Fantasiana Erlebnispark Straßwalchen is celebrating its 30th anniversary today, marking three decades of growth from a small regional attraction into one of Austria’s leading family-owned amusement parks.
Located in the Salzburg region, the park officially opened on July 11, 1996. Since then, it has expanded from approximately 50,000 square metres to more than 88,000 square metres and now features over 50 attractions spread across eight themed areas.
Founded by two entrepreneurs
Fantasiana was established by Kommerzialrat Erich Wagner and Karl Heinz Grabler, two entrepreneurs from different professional backgrounds who shared a vision of creating a family-oriented leisure destination.
Wagner built his career in the food industry, while Grabler was active in advertising and decorative design. Together, they developed a park focused on themed environments and attractions for families, a philosophy that continues to influence the resort today.
Following Wagner’s death in 2023, ownership remains within the founding families. The park is operated by Fantasy Factory Betriebsgesellschaft, with Sieglinde Wagner-Haigerer and Sarah Grabler each holding a 50 percent stake and serving as managing directors.
Continuous expansion over three decades
The anniversary comes after a period of significant investment for the Austrian attraction.
Throughout its history, Fantasiana has regularly expanded its attraction portfolio, gradually transforming from a regional family park into a destination that attracts visitors from across Austria and neighbouring countries.
One of the most significant developments in recent years was the opening of Das magische Dorf, a themed area centred around fantasy-inspired architecture and family attractions. The expansion introduced Fridolins verrückter Zauber-Express, a family launch coaster manufactured by ART Engineering.
The park’s most recent major addition arrived in 2025 with Helios – Reise mit der Sonne, a BigDipper roller coaster supplied by Mack Rides. The attraction became the largest roller coaster investment in the park’s history and further strengthened Fantasiana’s position within the Austrian theme park market.
A growing role in Austrian tourism
Beyond its attractions, Fantasiana has become an important employer in the Salzburg region. The company now employs more than 200 people and is considered one of the area’s major tourism businesses.
The park’s growth mirrors a broader trend seen across Europe’s independent amusement parks, where family-owned operators have increasingly invested in themed experiences and modern roller coasters to compete with larger leisure destinations.
While many regional parks have become part of international entertainment groups, Fantasiana has remained under family ownership throughout its history, allowing the founding families to continue shaping the park’s development.
Looking to the future
The opening of Helios and the continued expansion of themed areas demonstrate that investment remains a priority as the park enters its fourth decade.
What began in 1996 as the vision of two entrepreneurs has evolved into one of Austria’s best-known family amusement parks. Thirty years after opening its gates, Fantasiana continues to expand while remaining under the ownership of the families that founded it.
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