Phantasialand: General Discussion

[Plastic Person]

Yes, although heated to German standards, which may shock Brits.

 

[Bowser]

Yes, although heated to German standards, which may shock Brits.

Ah, my son isn't very tolerant of cold water so in that case not recommended in winter?

 

[Bowser]

Incredible footage of FLY. Reminds me of seeing Nemesis for the first time.


From: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHHWYs3Mf6b/?igsh=MWd1aGU1cTNxZXhsOQ==

 

[CSLKenny]

Phantasialand have filed a trademark for "Die 3 Mausketiere" (The Three Mousketeers)

Protected for classifications 41 and 43.

41 relates to entertainment and all the PHL ride trademarks are under it. While 43 relates to food services.

Given the mouse word play - is some new attraction or restaurant expanding the story of Maus au Chocolat incoming?

Is this what is replacing the 4D cinema neighbouring the ride which was just closed end of last season?

EUIPO - eSearch

euipo.europa.eu

 

[DiogoJ42]

Phantasialand have filed a trademark for "Die 3 Mausketiere" (The Three Mousketeers)

Protected for classifications 41 and 43.

41 relates to entertainment and all the PHL ride trademarks are under it. While 43 relates to food services.

Given the mouse word play - is some new attraction or restaurant expanding the story of Maus au Chocolat incoming?

Is this what is replacing the 4D cinema neighbouring the ride which was just closed end of last season?

EUIPO - eSearch

euipo.europa.eu

I think Disney might have something to say about that...

 

[Bowser]

With Europa out of the running we are now considering Phantasialand for Halloween or Xmas.

But, it seems they don't offer a RAP system? Can anyone confirm this?

I'm happy to purchase Quick Pass but this also seems quite limited too (eg doesn't cover FLY and would have to purchase for each ride)!

My follow up question is how bad are the queues likely to be in those periods? Realistically my son can't do anything over 20 minutes.

 

[Poisson]

Phantasia don't do Halloween so it would be fairly quiet I imagine?

 

[John]

From our visit over New Year, can confirm Phantasialand have no RAP equivalent (and indeed on some rides they're reluctant to let people with physical disabilities ride at all).

Queues when I visited a couple of years ago were almost non-existent over the October half term period due to them not running any sort of halloween event, everything apart from Taron rarely attracted any queue at all. Looks to have been a little busier last year judging by data on queue-times.com so maybe people have started to notice?

 

[Bowser]

and indeed on some rides they're reluctant to let people with physical disabilities ride at all

I was actually just coming back to ask about this.

On the website it states: Due to the general safety and usage regulations of our attractions, we have to exclude you from using them. However, with reference to the General Equal Treatment Act, you can use the attractions yourself within the framework of the assessments listed in the brochure (german language). However, it is essential that you familiarize yourself in detail with the risks arising from your restrictions in accordance with this brochure.

This is somewhat vague but your comment is concerning. My sons disability is not physical per se. He has limitations but he can board a ride with minimal assistance from me, hold on to safety harnesses and so on. I've emailed the park to see if they can clarify but obviously quite worried about the reality of this.

Here is said booklet, in German though.

https://www.phantasialand.de/files/uploads/themenpark/documents/informationen/broschuere-informationen-gaeste-mit-einschraenkungen.pdf

 

[Rowe]

Whilst Phantasialand claims it's an excellent park for disabled guests, that's only true in the sense anyone with a mobility aid can navigate the park in a convoluted manner but, as John said, they do not offer an RAP system nor do they actually accommodate for disabled visitors on any rides.

Their queues often involve lots of cramped staircases and uneven steps, sound effects, music and lights which may prove too overwhelming, and are overall unpleasant to stand in for long periods of time. There also aren't many quiet spots to decompress in when it is busy.

And to back John up, it was especially unpleasant for our group when we went during Wintertraum (early January), as the park was rammed and we could barely walk down a pathway in an area without bumping into someone else. And my seat stick, which I purposely bought for handling Phantasialand, broke within the hour of us arriving.

 

[Plastic Person]

Unfortunately, disability access in Germany can be like something from the 1970s...

EP is a relatively forward-thinking company with a huge international market, whereas Phantasialand is a much more stubborn operation. On the plus side, that means that they have turned down the easy cash cow of Halloween, but the park is also lumbered with the "that's just how it is" mindset that can blight the country.

Saying that, they're hardly hunting out the neurodivergent, so I think your son would be absolutely fine if the park were relatively quiet. And the place is so small that if you stay on-site, you can easily be back at your hotel for a wind-down within five or ten minutes.

 

[Bowser]

So confusingly i used a translation site for the brochure i linked above and some highlights include:

Priority Pass

• Guests with disabilities can request a priority pass at Guest Services to reduce waiting times at attractions. This requires a disability ID or medical certificate.
• The pass allows access via alternative entrances (e.g., exit or service doors) and is valid for the guest and up to three companions.

Examples of Attraction Accessibility

• Taron: Not wheelchair-accessible due to stairs and transfer requirements; minimum height 1.30 m.
• Black Mamba: Transfer required; not suitable for guests with severe mobility restrictions.
• Chiapas: Wheelchair-accessible entrance available; transfer to ride boat necessary.
• Theater Shows: Most are accessible, with designated seating areas.
  
