Tripreport TPR Europe Trip 2010

[hansrubens]

Hi everyone,

 

I finally found some time to publish my view on the 2010 TPR Europe trip. I want to thank all participants for making this trip awesome.

 

I used all kinds of transportation on this trip, train, planes and automobiles. First we had to get to London, I travelled together with EB and Martijn and we decided to take the train to London which was a first time for me. To kill some time EB started to count all of the tunnels that we took... I lost count. After all kinds of delays and stuff we arrived in London. EB and me planned a tourist day for ourselves a day ahead of the trip. Martijn went to Alton Towers with Jordan (themeparkman25) that day. I still don't know if they ever met.

 

So after a day of sightseeing in a bloody hot London we moved on to the first hotel of the trip and joined the rest of the group.

 

Transportation and London pictures.....

We gathered at Schiphol airport.

But not to travel by airways.

We took the train to Brussel and from there the Eurostar to London.

Going through the pictures the journey is a lot shorter. Arrival in London.

The tourist day..... The obvious pictures...

In future update there will be a lot more "faces".

Why is always everything wrapped up when I come to visit?

I believe someone important is living here.

Look at all the flowers.

I spy an eye.

Next update will contain Thorpe Park.

Edited February 3, 2011 by hansrubens

[Groteslurf]

Great Hans,

 

subscribing to this thread right now

[robinschroder]

When I travelled back from Schiphol to London by train, I also went up onto the viewing area; it must surely be one of the last remaining airport viewing areas left - most are closed for security reasons!

 

Counting down to the hotly anticipated 'Are you an American? Are you nice?' photos...! Dank u wel!

[vuurvogel]

I will follow this report closely. Was a great day in London, we have had our holiday exercise that day. Must have walked 30 miles or so. But the weather was nice and London is a great city to walk around. Especially along the thames (it was a hot day).

[themeparkman25]

Martijn went to Alton Towers with Jordan (themeparkman25) that day. I still don't know if they ever met.

 

Hahaha, nope. Missed my train north and didn't have a means to get in touch the rest of the day. Looking forward to this report, though, Hans. Looks like I am going to have to wait on mine until you finish yours! I am particularly excited for one specific section spanning one specific night on one specific bus ride.

[hansrubens]

^^

 

The observation platform at Schiphol is indeed really awesome.

 

 

^^

^

 

I have absolutely o frikkin idea which night you're talking about.

 

I'm not even sure if I can post all those bus pictures without proper permission...

 

 

 

---Hans

[robinschroder]

I count myself very lucky - even if those pictures never surface, you did actually show a few of us sat next to you that night on the bus!

[STR8FXXXINEDGE]

This is great, Hans! I'm really looking forward to the rest of your updates.

 

Oh yeah, I talked to everyone from the trip and they have all OK'ed you to post their bus photos.

[hansrubens]

^

 

Ok in that case I thinking about posting them.

 

 

Day minus 1 on the Europetrip - Thorpe Park.

 

I heard so much negative comments on this park. Like being the european Six Flags America! But I was positively surprised by park operations friendliness and downtime on rides.

 

We encountered just one breakdown and that was almost at closing on Stealth (surprise!). And there was a positive breakdown on the Swatter. We went up and we went down just like I wanted that ride to be after the Bar time the night before.

 

Overall it was a very nice day at Thorpe Park even with the park being quite busy but the England - Germany game in the afternoon kepped the lines short. Thanks World Cup!!!

 

 

---Pictures

On arrival.

We first headed out for some ERT on Saw.

Third seat, Second row. Best seat to ride.

I do count it.

and I think some other members do aswell.

The theming is pretty decent around here.

This must be the tamest rapids out there.

It was more like a towboat ride.

Well I guess that's how we Europeans like it. A nice boat ride and not getting soaked.

To stay in the waterride section.

living next to Saw.

It even goes through a forest.

Being a thrill park there are some more gentle rides too.

