TPR's EPIC Oktoberfest Trip Report!

Couple of notes, I dissagree with Robb(only slightly) that Oktoberfest ís to touristy. Of course it is, but at the same time I think it depends on what beertend you go to.

My German friends and I discussed this a bit at Oktoberfest, and they were all of the same opinion - that the event has actually not become too commercialized, as some have argued. Yes, it does attract tourists from all over the world, but at the same time it still attracts the locals. ALL of the Germans still go to Oktoberfest. (If the Germans were to stop going, then it would be a bust...) And while the tourists number in the thousands, they are still the vast minority - but I think it's the tourists who tend to be the more noticeable individuals sometimes, as the tourists are the ones who are more likely to make asses out of themselves. (Americans and Italians, I'm talking about you.)

There are certainly other German fairs that are just as good, if not better in some ways, but Oktoberfest was truly awesome and I look forward to going again in the future.

As for the Rocket - I rode it. It was an experience. I made the mistake of not emptying my pockets completely - I figured my wallet would be safe, as it was chained to me, buried very deep within a relatively tight pocket, and also pinned down tightly by the restraint. I was wrong! I came so close to losing it. Early in the ride cycle I had to work my arm down under the restraint so I could reach the wallet, and I spent the entire ride hanging onto it for dear life - it was a struggle! Amazing ride... though I'm not sure I would feel the need to do it again anytime soon.

Couple of notes, I dissagree with Robb(only slightly) that Oktoberfest ís to touristy. Of course it is, but at the same time I think it depends on what beertend you go to.

 

My German friends and I discussed this a bit at Oktoberfest, and they were all of the same opinion - that the event has actually not become too commercialized, as some have argued. Yes, it does attract tourists from all over the world, but at the same time it still attracts the locals.

I agree that it's not become too commercialized (yet), but I heard more American English and British English being spoken than German in most cases. There just seemed to be a LOT of tourists there. And they did appear to outnumber the locals.

Whereas when we were at Wurzburg, you felt bad speaking any English at all!

It's not a complaint by any means. It didn't detract from me having an amazing time at Oktoberfest, but it was more of an observation than anything else. I fully expect an event like Oktoberfest to attract tourists because it has world-wide recognition, and it still felt like a cultural event, I just didn't expect to hear that much English being spoken.

--Robb

Löwenbräu is the only beer Americans would know off, so of course you would have U.S.and English tourists there, other tends are different though. I met a lot of locals who were surprisingly friendly. There is a myth that Bavariens dont like people who are, well, not bavarien, but that was not the case.

The two girls Joe and I were talking to on the Friday where we hung out at one of the outside beer stand places both said that they enjoyed some fair that came in August because there was no tourists. I agree that every local we talked to was friendly, but am I sure the massive amount of visitors makes it the most "commericialized/annoying" of the fairs.

Oh, I also disagree that Americans only go to Löwenbräu, considering that the table we sat at outside the Spaten tent included someone from the valley (half way around the world and I bump into someone from my area??). Tourists were everywhere inside every unreserved section of every tent we walked through trying to find a seat (or finding one, as was the case at Spaten and Hofbrau).

-Maybe next time mix the Octoberfest with the Stuttgart Fair which is only 1 1/2 hour trainride from Munich and less touristy but almost as big as the Octoberfest, happening at the same time(new credits!!)

It would actually only be 2 new credits for most, as the major coaster over there is Lazer. Wasn't really worth the trip on our last day in town (it started Saturday, departure day was Sunday!).

A fairly crappy day at work was completely restored to full awesomeness watching the Kidtums Butterfly video. A world with that much mega-cuteness in it is a good world to be living in.

yeah, since we hopped around and saw at least half of the big tents, I'd say Hofbrau was mostly tourists (and the one that was the craziest early Tuesday evening). Lowenbrau was about average in terms of tourists/locals. I tend to think the weekends were FAR more tourists than the weekdays (and subsequently a bit more crazy)

I wonder if English was spoken so widely because it is sort of a "common denominator" among guests - the Germans pretty much all know English, and obviously we, the Brits and Aussies also know English. The only other significant group is the Italians. The wikipedia page for Oktoberfest claims 70% of visitors come from Bavaria, but the page that was being cited was not up anymore, so who knows. I'm not sure I'd believe it

Saying that Lowenbrau is the only beer the Americans know of is completely wrong IMO - I'd say that Spaten and Paulaner are much more prevalent in the US, as is Weinstephaner (who doesn't participate). Throw in Beck's and Warsteiner from outside of Bavaria and I'd guess that Lowenbrau probably only holds the 6th biggest market share of German beer in the US.

Oh, and for the record, we did the rocket. Even though we were loaded with beer, it was still pretty lame. I really thought we would die, but it wasn't too bad

Yeah, I think I remember commercials for Lowenbrau during Dukes of Hazard commercial breaks, the last time it was even remotely popular here in the US.

It's interesting to read the different views on how "touristy" it's become over there. I doubt it'd make much of a difference to me. Beer is a great equalizer in perceptions, sometimes.

