Europa-Park: Overrated?

I don't understand all the comments to do with expecting big thrills, coz that means nothing to me. You don't need thrill rides to make a good park, and thrill rides clearly aren't the only decent rides around.

The point I was making was that it's just full of average stuff, with Silver being just above average, and Arthur being very, very good - if a little unreliable.

And I have to disagree with the "independent park" feel some of you say it has, to me it just felt just as much of a corporate place as the Merlin parks, with Mack/MackMedia seemingly being shoved in your face everywhere you look. Especially this Coastialitiy stuff. And that autobiography... again it felt to me like they're wanting to make celebrities out of the big guns.

It's just the oddest park I've ever been to. It has its good points, like theming, food, operations and prices, but it stops there for me.

The theming isn't immersive at all, and is very much a mish mash over most of the park.

With the exception of Arthur, the dark rides are of such a poor quality, they're akin to what you'd find at the smallest of British parks.

Blue Fire is up there as the most forceless "big" coaster I've been on. Cheetah Hunt only tops it because it at least has semi-powerful launches. I didn't even know it has a soundtrack until my 3rd ride!

I don't want you think I'm saying the park is shit, because I'm not. It's not a bad park, it's just really not that great. And I have no desire to return anytime in the future. At least adding a yawn fest flying theatre will suit the park

I just don't get the love for the place on this site, I've never seen anything like it anywhere before, not just Europa, but any park. It's like it's a part of the deal when you sign up here, you have to love it or you can't join.... XD

I've been on here quite a while now, and I must say the hype you guys give the park probably ruined it for me.

I've been to all the major parks In the world and I still think europa is the best. I agree they need to update some of their rides but what I love is even the older rides are looked after with such love and care. I walk round that park and feel the love and care over the smallest features. The gardens are superb, the beer is cheap, cold and served in glass, the queues move quickly and the theming is immersive in most areas. I love the German feel to the park which lassie faire and very European. You see people chilling all over the place, no ones running around. I hate to say it but it's civilised compared to the uk parks. What other parks have a two star Michelin resturant, world class entertainment venues and spas(I.e more than one). The naked sauna was a shock to a Londoner, lol

All saunas should be naked. Sweating in your trunks gets uncomfortable.

Lordy - the way you post is as if our members are the only people who rate Europa-Park.

This is not the case. The general public seem to rather like it to. Visitation has gone from 4 to 5.5m guests a year in just 6 years. TripAdvisor, Google Reviews, Golden Tickets etc. From a geek POV, TPR love it too. Sanbrooke thinks it is the best. Coaster Kingdom. Of course many don't, and that's cool but implying it's only us is a bit far off the mark.

Your sledgehammer judgements on the likes of Blue Fire being "garbage" and theming being poor has taken a lot of the rationality from your argument. How on earth something like Piraten in Batavia, even if its quite old skool, would belong "in the smallest of parks" i have no idea? Sure, Bench is rubbish but come on. So what?

And this autobiography... what's wrong with that??

I was listening to you, but i am afraid i can't really quantify a lot of what you say - even looking objectively.

This forum is also a Europa-Park fan forum. Please remember this.

Also - what did you make of the resort hotels? You've not mentioned them.



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To be fair, the whole Blue Fire soundtrack is weird, as I've barely ever heard it actually work bar a few snippets here and there...

The dark rides are probably better than the Merlin offerings though... But is there anything wrong with old school type dark rides?

Of course it's corporate, it is after all, a showroom for Mack products... However it is a very well kept one that treats guests very well, perhaps that where the lack of corporate imagery lies? Rather than having Annual Pass deals thrown in your face every two minutes?

What's wrong with selling an autobiography? Best tell Towers to stop selling Wardley's then too...

The onboard BF audio is great but speakers often fail.

I guess its where BF as a prototype comes from. Rather like SM in Paris was for Vekoma.

Not really a burning issue for me, though.

