What's new

France - The only way is Up! - April 2014

peep

CF Legend
Wednesday 16th April

Benin, Nicky, Peter and I awoke at silly o'clock (3am?) to begin our trek over to France. We arrived at the Euro Tunnel in good time for our train over. The journey went by quickly and was fairly uneventful. After an hour on the French motorway Benin's little blue car started making odd noises, we thought it was a flat tyre. We pulled over, Nicky got out to see if it was the tyres. When Benin tried to get the car to roll forward a bit it made more scary noises before refusing to turn on. Benin's car had committed suicide in France. We put out the little warning triangle and stood on the huge grass verge while Benin called RAC (insurance) to see what to do in such a situation. He had to call the French police to arrange for a tow truck to take us off the road. Peter and I found it all rather exciting, I can't imagine Benin and Nicky were feeling quite the same way as us.

10247268_10154069039940360_2018195945237952753_n.jpg


10151275_10154069039995360_2432395624691452089_n.jpg


10277458_10154069040005360_4384224607745610269_n.jpg

Benin having deep conversation to find out what to do

10152390_10154069040175360_943636964936560326_n.jpg

French man arrived to look at the car/tow us.

The French man arrived with his tow truck and got Benin to show him the problem despite a huge language barrier (to say all of us knew 0% French in regards to cars would be very correct). The French man made the typical mechanic gasp of air when the problem is expensive/unfixable. He then got Benin's dead car on to his truck and he drove us to a local garage to do further inspections etc.

1897836_10154069040325360_722260578791504711_n.jpg


10299996_10154069040425360_5330557176195858990_n.jpg

Benin, Nicky and Peter trying to see the funny side of things

At the car garage Peter and I stood in the lovely sun being a little amused by the situation while Benin tried to google translate his way with the car peeps and Nicky called to update home. Turns out the gearbox had completely gone and would have cost €2,000 to fix. Considering this was more than his car was worth the decision to dump the car was made. We then had to pull everything out of the car while a cab came to collect us to take us to a local Europcar.

1424324_10154069040595360_5248729471489834_n.jpg


5-10 minutes later we had arrived at the local Europcar where the man working there looked rather confused at our situation. He probably spent about 30 minutes trying his hardest to make sure we could take a car he had in his lot. Lots of phone calls were made but in the end it was all ok. It was then a further 10-15 minutes sorting out the paperwork and whatnot.

1509155_10154069040610360_4133356729117213213_n.jpg


We'd finally been given the keys and we went over to inspect our new VW Up! It was a decent car, quite spacious inside and it had some nice features.

10277351_10154069040750360_3790922749496736842_n.jpg


10155512_10154069040885360_2705755317669560747_n.jpg


We were finally back on track and on the road to creds. We were only delayed by around 2 hours in the end which considering the situation wasn't very long. We stopped off at a very new looking service station which had awesome looking drink machines...

10153963_10154069040910360_262631138074575872_n.jpg


We grabbed some lunch before heading onwards to Parc Saint Paul. When we arrived the car park at the front was rather full so we had to make our way around to the side car park which was nearly empty. The weather was beautiful and despite the fear of it being busy all queues were very short waits (bar the spinny mouse, but more on that in a bit).

1506760_10154069040985360_3898040887520873522_n.jpg


All of us had very low expectations for this park and the entrance didn't help matters. After not long in the park though our opinions began to change. To the right of the entrance is their new Vekoma (relocated from Portugal). It wasn't open yet (despite RCDB thinking it opened the previous Saturday) as ground work around the ride wasn't complete. Not a massive loss as I didn't believe it was ready yet before we set off.

10298687_10154069041170360_544238176179797886_n.jpg


10268472_10154069041330360_4881344233378690351_n.jpg


Despite the park looking like the typical random parks in Europe with rides just plonked here and there the park seemed to put in some effort theming their attractions which looks like a recent decision but one that really helps the park look much better than some others we've visited.

1619547_10154069041365360_9197425821061152055_n.jpg


1538736_10154069041465360_9174858764917375307_n.jpg


We went over to Family coaster. Otherwise known as a typical big apple coaster. However they'd added loads of theming to it and it looked great.

