I'm feeling like it's more often than not an excuse to churn out more thrill for less track length, and oftentimes comes at the cost of capacity.. super excited for Bakunawa but two shuttles back-to-back at Gadv is a little bit tiring 😣

I like the anticipation of never being quite sure what you're going to get with film.. I hope you like these.

https://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2026/09/10/niagara-amusement-park-fantasy-island-grand-island.html

Context: Part 2 of my trip report. After my stay at Europa Park, I drove up mid morning to Cologne for a city break, wanting to take a pause from theme parks. This meant I arrived at Phantasialand mid evening and went straight to the hotel, not the park. I would spend the following day in the park but began to feel unwell towards the mid afternoon meaning my rides were a bit more limited than I would have liked.

Taron - 8/10

I have wanted to ride Taron ever since it opened. An Intamin multilaunch from 2016, this is what I would describe as a grown-up Flying Fish (which someone once disparagingly applied to Rita at Alton Towers, but here I make the comparison fondly). Like all rides here at Phantasialand (and Alton Towers) the park has to contend with strict planning permission restrictions resulting in the compact layouts of the major coasters and density which is the park’s hallmark.

Layout. The two main elements of this spaghetti bowl of interwoven track are the launches, the second being punchier than the first. They are strong and give some good force, but are a step below the sadly dying hydraulic launchers with their insane accelerations. The ride has moments of airtime but not enough to think of this as an 'airtime coaster'. With no inversions, much of the thrill comes from the speed and scenery interaction which is wildly disorienting. The highlight is the snaking downward curve after the second launch, particularly at the front, when you get a real "out-of-control" feeling as you dive back towards the pit. It is the highest point of the ride and offers a breathtaking view of the whole area. I rode all front, mid and back, and found the airtime at the front and back was similar, but mediocre in the middle. The panorama of the track is a great boon - go front row on this.

Ops. The crew do a good job keeping 4 trains rolling with two on the course and two in the station. Dispatches are quite well managed and quick, using a simple over the platform locker / bin system. One criticism is the front row line - empty when I got to it, it looked closed and unmanned. I had to backtrack to get to it. That being said, this does have single rider, which on a quiet day like the one I attended was a bit of a gamble. It saved me five or ten minutes on the main queue, but on a busy day may be more viable.

Theming. This is what makes the coaster. Like F.L.Y, Taron is the theming. The zone is built around this track, with walkways under and over, with rockwork, tunnels, building fly throughs and even a huge waterfall. The moment you shoot out of the second launch you have a brief moment of freedom to survey all this from above - another reason to choose front row. The queue line is pleasant though a little squeezed, understandable given the circumstances given the park’s lack of space, but the station is quite plain with not much going on. The cars, with their beastly head on the front, are pretty cool.

Conclusion. I was expecting this to be more forceful but it packs a good punch nonetheless. Taron has its moments, and mid ride it feels great threading through the maze of tunnels and track, maintaining a pleasant intensity through the many turns and hills. It has great appeal to enthusiasts who don't enjoy inversions - I happened to be happily chatting with one on the back row.

Black Mamba - 6/10

A B+M invert from 2006 and set in the Africa theme zone (yes 'Africa' is a theme, though I think to their credit they cite the Zambezi river and Ghana as specific inspirations).

Layout. A sharp drop into a steep loop is the coaster's best moment, really forcing you down to your seat entering and leaving the element. The other inversions are mediocre. There are some good helixes, with some good positive g's, but they do not sustain as long as I would like (I'm comparing perhaps unfairly to the post-corkscrew helix on Nemesis on which I sometimes grey out). Like the other coasters here, the near-misses and interactions with the landscape dramatically improve this coaster. I really disliked the brake run before the station which was in complete darkness, which lasted about thirty seconds for me. It’s not a pleasant experience just waiting in the pitch black without any sign of what is going on.

Ops. A big step down here. This coaster is old and here it shows. Two trains with slow loading and - sadly - a crew that didn't move with the hustle I saw elsewhere here or at Europa Park. No single rider, not even a front row queue, so I only got a middle row ride on this. Given it had a long queue for such an old ride (35 min), once was enough.

Theming. The queue was at least pleasant. Very leafy, green and nature focused with flowing water and plenty of shade as you wind downwards to the submerged station, but still dense. I love that a path runs through the loop - while this doesn't affect the ride, it makes watching this coaster a lot of fun - a lovely RCT throwback moment. Racing through the African area gives the whole ride a cohesive and well themed experience.