I should say my preferred dark ride at EP isn't Arthur.

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I think it`s no deal at all, that some people don`t vote it that high....or let´s say we shouldn`t make a big deal of it IMHO. What´s so good about Europa Park ? Well, I think that if you want to spend more (!) than one day plus the evenings and nights at a resort and have a good time with your friends, then Europa Park is just the perfect setting. The absolut perfect setting IMHO....so good in so many aspects, that it doesn`t depend on having the ultimate ride selection. Having said that...Arthur, Wodan and Blue Fire are just brilliant IMHO...oh my, I am so happy that that park exists...

As H.P. Baxter once said,
"How much is the *%£#&!)@ fish?"

TS does overhype Europa Park, but only in the sense that we love it so much it can never live up to our collective experiences. Hence why when I took my Girlfriend I downplayed it a little and let her discover the park the way I did.

For me I love Europa because it changed the way I see Theme Parks. When I visit Europa I don't have a game plan to jump from one attraction to the next. I simply stroll where the mood takes me, knowing I'll find something with a short line or an interesting experience.

I can't describe how frustrating I found visiting Florida last year when I couldn't just soak up the atmosphere in the same way. It was a combination of having too much I had to explore and the mindset of those I visited with who were so used to the UK Park mentality. Give me a few more visits and I'd probably love Florida just as much but I'd never feel quite as relaxed as a week strolling around Europa.

As for Blue Fire I too was initially underwhelmed but with every re-ride I love it even more. It's not a thrilling experience but it does offer pure fun. Plus I love a good backstory and you don't get much better than a park shunning all other ride manufacturers in favour of revelutionising the industry themselves. Say what you like about Blue Fire, there are a tone of great rides that were inspired by it (Taron being one of them).

Tim said:

Say what you like about Blue Fire, there are a tone of great rides that were inspired by it (Taron being one of them).

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You nailed it Tim ! It was a game changer showing what`s possible regarding ride comfort / train quality. To me it`s not getting better...but holy cow I rode that coaster so much and I`m just noch getting tired of riding it. And when it comes to train quality I still think the Mack trains are the best...as much as I love Taron, but the feeling I have every time I slip in Blue Fire`s trains is unparalleled...at least to me...

I think so many people in this thread have hit the nail on the head as to why EP is the best in this industry, it is the closest to theme park perfection. I'm sure majority of enthusiasts wish every theme park in the world was like EP for their passion of the industry and operations at least. If the thrills and spills is more your thing then yes I'll agree that EP is not the best parks for that, but everything else I'll have to disagree as nothing else has come close.

Tim said:

Say what you like about Blue Fire, there are a tone of great rides that were inspired by it (Taron being one of them).

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I'm curious as to how Taron was inspired by Blue Fire? Taron is an Intamin Blitz model, the first Blitz was Maverick at Cedar Point in 2007, Blue Fire was built in 2009. Taron has more similarities with Maverick than it does with Blue Fire. The only similarities are the restraints and I'd hardly call that grounds for being inspired by.

Also, Taron is leagues ahead of Blue Fire in terms of ride experience, for me anyway.

Spike said:

I'm curious as to how Taron was inspired by Blue Fire? Taron is an Intamin Blitz model, the first Blitz was Maverick at Cedar Point in 2007, Blue Fire was built in 2009. Taron has more similarities with Maverick than it does with Blue Fire. The only similarities are the restraints and I'd hardly call that grounds for being inspired by.

Also, Taron is leagues ahead of Blue Fire in terms of ride experience, for me anyway.

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Intamin and Phantasialand without a doubt were inspired by Mack Mega Coaster trains when it came to developing Taron's trains.
But as for Taron itself I wouldn’t think there was any inspiration. The rides really aren't that similar. And Phantasialand spend years developing their projects Klugheim allegedly was in the works for 7/8 years before it opened, so they might have already settled on the idea of a launch coaster before Blue Fire opened.


