Wilde Maus – Otto Barth
The classic Mack mouse from Bonn with sharp turns
Operator: Otto Barth GmbH (Bonn) · since 1995
Otto Barth’s Wilde Maus from Bonn is a portable family roller coaster made by Mack. Since 1995, this ride has been part of Germany’s funfair scene. It offers a ride experience defined less by inversions than by tight turns, quick changes of direction and the distinctive view over the tracks.
Its colourful cars run along a compact steel structure. You can see the distinctive hairpin bends from the ground. The track is designed so that you often only judge the next change of direction correctly just before the turn. This very element of surprise gave this type of roller coaster its name.
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What to expect
- Airtime
- Family-friendly
Highlights & records
Originally part of a twin Wilde Maus that operated together until 1998; the second coaster went to Taunus Wunderland theme park in 1999.
The tight turns are the biggest surprise on Otto Barth’s Wilde Maus – with no loop and an unusual history as part of a twin coaster.
Wilde Maus: What the ride feels like
After the lift hill, the classic mouse experience begins: the car approaches a turn, the track bends sharply and you feel the change in direction. The relatively small cars put you close to the action. The tight turns feel much more immediate than they would in a long roller coaster train.
The straight sections and drops add speed, too. Even so, the ride has no loops or upside-down elements. This makes it a good choice for people looking to try a more intense roller coaster for the first time at a fair. If you are particularly sensitive to sudden sideways movements, don’t underestimate the mouse turns.
Video
General
- Manufacturer
- Mack Rides (Germany)
- Model
- Mack Wilde Maus
- Year built
- 1995
- Premiere
- 1995
Ride
- Track length
- 380 m
- Height
- 25 m
- Drop
- 14 m
- Speed
- 45 km/h
- Inversions
- none
- Lift / drive
- Chain lift
Vehicles & capacity
- Riders per car
- 4
Set-up & transport
- Footprint
- 43 × 20 m
The history of Otto Barth’s ride
Die Geschichte dieser Wilden Maus beginnt mit einem ungewöhnlichen Doppelprojekt. Rudolf Barth und sein Sohn Otto bestellten in den Neunzigerjahren zwei baugleiche Bahnen bei Mack. Beide Anlagen konnten nebeneinander als große Doppelmaus auftreten. Das war unter anderem auf Pützchens Markt in Bonn in den Jahren 1996 bis 1998 zu sehen.
Later, the two coasters went their separate ways. One of the original rides was installed as a permanent attraction at Taunus Wunderland. The Wilde Maus featured here, by contrast, remained a travelling roller coaster with Otto Barth. This distinction matters: the coaster at the theme park and the mouse that travels to fairs are not the same physical ride.
Decades after its debut, the travelling Wilde Maus is still a familiar sight at German fairgrounds. Its classic design means visitors can see what the ride is like before boarding. At the same time, the sharp turns still deliver an element of surprise.
Timeline
Built by Mack in 1995 as one of two identical Wilde Maus coasters for the Barth family. Operated as a twin coaster for a time from 1996 to 1998. From 1999, the travelling coaster remained with Otto Barth, while the second ride moved to Taunus Wunderland.
- Operator
- Otto Barth GmbH (Bonn)
- With operator since
- 1995
- Type of operation
- Travelling
- Status
- Active / in operation
Who is the Wilde Maus suitable for?
If you enjoy roller coasters with quick turns but want to avoid loops, this ride is worth a look. For families with older children, the mouse is often an appealing step between a children’s roller coaster and a larger coaster. Check the operator’s current height and age requirements on site.
The colourful façade and closely stacked tracks look especially striking from the outside. A historic photo of the ride at Pützchens Markt shows this design as early as the mid-2010s. You can find more roller coasters and funfair rides in our overview.
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