AstroDan

I think it's created just to spurt off a load of discussion on the AT fansites - and so far, it's worked. I reckon SW7 is still going to be placed beyond Air.

Yeah - same here. I was at Efteling recently and got chatting to an enthusiast member of the ride tea on Joris. He reckoned that there would be an onload/offload for the ride at EP, which isn't exactly rocket science but, as said above - space!? Surely no seatbelts is a given? EP haven't got belts on any of their coasters. I can't see them accepting them on a woodie.

Aaaaah...so you`ve been there, too. Would have been sooooo nice to meet up cause I like what you write in the forums a lot Maybe next year...or probably next spring when Europa launches the new woody...I guess you`ll be there, too, right ? Greeds...GeorgeT Of course! Already got the hotel booked from 1-5 April. I will also be there for Terenzi in late October. Can't wait!

I was somewhat bemused why EP chose to announce the "per day" capacity of the ride, at 18,000 rather than the per hour. Based on their standard hours of 9-6, that's literally 2,000... however, the park often open longer (till 7, 8). I highly doubt they'd expect a throughput any higher than what they achieve with Blue Fire (around 1,700) and Joris en de Draak, only achieves around that COMBINED both tracks together... So it's very interesting.

I also wonder what on earth is American about Europa-Park? The new trailer is brilliant, cannot wait to see this huge ride take shape!

Excellent pictures, guys. I highly recommend the "Vasco di Gama" cocktail at the Magellan Lounge Bar. It helped the Beach Party last Saturday really get going!

Nice video of Thorpe, but I watched it rather expecting something related to LC12 construction

Definitely Colorado Adventure at Phantasialand. A superb MK-900 M model, better than any of the Big Thunder's - and re-ridable. I absolutely love it.

Just spend the dosh and go to Europa-Park.

Alton Towers closing Black Hole. As much as it was only a Schwarzkopf Jet Star, the closure of the ride in March 2005 was due to the fact they didn't wish to spend money on new H&S requirements. Therefore, it was closed. Now, the building in which the ride resided remains - opposite Oblivion - with nothing inside - even to this day. They could have spent the money and kept the coaster open for a good 5-10 years longer. The UK has lost two dark coasters in recent years, with Space Invader 2 at Blackpool closing more recently. We are now left only with X:/No Way Out and Raptor Attack. The UK lacks a genuine top quality indoor coaster, even though Lightwater Valley tried their best with Raptor Attack.

Th13teen at Alton Towers, just on Sunday. It's a bit of a... "can't ever get the shot you want" sort of ride.

When you say 'innovation' are you referring to just huge massive coasters, or rides with new features? As, from my end here in the UK - looking out over Europe there's been a lot of innovation lately. Th13teen at Alton Towers may not be the ultimate rollercoaster, but it's definiely innovative and unique. Blue Fire at Europa-Park features an innovative seating design and other quirky new features. Raptor at Gardaland - the first B&M Wing Walker design - to be followed in 2012 at Thorpe Park too with LC12. Fluch von Novgorod - a Gerstlauer Eurofighter featuring an indoor LSM launch plus the vertical lift/drop combo. Plus quite a few other rides around the world. I would say there's a fair bit of innovation around.

