Photo TR's: JordyC's Theme Park Adventures

[JordyC]

Great photos! The park looks great. Especially Red Force.

 

Thank you. It sure is a great looking park. And Red Force is clearly the highlight of it!

[coasterbill]

Great report!

[JordyC]

Great report!

 

Thank you!

[cfc]

Very good report. I agree that the park needs to grow a bit more--much as Ferrari World did when it first opened.

[Hilltopper39]

This place is pretty interesting to me, on one hand it seems strange that there is a separately gated park attached to an existing park, but on the other hand Ferrari and F1 racing (I think that's the right circuit but really don't know) is INSANELY popular in Europe so I'm sure this place will be slammed all the time and sell a ton of merchandise so it's probably a great concept.

[A.J.]

For some inexplicable reason, my car was here..

You have good taste. The FF / GTC4 would probably be the Ferrari model line I'd buy if I had the money.

[JJLehto]

Awesome pics!! Color me envious! Looks like a great trip

[tuxedomask5432]

Wow, it took some seeing Red Force up close to notice the subtle differences in the track design from Intamin's previous launched coasters such as Stealth, Kingda Ka, or TTD. Yes the obvious is the track itself, the same seen on Flying Aces and Skyrush. But what's really interesting & different to me about Red Force is how the pull out from the drop, descends lower than the actual launch track. This is not the case on Intamin's previous iterations of this ride.

 

Also, the twisting transition to the top hat is close to the highest point, allowing for a VERY long straight piece of track on that straight-down drop. It's fun to think that the ride reaches top speed AFTER the drop.

 

I was initially kinda bummed by this attraction considering the Intamin that is already at the original Ferrari World. However, the drop after the launch looks so insane, and judging by your review it seems like endless airtime while going straight down

[805Andrew]

Yes, but with your Ferrari Land ticket, you can also enter the main park. So by this, they are kind of admitting that it's not a full day park yet. But that is okay, because that means that you can squeeze a few more rides in on Shambhala!

 

At least they learned from the mistakes of when Disneyland Paris opened Walt Disney Studios Paris and included Ferrari Land with the Port Aventura ticket instead of making it a more expensive hopper option. I'll have to check out Ferrari Land next time I visit Spain since I have relatives in the Barcelona area. Hopefully Ferrari Land will have a few more attractions by the next time I visit Barcelona.

[JJLehto]

Wow, it took some seeing Red Force up close to notice the subtle differences in the track design from Intamin's previous launched coasters such as Stealth, Kingda Ka, or TTD. Yes the obvious is the track itself, the same seen on Flying Aces and Skyrush. But what's really interesting & different to me about Red Force is how the pull out from the drop, descends lower than the actual launch track. This is not the case on Intamin's previous iterations of this ride.

 

Also, the twisting transition to the top hat is close to the highest point, allowing for a VERY long straight piece of track on that straight-down drop. It's fun to think that the ride reaches top speed AFTER the drop.

 

I was initially kinda bummed by this attraction considering the Intamin that is already at the original Ferrari World. However, the drop after the launch looks so insane, and judging by your review it seems like endless airtime while going straight down

 

Oh I didn't notice that, interesting indeed how the return track is lower. And the twists on the tower seem more gentle, perhaps will cut down on roll backs?

I had no idea the speed either, 112 mph!? Glad to see, I feel like such a spoiled American, especially from the Northeast, so glad to see Europe getting more and more awesome coasters

[JordyC]

Very good report. I agree that the park needs to grow a bit more--much as Ferrari World did when it first opened.

 

Thank you! Yes, when they put in a few more rides and shows (and Red Force is open all day), I can definitely see it as a full day park.

 

This place is pretty interesting to me, on one hand it seems strange that there is a separately gated park attached to an existing park, but on the other hand Ferrari and F1 racing (I think that's the right circuit but really don't know) is INSANELY popular in Europe so I'm sure this place will be slammed all the time and sell a ton of merchandise so it's probably a great concept.

 

When the park was first announced, I wasn't too sure about it. But like you said, I understand why they did it. And yes, everybody seemed to love the place! Almost everyone was buying merch, although it was quite expensive.

 

For some inexplicable reason, my car was here..

You have good taste. The FF / GTC4 would probably be the Ferrari model line I'd buy if I had the money.

 

I sure have The park was full with awesome Ferrari's!

 

Awesome pics!! Color me envious! Looks like a great trip

 

Thank you! Yes, it was a great trip indeed.

