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PortAventura: General Discussion

EuroSatch said:
A response today to the complaint I sent to the resort following my visit last month (see my trip report)
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Oh my, this is seriously pathetic... I was looking to go to PortAdventura soon, but after your story @EuroSatch I've been put off for quite some time. I think i'll spend my time and money someplace else.
 
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Back in the days when I actually had a passport, I was going to go.
Then I was warned about horrendous queuejumping, and poor management of it, so I waited a while.
Then, when I started thinking about going once again, I was warned operations had fallen, and the only way to go was to stay on site and use express pass, so I started thinking of main holiday, and spending extra.
Now, it is just not worth the hassle of all that travel.
 
I would still go to PortAventura but I would budget for the unlimited Express pass as well as the park tickets, since it's not viable without it. I also would not stay at the resort hotels but one of the many other hotels in Salou which are within easy walking distance. That way the poor customer service is limited to on the park and not the entire holiday.

Or maybe I'd just go to Europa-Park...
 
Alsty said:
I would still go to PortAventura but I would budget for the unlimited Express pass as well as the park tickets, since it's not viable without it. I also would not stay at the resort hotels but one of the many other hotels in Salou which are within easy walking distance. That way the poor customer service is limited to on the park and not the entire holiday.

Or maybe I'd just go to Europa-Park...
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That’s what I was thinking, Europa looks fantastic but is rather on the expensive side.
 
Joel3 said:
That’s what I was thinking, Europa looks fantastic but is rather on the expensive side.
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You get what you pay for. The hotels are expesnive yes but there are plenty of good value places to stay in Rust. Tickets may not be cheap however you are paying to enter a top quality entertainment venue.

I really like PortAventura as a park, it's got some of the best vistas of park in the world. They clearly have severe problems at a management level though as customer service across the whole resort is some of the worst in the world. They really do not care for their guests.
 
I think I must be the only person on here who has never had a bad experience at this place.

Iv only been twice, once pre Shambhala and once since, and both trips were flawless. Great atmosphere, staff and even great operations which I know they get plenty of stick for.

Worst I saw was a few kids push in the queue for DK to be with some friends but it was only a few of them and it didn't really bother me too much as the day was so good.

I must have been lucky on my trips. I need to go again for Red Force.
 
Alsty said:
I would still go to PortAventura but I would budget for the unlimited Express pass as well as the park tickets, since it's not viable without it. I also would not stay at the resort hotels but one of the many other hotels in Salou which are within easy walking distance. That way the poor customer service is limited to on the park and not the entire holiday.

Or maybe I'd just go to Europa-Park...
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I can't believe all the stick Portaventura is getting on this forum. Yes, operations can be poor and you do see some queue jumping but the theming is fantastic and they've got a great variety of rides. I can get 3 nights in Salou full board at a decent hotel plus return flights, transfers and park ticket for £200. Either go out of season or throw in an unlimited express pass for £50 and you'll have a wonderful time.
 
It's getting stick because of the poor service, firstly experienced by @AstroDan et al in December (PortAventura summary: 27-30.12.18) and then by @EuroSatch in June (48 hours in Port Aventura World ‘Resort’ - a tale of buffets and all things closed). I recommend reading their reports to see why views are so jaded.

We're not even talking operations here. What we're talking about here are basic failings and then a complete disregard by PortAventura to accept any responsibility when things go wrong.
 
Ah the "I had a good visit so you must be wrong" approach...

My 3 visits haven't been problematic (no issues with closed restaurants and the last two with express passes) BUT having to purchase express passes or visit out of season automatically makes it a more burdenous park to visit... What if I can't visit out of busy season? What if I don't want to stay in the dump called Salou?

Customer service is key to any good park... PA clearly lacks it, as seen by their pathetic response to some serious issues experienced...
 
Such vitriol! If this is the way this forum's going, I'm off. Thank you and goodnight.
 
discoinferno said:
Such vitriol! If this is the way this forum's going, I'm off. Thank you and goodnight.
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Don't hit your head on the way out...

I think the whole thing with PA about people having a great visit versus those who have a bad visit is something everyone needs to take into account of the park's overall quality. This is why Europa is so well praised, everyone I know who has been there loves it and very very has anyone bad to say about it. Where as PA is more mixed but it gives people who have never visited a good impression of the place.
 
Well that escalated quickly...

Sometimes when I read positive reports about PA I wonder if I'm just unlucky with my trips and it's actually fine most of the time. Then I read horror stories like Satch's and realise I could have done much worse.
 
Rob said:
I wouldn't bother, especially if you've done TTD! :p
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I have. But I'd still like to do it. Not expecting it to be better than Dragster but it's too big a coaster to miss out on. Plus I hear the queues for it are walk on most days so I can get plenty re-rides in.
 
Benjsh said:
I have. But I'd still like to do it. Not expecting it to be better than Dragster but it's too big a coaster to miss out on. Plus I hear the queues for it are walk on most days so I can get plenty re-rides in.
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I dont know why you'd want to get many re-rides tbh.

I mean, the ride is OK but it's not great. It feels somewhat poorly engineered.

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk
 
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