"Disaster, really terrible": Carousel operator talks about bad Oktoberfest time
Created: 09/28/2022, 05:20
By: Julian Limmer
The Zugspitzbahn at the Oktoberfest turned much more often in 2018, but in 2022 the ride will be at a standstill - for the time being.
© IMAGO / Plusphoto
Everything moves and rotates at the Wiesn, only the Zugspitzbahn stands still.
But that could change again soon.
Munich – Cheering passengers everywhere, lights flashing everywhere, everything in motion.
Only the carousel of Michael Menzel (62), the traditional Zugspitzbahn, has an ice age: for a whole ten days at the Oktoberfest, nothing has turned for him, because parts for the gondolas have not been delivered - until now.
The white and blue gondolas stand still behind the snow-covered Alpine backdrop on the fairings.
The ticket booth is empty.
The Zugspitzbahn is closed.
A bad time for showman Michael Menzel, who runs the train: "When there's something going on everywhere, you don't like being the one watching." But now there is suddenly a ray of hope!
Today Menzel could finally get his carousel running.
Oktoberfest misfortune for Menzel loomed a month ago
Menzel's misfortune began almost a month ago.
And in the form of a sober message: parts for the gondolas of his carousel, which he had specially made for his ride, were lost on the way to him.
"They must have got stuck at Paris airport, I was told by the parcel service," says Menzel.
They could no longer be found there.
The package with the parts that was lost was no larger than a suitcase.
But Menzel is not allowed to put his carousel into operation without these parts: "It's a catastrophe, really terrible," says the operator.
He was in contact with the parcel service every day, hoping for positive news.
It could take three to four weeks for the parts to turn up and reach him, he was told.
Oktoberfest business expensive for Menzel this year: "I have a lot of costs to deal with"
Nerve-wracking and expensive for the showman: "I now have a lot of costs to deal with," says Menzel.
Because the stand fee, the costs for his staff, everything continues.
"I haven't made an exact estimate yet.
But I reckon it could definitely cost me 30,000 to 40,000 euros.”
Now all hope is on the Wiesn final sprint.
Because yesterday he finally got the urgently needed spare parts after all.
Menzel did not want to give more details when asked.
One thing is clear: TÜV has yet to give its blessing.
But if things go smoothly, Menzel can at least unlock the last few days of the Wiesn.
That would be a great relief, says showman spokesman Peter Bausch: "Such a failure is terrible: for Menzel, the visitors, the organizers, everyone!"
(Julian Limmer)
We deliver all important topics, information and news about the Wiesn in our topic area: Everything about Munich. Simply register directly in Telegram or Facebook, select a topic and don't miss anything more about Oktoberfest 2022!"
