The ride itself was built quite a while ago, and testing hasn't only just commenced as far as I'm aware. It appears to the bloody theming that's crawled along, plus the seemingly later on decision of the hotel.
Not sure what you mean by later decision of a hotel? From the moment they announced Rookburgh they teased the hotel "experience by day & night". It's completely embedded into the area and wraps tightly around the coaster not exactly a last minute choice...
That a tight compact layered area of buildings, paths, coaster, sound proofing barriers and a hotel, requiring lots of digging deep down/groundwork which suffered delays due to issues with ground water and coal find, has taken a while isn't exactly surprising...
Aside from testing having finally started over a week ago and the rusty hotel entrance gateway - at the Rookburgh entrance on Berlin Street they plugged in and tested a new waiting times information and directions screen - which already lists F.L.Y.. Photographed by a conference guest.
In other PHL news:
- ERT is again being offered as usual for Taron & Raik for hotel guests in April, May and June (no word yet on the Autumn ERT but that was always typically announced a bit later in the year if I remember rightly).
- The park have changed their opening hours set up. It will no longer open at 9am, an hour before the rides do. Instead park and attractions will open at the same time of 10am. They also have different closing times for different dates listed on their website (6pm, 7pm to 8pm).
https://www.phantasialand.de/en/theme-park/opening-hours/
- Their annual April & May "Pay x1, Visit x2" tickets offer is not returning. Instead discounted pre-booked online tickets for particular dates in April only are being offered.
https://shop.phantasialand.de/Tickets/Vorverkauf-Sommersaison-2020/ *
*Some have speculated this could be a tactic to get guests in ahead of Rookburgh's opening and hopefully entice them back at full price in the summer.