The Fun Factory

DATELINE:
Waldkirch, Germany

When shiny new rides appear at the amusement and theme parks we adore, they captivate attention, elicet emotion and create screams, followed by laughter.

But, where do the rides come from?

Since the 1700's, Germany's Mack family has been moving people and creating memories. What started as a wagon building business is now one of the amusement industry's leading manufacturers of roller coasters and water rides.

Upon arrival at the factory, we were met by Maximilian with Mack Rides. First stop: an assembly room where a new water ride bound for Orlando was in the final stages of construction.

In two weeks, the boats will be shipped to Florida and we'll riding them later this summer.

We also toured a classified welding room where roller coaster track comes together. The word "classified" means just that. However, the process of taking steel, bending it, welding it together to form track is mind-boggling.

Inside the Mack construction yard awaits a "test track" of sorts, where a circular ring of track can test new ride vehicles.

We were honored to tour the German home of the late Franz Mack. Tucked away behind the factory is a "museum" of sorts. The stark contrast of steel roller coaster track to the well landscaped yard in bloom with flowering trees and tulips was as if we had been transported through a porthole and into another universe.

The former head of Mack rides lived here and had a workshop in the basement. The office is home to a drafting table and a desk, still holding drawing tools.

It was within these walls that Maximilian believes Franz created the Schwabinchen. Pinned to the walls were photos of other circulars Franz had dancing in his mind and transferred to paper before creating the real thing.

The Schwabinchen celebrates Oktoberfest. It was within these walls that Franz had these images whirling through his mind as he created one of the most notable circular rides of all time.

A quick walk back to the factory grounds lead us to the paint shop where all of Schwabinchen's decorative panels were painted. Could have that drop of red paint on the floor be from the Schwabinchen's dress? We'll never know.

NEXT: EC'13 gets 2 honorary members.