Photo TR: Bill's Amazing TPR UK-Euro Tour (2010)

[Nrthwnd]

After a good night's sleep, we bussed to our next Italian park, close to Gardaland...

 

Mirabilandia, boasted a really nice collection of coasters, including our ERT

on Katun, which was a really nice spread out invert. But there was another coaster

that was challenging the popularity quotient in the park. iSpeed was an awesome,

zippy launched coaster that really impressed me. And there was an in-park 'war' going on,

between iSpeed and Katun, over 'Which was The One people enjoyed the most"? It was

mainly based on merchandise sales, and I wish I wish I wish I had bought the nice RED

t-shirt available for iSpeed. (that was my choice) But I got the button, so woo hoo!

 

There was also one of those big plussed shooting dark rides here, Reset,

which I think was based on aliens attacking the USA, and you are charged with

shooting the bad guys....I think. It was fun for what it was, but getting to it

took - for - e -ver. It was located outside the park's "berm" and we walked and

walked and walked until we finally got to it. Which made a re-ride sort of

"lets do it now" or we would be walking back to it, for another long time.

So we re-rode immediately!

 

After the park, most of us bussed back to the hotel, and then went back over to

Gardaland for the evening, I, did not. I stayed back at the hotel, had a lovely

buffet dinner with Ginny (very pricy but a lot to choose from and really wonderful

desserts!) And just chilled out with bar drinks. Till everybody else got back from ML.

 

And the next morning we were back on the road again...

Katun - really lovely invert, spread over a very large area of land.

Everybody ready to go RESET. And we were only 1/2 way there!

After RESET yummy, sexy, Italian Ice Cream!

On-ride photo on iSpeed. Me, Jon and look at Robb! Without a camera in his hands!

Edited December 18, 2013 by Nrthwnd

[kidcoaster 2]

Great photos! I really hope to get to the UK sometime in the next few years!

[Nrthwnd]

^ Thanks, and the UK has some really great parks to visit, like

Chessington, Oakwood, Blackpool and Alton Towers.

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ *

 

So after another good night's sleep, (and a great buffet dinner at the Gardaland Hotel), we were off

again to Germany, but not before one more Italian park to visit....MovieLand park, one of

the more "intense" parks I have ever visited. And I believe that the heat and humidity that day

(another one like at Thorpe) certainly added to that feeling.

 

Intense, meaning at least two of the park's attractions made you wonder

how safe you really were on them. More on them in a bit...

 

The park had two coasters, but one unfortunately, wasn't built yet. And the other one, a small kiddie

dragon coaster, was still being finished up and put together, when we showed up. And we rode it! Shameless...

 

There was a top spin called Tomb Raider machine, a old-fashioned freefall ride called Hollywood Tower,

and something called Terminator 5D, which made me think, what in the heck is 5D all about?

It was basically a standing, shoot'em up attraction, with a lot of holograms and shaking platforms involved.

 

And then there was U-571 Submarine Simulator which for all of it, allowed the park to DUMP a good

truckful of WATER onto everybody, inside the small enclosed "vehicle." I passed, and saw many drenched

people coming out, including those from our group, most of whom absolutely loved it! Maybe next time, uh huh.

 

The other 'intense" attraction, and the one I did ride, was Magma 2, a truly insane "New amazing

adventures on off-road trucks" (so says the park's map). Basically you're in a truck, no seat belts on, and

taken through a literal mine field of "special effects" both physical...and very watery. With one bump down

a steep hill, I really thought my body was going to throw itself out of the truck, LOL! The water didn't

help, either. But hey - I rode it and it is definitely one attraction to test one's gut and body from start to finish.

 

There was also a water park nearby, and although I really wished I could have gone there for a good swim and

slide, I wasn't going to be able to (see page 1). So I headed back to the bus, grabbed what shade I could in

the parking lot (not much,either, and the bus shade wasn't much and the bus wasn't air-conditioned yet),

checked out the VIP bus that I wasn't in (pretty snazzy it was) of the two busses we used, and in time, we

were off on the road again, heading for other countries and a few new (for me) credits along the way...

