[2024] Europa-Park General Discussion

[MattyH]

I guess it's difficult to improve upon perfection.

Though perhaps they could use a couple more bars maybe.

 

[AstroDan]

What small improvements are we making on the park itself? Well... not a lot!

I love hearing this in your voice.

I'm sure there'll be a new piece of artwork hanging in the Pope Café.

Sent from my SM-G991B using Tapatalk

 

[Rob]

@Cheese and I miss the deep voiced narrator, he was always a highlight of the English dubbed Novelties But I'm still cracking up at us being shafted for Liechtenstein for the relocated balloon ride.

Agreed. Although it was good to be able to watch the video in English, the lack of the usual "we've changed 25 million bed sheets" narrator was somewhat troubling. Alas!

 

[AstroDan]

The man died. It's more than merely 'troubling' for his wife and kids.

 

[Rob]

Crikey, I had no idea. How awful.

 

[Sam]

The celebrated EP-Fans.info 'change log' is now online. It usually gets updated and expanded over the first few weeks of the season.

 

[CSLKenny]

In the final photo you can see the extensive work that has been taking place on the Santa Marian ship which is being partially re-built. The hole in the ground toilet is gone (forever? Who knows) but hopefully this indicates that the Magellan Lounge will open once again in 2023.

As well as the rebuild of the deck; a new more prominent entrance has been created. Would suggest hopes to have it open more from now on.

Source

 

[venny]

Great news - that’s got to signal the intention to reopen at some point. I always thought the previous entrance was particularly convoluted.

 

[CSLKenny]

The balloon carousel's new Liechtenstein theme has an ACE backstory; because of course it does

The Unexpected Balloon Ride to Liechtenstein - Adventure Club of Europe

Adventure Club of Europe – Entdecken Sie unsere interessantesten, spannendsten und zum Teil auch umstrittensten Expeditionen der vergangenen Jahrhunderte.

adventure-club.de

From: https://twitter.com/ep_sprecher/status/1639225077521846272?s=20

 

[CSLKenny]

A designer for MackNeXT has shared an original concept art for the Balloon carousel's new home as part of the English themed area before they decided to switch to making it a mini Liechtenstein area.
It would have featured fountains and been in the style of a historic British pier amusement park.

Source

 

[Rob]

A shame they didn't go down that route rather than the political/tourism tie in with Liechtenstein. Would have given the English themed area some extra character.

 

[Sam]

That's way more interesting than what we ended up with. Surely San Marino will be asking where their themed micro-area is now.

 

[venny]

It does seem like creating a whole new area for one ride really is shoehorning it in. That proposed theming concept would have also tied it into the English theme. As it is now, I’m not at all sure how the balloons relate to Liechtenstein.

 

[Gurkensalat]

It would have worked as well, but in reality there is not much difference to the actual situation. I do not see, where this is more interesting than the Liechtenstein scenario (except for the English, of course ). So why not create a new land if you see the opportunity.

 

[Rob]

I guess we are somewhat biased!

I'll save full judgement until I am next at Europa-Park and can see how Liechtenstein looks and feels.

 

[Gurkensalat]

A bit of solace: If you look at satellite photos on google maps etc, you see a large unused area behind England. I am sure that this could be used one day for an expansion of the English land, if the right opportunity comes along. I don't know if it already belongs to the Park or the Mack family (Roland Macks house is adjacent), but even if not, such a thing can be changed.

 

[Johnny Rocket]

Clearly very heavily inspired by Brighton Pier! Down to the street lamps and flags on the pier towers. Would've loved that!

 

[Benzin]

Just as long as it didn't go the way of the other pier in Brighton.

 

[CSLKenny]

A bit of solace: If you look at satellite photos on google maps etc, you see a large unused area behind England. I am sure that this could be used one day for an expansion of the English land, if the right opportunity comes along. I don't know if it already belongs to the Park or the Mack family (Roland Macks house is adjacent), but even if not, such a thing can be changed.

That is Roland Mack's backgarden

 

[Tim]

They did say the new coaster was at one point going into the UK area, so there must be some area of land available there for the station and queue.

Personally I'm glad they didn't try to squeeze it in over the UK area when the other side of the park has far better development opportunities. But a signiture ride for the UK like a dark ride feels like a must one day. If the tiny Italian area can fit in Geisterschloss and Scandinavia and Greece have Snorri and Adventure Atlantis respectively a signiture UK ride wouldn't be too hard.

I think the main issue with the UK area is that although it's quite large only the tiny section at the back feels like the UK, with the cars, carousel and football arena not really feeling part of the area. The whole land could benefit from what they did to the French area when Eurosat was rebuilt.