Europe 2016 - Robb & Elissa Traveling Around Riding Stuff

[robbalvey]

Europa is like if Epcot, Magic Kingdom, and Port Aventura were literally smashed together into one park, that also had the fastest operations in the world. Ya'll are going to have so much fun and as usual I'm super jealous and desperate to go back!

This is a perfect description of it! To me, there are three resorts in the world that are hard to top and set the bar for the rest of the parks around the planet....

 

Asia = Tokyo Disney Resort

Europe = Europa Park

USA = Walt Disney World

 

IMO, those are the top three.

[robbalvey]

Starting later this afternoon we will be live tweeting from Europa Park! Follow us: www.twitter.com/themeparkreview

[GeorgeT]

Hey guys !

 

Wish you all a great time at Europa !

 

Some thoughts because you haven`t been there for a while: Apart from Arthur and all the new shows: Don`t miss the "enhanced" Kolumbus Dinghy, the "enhanced" Whale Adventures, the new spices restaurant with a great veranda at the Raftig. Regarding Wodan: First drop last row is amazing. If you`re asking kindly most of Wodan`s operators allow you to chose the row! I`m very excited to hear your opinion about Wodan now that it broke in an running on those faster steel wheels. Of course late rides are remarkably faster. Besides: There are several new effects in the haunted castle, too.

 

Last but not least: There is a very nice and special bar HIDDEN (!) in hotel Bell Rock. It`s called "Roland`s Lodge". Not easy to find, it`s somewhere UNDER the Ammolite restaurant. Of course all the workers in the hotel can show you the way. There`s only place for about 30 people which creates a nice and intimate atmosphere IMHO. Highly recommended

 

Have fun !

 

GeorgeT

[DefeatistNation]

Robb, I'm sure it has been covered but can you give some insight on why Expedition is your all time favorite coaster?

[Mrenata]

I really, really didn't like Europa Park when I visited the park back in 2012.

 

In my opinion what makes a park stand out is the hability to make a single, foreigner visitor to feel welcome and included all the time. Most parks around the world rely on the fact that their visitors are there mainly to hang out with their friends and family and not to have the amusement park experience (Six Flags, Cedar Fair and Dollywood, I'm looking at you)

 

A great amusement park must offer visitors the hability to purchase tickets on their website with a foreign credit cards, must have a multi-lingual staff, a single rider line, staff that are able to accomodate guest with different needs and an overall welcoming atmosphere. I found Europa Park to be just an average park if you take all that into consideration. Lines were very long - (1h+) for most rides and no single rider, the whole layout of the park is just confusing and not very intuitive and ride-wise the only really good ride was Blue Fire. Maybe if you are in a group you won't pay attention to those details and have a great time, but I felt much more welcome at Phantasialand and Efteling than I did at Europa Park.

[GeorgeT]

Mrenata...being a regular visitor and following everything that has to do with Europa Park closely, I just want to tell you the the average guest satisfaction at Europa Park ist incredible. It`s like 99 of a hundred visitors are EXTREMELY satisfied with their visit. Europa Park is checking that very often to improve all the time. I guess it`s VERY hard to make everybody happy...even Europa Park seems to fail in that

[Nozzy]

I really, really didn't like Europa Park when I visited the park back in 2012.

 

In my opinion what makes a park stand out is the hability to make a single, foreigner visitor to feel welcome and included all the time. Most parks around the world rely on the fact that their visitors are there mainly to hang out with their friends and family and not to have the amusement park experience (Six Flags, Cedar Fair and Dollywood, I'm looking at you)

 

A great amusement park must offer visitors the hability to purchase tickets on their website with a foreign credit cards, must have a multi-lingual staff, a single rider line, staff that are able to accomodate guest with different needs and an overall welcoming atmosphere. I found Europa Park to be just an average park if you take all that into consideration. Lines were very long - (1h+) for most rides and no single rider, the whole layout of the park is just confusing and not very intuitive and ride-wise the only really good ride was Blue Fire. Maybe if you are in a group you won't pay attention to those details and have a great time, but I felt much more welcome at Phantasialand and Efteling than I did at Europa Park.

 

I visited by myself back in 2006 and I can't disagree more- I had an amazing time! There was so much to explore and discover- I didn't even get to all the areas of the park until my second day. Buying a ticket at the gate was no issue whatsoever, and I never at any point felt unwelcome. Sure, everything wasn't in English, but I'll always remember trying to go to the buffet for a last night dinner, but it was rented out for a private party. I had to ask for an English menu, but it was available, and as a college student on a budget in the Hotel Colosseo there really wasn't anything more welcoming the hostess could do than excitedly point out the more affordable menu items in the fancy restaurant to encourage me to dine there (ended up splurging on rabbit instead- so so worth it). I can't wait to get the chance to go back and stay at one of their hotels.

