Associated parks:
Europa Park, Rust, Germany
Hey all,
just got back from a couple weeks in Europe, and was able to hit up 3 parks along the way.
First up, two days at Europa Park in lovely southwest Germany.
The park - 10
- yeah, the hype is real. There are reasons this place wins so many Golden Ticket awards. Absolutely beautiful park, with some very highly themed sections, as well as some nice "park/garden" sections. Enjoyable to just walk around and soak up the atmosphere.
- Everything was clean and well run. Most rides were obviously designed around moving large numbers of people through, so any lines we experienced moved quickly.
- Good amount of variety for food too. If you can, make sure to catch a meal at Schloss Balthasar in the back corner of the park. What other park do you get to dine in an authentic 16th century villa/castle?
- Tip: On-site hotels were pretty pricey. The park is right in the village of Rust, and we were able to find a nice, reasonably priced hotel within walking distance of the front gate. Was very nice to just leave the car at our hotel and walk back and forth.
The Coasters
Voltron Nevera - 10
- Absolute Masterpiece! This coaster is the entire package, from awesome airtime moments, to whippy inversions, to multiple launches, and all with incredible theming.
- Speaking of which, one of the coolest stations of any coaster anywhere. Themed to the "transported man" experiment of Nikola Tesla, the indoor queue even goes so far as having live Tesla coils overhead that buzz out the theme music for the ride every 10 minutes. Super cool!
- Both the first launch/inversion, as well as the middle of the first section, have some killer inverted hang time, which is even better given the super comfy restraints.
- There are multiple spots and paths underneath the track where you can see the ride from multiple angles and directions. Make sure to check them out!
Euro-Mir - 6
- funky spinning coaster that has a very unique drum-style spiral lift. Pay attention to the rocket on top during the last third.
- yes, the highlight is the blippy little techno soundtrack that plays throughout the queue and lift. It WILL get stuck in your head.
- meanders a bit much at the top, but gives you great views of the park.
- Very much looking forward to the 2028 version of this. If it's anything like Time Traveler, we are in for a treat.
Blue Fire Megacoaster - 8
- fun launched looper that dives through rugged-looking rocky landscape.
- Best way to describe this is the more relaxed cousin of CP's Maverick. I find Mav a bit too aggressive, so Blue Fire was right in the Goldilocks zone for me.
- watch out for the final zero-g roll. Very whippy and intense when compared with the rest of the ride.
Wodan Timbur Coaster - 9
- nice big GCI with lots of great twist and turns.
- cool station fly-through like Thunderhead or Troy.
- beautiful theming, reminiscent of IOA Dueling Dragons in the indoor portion of the queue.
- pay attention to the Valykries in the station. Their heads turn to watch the train incoming as well as outgoing.
Alpenexpress Enzian - 4.5
- powered Mack train style, so no big drops
- neat interaction with log ride and surrounding play structure
- new add (this year) of a mechanical dragon inside one helix that blows steam in your face as you fly by....twice!
Arthur - 7
- combination dark ride and powered coaster, with inverted seating that rotates with respect to the rails to focus your attention on various scenes.
- surprising amount of rotation and laterals, which makes for a very enjoyable, dynamic ride.
- very extensively themed, with most of the ride indoors. Station building also includes a couple more flat rides, a cafe, and seating to sit and watch the ride.
Schweizer Bobbahn - 6
- fun bobsled coaster with 6-car trains instead of individual cars.
- a bit bumpy, but still enjoyable
- looks to be sponsored by Switzerland's tourism office, as you get to watch a continuous loop advertising sights to see nearby (Switzerland is only an hour drive south of Europa Park).
Matterhorn Blitz - 6.5
- probably the most extensively themed wild mouse I've ever seen. Queue alone is worth riding this.
- surprising side-by-side elevator lift that bulges in the middle like the old tower from Holiday World's Pilgrim's Plunge.
EuroSat - CanCan Coaster - 6.5
- indoor coaster with a LOT of right hand turns inside the big geodesic sphere. Reminded me a lot of a relaxed non-inverting version of Flight Of Fear.
- Heavily themed queue, including a room centered around Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, who was the sculptor who did the Statue Of Liberty. Room had display cases from the nearby Bartholdi museum in Colmar, France, which we visited only about 30 minute drive away.
- similar drum-style lift to Euro-Mir, but this one has a mini-Eiffel Tower on the last third.
Silver Star - 7.5
- lots of typical B&M Hyper floater airtime goodness
- recently re-themed station area to Monaco, so you get to see a bit of the Monaco GP on a giant LED screen whilst waiting.
- unfortunately has more than usual amount of older B&M wheel rattle. Surprised with the new mild re-theme that they didn't address this.
- usual efficient B&M people-eater, so the line was never long or slow.
Poseidon - 6
- water coaster with a surprising amount more coaster section than boat ride section.
- while you will get splashed in the face/torso, you don't get totally soaked. I HATE walking around with wet and soggy shoes, and they didn't even get a drop.
- as is par for the course at Europa Park, extensively well themed.
Pegasus - 5.5
- nice little family coaster. Not so big or small. Completely average.
- gets the extra half point for, you guessed it, really nice theming.
Atlantica Super Splash - N/A
- did not ride due to 50deg F temps and not wanting to get soaked.
Other Rides/Stuff
Voletarium
- really well done "Soarin'"-type flying theater that gives you a nice tour or Europe. Definitely a don't-miss.
Pirates Of Batavia
- dark ride boat ride on par with Disney's Pirates, and maybe even a little better?
Lots of other dark rides
- there are a bunch tucked in to various niches throughout the park. Definitely fun to explore.
Lots of transport rides
- they've got everything from a full-scale monorail to a nice mini-train that circles the park, as well as several boat/water rides in various spots around the park.
Overall
We loved our time at Europa Park. If it's your first time there, I'd definitely recommend two days if you can, so that you can try and pack everything in. While not as completely themed as a Disney or Universal, I found it a lot more organic/natural instead of everything being cultivated/managed.
Closest comparison in the US would be Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Not just because of the similar theming of European countries/architecture, but also the overall general vibe of the place. Seeing as BGW is one of my favorite parks out there, I felt right at home. If you have the chance to go, definitely give Europa Park a visit!
Later,
EV
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