PortAventura Discussion Thread

[Petersonn]

Dear All,

 

We bought the promotional two parks two days ticket for POrt Aventura and Ferrari Land.

 

We will be in Salou from Saturday to Tuesday (wed morning). Our original plan was to go to Port Aventura on Monday (they are now open to midnight) all day and then go to Ferrari Land (10am-8pm) on Tuesday so after Ferrari Land we can go to PA for rides we liked the most on Monday.

 

We are trying to avoid crowds as much as possible. The problem that for Tuesday they forecast heavy rain so we dont want to miss out on Ferrari Land.

 

The alternative plan to go on Sunday and Monday.

 

How much more people can we except on Sunday? Again, we are trying to spend our day not queing. Saturday is Joan Baptist day and the park is open until 3am, maybe people are gearing up for that and skip Sunday.

 

What are your suggestions?

 

Peter

[Projektion]

Despite enjoying FL when I was there in April, I still reckon it will just become a new area for the main park within the next 2 years instead of being it's own thing.

[Gtmichaels]

Just came from a 3 day stay at PortAventura Resort, and I can definetely say that Shambhala(in PortAventura) and Red Force (in Ferrari Land) are the main rides you have to experience. Shambhala was my first B&M and my first Hypercoaster, and it was by far the best thrill value of any coaster I have ever been on (talking in reference to all Australian theme parks and Thorpe Park). Red force is fast, tall, and it will take your breath away. I recommend buying an Express ticket for Ferrari Land, as it includes a one-use Express to all major attractions for €20 per person (totally worth it). Red Force was a walk-on with the Express, and the line was 70 minutes long. Red Force uses Intamin's all new lap bar system, which really lets you feel the forces.

[rcjp]

I visited the park earlier this month but hadn't really had much time to write something about it. It was my third time at the park and first at Ferrari Land so here are one or two thoughts:

 

Ferrari Land: the place looked pretty nice and decently themed but we didn't really try that many rides. We did the S&S towers, red force and not much more. Red force was exactly what I expected: a really fun but short ride. It didn't have the intensity of Kingda Ka as you could definitely tell the slower acceleration and top speed. The "straight" drop was fun ut I prefer the ones with the 270 degree twist as they ad something to these really short coasters. The restraints were great and it felt pretty smooth. Entering the top hat was also much softer than on kk where you start climbing quite brutally under heavy Gs which was something I missed a bit. Me and my friends managed (after a "race") to be the very first riders of that day which was quite cool. I felt like the glasses they give you if you ride the front row make it feel not as intense due to the wind on your face.

I got the feeling that not many people were going to ferrariland when compared to portaventura (which perhaps explains why they have already dropped the combined ticket price) which is a shame as the place is quite fun to go to (and if you're a coaster enthusiast you have to ride red force) even thought it only made our waits shorter.

 

Portaventura: still the same as before, really. This time I got to try angkor (my first splash battle) which was great fun especially as it was horribly hot that day. I also tried the one side of stampida I hadn't ridden before and took quite a bit of a beating. Despite this I still enjoyed the ride as the layout pretty interesting (the only problem really is the roughness). Speaking of roughness, Dragon Khan sadly wasn't as smooth as on my two previous visits. I guess it's starting to show its age which is a shame as it is one of my favorite coasters. Still I didn't think it was enough to harm the ride experience. Shambhala also wasn't as smooth but honestly that's nothing as I had ridden it on its opening year and it was simply the smoothest ride I had ever been on. Now it's just "normal", I'd say. Still provides loads of airtime which is what really matters. Finally, on my third visit I managed to ride furius baco in the front row and it really is A LOT smoother than in any other row and a much better ride experience. This ride really impresses me as it manages to be so good and so much fun even though it's really rough and short. I never get tired of riding it. Just wish they'd get rid of those stupid things they added to the restraints (next to your head) and maybe replace them with the soft ones some intamin coasters with OTSR have been getting recently.