I liked the swatter just being used as an elevator.

Walkthrough mazes becoming a trend in themepark industry.

And this is a pretty good one too.

What about?

I don't know if I'm alone in this but I really liked this ride.

Especially this part.

Englands darkest coaster.

Mini dragster!!

There is some strong airtime on the last hump.

During downtime.

The Claw.

Nemesis Inferno.

Maybe my favorite coaster at Thorpe.

Especially the prelift part. I never knew of it's excistance.

ERT

Everyone's excited!!

At night we had dinner at this castle. My first encounter with Wagamama and it's true it's amazing.

That dog is about to shit the castle!!!

[larrygator]

I double checked, everyone on the bus granted permission for you to post the pictures. I even have the waiver forms that they signed.

[robinschroder]

I really like the pre-lift bit on Nemesis Inferno too! As a park, I guess it can suffer a bit by comparison to its UK 'sister' Alton Towers (with its unique location, layout, and a certain magic in the air), but Thorpe Park definitely do have some good rides!

[samisthabomb]

Wow, I want to go to Thorpe Park now more than ever! Nemesis Inferno just looks awesome. It's pretty cool that you guys got to eat in that castle. Great TR!

[hansrubens]

^

Well we did not literally eat in that castle but across the street from it.

 

Europetrip day 1 - Gardaland.

 

We had an very early flight from London to Milan. It was even too early to take any pictures of it or maybe I was just too lazy. Everything went smooth and we arrived around 14:00 at Gardaland to spent the rest of the day.

 

We had a very warm welcome by Bruno with drinks and crisps/chips and we received front of the line passes. Gardaland is a very good themed park, very detailed. Nice selection of rides and this time there even was a good rapids ride.

 

We spent two days at the park. Actually it was an afternoon and an evening and the next day late afternoon after coming back from Mirabilandia. At night on the second day we had an excellent meal at a local Italian pizza joint. Too bad I forgot to document it!! Luckily I've learned from my American friends that it's very important to document your food. I think that the pictures of that meal will appear on the board in a while.

 

pictures.....

On arrival. Warm welcome by Gardaland.

Cool beer after a long journey.

The whole park is beautiful.

Nice.

Nicer.

Wet.

One of the few Flying Islands in the World.

Ouch.

Not the best SLC.

But it has this very super smooth bonus helix.

Terminator-Mummy the ride. This was such a weird experience but awesome.

How to score your points at Terminator Mummy.

Jordan must have felt at home.

Just like Colorado you can just leave your stuff outside.

Splash.

Restaurant where we ate on the first day.

Vekoma Madhouse.

Maybe the most well known ride of the park.

Not the proper way to ride a coaster.

Newest coaster uptil now.

Going up the hill.

Global warming?

It was a very long mine train. I didn't liked it at all on the first day but on the second day in the evening it was pretty good.

Some of the kids area theming.

Credit # 300 for me!!!

and what a credit it is. I wonder if everybody counted it.

Yep that's me riding it.

And the last credit at the park. This Vekoma is equipped with the new restraint system.

And it's awesome. it gives a much smoother ride.

[themeparkman25]

Too bad I forgot to document it!! Luckily I've learned from my American friends that it's very important to document your food. I think that the pictures of that meal will appear on the board in a while.

 

Don't worry about it, Hans. Chris and I have you covered. Give it time and we will post the pictures, I am sure. And yes, I did feel at home riding "Colorado Adventure", I see bears, Native Americans and wood stoves right now! Good thing I got the culture break, I was feeling the pressures of Italian time. haha.

 

Looking forward to your next update, sir.

[hansrubens]

Next update...

 

Day 2 - Mirabilandia

 

 

This is one of my favorite parks in europe. They have 2 world class coasters and some unique rides and besides that the rides are often operated by a hot Italian chick!