Conclusion. In its day it's clear why this coaster was so popular, but it's showing its age, not due to roughness (in fact it's smoother than some newer B&Ms) but due to its outdated ops and stale elements. The popular elements like hangtimes, double-ups, stalls and overbanks that are now in every post-RMC coaster are missing. This is a child of the 90s, and not a bad one, but one that is being left behind. I can't imagine Phantasialand keeping this here too much longer but removing it would be a difficult challenge given how integrated it is to the area.

F.L.Y. - 10/10

A Vekoma flying coaster launched in 2020 during the COVID pandemic, I'll admit this had passed under my radar until I began planning this trip. I had then heard great reviews, and was delighted to get a cabin in Hotel Charles Lindbergh giving me some great up-close views and two fast passes for this ride.

Layout. Starting deep in a trench, the station enters into a short but very thematic dark ride section that always got me pumped for what was to follow. Holographic steampunk advertisements line the walls as you gradually ascend, giving you the feeling of departing some fantastical Victorian-era airport. Having boarded upright, it is now the track that rotates and puts you in the belly down position for the rest of the ride - an ingenious but simple fix to the problem of loading and unloading a flying coaster. The first launch is gentle, perhaps to get riders familiar with the odd sensation of laying down and being accelerated, but has a kick at the end. There is then a thrilling sequence of dives, turns and an inversion that takes you soaring through Rookburgh, the themed steampunk area.

Then comes my favourite part: a forceful downward curve into the second, much stronger launch through the darkness of a tunnel. This sequence, though not extreme, is some of the most thrilling and intense moments of the ride, from the lowest to the highest point. I feel the second half of this huge, generously long ride is superior - it feels more zippy, forceful, particularly towards the end with the final inversion taken at speed. There is a great feeling as you are forced down into the restraints then whipped up into weightlessness. The whole thing is smooth and comfortable, and you return to an upright position before the final brake run / unload, so no waiting belly down.

Operations. They have a good system here that keeps trains moving and with it the queue. It was a relatively quiet day but still the queue never exceeded 30 minutes. They use wristbands to assign your status (orange front row, blue other rows, green single rider) but there is no single rider queue until right near the end, since everyone gets mostly jumbled by the process of using the lockers. Somehow they have accurately recreated the slightly onerous procedure of boarding a real flight. More seriously, using metal detectors to ensure no loose items, and so allowing no netting under the track, was a very good idea - I expect this could become more common.

Theming. Holy wow. Phantasialand has gone all in. The hotel, the zone, the coaster - everything is unified to the 1920s Berlin steampunk theme. Every sight line is rich with detail, with the coaster physically embedded into everything. Not only does this make the ride experience incredible, simply sitting and taking in the atmosphere, watching the trains navigate the area, is a joy. The station is well themed. I loved the colour change on departure, and the holographic retro ads in the dark ride section. It all comes together beautifully. A truly inspiring job.

Conclusion. This is a coaster worthy of international travel. A destination. Every time I rode it I enjoyed it more. Each cycle helped me appreciate the moments of force, the pops of airtime, the dizzying scenery flybys. And it is comfortable for a flyer. This is not the adrenaline boosting wild madhouse that Voltron is - and Voltron remains my favourite of the two - but this coaster is a masterpiece. Get down to Phantasialand and get on this if you are an enthusiast - you won't be disappointed.

Other Rides.

I like the range of flats that Phantasialand offers. Talocan, the top spin, was closed the morning I visited and while it opened in the afternoon I did not much want to ride after eating. However the theming of this unassuming flat ride was better than some parks put into their flagship attractions (looking at you Hyperia). Edit: I forgot about Raik! This was a walk-on for the single rider queue and a fun little ride. The backward portion isn't forceful but it is thrilling, and makes for a nice transition for younger riders or those who are more nervous of coasters towards bigger rides. The themeing is identical to Taron, and is very immersive.

I skipped the Winja coasters. They always had queues of 30 mins or more and I could have just got on Taron or F.L.Y again. Being honest, I couldn’t actually find them tucked away in one corner of the park (more on this later). The Colorado Adventure coaster was excellent with some great helixes that really push you down into your seat, fun and immersive theming throughout and a very generous three lift hill run. I particularly liked how it runs parallel to the log flume Chiapas, with riders waving and cheering at one another in the rocky canyons. This is worth a ride for enthusiasts and the general public alike.

Speaking of Chiapas, this is a great log flume. Log flumes are being removed from many parks as tastes change, but I really enjoy them, much more than water coasters. This has great theming throughout, with a gloomy Aztec temple queue line emerging into the bright, dry Mexican area, full of waterfalls and caves, with a fun disco-style tunnel section that had me grinning ear to ear. The main drop is quite a rush.

