It was absolutely absurd last Saturday. In the most awful way.
We stood in Castillo Alcazar, suddenly a comment of 'what is that?' - a turn around and there, billowing into the sky, dark smoke - and then the flames. I wasn't quite sure what was burning, but knew it was the vicinity of the backstage areas/Piraten in Batavia. The fire spread, and before long it was obvious that Scandinavia, and its lovely towers, were also burning. The pitched roof of the Fjord Restaurant terrace was also in full flames.
We walked from the hotels to Silver Lake Saloon, through Rust - as the EP Express was, understandably, out of service. In the village - everywhere people were on the streets, looking, pointing, gasping. The park - their park - was burning and nobody knew exactly what. Occasionally, between buildings, the smoke was higher and higher.
Upon walking past the park entrance, guests were flooding out - as the park had carefully closed rides area by area, gradually forcing guests out. There was no panic. No stampede. Silver Star continued running a little longer - with the smoke behind, and gradually, rides closed.
Our al fresco meal at Silver Lake was... subdued. I had never seen anything like it, and the atmosphere was quite surreal. I could tell the staff were a little uncertain about what was going on.
The night came, we slept - and then the news that the park was to open at 9am as usual. Incredibly, the Monorail, Vindjammer and other rides opened too, although slightly later.
In many areas you couldn't tell there had been a problem. But in some areas, you really could.
One of the largest dark rides in Europe has been wrecked - but I am certain that from the ashes, EP will deliver something worthy of its replacement.
Well done, Europa.