I'm visiting Europa Park for the first time in July which I'm rather excited about. Also interested to see what all the fuss is about and if I agree with the whole overrated thing or not.

Spike said:

I'm curious as to how Taron was inspired by Blue Fire? Taron is an Intamin Blitz model, the first Blitz was Maverick at Cedar Point in 2007, Blue Fire was built in 2009. Taron has more similarities with Maverick than it does with Blue Fire. The only similarities are the restraints and I'd hardly call that grounds for being inspired by.

Also, Taron is leagues ahead of Blue Fire in terms of ride experience, for me anyway.

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I wouldn't know yet, but I've said from day one it looks great!

I'm not denying that Taron has more in commen with Maverick but I do think Blue Fire is partially responsible for its existence. Phantasialand might be renown for some very unique rides but most of them are inspired by what's trending at the time. Mystery Castle was their answer to Tower of Terror. Black Mamber was inspired by Nemesis, arguably the best of the very popular B&M Inverts every park had to have. Their Madhouse came after Villa Volta and Hex proved so popular and Mousse au Chocolat borrows the ride system from Toy Story Midway Mania. The list goes on but in Taron's case they were clearly looking for something to compete with Helix.

I'd say Taron shares more in commen with Helix than Maverick. Both have lengthy ride experiences that interact heavily with their environment. They also both have two launch sections but unlike the mid-ride launch on Maverick which splits the ride into two distinct sections these serve as boosters to reignite the rides pace.

If Helix inspired Taron and Helix only exists because of Blue Fire (which is also in Germany and therefore direct competition), then I think it's fair to say Blue Fire inspired Taron. Oh and Blue Fire was inspired by Maverick bringing us full circle... credit where it's due

Of course many other rides have been influenced by Blue Fire but I think I've written enough for now...

Maverick eats up Taron and Blue Fire and spits them out.



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By bashing one's neck in?

Maverick without awful restraints would be a top ride...

AstroDan said:

Maverick eats up Taron and Blue Fire and spits them out.

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Are you honestly implying that Blue Fire is a better ride than Taron?! Yet you say you can't take my opinion seriously because I said Blue Fire is garbage...

I have been more than fair with my opinions, I haven't out right slated the park at every angle. I've said what I like about it, food, operations, prices, beautiful areas etc....

And I never implied that you guys are the only ones that love the place, I was saying that I've never seen love for a park like you guys show Europa. Obviously I don't go looking for stuff like that, but I've been a social geek for many many years, and I've not seen any like what I've seen on here... and I don't get why you use "Sandbrooke" as a back up for your argument of the park being great... he's just a kid who works at Alton, not significant in anyway. Same with TPR, who seemingly love everything.

And where did I say poor theming? I just said it wasn't immersive, and I'm not only person who thinks that in this thread alone.

You can't just dismiss my opinion because you don't agree, look beyond Towers Street, most people can see the park for what it is, "good".

It's great that you guys love it, it really doesn't affect me in anyway, I just don't get it. I just found it such an average park, and Blue Fire to be such an uneventful coaster.

Oh, and that Pirates was awful. Almost awkward, as it was dead silent in places with not much going on, aside from the noises of moving animatronics.

BUT (just remembered) , that shooter in Greece was good fun!

It is a rather a nice change for once to see a debate on EP rather than more praising on here!

In all seriousness, I understand everyone has opinions on EP, even if most are pretty much the same, but from my experience, I did feel the hype on here did somewhat take the shine of my trip. Don't get me wrong, I really did rate the place highly, however I just found that the amount of information and gushing from the rides right down to the common bench where quite, and let's be honest, overwhelming and in some ways I do wish I hadn't looked on TS at what EP had to offer as I always liked to surprised whenever I visit a park. It's like watching the behind the scenes stuff for a film, showing every detail how they made the film and having a bit of the magic lost from it.