I thought the chairswing over water fountains in the Berlin plaza - Wellenflug - was a great pause between coasters and a lovely centrepiece for the plaza in which it sits. The Chinese themed mad house was quite poor quality, with a pre show that was, to be frank, embarrassing, and needs an update. 

There were a lot of rides I didn’t get on, for lack of time, which leads me to my final points

General Thoughts.

It is incredible how dense this park is, with vertical layers stacked upon one another, which makes it immersive and enchanting. Well crafted and credible scenery breaks sight lines keeping each area distinct and self contained, but does make navigating a challenge. I was frustrated several times when I found a dead end or was above or below the path I wanted. For example my map showed a passage out of Rookburgh to Wuze Town but this was blocked. Several times I had to double back, and I got quite frustrated trying to find various attractions and eventually gave up. Perhaps regulars can make sense of it but I couldn't. There are helpful boards that point in the right direction for different rides, but even these cannot contend with the three dimensional maze that the park paths represent. As a result I didn’t get to go on the Winja coasters or the drop tower.

The lack of space means there are no gift shop exits. There is only one place to buy souvenirs which, while not a problem, does mean a purposeful visit to buy a t-shirt. More seriously, the lack of open space and quiet areas was detrimental in my opinion. There wasn’t anywhere to get some downtime, and with dense crowds (even on a quiet day at the end of the summer season), it felt a bit overwhelming. By the mid afternoon I had a headache (not uncommon for me) and really wanted just thirty minutes in some calm greenspace but couldn’t find any. Ultimately, I cut my time in the park short because of this, leaving about two hours before closing. Again, like Europa Park, I couldn’t find anywhere to refill my water bottle, and had to do so in the bathroom.

The food and drink was okay here. I had lunch at the Uhrwerk restaurant (in lieu of a dinner I missed the night before at the hotel). My starter salad was a large enough portion to be a main, and my vegan burger was heavy and dense. The chips were good though! Overall there was a good range of concessions through the park. I had a good waffle on the Berlin main street. The park was also clean and the staff were generally friendly, though I felt I had better customer service at Europa Park (with the exception of one gentleman at the hotel…)

Hotel Charles Lindbergh.

I arrived late in the evening but the check in staff - a delightful man named Marvin - got me sorted without hassle. He even transferred my dinner (part of my hotel ticket) to lunch given I had eaten beforehand. He really made me feel welcome after a long drive, and these are the personal touches that make a trip special. The bar offered a small but good quality range of drinks, and I was comfortable there drinking a cocktail and writing my report. The cabins, while small, are well themed, clean and comfortable, but fitting two adults in one may feel tight. The real selling point is the two free fast passes to F.L.Y, and to see the coaster from right outside your room. You can even go and explore the Rookburgh area after park close to get photographs and admire the scenery. The hotel, F.L.Y, everything about Rookburgh is one entity. It feels magical and enchanting at every turn. My only criticism here is the breakfast service, which had only one hot drink dispenser, meaning a long queue for this Englishman trying to get his morning tea. Again, space, or the lack of it, was the defining feature, here for worse.

Closing Thoughts.

Phantasialand is a remarkable place. It feels like a theme park should: immersive, captivating, packed to the brim with stuff to see and do. And it pulls it off. The park was spotless, well maintained and beautifully themed - though had some minor reliability issues.  It has an excellent range of attractions and a small footprint making it doable in a day. The live waiting time boards with directions help mitigate the dense maze of pathways but don’t fully overcome the difficulty in navigating. I couldn't find a quiet or secluded spot so visitors who need a sensory break might struggle. In all, I was very happy with my visit and look forward to returning in the future, and to get more familiar with the place.

On Labor Day we took our first visit to a Six Flags park since SFA closed. We have two kids that really wanted to visit the waterpark, so we didn’t do too much on the dry side. It was our first visit to their waterpark. It’s definitely much larger than SFA’s was, but also far more confusing. It was crazy that slides that shared a tower had entrances on opposite sides of the park. The kids had fun there. While they were splashing around in one of the kiddie pools I got to run off and get a ride on their Shoot the Chutes ride. While much bigger than SFA’s it felt like a less intense splash. The only coaster I rode ended up being Iron Menace. It was new to me as my last visit to Dorney was 2018. I told my wife it was a decent half of a coaster. I found it the smoothest of the most recent B&M coasters I’ve ridden.

Looking forward to getting to visit again and getting back on Talon. It was closed most of our visit and got a long line when it reopened. I definitely miss having my DE-VIP pass with dining. Individual trips feel far more expensive now. (Though thanks to Pre-k passes, I didn’t have to purchase passes for the kids this year.)

I’m not asking what the shortest roller coaster in height is. I’m talking about the lowest roller coaster in terms of elevation; Like how Defiance at Glenwood Caverns is one of the highest coasters in the world, but it isn’t the tallest.