 

I was initially kinda bummed by this attraction considering the Intamin that is already at the original Ferrari World. However, the drop after the launch looks so insane, and judging by your review it seems like endless airtime while going straight down

 

The drop is indeed insane! It seems like you are falling forever.

 

At least they learned from the mistakes of when Disneyland Paris opened Walt Disney Studios Paris and included Ferrari Land with the Port Aventura ticket instead of making it a more expensive hopper option. I'll have to check out Ferrari Land next time I visit Spain since I have relatives in the Barcelona area. Hopefully Ferrari Land will have a few more attractions by the next time I visit Barcelona.

 

Yes, it is a great thing that the main park is included in the Ferrari Land ticket. Also, when you are in the area, FL is worth the visit for Red Force alone, in my opinion.

[redfoot12]

Wow, it took some seeing Red Force up close to notice the subtle differences in the track design from Intamin's previous launched coasters such as Stealth, Kingda Ka, or TTD. Yes the obvious is the track itself, the same seen on Flying Aces and Skyrush. But what's really interesting & different to me about Red Force is how the pull out from the drop, descends lower than the actual launch track. This is not the case on Intamin's previous iterations of this ride.

 

Also, the twisting transition to the top hat is close to the highest point, allowing for a VERY long straight piece of track on that straight-down drop. It's fun to think that the ride reaches top speed AFTER the drop.

 

I was initially kinda bummed by this attraction considering the Intamin that is already at the original Ferrari World. However, the drop after the launch looks so insane, and judging by your review it seems like endless airtime while going straight down

Wonder if some changes/adjustments were made because this is a LSM launch instead of hydraulic (like on Stealth, KK, TTD)?

[JordyC]

^I think the biggest reason why the pull out from the drop descends lower than the launch track itself is because of the terrain. If it had the same height as the launch, the track would be much higher up, what leads to higher supports etc. That's why they made it just a few meters above the ground, I think. Hence why there is that little hump in the middle of the brake run.

[JordyC]

PortAventura Park - April 2017

 

Hello everyone!

 

From April 10th - 12th 2017, I went for my first ever time to PortAventura World to visit the new Ferrari Land and - of course - PortAventura Park itself. I spent one day in Ferrari Land, and the other two days in the main park.

 

On April 10th and 12th, I visited PortAventura Park. I heard some great reviews from this park, but I always try to keep my expectations as low as possible, to avoid disappointment. And wow, this park is absolutely gorgeous! The theming throughout the park is fantastic. It's up there with my favourite parks; Europa-Park, Efteling and Disneyland Paris. The days I visited, the park was very busy. Queue times exceeding 120 minutes were not an exception. And yes, that was for all the rides, not just the main coasters. But luckily, I had the Express Pass for the two days I was there. So instead of waiting 2 hours, the longest I've waited was about 20 minutes. Most of the rides were a walk-on with the Express Pass. Except for Hurakan Condor, their 100 m (330 ft) Intamin Drop Tower. This ride is not included in the Express Pass, so I waited 60 minutes for this. Overall, I had an amazing time at both PortAventura Park and Ferrari Land!

 

Shambhala (10/10)

Oh. My. God. This coaster is just out of this world! After my first ride, I knew that this was my new number 1 coaster, beating Taron, Helix and Expedition GeForce. It is just insane how much airtime there is. You are out of your seat more than you are in it! To begin with, the drop is unbelievable. It seems to last forever! Every hill gives strong floater air, and that during the entire hill. And the small airtime hill after the turnaround even gives some ejector air. Also, the theming is great. All the Himalaya theming with snow and everyting, it just works so well. And of course, the trains are as comfy as it can be. All of this makes Shambhala a fantastic coaster, that will be my number one for a very long time.

 

Dragon Khan (8,5/10)

It is more than 20 years old, but it is still a lot smoother than some newer coasters out there. The ride is very intense as well. Every single inversion is just fantastic. My favourite one is the second loop, were you get perfect weightlessness at the top. Again, the theming is great. I love the Chinese feel of it.

 

Furius Baco (7,5/10)

Furius Baco is definitely an interesting coaster. And I actually really liked it! Yes, it's not the smoothest coaster out there, but as long as you keep your head forward you're fine. The launch has some serious kick to it, and it's just crazy how fast you are going so close to the ground. And the In-Line Twist at the end just makes this ride even better. Also, (again) this coaster was very well themed.

