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Phantasialand: General Discussion

I think it's alright. Whilst it's far from the most beautiful construction in the world, it fits the theme and in my view doesn't deserve the intensely negative reaction it's getting.

Besides, there could be more structure yet to be added. Those pillars at the top look like they're waiting for something to be fixed to them.
 
The room block to the left of the picture looks good, the entrance building is a bit questionable, it needs more detail to break up that big block of colour.

Maybe more is to be added?
 
Danny said:
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.
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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.
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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.
 
Staggered openings / closings at PL has always bugged me. All major rides should open with the park and remain open until it closes (not 15 min or so before for no discernible reason).

Pushing opening back to 10am just seems like a stealth cut, there always used to be at least a selection of rides open prior to the official opening time.
 
I’m becoming open to the idea of staggered opening.

take towers for instance, realistically AIR and Nemesis won’t see guests for a good half hour after opening by the time people have filtered through. So why open them?
 
Jb85 said:
I’m becoming open to the idea of staggered opening.

take towers for instance, realistically AIR and Nemesis won’t see guests for a good half hour after opening by the time people have filtered through. So why open them?
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Except that they do see guests, the ones that want to get on a couple of rides without queuing rather than being sheep and ending up waiting in huge lines all day.
 
John said:
Staggered openings / closings at PL has always bugged me. All major rides should open with the park and remain open until it closes (not 15 min or so before for no discernible reason).

Pushing opening back to 10am just seems like a stealth cut, there always used to be at least a selection of rides open prior to the official opening time.
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I didn't see anything in @CSLKenny 's post that indicated they are moving to staggered times? Just that the park will open at 10am and the rides at the same time (which is what Alton Towers does) instead of park opening earlier than the rides.
 
jon81uk said:
I didn't see anything in @CSLKenny 's post that indicated they are moving to staggered times? Just that the park will open at 10am and the rides at the same time (which is what Alton Towers does) instead of park opening earlier than the rides.
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They already have staggered opening and closing times. They are removing staggered opening times by opening all rides at 10am (some used to open earlier), so in effect it’s an operating cut.
 
Some rides have always opened late anyway (e.g. Winjas). The photo suggests that Maus may also open late.
 
D4n said:
Except that they do see guests, the ones that want to get on a couple of rides without queuing rather than being sheep and ending up waiting in huge lines all day.
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I think its fine for the water-rides in the Spring and Autumn when these rides are less popular to open them later. But yes everything else should open together.
 
Dave said:
They already have staggered opening and closing times. They are removing staggered opening times by opening all rides at 10am (some used to open earlier), so in effect it’s an operating cut.
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I thought the earlier opening was random rather than deliberate? ie official ride opening is at 10am, but if they have it ready and staffed at 0945 then it opens. I don't recall seeing anything in writing that major rides would be open before 10am.

But yes that sign showing Maus opening half an hour after the ride opening time is not a good thing (I didn't spot it in the photo at first). Particularly as that is so close to park entrance.
 
I'd always have thought given the lack of space outside the park having it open earlier than the rides would be more beneficial to the park. At least reducing crowds on the narrow pavement outside the Berlin entrance.
 
Odd.

I always tend to get into Phantasialand around 9-9.30am. There are always a few rides open at that time, Maus au Chocolat especially is great to do as it has no queue.

Reverting everything to 10am seems like a bit of a reduction. Unless they plan to offer hotel guests a morning ERT option in future rather than the odd choice of an evening one.
 
AstroDan said:
Odd.

I always tend to get into Phantasialand around 9-9.30am. There are always a few rides open at that time, Maus au Chocolat especially is great to do as it has no queue.

Reverting everything to 10am seems like a bit of a reduction. Unless they plan to offer hotel guests a morning ERT option in future rather than the odd choice of an evening one.
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I'm not a morning person, the evening ERT was perfect. Also (as we went in October) gave a chance for some night rides. If it was to change then personally I would suggest a family attraction (maybe Maus au Chocolat) as morning ERT and then keep Taron for evening ERT. That way families who are up early can do that ERT and then get the earlier dinner times, then people who want to ride the coasters on ERT have a later dinner. Spreads the crowds out in the hotel nicely.
 
An evening ERT surely doesn't make sense from a revenue point of view, though.

They are much better getting guests into the hotels in the evening and spending money on bars/drinks.

By closing time, I am more than ready for a relax - and have probably had a fair few rides on the likes of Taron already...

It's not like the ERT at Phantasialand would be Europa-Park or Disneyland territory. It could simply be 9-10am.
 
My inner geek is just sad this may mean its less likely they’ll blast out the ear deafeningly loud announcement in Klugheim when Taron/Raik open.
 
Some photos of the hotel from @CSLKenny over on Twitter:





Going to be totally honest again here and say that I am not a fan of the style they've gone for with this hotel at all. I know it is a steam-punk theme but at present it is coming across as very brutal and industrial. Not overly welcoming as you would expect a hotel to be.

Hopefully I'll get to see it for myself later in the year (if it's open) and it might look better then.
 
Phantasialand are complete perfectionists with their theming and they'll be more aware than anyone that it looks crap.

Wether it's in the short term or after opening, they'll probably jazz it up at some point.
 
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