[2024] Europa-Park General Discussion

[Sam]

Yet the closing time is 8pm.

I was there last week and also thought the closing times a little stingy – now I know why.

One day was a 7:30 and the other two were 7s. Park was rammed, with Voltron on about 80 and Wodan exceeding 60 on occasion.

 

[IDB]

It was always going to be rammed today, and likely will be tomorrow also which is a bridge day (day between a public holiday and the weekend).

I made the mistake of visiting on this Thursday/Friday a few years ago and have recommended on here a few times since to avoid these dates at all costs. Never again.

 

[Poisson]

I did Plopsa and Bellewaerde this time last year. Even they don't escape the mayhem (but the Chunnel tickets were pennies)

 

[NuttySquirrel]

Worth noting as well that Ascension Day is linked to Easter so the dates will move around year on year. Last year it was 18 May. Easy to get caught out if you don't check!

 

[Skyscraper]

Worth noting as well that Ascension Day is linked to Easter so the dates will move around year on year. Last year it was 18 May. Easy to get caught out if you don't check!

I checked yesterday, it's May 29th next year!

 

[Bowser]

I checked yesterday, it's May 29th next year!

Ah that’s annoying. I noticed this year half term in the UK falls in a week with no European holidays afaik so very favourable for families who want quiet times at places like EP or Efteling.

Was hoping to take advantage next year but seems that’s foiled.

 

[Skyscraper]

Ah that’s annoying. I noticed this year half term in the UK falls in a week with no European holidays afaik so very favourable for families who want quiet times at places like EP or Efteling.

Was hoping to take advantage next year but seems that’s foiled.

Yes that is a shame. Here's a list of all the German public holidays for 2025;

 

[LivOctober]

Its a German public holiday today apparently

9 May (Thursday)

Ascension Day (Christi Himmelfahrt)

German public holidays in 2024 and 2025

Here's every public holiday that you need to know about in the country.

www.expatica.com

I knew there was a reason I hadn't booked this week - my German friend was kind enough to tell me about what holidays would probably impact EP crowd levels, and this one was the main one she mentioned.

Projected crowd levels:

My trip is the 12th - 17th... Looks like I should avoid the majority of the crowds if the crowd calender is accurate.

 

[Poisson]

Moving days like Ascension and Easter break the crowd calendar at times. Fixed ones work better.

 

[NuttySquirrel]

Moving days like Ascension and Easter break the crowd calendar at times. Fixed ones work better.

Good luck trying to tell the Catholic church to "fix" Easter and all related dates so we can better plan our coaster trips!

 

[Gurkensalat]

I knew there was a reason I hadn't booked this week - my German friend was kind enough to tell me about what holidays would probably impact EP crowd levels, and this one was the main one she mentioned.

My trip is the 12th - 17th... Looks like I should avoid the majority of the crowds if the crowd calender is accurate.

This looks quite accurate in my opinion, as far as prognosis goes. Especially since the weather is forecast to be horrible from the 14th on.

 

[venny]

Opening hours have been quite odd for a while now. I was hoping this season would see a real recovery in staff availability given the new accommodation and facilities for them are beginning to open. Unfortunately that seems to not be the case. I’m not sure I’ve seen a closure later than 8pm since pre-Covid (except the midnight opening).

Earlier this season saw closes of 7pm on extremely quiet Sundays, but then 6pm closes on far busier weekdays.

Let’s hope they resolve the staffing issues because it’s not just restricting opening hours, it seems to also be a blocker to committing to build any more hotels.

 

[AstroDan]

Winter saw 8.30pm. But then it opens later in the morning.

A 11.5/11 hour operating day appears the limit currently. Previously the max was 13/12.5h with closure up to 9.30pm (admittedly you'd get maybe 2 9.30pm closes all year) with 9pm quite common through summer peak and May/October weekends.

 

[AT86]

For anyone interested in crowd levels around Ascension Day, this is worth a watch.

Spoiler: it’s busy!


From: https://youtu.be/8KufHrIo6eo?si=X_HuVXhz5TnavaiW

 

[LivOctober]

Strange query of the day - does anyone else develop awful painful bruises on their hip bones after a few days at EP?

And if you have experienced this... Any tips on how to stop it happening?

 

[Poisson]

Strange query of the day - does anyone else develop awful painful bruises on their hip bones after a few days at EP?

And if you have experienced this... Any tips on how to stop it happening?

Spend more time in the bar. The bruises will still be there but a lot less noticeable.

 

[NuttySquirrel]

Strange query of the day - does anyone else develop awful painful bruises on their hip bones after a few days at EP?

And if you have experienced this... Any tips on how to stop it happening?

My hip is in near-constant pain anyway due to endometriosis, however I did notice some strange bruises on my right thigh after my last visit to Thorpe. Am assuming the restraint on Saw was the culprit as it was pinching awfully.

At EP I would hazard a guess at EuroMir being the prime suspect.

I guess to only way to avoid is not to ride? The treatment advice given by @Poisson seems sound though.

 

[IDB]

Strange query of the day - does anyone else develop awful painful bruises on their hip bones after a few days at EP?

Only on the shins from Euro-Mir.

 

[DiogoJ42]

I find that a good rule in life is, "if you don't hurt the day after, you weren't having fun hard enough."

 

[venny]

Is there any sign of the water playground in Iceland, Litill Island, reopening? It looked like it was starting to be rebuilt a month or so ago, but I haven’t heard much since and it’s still shown as closed.