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ *

 

Unfortunately, this is other one of those days I just didn't think to pull out my camera, take shots, etc. of

MovieLand. So here's an inside view of the VIP BUS, all ready to par-tay!

The (VIP) bus I didn't ride in, on the tour. Had a stash place for booze etc. Very chic.

[gisco]

My daughter was bummed that we didn't do U-571. By the time we decided to do it the line was too long and we only had a half day at the park.

[Groteslurf]

Just discovered this report. Love it.

About I corsari, the underwater part is so weird but at the same time excellent. It's like being really underwater.

Something U571 does in reality

[PKI Jizzman]

Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares' Glass House episode is on BBC America pretty much every day. Really cool you got to go there!

[Nrthwnd]

^ Not sure is this is the correct thread you're responding to, but "thanks" all the same.

 

So, now we headed into Germany, through a rather $$$ rest stop in Switzerland (country credit!).

Breathtaking mountainous scenercy to travel through, and we did it in the daytime!

 

We stayed at a favourite hotel on the TPR tour circuit, Colossus, and enjoyed some morning ERT on the

(then) newest coaster to debut at Europa Park....Blue Fire! A really nice launched coaster,

it had one of the easiest restraint systems I had even seen. And it followed your heart beat through

the ride! A very nice touch.

 

The whole park is really an amazing assortment of areas, rides, shopping and dining available to the gp.

I could easily spend two days in Europa, just relaxing and discovering new things to see and do, just like

the Disney parks. I still haven't had any raclette yet, but eventually, eventually...

 

There are all sorts of things to do for every member of the family - and this is where I also had my

second re-taping and bandaging on my back, due to more of the same hot, humid weather. The people at

Europa's Medical Centre were very nice, even though we couldn't understand each other that much

(limited English for them; no German for me), it was all taken care of, fast and efficiently. Thank you Europa!

 

There was a group dinner at the Colossus' buffet dinner restaurant after our park visit, and as always, it

was wonderful! With a mariachi band strolling around the diners. Random but awesome, too. (o:

Blue Fire at Europa. Great coaster and an equally awesome seating system

that didn't feel uncomfortable at all.

Here's a group of us, waiting to go on the nifty Matterhorn Blitz, a great Mack wild mouse coaster.

And waiting in queue for Euro Mir. Hi guys!

Me showing off my tattoo that is akin to the park's family coaster, Pegasus!

Lou and me, outside the park's haunted swing ride, Cassandra's Curse.

Front of the Colossus hotel art. With water!

[kidcoaster 2]

Ah Europa I miss it so... nice photos.

[Nrthwnd]

And on we go....

 

Now, before we were to visit Europa, and after we were there, there were two others parks, originally in the planning, that had to be scrapped in the final schedule.

 

Connyland, the first park, was debuting it's newest coaster that year, and it was a really mind-bender of a track layout. I know there's photos of Cobra on the site. But the coaster was having initial start up probs, so it was decided not to waste time and gasoline, then find out it's not operating. Still.

 

The second, Holiday Park was the home of the much-admired, ridden and almost ICON-ified (me too!) Expedition GeForce. And although I had ridden it before, in an earlier TPR tour, the chance to ride it again, was exciting. Sadly, and we all knew it when the tour started, EG would be a no-go due to an unexpected maintenance re-scheduling that would have it down for our entire visit. So HP was cancelled as well.

 

But Robb and Elissa of course had been working on getting us "something" to replace these two cancelled parks, and they came up with a literal doozie - the travelling Olympic Looping Coasrter!

 

After a morning and early afternoon back at Europa (ERT on Euro Sat and Euro Mir!), we checked out and were then on our way to get to this "mystery location" not everybody was in on, including myself. And eventually, we arrived at this small German village that was apparently doing a sort-of Oktoberfest celebration....in July! A "first keg opening with the mayor" and all. A big food and beer tent were to be where our next meal would be had. But more importantly...