  And then it lists all the rides followed by various conditions and whether you are allowed access. Under neurological all rides bar two are permitted (Crazy bats and Wupi Wabi Wipper, i don't know what either of these are) as long as the passenger is accompanied and has a signed waiver.

So on the face of it that seems quite promising but will await their email response.

 

[Skyscraper]

So confusingly i used a translation site for the brochure i linked above and some highlights include:

Priority Pass

• Guests with disabilities can request a priority pass at Guest Services to reduce waiting times at attractions. This requires a disability ID or medical certificate.
• The pass allows access via alternative entrances (e.g., exit or service doors) and is valid for the guest and up to three companions.

Examples of Attraction Accessibility

• Taron: Not wheelchair-accessible due to stairs and transfer requirements; minimum height 1.30 m.
• Black Mamba: Transfer required; not suitable for guests with severe mobility restrictions.
• Chiapas: Wheelchair-accessible entrance available; transfer to ride boat necessary.
• Theater Shows: Most are accessible, with designated seating areas.
  
  And then it lists all the rides followed by various conditions and whether you are allowed access. Under neurological all rides bar two are permitted (Crazy bats and Wupi Wabi Wipper, i don't know what either of these are) as long as the passenger is accompanied and has a signed waiver.

So on the face of it that seems quite promising but will await their email response.

Crazy Bats is an indoor coaster, no idea what the other one is.

 

[Bowser]

Crazy Bats is an indoor coaster, no idea what the other one is.

Would appear it's a small childrens drop tower. Would assume that's listed because an adult cannot accompany, no idea about Crazy Bats, perhaps because of an indoor evac?

Wupi's Wabi Wipper - Phantasialand

Let your legs swing back and forth and enjoy the gentle drop on this free-fall ride!

www.phantasialand.de

 

[LF22]

Crazy bats is an indoor coaster with VR

 

[NuttySquirrel]

Crazy bats is an indoor coaster with VR

It's been a while since I've done Crazy Bats but it might be one where you have to walk to the train wearing the VR headset, perhaps this is why it's not considered suitable for "neurological" disabilities?

It's a bit of a sensory overload experience to be honest, especially if your headset doesn't quite synchronise with the train motion, so you might want to think twice about doing it anyway.

 

[Bowser]

It's been a while since I've done Crazy Bats but it might be one where you have to walk to the train wearing the VR headset, perhaps this is why it's not considered suitable for "neurological" disabilities?

It's a bit of a sensory overload experience to be honest, especially if your headset doesn't quite synchronise with the train motion, so you might want to think twice about doing it anyway.

The website says if you're 1m-1.2m you can ride but without the VR so presumably anyone can choose not to?

Actually it being VR is presumably the reason they're not comfortable with neurodiverse people riding it (for example my son would possibly pull the headset off and throw it out the moving train and i'd be none the wiser to prevent it).

 

[owenstreet7]

The website says if you're 1m-1.2m you can ride but without the VR so presumably anyone can choose not to?

Actually it being VR is presumably the reason they're not comfortable with neurodiverse people riding it (for example my son would possibly pull the headset off and throw it out the moving train and i'd be none the wiser to prevent it).

I remember that you could choose to ride Crazy Bats without a VR headset however it is completely pitch black.

I am not entirely sure what they mean with restrictions on neurological disabilities/conditions. I'm wondering if they might mean that it may not suitable for epileptics but not 100% sure what they mean.

 

[Bowser]

I remember that you could choose to ride Crazy Bats without a VR headset however it is completely pitch black.

I am not entirely sure what they mean with restrictions on neurological disabilities/conditions. I'm wondering if they might mean that it may not suitable for epileptics but not 100% sure what they mean.

No they list epilepsy as a separate condition and list the rides accordingly.

 

[Bowser]

Phantasialand promptly replied and it's generally good news:

Unfortunately, we do not offer a free priority queue system for guests with autism. However, you are welcome to purchase QuickPasses at our Guest Service on-site, which provide fast access to the attractions.

Additionally, if you book one of our suites at Hotel Ling Bao, the suite package includes either 10 QuickPasses or unlimited QuickPasses per person per day, depending on the suite.

We would likely be staying in said suite so in a roundabout way it's resolved itself. Seems the only ride we'd have to queue for is FLY, hopefully it won't be too busy as suggested and we can try and time it accordingly. Or if we don't stay there then i'll just have to buy them separately, it is what it is for this park.

I believe FLY is the ride with lockers where you cannot take phones etc. Am i right in remembering that the locker point is close to boarding? My son would be without his communication device and ear defenders at that point which would make it particularly challenging but if it's only a few minutes then again that's probably doable once if he can see the attraction. I'm assuming a device zipped up in a pocket isn't an option or attached to you in any other way? I wonder if my wife would be able to queue with us until boarding then take said items and meet us upon disembarking? I expect that's unlikely.

Oh and i also specified my sons conditions and level of autonomy and they said: Yes, your son can use all the attractions