Trip Planning: Information, advice and questions!

[djtruefitt]

Yeah defo gonna try Edeka next time, made the mistake of going to Lidl near park closing in the summer, queue was actually longer than the store, each one, no joke!

Edeka definitely has more choice and all the branded options as well that Lidl doesn’t have. It’s also got a little bakery and coffee shop at the entrance that you can use which is decent.

If you are in an apartment with a fridge I will usually buy a few things like drinks to keep in your fridge, which are far cheaper then buying on park.

 

[Soprano187]

Plus theres a coaster inside

 

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Hello, please let me know if this isn’t the right place to ask these questions...


I’m a total noob when it comes to Europa Park – maybe even worse, since I don’t speak a single word of German. I only know English and French. Still, going there has been a childhood dream of mine, so I decided to go a bit spontaneously this May!

I’ll be taking a direct train from Paris to Ringsheim, arriving around 8:02 PM, and then I’ll have to find my way to Hotel Krønasår.

I’m supposed to leave a few days later, with a train departing from Ringsheim at 6:56 AM...
Apparently, it’s the only train of the day, so I really shouldn’t miss it!


So I have a few questions, if you don’t mind – and if you can’t answer them, no worries, I’ll figure things out!

1. I saw that there’s a 7231 bus that goes to the hotel, but I heard you can’t really rely on the schedule... can you confirm this? Also, is it really impossible to pay for the bus with anything other than cash?
2. Do you think there will be a bus in the morning to get back to the station for my return trip, or will I have to walk there? (I don’t really mind walking.)
3. Can you go to hotel restaurants without a reservation, or is that difficult? I booked Bubba Svens every evening at 9:30 PM, just to be safe – it’s really just a precaution!
4. Do you have any restaurant or snack recommendations? I’m not a big eater, honestly. I just saw that Bamboe Baai looked nice, and that Bubba Svens might be a good option where you can pick what goes on your plate.
5. Any sweet treats you’d recommend trying in the park? I have a bit of a sweet tooth from time to time – but I don’t want to go overboard!
6. I heard there are lockers at Europa Park, especially for some of the intense rides. How do they work exactly? Do you get a key, or are they monitored by staff?
7. Are you allowed to wear glasses on the thrill rides?
8. Any other advice for a Europa Park noob like me?

Thanks so much in advance for any answers (if there are any, LOL)! Cheers.

 

[Poisson]

La Romantica is walkup only in the hotels, with all accepting walk ins but I'd recommend a reservation as they can get busy. Silver Lake absolutely needs to be booked. Think Harbourside is a buffet, the meat restaurant is also great in the bottom of Castillo is worth a go.
On park I'd recommend FoodLoop - Get there early though as it gets busy. Decent value too.
Waffles from Italy are nice for a sweet snack. The Cinnamon Buns from France are amazing.

 

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La Romantica is walkup only in the hotels, with all accepting walk ins but I'd recommend a reservation as they can get busy. Silver Lake absolutely needs to be booked. Think Harbourside is a buffet, the meat restaurant is also great in the bottom of Castillo is worth a go.
On park I'd recommend FoodLoop - Get there early though as it gets busy. Decent value too.
Waffles from Italy are nice for a sweet snack. The Cinnamon Buns from France are amazing.

Alright, thank you so much for your help already !! I'll make sure to check all of them

 

[AstroDan]

1. I saw that there’s a 7231 bus that goes to the hotel, but I heard you can’t really rely on the schedule... can you confirm this? Also, is it really impossible to pay for the bus with anything other than cash? You can largely rely on the schedule - unless it's 8-10am or around closing time on a very busy day, when roads get clogged. You'll be fine.
2. Do you think there will be a bus in the morning to get back to the station for my return trip, or will I have to walk there? (I don’t really mind walking.) Check the bus timetable, but if you are worried - get Hotel Kronasar to book you a taxi. They will 100% do this. Arrange it on your arrival. It's about €15. Do not walk. There is no good pathway and it's quite a walk.
3. Can you go to hotel restaurants without a reservation, or is that difficult? I booked Bubba Svens every evening at 9:30 PM, just to be safe – it’s really just a precaution! Do not eat at Bubba S that late. It's a buffet, you will get the dregs and I fear you will spend €46 and just not enjoy it. I would suggest the a la carte restaurant, and just having 1 course, or even the mini pizzas and a cake at the bar.
4. Do you have any restaurant or snack recommendations? I’m not a big eater, honestly. I just saw that Bamboe Baai looked nice, and that Bubba Svens might be a good option where you can pick what goes on your plate. There is absolutely loads in the park - it can be overwhelming. The park's website has a really good overview. On quieter days, some smaller outlets are closed.
5. Any sweet treats you’d recommend trying in the park? I have a bit of a sweet tooth from time to time – but I don’t want to go overboard! Poffertjes in the Netherlands, cakes from Seehaus or Kaffi Hus, Ice Cream sundaes are available in many hotel bars/cafes, churros - there is loads!
6. I heard there are lockers at Europa Park, especially for some of the intense rides. How do they work exactly? Do you get a key, or are they monitored by staff? Bag stores on station platforms on Silver Star, Wodan & Blue Fire. These are similar to the ones found on Icon and Hyperia - they close during your ride. Arthur and Voltron have lockers during the queue which you retrieve after the ride. Staff will be on hand to give you a bar code to use for these. These are free. Everything else, bags on.
7. Are you allowed to wear glasses on the thrill rides? Yes.
8. Any other advice for a Europa Park noob like me? The park is huge and this can be overwhelming for first timers. I suggest NOT dashing around credit-grabbing. BUT... ERT (Early Ride Time) is fantastic for hotel guests. However, staying in Kronsar - you will need to be up early. Grab breakfast at 7am and be ready for a bus to the park for 7.45am. This will drop you off by the hotel guest entrance to the park. Gates typically open at 8.15am - a full 15 mins before advertised. You will find you can easily get to Blue Fire and be on the first 3 or 4 trains of the day. After this, head to the Dutch themed area, where there will be a rope drop around 8.50am. This will give you quick access to Voltron. We managed to get on Voltron at 8.55am on our visit recently! A real bonus. Most of all though, ENJOY. The park is BEAUTIFUL. There are flowers, architecture, pathways everywhere. It's a total delight. Finally, use the free shopping service. Anything you buy on park before 3pm you can ask to be sent to your hotel at no charge. Saves you carrying it around all day. They even wrap glassware and things up really well so it doesn't get damaged if you do that

 

[Bowser]

This is an oddly specific question but would anyone know whether you’d likely drive through scenic mountains if you flew to Zurich and then drive to Europa?

My wife has always wanted to see the Swiss mountains so wondering if we can combine with going to Europa or if it would be a sizeable detour.

 

[NuttySquirrel]

Are you allowed to wear glasses on the thrill rides? Yes.

Would just add that yes, but you should have a glasses strap to go around the back of your head so they can't fly off. I think they'll want to check you have one for Voltron in particular, they are very strict about loose items.