Europa Park: future discussion

[STC]

It's hard to doubt that Germany's Europa Park is the world's fastest growing theme park. From 1997 to 2009, they added seven rollercoasters. They have just opened their fifth hotel in 17 years. Their level of growth is extraordinary, unprecedented outside Disney.

In the past, they seem to have been overlooked by the enthusiast community, but the recent opening of Blue Fire and Wodan seem to have changed that. Their incredible level of investment year after year is simply stunning, especially for a family owned park.

But where will this park go in the future? It seems that, since the late 90s, the amount of money they invest in the park has increased every year, with no sign of stopping. Guest figures have rocketed accordingly. It can surely only be a matter of time until they're challenging Disney for the crown of the most visited park in the world, especially with DLP's financial troubles and slow investment.

Here's a video of the opening ceremony of their new 4* hotel Bell Rock, posted this morning, featuring the German finance minister, the US ambassador, Roland Mack and Roger Moore:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juovIhX1aOM[/youtube]

Where can the park go from here? What do they need to add to continue to grow at their current speed, and challenge Disney? In my personal opinion, they're already better than Disney in terms of quality of the park, but how will they pip them on guest figures?

Current plans include:

• A major dark ride in 2014, using Mack's new Suspended Powered Coaster technology. This will be the most they've ever spent on a dark ride.
• A massive new investment for 2015. This is rumoured to be a new area and coaster behind Poseidon, possible Turkey.
• A water-park at some point this decade.

It is unknown what the park will add next year, as the dark ride was pushed back a year. However, the park never fail to add a ride every year, along with numerous other refurbishment and improvement projects. Current rumours on ep-fans suggest a complete refurbishment or re-track of EuroSat.

How would you like to see the park expand? The park have famously never removed any of the 11 coasters they've built since opening in 1975, but maybe it's time to say goodbye to one of them? I can't deny that I'm a massive fan of the place, but if you're not it'd be interesting to know why and what they can do to win you over.

 

[Gavin]

While I appreciate the effort that's gone into the original post (far better than all the "I'm going to blah blah this summer, so I'll make a pointless topic about a coaster there" crap we've been getting recently), I have to disagree with a few of your points.

In the past, they seem to have been overlooked by the enthusiast community

I can't agree with this at all. It's one of the best-known and most talked-about parks there is. Ok, so my experience of the "enthusiast community" is 99% Coasterforce, so that might have something to do with it, but on this site at least it's far from "overlooked".

It can surely only be a matter of time until they're challenging Disney for the crown of the most visited park in the world, especially with DLP's financial troubles and slow investment.

Sorry, but just no. They would have to almost quadruple their visitor numbers to get to "most visited park in the world" status. It's just not going to happen. They'd need to more than double the figures just to get most visited in Europe. DLP may not be investing in new attractions as often as Europa, but they probably don't need to. They've got a major draw that Europa will never have: the Disney brand.

In my personal opinion, they're already better than Disney in terms of quality of the park, but how will they pip them on guest figures?

If you're purely referencing DLP, then I would disagree, but without getting into a major argument about it since I really see it as the "poor cousin" of the Disney parks. Europa has a lot more for the enthusiast/thrill market in that its coaster selection is larger, and arguably better, than Disney's. When you compare like-for-like attractions though (for example Pirates of the Caribbean or Haunted Mansion vs the Europa rip-offs), then Europa doesn't come close to Disney quality.

If you're comparing it to the entire Disney collection of parks, then I'm sorry, but I would have to very strongly disagree with you.

To be honest, I don't really see them as direct Disney competition anyway; their target market just isn't the same.

 

[STC]

In the past, they seem to have been overlooked by the enthusiast community

I can't agree with this at all. It's one of the best-known and most talked-about parks there is. Ok, so my experience of the "enthusiast community" is 99% Coasterforce, so that might have something to do with it, but on this site at least it's far from "overlooked".

Hmm, you might be right there. I think the park does get a fair hearing on here. However, on other sites and forums, it's often little known.

It can surely only be a matter of time until they're challenging Disney for the crown of the most visited park in the world, especially with DLP's financial troubles and slow investment.

Sorry, but just no. They would have to almost quadruple their visitor numbers to get to "most visited park in the world" status. It's just not going to happen. They'd need to more than double the figures just to get most visited in Europe. DLP may not be investing in new attractions as often as Europa, but they probably don't need to. They've got a major draw that Europa will never have: the Disney brand.

