venny
TS Member
Europa is now in its 50th season and every year seems to break the previous record for highest attendance. The Resort is clearly providing a product which people enjoy, but with that brings perpetual pressure to deliver new attractions, additional capacity and the continuous maintenance of facilities to the high standards set. So what’s in store for the park in the medium to long term? How do the Mack’s continue to entertain ever-increasing numbers of guests whilst maintaining the high standards they have set themselves?
Here’s a quick recap of what we believe to be on the cards so far: -
- Voltron, Croatia, Austria, Geisterschloss, Phantom and the new staff accommodation are all well advanced in their construction and due to open this year.
- Croatia Phase II has already been mentioned by the Macks with the possibility of opening next year. There doesn’t seem to be much in the way of solid rumours as to what it will involve although we can reasonably guess at either flat ride or dark ride or both.
- EuroMir seems to have been on the list for quite a few years already, although other events have probably overtaken it. The secondary entrance to Croatia passes right in front of EuroMir so it might be looked at as a priority for refurb due to it being in such a prominent position or essential to maintain open due to capacity. One would anticipate that Bench would form part of any refurbs too.
- Historama has been mentioned for a conversion into a gameplay theatre. If I’m honest, I’m not entirely sure what that means, but it’s clearly on the cards.
- Two more hotels plus the monorail to Rulantica are planned, but seemingly paused for the time being, awaiting a more stable labour base to staff them. For me the monorail extension is a crucial part of drawing the Resort together as one.
- The Camp Resort has begun its expansion already, with the bypass road now in place and significant building work starting to take place.
- There is a long term plan for Rulantica expansion, although I’m not sure we know what the next immediate addition will be.
So with all those projects at some phase of gestation, which of them will be next or is there something else going to overtake them? With the park’s 50th birthday being next year, you’d expect there to be something of note to mark the occasion, albeit there is no obvious leading contender at the moment.
Is there an argument that the park consolidates after a period of multiple concurrent projects? Does focus shift to Rulantica?
Personally I’d love to see a high thrill flat ride, which feels like one of the very few gaps in the park’s arsenal. Some type of gyroswing would fit in nicely with the steampunk/tesla vibe in Austria. Is it perhaps something Mack could even manufacture themselves?
Other than that, it would be great to see more focus on food and beverage. There seems like there’s such an opportunity to expand the drinks selections outside of the very standardised selection most outlets have. It’s always baffled me why there isn’t a wider selection of beers from the different countries.
There is, and always has been, an issue with food service speed and queues on busier days too and it would be great to see that addressed to alleviate the perpetual waits so often seen at the likes of Three Little Pigs and Mykonos. It seems like that would require a combination of increased staffing and additional outlets. Unfortunately Croatia doesn’t seem to offer too much of an expansion in food delivery at the moment and that does feel like a missed opportunity.
To go along with that niggle it would also be good to see a park-wide audio renovation. The park audio has been spotty for so long and it really adds to the atmosphere when you do hear the themed music and park suite play in the areas where it is audible.
So what do you think the medium and long term looks like? What should the park focus on and which of the projects on the list are we likely to see happen next?
Here’s a quick recap of what we believe to be on the cards so far: -
- Voltron, Croatia, Austria, Geisterschloss, Phantom and the new staff accommodation are all well advanced in their construction and due to open this year.
- Croatia Phase II has already been mentioned by the Macks with the possibility of opening next year. There doesn’t seem to be much in the way of solid rumours as to what it will involve although we can reasonably guess at either flat ride or dark ride or both.
- EuroMir seems to have been on the list for quite a few years already, although other events have probably overtaken it. The secondary entrance to Croatia passes right in front of EuroMir so it might be looked at as a priority for refurb due to it being in such a prominent position or essential to maintain open due to capacity. One would anticipate that Bench would form part of any refurbs too.
- Historama has been mentioned for a conversion into a gameplay theatre. If I’m honest, I’m not entirely sure what that means, but it’s clearly on the cards.
- Two more hotels plus the monorail to Rulantica are planned, but seemingly paused for the time being, awaiting a more stable labour base to staff them. For me the monorail extension is a crucial part of drawing the Resort together as one.
- The Camp Resort has begun its expansion already, with the bypass road now in place and significant building work starting to take place.
- There is a long term plan for Rulantica expansion, although I’m not sure we know what the next immediate addition will be.
So with all those projects at some phase of gestation, which of them will be next or is there something else going to overtake them? With the park’s 50th birthday being next year, you’d expect there to be something of note to mark the occasion, albeit there is no obvious leading contender at the moment.
Is there an argument that the park consolidates after a period of multiple concurrent projects? Does focus shift to Rulantica?
Personally I’d love to see a high thrill flat ride, which feels like one of the very few gaps in the park’s arsenal. Some type of gyroswing would fit in nicely with the steampunk/tesla vibe in Austria. Is it perhaps something Mack could even manufacture themselves?
Other than that, it would be great to see more focus on food and beverage. There seems like there’s such an opportunity to expand the drinks selections outside of the very standardised selection most outlets have. It’s always baffled me why there isn’t a wider selection of beers from the different countries.
There is, and always has been, an issue with food service speed and queues on busier days too and it would be great to see that addressed to alleviate the perpetual waits so often seen at the likes of Three Little Pigs and Mykonos. It seems like that would require a combination of increased staffing and additional outlets. Unfortunately Croatia doesn’t seem to offer too much of an expansion in food delivery at the moment and that does feel like a missed opportunity.
To go along with that niggle it would also be good to see a park-wide audio renovation. The park audio has been spotty for so long and it really adds to the atmosphere when you do hear the themed music and park suite play in the areas where it is audible.
So what do you think the medium and long term looks like? What should the park focus on and which of the projects on the list are we likely to see happen next?
