself in. However, the coaster itself fits very nicely into the surrounding space. It perfectly utilizes a small section of the larger lake to boost the aquatic theme of the ride while providing appropriate theming. The final kraken structure looks awesome, and the splash zone along the walkway on the other side is a nice touch that brings some energy to what would otherwise be one of the quieter paths in the park.
Krake also features a really nice medieval-style queue with impressive theming, especially as you enter the final stretch before the station. During our latest visit, they had finally added some much-needed shading to the queue line, which was a welcome change since it used to be one of the most exhausting queues to wait in.
Krake also features a really nice medieval-style queue with impressive theming, especially as you enter the final stretch before the station. During our latest visit, they had finally added some much-needed shading to the queue line, which was a welcome change since it used to be one of the most exhausting queues to wait in.
Two-Trick Pony
Dive coasters usually catch a lot of flak in the coaster enthusiast community, mostly due to their short ride durations, often being dismissed as one-trick ponies. Krake is very much one of the biggest offenders of this, as it is one of the shortest dive coasters in existence, both in terms of length and height.
We, however, have always enjoyed dive coasters. They offer amazing views, a great holding brake drop, and a smooth ride experience. They also look fantastic on the skyline and work wonderfully with theming - which, luckily, a lot of European theme parks have plenty of.
In terms of actual ride experience, Krake really is just a massive drop, an Immelmann inversion, a bunny hop, and a turn into the brakes. Fortunately, despite its relatively small stature and short ride duration, we still find all of its strengths to apply here, and we enjoy this little ride very much.
We, however, have always enjoyed dive coasters. They offer amazing views, a great holding brake drop, and a smooth ride experience. They also look fantastic on the skyline and work wonderfully with theming - which, luckily, a lot of European theme parks have plenty of.
In terms of actual ride experience, Krake really is just a massive drop, an Immelmann inversion, a bunny hop, and a turn into the brakes. Fortunately, despite its relatively small stature and short ride duration, we still find all of its strengths to apply here, and we enjoy this little ride very much.
Forces and Restraints
As with many modern coasters, two of the most heavily discussed elements are the forces provided and the restraints. Krake utilizes the older-style over-the-shoulder restraints rather than the newer vest restraints. In the case of B&M Dive Coasters, this is actually seen as the superior choice, as the older OTSRs are less restrictive and offer way more room for airtime - a sentiment we entirely agree with. You do feel a bit more "enclosed" because of the sheer size of the hardware, but if you get lucky with how your restraint sits, you can experience quite a bit of airtime, both on the dramatic first drop and the small bunny hop.
The drop through the misty kraken's mouth is always a blast, and there are decent positive G-forces at the bottom. The coaster is also wonderfully smooth. The Immelmann doesn't do a whole lot, and unfortunately, the ride is already over right after those three elements.
The drop through the misty kraken's mouth is always a blast, and there are decent positive G-forces at the bottom. The coaster is also wonderfully smooth. The Immelmann doesn't do a whole lot, and unfortunately, the ride is already over right after those three elements.
Conclusion
Krake is a solid thrill coaster with great views, fun anticipation leading into a thrilling first drop, and - depending on the amount of room you have - very solid airtime as well. The coaster is also wonderfully smooth despite the old-school restraints.
Overall, it provides a good ride experience - we just desperately need more of it for it to be rated any higher.
Overall, it provides a good ride experience - we just desperately need more of it for it to be rated any higher.
Gallery
Krake Gallery
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Strengths & Weaknesses
| Really nice views | |
| Great First Drop | |
| Smooth | |
| Very Short |
Information
Technical Specs
Specifications
FloorlessMegaDive MachineCustom
TypeSteel
Length1561,7 ft
Height134,5 ft
Drop134,5 ft
Speed64,0 mph
Inversions1
Vert Angle87,0 °
G-Force3,0 G
Duration60 sec
Notes
Krake means "Octopus" in German but the name refers more specifically to the mythological sea monster 'Kraken'