Trip Report - Europa Park May/June 2023

[IanB]

In what is starting to become a bit of a family tradition, we headed to Europa Park for May half term again.

Very similar to last years plan, camping for the first few days, before spending the final night at the hotels. An added complication this year was that Annabelle had one of her Golf Tournaments on the Sunday 28th May, so leaving on Friday after school was not an option, and we needed to find space for the kids golf clubs in the car as well as all the camping gear. Which we just about managed



For those interested, the golf was at Erewash Golf Club, which features two very cool quarry holes (The photo below does not quite do it justice).


After the golf finished, we set off to Le Shuttle. Unlike last year, when it was incredibly busy due to the Liverpool fans off to the European football, it felt like a ghost town this year. We arrived 30 minutes late, but got sent straight to boarding the next available train, checking in and going through passport control with no queues at all. A much better experience.

(Shuttle Selfie)


After Le Shuttle, we then had a short drive to the Holiday Inn Express in Calais. We arrived around 11.30ish, and there was still plenty of street parking available.


We woke up the following morning, and explored the Calais beach, it was very windy, but was fun to have a little adventure before the journey to Europa Park.

The journey to Europa Park was uneventful with a short stop on the way, I do need to get better at finding a local petrol station rather than relying on the Motorway service stations. We had a toll tag, which again saved us a lot of time.

Arriving at Europa Park, and driving to the camp site is a magical experience now. First you can spot the rides from the motorway, then you drive past Rulantica, and then the Europa Park hotels, before driving past the rides and driving under Silver Star to the camp site. While I was checking in, the kids got an ice cream.



Daisy even helped with setting the tent up.


The camp site was a lot busier this year, compared with last, so I am unsure if there was a holiday in France, Switzerland or Germany. I think at one point there were six cars parked up, all from different countries. When we checked in, we did not get offered the free last hour on park, but when we asked about it, we were given it, which is always a nice treat, so after getting the tent setup, we set off for the final hour on park.

 

[IanB]

On park, we headed straight to Arthur, where we got a Birthday photo.

After a few other rides, we headed back to the camp site, were we had Pizza and then the girls surprised me with a Birthday cake, which had survived quite well considering it had come all the way from England.



The next day we spent the full day at Europa Park, enjoying the rides and the shows.



In the evening, when we got back to the camp site, the girls put on their own shows.

Wednesday 31st May, we headed back to Rulantica, stopping in the Komfort Hydda again. It is one of those treats that once you use once, its hard not to go back to. The new area makes it even better value, and when you spend as long as we do at the water park, it is easier to justify the price.

 

[IanB]

The next two days were back at EP. If you have never been, you should go. Its hard to describe in words how good a theme park it is. A wide range of rides from those suitable for youngsters, to rides like Silver Star, Blue Fire and Wodan who are looking for that adrenaline rush. Voltron is going to add an even more interesting ride to the parks great line up.

We had lunch at FoodLoop which is always fun. Although was briefly confusing when the family opposite us started ordering food for seat 2, instead of their own table. We were at table 2 which is what I think caused the issue.



The girls enjoyed plenty of mocktails throughout the visit

On the second day in park, even though ride close was 7pm, we still left to go the hotels at 5pm just to have some recovery time. We enjoyed a few drinks in the bar, while the girls had fun in the fountains. Daisy enjoyed conducting the water. We had food in the pizza restaurant, and I went for the Lasagne which was excellent.



On the final day, we made sure to check out the new Croatia area, and this really does look likes its going to be a fantastic addition to the park and we can not wait to see it open next year.

 

[IanB]

The Spanish show is still our favorite at Europa Park, and the girls remembered there being gold coins, so we sat on the second row for the show this year, and luckily managed to catch two coins so both girls got a little treat.



We also made use of the Lítill Island play area, so while Lisa had a rest, and Daisy had a splash, Annabelle and I were free to go on Wodan and BlueFire.



Annabelle also got to enjoy her Churros on the final day

We also got the usual entrance photos



I did not quite fit on the Love sign, but still takes a good photo

The gardens are EP are again in fantastic shape.



All that was left on Saturday was to pack the tent away, and head to Colesseo for a day at the pools recovering. We had discussed going to the golf course since had the clubs but decided just to relax at the pools.

Rolling the air out of the tent


Daisy chilling after the hard work of taking the tent down.