 

Overall I had a great day and can't wait to return, hopefully with a bit more time to explore some parts of the parks I haven't tried yet.

[coasterer]

Was at the park yesterday for the first time. The place blew me away. I knew it was going to be nice, but I absolutely loved the theming and diversity, and just how enormous the place was.

 

I ran to Red Force first thing (it really took me off guard when EVERYONE pelted forward at full sprint. I'm used to casually jogging my way ahead of everyone.) I was on maybe the second or third train of Red Force, and right away they had a few technical difficulties and slow loading problems. "Oh boy," I thought, "we're in for a long day." One of the ride attendants actually went to each person waiting and tried to explain IN THEIR LANGUAGE. Poor thing, haha. The first people she goes to: "Spanish?" "Niet, Russki". Ride op, sigh: "English okay?" "Da." She explains. Next pair, the guy starts off right away "Bonjour!" And she sighs exasperatedly before explaining in French, and on down the line. Couldn't believe the customer service in that regard. 2 minutes later the ride is back running and I was proven vastly mistaken. The ride ops were amazing on Red Force. Super quick in and out, and within seconds we were rolling out the station and blasted immediately away. Honestly, I was not expecting much out of Red Force and was seriously considering skipping paying the combined park fee entirely (but it was only like 6 euros extra so it was no problem), but I was very pleasantly surprised. I loved the rolling launch. It felt very fast and forceful (I've been on all the fast launchers and was on Formula Rossa even earlier this year, so I was expecting to be underwhelmed but it held its own!). The ride up was smooth, there was air at the top (though not sustained), the view of the coast was perfect, and then the drop was magnificent. I also absolutely love TTD's and KK's twisting drops, but this one was very nice too. Well worth the extra 6 euros. I rode it three times back to back (thank you single rider line), took a lap of the park, and was out by 10:30, a half hour after rope drop. That was enough for me

 

PortAventura is spectacularly beautiful in every regard. I've spent a lot of time in Asia so had special affinity for the back half of the park, and loved every corner of it. Replicating the Great Wall in the lead up to the back B&Ms is just brilliant. And having Dragon Khan on a raised Forbidden City-esque platform? Just amazing. I've been dying to ride Dragon Khan since I discovered the internet back in grade school and it did not disappoint one bit. A little old and shaky for sure, but good ol' classic B&M 90s forcefulness,and I loved it. The barrel roll had me literally shouting with joy.

 

And Shambhala is just a masterpiece. The perfect theming, detail, and concept for a B&M hyper, and they delivered seamlessly. I was counting literally 5-6 seconds of pure airtime bliss on almost every hill. Got 4 rides in during the day and probably rank it as my favorite B&M hyper now, finally topping Behemoth which I've considered the best B&M hyper since I rode it in 2010.

 

Hurakan Condor was simply brilliant. The woodies and mine train on the park's left side were a little underwhelming. Stampida's wait was excruciating as the ride op would let on literally 3/4 trains of express pass people consistently. The layout was so forgettable that I didn't even bother reriding for the second side. Saw similar things at Shambhala, but the single rider line more than made up for it.

 

Furious Baco was my last stop of the day before collapsing on the train back to Barcelona exhausted late afternoon, and again the ride ops for FB were just miserably slow. Again, 1/2-3/4 trains for express pass people, and I ended up in the second row. "What the heck," I said, "How bad could the outside seats reeeeeeallly be????" Lord have mercy, I about died. I can handle rough, but that was just brutal. Full apocalypse brace mode the entire way through, completely unrideable. What a shame. I loved everything else about it though. The setting, the theme, the layout, the swoop over the water, the barrel roll... but good Lord. Oh well.

 

I would looooooove to come back one day and spend a couple days in a resort with my family. Really just had such a nice time, and would love to go through again at a more leisurely pace.

[Trevor]

^I am really happy that you enjoyed your stay at the park. Even though the park has milions of thousands of bad things (especially in operations), I'm glad that you could enjoy your stay! Next time send me a PM and I will show you even more things that you don't even expect!