 

Stampida (6/10)

I heard some very bad reviews of this ride, but as always I try to get on it with an open mind. And yes, it's not the smoothest coaster, by far. But the layout is good, and the fact that you are duelling makes it even better. I know it's a *little* shaky, but as long as it isn't too much and the ride is fun, I don't mind. And to my surprise, the first drop gave some decent air in the back. Also, the airtime throughout the ride was better than I expected. I think it is a fun, action packed wooden coaster.

 

El Diablo - Tren de la Mina (5,5/10)

This was a very fun family coaster, that interacts beautifuly with the log flume next to it. There was some pretty decent theming, and you got some nice pops of air here and there.

 

Tomahawk (4,5/10)

Tomahawk is a great little wooden coaster, that interarcts with Stampida. It's nothing too special, just another very fun family coaster.

 

Tami-Tami (2,5/10)

Your standard Vekoma Junior Coaster. Although, this one had some great theming!

 

Welcome to PortAventura Park!

Stunning views as soon as you enter the park.

First ride of the day: Furius Baco!

Look at that queue line, just massive: 2,5 hours at this point.

Probably the best part of the ride!

What a beautiful themed area.

Aloha Polynesia!

Next up was Tutuki Splash. It gets you seriously wet.

It's so nice to look at.

Ypu got some airtime on that double down.

Big splash! If you're on the lift hill at this moment, you will get absolutely soaked!

The park is also home to lots of great shows.

Kon Tiki Wave was next.

It has to be one of the best themed Pirate Ships.

SesamoAventura, the kids area of the park.

It is home to lots of kids rides, and also to this Vekoma Junior Coaster; Tami-Tami.

Tami-Tami is completely over water, awesome!

There's a big tree in the middle of SesamoAventura.

Like all the other areas, it is beautifully themed.

It is time for Angkor!

This is definitely the best themed Splash Battle that I've ever done.

Two coasters, two trains, one photo. Only at PA.

The entrance for Dragon Khan looks great.

Dragon Khan going for a dive, Shammy B for some serious air.

Perfect zero-G!

You can get real close and personal with Khan.

It's such an impressive coaster to look at.

It has the best B&M roar I have ever heard! It is so loud.

Who doesn't like a good ol' Cobra Roll?

An underneath lift hill shot for y'all.

Are you ready for the Himalayan expedition?

What a massive airtime hill!

Going full speed.

In case you've never seen airtime from underneath.

Hands up if you love Shammy!

Hairtime!

Diving into the tunnel.

Rising towards the sun.

Look how tall it is!

There can never be too much water in the Spanish heat.

Shambhala climbing its massive lift hill.

It's so easy to get two trains in one photo at PA!

Seriously, there is theming everywhere.

The trains are much better than the ones on Silver Star, where you sit with 4 next to each other.

Where else in the world can you get a view like this?

No, we are not in China.

Dance Revolution is an amazing show in the Gran Teatre Imperial.

The Chinese themed area is lovely!

Next up, El Diablo - Tren de la Mina AKA lift hill: the ride.

It's a very fun coaster, but going from one lift hill into a trim brake and then on another lift hill is just absolutely pointless.

At least it has some nice theming.

Hurakan Condor towering above the mine train.

I really like all the different entrances to the themed areas.

I love theming like this.

Hurakan Condor is a massive drop tower.

It is huge, but not that forceful.

Unfortunately, Templo del Fuego was closed..

Bienvenidos Mexico.

Tomahawk!

PortAventura is home to lots of flat rides.

It is a fun little woodie. Definitely not a kiddie coaster, though.

The time has come to face Stampida.

The first drop was surprisingly good.

They seem to really enjoy it..

The fact that it duels, makes this ride a lot better.

The double up gave some nice airtime.

Some people like it, some people don't..

Slowly climbing to the top.

The Far West is my favourite themed area at the park. I just love all the little details.

It is time for a ride on the Silver River Flume.

This ride got me absolutely soaked.

It's such a beautiful park.

Another water ride: Grand Canyon Rapids.

This has to be one of the fastest rapids that I have ever done.

Far West entrance sign.

Shammy and Khan peeking through the trees.

It is random theming like this that makes this park for me. It doesn't have to be there, but it just makes the whole experience a lot better.

Chinese driving school.

A few more photos of the park's two major coasters.

Just another Cobra Roll.

Dragon Khan doing its thing.

Shammy B's massive first drop.

Interlocking corkscrews!

Who doesn't love some gorgeous B&M curves?

It is such a beauty.

I will end the report with this fantastic view.

 

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed it!