You're right of course, but I'm talking about the super long-term. The next fifty years or so. Compared to Magic Kingdom and Disneyland's 1% increase in guests from 2010 to 2011, Europa increased by 5.9%. And 2011 was a very quiet year for them (just Volo da Vinci, the refurbished Piccolo Mondo, FoodLoop, the new 4D cinema film and Fairy Tale Forest). I imagine with the opening of Bell Rock and Wodan, the guest figures increase will be even bigger this year.

Europa also have a huge amount of potential that other parks don't. They have almost limitless amounts of space to expand, great transport connections, and no height or noise limits. Compare that to Disneyland Anaheim, which literally can't expand the park size as it's boxed in by the city. EP already have a huge amount of land set aside for future expansion, both of the parks and more hotels.

If you're purely referencing DLP, then I would disagree, but without getting into a major argument about it since I really see it as the "poor cousin" of the Disney parks. Europa has a lot more for the enthusiast/thrill market in that its coaster selection is larger, and arguably better, than Disney's. When you compare like-for-like attractions though (for example Pirates of the Caribbean or Haunted Mansion vs the Europa rip-offs), then Europa doesn't come close to Disney quality.

I haven't been to DLP, but I have been to Disneyland and the four WDW parks, all of which I thought compared very poorly to Europa (mostly in terms of number of shows and rides, food and throughput). I think your comparison of the Disney rides to the Europa "rip-offs" is a little unfair. Unfortunately, the park did seem to go through a phase of copying Disney (EuroSat, Geisterschloss and Pirates in Batavia) but that period seems to be firmly over. I'd argue that that's because they've realised that instead of aping Disney, they can better Disney. Blue Fire as a family-thrill coaster is better than any of Disney's, and is really the sort of thing they should have been building for the past 10 years. Same with Wodan.

Edit: based on the latest 2012 TEA report, thought it was interesting that Europa (4,500,000 in 2011) seems poised to leapfrog Disney Studios park (4,710,000 in 2011) in the next few years, though Ratatouille could delay that for a bit!

 

[Martyn B]

^ Them figures for the Walt Disney Studios are not accurate. That 4.71m is just the people that went into the Studios FIRST (1 ticket for both parks), and most people go into to the main Disneyland Parc first.

 

[STC]

^ Them figures for the Walt Disney Studios are not accurate. That 4.71m is just the people that went into the Studios FIRST (1 ticket for both parks), and most people go into to the main Disneyland Parc first.

If those are the 'park hopper' tickets, then I don't think they should count towards overall guest figures, maybe only half an admission if you only spend half the day there. Which would then balance out the statistics (the survey only counts half the guests who buy 'park hoppers', but if we count each one as a half attendance, it makes it up nicely).

 

[Martyn B]

If those are the 'park hopper' tickets, then I don't think they should count towards overall guest figures, maybe only half an admission if you only spend half the day there.

I disagree. If someone has visited, regardless of how long they were there, they should still count among the visitor figures.

 

[_koppen]

I think I saw a interview with Roland Mack, who said he wanted better transportation to the park, and that they were planning their own railroad station.

Another thing I think the park lacks is big flat rides.

Star Flyer, Drop Tower, Giant Frisbee, S&S Swing, inverting rides.

 

[nadroJ]

I haven't been to DLP, but I have been to Disneyland and the four WDW parks, all of which I thought compared very poorly to Europa (mostly in terms of number of shows and rides, food and throughput). I think your comparison of the Disney rides to the Europa "rip-offs" is a little unfair. Unfortunately, the park did seem to go through a phase of copying Disney (EuroSat, Geisterschloss and Pirates in Batavia) but that period seems to be firmly over. I'd argue that that's because they've realised that instead of aping Disney, they can better Disney. Blue Fire as a family-thrill coaster is better than any of Disney's, and is really the sort of thing they should have been building for the past 10 years. Same with Wodan.

The number of rides at Europa just goes to show how different of a park/experience the two are though. Disney aren't about loads and loads of different rides, they're about a good amount of high quality themed ride experiences. You say Disney should have been building things like Blue Fire and Wodan, but that's just completely against what their style is altogether. We will NEVER see anything like those rides in Disney parks because Disney simply aren't interested in building things like that. And with regards to shows, Europa may have more but again, Disney tend to put a lot of time/money/effort in to one or two breathtaking shows. You keep mentioning Disneyland and WDW, I think you'd be hard pressed to find shows as spectacular as World of Colour or Fantasmic at Europa Park.

