Trip Planning: Information, advice and questions!

[Soprano187]

Yeah thanks but like I said I don’t want to start it now as then theyre not valid early summer 2026. I’m thinking if they have sold out in the past, they may well do so this year as it’s the anniversary.

I was hoping one of you vets would say:

Don’t worry they never sell out; or

They sell out and go back on sale throughout the year, bit like the virtual queue you just keep checking; or

If they sell out you can always get regular passes, they never close the gates as “park full” even in peak peak; or

You can do some other trick to get round the situation..!

Any advice?

 

[Plastic Person]

The park might be understanding of your situation if you explain that you’re staying on site for a literal fortnight. You’re probably already considered an honorary citizen of Rust.

 

[NuttySquirrel]

Yeah thanks but like I said I don’t want to start it now as then theyre not valid early summer 2026. I’m thinking if they have sold out in the past, they may well do so this year as it’s the anniversary.

I was hoping one of you vets would say:

Don’t worry they never sell out; or

They sell out and go back on sale throughout the year, bit like the virtual queue you just keep checking; or

If they sell out you can always get regular passes, they never close the gates as “park full” even in peak peak; or

You can do some other trick to get round the situation..!

Any advice?

I don't think any of us would want to say "they never sell out" but I'd be very surprised if they do take them off sale. Voltron was new last year and I don't even think they took them off sale then (citation needed).

 

[Rob]

It's a tricky one, they did post on social media the other day that they are close to selling out, but who knows whether that's just a drive to get more sales.

I don't like the fact that Resort Passes can sell out, it never used to be the case previously. Especially the Gold pass, it is so expensive that there is no way it should ever be sold out.

If they do sell out in the coming weeks, it does not mean that they'll be sold out for the entire season. I guess they keep an eye on a combination of renewals and other ticket sales to determine when they put them back on sale.

 

[IDB]

It's a tricky one, they did post on social media the other day that they are close to selling out, but who knows whether that's just a drive to get more sales.

I don't like the fact that Resort Passes can sell out, it never used to be the case previously. Especially the Gold pass, it is so expensive that there is no way it should ever be sold out.

If they do sell out in the coming weeks, it does not mean that they'll be sold out for the entire season. I guess they keep an eye on a combination of renewals and other ticket sales to determine when they put them back on sale.

“Tickets going fast” is usually a sign there’s loads left and they want a push on sales!

 

[Soprano187]

Thank you all, I’ve emailed them, always been great help, I’ll post what they say!

Thank you

 

[venny]

Yeah thanks but like I said I don’t want to start it now as then theyre not valid early summer 2026. I’m thinking if they have sold out in the past, they may well do so this year as it’s the anniversary.

I was hoping one of you vets would say:

Don’t worry they never sell out; or

They sell out and go back on sale throughout the year, bit like the virtual queue you just keep checking; or

If they sell out you can always get regular passes, they never close the gates as “park full” even in peak peak; or

You can do some other trick to get round the situation..!

Any advice?

To address this: -

- they have sold out of Resort Passes. It was only once, in 2023, and the passes were put back on sale around two months later.

- you can nearly always get day tickets, however there are a few rare occasions where the park sells out. This is most likely to happen on the exceptionally busy “bridge days”.

- there is a “trick” to get around the sold out situation for day tickets. I have never had to rely on it personally, but If you are staying in Rust, your accommodation provider should still be able to source you tickets. Some accommodations actively advertise this, others do not. It might be worth checking with where you’re staying. If you’re staying on site, I expect they’ll be able to sort you out.

 

[emmerse2891]

Couple Questions about resort hotels

A few weeks ago I reserved our room only on the cancellable option:- I kind of want to space out the costs so was wondering if I could pay about a month before:- but can't see where I could do that on the booking, there is a pre-registration which I've not done yet - could if be part or give me an option to pay after that process?

Also r.e. the 3 day park pass, I assume you can't add on park extras to the hotel registration (can't find an option to) I seem to remember you can buy that at reception when you arrive?

Also do you know if you can buy a 2 day pass (in advance) and 'upgrade' it to a 3 day pass with reception i.e. with the cost of buying a while 1 day pass etc - if that makes sense.

Again I'm just hoping to spread out costs - so I can buy the passes in advance with option of upgrading (we still aren't 100% sure we'll do a 3rd day anyway).

 

[Skyscraper]

Couple Questions about resort hotels

A few weeks ago I reserved our room only on the cancellable option:- I kind of want to space out the costs so was wondering if I could pay about a month before:- but can't see where I could do that on the booking, there is a pre-registration which I've not done yet - could if be part or give me an option to pay after that process?

Also r.e. the 3 day park pass, I assume you can't add on park extras to the hotel registration (can't find an option to) I seem to remember you can buy that at reception when you arrive?

Also do you know if you can buy a 2 day pass (in advance) and 'upgrade' it to a 3 day pass with reception i.e. with the cost of buying a while 1 day pass etc - if that makes sense.

Again I'm just hoping to spread out costs - so I can buy the passes in advance with option of upgrading (we still aren't 100% sure we'll do a 3rd day anyway).

You can call a number to add things to your booking; it should be listed in your confirmation email.

 

[Soprano187]

To address this: -

- they have sold out of Resort Passes. It was only once, in 2023, and the passes were put back on sale around two months later.

- you can nearly always get day tickets, however there are a few rare occasions where the park sells out. This is most likely to happen on the exceptionally busy “bridge days”.

- there is a “trick” to get around the sold out situation for day tickets. I have never had to rely on it personally, but If you are staying in Rust, your accommodation provider should still be able to source you tickets. Some accommodations actively advertise this, others do not. It might be worth checking with where you’re staying. If you’re staying on site, I expect they’ll be able to sort you out.