 

[IanB]

We had our final meal on Saturday at Harbour Side, which was excellent as usual. Great selection of foods from around the world. The girls even got to meet the captain.



We then headed back to Colesseo before having some final drinks before heading to bed.



The journey home started off badly, with a heavy rain shower as we loaded the car up (Thankfully it had been dry when we packed the tent away) and then making the rookie mistake that all the shops are closed on Sunday. Instead of making sandwiches on the way home, we ended up stopping at a Services and having KFC where Daisy enjoyed her kids bucket meal.


And Annabelle enjoyed a Starbucks when we got to Le Shuttle (I still want to call it Euro Tunnel)


Again, Le Shuttle was excellent, we arrived early, and got a free early departure, and then getting through boarder control was quick and painless, we managed to get an even earlier train.

After a nice easy drive through France, within 30 minutes of driving in England, we were stuck in a traffic jam for 40 minutes.

We all have a great time and are already starting to think about next years visit in May Half Term, with the girls wanting three days at Europa Park, and two days at Rulantica next year.

 

[Matt.GC]

Sounds like a rookie drivers question, but what is it like driving a right hand drive on the continent? I hired a car like I usually do for PA last week, but next year we're thinking of leaving our 3 whingbags at home, ditching the stress of airports and driving all the way instead. Thinking of a maybe even driving as far as Gardaland if we don't have the kids with us so we can do some sightseeing as well.

 

[IanB]

I do not find it that hard, this is my 6th or 7th time driving abroad in a RHD. I have driven in a LHD once, and found that more stressful, but only because it was a seven seater and not a brand of car I had driven before. Sometimes joining the junctions can be a little tricky so you need some support from the person in the passenger seat, but the blind spot alerts on the mirror are also useful for this. Cars tend not to give way to joining traffic like we do in the UK, but I have never really had an issue, the motorways are so empty, you can just slot in behind the car. I tend to over worry about things but still find this okay.

Switching the car and phone to Metric also helps, as everything on the dash and satnav is in KPH instead of MPH. (It was quite funny on the way to Germany, Annabelle was not aware I had switched the measurements, and she was like Dad, slow down, your doing 130, and I said to her, does it feel much faster than 70, and she said not really )

I do not really feel a difference if I am being honest. I just sort of adapt and go with it.

The very first time I drove in Europe, I had @Mike in the car with me, and we did a short drive to the local shopping center (Mikes Idea) to help me get settled, and then did the longer drive. It really helped me get settled and comfortable driving abroad with that initial short drive being a success, so thanks for that Mike.

Lots of people on here do the drive in RHD vehicles, and if you have driven aboard before, I am sure you will adapt quickly. I would recommend the toll tag so save some time and stress as its one less thing to worry about, and depending where you drive, there are some low emission zone tags you might need to purchase.

 

[BelleBelles13]

In the half term, I went to Europa Park. It was super fun, but the best thing is I got to go on Silver Star because I am finally 1 meter 40, although I love Silver Star, I also had fun on Blue Fire and Wodan.

I love the speed on Silver Star and all the surprises on each drop, and you feel like your about to fall out of your seat.

I enjoyed the Wodan’s queue line because I enjoyed the details in the walls (The gems), I also like the dragon\serpent on the wall. I also enjoyed the room with Thors Hammer, as when it smashed into the wall, the whole room shaked and it scared me. Wodan is a really good ride, I like all the drops and bumps that make you go up and down.

Blue Fire is one of my favourites, especially when it goes upside down. On the last inversion it makes me feel like I am going to fall out of my seat. I love the pre launch show, with all the characters and attention to detail. I love how fast it is, and how it goes up and down and makes me excited.



I saw several shows at Europa Park, the funny library was quite funny, but they only talked a little bit of English. The ice show was exciting, and I liked all the stunts the skaters performed. The glow in the dark suits were cool, and I like the effect this had. There was a robot dog, which was cutting edge technology, and made the show more fun.

The 3d cinema, which had a show about the new rollercoaster had really comfy cushions and felt like a dream. I felt so excited for next year, and that I need to go on the new ride.

I really loved the Spanish show, as the emperor was throwing coins everywhere, and I was so lucky to catch one. I liked it when the guy zip wired down and enjoyed the sound effects. I like seeing the female horse riders, and the stunts they performed. At the end of the show, they came out on the horses, and I got to high five them.



