Djurs Sommerland
Djurs Sommerland is an amusement park located in Djursland, Denmark, just north of the village of Nimtofte, 23 kilometers west of Grenaa, and 36 kilometers east of Randers.
The park opened in 1981, and it has progressively expanded every year since then. The park is, as suggested in the name, predominantly open in the summer, with the recent addition of special Halloween opening days in October. The season begins around May and lasts until mid-October. Djurs Sommerland has had around 800,000 annual visitors in recent years, making the park the fifth largest tourist attraction in Denmark.
History
This park was established by the hotelier Børge Godsk Jensen and music agent Ole B. Nielsen. They chose the popular vacation spot of Jylland as location for the park. The park has grown in popularity over the years and has added many rides since opening. The park is now operated by Ole's sons Henrik and Michael.A new attraction, Piraten, was opened in 2008. It is the fastest roller coaster in Denmark, and the tallest also. Its top speed is 90 km/h and maximum height above ground is at 31 meters. Immediately after opening, the coaster was chosen as the fifth best roller coaster in the world.
The current CEO of the park is Henrik B. Nielsen.
The park
The park is divided into 8 areas; all are included in the admission price:- Sommerland is the park's original area that opened in 1981; over the years many of its rides have been removed while others have been added. The main attractions are: Ørnen and Colorado River.
- Bondegårdsland is the new area with 10 new rides themed after life at a farm. The rides are for the whole family including the smallest children.
- Afrikaland was opened in 1993. Here, the intrepid traveller can venture on an adventurous journey on a river surrounded by a jungle that is meant to resemble Africa.
- Westernland has a replica of an old Texas Wild West town where cowboys roam the streets; there is also a play area where kids can play Indians. The main attraction in this land is the Rio Grande Rafting.
- Mexicoland has a miniature golf course. The main attraction is the double-launch coaster Juvelen.
- Piratland opened in 2008. It has a pirate theme and three of the park's most exciting rides: Piraten, Skatteøen and The Piranha.
- Vandland is a water park that opened in 1986 and was the first of its kind in Denmark at the time.
- Vikingeland
Roller coasters
Water rides
- Colorado River - a log flume ride that opened in 1991, located in Sommerland. A themed river adventure on a 370 meter long course that has 3 drops the highest of which is 11 meters tall. Interlink.
- Piratfisken - a log flume ride that opened in 2009, located in Piratland. A family-style ride that is 150 meters long and ends in a 5 meter tall drop. ABC Rides.
- Rio Grande Rafting - river rapids ride that opened in 1998, located in Westernland. A 6-passenger raft that travels a 500 m long course with a tunnel, water effects and an Indian village on the way. Interlink.
Family rides
- Andedammen - join the duck family for a relaxing tour around the pond.
- Bondegårdskarrusellen - join all the animals of the farm in this merry-go-round.
- Buffalo Bumper Cars - bumper cars that opened in 2012 in Westernland. Bertazzon.
- Den Vilde Hønsejagt - chase the hens with the fox in a roller coaster.
- Det Gamle Vandtårn - a 12-meter high tower with a free fall.
- Det Nye Vandtårn - help the farmer check if the new tower has been painted before the free fall.
- Det Skøre Kompas - Rockin' Tug Kontiki in Piratland. Zierer.
- Djurs Expressen - railroad journey in Sommerland.
- Drageskibet - pirate ship ride in Vikingeland.
- Edderkoppenettet - climbing zone of ropes in Sommerland.
- Family bicycles - bicycling course in Sommerland.
- Frøerne - jump along with crazy frogs.
- Gold-diggers - pan for gold in Westernland.
- Hottentot Karrusellen - Himalayan ride that is located in Afrikaland. Mack Rides.
- Jungle Safari - scenic boat ride through Afrikaland. Mack Rides.
- Junglesti - obstacle zone in Afrikaland.
- Kannibal Gryderne - spinning cups in Afrikaland. Mack Rides.
- Klatrebjerget - climbing mountain and slide in Sommarland.
- Kornmøllen - ride the bikes and help the farmer grind his harvest.
- Milkshakeren - join the cows in the barn on this spinning and shaken ride, where milk is turned into milkshake.
- Mexicana Golf - mini golf in Mexicoland.
- Piratlegeplads - play zone themed on a pirate ship in Piratland.
- Rodeotyrene - the bulls are chasing each other as they have bullseyes painted on their behind.
- Safaribussen - flat ride located in Sommerland.
- Solguden - flying fish ride with an Aztec theme that opened in 2012 in Mexicoland. Zierer.
- Søulken - New ride in 2016. Located in Piratland.
- Speedy Gonzales - water dinghy ride in Mexicoland. Metallbau Emmeln.
- Traktorerne - a ride in your own tractor in farmland.
- Water bikes and canoes - canoes / pedal boats on a lake in Sommerland. Must be 1.2 m tall to sail alone in the canoes.
- Wild West Karrusellen - wave swinger that opened in 2005 in Westernland. Zierer.
- Vikingetårnene - mini tower ride in Vikingeland.
Kiddie rides
- Bouncy cushions - bouncy castles in Sommerland.
- Indianerland - play area with an Indian theme in Westernland.
- Mini Buffalo Bumper Cars - kiddie bumper cars that opened in 2012 in Westernland. Bertazzon.
- Pony Ekspressen - ride a mechanic horse on a track in Westernland.
- Sablen - an 11 m-tall tilt tower that opened in 2010 in Piratland. ABC Rides.
- Shooting Range - test your skills at shooting in Westernland.
- Soap bubbles - make your own soap bubbles in Westernland.
- Texas Town - playground for kids in Westernland.
- Trampolines - trampolines in Sommerland.
- Tunnel Slide - slides for the youngest kids in Sommerland.
Vandland
- Black Hole - enclosed tube ride; height limit 1.2 m.
- Hawaii - interactive play area for kids.
- Honolulu Bay - wave pool.
- Junior Aqua Park - play area for kids.
- Waikiki Surf School - six side by side slides.
- Water Slides - water slides; height limit 90 cm.
- The Wave - two-person tube halfpipe; height limit 1.4 m.
- Wild River - raging river tube ride; height limit none / 1.4 m alone.
Other
- Magical Halloween in October.