Phantasialand Discussion Thread

[SharkTums]

Great report, thanks for sharing!

 

[rcjp]

Thanks for the great report! Now it's time for mine

Two weeks ago I did a car trip across a few parks in Germany that I hadn't been to. I took some pictures from the others too but this was my favorite and the one I have more stuff to show/talk about. I might eventually do a report on Heide Park as well. But for now, Phantasialand  

I really loved this park, it has become one of my favorites. Amazing and immersive theming, great attention to detail, some nice food and, of course, a great selection of rides. None of them totally blew me away but the 3 main coasters are very solid and the theming only makes it better.

This report dates back to Monday, October 18. It was a nice, mostly sunny day but sadly, however, I wasn't as lucky with the queuing times as Satchboogie3. The lines for the main coasters were pretty consistent throughout the day with Taron's being between 30-50min, black mamba 20-30 and F.L.Y around 40. It's a shame that there is no unlimited skip the line pass (especially if you're just going for a day) but I won't complain as many/most German parks don't seem to have any pass at all. I got the thing and used my two rides on Taron (F.L.Y wasn't included). I ended up getting two rides on each of these 3 coasters and 1 on the remaining stuff that I went on.  

Overall, operations were very efficient (especially after having come across with some awful ones this year) and everything worked nicely. The park was very beautiful and nicely put together. It was the only park of the trip where I stayed the full day and left wanting more.

 

Now to a review of some of the coasters (with some "spoilers" for less obvious stuff not everyone might know):

- Winja's: these were some very unique and fun spinning coasters! They would have made it to my favorite of the type if it hadn't been for Ride to Happiness earlier this year, although that should be on a category of its own. Overall, I preferred Fear, I think (the one which does not tilt sideways). I just got the impression it was longer and did more stuff. Or maybe it was the element of surprise as it was the first. The tilting elevator lifts were very fun and an unique way to start the ride. The other tilting sections were fun to and I was totally caught by surprise by the dropping/bouncing track on the final brake run. It was a weird feeling and as a coaster nerd and a mechanical engineer, I was really intrigued by how that worked as the train never stopped moving through the track as it would bounce down and then up. I was quite frustrated cause I wasn't able to see what was going on since it was dark . But it amazes how many moving parts and track switches there are and it was running fine. Does anyone know how reliable these coasters are? I'm curious;

- F.L.Y: I was really excited about this one especially as lately I've been riding some of these new Vekomas and they have been really good. Also cause there are basically no POVs of the ride and I was intrigued by the boarding process (very different from any other flying coaster). I then found out why. They have a really fancy locker system with bracelets that you use to open the locker and you really have to put everything in there as after you go trough metal detectors (I guess this is because the coaster goes over a lot of walkways and there are no nets, which I quite like). So after this part there are no phones (so no pics of the station too). It has a separate loading and unloading station (interesting fact, this is probably the coaster I've been on where the trains move the fastest in and out of the station). The trains come sideways with the seats straight up and facing the queue. You board them and then go through this slightly uphill bit (the station is underground and the first launch is elevated) still sideways. I guess Vekoma realized that being in the flying position for very long isn't so comfortable as you only face down just before the launch. Basically the track twists to the inverted position at the same time as the seats rotate 90 degrees to be aligned with the track (all done in motion and very smoothly). The launch isn't really forceful but it's definitely fun to experience one in a flying coaster.  I agree with Satchboogie3 in the sense that it wasn't so soft or forceless as I expected. It definitely has no insane moment like a pretzel loop but (like the inverted coaster Hals über Kopf at Tripsdrill) it keeps going without really having a slow moment and everything feels very fluid. The transitions, twists, dives underground and even the second launch/boost are very well put together and it really is a fun great experience. My front row ride on it was probably my best ride on a flying coaster as you really get the flying sensation (going over all the track mess and walkways). These new vekomas I've been on have this particular feeling to them: not very intense but never stop and feel very fluid, with great transitions between elements and no "dead" moments;

