Germany’s Europa-Park looks set to smash its previous attendance record after a bumper summer season, with the visitor attraction expected to pass the 5 million guest mark for the first time in its 39-year history.

The strong growth at Germany’s largest theme park has been credited to new €25m (US$31.2m, £19.5m) ‘Arthur’ ride – a steel roller coaster featuring animatronics, water, wind and scents – implemented in collaboration with French film director Luc Besson.

“The increase in the number of French visitors alone is significant in comparison to the previous year,” said park founder Roland Mack. “In the meantime, preparations for the 40th anniversary of Europa-Park are at full speed with several million euros to be invested in new shows and yet-to-be-announced attractions.”

Speaking to AM2, a representative for the park said: “It has been our best season ever and we’re expecting to pass five million visitors by 11 January 2015, which is our end of season.

“Assuming we have at least an average winter season, we will comfortably break the five million visitor barrier.”

The summer season for the park ends 2 November, with the park reopening for the winter season from 22 November till 11 January. During the winter season the park will be transformed into a winter-themed wonderland, with the addition of more than 100,000 Christmas baubles, 2.5 million Christmas lights and the Europa-Park Christmas Market.