Not usually one to post a trip report, but having managed to escape the UK for a week, thought I might as well share my experience. Both myself and Dave took a mini road trip, not the mega trip I had in mind at one time, but hey ho, visitng Parc Aterix(1 day), Rulantica(1 day), Europa Park (3 days), and Walygator (scraping the barrel at 1/2 day). This first part is the initial planning, setting off and Parc Asterix, will do part two later with Rulantica, EP and part 3 the journey home via Walygator.
For context, having had 2 trips cancelled last year, firstly a road trip to the US East Coast and then secondly, as last minute put together road trip around Europe scuppered 24 hours after booking thanks to the then aptly called Quarantine Thursday lottery draw, this time, thanks to our glorious leaders putting France back in to Amber there was an opportunity to get away again. So myself and Dave set out on cobbling something together. The downside for Dave that he couldn't go until 16th August as that was 2 weeks after his second jab and then that left us with just a week as it was my last week off work.
A few options were banded about before France went back to amber in the latest round of Traffic Light Thursday, including flying over to Poland and going to Legandia and Energylandia but we decided that we really wanted to go back to Europa Park and simply spend some quality time there. We had credit from the ferries from our cancelled trip last year so set about getting it organised.
Eventually we came up with a plan of an early morning ferry out on Monday 16th with a day at Parc Asterix, and after park close heading towards EP, stopping en-route and continuing next day, then staying at EP until Saturday, returning home on Sunday afternoon, via another park on the Saturday, which, for our sins, turned out to be Walygator (They have The Monster, and it was cheap, it was also on the way home!!)
The biggest issue we faced was trying to find accommodation in Rust for EP and waterpark tickets so late on. We eventually settled to having a night on resort so we could go to Waterpark, but of the few remaining spaces left, these seemingly had no waterpark tickets available. Eventually a space became available for the Tuesday night in Hotel Colosseo and we were able to get Waterpark tickets too. Then we opted for the remaining 3 nights in Rust. many places were already booked up and what remained was stupidly expensive, but at some point availability became available at Guesthouse Mama, about a 6 or 7 minute walk to the main entrance. I stayed here many years ago more than once, and although now under new ownership, looked like a good bet.
So then, early doors Monday(1AM), after no sleep, we left Daves in Purfleet (On Thames) and took the 90 minute journey towards Dover for our 4AM crossing to Dunkerque. Despite a section of the A2 being closed and the diversion route also being closed, we made good time arriving about 2:20AM. Going through French Passport control was a breeze with a quick check of our passports, checking our vaccine status by looking at the code as the guys scanner wasn't working. Then checking in to Ferry, we were asked if we wanted to get the 2:40 to Calais as they were just boarding, so opted for this rather than wait around for another hour. Ferry was very quiet. Plenty of trucks but only 3 other passenger cars.
In no time at all we were in Calais so set about heading to Parc Aterix, which is around a 2.5 hour drive, and given it had just gone 5AM, there was no rush so 1/2 way had a long stop off and plenty of double double expressos to keep me away.
Eventually arrived at Parc Asterix around 9:15(Park open 10-7) and made our way in. Vaccine statuses were checked here, and also scanned. I have visited previously in 2012 & 2014. With 2012 being pretty woeful for operations, an air of hostility about the place akin to Thorpe Park and Goudurix being pretty horrific. 2014 was quite the opposite so I looked forward to seeing if this still held up.
Weather was warm and sunny, with a max of around 25c late afternoon
Parc Asterix certainly impressed me again. It was fairly busy. Most popular rides such as Zues, Oziris, Pagase Express usually around 45 minute mark most of the day. Zues I love, it is quite fast and furious, though does peter out towards the last 1/4, but none the less still a fantastic ride. This time managed 3 rides, with 1 front and 2 back row, where as previously only got 1 due to the 90 minute wait.
Oziris, this time 4 goes, 1 normal queue and 3 single rider. So front row first, 2 back and one middle. This has really grown on me now. Previously I thought it was just OK, but this time it really had a bit of oomph to it. Felt quite intense too where previously I though it felt a bit bland and underwhelming. Some great theming too, and for me is a decent stand out coaster now.
Pegase Express is certainly a great family coaster. Nothing to blow you way just decent and fun. Only had one go, didn't really think that a 40 minute wait to go again was justified I guess.
Goudurix, still have found memories of 2012 and the painful roughness which probably gave me multiple brain aneurysm, 2014 though was much improved but was expecting it to of returned to some sort of brutality after such a long time. However it was fine and no major roughness to speak about. Only had 1 go, it isn't really worth anything more than that, even with the 10 minute queue, just something to ride as it is there.
Once we got the main rides done it was generally the case of re-rides and the occasional rest stop, but not too long as tiredness kicked in on occasions so needed to keep at it.
After park close, we headed off for our just over 1/2 way stop off point which was the Ibis Budget just outside Metz, which was around a 3.5 hour drive. So a couple more stops and a couple more double expressos on the way. Then it was time for some much needed sleep ready for an early start next day for our 3 hour non toll road journey to Europa Park
Overall positives for Parc Asterix. Rides : Decent selection of rides suitable for all the family.
Operaions: Operations, as back in 2014 were fantastic, queues moved very quickly and the advertised waits were usually showing much longer than you really waited.
Atmosphere: Great atmosphere, lots of families around, greatly improved from 2012 and even 2014 where there was an air of hostility about he place.
Negatives : €15 to park your car.
