Phantasialand: General Discussion

[CSLKenny]

Phantasialand off season work update from Facebook.
The park have been carrying out Phase 2 of renewing the rockwork around Black Mamba. Apparently there is also major work taking place to create a new themed transition between Africa and Mexico areas on the current path from Africa to the Talocan viewing area. Not quite sure what that all entails yet.

Rockwork near Talocan part of which is visible on the right.

More rockwork.

The company Universal Rocks must be making a fortune from Phantasialand considering the amount of work they've been getting from them in recent times - Chiapas and Klugheim rockwork, River Quest refurb, additional Klugheim rockwork this off season and renewing the Africa rockwork.

 

[DiogoJ42]

"Fake rocks are to Phantasialand as shipping containers are to Merlin."

Discuss.

 

[djtruefitt]

I believe universal rocks have also been involved with project V at EP doing the work inside the queue lines.

 

[CSLKenny]

New River Quest theming!!!
This time it's not rockwork but a replica sailing boat.

But back in the world of rockwork.
Chiapas has received a new entrance portal.

 

[MarcF]

Looks like the entrance to River Quest will be moved a little bit closer to Klugheim.
The supposed new entrance can be seen on the left in this new picture showing the overhauled area between River Quest and Feng ju Palace:

Some more pictures of the work that has gone into this can be found here.
And here's a little video showing of the dismantling of the trains of Taron for maintenance:

 

[CSLKenny]

The new River Quest entrance has been rumoured for well over a year. And it looks great. I love it!

They have also started to build a wall to block the view of the RfA construction site from Wurlming Express.

 

[CSLKenny]

New Chiapas entrance portal in full. It also seems Single Rider has made a return given it is on the new screen.

River Quest's new entrance.

New theming in the new for last year tunnel.

Construction at RfA.

The historic Victorian Berlin tram which the park restored for the last Wintertraum has remained in place on Kaiserplatz.

Not having much luck with Winjas this year are they? Fear stalled this morning while testing.

New themed exit for Black Mamba.

New theming on the Talocan viewing platform.

New ticket scanners on the turnstiles.

 

[DiogoJ42]

I'm surprised someone was allowed to take a photo of a stalled coaster at PL without getting shot!

 

[Benzin]

Dat new Chiapas Entrance <3

 

[CSLKenny]

I'm surprised someone was allowed to take a photo of a stalled coaster at PL without getting shot!

I'm more surprised that it stalled in the first place! Especially there.

But with regards to the photo, this is a private day for the company Mediamarkt's employees and family, so the park hasn't actually opened yet not everything is ready for the main season. The marksmen might not have been set up yet.

In all seriousness though I've never had a problem photographing anything in Phantasialand. Must be lucky they weren't looking at that moment!

Also the construction in the Klugheim square teased by the park a while back is not for covered outdoor seating but it is a new stall/shop (it wasn't open at today's event so it is merchandise or more food is yet unknown).

 

[CSLKenny]

New picture of River Quest's first drop with the new theming!

 

[CSLKenny]

Just had to share more images of the new River Quest....

New rockwork on either side of the path down to Klugheim from China.

New theming in the tunnel under Raik.

The lifts are themed! Yes!

The new improved whirlpool.

On the Klugheim square the new stall will sell drinks.

 

[Ian]

If someone could hand me a fresh pair of underwear please it'd be much appreciated...

I'm delighted to see they've made so many improvements to the ride after all these years. It's almost unrecognisable to how it was just 2 years ago. It's brilliant to see such effort being put into what will be a 15 year old attraction in July. Top drawer stuff as ever

 

[CSLKenny]

POV of the new improved River Quest.

 

[Benzin]

Quite a difference, shows how easy it can be to turn something bland into a little bit more interesting...

 

[Rob]

Oh my, Phantasialand have gone full Mack with improvements this year, all they need now is an over-the-top yet fantastic video to show them all off!

Incredible!

 

[CSLKenny]

Tobi has done another report on the construction site. He says in comparison to his last report a lot more soil has now been removed - at least a meter more.
The bottom of the pit has been leveled out and it doesn't seem that more soil will be removed - the drills and diggers have left.
A crane now stands behind the entrance of the administration building.

Also at the admin building there are holes filled with concrete arranged in rectangles. Possibly for a floor to be poured later? Temporary foundations for a crane, containers etc?

They are building at 7-8m high wall to block the view and noise of the construction site. If they build a higher wall alongside the side of the street it will be impossible to see the site at all.

Hm. Wonder if when the wall is finished and the park opens will they put some sort of announcement or hints on it like with Klugheim.

EDIT: The park in a Facebook post announced that Black Mamba has received new dark brown seats.

Also a few figures have been fixed on Hollywood Tour and the infamous Witch from the Wizard of Oz scene that looked more like a man has been replaced by an actual female figure. However it is a static figure, like a shop window dummy - not an animatronic like the previous one.

 

[CSLKenny]

In a new post on the Phantasialand blog the park revealed they have installed a new technical system for the Chiapas turntable.
https://phantasialandblog.de/mission-off-season-chiapas-die-drehweiche/
Translation:
"To make the ride even more comfortable at this striking part of the log flume, we have installed a new technique in the off-season. "While the switch has previously been operated pneumatically, ie with compressed air, we now use a hydraulic cylinder that is set in motion by hydraulic oil," says Alexander Pröpper, team leader of the technical-electrical maintenance.
Since the pressure relief, ie the discharge of the compressed air, could not be regulated in the old, pneumatic system, a noticeable jolt could arise here before. In contrast, hydraulic oil now flows in a closed system, which makes the speed of the cylinder lighter and more precise to regulate. This ensures a constant, flowing movement of the vehicle. "We control exactly the pressure of the oil being carried into the cylinder. This presses against a piston plate of the piston rod and sets it, and thus the switch, gently but rapidly, "explains Alexander Pröpper.
So if the lively rhythms of Chiapas sound again, and you embark on an adventurous expedition through the Mayan ruins, you can also look forward to a new, wonderfully gentle feeling through the new turntable!"

 

[Ian]

Well that's no fun! Those switches are brilliant!

Although, I'm sure it will look fabulous when the oil inevitably leaks, creating a beautiful rainbow effect on the surface of the whole ride...

 

[MarcF]

The new themed area that is currently being build on the former Race for Atlantis site will be indeed called "Rookburgh". Appears to be some sort of steampunk theme. No further details on rides known yet.
Phantasialand shared some images on Facebook:

Source