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2020: Europa-Park General Discussion

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Not long to go now until Europa Park opens for the season:

I must admit, though, the park looks rather eerie in those photos, especially considering it’s apparently so atmospheric when in operation!
 
To be fair, pre-pandemic all headsets were being disinfected between each use (as they should be), so really it's no more dangerous post-pandemic than any other activity.
 
I suppose that is true.

In other news, virtual queuing is currently available on Blue Fire, Arthur, Eurosat and Euro-Mir. And speaking of Blue Fire, here is a little look at the new queue line:

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Ohh, I'm not sure I like that... it's a bit bland and switch-backy for modern EP standards. Difficult to tell from photos I know, but kinda looks like a step-back from the original queue...
 
EP Insider have shared a video from today's re-opening:

 
Once again the Gazprom building looks terribly underutilized. I didn't think it was possible to have less than a blank open space but now it's just an overflow queue. Also a shame to see Blue Fires entrance moved off the main path and hidden away in the building.

So what has happened to the path between Wodan and the Gazprom building? The one that could be closed off and used as Blue Fires extension queue. I used to really enjoy walking down there, but the new queue seems to block off the back side of the building.
 
Two things I've noticed about the video;
1) The new Blue Fire entrance is so understated you wouldn't even know it's there and once you do get to the queue line entrance nothing tells you what queue is for what.

2) Piraten in Batavia is looking lovely. Looking at the first room which seemingly has projection screens built in to the walls, I can see this permanently being an area which pays homage to the original through the odd prop or video.

What's with the temporary bridge the video shows off?
 
Seems a bit strange to just turn the building in to a big cattle pen, when blue fire has loads of extension queue lines all over the place, round the back of the ride. I can only guess they want more people in there watching the sponsors videos. Except they can’t at the moment due to distancing.

Also I suppose one of the lines must be for single rider when that re opens.

It’s hard to see but has the cafe now moved to the front of the building where all those seats are? If so that probably makes more sense as it was always hidden.
 
God that Blue Fire queue looks bad. I know it wasn't spectacular beforehand but it was a bit more interesting than that; it's just so open!
 
Is all that fencing queue line? Are those large cinema screens accessible if you're not riding? Is there still a café?

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I’m not particularly impressed with Schweizer Bobbahn’s new rockwork either. Obviously it’s nice to see additional improvements to existing attractions but the quality doesn’t look brilliant.
 
Couldn't they have just left the features of the Gazprom building as they were, minus the sponsorship?

I quite appreciated the cafe, table football and various naff (but free!) arcade style attractions. It would have been cool if they had just adapted these to no longer include sponsorship (maybe incorporating the park / mascots in them more instead).

A rare step backwards, there.
 
You all have ridiculously high standards when it comes to EP. ;)

The new Blue Fire queue doesn't look particularly imaginative, but it wasn't that good before? The queue was similar (a bland but immaculate interior with boring films) and the area with the cafe was a bit of a non-event. It doesn't look like they've improved it but I'd hardly say it's a "step backwards".

Also, the new plaza in front of the building is much nicer than the old fountains and railings, which always looked a bit clumsy. Nice to have a bit more space in that area too, as the bottom of Iceland could always be a bottleneck. Overall an improvement I think!

Dan tipped me off that the traditional EPFans.info 'change log' is up - looks like the previous Blue Fire entrance is serving a happy retirement at the Arena of Football. :)

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AstroDan said:
Is all that fencing queue line? Are those large cinema screens accessible if you're not riding? Is there still a café?

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Looks like the cafe has been moved to the front left hand side, where the queue used to be.


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I quite like what they’ve done with Blue Fire, although I admittedly never saw what it was like before. I think it looks very sleek and very modern, sort of like the ride itself aims to be!

Also, on a random note, Blue Fire has always reminded me of what Air used to be like at Alton Towers in terms of its vibe and general theme. I admit that Air didn’t have rockwork like Blue Fire does, but for some reason, the whole vibe of Blue Fire really reminds me of what Air was like.
 
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