 

Olympic Looping Coaster was here!

 

A small midway was set up, and as well as Olympic, a huge ferris wheel was there, with 'cabins' that probably seated 8 quite comfy. And gave a great view of the celebration site, the village and beyond.

 

And a dark ride, a flume, a "Psychodelic" walk-through (mirrors, black lights...was trippy, ha ha), and many many flats, and many many food stalls. It was another very warm day that day, and I know if I over ate, I would pay for it. So I stuck with what we got in the food tent. And beer.

 

We got ERT on Olympic, which for many was a real thrill. I wish I could have ridden it at least a couple more times, but the heat was getting to me, and I needed shade, soon. But I wouldn't trade that one ride for anything, Thank You Robb and Elissa!

I got Beer!!! Inside the food and drink tent.

Our happy little table.

Yay, dark ride! It was pretty good too, with a live guy outside scaring us on the ride, and those watching, with a spider on a long, long, pole, hee hee.

The Wheel. I had never been on one of these types/styles of ferris wheels. And I shared a cabin with a nice family from France...

...who took a pic of my furry mug, inside the cabin we were in. Thanks unknown family!

Looking down on the site. Big white roof there was our meal tent.

There it is, in all it's glory.

We got off, and then these three ugly guys get on! Open your eyes, Fraaaaaaan!

One more shot of The Big O, before we headed on to our next hotel and park.

[Nrthwnd]

~ Phantasia Land will Amaze-ia....Man?

 

Eh, I tried. PL is a great place with lots of thrills along side plenty

of 'cheese' for every taste in theme park attractions. We only had one

day for everything, and then we headed to our last 'official tour hotel'

and park.

 

And since I was here before in the 2008 TPR Tour, a few things have changed since

that last visit. And oh yes, The World Cup. Germany was playing another team (Netherlands?)

on the day we were leaving the new (then) Phantasia Land's African-themed Hotel, amid

a lot of other locals outside waiting for results etc. I believe Germany won. Loud honking

of cars ensued. And we left on our bus, away from Phantasia Land.

 

But first. Here's a list of faves and WTFs I re-visited at the park...

 

(Also, the pirate-faerie Peter Pan-like indoor-outdoor-whatever ride was down, and the

building was already in place for what was to become Maus Au Chocolat. But we

were way too early for that opening. The building had just gone up, and peeking through

cracks you could see nothing had really been started, just yet. And the monorail was

down too . But that was okay. Next visit...)

 

Hollywood Tour - a Classic Cheese Epic dark ride, in water. And King Kong, too!

Colorado Adventure - A (RIP) Michael Jackson Approved Mine Train coaster! And

it's actually a pretty zippy mine train, too. best seats were in the back, IMhO.

Silbermine - which starts out as Western mining and ends up with the Mexican

Independence Revolution! And all viewed from your slow - moving - slowly - and ever -

so - slowly - car. (Omnimover for slowpokes.)

Mystery Castle - enclosing a full drop tower. Brilliant! And make it sudo-Frankenstein

too with flashing light and trips cycle patterns. A great ride.

Winja's Force & Fear - an indoor pair of coasters, each with differing track

layout, and sometimes coming parallel to each other. And they spin too! With a bit of

'surprise' in each, near the end of the ride .

Sionewash & Wildwash Creek - the 2 flume rides! I only got to ride one, but it was really

great weaving in and out of nice, fake rock work. (o; Now they're both gone , but being

replaces by a brand new water......"something." Looking forward to 'it' in ta future tour.

River Quest - I loved a water raft ride being totally isolated like an island above ground!

Starting with a WTF elevator lift, and it's all wet and downhill from there! A whirlpool, a great

drop, rapids ... all great. Will ride again, next visit.

Black Mamba - it does what Nemesis does, laying low into most of the ground, but like

a snake, it undulates and inverts all around the amazing themeing and amazed gawkers, as well.