Food: Seemed a number of decent food outlets closed. And whilst other places were not overly busy, what was on offer was rather below par. Eventually settled on what turned out to be the greasiest Pizza I've ever had, and I had one once at Alton Towers back the 90's and that takes some beating.
Part 2, Rulantica and Europa Park coming up sometime later or tomorrow.
For context, having had 2 trips cancelled last year, firstly a road trip to the US East Coast and then secondly, as last minute put together road trip around Europe scuppered 24 hours after booking thanks to the then aptly called Quarantine Thursday lottery draw, this time, thanks to our glorious leaders putting France back in to Amber there was an opportunity to get away again. So myself and Dave set out on cobbling something together. The downside for Dave that he couldn't go until 16th August as that was 2 weeks after his second jab and then that left us with just a week as it was my last week off work.
A few options were banded about before France went back to amber in the latest round of Traffic Light Thursday, including flying over to Poland and going to Legandia and Energylandia but we decided that we really wanted to go back to Europa Park and simply spend some quality time there. We had credit from the ferries from our cancelled trip last year so set about getting it organised.
Eventually we came up with a plan of an early morning ferry out on Monday 16th with a day at Parc Asterix, and after park close heading towards EP, stopping en-route and continuing next day, then staying at EP until Saturday, returning home on Sunday afternoon, via another park on the Saturday, which, for our sins, turned out to be Walygator (They have The Monster, and it was cheap, it was also on the way home!!)
The biggest issue we faced was trying to find accommodation in Rust for EP and waterpark tickets so late on. We eventually settled to having a night on resort so we could go to Waterpark, but of the few remaining spaces left, these seemingly had no waterpark tickets available. Eventually a space became available for the Tuesday night in Hotel Colosseo and we were able to get Waterpark tickets too. Then we opted for the remaining 3 nights in Rust. many places were already booked up and what remained was stupidly expensive, but at some point availability became available at Guesthouse Mama, about a 6 or 7 minute walk to the main entrance. I stayed here many years ago more than once, and although now under new ownership, looked like a good bet.
So then, early doors Monday(1AM), after no sleep, we left Daves in Purfleet (On Thames) and took the 90 minute journey towards Dover for our 4AM crossing to Dunkerque. Despite a section of the A2 being closed and the diversion route also being closed, we made good time arriving about 2:20AM. Going through French Passport control was a breeze with a quick check of our passports, checking our vaccine status by looking at the code as the guys scanner wasn't working. Then checking in to Ferry, we were asked if we wanted to get the 2:40 to Calais as they were just boarding, so opted for this rather than wait around for another hour. Ferry was very quiet. Plenty of trucks but only 3 other passenger cars.
In no time at all we were in Calais so set about heading to Parc Aterix, which is around a 2.5 hour drive, and given it had just gone 5AM, there was no rush so 1/2 way had a long stop off and plenty of double double expressos to keep me away.
Eventually arrived at Parc Asterix around 9:15(Park open 10-7) and made our way in. Vaccine statuses were checked here, and also scanned. I have visited previously in 2012 & 2014. With 2012 being pretty woeful for operations, an air of hostility about the place akin to Thorpe Park and Goudurix being pretty horrific. 2014 was quite the opposite so I looked forward to seeing if this still held up.
Weather was warm and sunny, with a max of around 25c late afternoon
Parc Asterix certainly impressed me again. It was fairly busy. Most popular rides such as Zues, Oziris, Pagase Express usually around 45 minute mark most of the day. Zues I love, it is quite fast and furious, though does peter out towards the last 1/4, but none the less still a fantastic ride. This time managed 3 rides, with 1 front and 2 back row, where as previously only got 1 due to the 90 minute wait.
Oziris, this time 4 goes, 1 normal queue and 3 single rider. So front row first, 2 back and one middle. This has really grown on me now. Previously I thought it was just OK, but this time it really had a bit of oomph to it. Felt quite intense too where previously I though it felt a bit bland and underwhelming. Some great theming too, and for me is a decent stand out coaster now.
Pegase Express is certainly a great family coaster. Nothing to blow you way just decent and fun. Only had one go, didn't really think that a 40 minute wait to go again was justified I guess.
Goudurix, still have found memories of 2012 and the painful roughness which probably gave me multiple brain aneurysm, 2014 though was much improved but was expecting it to of returned to some sort of brutality after such a long time. However it was fine and no major roughness to speak about. Only had 1 go, it isn't really worth anything more than that, even with the 10 minute queue, just something to ride as it is there.
Once we got the main rides done it was generally the case of re-rides and the occasional rest stop, but not too long as tiredness kicked in on occasions so needed to keep at it.
After park close, we headed off for our just over 1/2 way stop off point which was the Ibis Budget just outside Metz, which was around a 3.5 hour drive. So a couple more stops and a couple more double expressos on the way. Then it was time for some much needed sleep ready for an early start next day for our 3 hour non toll road journey to Europa Park
Overall positives for Parc Asterix. Rides : Decent selection of rides suitable for all the family.
Operaions: Operations, as back in 2014 were fantastic, queues moved very quickly and the advertised waits were usually showing much longer than you really waited.
Atmosphere: Great atmosphere, lots of families around, greatly improved from 2012 and even 2014 where there was an air of hostility about he place.
Negatives : €15 to park your car.
Food: Seemed a number of decent food outlets closed. And whilst other places were not overly busy, what was on offer was rather below par. Eventually settled on what turned out to be the greasiest Pizza I've ever had, and I had one once at Alton Towers back the 90's and that takes some beating.
Part 2, Rulantica and Europa Park coming up sometime later or tomorrow.