- Black Mamba: This was a pretty solid B&M invert. Not as intense as an old-school one (like batman) but after riding the super "new-school" invert at Grona Lund, it seemed quite forceful. The fact that you're flying around theming elements, trenches and with a bunch of near misses definitely adds to the experience. It also had a pretty good pacing, despite not being that intense. It was pretty much what I expected (in a good way). I was lucky to be put in the front row for my first ride;

 - Taron: Pretty awesome ride. Not on my top 3 or 5 but definitely very good. I was expecting it to be all about twists and turns but it still delivered some nice airtime moments (the trim near the end is annoying, though). Pacing was better than I thought too (on the POVs it seems to kinda crawl to the second launch but it felt faster in real life). Once more, the whole scenery really adds to the experience too as well as the interaction with the vekoma family boomerang the the rest of the ride itself (you'd often see two trains on the track at the same time). The launches were pretty forceful too, for LSMs (especially compared to many recent Mack rides). I was just annoyed that you can't go for the front row if you use the quick pass. IDK why, really. Cause you merge with the regular queue before it splits into rows... So the extra time you'd wait would be the same.

 

I'm actually not quite sure if I prefer F.L.Y or Taron, overall. F.L.Y amazed me for its uniqueness and novelty, in a way. It's a very "satisfying" coaster to ride, IDK quite how to put it. You do get a very good flying sensation. But maybe, if I had to marathon one, it'd be Taron as it's, overall, a faster and more intense coaster. 

I was sent to the China area entrance. A nice first impression

As with the rest of the park, theming was top notch 

My first look at Taron as I was making my way to the center of the park to buy the quick pass.

First ride of the day was Maus au Chocolat as it was near the place I got the quick pass (or whatever the name is here) and it had a very small wait while the big coasters already had large queues by then (I drove 3h40 to get to the park, so I wasn't quite there for opening, but close)

.

I had no idea what the ride was (didn't know it was a shooting ride) but the queue looked pretty cool. Fun ride too

I don't really know what's on the other side of this (maybe rookburgh, the layout of the park and how well the transitions between areas are sometimes made it difficult to get what was on the other side) but it looked really cool

First coaster(s) of the day was Winja's

Amazing setting and really fun rides! Even for me, who usually knows all the coaster layouts before riding, this was full of little surprises. One of the best spinners I've been on.

Queue and exit theming amazing too of course 

I then headed to Crazy Bats, a Vekoma family coaster which appears to have changed theming a couple of times. Now it was supposed to have VR but cause of covid it doesn't, so the ride itself is practically just in the dark. Still fun, though. And supposedly the longest indoor family coaster in the world? I'm pretty sure I read it there, somewhere.

Queue and station looked pretty cool.

The transition to the center of the park

Which, of course, looks amazing

Was getting a Disney vibe here

I must say, this whole area looked awesome. I really like the theming and the steampunk vibe of the area. 

First look at the long awaited F.L.Y

I'm a huge fan of the colors predominantly used here. 

First launch (which you walk under)

The entire area is also full of trenches and tunnels where the coaster very often dives into. 

The entrance

And the view from the queue. 

I find all this track and theming mess really stunning to look at.

The final inversion before the brakes. 

I must say that I initially had some trouble getting photos with the trains on the track because, since I didn't know the layout and there are so many tunnels and overlapping track, it is quite difficult to know where the train will pop up next.

Bit of the underground part of the queue 

That is pretty much the last bit you can go still with your phone. The lockers were just after this bit of queue ended

More rookburgh awesomeness

And now heading to the other rides 

View of the Mexican area 

And of course, the visually stunning Talocan

With all the effects working, of course

Heading to the "newer nemesis"

I love when the queue has a lot of interactions with the actual coaster. 

Scenery amazing too 

It's amazing when parks put in the effort to add all these little details not everyone will notice 

It's also great when parks have a lot of these interaction places with the rides

Pretty standard B&M invert first drop, but with a nice forceful pull into the loop

Mine train time!