A great coaster, and equally staggering themeing through-out. and I LOVE THE LIFTHILL!

Feng Ju Palace - one of the more unique themed mad house - to China and legend. It''s

honestly one my most favourites of all of these I have been on, around the world. Very classy.

Race For Atlantis - more cheese, and not as funny. Old 4D movie with very shaky ride cars.

and ending with

Temple of The Night Hawk - and indoor coaster that, with this visit, had several of the

lighting effects not working, and sadly it felt like most of the ride was in the dark. Oh

well. Maybe a future revisit will be changes visit.

Winja's Track in Wuzeville.

With a Winja on it! Woo hoo!

Mmmmm make mine a Black Mamba.....no sugar.

Me and a model of the hotel, we were then staying in! Really close to the park, as much as the Chinese themed hotel was, on the 2008 visit. Love love LOVE on-site hotels!

Me and Jon with _______ between us. Probably from Wuzeville. Or maybe Africa? I'm confused.

"Fraaaaaaan" and Friends coming back the station after a Wash/Stone Creek fluming. (I forget which one)

I liked how eventually, the water fountain just enclosed the middle display at the front here. Slowly. And effortlessly.

Nostalgia Time. That's probably the only way you/we will ever see the word

FILM again - on art deco signs. And it was a nice photo setup, too.

One of my fave photos from this tour.

Waiting to get out, get the luggage on the bus, get the bus out of town...that's tiring just saying that!

And another snoozer here. Soon to be probably sleeping on the bus as well, lol.

Edited March 20, 2014 by Nrthwnd

[Nrthwnd]

Our last 'official' park on the tour was one I was really looking forward to coming back to.

Efteling is one of those parks that combines family rides and thrill rides with an

enormous amount of attention to making sure the surrounding themeing and landscaping

make it such a beautiful park to move around in, even if you don't ride a single ride!

 

Our ERT that morning was on the park's newest coaster creations, Joris en de Draak,

a family sized racing coaster that everybody enjoyed riding again and again...and again!

One of the neatest parts of all of it for myself, was when the banners came down in the

station for the "winning team", returning back. A very fun touch.

 

Of course, Efteling had a lot more to enjoy on this return visit for some of us. There was

Bobban (nicknamed "BOB") a nice bobsled coaster; Vliegende Hollander, a water coaster

with a great indoor beginning of special effects and lighting....but the outdoor coaster

part was simple, and not too scary for most. With a splashdown too!; Vogel Rock, the

park's totally indoor coaster; Python, an old Vekoma looper...

 

One thing I have always noticed about this park is the many, many, many merry-go-rounds

and carousels it had. The main one was in a wonderful ornate building, that not only had

the ride, but a wonderful display of miniatures, and a mini-musical water show as well.

 

Here's some of the first photos I took in the park. With so much film left in the camera,

I took the most photos in this park of any others, therefore two parts. (This has since changed,

with my new digital camera, lol.)

 

Part 2 tomorrow. For now, enjoy....

A great "what time is it in..." setup in the Efteling Hotel.

You sort of get the idea of what you're in for, at the park.

Joris en de Draak, with an amazing AA of a Big Dragon in there!

This is the original first mad house in Europe, with so much themeing in it - Villa Volta, one of my all-time

fave mad houses in the world. Does not disappoint, even if you don't understand the language.

Group shot in front of Droomvlucht, an awesome suspended rail-type ride that takes you into gorgeous

settings and scenes from the Efteling faerie world. Worth re-rides and had a pretty steady queue all day long.

I found Canada! In the (sort of) IAsM attraction called Carnaval Festival. Big on un-PC-ness,

but colourful and the theme song was almost as memorable and annoying, as that "other ride's theme song"

Me and Jon in front of the beautiful facade on the building housing the main merry-go-round in the park.

I wish we could have stayed into the evening, to see this all lit up. And much more inside, besides the ride, too.

Here's one of the miniatures displays they had inside the same building.

And another. So intricate and attention to detail. Really awesome stuff!