[coasterbill]

Great photos! I'm loving this report.

[cparkes92]

Both parks at Port Aventura look amazing! I'd love to get over there someday.

[JordyC]

Great photos! I'm loving this report.

 

Thanks, I am glad you are enjoying it!

 

Both parks at Port Aventura look amazing! I'd love to get over there someday.

 

It sure is a place that everyone needs to visit one time.

[Turtle Wax]

Great TRs! Did you visit Ferrari Land and Port Aventura in the same day? Any issues going from one park to the other? I'm planning on being there in July!

[JordyC]

Great TRs! Did you visit Ferrari Land and Port Aventura in the same day? Any issues going from one park to the other? I'm planning on being there in July!

 

Thank you!

 

And yes, on my second day I visited Ferrari Land first, and after the park closed I went to PortAventura for the last few hours of the day. And it is as easy as it can gets! There is a special entrance for PA outside FL. You just scan your entrance ticket from FL at the turnstyles, and you are inside PortAventura before you know.

 

I hope you have a great visit!

[cfc]

Looking forward to seeing the Spanish parks myself, someday. Looks like Port Aventura puts a lot of thought into their theming. Thanks for the report.

[Henry M]

I really need to get on Shammy B. Hopefully I will this summer, if I am lucky.

beating Taron, Helix and Expedition GeForce.

^ That excited me. You just named my three top coasters, and I look forward to riding something to beat Ex G! By the way, with express pass, is one day enough to do PAV and FW?

[JordyC]

Looking forward to seeing the Spanish parks myself, someday. Looks like Port Aventura puts a lot of thought into their theming. Thanks for the report.

 

Yes, the theming is so well done throughout the whole park. I would say it is up there with Europa-Park, but that is just a different kind of theming. EP has more 'relaxed' theming, while PA is more 'active', if that makes any sense.

 

I really need to get on Shammy B. Hopefully I will this summer, if I am lucky.

beating Taron, Helix and Expedition GeForce.

^ That excited me. You just named my three top coasters, and I look forward to riding something to beat Ex G! By the way, with express pass, is one day enough to do PAV and FW?

 

Then I hope you will be lucky this summer!

 

Shambhala, Taron, Helix, GeForce and Kärnan are my favourite coasters, and Shambhala is in my opinion clearly the best. Don't get me wrong, it are all fantastic rides, and everyone will rank them differently.

 

With Express, you will be able to ride all the big rides at both PA en FL. But I don't think that one day is enough to really experience the entire park. I mean, there is so much more to see than just the coasters. The shows in PortAventura are awesome! I would say, you'll need at least 2-3 days. I was at the park for 3 days and was not able to cover everything.

[Ed Farmer]

PortAventura is a park right near the top of my bucket list, and as evidenced by your photos, for good reason. Excellent report.

[JordyC]

PortAventura is a park right near the top of my bucket list, and as evidenced by your photos, for good reason. Excellent report.

 

Thank you! It is a fantastic park, that should be on top of everyone's bucket list

[Henry M]

Looking forward to seeing the Spanish parks myself, someday. Looks like Port Aventura puts a lot of thought into their theming. Thanks for the report.

 

Yes, the theming is so well done throughout the whole park. I would say it is up there with Europa-Park, but that is just a different kind of theming. EP has more 'relaxed' theming, while PA is more 'active', if that makes any sense.

 

I really need to get on Shammy B. Hopefully I will this summer, if I am lucky.

beating Taron, Helix and Expedition GeForce.

^ That excited me. You just named my three top coasters, and I look forward to riding something to beat Ex G! By the way, with express pass, is one day enough to do PAV and FW?

 

Then I hope you will be lucky this summer!

 

Shambhala, Taron, Helix, GeForce and Kärnan are my favourite coasters, and Shambhala is in my opinion clearly the best. Don't get me wrong, it are all fantastic rides, and everyone will rank them differently.

 

With Express, you will be able to ride all the big rides at both PA en FL. But I don't think that one day is enough to really experience the entire park. I mean, there is so much more to see than just the coasters. The shows in PortAventura are awesome! I would say, you'll need at least 2-3 days. I was at the park for 3 days and was not able to cover everything.

 

^

I missed out on the shows at Phatasialand, and was a little annoyed, but not much. I go mainly for the rides, but do like to experience the park itself, which is why I had two days at Phantasialand, and it was well worth it to see all the detail and get more rides in despite it being busy. It is one day or nothing, and from your report, the rides look good enough on their own!