 

I-speed was a big surprise to me, I did not expect that it would be that good. Some of the group even rated it "best in the world". I must say that you have to anticipate to the sudden turns to avoid a nasty collision with the OTSR but after a few laps and knowing the layout that's not a problem at all.

 

It was quite busy at the park but with the V-passes it was no problem at all. There were a lot of rides included in the queuebot system. Thanks for that.

 

----Pictures....

Good sign!

Beautiful.

We started the day with ERT on Katun.

Which is not a bad thing I guess.

hmmm distracted?

Mounting camera... check!

Going down the first turn.

How was that ride?

Katun is really special.

World's most spread out B&M invert?

Loopy goodness.

0GGGGGG

This park has a huge ferris wheel.

The most male unfriendly crazy mouse out there!

but they still dare to ride it.

I guess people will just do anything to get that extra credit.

They placed it in a secret place so coaster enthausiast can easily ride it without being laughed at.

We couldn't even find the exit of it.

This one is less hidden though!

Autosplash.

The ride with many signs.

It's cool cause it's a waterride and you can actually drive a car.

Coming down the final hill.

Reset: dark ride shooter.

In post apocalliptic style.

I didn't got anything from the storyline though.

What the heck is going on?

There was some kind of vote between Katun and Ispeed.... The last one won IMHO.

No report without rapids.

I can't remember how good this one was.

I spot members.

It's the crew.

Now of to Ispeed.

This ride got it all. 1. A powerfull launch.

2. Cool tophat.

From a distance.

3. A set of good headchopping inversions.

4. TPR members riding it.

Breakrun.

And most importantly.... A V-Pass (queue-bot) entrance!!

[robinschroder]

Ah - the good old iSpeed vs Katun debate! Even though I expected myself to feel the other way around, I actually would say Katun wins... although iSpeed is very very close behind! Great that they have both! iSpeed is like Blue Fire on very very powerful steroids - I loved all of those "I can't believe it just did that at such (h)i(gh) speed!" moments! Dank u wel!

[vuurvogel]

I can't remember how good this one was.

 

It was at least the wettest one we did this summer. But that did not matter because of the heat. You dried in an instant.

[hansrubens]

Day 3 - Movie Studios Park

 

 

Movie Studios is a part of Caneva World Italy which also contains Aqua Paradise and a rip off Hardrock cafe. This time I only visited Movie Studios cause I did visit the waterpark back in 2007. BTW The waterpark is awesome with some crazy airtime filled slides if you're ever in the opportunity visit this waterpark.

 

We stayed for a short period of time cause we had a 7 hour drive to Europapark ahead. I still managed to do all the big rides so that was no problem at all.

 

I think the best ride at moviepark is U-571. I didn't know what to expect but the Italian ride op said before we entered in a completely screwed up Italian accent "This ride is like a shower". Stupid as a I was I didn't believed him. After the first instruction you're being consorted in a big hall were the Sub is lying in the harbor. After a few moments you hear Airplanes coming and they're dropping bombs which causes big splashes in the water. At this time you're told to run to the sub and quickly take a seat. That was just crazy running on slippery a slippery floor and steps. I wonder if anything ever happened there? Now you're in the sub and told to sit down shut up and hold on. Then it starts tilting like diving the lights go out, hose is being turned on and you're being in a "shower" for minutes and coming out completely soaked. Amazing ride!!!!

 

All the rides at Movie Studios are in a way screwed up but then again that makes it fun right?

 

Let's do some pictures.....

 

bus drive is getting close!!!!

There were a lot of school kids.

But was no problem at all.

Hollywood Studios Italy.

Next door is also an amazing waterpark.

Enter here if you're looking for water.

Amazing slides.

Back to the studios. Terminator.

I'm still confused by that extra D.

Sadly this is the only picture I have of Das Boot

There is even a credit for the sad and pathetic ones.

I was one of them.

Getting killed in a truck driven by a crazy Italian.

Good luck!!

Horror House with good actors.

One of the last standing 1st gen drop towers.