 

Operations wise I remember never waiting more than maybe 45 minutes for maybe 2-3 rides, but most were less. I was also amazed that on the second day the park was MUCH more crowded, but thanks to the operations and running more trains the line wait times were practically identical.

 

I loved Phantasialand as well, but I felt like there were many more multilingual staff at Europa. I hope you'd give them another visit and reconsider.

 

Looking forward to seeing all the photos, and hope all the first timers are loving it!

[Norwegian coasterfan]

I really, really didn't like Europa Park when I visited the park back in 2012.

 

In my opinion what makes a park stand out is the hability to make a single, foreigner visitor to feel welcome and included all the time. Most parks around the world rely on the fact that their visitors are there mainly to hang out with their friends and family and not to have the amusement park experience (Six Flags, Cedar Fair and Dollywood, I'm looking at you)

 

A great amusement park must offer visitors the hability to purchase tickets on their website with a foreign credit cards, must have a multi-lingual staff, a single rider line, staff that are able to accomodate guest with different needs and an overall welcoming atmosphere. I found Europa Park to be just an average park if you take all that into consideration. Lines were very long - (1h+) for most rides and no single rider, the whole layout of the park is just confusing and not very intuitive and ride-wise the only really good ride was Blue Fire. Maybe if you are in a group you won't pay attention to those details and have a great time, but I felt much more welcome at Phantasialand and Efteling than I did at Europa Park.

 

I visited by myself back in 2006 and I can't disagree more- I had an amazing time! There was so much to explore and discover- I didn't even get to all the areas of the park until my second day. Buying a ticket at the gate was no issue whatsoever, and I never at any point felt unwelcome. Sure, everything wasn't in English, but I'll always remember trying to go to the buffet for a last night dinner, but it was rented out for a private party. I had to ask for an English menu, but it was available, and as a college student on a budget in the Hotel Colosseo there really wasn't anything more welcoming the hostess could do than excitedly point out the more affordable menu items in the fancy restaurant to encourage me to dine there (ended up splurging on rabbit instead- so so worth it). I can't wait to get the chance to go back and stay at one of their hotels.

 

Operations wise I remember never waiting more than maybe 45 minutes for maybe 2-3 rides, but most were less. I was also amazed that on the second day the park was MUCH more crowded, but thanks to the operations and running more trains the line wait times were practically identical.

 

I loved Phantasialand as well, but I felt like there were many more multilingual staff at Europa. I hope you'd give them another visit and reconsider.

 

Looking forward to seeing all the photos, and hope all the first timers are loving it!

I went by myself two times last year with both visits including 4 nights on one of their hotels and 3 days in the park. Both times everyone was very nice and i felt very welcome. I have no problem waiting in line when i know they are working as hard as they can to send the trains around. With what i saw there is really no need for a single rider line since they fill up the seats anyway and the single rider line on Blue fire and Wodan was just as long as the regular line so it did not matter anyway

 

I went this year aswell with a friend this time and had a great time, I am already looking forward to the next time i get to visit this fantastic park

[robbalvey]

Guys, no offense but this is MY report. If you want to comment on stuff from MY report, that's great, but if you want to post your own report or have something to discuss about a specific park, please do it untie proper discussion thread.

 

Thank you!

[Mrenata]

Maybe I was just unlucky and visited Europa Park in a very crowded day. Both times I visited Phantasialand and Efteling (and I can even add Hansa Park to that list of awesome parks as well) all lines were a walk on or had a 15min wait, everthing was easy to find on the park map and even when I didn't have a map with me I could easily figure out how to get to where I intended to go. At Europa Park I tried to get all the credits in one day and couldn't since it took me over one hour to get each one of the bigger credits. Even the smaller ones had a 45+ min wait. Also, even with the park map on my hands I still had a hard time figuring out the fastest route to point A to point B due to the overwhelming abundance of themeing, paths, gardens and walkways.

 

Maybe if I had more time at the park or if my visit was split into 2 or more days I would have liked the park better, but then again the quality of the park can't be defined but how many days you need to visit it in order to fully appreciate it specially when It only took me half day to fall in love with Efteling, Phantasialand and even Hansa Park

[Rollertoaster]

Every time you go to Holiday Park, I get the impression that it's a real hidden gem, I great park that perhaps deserves more recognition than it gets. And, surely, being the home of your favorite coaster helps! That Sky Fly looks insane! I don't think I could take 24 consecutive flips without feeling nauseous! I'm looking forward to seeing your visit to Europa Park, always my favorite park to see in your trips.

[GeorgeT]

Guys, no offense but this is MY report. If you want to comment on stuff from MY report, that's great, but if you want to post your own report or have something to discuss about a specific park, please do it untie proper discussion thread.

 

Thank you!

 

Ah sorry...I totally get that. Seems as if you guys had a VERY good start with your current stay at Europa...and thanks for posting so many updates on twitter !

[robbalvey]

^ No worries! Keep following on Twitter! We will have lots more posts coming soon!