Thanks so much for the detailed reply! I’m just going to keep an eye on it and see if they sell out, if they do, I’ll wait and hope they come on sale again before I go, if they don’t I’ll have to suck up day tickets, if they sell out I’ll just beg and say look I’m on site 10 days hook a bro up please.. I’ve effectively asked that by email and when I get a response I’ll post it..

Thanks again!

 

[Soprano187]

Couple Questions about resort hotels

A few weeks ago I reserved our room only on the cancellable option:- I kind of want to space out the costs so was wondering if I could pay about a month before:- but can't see where I could do that on the booking, there is a pre-registration which I've not done yet - could if be part or give me an option to pay after that process?

Also r.e. the 3 day park pass, I assume you can't add on park extras to the hotel registration (can't find an option to) I seem to remember you can buy that at reception when you arrive?

Also do you know if you can buy a 2 day pass (in advance) and 'upgrade' it to a 3 day pass with reception i.e. with the cost of buying a while 1 day pass etc - if that makes sense.

Again I'm just hoping to spread out costs - so I can buy the passes in advance with option of upgrading (we still aren't 100% sure we'll do a 3rd day anyway).

Can’t you just add everything g you want to a single booking then save up and pay it all just before you go? You can pay up to 4 days before arrival. If you need to pull stuff back as you get closer you just email them and they will take it off.

Having the guns blazing approach booked though saves it all for you and as you get closer you can make it cheaper if need be.

 

[emmerse2891]

Thanks for the answers. Just a random question about hotels:- Staying in Kronasar - on our check-out day, our flights out of Basel isn't until 18.00 so we don't have to rush off. Do you think it's a reasonable or possible request to ask if we could use the hotel spa/pool for a couple of hours before we head off early afternoon? i.e. if would be after check out hours.

 

[Skyscraper]

Thanks for the answers. Just a random question about hotels:- Staying in Kronasar - on our check-out day, our flights out of Basel isn't until 18.00 so we don't have to rush off. Do you think it's a reasonable or possible request to ask if we could use the hotel spa/pool for a couple of hours before we head off early afternoon? i.e. if would be after check out hours.

You can use the facilities after check out, you just need a card from reception.

 

[Bowser]

How hideous would it be to go in Halloween half term? Is that probably the busiest week of the year? We'd be using their RAP equivalent so not sure if that would make it more tolerable (and wouldn't be doing scare maze things, just rides and Rulantica).

Alternatively could do post Christmas week but worried the weather may put a dampener on things. Is the park Disney levels of weather proof? Seems like a lot of the major attractions are outdoors...

 

[Rob]

If half term is the same week as Halloween, then yes, it will be busy. That week is called hell week across parks in Europe for a reason! Although I always say that EP is one of the better parks to be at when it is busy, as in most places they can cope. No idea what difference RAP would make as I don't know how their system works.

I've done post-Christmas week many times at EP and it is a magical time to visit. I'd personally recommend that over Halloween week. It will still be busy, but the park looks incredible. There are plenty of indoor rides and restaurants etc., but it's hard to say what the weather might be like. I was walking around in just a t-shirt at that time only a couple of years ago. Other times it has been freezing cold.

 

[Bowser]

There are plenty of indoor rides and restaurants etc., but it's hard to say what the weather might be like. I was walking around in just a t-shirt at that time only a couple of years ago. Other times it has been freezing cold.

What does it take for the outdoor coasters to close? I think Voltron, Wodan and Blue Fire would be the essential rides for us (and Arthur but that seems weather proof).

 

[NuttySquirrel]

What does it take for the outdoor coasters to close? I think Voltron, Wodan and Blue Fire would be the essential rides for us (and Arthur but that seems weather proof).

They were closed on New Year's Day until about 1pm because the temperature dropped to about zero degrees (I forget exactly). Everything was open later in the day though. They really do work hard to get as many rides open as realistically possible after weather delays. Also if you have multiple days in the park there is much less risk of being impacted.

 

[venny]

very high winds and very cold temperatures can both close rides. It’s pretty rare, and as Bowser says if they can safely open the rides, they will. During my winter it’s sometimes the case you’ll see the susceptible coasters closed first thing in the morning if it’s very cold, but providing the temperature isn’t extraordinarily cold (think into several degrees of minus) they will usually have them open by mid afternoon.

 

[Rowe]

We'd be using their RAP equivalent so not sure if that would make it more tolerable (and wouldn't be doing scare maze things, just rides and Rulantica).

Having used Europa-Park's system twice in the last year during busy holiday periods (March-April and December-January), I think your family will be just fine. The accessible queue/exits for major attractions never had me waiting any longer than perhaps 10 minutes. Just be mindful you'll likely be doing a load of train load dodging whilst walking up exits to 'accessible' queues. The worst is Wodan as you have to scale a big staircase to the station whilst avoiding at least 2 train loads. Silver Star is similar except it's just one staircase followed by a ramped path through the gift shop. I'd also advise that the Green Card only has 6 ride slots and can only be used once per day for 3 people or more.

 

[Skyscraper]

Having used Europa-Park's system twice in the last year during busy holiday periods (March-April and December-January), I think your family will be just fine. The accessible queue/exits for major attractions never had me waiting any longer than perhaps 10 minutes. Just be mindful you'll likely be doing a load of train load dodging whilst walking up exits to 'accessible' queues. The worst is Wodan as you have to scale a big staircase to the station whilst avoiding at least 2 train loads. Silver Star is similar except it's just one staircase followed by a ramped path through the gift shop. I'd also advise that the Green Card only has 6 ride slots and can only be used once per day for 3 people or more.

Also you have to leave at least an hour before riding the same attraction again with the pass.

(Edit: It's changed, see my post on the next page)