This one was really long and with a lot of interaction with nearby buildings and rides too

Didn't realize you could smoke in the park. Or maybe you couldn't 

Finally heading to Taron

The two coasters (Taron and Raik, the Vekoma family boomerang) blend in really nicely

IDK what else to say, this whole area looks awesome too

The rockwork was amazing too. It's funny that I clearly remember watching a video about the building of all these rocks and scenery like 6 years ago, when the ride was getting built. I didn't think I'd end up here now 

Coming out of the second (and best) launch  

You go by this waterfall with great speed

Some Raik action (this was just a standard junior boomerang but in an amazing setting)

Two coasters in one 

Interesting.... 

I really wanted to try Chiapas for being such a special log flume (and to be able to sing "we're on a log flume", of course   ) but it was just too cold for me (and the huge body driers had quite the queue )

Yup, I'll just watch 

And of course, absolutely amazing theming 

I generally don't do these as I'm not a fan of this type of ride, but I had to go on this one. Just after a nice full meal 

As I said, I don't do many of these but this one had the most intense program of the ones I've tried (with the most flips)

Another great looking water ride which was too much for me

I then headed to Mystery Castle, an unique (one of a kind?) intamin compressed air tower 

Does the park have noise restrictions? Cause none of the coasters are very tall and are all surrounded by walls and this one is also enclosed, so...

Looked amazing from the outside, but the biggest let down of the park. Anyone find the same? No forces at all (no great positives and I didn't leave the seat once). I feel like it spends a lot of time just building up and being intimidating and then doesn't really do much. 

Some more Taron, cause why not?

This was my second (and final ) ride on it

Also a last ride on mamba 

And, to end the day, a ride on F.L.Y. I realized I wasn't gonna have time to do anything else so I just waited for the front row (and I didn't regret it) 

One final look at some Intamin awesomeness 

[DoinItForTheFame]

Amazing photos!! I LOVE Phantasialand! Can't wait to get back out to the park. F.L.Y. looks absolutely amazing!

[rcjp]

Thanks  It was a great opportunity to test my new phone's photography capabilities aha 

Yes, F.L.Y was an amazing ride! As I said, not the most extreme/insane coaster experience but I did not have a single negative thing to point out about it. Even the restraints were pretty nice. I forgot to mention that but basically these work a lot more like the ones on B&M flyers than the old vekoma flying Dutchman. You have a vest restraint (the vest part only locks as you actually start moving) and then the leg/shin holders that are also kinda like the ones B&M uses. 

The trains are not the largest (20 riders, I think) but with the separate stations and efficient operations the line moved at a decent pace. 

 

Now having been to the largest German parks, I think I can say Phantasialand has the best coaster line up with Taron F.L.Y and Black Mamba, in my view. And with all the awesome theming, it's definitely my favorite park in the country and among my favorites overall! 

[DBru]

Fantastic report that really shows off the beauty and uniqueness of this park!

But I do disagree about Mystery Castle. Did you only ride once? Each cycle runs a different drop sequence, so you may have gotten a weak one. But I love the anticipation and massiveness of it all, plus the (usually) multiple strong drops!

[DoinItForTheFame]

Interesting take on Mystery Castle…. next to Taron it was our favorite ride in the park! I’ll agree I never left my seat, but it was such a great ride! Loved the indoor aspect of it! Such s good ride for me personally. I’m sad you didn’t enjoy it as much.  

[rcjp]

Yeah, I only went on it once, so maybe I was unlucky....
The theming and anticipation (lighting, sound,...) really is amazing. But the ride itself was nothing special. I can tell you than on my sequence it immediately started with an upwards launch but nowhere near as strong as S&S ones (I also didn't get any air as it reached the top). Then it spent some time moving up and down (but very slowly, only to build up the anticipation) and it finally ended up a drop from the top but, once again, not forceful enough to leave my seat (so not even 0G, like a standard drop tower).

To be fair, although I enjoy a good S&S tower, I prefer simple drop towers. Honestly those are, nowadays, the only rides that I'm never fully prepared for as when you get that sudden 0G you always get that funny feeling in your stomach. 

[RCT3Bross]

About Mystery Castle I sort of feel the same as rcjp, but I'm also a guy who likes to review rides on the whole more. It's one of my favorite rides in the park and I try to get on it each visit because of theming, The ride is fine but far below other tower rides I did, and the fact that it's indoors is a fun gimmick nothing more. I also hated how the launch is so loud it blocks out the music (or at least I always thought it was the ride and not part of the music.) Definitely a ride that goes like 9 out of 10 presentation but 6 out of 10 ride making a 7 out of 10 complete experience.

