chewie
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Europa Park 24/07/09What can i say about this park, it seems to have everything for everyone. Two world class coasters in Silver Star and now Blue Fire, (Not to mention 4 very fun coasters in Matterhorn Blitz, Euro Mir, Alpenexpress and Eurosat). 2 great water coasters in Poseidon and Atlantica Supersplash. A decent Log Flume ride and a river rapids in Fyord Rafting, plus a whole host of superb attractions for the kiddies in the adventure playground, and even the "Hoist yourself" mini drop towers (Excellent).
I have visited this park before, but last time i only had an afternoon to explore it. This time we were there when the inner gates opened at 09.00, and when they opened we headed straight to the parks new offering Blue Fire. Eventhough we were in the chasing pack heading for this ride, there was still a lengthy queue by the time we got there, but this did not deter us from getting in the front seat queue line. The theming on this ride is ok, and has a kind of green issue theme going on (Which kinda makes sense, as the park has solar glass panels on the roof of the walkway to the entrance under Silver Star in the car park, and a hydro electricity power station near AlpenExpress), very impressive in these green, renewable energy times we live in. Anyway front seats Blue Fire, after you've taxied out of the station you come to rest behind 2 huge wooden doors. Sirens start wailing, dry ice fills the tunnel, red lights flash then BANG, off you shoot through the now opened doors, down the runway heading for the 120ft climb, over the top and straight into what looked like a 100ft 360 degree loop. It dosen't stop there, there are corkscrews and inversions everywhere. I wasn't expecting much from this ride as i thought that Intamin launch coasters would be the bench mark for this type of ride, but how wrong i was, i was completley satisfied after completing the action packed circuit. And with just lap bars to hold you in instead of over head restraints, adds a little something extra to the experience. All this and its smooth as silk to boot.
After this ride we went to Matterhorn Blitz a great little coaster with an interesting lift. Then Euro Mir, i thought this was kinda tame, but still a fun to ride coaster. Grabbed a little dinner (A quite naff, but expensive cheeseburger) and then got ourselves ready for the main event...SILVER STAR.
I know i have still alot of coasters to ride in the USA, but this is simply the best coaster i have ever ridden up to press. Its the crown jewel in a treasure chest of riches, it's a cold beer with my chicken tikka masala, its the cherry on the top of my roller coastering cake. I just love it, and just like the last time when i first laid eyes on it, all the same feelings came rushing back, excitment tinged with a little bit of fear, but mainly excitment. This time i had someone to ride it with, so once again we headed for the front seats, i usually prefer the back seats of rollercoasters, but as with coasters like Speed and Saw, Silver Star benefits from a front row view of the 219ft first drop. To my amazement we were only in the queue for 20 mins before we sat down and took our seats on this B&M beauty. This beast dosen't take long to climb to the dizzy height of 239ft, and on this particular day we had a great view from the top, albeit brief, before descending down the breathtaking first plunge. This is a great coaster it has the lot. A fantastic first drop, a great 100ft banked turnaround, and more AIR than you can shake a stick at, and the lap retraint makes sure there is just enough room for you to be safe in you're seat, without you're bottom rarely touching the seat. Someone once sang "Heaven Is A Halfpipe"...They were wrong, Heaven is clearly a B&M HyperCoaster.
This is already turning into a Nemesis Nick special, so i'll stop there. I just want to say the rest of the park was exellent too and i would recommend this park to anybody thinking of making a trip Germany who is looking for a great day of coastering.
Well done EP this is the standard all theme parks should aspire too. Especially in the UK. 10/10
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