Willingen Fairy Tale Forest in Sauerland

Wild- und Freizeitpark Willingen is one of the strangest places we have visited in the area.There is definitely an assorted array of wild, and clearly someone with a lot of “Freizeit” decided to put it all together. It feels like a mix between a small carnival, an old amusement park, and a zoo, all layered on top of each other without a clear concept. And like it was closed between 1992 and now with little updates, including in terms of animal welfareIt is hard to describe the atmosphere. Imagine a Wild West set, a dinosaur park, Disney fairy tale scenes, and animal enclosures all in one space. Some parts are unintentionally funny, like the dinosaur area. Other parts feel outdated, including some Wild West displays that come across as politically incorrect. A few of the fairy tale scenes are surprisingly dark and slightly unsettling for the adults, even if the kids find them funnyThe most difficult part for us was the animal enclosures. Yes, there is a bear and two eagles, but the cages felt too small for animals of that size, especially the birds. Seeing such large and powerful animals in limited spaces was saddening and overshadowed the rest of the visit.Many of the cages were barren, not cleaned well with nothing to keep these animals entertained or at least not sad and depressed. The uhu owls for examples such beautiful smart animals in these tiny cages where they couldn’t even fly — but were forced to turn their heads 360 degrees around the squalor of their lives, on repeat. I’m not an animal activist but I’d understand why someone would go in there and open all the cagesOn which note: There was something especially bizarre about having the bear enclosure literally next to the slopes, with people face-planting right next to the wild animal that used to roam these hills before we reduced them to an icy runway for our environmentally disastrous and frankly somewhat clumsy looking winter hobbiesThe setting of the park meanwhile almost feels like it could be used as a film location, especially for a good horror movie. Empty pathways, aging decorations, faded signs, quiet corners between trees, and a mix of themes that do not quite connect give it an eerie feel. All the while with German fairy tales blasting from the various parts of the park — a modern day Grimm or the next movie by M. Night Shyamalan perhaps. All I know after visiting is that if David Lynch ever wanted to a movie in central Germany, this is the perfect spotThey even got all the details right already. Half-way though the park across from the pig enclosure, a freshly skinned animal skin (a rabbit maybe? See picture 17) was drying in the sun. This detail is hard to forget in a park meant to showcase live animals. Or at least one in which the poached exemplars looked like they were prepared whenever it was apparently still legal to have a poached crocodiles (see picture 7)Even getting to the park was a challenge. Google Maps repeatedly tried to direct our car across ski slopes, which felt like a sign we should reconsider (or free the bear by accidentally sliding the car into its cage?)In hindsight, maybe we should have listened

A bizarre place but well worth a visit if you're in the area. This is a small theme park with animal displays, and it is especially focused on birds. If animals are your focus, this park may not do it for you as there are not many larger animals.More interesting are all the themed attractions and rides. I think the dinoland was the least impressive, the models weren't very accurate or realistic, but the folk tale exhibits are properly interesting and bizarre. Certainly a fun day out. The food in the snack bar was pretty good as well, if slightly expensive for the portions.The rides are all pretty small. They are definitely intended more for the children. Not a complaint, just an observation. Adults have a lot to enjoy here without the rides! All in all, a decent family day out marred only by the dilapidated feel of much of the park. I have had to take away a star for that, some fairytale exhibits weren't working and the whole park has a slightly run down feel to it. Still, I recommend giving it a look on a family day out!

A bit run down but kids still loved the small rides and the bird show. Good to spend 2 to 3 hours.

This park was an absolute laugh! Quite massive, but the statues were Utter nightmare fuel. I reckon any child would either burst into tears or need therapy afterwards 🤣 the animals cage was dirty and smelly. The parrots were barking so much 😂 and sadly, the attractions were shut, as was the café, so no chance of drowning my sorrows in a cuppa. But yeah, for €8, it was an absolute bargain for a day of unintentional comedy!

It was fun in the sense going to explore an abandoned theme park is fun. We genuinely had a lot of fun in the end. But the doll/statues look terrifying (wouldn't take a kid there) and some of the animal enclosures look depressing. Whole I had fun I wouldn't want to support this by going a second time