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Let's have a look at the obstacle course, shall we? More Vekoma goodness is on the way, too. I was content to watch the younger set risk serious injury on the obstacle course. After all, someone must be healthy enough to provide assistance when necessary. Besides, you know my motto. Dignity. Always dignity. (Photo by Elissa.) “Whaddaya mean there are leeches in that water?” TPR’s intrepid campers soldier on. I did traverse this rope successfully. Uh, that’s OK. I’ll wait for the next one. Lynet, the park’s launched Eurofighter, is rougher than it was in 2009. But it still has some good moments. I think any park worth its salt needs a nice train ride. This one had enough stops to be useful as transportation, too. Farup has a mini-golf island. I didn't play a round, but maybe I'll get back there someday. This is Orkanen (Danish for “hurricane”). Shades of Cosmoworld and Kings Dominion! Orkanen has an “underwater” drop. Now this is a Vekoma Suspended Family Coaster, unlike the ride at Djurs. There’s so much to unpack in this photo of Fønix. The boy in the second row is howling like a banshee. The two boys behind him are probably thinking, “What’s his deal, anyway?” The two girls in front and the man in the back are thinking, “Great--we’re going to have to put up with this for the entire ride, aren’t we?” I think the boy in the third row may have broken his neck. And now a brief spot of nature. You’re welcome. So much for nature. Time for ERT! Fønix has caused Andy and Daniel to sprout multiple arms! They are now gods! This is the part where everybody yells “wh-o-o-o-o-o-o-a!” There is nothing to hate, or even mildly dislike, about this ride. Vekoma has triumphed again. “I am the Zen Rider! Fønix and I are as one!” “Sell all my earthly possessions. I’m not coming back.” Despite my expression, I love this coaster. (Photo from Robb’s rider cam.) Aw, time to go. Can we take the Club Car back to the bus?

I am sorry for your loss. I lost my father in 2001 so I know how tough the griefing is and how it affects you. I'm so glad you and your family are ready and hope you will have a great time!

Dear followers, we had a rough patch in our lives since our last post. At first, we bought a house which was pretty cool, but cost us a lot of time that was missing for going to parks and also a lot of money to do the same. We only had one really cool trip to Tripsdrill in June 2022 where we were able to meet a lot of you folks during your TPR tour. We weren't able to post a report yet, but I will post some photos in the next post. Secondly we've lost my father early in 2023. Due to these circumstances, going to parks wasn't our top priority in the last year. As a result, we also weren't in the mood to be participating a lot over here on the forums. I'm sorry for that. Espacially for not keeping in touch with the awesome girls and guys we learned to know last June. But it was very sad feeling for us to talk about the things we do not have a serious possibility to participate in. But right now today, that changed. After reading the news over the parks annoucing their 2024 hotnesses, our interest in theme parks came back! Today, we made the decision that the grieving period is over and we need to focus on our mental health - and a very important point for us is travelling. So we just booked a ten day trip to Gothenburg where we will sleep in Lisebergs all new Grand Curiosa Hotel! And this time, a trip report is coming for sure!

yeah. .not long, but I just remember the cart full of Mascots waving to us as we sat on lift hill.. LOL I really liked both of the Sommerland parks!

Part 7 Like Summer Camp, but with Coasters: Farup Sommerland When I was in fourth grade (back in that distant era known as the Sixties), my school district used to send the entire class up to Old Oak Ranch in the Sierra Nevada foothills for a week each year. Everyone hiked around, communed with nature, and shared industrial-sized pots of oatmeal at breakfast. Farup Sommerland in Denmark reminds me of those days. It’s like a summer camp, only with roller coasters and other attractions, but no oatmeal. “Green” is the main color at Farup. The park is located in a heavily forested area, and winding trails connect different sections. The trees are so thick that even huge rides are hidden until you’re practically on top of them. There’s a lake with paddle boats and an obstacle course in the woods similar to what you might find in an old summer camp (or perhaps an army boot camp). Yes, the park has a beautiful setting--but what about attractions? There’s a lot to like here. Fønix, which opened in 2022, is the standout here--one of the best rides in Europe. This big twisting mess of steel continues Vekoma’s current winning streak. There’s great airtime and a very scary moment of hangtime, and the ride itself is a buttery smooth--nary a bump, a lurch, or a clunk anywhere. Our ERT session on Fønix was excellent. You could ride this coaster all day without any problem. Farup also features Saven (Danish for “saw”), a lumberjack-themed Vekoma Junior Boomerang. It’s a fun little coaster, with a cool surprise part way through (which I won’t reveal here). Another unique attraction is Raeven’s Hule, a “haunted” fun house (it’s near the entrance to the obstacle course). Lots of good gags that reminded me of Knott’s old Haunted Shack. I think I missed this one back in 2009--glad I caught it this time. Yet another great Danish park that’s just improved since the 2009 trip. Let’s have a look around, but be careful doing the monkey bars on the obstacle course--you could get wet or contract leeches or maybe get eaten by a bear. Gee--just like camp! Good morning, campers! Are we ready for some bird watching? “Why, good morning! I’m Falken, and I hope you enjoy watching me, you creepy avian voyeurs! Don't you think birds deserve some privacy? Huh? Don't you?” Let’s watch a train roll by. TPR makes its way through the impenetrable forest in search of the Church of Fønix. The Holy Writ says that if you pass a giant spider, you’re on the right track. One must approach Fønix with reverence. The pews of the Church of Fønix: Vekoma’s trains are so much better than they used to be--so comfortable and smooth riding. Fønix ascends to the heavens. You’ll whisper a brief prayer during the scary hangtime moment. More on this amazing ride later. I think if we follow this track will find the entrance to Saven. Just a hunch. “Uncle Joe! Someone done crashed into Hooterville’s water tower!” (That was for all the “Petticoat Junction” fans out there, if there are any.) Yay! We found Saven! (I honestly don’t remember who took this photo, but I thank you for it.) See what I mean by “summer camp with rides”? You have to go through the obstacle course to get to ship. Greatest ride sign ever! As I recall, it spun pretty well. (I think Elissa took this photo.) This ride is also Count Dracula approved! Tonight on Ghost Hunters, we investigate Raeven’s Hule--the most haunted fun house in Denmark! Are these giant wiggly worms evidence of paranormal activity? I feel a sense of disorientation here. Where’s the EMP reader? Anyone else feeling a bit . . . weird? Holy Haunted Mansion! An endless corridor! Water flowing uphill? What sorcery is this? More to come from Farup.