A closer look at the workings of how the music came out of this merry-go-round.

Like a player piano, sheet music and all!

The ride itself, with some really unusual animals and riding vehicles (that rocked and tilted) while going round and round.

Back outside - and how many merry-go-rounds can you count in this photo?

I felt like Efteling had a "record" of how many of these, were in a single park. Easy winner!

[Nrthwnd]

~ Efteling visit - Part 2 ~

 

The rest of the park photos posted, include the train ride you can take around most of the park, which was nice and relaxing. I also enjoyed another ride on the equally-relaxing Gondoletta, a tow boat ride around Efteling's big lake. After that, a simple snack (egg rolls!) and then back to the hotel, ready to head out again, towards our final hotel on the tour.

 

(Our final dinner together, and souvenirs, I'll be posting after The Day comes and goes.)

 

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

The train engineer actually knew Vancouver quite well, and had relatives in BC! He was the one who also took the pic of me and Jon in front of the enclosed merry-go-round building facade. A very nice guy.

One of the views from the train - Fata Morgana, like Pirates of the Caribbean only more un-PC, and all Arabian Nights kind of. Cheesy, but fun.

I took this in the Storybook Garden, as it looked like 'somebody' was about to give birth!

And I got my coin from the shi**** donkey! Put a coin in front, tail goes up, coin pops out, LOL!

Ah yes, colours of the season. Sort of. They were just wandering around, showing off.

This was fun. A gaggle of geese (that right?) "on parade" for onlookers.

Gondoletta - a tow boat ride, that travels all around this lake in the park. Another relaxing attraction to enjoy.

The couple I rode with, was nice enough to let me take a pic between them, lol.

Egg rolls and Coke! What better way to enjoy the end of a visit to Efteling.

In the hotel lobby. Stuff I got from the park (plant not included). And it's on Table #53! My birth year. Cool!

And here's the on-ride photo of Jon and myself in Efteling's un-pc ride, Carnaval Festival.

[Nrthwnd]

Our farewell Dinner

 

Our final day together was composed of driving from Efteling to a hotel close to the Schipoldt Airport in Amsterdam. Freshened up a bit, and then we headed out to our last dinner together. It was Italian (as only the Dutch can do it ), it was good, and ended all too soon for all of us. There would still be some 'extra credits" searched out the next day, but for that night, it was one more time together.

My roomies for this tour - Fraaaaaaan! (UK) and Terry (rest of Europe).

Thanks for putting up with me, guys. Big Hugs!

Jon and me. We have done a lot of tours together, haven't we?

See you again (and we did) on future tours, buddy!

My table in the restaurant. Such a chic looking group here.

General view of the restaurant we were in.

Jeff and Ginny, with me hovering above. Great seeing you guys again. And Ginny. You're the best! <3

Me and The Alvey clan. Robb looks 'slightly' menacing here,

while Kristen has other things to do. And me and Elissa - we smile!

Another view of everybody.

Here's a happy tour table!

And another one!

And one more. (o:

[Nrthwnd]

Duinrell - Bonus Park and Credits!

or, "There is Life Beyond a TPR Tour"

 

After our final dinner, and final night at the airport hotel, several of us stayed an extra night,

with plans to visit one (or both) of a couple of parks nearby, Drievlet and Duinrell parks.

Which of course meant extra credits, Yoo hoo! I had already gotten the Drievlet credits in the

TPR 2008 Europe Tour (where Formule-X was the standout surprise of the tour). So I only went

to Duinrell with everybody else, then they took off from there for Drivelet, and I went back

to the hotel for a nice dinner and just chilling out! Which was very nice to do.

 

The park itself is typical of a a "camping resort" thing for families. Tent space, camper space

and even cabins are available for a complete outdoorsy kind of get-a-way. And for some of

them, a small attached amusement park to make children, teenagers, and "a few adults"

a bit less moody and 'dull', heh.

 

It's also funny - I started this tour with a Eurofighter (Rage in Adventure Island UK), and now I

am ending the tour with another Eurofighter - Falcon. "Things that make you go...hmm."