I'm sorry to say that my trip to Gardaland and LWV was actually more interesting IMO as I had no idea what I was getting into when I visited. So my advice for anyone going to EP is to not look at the amount of stuff we have on display and go in with no idea what to expect as you'll enjoy the experience much more.

Lordy said:

Are you honestly implying that Blue Fire is a better ride than Taron?! Yet you say you can't take my opinion seriously because I said Blue Fire is garbage...

I have been more than fair with my opinions, I haven't out right slated the park at every angle. I've said what I like about it, food, operations, prices, beautiful areas etc....

And I never implied that you guys are the only ones that love the place, I was saying that I've never seen love for a park like you guys show Europa. Obviously I don't go looking for stuff like that, but I've been a social geek for many many years, and I've not seen any like what I've seen on here... and I don't get why you use "Sandbrooke" as a back up for your argument of the park being great... he's just a kid who works at Alton, not significant in anyway. Same with TPR, who seemingly love everything.

And where did I say poor theming? I just said it wasn't immersive, and I'm not only person who thinks that in this thread alone.

You can't just dismiss my opinion because you don't agree, look beyond Towers Street, most people can see the park for what it is, "good".

It's great that you guys love it, it really doesn't affect me in anyway, I just don't get it. I just found it such an average park, and Blue Fire to be such an uneventful coaster.

Oh, and that Pirates was awful. Almost awkward, as it was dead silent in places with not much going on, aside from the noises of moving animatronics.

BUT (just remembered) , that shooter in Greece was good fun!

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I think Dan meant that Maverick is far superiour to both Taron and Blue Fire.

Is Europa-Park overrated though? It is a fair question and when I first visited in 2012 I wondered if I would think that myself. As it happens it surpassed the hype for me and remains my favourite theme park, as well as my favourite place in the world to be. Europa-Park is far more than just a theme park.

Of course this forum is very pro-Europa, heck we are a Europa-Park fan site as well as an Alton Towers fan site, so a backlash is to be expected in the same way that there would be one if the subject in question was Nemesis.

For my full views of Europa-Park and why I think it is the best park in the world then I recommend reading My Review of Europa-Park. I think it provides a really good summary of what makes EP the place it is. However I am going to address some of your issues here.

Blue Fire is garbage - okay, that is your opinion, fair enough. However if you think that it is garbage then you really need to go and ride some more coasters. I can understand someone thinking it was not thrilling, a tad boring maybe, just not their type of coaster. But garbage? Come on.

White Lightning is better than Wodan - again, fair enough, but wow really? White Lightning is great fun but Wodan is phenomenal, the airtime and feeling of being out of control is far superior. Try riding Wodan front or back row at the end of a long summers day and tell me the same thing.

Shows - I again see your point here, they are not the best quality and are often very cheesy. They are very EP but if you don't get the park I can see why you would not like the shows.

Parc Asterix and Parque Warner both better than EP - again this bemuses me, I just cannot see how? I can see why someone might prefer DLP, Phantasialand or Efteling and I am sure there are many that do. But the offerings Asterix and Warner are nowhere near that of EP. I was at Warner last week and although it is a nicely themed park with 3 good coasters (none of which are better than Wodan mind) it is a totally inferior theme park experience. And bar Oz'Iris and Défi de César at Asterix there really is nothing of note. And suggesting that Plopsa is a better park is just laughable. Sorry.

High street style retail shops - again this is just very EP, you can buy some lovely items from the park. Far better than the IP tat that most parks tend to sell these days.

Theming is not immersive - okay it is not as immpersive as say Phantasialand but the scale of both parks is partly the reason for this. EP's areas are very well themed and some, such as Switzerland, are very immersive. Other areas of the park are more open and 'park' like however I think this works really well and gives the place a more relaxed atmosphere. It all feels so real.