I think where you've been let down is the fact that you're seeing Disney in the wrong light maybe? I mean, I love a park with a lot of thrill rides, especially something like Europa Park, and if I want a park that's going to get my adrenaline pumping with loads of rides to choose from, of course I'd rather go to Europa over Disney. But like I said, Disney is about experience and we can't forget that it's predominantly marketed at children and families so therefore it's not going to offer the same kind of thrill rides somewhere like Europa would.

To say that Europa will take Disney over is just foolish in my opinion. The gap between Disney and it's so-called competitors is just so massive and Disney will strive to maintain that large gap, and guess what, they've pretty much got the unlimited funds to be able to do it. And it's not even as if Europa park is just behind Disney, the Merlin company are second and even then the numbers they would need to increase by to beat Disney are just impossible, never mind the fact that Disney just will not let it happen.

I'm not saying Europa Park isn't better than somewhere like DLP, because firstly it's all down to opinion and what you prefer but also because DLP is a very poor example of a good Disney park in my opinion, all I'm saying is Disney are a force to be reckoned with and smaller companies compared to Disney just don't have the money or the power to even begin to try and compete.

 

[STC]

The number of rides at Europa just goes to show how different of a park/experience the two are though. Disney aren't about loads and loads of different rides, they're about a good amount of high quality themed ride experiences. You say Disney should have been building things like Blue Fire and Wodan, but that's just completely against what their style is altogether. We will NEVER see anything like those rides in Disney parks because Disney simply aren't interested in building things like that. And with regards to shows, Europa may have more but again, Disney tend to put a lot of time/money/effort in to one or two breathtaking shows. You keep mentioning Disneyland and WDW, I think you'd be hard pressed to find shows as spectacular as World of Colour or Fantasmic at Europa Park.

I'm a bit confused about why you say that we'd never see anything like Blue Fire or Wodan at a Disney park. Both of those coasters are firmly in the family-thrill bracket. As is Rock'n'Roller and California Screamin'. Actually, I'd go as far as saying I found Rock'n'Roller more intense than either Blue Fire or Wodan, just for the launch!

Blue Fire and Wodan are both moderately intense, stunningly themed, high throughput, comfortable low-maintenance (Blue Fire has literally never had a full day's downtime) coasters. They'd fit in perfectly at Disney, and are exactly the sort of ride they should be installing. But instead, presumably to save money, they opt for cheap crap systems like Crush's Coaster and Indiana Jones at Paris. The Mack LSM system would be absolutely perfect for them (look at how well it's worked on a family coaster at Seaworld).

To say that Europa will take Disney over is just foolish in my opinion. The gap between Disney and it's so-called competitors is just so massive and Disney will strive to maintain that large gap, and guess what, they've pretty much got the unlimited funds to be able to do it. And it's not even as if Europa park is just behind Disney, the Merlin company are second and even then the numbers they would need to increase by to beat Disney are just impossible, never mind the fact that Disney just will not let it happen.

I'm not talking about the gap between Europa and other companies whole portfolios in general, because that's an unfair comparison. I'm talking about individual parks. Europa has higher gate figures than any Merlin park individually. It's absurd to compare one park's gate figures with all the Disney parks put together, of course they'll never close that gap. But I think there's a very real chance of Europa slowly climbing up the world visitor rankings for individual parks. As I said above, it already seems pretty close to leapfrogging Studios at Paris.

Disney just seem to be lacking direction at the moment. Especially at Paris. Apart from the one major ride on the horizon, what is their expansion plan? They are still deep in debt, unfortunately. Anyway! I didn't mean for this topic just to become a debate over my slightly overenthusiastic Disney-beating predictions.

Where will Europa go in the future?

 

[andrus]

I'm actually with STC in the whole Europa vs Disney debate. While Disney mostly/only cater for small children Europa attracts the entire family; even older teens as well as parents. Disney's advantage is obviously the Disney brand; it's well known and everybody knows of Disneyland Paris. Europa on the otherhand needs to work a lot more to accomplish the same success. I can only speak for myself, but I wouldn't be interested in paying twice the price to go to Disney when I can get on a lot more attractions at Europa. And it's not like the attractions at Europa are bad, all of them are A class family experiences! And the park is absolutely gorguous!