Ya know with as many classic attractions that have been removed or renovated over the past couple of years it's pretty cool to see a park just completely upgrade and re-build an older classic ride. As far as the ride itself it sound like it's..... just going to be a newer better version of the old ride? I know RMC is involved but it seems like it'll be a pretty similar experience to the original ride just with better/newer/upgraded/refreshed show scenes etc. etc. I think I saw a $30 million dollar investment listed somewhere which is a lot of money, but also considering it's an entirely new coaster and a new dark ride inside of a new building $30 million maybe isn't that much money? Should interesting to see the finished product with this one but pretty cool to see a park invest in keeping a classic historical attraction alive.

Silver Dollar City has announced a brand-new version of Fire in the Hole to open in 2024! Silver Dollar City today announces the new groundbreaking $30 million FIRE IN THE HOLE indoor family roller coaster, the largest in the Midwest. Opening in spring of 2024, the highly-anticipated attraction joins the park’s lineup of revolutionary rides. Located in the newly incorporated Fire District, FIRE IN THE HOLE doubles the size of one of The City’s most popular areas, already home to Station No. 3 firehouse and a collection of family-friendly attractions. Just ten months ago, the 1880s theme park, Silver Dollar City revealed an additional $30 million investment in new guest experiences and improvements, hinting at further development in the next five years. Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel guidance platform, recently announced Silver Dollar City, located in the picturesque Ozark Mountains, as the number one amusement park in the United States based on traveler reviews and ratings. “Signifying our biggest investment in a single attraction, FIRE IN THE HOLE continues Silver Dollar City’s strategic, multi-phased growth plan offering families opportunities to play and stay together in the heart of the Ozarks,” said Brad Thomas, President of the Silver Dollar City Company. “Spurring the creation of The Fire District, the custom-designed FIRE IN THE HOLE makes history as the Heartland’s largest indoor coaster. As the District’s anchor attraction, it will be a favorite rite of passage for families where one generation introduces the next generation to this adventure and where the heroes of today spark the heroes of tomorrow.” The coaster experience, with a powered incline and gravity descent, including three drops and a quick splash-landing, promises a thrilling ride. In addition, a custom soundtrack with high-resolution onboard audio, show lighting effects and enhanced special effects, like using fiber optics to create a fast-burning fuse, heightens the ride experience and brings the FIRE IN THE HOLE story to life. Nearly a third-of-a-mile long, the new ride is housed in a five-story, temperature-controlled building to ensure ridership regardless of weather. True to Silver Dollar City’s roots, the new ride's storyline is steeped in authentic regional heritage as the story is a fictional account of a real night in Ozark Mountain history when the mining town of Marmaros was burned to the ground by notorious vigilantes called the Baldknobbers. Created for multiple generations, FIRE IN THE HOLE depicts the day when Silver Dollar City citizens of all ages are pressed into service to save their town. The makers of the finest fire wagons in America’s Heartland, the Silver Dollar City Pumper Factory, invite the townspeople to the unveiling of their newest model. Instead, the visitors find the town in flames due to the reckless Baldknobbers. Ignited into action, everyone bands together to battle the fire. Known for pioneering innovation in the theme park industry, and a decade since they first teamed together on the history-making, award-winning Outlaw Run, Silver Dollar City once again partners with Idaho-based Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) to custom engineer and manufacture the new FIRE IN THE HOLE. “Like Silver Dollar City, Rocky Mountain Construction is committed to creating custom-built ride experiences that haven’t been done before,” said Darren Torr, President of RMC. “We loved the challenge of engineering, fabricating, and installing the one-of-a-kind FIRE IN THE HOLE, creating a new ride experience while honoring a legendary coaster. It feels fondly familiar, yet it will be daringly different.” The new attraction is inspired by the original FIRE IN THE HOLE attraction, first imagined, engineered and custom built at Silver Dollar City in 1972. Now celebrating its final season at the Ozarks park, the first FIRE IN THE HOLE made history when it opened, being lauded as one of the world’s first indoor roller coasters. To date, more than 25 million guests have experienced the original Ozark adventure and final rides continue through the end of the 2023 season.