Toverland will retire Maximus’ Blitz Bahn on 17 May 2026 and debut a new swinging bobsled, developed with ETF Ride Systems, in the upcoming winter season.
Toverland swinging bobsled plans have been confirmed, with the Dutch theme park set to replace its long‑running Maximus’ Blitz Bahn bobsleigh ride in the Wunderwald area. The current attraction will close on 17 May 2026, making way for a prototype ride that keeps the core ‘rodeling’ concept while addressing wear on the twelve‑year‑old system. For operators, the move highlights how mid‑sized parks are using hardware renewal to increase capacity without losing familiar IP or layout.
Developed in partnership with ETF Ride Systems from Nederweert, the Toverland swinging bobsled will run on a conventional coaster track rather than the existing bobkart troughs. Banked corners will allow the track to tilt inwards, creating a smoother yet more forceful ride profile through the bends. The layout and weather‑proof canopy stay in place, preserving the attraction’s footprint and all‑weather operability within Wunderwald.
New vehicles sit at the heart of the upgrade as the Toverland swinging bobsled moves to two‑person bobsleds with inline seating. Riders will still control their speed using levers, but a programmed minimum speed has been introduced to protect hourly throughput. At selected points along the course the sleds will swing outwards, with the angle and motion influenced by vehicle speed, adding a more dynamic visual and ride component.
Roy Janssen, senior manager of engineering and projects at Toverland, said the decision followed more than a decade of heavy use. ‘After 12 years of intensive use, the time has come to replace Maximus’ Blitz Bahn,’ said Janssen. ‘Rodeling has always been an important part of Toverland, so we set out to find a replacement that would preserve the ride’s most popular elements. That led to the new “swinging bobsled” concept, which we developed together with ETF Ride Systems.’ The attraction will keep its steampunk‑inspired aesthetic in line with inventor character Maximus Müller, with a farewell event planned for 17 May before construction begins and an opening targeted for winter 2026.
Image: Toverland