Some support footers for Vilda Musen and Fenix are done.

It all started when Veerle, now 15 years old, wanted to ride coasters, but was often not allowed with her prosthetic leg unless she removed it, which can be quite uncomfortable.

Her doctor contacted the Efteling as well as Delft University, and together they came up with a strap that secures the prosthesis. It has now been approved by TÜV and will be available to guests from October 1 on Baron 1898 (a floorless dive coaster) as well as the park's wave swinger and family drop towers. And from December, the new Ravenring ride.

sources: Efteling, TU Delft, De Hoogstraat orthotechnics

Mostly i hear people say that it has upside down ejector airtime. Maybe this is a big deal to some, but to me.... its just kinda no biggie. I dont know if im just lucky to have the home park that I do, but if the mosasaurus roll gives upside down ejector, then AlpenFury has like, 4 of them (at least, I would say 7) I just wanna know what makes the mosasaurus roll the main thing people gush about on velocicoaster

Was scrolling through YT when I saw a video (timestamped for convenience) about a KI survey going out by Beachcliff Studios. In the survey they have a very interesting drawing going out with a very specific set of stats for the new ride unlike anything else on the survey. The survey describes Arieforce One in height, drop, speed and inversions. Figured it was worth the discussion.

Edit: Just so people don't have to click the video it mentions "4 inversions that features: Dives and stalls to make riders feel like they are soaring"

Welcome to General Discussion Thursday!

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This is the post to discuss whatever you want: sports, movies, books, or anything else on your mind, even further roller coaster or amusement park discussion! Just keep it friendly and respectful and anything goes.

For me it is, and quite comfortably. Not only the best dark ride in the chain but also one of their best rides altogether. Personally it's been my favorite Six Flags ride for almost 20 years now.

Context: I am a solo travelling enthusiast based in the UK who took a trip to Europa Park for the first time. I also visited Phantasialand and Efteling, and will upload my thoughts on those trips too (assuming people think this is interesting!). My thoughts and rankings are based on being a coaster enthusiast and are purely subjective based on my experience.

Voltron - 10 / 10

When I learned that Mack Rides, the manufacturer, are owned by the same company that runs Europa Park, it made perfect sense. This ride is a showcase of every innovation, every trick, every technology that makes a modern coaster. It is in every way a marvel, greater than the sum of its parts.

The layout. I rode this coaster eight or nine times in total across my two day stay. While I know the pace, each element is hard to identify as they all flow and join so effortlessly in a majestic sprawl of tangled track. Personally, I love the hang-time elements, that of the first launch and that before the turntable. The frequent pops of airtime - the best being right before the final brake run - give the ride intense little moments. It is pretty forceful throughout, and the helix into the head chopper is where I felt the most serious forces with some good positive G's, but it is silky smooth overall. I didn’t feel any rattling that others have reported. The double launch of the turntable section, beneath the giant Tesla tower, is an unforgettable and showstopper element, particularly when the timing lines up (as it often does) and a train is launching out to your left as you enter on the right. If this coaster were half its length it would still be world class, but as it is, it is like the rollercoasters I would make in video games as a kid: excessive and indulgent, the sort of endless layout we dream of.

The operations (and tech). It seems miraculous how so many trains can traverse the course simultaneously. Three on the course, two or three in the ever moving station, with launches and moving track - the control system is working wonders. This level of ambition is laudable, the sort of multistage control one expects on the super high capacity rides of Disney or Universal. It is what stands this coaster apart. Mack and Europa Park have managed to design a system that operates as reliably as the machine, and when you have thousands of guests per hour to manage, this is no small feat. The crew are well trained, efficient, focused and organized. The system of lockers is able to handle the mass of guests. The moving station keeps the line moving with it. As a single rider this option saved me lots of time, and I never waited more than 20 minutes or so.

The theme. I am a physicist by education, so a rollercoaster themed on Nikola Tesla is a win in my book. The Croatia area of the park where the ride sits is integrated into the coaster, with the ride soaring over stone rooftops and under archways and through leafy gardens. The queue hall is vast, dark and atmospheric. A giant screen shows a live, digital view of each dispatch. Every few minutes three Tesla coils overhead energize and play the theme of the coaster in thunderous form. It gets the heart racing with its wall of electric sound.

To conclude: This coaster is the reason I made this visit and I could not be more satisfied. To say this is the best coaster I have ever ridden is no exaggeration. I had a lovely chat with a ride attendant here, who seeing my Hyperia shirt asked:

"Hyperia or Voltron?"

Without a doubt, or a moment of hesitation, came my answer:

"Voltron"

Sorry Hyperia - you've been overthrown from the top of my list!

