German theme park, Europa-Park, has declared its decision to open over the Christmas period was a success.

Since December 1 last year, more than 180,000 people have visited the park, boosting visitor number for the year to well over three million. Europa-Park is the first theme park in Germany to test out-of-season winter opening, and despite icy temperatures, hotels were 80 per cent full throughout the 'Winter Magic' period, which ran until January 6.

The guests showed a really positive reaction to us being open over Christmas, said the park's general manager, Roland Mack. Winter Magic should become a permanent institution in Europa-Park.

Special events for the winter season included a Christmas Fair and special shows including Christmas on Ice and Magic Winter. Europa-Park re-opens for the normal season on March 23.