Regarding the future of Europa I get a little bit confused with their new American themed hotel.. Are they maybe planning a second american (or maybe "world") park next to the existing one? It's a bit farfetched maybe, but not impossible. It seems like Mack almost have infinite founds at the moment. Europa is adding major attractions every year with increasing visitor numbers and Mack rides are expanding into the thrill department among coasters, and seem to be doing very well!

 

[ATTACKHAMMER]

While Disney mostly/only cater for small children Europa attracts the entire family.

WDW was created as a place for family's to go and have fun, I can't think of a park more suited to family's.

 

[nadroJ]

I'm a bit confused about why you say that we'd never see anything like Blue Fire or Wodan at a Disney park. Both of those coasters are firmly in the family-thrill bracket. As is Rock'n'Roller and California Screamin'. Actually, I'd go as far as saying I found Rock'n'Roller more intense than either Blue Fire or Wodan, just for the launch!

Blue Fire and Wodan are both moderately intense, stunningly themed, high throughput, comfortable low-maintenance (Blue Fire has literally never had a full day's downtime) coasters. They'd fit in perfectly at Disney, and are exactly the sort of ride they should be installing. But instead, presumably to save money, they opt for cheap crap systems like Crush's Coaster and Indiana Jones at Paris. The Mack LSM system would be absolutely perfect for them (look at how well it's worked on a family coaster at Seaworld).

I totally agree that both of these rides are solid family coasters, and that they are well themed, and even that they would probably do very well at a Disney park, but it's just not their style. Unfortunately for coaster fans Disney aren't really (apparently) that bothered in installing high quality rollercoasters, because that is simply not what their parks are about. Hence why they stick to things like Vekomas, they're cheaper models meaning more of the budget can go on theming and such. Yes, the Mack LSM system has worked for SeaWorld but again, it's a different kind of theme park experience, I'd compare the style of rides at Europa more to the Busch parks so I can definitely see why that comparison is appropriate.

I'm not talking about the gap between Europa and other companies whole portfolios in general, because that's an unfair comparison. I'm talking about individual parks. Europa has higher gate figures than any Merlin park individually. It's absurd to compare one park's gate figures with all the Disney parks put together, of course they'll never close that gap. But I think there's a very real chance of Europa slowly climbing up the world visitor rankings for individual parks. As I said above, it already seems pretty close to leapfrogging Studios at Paris.

Oh no, I didn't mean compared with the entire companies, but when you look at the gate figures of Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and Disneyland California it's just not comparable. And the Studios park, if you look at it from a stand alone point of view, is a very small park with a very limited amount of attractions and yet it's STILL beating Europa in gate figures (barely, but still ahead). It goes to show the power the Disney label has.

Disney just seem to be lacking direction at the moment. Especially at Paris. Apart from the one major ride on the horizon, what is their expansion plan? They are still deep in debt, unfortunately. Anyway! I didn't mean for this topic just to become a debate over my slightly overenthusiastic Disney-beating predictions.

Unfortunately they're still trying to get over Eisner's regime, hence the massive overhaul we've seen in recent years at California Adventure. There were a lot of bad decisions made, hence a lot of the problems at the Paris Disney park. I'd actually say they're heading back in the right direction now, but with such majorly poor decision making all round it's obviously going to take a lot of time to correct =]

Anyway, I can see where the Disney comparisons came from because they're seen as the ultimate to aspire to in the theme park industry. It's great to see a stand alone park like Europa doing so well and I sincerely hope we continue to see good decision making on their part, in all aspects of the park from coasters to hotels. Maybe they could even go as far as to take a leaf out of Alton's book and build a water park, or even an entertainment complex to the tune of Disney Village? It seems to me that with all their hotels they see themselves as a holiday destination rather than a day trip kind of place and I think it would be wise for them to continue to expand in this kind of way.

 

[STC]

WDW was created as a place for family's to go and have fun, I can't think of a park more suited to family's.

I think the word "family" is a bit of a misnomer when used in enthusiast circles. Family is often (erroneously) used to describe parks mostly aimed at children, rather than parks that have a genuine mix of things aimed at the whole family. Apart from Hollywood Studios maybe, I wouldn't say the WDW parks are family parks, as they lack thrill rides. I think they're children's parks, but of such high quality that adults can enjoy them too. But there aren't any attractions solely aimed at thrill-seekers outside DHS. Calling them children's parks isn't meant to be derogative, I think they're absolutely amazing at what they do! But at the end of the day, they're mostly children's parks. And that's fine. But I'd say parks like Alton (obvious reasons) and Europa (Silver Star, EuroMir) are much closer to being family parks, as they offer something to thrill-seekers.