Edited January 7, 2011 by hansrubens

[hansrubens]

Onboard video of U-571

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhXHOs72T9I

[LoopLover]

I am a bit surprised that the Saw sign warns that the actors "May touch you"

 

I have been in a few scare mazes but have never had an actor touch me, In Universals House of Horrors the actors don't even come near you never mind touch you! The closest actor to me was the 6 foot guy who was playing mother from Psycho, but you know he is coming!

 

This maze sounds scary!

 

 

Stephen - Visit the dungeons, no touching, few scares, more fun! - Hamilton

 

Oh, and great report and pictures!

[hansrubens]

Day 4 - Europapark

 

After driving through the beautiful (and expensive, sorry can't help it I'm Dutch ) Switzerland we arrived in Europapark.

 

What can I say about the best themed park in Europe. It has it all good food, top notch hotel, great theming and amazing rides. This was my 4th visit to the park but I still find rides places I haven't seen before.

 

Blue Fire is still one of my favorite coasters in Europe. I rode it before Ispeed and I still like this coaster but I can imagine if you first rode Ispeed then this was maybe a bit of a let down.

 

I didn't take that much pictures but I'll show them anyway.

Let's start with the rapids ride.

Mr. Cool.

Wave pool.

Most pictures are taken from the skyride.

Like this one. Silverstar crawling to the top.

We had morning ERT with the light on in that Epcot like building.

Atlantica Supersplash. Is it a credit or not?

Let's take a close look at the splash. Boat is coming down.

Hitting the water.

Splash starting to build.

Oh yeah.

Oh god where the hell are the life guards?

I think they're coming!!

Make way, make way.

Maybe sledding is less dangerous.

At least you can't drown. Right guys?

Swim, swim!!!

See no water involved.

Lovely town of Rust.

Children play area.

Somewhere down there is the haunted mansion.

French part. next up: Wurzburg fair!!!

[robinschroder]

Great pictures of a great park! Europa Park is so well thought-out - the kind of place that you can have a great time without even riding very much... and, of course, an even better time when you do!

 

next up: Wurzburg fair!!!

[vuurvogel]

Haunted House, with the excellent doorman. Right Hans

[hansrubens]

^

 

Yep he spit me right in the crotch.

 

 

Day 5 - Wurzburg Fair Olympia Looping

 

 

Because of the absence of Expedition Geforce we detoured towards Wurzburg for the yearly Kiliani fair. The holy grail of coaster enthusiasts made his appearance and we were all thrilled to ride this monster.

It certainly did not disappoint man what a great coaster. Very, very forceful and it's a beauty to see.

 

Besides the coaster and other ride stuff there was this big beer tent with all crazy German stuff happening. I didn't see the ceremony of opening of the fair cause I went to a local bar with Eric to see the worldcup match between Holland and Brazil (that didn't disappoint either!!) After the match we joined the group again in the tent. We drank a few beers ate awesome german food and went to the bus.... well that's the short version.

 

I'll just show the pictures....

On arrival the mighty Olympia Looping.

We were all excited.

Loopons.

TPR!!!!

The beer tent. This is already after the worldcup match. I forgot to document the fantastic afternoon with Eric.

Nice.

Beer!!!

Where are they all looking at?

It must be exciting.

Rules: 1. Drink a lot of beer 2. try to climb the pole and ring the bell. It was really fun to watch!!

I think it was not easy to do.

Larry getting instructions of some locals.

There he goes.

I can't remember if he made it. Let's just pretend he did.

A few beers later.

Don't know what's going on.

Great!! Reserved places.

We all remember her!!

Because of her delicious pretzels.

What's up Dave?

We were happy cause the Orange Squad defeated Brazil!! Next up the legendary bus drive.

[robinschroder]

Great Würzburg pictures! I still find it hard to believe how such a huge coaster as Olympia Looping is transportable! Very much looking forward to the next instalment...