Expedition GeForce is a steel Mega Coaster manufactured by Intamin and engineered by Werner Stengel, located at Plopsaland Deutschland (formerly Holiday Park) in Haßloch, Germany. It opened on June 18, 2001, as part of the park’s 30th anniversary celebrations, representing a construction investment of approximately €10 million.
Standing 174 feet tall and reaching speeds of 74.6 mph over a course of 4,003 feet, Expedition GeForce became one of Europe’s most celebrated roller coasters. Its 82-degree first drop and seven distinct moments of weightlessness earned it perennial spots on the Golden Ticket Awards’ top steel coaster lists, peaking at #3 in the world.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Plopsaland Deutschland, Haßloch, Germany
- Manufacturer: Intamin
- Opened: June 18, 2001
- Height: 174 ft (53 m)
- Top Speed: 74.6 mph (120 km/h)
- Length: 4,003 ft (1,220 m)
- Inversions: 0
- First Drop Angle: 82°
The Ride Experience
After ascending 174 feet via a cable lift hill — the same system used on Millennium Force — riders plunge down an 82-degree first drop before surging through a sequence of camelback hills and sweeping turns. The course delivers seven periods of weightlessness across its 4,003-foot layout, creating sustained airtime that has made Expedition GeForce a benchmark for hyper coaster design.
The ride runs two 28-seat trains and handles up to 1,300 riders per hour. At peak intensity it generates 4.5 Gs, and the full circuit lasts around 1 minute and 15 seconds — packing an exceptional amount of variety into a relatively compact run time.
Legacy and Awards
Since its debut, Expedition GeForce has been a fixture in enthusiast rankings. The Golden Ticket Awards recognized it as high as the third-best steel roller coaster in the world (2003, 2013–2015), and it remained a top-ten presence for over a decade. At opening it was the tallest coaster on the European mainland, a record it held until Silver Star opened at Europa-Park.
The park was later rebranded from Holiday Park to Plopsaland Deutschland under new ownership, and the coaster received a sponsor-tagged name — bigFM Expedition GeForce — while retaining its iconic identity. It continues to draw coaster enthusiasts from across Europe as one of the continent’s most decorated steel rides.
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Expedition GeForce FAQs
Where is Expedition GeForce located?
Expedition GeForce is located at Plopsaland Deutschland (formerly Holiday Park) in Haßloch, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
Who designed and built Expedition GeForce?
It was manufactured by Swiss firm Intamin and designed by renowned German engineer Werner Stengel, whose firm Ing.-Büro Stengel GmbH is responsible for many of the world’s most celebrated roller coasters.
Does Expedition GeForce have any loops or inversions?
No — Expedition GeForce has zero inversions. Its thrills come entirely from extreme airtime, an 82-degree first drop, and relentless hill-and-valley sequencing at speeds up to 74.6 mph.
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Photo: Boris23 / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.