Regarding the future of Europa I get a little bit confused with their new American themed hotel.. Are they maybe planning a second american (or maybe "world") park next to the existing one? It's a bit farfetched maybe, but not impossible. It seems like Mack almost have infinite founds at the moment. Europa is adding major attractions every year with increasing visitor numbers and Mack rides are expanding into the thrill department among coasters, and seem to be doing very well!

It is a little odd. Nearly everything they've done up until now has been European themed, including the four previous hotels. However, they do occasionally branch out. For example the (slightly rubbish) African boat ride, and the American Western themed Silver Lake Saloon and Tipidorf. I'm not sure if Bell Rock symbolises a turning point away from the European theme for them, but I doubt it.

A second gate would be absolutely incredible. But I've heard no indications that they're planning anything like that at all. Roland Mack said they were planning a waterpark to open at some point before the end of the decade, but not a second park. I think the problem is the first park is so huge and incredible (best in the world in my humble opinion) that the second park would require an absolutely colossal investment to make it anywhere near as good as the first at opening - the kind of money the family simply don't have.

Anyway, I can see where the Disney comparisons came from because they're seen as the ultimate to aspire to in the theme park industry. It's great to see a stand alone park like Europa doing so well and I sincerely hope we continue to see good decision making on their part, in all aspects of the park from coasters to hotels. Maybe they could even go as far as to take a leaf out of Alton's book and build a water park, or even an entertainment complex to the tune of Disney Village? It seems to me that with all their hotels they see themselves as a holiday destination rather than a day trip kind of place and I think it would be wise for them to continue to expand in this kind of way.

I think it's really inspiring to see a family-owned business taking on the huge giants. Even Efteling is partly owned by the Dutch government. Europa are really going it alone. But I guess they've sort of become part of the establishment, with the rise to power of Mack Rides and Roland's presidency of IAAPA. I think we'll see the good management and decision making continue. Roland has pretty much ran the park since its opening, but he's been training up his sons Michael Mack and Thomas Mack to take over the business, and it seems they're more than capable of maintaining the quality. I believe that Thomas was the principle designer and director of Blue Fire, while Wodan was Michael's baby (I even got to ride it with him in the back row a few months ago!). And Michael had a lot of influence in the design of the new hotel.

As I said above, a water park does seem to be on the cards (there's an interview with Roland about it somewhere). An entertainment complex would be great, but I haven't heard anything to that effect. Maybe that could come with the waterpark? I'd actually like to see a 'street' Downtown Disney style running along the length of Silver Star's car park section, which is currently a covered walkway. It'd be amazing to walk down that street with the coaster thundering overhead! I think they are starting to see themselves as a standalone destination in their own right, rather than just a day-trip park. It takes three days to really do the park justice. And, although Rust the nearby village is very nice, there's really sod all else around the park, until you get to Strasbourg! They really need to establish themselves as a complete resort with a waterpark, hotels, shopping and entertainment.

 

[ATTACKHAMMER]

I think the word "family" is a bit of a misnomer when used in enthusiast circles. Family is often (erroneously) used to describe parks mostly aimed at children, rather than parks that have a genuine mix of things aimed at the whole family. Apart from Hollywood Studios maybe, I wouldn't say the WDW parks are family parks, as they lack thrill rides. I think they're children's parks, but of such high quality that adults can enjoy them too. But there aren't any attractions solely aimed at thrill-seekers outside DHS. Calling them children's parks isn't meant to be derogative, I think they're absolutely amazing at what they do! But at the end of the day, they're mostly children's parks. And that's fine. But I'd say parks like Alton (obvious reasons) and Europa (Silver Star, EuroMir) are much closer to being family parks, as they offer something to thrill-seekers.

So Mission Space isn't a thrill ride? I would say it is, I would also say Expetition Everest is a thrill ride too. WDW has more then enough rides to keep me entertained.

 

[STC]

So Mission Space isn't a thrill ride? I would say it is, I would also say Expetition Everest is a thrill ride too. WDW has more then enough rides to keep me entertained.