Beer is a great equalizer in perceptions, sometimes.

This is the truth -- I mean, did you see some of the chicks who were talking to me and Joey?

^YES!

Finally got around to watching all the Skyline Park videos. What exactly is the point of Sky Wheel? That has to be one of the strangest rides I've ever seen.

 

It's not a complaint by any means. It didn't detract from me having an amazing time at Oktoberfest, but it was more of an observation than anything else. I fully expect an event like Oktoberfest to attract tourists because it has world-wide recognition, and it still felt like a cultural event, I just didn't expect to hear that much English being spoken.

 

--Robb

I actually have a funny story about that. A small group of us became attached to a couple of Germans on Thursday night. They were both incredibly friendly and very very funny. The second best night there, I think after the amazing first night. Anyway, the blond one absolutely did not want us to speak German to him, at all. He said was a German who didn't like Germany. Course he had been there since 10 in the morning and this was around 9 at night. He kept saying he was "so effing wasted". I said I liked his accent and he said he had paid 20 Euro to learn it. Pretty much every 2 minutes he would say "Put your hands UP!" and start another round of toasts.

There is a lot more to say about everything, but this really reminded of that night. I learned where the phrase "choking the chicken" came from this night as well but I will leave it at that for now.

^ those guys might have been more entertaining than drunken Piers (sorry, love)

Oh my god...I finally watched all the Piers videos. Probably the funniest things I've seen in my life so far.

I'm a pretty good drinker myself (More wine than Beer lately.), but it's been YEARS since I've gotten that trashed...though, I came pretty close at the NY State Fair a while back.

Finally got around to watching all the Skyline Park videos. What exactly is the point of Sky Wheel? That has to be one of the strangest rides I've ever seen.

The Maurer Skyloop (the original X-car) coasters are designed for parks who want a towering thrill ride on a budget and in not a lot of space (200ft x 50ft). All of them are approximately 150 feet tall. They go through the entire circuit once, then valley once, and then they're brought back to the station. The only Skyloop coaster that doesn't follow this trend is Abismo at Parque de Atracciones de Madrid, which has a larger layout.

The Skyloops have gotten pretty popular as of late - Knight Valley (China) is getting one for this year, and Linnanmaki and World Joyland (China) are each getting one next year - all of which are identical to Sky Wheel and X-Coaster at Magic Springs.

...and they offer the ride experience of a flat ride. A bad one. Like a Screamin Squirrel. I'd be pissed if I had to wait for that.

I didn't think it was as bad as a Screamin Squirrel, but it's not a good ride. And I really do like most Maurer rides I've been on. This one, though, as a single loop, it's pointless. Abismo was a GREAT ride. Sky Wheel...not so much.

I'd really love to know the inner story about the restraints on those type of rides. I fully believe that there are a few differences amongst their coasters. On G-Force at Drayton Manor and Sky Loop at Skyline Park the way the restraint sat on my stomach and lower ribs I could not take a deep breath and found it very uncomfortable to the point I would not ride again. On the other Maurer coasters with the same restraint system I haven't had a problem. I think it could be as simple as just an inch or two bigger or a tad heavier and I'd love to know the details if anyone has them.

Sky wheel doesn't impress me at all, looking at it. It just seems like a souped up version of those "ring of fire" rides you find at a carnival.

I'm surprised, really, that none of these Maurer coasters have OTSRs. I know I've complained about headbanging with those types of restraints before, but it seems like they would make the most sense on that type of ride...then again, though, that would probably put a lot of strain on the shoulders and neck of the rider.

^ Having just lapbars is the point of the X-cars...

I'd really love to know the inner story about the restraints on those type of rides. I fully believe that there are a few differences amongst their coasters. On G-Force at Drayton Manor and Sky Loop at Skyline Park the way the restraint sat on my stomach and lower ribs I could not take a deep breath and found it very uncomfortable to the point I would not ride again. On the other Maurer coasters with the same restraint system I haven't had a problem. I think it could be as simple as just an inch or two bigger or a tad heavier and I'd love to know the details if anyone has them.

They could've done a quick nip/tuck of the restraint design between 2005 (G-force) and 2006 (Abismo) if enough people had complained about G-force being uncomfortable.

Intamin used its older launch coaster trains and newer ones in the same year - Desert Race and Maverick respectively - even though Maverick's trains were heavily themed. Kind of the same situation, kind of not...

 

I agree that it's not become too commercialized (yet), but I heard more American English and British English being spoken than German in most cases. There just seemed to be a LOT of tourists there. And they did appear to outnumber the locals.

--Robb

If you want to get a real feel for a true German event, I'd say the best I've been to are Düsseldorf (July) and Bonn (September). They really are local events, yet have ride line-ups that are not too far short of Oktoberfest standards. Also, both enjoy truly huge crowds, great atmospheres, lots of beer, and offer a sense of the city's own unique traditions and customs.

I've had a great time exploring the lesser-known German fairs in the last few years, and I can honestly say they offer an experience that is so much fun that it's resultewd in my interest in theme parks taking a huge dive

I've spent only a day in Munich and all I can say is that it was amazing.