I think Talocan has like the same problem, It's a lot less forceful due to less mass then the regular top spin rides, but Talocan really has a saving grace that it doesn't require the ride to cool-down after doing a round of flips, this allows for a much more interesting ride program as the ride isn't swinging like crazy every 30 seconds. So unlike Talocan Mystery Castle doesn't have a benefit from being less forceful then rides like it, still a fun ride and I will recommend people to ride it but it sure isn't the best tower ride out there.

[rcjp]

^ Interesting stuff you mentioned about Talocan. I had no idea these rides usually had to cool down after some spins. And, I as I said, I usually don't do these rides myself so I didn't have much to compare it to (intensity wise). I went on it mostly for the setting/theming, for sure. 

 

And yes, the theming on Mystery Castle is an important feature but for me, as much I think good theming elevates the overall experience, the ride itself is the main thing and what I care about most. Still a pretty cool experience, though 

[Satchboogie3]

Just got back from the park today, my first time at a park during the Christmas season.   The park was gorgeous.   I also much enjoyed FLY and Rookburgh after dark this time.   Early this year, the lighting seemed very basic with the old bronze light theming. Today there was a ton of red and blue lighting, plus great fog/steam coming from the tunnels.   Really made for an amazing night ride.   

 

I'll post a TR when I'm back in Belgie, with some bonus German Christmas market content

[parktraveler008]

Some impressions from this weekend’s park opening - the park looks better than ever.

Pictures taken from: https://www.rideonblog.com/vor-ort/phantasialand/2022/phantasialand-saisonstart-2022

[Pedrinho]

On 4/10/2022 at 6:31 PM, parktraveler008 said:

Some impressions from this weekend’s park opening - the park looks better than ever.

Pictures taken from: https://www.rideonblog.com/vor-ort/phantasialand/2022/phantasialand-saisonstart-2022

Do you have first hand informations if single rider lines and quick pass are back in the game?

[Norwegian coasterfan]

9 hours ago, Pedrinho said:

Do you have first hand informations if single rider lines and quick pass are back in the game?

I was there yesterday, single rider - no, quick pass - yes!

 

Visited for the first time since 2018 and I highly recommend staying at Charles Lindbergh, it was absolutely amazing.

 

And I loved Fly, really fun, long layout with good airtime. And the new loading system is genius, and they can operate 3 trains with no stacking at all!

[Baffles]

On 4/10/2022 at 5:31 PM, parktraveler008 said:

Some impressions from this weekend’s park opening - the park looks better than ever.

Pictures taken from: https://www.rideonblog.com/vor-ort/phantasialand/2022/phantasialand-saisonstart-2022

Really wonderful article and photos. Amazes me how the park goes from strength to strength with immersive theming. Seems like the areas will never be finished.

[coasterBro]

I'm going to be visiting Phantasialand this June 23-24 (Thurs/Fri). I'm staying at Hotel Charles Lindbergh, so I'll get a F.L.Y. line skip each day, and I have to assume that I'll also be able to be among the first to ride courtesy of the hotel entrance. (Officially the park opens at 9am, but the attractions don't open till 10. I've seen some anecdotal reports that the attractions do start running before then, but I'd love to better understand how that works in practice.)

Beyond that, I'm not afraid to spend the money on the Quick Pass if necessary for the other rides, but if there are any tips/recommendations for the most efficient way to tour the park, I'd love to hear them. (My understanding on the Quick Passes is just that you have to pay €10 for 2 skips selected from Talocan, Maus au Chocolat, Chiapas, Winjas, & Colorado Adventure, or €20 for Taron/Black Mamba. Are there any limits to how many you can buy? Or time restrictions where you're buying a scheduled return time? Or anything else I'd need to know about buying/using them?)

It doesn't seem like there are too many rides that I'd have a hard time doing everything in two days, but are there any underrated or less-obvious things I need to make sure to make time for, outside of just marveling at the intricately-constructed and themed areas? I know some things aren't super obvious, and the interwoven paths could make it hard to find/get to certain attractions, so any tips on that front would be greatly appreciated.