Im short, not really. There are parks with good shows, parks with more coasters, parks with great lanscaping. But very few parks combine all these together in such a quality package as Europa-Park. Europa-Park is family owned and run, and they only have themselves to answer to. There isn't a corporation asking them to make guests spend more. They let the product sell itself. There's no pesky fastrack being advertised left, right and centre because, welll... they don't do fastrack. They just do high throughputs which ultimately benefits all guests. There aren't adverts and banners everywhere trying to sell you something you don't want, there aren't inappropriate sponsorships on rides. Admission to the park is €36 and they don't rely on cheap offers or discounts, everyone pays the same (reasonable) price. Multi day tickets don't offer much by way of cost saving, but you pay for what you get and, obviously, people are willing to judging by the guest figures. And it's still cheaper, by some way, than Disney in Paris. The park is immaculate and appeals to, quite literally, every age group - including senior citizens. Food and drink is superb and the hotels are pretty much the best in the business - or at least right up there with the best. They have more events than any other park - just look at their calendar and there is something going on every week. There are 50+ rides, including 10 coasters (soon to be 11) - there is just so much to do. Working with other manufacturers also shows that Europa aren't too buried in their own glory. GCI is however, a working partner of Mack Rides, and with increasing park attendances every year - they can afford to spend more money than all their competitors. They have bags of space, and they have a team of people who really do care - and are committed to excellence in everything they do. Quite honestly, Europa-Park is the pinaccle of what parks should be aiming at. I love it - and, even before Blue Fire, it was already awesome. Yet these additions just make it even more irresistable. It's a 3-day park and well worthy of a visit. Bring on 2012!

It's about 4 metres taller than Troy, so this is presumably enough extra for the 9mph speed increase.

Well, there is no way that EP would run a coaster with a throughput of 850 per hour - such as Troy or each side of Joris en de Draak. Blue Fire next door achieves a 1,700 per hour throughput and the lowest throughput coaster at EP is their wild mouse which still achieves over 900. Quite how they plan to increase throughput is going to interesting. A MCBR perhaps?

This announcement has just caught EVERY EP enthusiast off guard. I don't think anyone expected this. Now, not only will Europa-Park add a 63mph GCI Wooden Coaster, the 11th rollercoaster to be built in the park, but it's also GCI's 2nd tallest yet and in the same year that they're spending €35,000,000 on a new 224-room hotel. Way to go, Europa!

I think a tower ride is possible - it has been rumoured for several years. But a shot and/or drop tower rather than another form of viewing ride.

The government taxing public transport? Not quite sure about that one... It is just that some companies wish to charge excessive amounts at peak times on weekdays, as it's business rates. It is a lot less at weekends and outside of peak time. Visit http://www.nationalrail.co.uk - click "include slower trains" under the train time selection. You should be able to get a return to Stoke for £30-£40 (I checked next Wednesday). London 06:24 Stoke 09:13 £8.00 BUS Stoke 9:30 Alton Towers 10:30 BUS Alton Towers 17:30 Stoke 18:30 Stoke 19:12 London 20:42 £22.50 You can buy a combined bus / entrance ticket ON THE BUS for £40 per person. This includes entrance ticket and return bus.

I am not sure that is actually going to be the name for any development next year? The words read " A myth awoken" - nothing to do with a coaster I am afraid! As for the Windseeker idea, it would just be hideously low capacity for Europa-Park. There's already one at Holiday Park up the road, and I don't think it would fit the park.

A Windseeker at EP? No. Just no.

The Facebook comments and EP forums are buzzing with speculation about a Tower ride, and I heard rumours of a Tower ride a couple of years back too, as something 'they were looking into the feasibility of'. I doubt it will be a coaster. I can't see another coaster at EP until 2014 at the earliest.

The park have (as of today, 14.6.11) released a teaser on Facebook as follows - for their 2012 theme park attraction. They will invest €50m over the next two years (with a dark ride touted for 2013). It is clearly a part of a larger image: MYT, with a small E above. The E presumably relates to Europa-Park? But the MYT? Myth? Mythology? A tower ride is rumoured, but who really knows...

From my childhood. 1994: 1997: Love them both!

Some of the best food has to be Europa-Park. There are something like 60-70 food outlets in the resort, and the selection within the park is absurd. Each area has themed foot outlets. Raclette in Switzerland, Gyros Kebabs in Greece, Apple Strudel in Austria, Bagels in Iceland, Tarte Flambée in France, Pizza and Pasta in Italy, speciality fish in Scandinavia, Paella in Spain... you name it. It's delicious, and better than any of the other parks in Europe and Florida that I have been to - although sime of the WDW buffets in the parks are superb (Animal Kingdom MMM!).

i am going here in August, I am looking forward to it. The Mad House is better than Hex?