[Canobie Coaster]

Does anyone have any food recommendations at the park? Some of the restaurants look quite nice but I'm not sure if there are any that are particularly well regarded. I haven't been impressed by the hotel buffet but Pit Stop at Ferrari Land had really good camilones.

[chokeslamcena]

Howdy folks.

 

 

Can I ask you guys - you know the way Shambhala has no time for you if you're carrying some extra weight in your legs (and you get kicked off), but every other coaster seems fine?

 

What category does the new Ferrari coaster fall into? Is it like Shambhala in that you'll have to do the embarrassing walk off if you're a bit big? Or is it like Baco, Khan, etc. where it doesn't really matter?

[Canobie Coaster]

The killer on most Intamins is the seat belt, but Red Force doesn't have seat belts so that's definitely a good sign for you. I didn't notice anyone getting the walk of shame on Red Force during my two days there, but I saw 2-3 get it at Shambhala.

[Turtle Wax]

I too witnissed a few different people take the walk on Shambhala but none on Red Force. I think if you're close to fitting on a B&M hyper then you won't have any problem on Red Force.

[DirkFunk]

It's looking a lot like this was a bad year to open a new theme park in Catalonia. Anyone know how or if the weekend's events changed the number of people coming in the gate?

[cookiex]

It's looking a lot like this was a bad year to open a new theme park in Catalonia. Anyone know how or if the weekend's events changed the number of people coming in the gate?

I'm keeping a close eye on the situation and see how it develops since I plan to go to Spain (including Madrid parks and PA) next year. I have a Netherlands trip ready as a backup in case things escalate.

[sihida]

I'm planning a trip at the beginning of next September (when it is expected to be still open till midnight). What are the expected waiting times for the main rides? Would an Express pass be of any benefit? I can purchase a Premium Gold pass for the full duration of the stay (two days) for €50.

[ThemeCrafter264]

I'm planning a trip at the beginning of next September (when it is expected to be still open till midnight). What are the expected waiting times for the main rides? Would an Express pass be of any benefit? I can purchase a Premium Gold pass for the full duration of the stay (two days) for €50.

I would definitely recommend getting fast track. Operations are awful, especially if you don't get fast track. Probably expect shambhala and furious backs queues to be around 1.5 hours. The other major coasters will have queues of probably 30 mins, except Dragon Khan which I would expect to be around an hour.

[vicarpi]

After the inauguration of Ferrari Land in 2017, for next year PortAventura has announced an extension with a children's area of 5 kiddies (at Champions Arena zone).

 

 

 

 

La Rueda Mecanica (The Mechanical Wheel)

Edited January 18, 2018 by vicarpi

[vicarpi]

This week, from today to sunday, it’s celebrated FITUR (International Tourism Trade Fair) in Madrid.

 

It is expected to expose details about kids area at Ferrari Land.

 

 

 

 

But yesterday, a spanish newspaper published the names and concept of the new 5 kiddie rides:

 

• Champions Race: simulate the driving of a Ferrari
  
• Crazy Pistons: 2 attractions inspired by the movement of the pistons
  
• Junior Red Force: children’s adaptation of Red Force coaster
  
• Kid’s Tower: rebound tower and free fall (9 meters)

 

 

 

Also, at the main park PortAventura Park will have a new attracion (The House of Woody Woodpecker) and a new character for SesamoAventura area, Big Bird.

 

 

 

La Rueda Mecanica (The Mechanical Wheel) - Ferrari Land

La Rueda Mecanica (The Mechanical Wheel) - PortAventura World

Edited January 18, 2018 by vicarpi

[vicarpi]

Today, we have the new map at FITUR (International Tourism Trade Fair) in Madrid:

 

 

 

PAC

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the description of yesterday at a spanish newspaper and the map of today, the rides could be these:

 

• ¿?:
  
  • Type: rotating ride of planes
    
  • Manufacturer: ¿SBF Visa Group?
    
  • Model: ¿Red Baron 8?
    