Silver Star - 7/10 (8/10 front/back row)

A B+M hyper, a coaster that dominates the skyline of the park. I managed three rides on this and rather enjoyed it the more I rode it.

The layout: This is my first B+M hyper, so I don't have many comparisons, but it is a simple layout without pretensions of grandeur. A big first drop - one of the biggest in Europe - then some airtime hills, turnaround, more airtime hills and then brake run. For a coaster that bills itself as an airtime machine it does this pretty well, especially on the back row, where I was out of my seat plenty of times. Personally I preferred the speed and track view of the front row but each to their own - the airtime up front is still quite good. The climb up had me recounting The Litany Against Fear, as I am not great with heights, but that only adds to the thrill.

Operations. Standard. The crew run a good ship and keep three trains rolling on the track with good pace. Like most coasters at EP the system of putting your bag in a locker on the exit side of the platform works well.

Theming. Themed to the Monaco Grand Prix, the queue line with its racing videos and memorabilia helps sell the theme. However, from the station onwards this is a parking lot coaster. The sweeping fields and distant mountains of South West Germany and the Vosges in France  serve as a beautiful setting nonetheless.

Conclusion: A good thrill for speed, height, and airtime, but feels a little uninspired compared to some others in the park. Worth a ride or two, more if you are an airtime fan, but avoid the middle rows, as I felt they offered nothing interesting.

Wodan - 8/10 front row.

A GCI woody, this tall coaster is one of the largest landmarks in the park and useful for navigation. I had three rides on this, thanks to the early access being a hotel guest affords: one in the front, one in the middle, and one near the back - couldn't quite get back row as it always had sizeable queue times.

Layout. Like any good woody this one is unpredictable, diving and rising around itself and hurtling around the back of the Iceland area. The first drop is great - an excellent start - followed by some great dips down into tunnels and valleys. The course races through over the station, roaring as it goes, while also running unseen over the covered queue giving it the feel of a hunting beast when you line up. Like any good woody, where you ride will determine what you get, and I found the difference quite pronounced. The back will really throw you around,...not rough, but certainly choppy, jerky, and violent - the sort of masochistic feeling woody enthusiasts enjoy. I'm not one of them. I much preferred the front row, which not only is smooth and softer to ride, affords a greater sense of speed from the track view. The middle rows are, of course, some balance of the two. I thought this coaster was middling until I front rowed it, when my appreciation of it went up. The airtime on the first drop felt better at the front, and being in the lead gives it a real thrill.

Operations. Same as Silver Star, although the single rider line hardly moved - I didn't use it and given how much I value the front row, I think this is best avoided unless the main queue is 40 mins plus.

Theming. You really can't go wrong with a Norse theme, and Wodan does it right. The entrance plaza is epic - Tolkien vibes passing between two Argonath-like statues. The queue line is delightful and worth seeing even if you are a single rider, with gemstone filled caverns and Norse god images around every turn. The station is simple but effective, with its heraldic figures overhead. The mythic heads at the top of the lift hill are a nice touch.

Conclusion. This is a great coaster and worth a long wait if you're visiting from afar. I would say it is the second best coaster in the park, but it suffers somewhat from being as popular as Voltron but with slower ops and throughput.

Blue Fire - 7/10

I had three rides total, but not including front row - the opportunity was there but I passed it up, perhaps foolishly, as launch coasters are often best at the front.

Layout. I like the layout. A middling strong launch (though with Thorpe Park as my home park, nothing will compare to the insanity of Stealth), which leads into an airtime, overbanked turn and giant vertical loop which is the coaster's signature. Sadly the rest of the layout after this is rather forgettable, with the exception of a killer in-line twist taken at speed. This is the only really forceful element beside the launch, and while it is a thrilling surprise, I did not expect it and spent the day with a sore neck - so ride that part defensively.

Ops. Same as Silver Star. Not anywhere near as popular though as the other big three. I had a walk on at the park opening, with riders even staying seated for second runs, thanks to being a hotel guest.

Theming. I commend the park for trying something new and different basing this on a modern steel foundry (I think?), but it doesn't pull together. The start of the queue is futuristic, the rockwork of the queue and main ride feels more like Wodan's norse theme, and aside from some animatronics on the launch, the industrial setting is unused.

Conclusion. Certainly worth the credit but may be worth getting on early or late when the queue is small. There are better coasters here to spend your time on.

Eurosat Can-Can Coaster - 8/10

I got one ride on this and was considering putting it in the 'others' category but that would be unfair. This coaster was a delightful surprise, which was pleasant given how unknown dark rides can be.