This was my first time there and it won't be the last, that's for sure.

Despite being Saturday we luckily found a table in the Bräurosl tent, and met with random German/Swiss people that really made our day.

They even wrote down the songs words for us to sing along.

I couldn't expect such a welcoming environment and how friendly everyone was. Within 5 minutes we felt like we were at home, with just a bunch of really really good friends!

About it being too commercialized, I don't really know what to say. Being Italian myself I could spot them everywhere, whilst I barely heard someone speaking English. I believe is just some sort of perception-thing (I hope that it makes sense, somehow)...

Nevertheless, commercial or not, I'm already looking forward for next year event.

I was just watching all the Piers videos again...here's what seeing my favorite Brit on the sauce kind of reminds me of...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6m6LhZJdCQY

Soon...

More...

Time for more Oktoberfest Trip insanity. I can't stress this enough... WATCH BOTH VIDEOS IN THIS UPDATE!!!

The next park on our trip was probably the biggest surprise of the trip! Erlebnispark Strasswalchen! (Say that five times out loud!)

Hey everyone! We are all ready for Elmopark Strawsmunchen! (Is that Piers in the background peeing???)

"Oh my! There is beer in the vending machines! Should I buy one? I probably shouldn't. I might get drunk."

This is "Wild Train" or as we called it "Europe's Cyclops!" It was insane.

New contender for "favorite support" award!

These people have NO IDEA what is about to happen to their genitalia!

Park owner Erik Wagner came to say goodbye to all of our trip members as he knows they won't make it through this ride!

See that bunny hill? Yeah...death!

The rest of this twisted mess is just insane. It does things to you're body that is illegal in some US states. But the most important part is, IT'S FUN!

There are at least three OMFG moments on this ride.

"You guys ready to ride?"

"HANDS UP EVERYONE!!!"

OMG!!!

Here it comes...

TWISTY!!!

SLAM!!!

CRAZY! CRAZY AIRTIME!!!

Big Mike approves!

OH MY BALLS!

Such an amazing ride for what looks like basically a kiddie coaster.

Next up was the slide of death. This is not a slide. It appears to be a slide, but it is not. It is a ride where your ass glides over the slide-like structure at 80MPH and you come crashing to your death at the bottom. It was an orgasmic experience.

The slide of death turns you into a pile of bodies at the end.

That green thing is actually made of metal spikes.

Shane takes it ass first!

Big Mike is in the lead and as you can see OFF THE SLIDE!!!

It took us 20 minutes to remove Kevin from Big Mike's body.

This is not motion blurred in photoshop. This is what it actually looks like!

The bumper cars were just as awesome.

Fran gets everyone back for being the "target" on the UK trip. For 1 minute he was allowed to bang anyone he wanted to. He thoroughly enjoyed this!

The park itself was very nice and quaint. All the different sections were nicely themed.

Kidtums gives this horse one enthusiastic thumbs up!

Apparently Cedar Fair named this location.

It's like the shitting donkey, but this one pukes.

The story behind this is that it turns out that elves actually built the Eiffel Tower. True story!

Elves in mushroom land...somehow I feel the designers were under an amazing influence when they built this.

"SELL ME YOUR CHILDREN!!!"

Amazing.

"Additional mind-altering substances not required!"

Good luck everyone!

"Do not even think about touching my nose."

"Welcome to your prostate exam!"

BOOGEY!!! BOOGEY!!! BOOGEY!!!

I don't know what this is, but it makes me feel dirty!

Hey guys! Have fun on the safari adventure!

As you can see, it's very politically correct!

This is what the humans look like when they are prepared by the chef.

"Can you feel...the love tonight..."

I love that you don't need to be politically correct in Austria!

Wasssup elephant.

Be sure to slap a condom on that thing before you use it!

Goodbye everyone! Enjoy your river journey!

Oh, look, some deer!

Still not being politically correct!

Natives...

Shane???

Looks like they'll get the point...in the end. har har.

PORNOPHANT!!!

No, Jeff, this isn't a credit!

Well, ok, maybe for Jeff Johnson it is.

I love these toilet signs!

Next up was Dracula's House! This was a very interesting walk-through attraction. It only runs during certain hours because it's quite a long show and uses live talent, but it's well worth doing!

Is TPR ready for a special version of Dracula's House?

The park owner, Erik Wagner, not only gave us an English translations, but "popped up" a few times during the show to EXCITE us a bit more!

"I WANT TO EAT YOUR SKIN!!!"

Only dust and a plaque, that reads, "Here Lies Poor Old Drac."

Oh, hey! Apparently Drac is a boob man!

"Good evening...I will having you all for dinner!"

Necrophilia Instructions #1 - First kill girl...

OMG! What is that!!!

TPR just wants to say a huge THANK YOU to Erik and his staff for an awesome day at Erlebnispark Strasswalchen!

And that wraps up all the parks we visited during our Oktoberfest 2010 Trip! Now it's time to do your part...COMMENT ON THIS UPDATE!!!

--Robb