Wunderland Kalkar is an amusement park located in north-west Germany in the town of Kalkar. The park opened in 1995 and covers an area of 19 hectares. The amusement park offers more than 40 different attractions, including roller coasters, many carousels, including the popular ‘chains’, and a Ferris wheel.
The Wunderland Kalkar park also has attractions for children, including many water attractions.
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Attractions at Wunderland Kalkar
Table of Contents
Wunderland Kalkar is probably the most unusual amusement park in the world. Why? Because it was built on the site of a nuclear power plant that was never put into operation. Instead of a reactor, there are carousels, and the interior of the giant cooling tower serves as a massive swing. It’s a place where the history of the Cold War meets the smell of french fries and the joyful squeals of children.
The heart of the complex is Kernie’s Family Park, designed primarily for children ages 3-12. What sets it apart? An all-inclusive model-the ticket price includes unlimited fries, ice cream, and drinks!
- Vertical Swing: An absolute hit. A chain carousel mounted inside (and above) a giant cooling tower. The view from above of the Rhine Valley is breathtaking.
- Cooling Tower Climb: The exterior wall of the cooling tower has been transformed into a professional climbing wall.
- Flying Carousels, Atlantis, and Roller Coasters: Classic attractions like the “Flying Elephant” and the family roller coaster, offering a thrill without extreme G-forces.
- Ecoropa: A go-kart track and ATVs for young motorsports fans.
- Kernie’s Town: An interactive museum and indoor play areas, perfect for inclement weather.
History of the amusement park
The history of this place is fascinating. Construction of the SNR-300 nuclear power plant began in 1972. The project cost billions of marks, but due to massive public protests and safety concerns following the Chernobyl disaster, the facility was never put into operation.
In 1995, Dutch entrepreneur Hennie van der Most purchased the site and transformed it into a conference and entertainment center. It is an example of one of the most creative revitalization projects in Europe.
Company information
The owner and operator of the facility is:
Kernwasser Wunderland Freizeitpark GmbH
Griether Str. 110-120
47546 Kalkar, Germany
Pricing and opening hours
The park is open from April through the end of October. Standard hours are 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., or 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
A one-day ticket costs approximately €30; children under 2: Free admission; an afternoon ticket (after 2:00 PM): About 30% cheaper.
How to get to Wunderland Kalkar
Kalkar is located in North Rhine-Westphalia, right on the border with the Netherlands.
By car: Take the A3 highway (Arnhem-Oberhausen) and exit at Rees/Kalkar. There is a large paid parking lot on site.
By train: The nearest train stations are Emmerich or Goch. From there, take bus line 151.
Accommodations
Wunderland Kalkar is not just a park, but an entire resort with 6 hotels offering over 1,000 guest rooms.
- All-Inclusive Hotel Packages: This is the most popular option. The price includes accommodation, breakfast, dinner, unlimited drinks (including alcoholic beverages in the evening in the entertainment area), and admission to the park.
- Pub Area: In the evenings, adults can enjoy charming themed bars (e.g., Irish pub, wine cellar) as part of the hotel package.
- Camping: There is a campground for RVs and trailers next to the park.
Contact customer service
Staff speak German, Dutch, and English.
Hotline: +49 (0) 2824 9100
Email: [email protected]
Promotions and discount codes
Many promotions and discounts await guests here, such as:
- Early Bird Tickets: Booking online at least 14 days in advance guarantees the lowest price.
- Birthdays: Children up to 12 years of age on their birthday often qualify for a special rate.
- Newsletter: Signing up for the email list usually results in receiving a 10% discount code for your first stay or tickets.
- Social Media: The park’s Facebook page often features “2-for-1” offers on select days.
