Photo TR: Phantasialand Wintertraum (and bonus Christmas Markets)

[Satchboogie3]

This will be a bit lengthy of a post.  I spur of the moment decided to head back to Germany last weekend to kill two birds with one stone: Get back to Phantasialand to get some night rides (the park is open until 8pm for the Wintertraum!) and checkout the Christmas markets in Köln and Düsseldorf.

With the temperature around 5C and cloudy, I wasn't too surprised to find Taron and FLY running a little sluggish.  They both seemed to be running faster after night fall, but that could just be the dark messing with me .   

Rookburgh looked great with a lot of steam/fog.  Minimally placed Christmas stuff was a smart choice I think to keep with the theming.  

There are number of cute little areas with snow scenes around the park.  It was around 5C and cloudy so the snow wasn't melting much. 

One of few Wintertraum chalets - flame grilled salmon.  It was actually pretty good, very juicy and cooked just long enough.  There's nothing worse than overcooked salmon

Upside tree is a nice touch outside Hotel Tartuff 

Gluhwein!   A few visits to chalet helped keep me warm throughout the day 

Hard to see in the photo, but there is a santa with a sack and gifts up in the little tower in front of Black Mamba.  I thought it might not be a bad idea to go on Chiapas Die Wasserbahn.  It's maybe my all-time favorite flume and a water ride in the middle of a cold December day seemed adventurous... yeah, I got soaked... maybe not the best decision.  But nothing more Gluhweinn can't fix! 

 

 

Taron looked wild at night back on Halloween and was even better this night!

Oh foggy night

Berlin was basically a Christmas market!  

 

Last time at the park after sunset, Rookburgh didn't have much for lighting besides the normal lanterns and white lights.   This time there were a lot of red, green, and blue lights, with some alternating from the tunnels.   The two night rides I got were easily the best experience I've had yet on FLY.   Killer night ride.

 

The park really came to life at night.   I'm tempted to take the train back out there in January before the Wintertraum ends.

 

And for Bonus content.   The Phantasialand bus departs from Bruhl station, just outside the center of town. I had a bit of time to kill before the first bus so wandered a bit.   If you are taking the bus, it isn't a bad idea to take a look around.  The Augustusburg Palace is right across from the bus stop and is a UNESCO site (I didn't take photos because of construction and poor lighting, but it's a site to walk around) and the center of town is pretty.   The Christmas market was small but very charming as well.

Heading into the center of Bruhl

Bruhl Christmas market

 

On to Koln:

A stay in Koln wouldn't be complete without visiting a few Kolsch breweries! (After all my Kolsch experiences, Reissdorf is still best!)

There are a number of Christmas markets spread throughout the city.  I visited 3 of them over the coarse of the weekend (I think that means I need to go back to check out the rest... )

First up is the Koln Cathedral Market:

Pretty good backdrop!

Maybe my favorite thing of the markets: Raclette!

Stellar board of cheese from the Swiss Alps

Wood fire BBQ pork and chicken!    Good food was abundant.

 

Koln Harbour market:

The harbour market was pretty unique and looked fantastic (plus the place to go for seafood), though my favorite was hands-down the Heinzel's WinterMarchen in Altstadt:

 

Buble Alpe was a great spot to stop for a half litre of lager and enjoy watching the skaters.   The mini ski lift of gnomes was adorable (and it moved and everything)!

Mühlen bear with a tray of Kölsch 

Delicious Apfelkrapfen

Brass section performing

 

Lastly I stopped in Düsseldorf Sunday afternoon for some Altbier and more Christmas markets.

First stop Schumacher brewery, the first brewery to use the name Altbier for the unique local beer back in 1838.

 

Fuchschen hosted most of the markets in Dusseldorf.  It's good too!

More Gluhwein in a mug I had to have.

Glass blowing

Uerige Brewery.  Claimed to use the most 'bittering constituents' of any beer in Germany.  I'm not sure if it is the most bitter, but it is certainly bitter and absolutely delicious.  My favorite Altbier in Dusseldorf.

 

A magical weekend trip.    I would highly recommend anyone that can to experience Koln and Phantasialand in December!   

[Chiselphane]

Incredible.  Some of the best park photos ever, that mist really adds something

[PKI Jizzman]

Wonderful report! That looks like a dream vacation to me!