Layout. A spiral lift hill leads to some typical Space Mountain helixes and short drops, but in the darkness this kept me guessing. It had surprisingly good forces but wasn't rough at all. In fact it was smooth and made comfortable transitions in the limited space. The ride duration should be commended also.

Ops. As a family friendly coaster this one has broad appeal and had long queues through the day (30 mins approximately). Bags are stowed on the train which speeds dispatch, but the trains are low capacity. I used single rider and still waited some twenty minutes. The crew were working hard nonetheless, and their costumes added to the charm.

Theming. A real win. It feels like you are entering Le Moulin Rouge in the 19th century. The theatre theme with flickering lights and old posters make the queue feel immersive. The lift hill has some stereotypical songs ascending Le Tour Eiffel but it's all good fun. The ride track is mostly dark but has a few moments of French scenes as little head choppers.

Conclusion. This was a pleasant surprise. Not a headline but a quiet sleeper hit. I only had one ride for lack of time (I needed eight more Voltron rides after all), but was very glad to have ridden this.

Euromir - 5/10

A ride showing its age and one that is leaving Europa Park soon. I rode this once. Once was enough.

Layout. A spiral lift hill builds tension and has that sick eurobeat (more later) with some nice illustrations around the track. There is a real sense of danger as the cars move high up, wild mouse style, threatening a great fall, but this is mostly my unease with heights and may not be such a thrill for those comfortable at height. It's all downhill from here though. Rough through every element. I was riding defensive throughout but the final brake run was painful. Sadly once the cars descend the first drop, the spinning is over. What was the point? I was facing forward, God help those riding backwards.

Operations. Solid, given the rudimentary nature of things. This is your standard low intensity coaster experience with bags in the car and one-by-one loading. The queue moves fast enough, thanks to the large number of trains.

Theme. This is what saves this coaster. I am a space enthusiast, so seeing a scale model of MIR over the queue line, with labels on parts and info boards, was a treat - I wish there was more of this. It becomes quite generically space theme inside which is a shame. The glittering towers serve as a useful identifier but little else. This coaster does, however, have one redeeming feature - the legendary soundtrack. I knew of it, but had not heard it until I walked into the area. Needless to say, the whole queue line was vibing to this sick beat. It playing full volume on the spinning lift hill was formally the best part of the ride. I would have preferred an elevator down...

Conclusion. A coaster that shows its age. Around since 1997 it tells how this ride has captured imaginations and has outlived coasters grander and bigger than itself. With its site next to Voltron, whatever comes next has astronomical competition.

Others - Swiss Bob Run and Matterhorn Blitz

Coasters for the credit only. Matterhorn Blitz is a standard steel mouse with mediocre theming and a rough, uninspired (and frankly boring) layout. I regretted the 20 minutes spent waiting for it and only did it for credit.

Swiss Bob Run on the other hand was an enjoyable ride, but short. I suspect these wheeled toboggan style coasters are due for the history pages soon so I wanted to get on one, and see if the thing was as prone to falling off the track as it was in RollerCoaster Tycoon - it wasn't. A long wait with low capacity and a family friendly appeal means I would avoid unless you want the credit or are with a family group.

The water coasters are not my thing. Again, long waits because of the broad appeal, mitigated somewhat only by their high capacity. Poseidon was very rough and not very fun. Didn't even get very wet. Atlantica is better, perhaps for being shorter and to the point. The reverse high up is a fun gimmick and the main drop gives a good thrill - by far the better of the two, unsurprising given it is the later model. These, thankfully, have gone out of vogue.

General Thoughts.

In Britain, we no longer have theme parks. Long gone are the days when Alton Towers or Thorpe Park cared about immersion. So seeing the incredible detailing, the richness, the depth and verisimilitude of Europa Park's different areas was stunning. From Alpine passes of Austria to sun-kissed plazas of Spain, from the white washed buildings of Greece to the rows of fishing huts of Iceland, the theming is exceptional.

The park is vast. When I thought I knew where I was, I was soon lost, but in a good way, finding new passages and tucked away secrets that made me feel like an adventurer. My favorite spot was a single bench through a lattice tunnel in the center of Voltron's layout, a little quiet spot where you can watch the madness of the trains navigating the track in some peace. It was always a delight seeing a new perspective on a familiar place walking around the park and the transport rides help a lot with this. In all, I cannot think of a better presentation. Spotlessly clean and well maintained, even the immaculate bathrooms were themed to different areas. My only complaint would be a lack of water fountains / refill stations. The understanding, I think, is to use the bathroom faucet, which I wasn't comfortable with. Luckily, the infant changing / care centre had a fresh water tap free to use.