Feeling as corporate as Merlin - I get your Mack Media point but it is only used in films etc.that are made by Mack Media, surely that is fair enough? What is wrong with the (auto)biography? Roland Mack is a great leader in the theme park industry. John Wardley has one as do many Disney imagineers. Picking on that is just being silly, it is harmless. The love and care that the Mack family have for their park is evident around every corner. Just look at the countless investments they make each year that will return absolutly no money. I do not know another park like it. All they want is the best experience for their guests as they know it will give them repeat visitors and entice guests in the park to spend more. It is in my opinion the perfect operating model for a theme park.

Pirates is awful - I actually agree, for some reason I really don't like it!

I just find the idea that Europa-Park is average quite amusing. I respect your opinion but cannot see in any way how it can be seen as an average park. If it was then it would not get almost 6 million guests each year, it would not win the awards it does, they would not be able to afford all of the investments that they do make, hotel occupancy rates would not be so high that they desperately need more capacity. EP is good at least, that is simply a fact.

It's hard to quote loads of little comments, especially on mobile, so bare with me on this....

- I now see what Dan was saying with regards to Maverick etc, I read that wrong. Even though I read it a few times XD

- I thought this forum was a Towers fan site, and the Europa section got added coz of all the fanboys on here? I'm certain I was a member on here before there was a Europa Park section... and I don't think that means much anyway, I've seen more than a fair share of bad reviews/opinionson all things Towers on here...

- Blue Fire, I think I've ridden enough coasters for my opinion on Blue Fire to at least be respected, I don't have a massive, massive count, 297 is enough to give a valid opinion IMO. And as I've said before, I'm not alone with this opinion, I may be on here, but on other forums and Facebook groups I am most certainly not alone. It just does nothing for me at all. It was just so forceless and uneventful. The worst launch of any launch coaster I've been on, followed by a layout where it felt like it was going to stall 3 times - and this was on a hot day. Just like PMBO, the most interesting park is being at front going into the MCBR. Oh and the final inversion was pretty neat.

- The White Lightning comment was more to do with its size really. Given just how much bigger Wodan is, it doesn't really seem to do much more than White Lightning. And I rode at the front and back on a sunny day when the temp was 20' c. But in saying that, if you have to ride a coaster in a certain seat, in certain conditions, that does not make it a great coaster. A great coaster is great whenever, and where ever you sit. I liked Wodan, don't get me wrong, but it done nothing more for me than Joris and White Lightning.

- All of my visits to Parc Asterix have just been so awesome. Yeah it might not have the theming that Europa has, but the rides are all such a good quality, and I always want to run round to ride them again! Zeus and OzIris are amazing, and even the Bobsleigh is good for a Mack Bobsleigh... the dark rides are awesome too, as are all the water rides. And Pegasus is only going to bolster that. And with regards to my opinion on Plopsa being "laughable", straight back at ya for all those that seem to think Blue Fire is a great coaster. I would definitely say anyone with that opinion needs to ride more coasters, not the other way around.

- I don't really care much for the high street shops, I just found it really random. Who cares about buying shoes, jeans or trainers when on a day out at a theme park?

- What's real about the theming for you? Some of the areas are really nice, but some aren't for me, sorry.

- I never "picked" on the whole autobiography thing, so again that's a bit off saying it like that. Someone mention about the nice independent feel the park has, and I just disagree. It feels like to me what it is, a Mack showcase. I just felt that the autobiography was bloody everywhere, just like the Mack Media stuff and Coastiality. And the model helicopter too.... it just felt odd, like a "look at how much of a big powerhouse we are"... there's even some sort of nuclear weapon with MACK on the side...Iron Man much? XD

Like I said before, it's not a bad park, it's just not great IMO. It is good, but that's where the line is drawn for me.

(Oh, just remembered, that flat ride in the Spanish area is run far too slow as well, which sort of begs the question as to why they have it. Them rides are meant to be run fast so you swing at over 90', yet it was barely touching 75')