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Phantasialand: General Discussion

The thing with Wuzeball, is that even in all my years of visiting the park - only once I have I been on it. Indeed, the other visits I couldn't even see the damn ride.

As for the flying coaster, very exciting!
 
Last visit I had to PL I managed to catch a glimpse of Wuzeball's ride area courtesy of a staff member entering through a staff door. I genuinely thought I was about to be skinned alive when she turned around and caught me looking through in disbelief.
 
On a recent visit to Linnanmäki I spotted an Intamin rep around the Kirnu ride area (it was closed at the time). I went over to ask about the closure, and midway through the short conversation I slipped in a line like "well, this is nothing compared to Wuzeball" lightheartedly. Honestly the look he gave me was like I'd pulled a gun. Hopefully I get the luck one day to find out why.
 
As much as I always enjoy visiting the park, I can't help but shake the niggling feeling that the core reason Phantasialand have been forced to invest so heavily in the resort in the last decade or so, is to defer people's minds from Wuzeball. It's almost certainly why they are so unkind to the otherwise positive press of construction photos. Whatever is going on, they just can't take any risks. A sad but neccesary state of affairs.

Anyway, we're going off topic. When do you reckon this thing will open? I think they'll have people flying by next summer. The theme looks good, although of course it is a shame to see Phantasialand to move even further away from their true speciality in refecting ancient civilisations in broad and potentially offensive thematic brushstrokes!
 
Plastic Person said:
although of course it is a shame to see Phantasialand to move even further away from their true speciality in refecting ancient civilisations in broad and potentially offensive thematic brushstrokes!
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Er what?
How has the park been offensive in anyway to other cultures?
The park always take great care in representing other cultures and work closely with cultural experts and artists from the places in question on all matters from design and theming to food, clothing and music.
 
Aside from exclusively using black people in the Africa area, yes Phantasialand aren't particularly offensive (nowhere near as 'offensive' as two Efteling rides especially)...
 
I don't want to speak on his behalf but Plastic Person was obviously being tongue-in-cheek...

Going to PL tomorrow for the first time in a few years - is there anywhere nice to eat or is the food as dross as ever?
 
Sam said:
I don't want to speak on his behalf but Plastic Person was obviously being tongue-in-cheek...

Going to PL tomorrow for the first time in a few years - is there anywhere nice to eat or is the food as dross as ever?
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Rutmore's Tavern is awesome. Next to Taron.

Also, the new Tapas bar outside Talocan is also awesome.

:)
 
Benzin said:
Aside from exclusively using black people in the Africa area,
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When it first opened, Chessington used to use exclusively Asian staff in the Mystic East area. I'm sure other parks do the same.

I don't see it as racist. Think of it like casting a film / play: Yes, there are some roles where race does not matter, but you wouldn't hire a white guy to play an African tribesman in this day and age.
 
I'd like to clarify, I was being tongue-in-cheek, although I do think it's telling that both Phantasialand and Europa Park are moving away from 'exotic' international themes towards more whimsical modes. Ireland at EP is a good example for the large part, but also Taron and seemingly, Rookburgh. Chiapas is also much more fantastical in tone than the park's older attractions. I think this is just the industry reacting to changes in society and how the lived experiences of different people are percieved. The world is a smaller and more accessible place now, with cultures and races living or displaced more widely than ever. You can't just exotically portray an entire continent these days. It's cheesy at best, potentially offensive at worst. Either way, it's largely unfashionable, and besides, the fantasy themes are much more compelling.

Nonetheless, I don't think anything at Phantasialand has ever been produced in bad faith, but I had no idea that they were awarded a cultural medal by the Chinese government! It's a shame they were never similarly commended for their groundbreaking work preserving ancient Wuze culture.
 
Epcot employ people of various cultures and countries to work at the various pavilions in World Showcase.
 
AstroDan said:
Epcot employ people of various cultures and countries to work at the various pavilions in World Showcase.
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Yes, I know, I have been. I don't think that's in bad faith either, although, like all of EPCOT, I don't think it's something Disney would establish these days. I feel like I need to state, in case this descends into, "Urgh, stupid SJWs!", I'm just reflecting on some changes I have percieved in the industry. To me, theme parks need to move with the times, but I think they are inherently corny and silly, not to be taken particularly seriously.
 
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Sorry. What's worse, is it's actually just a distraction from the real issue of Wuzeball. I'll now attempt to inject some community bolstering levity with this highlight from Efteling family favourite and Dutch institution, Carnaval Festival!

efteling_1_086.jpg
 
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