Great coaster, a literal copy of the layout of Rage, but that was okay. The paint scheme of the

coaster was awesome as it really held together in it's look, with all the trees and greenery around it.

On our way to Bonus Parks and CREDITS!

In Duinrell, and Falcon behind us. Love the colour scheme of it.

A look at Falcon in action, A really nice Eurofighter.

The results of the park's splashdown boat ride. Totally covered (like in a few Japan parks)

but the water still gets you on your back! Ewwwww,

I love these things. Took for - e - ver to load. But it was a good long almost-sickening cycle, woo hoo!

Me and "what's your name?" behind me (o; on the other Duinrell coaster, Kikkerachtbahn

(long name for a short family coaster). And the on-ride photo was e-mailed to me. Cool!

[Nrthwnd]

It's Souvenirs Time!

 

So, to (almost) end this trip report, here's the collection of stuff

I managed to pack away and bring back with me.

 

Lots of paper, including those all-important (most of the time)

park maps. And mugs and magnets and ...stuff.

The Pile, after unpacking everything.

Close up on the right..

Close up on the left.

Got these at Fantasy Island, Skegness. Gnomes on trash cans...a perfect match!

Voila! Unfortunately, they only lasted a few months, then began peeling away from the container.

Where a few of the tour's magnets showed up. The three (below the multi-coloured rectangle)... The Valhalla "wet group shot" at Blackpool; Efteling; and Gardaland.

The mugs and drinking containers! And yes, I do bring back water bottles that are park-branded too. This one was from Efteling. And the ridiculously tall one on the left, was from PhantasiaLand. And many, many slushies that day, too.

Couple of VooDoo dolls and pair of boots. First one, I actually forget. Second one is from the Mumbo Jumbo Gift shop at the coaster's exit, in FlamingoLand. And Boots belong to The Giant in Efteling Park's FairyTale Forest walk-around. It's really nice, and worth the extra time, away from rides. And it has the sh**ing donkey too! (o:

[Moose]

I'm reading this non my phone so there are no phot captions, so bear that in mind. I was appalled when I saw the trash can thinking someone made you throw away all your loot. I'm glad that that wasn't the case.

 

 

Do you have all of your souvenirs displayed in the house somewhere?

[Nrthwnd]

^ Not all of them, Jon. It's turned into a 'stock rotation' thing with me, every year

after a tour. The useable stuff I try to keep close by, like in the kitchen. But still,

I think the (I'll call them) "worst collection" I have, is alllll of those capsule machine

toys I have picked up, especially on the Japan tours. Those and cellphone 'things'

are about to be all bagged up and tagged using the various tour years I can remember, lol.

And for you Jon - a 'special collection' I have on display in the kitchen. (o;

[Moose]

That's a good number of ducks!

 

I used a number of my cellphone charms as Christmas ornaments!

[Nrthwnd]

^ I have too, in the last few years of Christmas. But I was sort of getting bored with

not changing them. So - they'll all come off this time... And new charms will take their place, lol!

[Nrthwnd]

So - at the end of this trip report, I want to sum it all up by thanking a lot of people

who helped me through this trip.

 

To Robb and Elissa, thank you so much for another unique tour. And for Olympic Looping Coaster, too!

To my room mates Fran and Terry - thanks for sharing my stress and rooming habits.

To Ginny, who took care of me when I needed it, and didn't give me no fuss. BearHugs!

And many thanks to the two Medical Centres' Staff (Thorpe;Europa) who also took good care of me. (o:

 

And to everybody on this tour - what an intense whirlwind of stuff we saw and rode!

Great to see a lot of you again, make new tour friends, and make this TPR Tour as

different as any of the others we've done, yes?

 

Next year, I go back to Scandinavia and repeat most of the 2009 TPR Tour there.

Can't wait till June, but in the mean time....

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!

And have an Awesome 2014!

And remember Miles - "We'll always have Infusion".