Gardaland (July 2011)

[RollerCoasterSmi]

Hello,

 

I am planning to hit Gardaland in late July this year with two friends. How busy will it be at roughly this time? I am currently planning to hit these rides (in the following order):

 

Raptor

Blue Tornado

Ikarus

Fuga Da Atlantide

Mammut

Space Vertigo

Top Spin

Ortobruco Tour

Magic Mountain

Sequoia Adventure

 

Is there anything else we should check out? Should we bring our own food or buy in park? Finally should we buy the Gardaland Adrenaline Express? I'll post a trip report after I have been.

 

Cheers,

 

RollerCoasterSmith

[matteocrepaldi]

In July Gardaland is really crowded.

 

Here's some thoughts:

Mammut gets a longer line sooner than Blue Tornado which so you might want to ride it first.

I'm not a huge fan of Ikarus so I wouldn't waste time for it but, since it's really close to the park's entrance you'll find a bigger line in the morning. I would try to hit Ikarus later in the afternoon when the crouds have moved to the other side of the park.

Fuga da Atlantide has a line completely exposed to sunlight so you should try to avoid it during the hottest hours of the day.

Keep in mind that Raptor has a single rider line so it might help if you don't mind splitting the group. The problem with the single riders' queue is that it's right next to the Express entrance which means that people using the express sometimes get in the wrong line causing delays.

The area of the park from Time Voyager (Spongebob) to Magic Mountain and beyond opens later than the rest of the park. If you follow your schedule you shouldn't have problems.

Don't miss the dark rides. Ramses isn't so good but the Corsari one is excellent. Or at least I really like it and it helps relaxing a bit during those extremely hot summer days.

If you stay till closing time you have to ride Jungle Rapids and Fuga da Atlantide at night. They are beautiful in the dark.

I always bring my own food to parks. Gardaland has a couple of nice places where to eat. Probably the best is the saloon in the western area where you can eat pizza. I suggest to bring food for lunch and eat park food for dinner.

I never tried the express but the crouds are crazy in July so you might think about it.

[RollerCoasterSmi]

Thank you so much for your advice matteocrepaldi, it is a real life saver since we only have a limited time in the park since we probably are going to see a show in the evening.

 

Will definitelty follow all of your advice.

 

Thank you,

 

RollerCoasterSmith

[ginzo]

^If you're pressed for time, you might as well just eat the "counter service" food served at Gardaland. It's a heck of a lot better than the slop served at the UK parks. A panino, some gelato, you're good to go.