vuurvogel

We were invited to go to Efteling today for the opening of their new coaster Baron 1898. Of course Efteling, being who they are, created a nice legend around this new ride. The story goes that Baron Gustave Hooghmoed once found gold in this fertile soil. Now he has built a mine to delve this gold and become very rich. The earth spirits, appearing as white women (witte wieven in Dutch), tell him to leave the earth in peace. The Baron does not listen to them and is looking for miners to work in his mine. And so we as park guests can enter this mine and find out if we can survive the wrath of the white women. The theming of this ride is awesome. There are so many details to look at and wherever possible authentic materials have been used alongside mist effects and video mapping. This creates a great atmosphere, as if you are entering a real turn of the century goldmine. The ride itself is solid. It is a short coaster but the elements are nice, fluent, the helix pulls some G’s and to finish there is a nice little floater airtime hill. There are two preshows in the station building that are bilingual, Dutch and English. Another preshow is found after boarding the train and before going onto the lifthill. I really liked the ride overall. I am a theming enthusiast, so the backdrop and story add a lot for me. I think the ride is perfect for Efteling to expand their ride offering to a more adventurous public. The park targets an audience of families and now they offer more for the daredevils every family surely has, while still maintaining the Efteling feeling. But a picture says more than a thousand words, so here are a few. We got the key to the new coaster today But I had to dress up as a miner Looks like I did a good job I am part of the crew now I love an event with chicks The welcome was in front of the Efteling theater And a marching band was disrupting the festivities So the miners decided that we should follow the band to the mine Lots of noise Luckily the band knew the way and we did not get lost There were quite a few guests Efteling put up these big screens for people that were standing far away The placing of Saint Barbara, patron of miners around the world Baron Gustave Hooghmoed himself ushering us into the mine The first riders I can see myself! After exiting the mine it is custom you drink milk to cleanse your insides of the dust Efteling did a good job with the food at the event My lovely photographer showing us where the coaster is You can choose to be single rider or be fun and hang out with your friends When entering the coaster they will give you these tickets that indicate your row The entrance to the mine and the ride sign Signage Storage Even the garbage bins have been given a Baron 1898 touch Random bucket (or is it?) Yes, we will join and work in the mine This bell sounds every time a train goes down the shaft There are so many lovely details on the building The tower is just stunning! More miners going down into the mine shaft They look happy More happy riders We can fly! Going upside down Round and round Even the chimney works One last look at the mining complex We had a lovely day! Thank you Efteling for building this great ride!

This looks like an amazing concept and execution of it. Very cool, so much details and immersion. i had only seen such a concept with a 'wizard/medieval' city, but this looks so much nicer. Looks like fun times.

Great report from an awesome waterpark. I love the stuff polin builds these days.

Another great installment of your report. And you can tell who the idiots were that wanted to ride all the water rides.

That looks like an interesting city. Love to see all the 'bugs'. Have a save trip

Very cool ride, looks like a fun addition. (Great video editing, love the style)

Awesome report, love to go here some day.

Part 2 is also great fun. Loved the zombie splash mountain. Weird. And the Mexican Woman walkthrough, really weird.

Hi Thad!

^^ Another great episode of Thads Scandinavian Adventure! Was great fun reading it. You sir are an awesome writer and a great pink knight.

Great footage, great videowork. Watched on my TV and it looked sharp and fun. Made me wish the next season was already upon us. Thanks!

You are a treasure Thad! Look what popped out of the box

I find them very helpfull. I have not a lot of time at this moment to browse the forum regularly and really appriciate the emails giving me the highlights.

Van Helsing's Factory, Movie Park Germany

This update activated the game in durch for me. With a terrible translation. And no way to change it back to english. I am going to write ea an email complaining. If they will not let me change it back to english I will stop playing. The Simpsons in dutch just does not work. Stupid EA.

This report is so awesome. Thad, you realy need to write more tr's. This an amazing read. Makes me want to go back this instand.

Your report is great. Love your style. Had to laugh out loud a fair few times.

Just got a seashell. Now I have all costumes exept for adventure Peter. Nice.

Having the same strategy, unlocking peter is going well. I do have some decorations build before the update, like the monkey statue, that were free. After the update they cost moon medals. Think it was a glitch I just stumbled upon.

Space Fantasy the Ride, Universal Studios Japan

For just reading the adventure the index is easier, but I do spend more time on the forum. So I am in limbo with this one.

Europa Park is a wonderfull park and you will have lots of fun. The coaster I would say you need to hit as early as possible will be matterhorn blitz because of low capacity. Poseidon can have long lines due to capacity and blue fire sometimes because of popularity. Food is well distributed and diverse inside the park. Just find your fancy. For dinner outside the park I would recommend das altes rathaus with seating next to the river and nice german food or Ochsen. You will find several places in Rust just a 10 minute walk from the park entrance. We will be there with a few TPR peeps next Friday and Saturday Have fun and be sure to also explore the more quiet areas of the park because it holds some beautiful landscaping and serenity

Love the report Divv. Those chinese parks always look interesting. Dramatic theming from afar.

Just got hobo clown peter. I had these two days off and it took me logging in every hour I was awake these two days to get him. Chances are I will not do that again with future events. I like the game so far. It is funny and has the right mix in difficult and easier tasks. I was getting pretty bored with the tapped out game, but this game makes up for that know.

Just got the time glitch a second time. After the first time I git it I closed the game completely every time I played. I forgot yesterday and this morning no time in the game had past.