10155560_10154069041525360_2848683480985431249_n.jpg


10247226_10154069041605360_6509115529435361186_n.jpg


10157287_10154069041720360_3922490042163580735_n.jpg


This was the first time I'd seen the big apple placed in the middle of the ride where it crosses over like that. It looks great and it rode just like every single cred like it.

In the middle of the park is this large river/pond area which is just really nice to have in the park, takes away a lot of the tackyness from the rest of the park.

10012514_10154069045345360_9028105596505426119_n.jpg


The next ride on our route was Wild Train 15, a PAX coaster. It is crazy bizarre. Loved it. From the sort of launch to try and get up on the main (and very steep) tyre lift hill to the ridiculous sharp drops and smooth transitions. It really throws you about, but in a good way.

10294460_10154069045300360_1806555872031679986_n.jpg


10169321_10154069045320360_6952828469726136761_n.jpg

Each ride has a small info board on the history of the ride type which is goony-licious.

10154035_10154069045595360_5867378700900330678_n.jpg


10295815_10154069045830360_2602657366504985675_n.jpg


1981921_10154069045940360_3708040175924468218_n.jpg


It really is a wild train. The park had loads of benches (take note Chessington) and some had these great little character statues, I'm guessing they're new.

10153106_10154069046015360_80274454990053546_n.jpg


We were going to do the spinning mouse next but it had a long queue so we decided to move on to Formule 1 instead. Another PAX coaster, this time themed to F1 cars. Was like a ridiculous version of a Mack bobsled. So much air time and crazy "I'm going to die" moments. Once again we all loved it.

10150517_10154069047665360_4556607789699089178_n.jpg


1508171_10154069047870360_6399794881643322676_n.jpg

Awesome banking

10151859_10154069048000360_6828237501017011761_n.jpg


10174861_10154069048785360_2836239865995188149_n.jpg


The park had loads of these really nice picnic tables which had their own cover...

10150675_10154069048870360_8241691550687895982_n.jpg


Despite the character looking happy about the situation, the crazy house wasn't open, which made Benin and I sad as we love them.

10171241_10154069050925360_2224147793539245047_n.jpg


Mini Mouse Cartoon it was then!

1004877_10154069050965360_5635434180117947597_n.jpg


1520786_10154069051180360_7386047507166505669_n.jpg


It was nothing exciting but was a mere +1 on the cred list. Next was Telepherique. After watching it for a bit we were all a little scared about going on it. I was the last to go on, it was terrifying. I span round so much that I was too dizzy to get off without looking drunk.

10268505_10154069051330360_6210953288744508623_n.jpg


10252122_10154069051400360_1893646862899180979_n.jpg


Benin has better pictures of the ride in action for those unsure of what it is/does. Lets just say there are no restraints/harnesses and you have to cling on as much as you can.

We went back to the spinning mouse by this point which still had a grotesque queue but we later discovered it was down to it being manned by one guy (covering both onload and offload looked like hard work but it was also faffy and caused the long wait). The trains looked nice and it didn't spin too much (with much joy from me after already having too many spins on Telepherique).

1509094_10154069051595360_2199535966896581499_n.jpg


It was nearly time for the Tiger show to begin so we decided to go watch the angry Tigers. I found it a little upsetting. Two of the Tigers were proper pissed off at the guy running the show and I was rooting for them to turn around and hurt him. For those that saw the show in Bagatelle, it was the exact same set up sans Lions.

10258409_10154069051665360_3959771408842045461_n.jpg


1510586_10154069054200360_1582085295836030499_n.jpg


1004877_10154069054225360_6271341139198139349_n.jpg


We then went on their large slide, simple things are sometimes the best.

1509155_10154069054355360_6852325817081874305_n.jpg


They randomly have a really well Dinosaur themed log flume. It looked cool but we decided not to ride.

10257714_10154069054475360_2098386874536587908_n.jpg


1979536_10154069054640360_2827628092698673362_n.jpg


10167976_10154069055380360_1498257530734282661_n.jpg


10300051_10154069056210360_3280054635284929597_n.jpg


Peter and I went in the haunted house walk through next. Proceeding us were two mums carrying their kids. It was quite jumpy at times due to loud noises. Quite a few things didn't work and overall it was quite cheap but I was impressed by the length of it and the sheer effort put into it.

10269481_10154069056260360_3143473413308197541_n.jpg


We all then did the 3D walkthrough, Multivisions. The 3D was pretty good and was quite fun to walkthrough. There was some scary clowns though for those who don't like them.