I really enjoyed eating at Food Loop, the pasta was Fab U Lus! I liked seeing the food come down the rollercoaster to our table. There were plenty of options but need more choices for puddings.

On my last day, I got Churros from the Italian area. They were covered in chocolate sauce and tasted so good.

On Wednesday we went to Rulantica, and we went on two new rides. The first one was like a teacups ride, but you could squirt people with water cannons. Water was going everywhere, but most on me. It was exciting, because did not know what was going to happen next.


The other new ride was even better and was a slide which you went down on a mat, head first. It was fun, but when you get to the end, but there is another big bump which gets you really wet. My fastest time was 18 seconds.

I also liked the Snori Lazy River because you get to see under the water, and there is a bubble part which makes you feel like you’re under the water because it tickles your feed.

I also like the rapids ride outside because you go all over the place, and I like the fact it has two different choices, and you don’t know what is going to happen each time. It is so crazy!

I also like the swim up bar, and my favourite drink was the Snorri Saga.


During the week we stopped at the camp site, it felt like there was a party outside our tent every night. Apart from that, the heat was quite warm, so it was easy to get to sleep.

On Saturday we stopped at the Colesseo hotel, I liked the water fountain show, which I could see from my hotel room. I was impressed with how high the water fountain was going, higher than the hotel. I like the bunk beds; it was like being in a horse drawn carriage.

 

[NuttySquirrel]

In the half term, I went to Europa Park. It was super fun, but the best thing is I got to go on Silver Star because I am finally 1 meter 40, although I love Silver Star, I also had fun on Blue Fire and Wodan.

I love the speed on Silver Star and all the surprises on each drop, and you feel like your about to fall out of your seat.

I enjoyed the Wodan’s queue line because I enjoyed the details in the walls (The gems), I also like the dragon\serpent on the wall. I also enjoyed the room with Thors Hammer, as when it smashed into the wall, the whole room shaked and it scared me. Wodan is a really good ride, I like all the drops and bumps that make you go up and down.

Blue Fire is one of my favourites, especially when it goes upside down. On the last inversion it makes me feel like I am going to fall out of my seat. I love the pre launch show, with all the characters and attention to detail. I love how fast it is, and how it goes up and down and makes me excited.



I saw several shows at Europa Park, the funny library was quite funny, but they only talked a little bit of English. The ice show was exciting, and I liked all the stunts the skaters performed. The glow in the dark suits were cool, and I like the effect this had. There was a robot dog, which was cutting edge technology, and made the show more fun.

The 3d cinema, which had a show about the new rollercoaster had really comfy cushions and felt like a dream. I felt so excited for next year, and that I need to go on the new ride.

I really loved the Spanish show, as the emperor was throwing coins everywhere, and I was so lucky to catch one. I liked it when the guy zip wired down and enjoyed the sound effects. I like seeing the female horse riders, and the stunts they performed. At the end of the show, they came out on the horses, and I got to high five them.



I really enjoyed eating at Food Loop, the pasta was Fab U Lus! I liked seeing the food come down the rollercoaster to our table. There were plenty of options but need more choices for puddings.

On my last day, I got Churros from the Italian area. They were covered in chocolate sauce and tasted so good.

On Wednesday we went to Rulantica, and we went on two new rides. The first one was like a teacups ride, but you could squirt people with water cannons. Water was going everywhere, but most on me. It was exciting, because did not know what was going to happen next.


The other new ride was even better and was a slide which you went down on a mat, head first. It was fun, but when you get to the end, but there is another big bump which gets you really wet. My fastest time was 18 seconds.

I also liked the Snori Lazy River because you get to see under the water, and there is a bubble part which makes you feel like you’re under the water because it tickles your feed.

I also like the rapids ride outside because you go all over the place, and I like the fact it has two different choices, and you don’t know what is going to happen each time. It is so crazy!

I also like the swim up bar, and my favourite drink was the Snorri Saga.


During the week we stopped at the camp site, it felt like there was a party outside our tent every night. Apart from that, the heat was quite warm, so it was easy to get to sleep.

On Saturday we stopped at the Colesseo hotel, I liked the water fountain show, which I could see from my hotel room. I was impressed with how high the water fountain was going, higher than the hotel. I like the bunk beds; it was like being in a horse drawn carriage.

Glad you had a lovely trip @BelleBelles13 - oh and welcome to TowersStreet!