The Grand Rail Trip of 2022 - PART 6
Updated: Jan 27, 2024
It was an epic adventure spanning four countries, two Theme Parks, one Grand Slam Tennis Tournament and over 1,000 miles of Train Track. This is the amazing story of what happened along the way!
Europa Park
With anticipation high, it was time to set out on a pleasant 15-minute walk to the Park's entrance, with tantalising views of the major rollercoasters testing. On one side of the road, a mass of steel and wooden structures, and on the other fields for miles and miles - a landscape with such stark contrast!
Fountains adorned the main entrance signs, and behind, spanning almost the entire length of the car park, the biggest rollercoaster I had ever seen in person at the time, Silver Star at 240 foot high.
From the outset, it was clear this was an immensely manicured park, with great attention to the little details that go together to make the whole experience.
Europa Park, as the name suggests, is dedicated to areas based on European countries, including France, Spain, Iceland, Switzerland, Ireland, England and Scandinavia. Their wooden coaster, Wodan, is based on a Norse Myth God with mist spraying through the entrance, and gives riders a real White-Knuckle experience. The aforementioned Silver Star is based around Formula 1 cars (and sponsored by Mercedes-Benz with their real cars in the queue!), and you hurtle through giant hills that literally lift you off your seat! Blue Fire is based mysteriously around a Russian Gas Company, but now of course with its sponsorship removed.
There is a vast variety of rides for all ages and levels of fear, at 87 attractions, it actually has more than Disneyland Paris! There is an excellent indoor pirate-themed ride with 100s of animatronics which is extraordinary in its scope, and all the more remarkable considering it had to be totally rebuilt following a fire in 2018.
I could discuss the attractions all day, but what really makes Europa Park is its setting, and I likened it to a slice of paradise. There are flowers, fountains and little streams with elegant bridges. The French area particularly is stunning to look at, with the Moulin Rouge Windmill whirring and a series of bridges across a central lake, with occasional fountain shows to watch and relax in the calming atmosphere. There is a medieval castle to visit. You can go on a boat ride on the lake, or take the monorail or train around the grounds to save your feet. There is an observation tower offering stunning aerial views of the park.
Each area feels like you are totally immersed in that country, the theming and architecture is so exacting you take a double-take - the iconic dome of Santorini in the Greek area, the coloured buildings that typify Scandinavia and the yellow stonework bringing a holiday vibe in the Spanish area. It has all been meticulously researched and measured to scale.
There is so much variety to what you can do here, and places you can eat, you would never get bored even if you didn't go on many rides. A big reason for its award-winning success is down to its owner, the Mack Family.
Founded in 1975, the park became a showcase for their rollercoasters, which the family had been producing since 1921. In 1958, Franz Mack took over the family firm with his brothers, and after visiting the US in 1972 was inspired to open a Theme Park in Germany for their products, and the rest is history. They continue to manufacture rides all over the world.
What a masterclass in overall experience they gave me, from exceptional customer service to fantastic ride operations and an awe-inspiring park. I'm sure I will definitely return in the future!
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