Are any of the shows worth taking the time to do?

For food, I'll have breakfast at the hotel, and then I have the 3-course dinner from Restaurant Uhrwerk for Thurs night as part of my hotel package. What should I consider for lunches? And is there anything I should try to do for dinner Fri night at one of the other hotels (or in the nearby area)?

I know F.L.Y. has a super strict loose article policy like Universal or SFGAdv, but what about the other rides? Anything to consider on those fronts? Are you able to leave anything on the ride platforms, or do you have to secure everything in a zippered pocket or leave it in a locker somewhere? I'm going to hazard a guess that I wouldn't want to have a bag or anything, but I figure it's always good to ask.

Anything else I should know about? This is kind of a bucket list park for me and the main reason I started planning a trip to Germany, so I want to make sure I do it right. I do have Saturday the 25th scheduled as a rest day to do some light touring of Cologne, but I could tap into that if I absolutely had to due to some unforeseen issue with weather or ride breakdowns that prevented me from being able to ride one of the headliners.

Thanks in advance!!

[Pedrinho]

On 4/17/2022 at 12:20 AM, coasterBro said:

I know F.L.Y. has a super strict loose article policy like Universal or SFGAdv, but what about the other rides? Anything to consider on those fronts? Are you able to leave anything on the ride platforms, or do you have to secure everything in a zippered pocket or leave it in a locker somewhere? I'm going to hazard a guess that I wouldn't want to have a bag or anything, but I figure it's always good to ask.

Easy to answer. For F.L.Y., I refer to my last trip report. The loose article policy is stricter than a sports bra. You have to do everything in a locker before the final queueing undergruond. If you have anything (read: ANYTHING) in your pocket at security check, you'll be sent around the corner to your locker (EVERY rider gets a mandatory own locker), put your things in, and have to rejoin the queue at the end. There are no exceptions for zippered pockets or else.

For all other rides, it's pretty loose. There are rotating lockers for each train at Black Mamba, Taron and Raik (and maybe some other rides I don't remember) or you can leave them at the floor in the station or even take them with you. But on all other rides, you'll have zero problems with zippered pockets.

[Taylor Finn]

Hello! We are thinking of visiting the park on June 1st (Wednesday). Have a few questions:

1. We move fast, but would like to hit most all of the interesting park attractions (can skip many of the flats probably). Would a second day (or half day) be appropriate?

2. Can anyone share thoughts on the Hotel Charles Lindbergh? Some logistical questions on the hotel itself:

-Are dinner and breakfast served outside of park hours so that we can enjoy them and not take from our park time?

-Same goes with the bar... is the bar open after park close?

-I assume you are allowed to exit the hotel into the park starting at 9:00 AM? Does this offer an advantage for getting on rides before other park guests (I know rides won't open until 10)?

-Any other details, etc. on why we should / shouldn't stay there, I would appreciate. Seems like a good value all things considered 400 euro).

3. Tips for otherwise accomplishing the park?

4. The quick pass... "The pass entitles the holder to 2x faster access as a single person or 1x faster access in pairs (with accompanying person)." Can someone explain what this means? 10 euro for lesser rides and 20 euro for Taron and Black Mamba.

[Norwegian coasterfan]

4 hours ago, Taylor Finn said:

Hello! We are thinking of visiting the park on June 1st (Wednesday). Have a few questions:

1. We move fast, but would like to hit most all of the interesting park attractions (can skip many of the flats probably). Would a second day (or half day) be appropriate?

2. Can anyone share thoughts on the Hotel Charles Lindbergh? Some logistical questions on the hotel itself:

-Are dinner and breakfast served outside of park hours so that we can enjoy them and not take from our park time?

-Same goes with the bar... is the bar open after park close?

-I assume you are allowed to exit the hotel into the park starting at 9:00 AM? Does this offer an advantage for getting on rides before other park guests (I know rides won't open until 10)?

-Any other details, etc. on why we should / shouldn't stay there, I would appreciate. Seems like a good value all things considered 400 euro).