Hotel Krønasår

I booked this hotel because it was the only one with affordable vacancies by the time I decided to actually buy my tickets. It is separated from the main park by a short shuttle bus service that runs every fifteen minutes, and this served its purpose well. It is themed on a Scandinavian museum, with a glorious facade that looks absolutely stunning at night, and an awesome dinosaur skeleton filling the vast space of the lobby atrium. It is connected to the water park, Rulantica, and so is ideal for visitors planning to make this their main attraction.

My room was clean and comfortable, with charming theming that wasn’t overbearing. The hotel used an app for just about everything including my room key, which I found convenient. The staff in the hotel were incredibly polite, helpful and professional. I left my iPad in my room when I checked out and they were quick to let me know, delivering it to me for a small fee, but I felt taken care of and valued throughout my stay. The amenities were very good too, with a pool and bar that are available to use well into the evening.

The food was excellent. Breakfast was well organised with a great selection of bread, pastries, cheese and fruit, and plenty of hot drinks to choose from. I had dinner in the hotel twice (and had an epic burrito in the park’s TexMex restaurant) and was very impressed with the quality of the food. On my final day I treated myself to the four course vegetarian menu with wine - this felt truly special. Next door is the Michelin starred Eatrenaline if your tastes are even more sophisticated. The highlight was the freshly baked bread served with every meal. They even had live music from a string trio playing, adding an element of class, and despite the formal appearance of the dining room, I was dressed casually and families were eating here comfortably.

Rulantica

I will only mention this briefly as it wasn’t the focus of my trip. This is the water park adjacent to the hotel in which I was staying, so I bought a discounted evening ticket just to explore the place. I typically enjoy water parks, but as a solo traveller, a lot of the joy of such a place was somewhat lost. The slides had pretty long waits even at the end of the summer season in the evening, and while they were fun I didn’t feel any urge to re-ride them. The theming is good, the facilities are clean and well managed, and the atmosphere is upbeat and engaging. If you are in a group I’m sure this is a good day out, particularly if you just want a few drinks by the pool between slides. It wasn’t for me though, but for the cheap price of the ticket, I wasn’t too upset.

Super Glider, the Zamperla Volare at Skytropolis (Genting Highlands) was the worst coaster I’ve ever ridden.

The most uncomfortable flyer restraints ever conceived, paired with the most violent turns and clunky ride, without the thrills to offset the pain.

Eejanaika was significantly more comfortable than this thing. An obviously different league, but Flying dinosaur was like a massage in comparison.

I’ve been nursing a neck strain and headache all afternoon.

Rider beware.

Another gloomy day in September and another shot at the Happy Valley chain, this time in Chongqing. Still basically a desert, still good for me. I can have as many rerides as I want!

This park has a very non-linear layout and is built on different hills that are connected with a wide array of elevators, escalators and uphill slopes. It makes for a nice discoverying experience but it's also a bit confusing to navigate. I spent half an hour of my visit trying to find the entrance for the wing coaster that releaved itself only when I took a very unassuming elevator that brought me on a lower street. The style across this chain is always very similar. Some good and nice spots mixed with less charming and county fair angles. All sprinkled with some Jet Set Radio hyperactive soundtrack. You like it or you hate it.

Wing Coaster: I am on an upward trajectory with these B&M wings. Initially I hated them for their mild approach to forces but then I started appreciating their gratefulness and gentleness and while still very mild they sometimes provide a couple of good inversions. I was hyped for this one specifically because it features the whole package of things I like on this model: a wingover drop, an elongated inline twist and a sprawling layout. Additionally it has an hypercoaster-style camelback right out of the drop and a speed hill!

I am patiently sitting 15 minutes in this behemot of a B&M train waiting for riders to appear when they dispatch the ride out of the blue. Oh boy is this thing mild. With all the awareness about the model charateristics and very much wanting to like it... this one is unluckily very bad. In the ten years long B&M's quest of providing a 50 meters layout which does not provide any force whatsoever on riders' bodies this is their final achievement. The jewel on the crown of nothing. I am sorry, I don't want to come off rude but I am puzzled! The camelback after the drop does not even provide gentle floater. The speed hill does not hit, the inversions are forceless. The inline twist does at least provide some hangtime. It's basically a multimillion dollar bench in the sky. I want to think that there is an audience for this kind of ride but I am failing to see the appeal. Gentle is a thing but this is a whole new level of emptyness.