Mission Space is just horrible. Just sitting in a small, claustrophobic box, feeling constant g-force without the fun bit of actually being on a rollercoaster. It's simply unpleasant. I wouldn't really describe it as a thrill ride, because it's not thrilling - just uncomfortable and boring. I get the impression Disney consider Mission Space a mistake.

Expedition Everest is blatantly a family-thrill. It's pretty much the definition of family-thrill. I'd say the only thrill ride at WDW is Rock'n'Roller, with TOT and Mission Space at the upper end of family-thrill. I really think the WDW parks are less family theme parks than the Universal parks, Alton or Europa. Not that that's a criticism, Disney are great at what they do, but they essentially make attractions for children. Incredible, breath taking children's attractions, that are often good enough to entertain adults as well, but that's not their principle aim.

Anyway, this is very off-topic. This discussion isn't about Disney, unless it's in comparison to Europa.

 

[ATTACKHAMMER]

Mission Space is just horrible. Just sitting in a small, claustrophobic box, feeling constant g-force without the fun bit of actually being on a rollercoaster. It's simply unpleasant. I wouldn't really describe it as a thrill ride, because it's not thrilling - just uncomfortable and boring. I get the impression Disney consider Mission Space a mistake.

Expedition Everest is blatantly a family-thrill. It's pretty much the definition of family-thrill. I'd say the only thrill ride at WDW is Rock'n'Roller, with TOT and Mission Space at the upper end of family-thrill. I really think the WDW parks are less family theme parks than the Universal parks, Alton or Europa. Not that that's a criticism, Disney are great at what they do, but they essentially make attractions for children. Incredible, breath taking children's attractions, that are often good enough to entertain adults as well, but that's not their principle aim.

Anyway, this is very off-topic. This discussion isn't about Disney, unless it's in comparison to Europa.

That is your opinion of Mission Space....
I think WDW is unique and cannot be seriously be compared to anywhere else. I haven't been to Europa Park but I have been to WDW many times, the parks aims are clearly different.

 

[STC]

That is your opinion of Mission Space....

It is, but it's also the similar opinion of every other person of the dozens I know who have also ridden Mission Space. I think it's a reasonably widely held opinion in enthusiast circles, and I doubt the ride is a smash-hit favourite of the public either, though that's merely speculation.

I think WDW is unique and cannot be seriously be compared to anywhere else. I haven't been to Europa Park but I have been to WDW many times, the parks aims are clearly different.

How can you know if they're comparable if you haven't even been to EP?! Both parks aims are very similar: to provide an incredibly well-themed, high quality 'escapist' and magical theme park in a wider resort context, with luxury hotels.

Can we move on? Clearly you have a bee in your bonnet about Europa, but since you haven't been, I don't see how your comparisons are justifiable. We clearly have different tastes, let's settle it at that.

 

[ATTACKHAMMER]

It is, but it's also the similar opinion of every other person of the dozens I know who have also ridden Mission Space. I think it's a reasonably widely held opinion in enthusiast circles, and I doubt the ride is a smash-hit favourite of the public either, though that's merely speculation.

I know a lot of people who liked it. The green one is dull but the orange one is excellent.

How can you know if they're comparable if you haven't even been to EP?! Both parks aims are very similar: to provide an incredibly well-themed, high quality 'escapist' and magical theme park in a wider resort context, with luxury hotels.

I have read reports and guides about Europa Park, I know that can't paint a picture as good as being there but I have learnt a bit about it :--D

Can we move on? Clearly you have a bee in your bonnet about Europa, but since you haven't been, I don't see how your comparisons are justifiable. We clearly have different tastes, let's settle it at that.

No bee :--D , correct. My opinion of WDW is that it is an amazing place with a brilliant atmosphere, it's a place of family fun that would be very hard to replicate, and although some may say thrills are minimal I disagree as there are plenty of rides that I find fun and thrilling. Obviously ,for example, Space Mountain is not as fast or intense as Hulk or some other coasters in Orlando but I still think it is brilliant 10/10 I love it! Just as much as Hulk.

 

[Martyn B]

I think I smell a fanboy...

 

[STC]

I think I smell a fanboy...

Me or him? :wink:

I am a bit of an EP fanboy. But only because I do, objectively, believe it's absolutely amazing. I'm only a fanboy because I was so wowed when I went the first time. However, I don't refrain from calling stuff at EP absolute crap if it is (this year's Luminocity show, the Universe of Energy ride, their Bobsled). I like to think I'm reasonably balanced.