3. Tips for otherwise accomplishing the park?

4. The quick pass... "The pass entitles the holder to 2x faster access as a single person or 1x faster access in pairs (with accompanying person)." Can someone explain what this means? 10 euro for lesser rides and 20 euro for Taron and Black Mamba.

Charles Lindbergh was truly amazing, such a unique experience, I highly recommend it!

Breakfast is from 07:00 and dinner is from 18:00 to 22:00 so no problem eating outside of park opening hours. And the bar is open until 01:00.

You can enter Rookburgh from 09:00, and the area is also open in the evening for hotel guests only. (FLY is not open though, but you can get some awesome photos in the dark!) When I went they opened FLY at 09:30.

 

You should be able to complete the park in 1 day however I would recommend more time. (You get a 2 day ticket included when you stay at Charles Lindbergh) 

About the quickpass, it means you get two passes so if you are two persons it’s one pass each, or you can use both yourself.

I would recommend to skip Wakaboto as it is a very slow splash battle with all the effects removed.

[Pedrinho]

5 hours ago, Taylor Finn said:

Hello! We are thinking of visiting the park on June 1st (Wednesday). Have a few questions:

1. We move fast, but would like to hit most all of the interesting park attractions (can skip many of the flats probably). Would a second day (or half day) be appropriate?

A second day will be a definitive win for you, no matter how awesome your first day will be. Period.

[RCT3Bross]

Joining the squad of people that want to know more about staying at Charles Lindbergh hotel.

I've been trying to convince myself for over a Year just to do it. This year I have a potential date for a 2 day visit, I've been so many times to the park but never been there more then 1 day at a time. I just have a couple of questions about check-in and parking. So about parking, I know the moment you enter the street traffic gets send all to the parking space, does this hotel have a separate parking space or is it just park you car on the normal parking and just pick it up the day after?

About check-in, I only once slept at a park hotel and this was all done thanks to a third party and we didn't get tickets at the hotel (they where bought there during our stay.) So how does it work when you get tickets for the day you arrive? Do I after my arrival at the park go to the hotel and not the entrance and go from there or how does it go? I like to know this kind of stuff beforehand and knowing that  stuff also means I am going to do it. 

[Norwegian coasterfan]

15 minutes ago, RCT3Bross said:

Joining the squad of people that want to know more about staying at Charles Lindbergh hotel.

I've been trying to convince myself for over a Year just to do it. This year I have a potential date for a 2 day visit, I've been so many times to the park but never been there more then 1 day at a time. I just have a couple of questions about check-in and parking. So about parking, I know the moment you enter the street traffic gets send all to the parking space, does this hotel have a separate parking space or is it just park you car on the normal parking and just pick it up the day after?

About check-in, I only once slept at a park hotel and this was all done thanks to a third party and we didn't get tickets at the hotel (they where bought there during our stay.) So how does it work when you get tickets for the day you arrive? Do I after my arrival at the park go to the hotel and not the entrance and go from there or how does it go? I like to know this kind of stuff beforehand and knowing that  stuff also means I am going to do it. 

Parking for the hotel is across the street from the Berlin entrance I believe. And yes you go to the hotel to check in and they will give you the park tickets, (you can leave your luggage in their luggage-room) Then you come back later for the room keys as the rooms are not ready until 15:00.

[Noctew]

On 4/18/2022 at 9:03 PM, Pedrinho said:

A second day will be a definitive win for you, no matter how awesome your first day will be. Period.

Agreed. Phantasialand is normally a one day park, but for first time visitors who have not watched any of the shows yet (they usually run the same shows for multiple years) and who might want re-rides on Taron, Black Mamba and F.L.Y., two days do make sense.

[KarlaKoaster]

I've only ever done Phantasialand as a one day park and I regret it every time. I always manage to do most things but normally don't get to reride much (if anything) and/or have to miss something like Maus au Chocolat. 