[FirstDropJay]

I've been following your day at Europa Park on Twitter. Completely AWESOME! Will you be staying another day?

[robbalvey]

Our morning @europa_park starts with an insane breakfast at the amazing Hotel Bell Rock with characters!

 

I could easily live off the bread selection alone at Hotel Bell Rock!

 

Hotel Bell Rock is ridiculous! It's like the Yacht Club/Beach Club of Europe, but even nicer!

 

Upon entering @europa_park you are immediately reminded you're in one of the world's best theme parks!

 

Euro-Mir! My faveodte ride @europa_park and quite possibly one of the best rides on the planet!

 

Poseidon is quite possibly the best water coaster in the world!

 

Even with a line that long for Euro-Mir the wait is only 20 minutes and worth it!

 

I don't get what the big deal about @europa_park is. I mean don't ALL parks in America look JUST LIKE THIS???

 

Sarah RAN to go get a picture of the geese as soon as she saw them!

 

Silver Star is the tallest coaster @europa_park! 35 min posted wait was only 20ish. Love their operations here!

 

The best attraction @europa_park isn't a ride, it's our own personal Raclette Hut! Best theme park food EVER!!!

 

Best part about sitting in our Raclette Hut? You get an awesome view of the bobsled!

 

Was awesome running into these guys from @EPFANS_CH here at @europa_park! Be sure to follow them!

 

I love the random characters you meet around @europa_park!

 

[twitter]

[/twitter]

 

Efteling had the pooping donkey but @europa_park has the puking donkey!

[twitter]

[/twitter]

 

Just more amazing theming around @Europa_Park! I never get sick of posing more photos of this place!

 

And in case you weren't aware, the many dark rides @europa_park are amazing! Disney level quality!

 

Arthur was a super-cool themed attraction with a amazing ride system!

 

Waiting in the well-themed queue for the bobsled ride @europa_park

 

Hotel Colosseo @Europa_Park, one of our favorite resorts had an awesome setup for #EURO2016 today!

 

Waffle on a stick??? Are you kidding me!!! Seriously @europa_park why must you make us even fatter???

 

Setting off on our jungle adventure!

 

It's like Ellen's Energy Adventure but without Ellen!

 

Some views of @europa_park from the observation tower.

 

Yes, it's a Pirates knock-off, but it's really the best one!

 

Soooo... Time to remove the UK section from @europa_park?

 

The much better version of "Small World!"

 

You know you are in a great park when even the toilets are heavily themed!

 

We rode the REAL "Frozen Ride" today!

 

We had some extra ride time on Wodan tonight after the park closed!

 

Back at Hotel Bell Rock. Seriously amazing deluxe resort!

 

We walked to Hotel Colosseo to hang out in the "jail cell bar." Things may have gotten a little weird!

 

Showing some German support for #EURO2016

 

Am I the only who thinks it looks like Garbles is trying to eat this woman's arm???

 

Good night @europa_park! What a fantastic first day at the resort!

[brneff99]

Not a single part of this TR has changed my "I want to be Robb Alvey in my next life" opinion...what an awesome trip, pics, and overviews for those of us stuck in the US for the Summer...keep them coming...I think I just spent an hour of my Sunday enthralled by these parks that I've seen countless TRs on in the past and yet it was like the first time seeing them.

[MARK]

What sort of food did you guys have in the Raclette Hut? Looks like it involved cheese!

[robbalvey]

What sort of food did you guys have in the Raclette Hut? Looks like it involved cheese!

We had Raclette.

[MARK]

Ahhhh... I should have searched 'Raclette' rather than 'Raclette Hut', yields a lot more valuable information!

[nynehalem]

What sort of food did you guys have in the Raclette Hut? Looks like it involved cheese!

 

Are you being facetious? Raclette is a dish of melted cheese- quite literally

[MARK]

As I have just learnt! Looks amazing!

[DoubleDown]

Is there a reason I can never view any of Robb's photos in his trip reports?

 

All I see is and that's all. I don't have problems seeing anyone else's photos.

[alexinla]

Ahhh, Elissa is talking about Raclette at Europa Park all year long. I am glad she had her fix and I am sure she will be there again today,lol. Is there a Fundue place at Europa as that would be the next step. Melted cheese mixed with wine and you consume it with incredible bread.

Ugh, now I am hungry

[boldikus]

Is there a reason I can never view any of Robb's photos in his trip reports?

 

All I see is and that's all. I don't have problems seeing anyone else's photos.

 

Same thing for me w/ just this report, not sure. Works on my phone but cant see any images on either my home or work PC. Still enjoying the report, tho.

[robbalvey]

Is there a reason I can never view any of Robb's photos in his trip reports?

 

All I see is and that's all. I don't have problems seeing anyone else's photos.

It means wherever you are viewing them from has Twitter blocked as at the moment I am just using Twitter as a hosting service for the pics until I can get home and re-upload them all.