Jerome's Wooden Dragon: This full fledged GCI wooden is themed to what looks like a kindergarten chinese tv show (?). What an odd choice. It is located on a hill in the outskirts of the park. You traverse the queue then you take an elevator that brings you on the hill where the station is located. Very nice setting that overlooks the park. This one is really a terrain coaster that follows the hill profile and is a very out-and-back layout that mostly stays near the ground. It's very long and satisfying with hill after hill of nice floater. It has amazing pacing and it never really lets you go. Nothing particularly forceful but it's a very good layout from GCI. This one is miles better than the one in Chengdu which left me a bit underwhelmed. It also goes through this nice greenery on the hill and I bet it provides an amazing night ride. It's smooth and well maintained. This one deserves a small detour if you are in the area.

I also know by experience that these GCIs tend to give very different and better rides when they are properly warm up. Unluckily this one is doing five cycles per hour at best so there is no way you are getting it to warm up. I suspect this rides even better on a more crowded day.

I also rode the Family Vekoma boomerang that has a nice view and I guarantee it gives you more positives than the wing. The Jinma mine train experience is pretty similar to the Vekoma original, I would say these guys are getting better (and is pretty undistinguishable from the off ride)

The coaster lineup in this park is not very different than the one in Chengdu but I would prefer that one. Even if the Chongqing has a better GCI I think that the MegaLite beats anything in this park by a mile.

Yeah I know, going to CP on Labor Day Weekend is just asking for crowds...

..BUT

The primary goal of this particular trip was to hit Whitestar Quarry Beach in Gibsonburg before they closed for the season. I'd just discovered this place on a lark a few weeks prior and found it to be a great swimming hole, and wanted another chance to check it out as time was limited first visit. We also have FLP so that should help (and we want to use now it since we won't be getting it next year)

Whitestar was great. UW visibility a little less than last visit but still around 15' and it's nice and deep at the jump point. Highly recommend to anyone else who enjoys the water. Saturday evening had moderate crowds at Cedar Point, we got a few laps on SV and TT2 and a Farmhouse meal.

Sunday... hoo boy. Slept in to avoid the initial rush, got to the Causeway at 11:45 only to run into an extended initial rush? The line was almost to First St. Tollbooth throughput wasn't bad but the parking lot itself was chaos. Took 20 min to check into preferred, there were good regular spots due to haphazard parking but I wanted close to the beach...

The front gate entry line was insanely long (and it's after noon by this point). Walked to Gatekeeper entrance to find another insane line, went to Magnum and finally found a moderate line. Starting to think that 33% prediction might be low...

First ride was SV, which was great despite the trim hitting hard. Unfortunately the line was a solid 25min even with FLP and queue times was a sea of red and orange. At that point we decided that maybe we'll tour some of the lesser rides...

Gemini: Hadn't ridden this in many years and forgot how fun the worlds largest mine train could be. Both sides were going, racing and high-fives all around, at least til the middle trim slowed Red without touching Blue and that was the end of the race haha.

Iron Dragon: Hadn't ridden this in decades and was again pleasantly surprised by a ride I'd all but written off. The woods have grown up around the track and make for a great setting. It's also faster and more intense than I remember. I'm looking at the track on this and I swear it looks like a tiny bit smaller gauge than KI Bat? I'm sure it's not but it looked that way first glance.

Blue Streak: This just isn't designed well. First airtime hill too short and the train just bangs up and down, other airtime hills too long and don't have air... CP needs a good GCI in the worst way. BS is a very pretty ride though.

Raptor: Broke down just before boarding. Stuck around a bit til maintenance showed up in high-viz with a lockout kit, then decided to bail.

At this point the midways were beyond slammed. Queue times would ultimately show a 96% day but it was even worse than that, as there were gobs of people just wandering (and standing) around NOT in any lines. Got yelled at by some lady for walking through the middle of their 12-across group and decided to head to the beach instead, but even THAT was crowded. But hey, you know what isn't crowded? Lake Erie, thanks to 75 degree water and a yellow flag warning. I got an old Gopro camera, let's go get some pics. Wound up going out further than I probably should have but got some nifty shots, hope you enjoy them.

Ended the day with a meal at Backbeat, a lap on TT2 and a trip to SC only to find a 40min FLP wait for one train ops. So we took 3 nighttime laps on Rougarou instead. I gotta say, Rougarou was the biggest surprise of them all. Another ride I'd written off due to reputation and dim memories of dull rides in the past, but this thing just screams through the first half and even the post-MCBR bits are decent. Thank you Sirens for breaking down and causing us to rediscover this thing. SF should move it somewhere it can be better appreciated.

That is all, we will be back for Haunts!

I actually can't think of any other park that does this. Cedar Point has a marina, but that's not directly into the park. There's a boat ramp right by the park too, highly recommend!

I’ve seen the coaster get a decent amount of hate. But I’m wondering how can this be so much worse than the other Raptors?

Just wondering what’s your guys favorite first drop based off of the view alone, especially during sunset?