[anonymouscactus]

So... I think I will be going to Germany for the first time during the middle of September, and one stop will be Phantasialand on a Wednesday or Thursday. I know this was JUST talked about, but they have shorter hours so I'm assuming the crowds will be lower, but is it absolutely a 2 day park even during what might be the slower part of the season, for a first timer? Or is it definitely 100% a two day park. Just reading in this thread I've seen waits of 45-60 min for things, and if that's the case, im definitely thinking 2 days. And if I'm thinking 2 days I'm also thinking of the Lindbergh hotel as an option.

I know it's been asked before but I'm just trying to get a feel for the park. I don't want to be spoiled by stuff so I don't want to go through this thread too much, though I did watch a documentary on FLY because I never thought I'd ever visit Germany.... but here we are. The new area looks fascinating. Outside of the new area, I know absolutely nothing. I don't want to rush in 1 day or risk missing out on anything. Just go for it? I saw there is a fast queue option but it seems to be pay per ride?

[bert425]

Having just spent 2 days there? 

I'd say it's a  park that CAN be done in 1 day - especially if you have the skip the lines passes. (worth it, buy them, even if they don't work on F.L.Y. and you need the "special upgrade ones" for Black Mamba & Taron).

so it's not "pay per ride" but each fast queue ticket is good for two rides on most things in the park - exclusions being F.L.Y. and Black Mamba/Taron.  
BUT if you get the "special upgrade" ones, those also include Black Mamba/Taron as options, along with the others. . just make sure you don't mix them up and use the more expensive special passes for rides that you can use the "regular" fast queue on.

as to F.L.Y.. . the only way to get passes (other than going on a trip there with TPR), is by staying at the Charles Lindbergh Hotel - each night stayed there, gives the guest a pass for F.L.Y. thru the special "hotel entrance" to the ride - opposite the candy store.    I'd say go there first (everyone seemed to), and queue for F.L.Y. and ride it. .then just hang around the candy store looking pathetic. . and I'll bet Hotel guests will gift you their cards.  I know on the days we were there?  I saw several hotel guests giving away the "hotel guest F.L.Y. ride cards" to folks in that area.   So you'll need a bit of luck - right place/right time.. but you might luck out.   OR later in the day, the lines seemed to die down a bit on both days we were there, with less than 30 minute waits towards the end of the day.

but you'll want 2 days for the re-rides.

the coasters:   only two real "duds" in the line up, and even those are only "duds" because they are competing with Black Mamba (best invert I've ever been on), Taron (imagine Maverick - but high up in the air), Colorado Adventure (a spectacular Mine Train that is mostly hidden, and wraps around the fantastic Chiapas water ride - seriously, two lift hills for the mine train on either side of a log flume lift!), F.L.Y. (simply stunning. . no other way to put it), and Winjas: Fear & Winjas: Force - two indoor, intertwined spinners, that have some "tricks" (tracks) up their sleeves.

in any other park?  Crazy Bats, and Raik would be decent coasters. . here they are just "meh". . tho Crazy Bats now has V.R. which made it a lot of fun to ride wearing.

the water rides are both *incredible* and will both get you incredibly wet.    so bring a pair of water shoes, and a change of clothes, as even ponchos don't help too much.   While the Chiapas flume will get you wet? it was so good, I ended up riding it 3 times in 2 days.   But River Quest - as amazing as it is?  is like getting dunked into a bathtub.    As much as I loved it?  never got on it more than that 1 time.
(in two days, I don't think I ever saw the Splash Battle. . so think it might be shut down?).

there just really are not a lot of Flats in the park (tho the ones they do have are mostly amazing - Talocan is the BEST top spin I've ever been on. . . be prepared for the # of flips, and the intensity of them.  And you'll want to ride Mystery Castle over and over, as the different sides seem to run slightly different programs).

there's also a completely WTF dark ride (Geister Rikscha) which kind of is like someone went to Disney, rode Haunted Mansion and Pirates, then mixed the order of the scenes up and added a bunch of racisim (and Japanese ghost spirits to what is supposed to be a Chinese dark ride). . . worth it, and we rode it multiple times, but WTF.   A great madhouse, a really good screen shooter ride (Maus au Chocolate), and a "never in America, as the lawsuits would shut the park down" funhouse, that I saw multiple folks take tumbles in. . . LOL. . but there was *always* a walk around for the "trick" areas for those that didn't want to do them.