  • Capacity: 12 to 16 persons (6 or 8 planes)

  [*]Champions Race:

  • Type: rotating ride of cars
    
  • Manufacturer: ¿SBF Visa Group?
    
  • Model: ¿Drift Race?
    
  • Capacity: 12 to 16 persons (6 or 8 cars)

  [*]Crazy Pistons:

  • Type: rotating flat
    
  • Manufacturer: ¿SBF Visa Group?
    
  • Model: ¿Fly Over?
    
  • Capacity: 12 persons

  [*]Junior Red Force:

  • Type: coaster
    Manufacturer: ¿SBF Visa Group or Zamperla?
    Model: ¿
  Double coaster (SBF VISA Group) or Family coaster (SBF VISA Group) or Speedy Coaster (Zamperla)?

[*]Kid’s Tower:

• Type: bounce tower and free fall
  
• Manufacturer: ¿SBF Visa Group?
  
• Model: ¿Drop’n Twist 9 mt. 8 seats?
  
• Height: 9 meters
  
• Capacity: 8 persons

 

 

La Rueda Mecanica (The Mechanical Wheel)

Edited January 18, 2018 by vicarpi

[Canobie Coaster]

Glad to see more rides added to Ferrari Land, even if it isn't necessarily for adults. Everything there was nice on my visit, but there simply wasn't enough for a full day.

[JordyC]

The main reason to visit Ferrari Land will always be Red Force, that is also why I visited this park last year. But it is great to see them adding new rides to Ferrari Land, even when it are all kids rides. Every addition is good for this park, because as Canobie Coaster said, it definitely is not a full day park.

[A.T.I]

Junior Red Force, the kiddie cred, will actually be a Zamperla Speedy Coaster:-

 

https://rcdb.com/15992.htm

[vicarpi]

PortAventura posted the arworks and data for the attractions.

 

 

This would be the summary:

 

• Champions Race:
  
  • Type: rotating ride of cars
    
  • Manufacturer: ¿SBF Visa Group?
    
  • Model: ¿Drift Race?
    
  • Capacity: 12 persons (6 cars)
    
  • Theming: Ferrari Testa Rossa 250

  [*]Crazy Pistons:

  • Type: rotating flat
    
  • Manufacturer: ¿SBF Visa Group?
    
  • Model: ¿Fly Over?
    
  • Capacity: 12 persons

  [*]Junior Red Force:

  • Type: coaster
    
  • Manufacturer: ¿SBF Visa Group or Zamperla?
    
  • Model: ¿Double coaster (SBF Visa Group) or Family coaster (SBF Visa Group) or F1 Vortex Coaster (SBF Visa Group) (train) or Speedy Coaster (Zamperla)?
    
  • Theming: Formula 1

  [*]Kid’s Tower:

  • Type: bounce tower and free fall
    
  • Manufacturer: ¿SBF Visa Group?
    
  • Model: ¿Drop’n Twist 9 mt. 8 seats?
    
  • Height: more than 9 meters
    
  • Capacity: 8 persons

  [*]Red Baron:

  • Type: rotating ride of planes
    
  • Manufacturer: ¿SBF Visa Group?
    
  • Model: ¿Red Baron 8?
    
  • Capacity: 16 persons (8 planes)

 

 

And the artworks:

 

Champions Race:

 

Crazy Pistons:

 

 

Junior Red Force:

 

 

Kid's Tower:

 

 

Red Baron:

 

 

 

La Rueda Mecanica (The Mechanical Wheel)

[coasterbill]

From the sounds of it this was much needed. Nice move by the park.

[rcjp]

^True. I was surprised, when I went there, by the lack of people it had and indeed it didn't feel very complete. I basically just went there for red force. Hopefully this will help.

[thrillseeker4552]

Looks good. I remember hearing reports that Ferrari Land desperately needed some “rounding out,” so this is a great move by the park.

[A.T.I]

Does the Crazy Pistons ride invert? It looks like it possibly could do...