1926888_10154069059270360_8636068319019420822_n.jpg


10176122_10154069059410360_4821711873825901986_n.jpg


10176202_10154069059535360_3143109928724034679_n.jpg


1535663_10154069059555360_4562569158810417680_n.jpg


We grabbed some ice creams and relaxed a bit before moving on to re-ride Formule 1 and Wild Train. Benin and I also rode the drop tower. We made a friend on it, she was petrified but loved it. So much that she re-rode instantly.

10154409_10154069059710360_8045905095728668199_n.jpg


I forgot to mention the awesome barbeque area. You can literally rock up and cook your own food on park in this large area with like 4 or 5 cookers.

10260030_10154069059800360_1165155132644079877_n.jpg


We ended our time at the park by meeting the park's character and seeing a giant.

1151052_10154069059915360_6774980859254216437_n.jpg


1920393_10154069059985360_7508386369550484947_n.jpg

Notice the guy sitting down

We then got in the car and headed to our hotel. It was in the middle of nowhere but was a really lovely hotel (& spa). For the first time in forever I didn't take any pictures of the hotel or rooms though (I was uber tired by this point).

I really liked Parc Saint Paul, maybe it was because the sun was shining and their were enough crowds to give it an atmosphere but not too many to give all the rides a burdenous queue? Either way I enjoyed the rollercoasters and their attempt at theming is clearly becoming more of a priority which I approve of. Maybe we'll see bigger and better things from this park in the future?

Part 2 will be up at some point in the next few days.
 

Jordanovichy

Credit Whore 2016
Looks like a pretty fab park. Why is everyone wearing a hi-vis jacket on the side of the rode? Is that some daft french law? I love the little triangle :p

Why didn't you ride the flume? Looks fabulous.

Looking forward to part 2.
 

Darren B

Giga Poster
Jordanovichy said:
Why is everyone wearing a hi-vis jacket on the side of the rode? Is that some daft french law?

It's called common sense, Jordan ;) although, yes - the vest, triangle and fire extinguisher are law in France.


Good report, John. I take it you turned down the +1 due to queues?
 

Nicky

Hyper Poster
Yep its a French rule. You need to wear a hi-vis if you have to get out of your car on the motorway as well as having many other things in the car at the same time i.e. two breathlysers (did mean that when we had the hire car we had double of everything which was a bit ridiculous).

Stupid little warning triangle kept blowing over when we had got to the top of the verge but we couldn't be arsed to go down and set it upright.

The only way to cope was to see the hilarity of it rather than break down into tears.
 

Mysterious Sue

Strata Poster
Parc St Paul looks great in the sun. I enjoyed it when I went (but I think more than most and that's mainly for the Pax creds) but it looked a much more ropey park in the rain. I think some of that theming is new though.

Yeah you should have gone on the log flume. It was fab
 

peep

CF Legend
Darren, missing what +1?

Thursday 17th April

Day 2 was all about Nigloland. It turned out that the project manager had tried to get in touch via email but my phone was acting up so we hadn't arranged a meet point or time. Not that mattered for the time being. We had arrived early (thinking it was a 10am opening, not 10:30) so we awaited the gates to open eagerly like the goons that we are. French goons were also waiting for opening, complete with Alpina Blitz t-shirts. Gates opened a little early which allowed us to grab some breakfast, admire the beauty of the park entrance area and get a photo with Niglo (the park mascot).

1907960_10154069060190360_6670926884851516710_n.jpg


10154307_10154069060250360_7569112191903470932_n.jpg

It's Easter!

1621793_10154069060470360_7559296049032766605_n.jpg


10176105_10154069060675360_5664930840258738643_n.jpg


10155639_10154069060745360_1031322353459870915_n.jpg


1660837_10154069060985360_6303859849978223690_n.jpg


Once the rope had dropped we headed to the top left of the park for the Mack powered coaster. It hides at the back of their Canada themed area. The lush forest of the park (and beyond) gave the area a sense of authenticity which I really loved.

10299146_10154069063395360_2760570092386450819_n.jpg


1012575_10154069063515360_1364570499201806640_n.jpg


10177265_10154069063610360_1488860260728469972_n.jpg


The theming for the mine train coaster was great, so much effort had been put into it. The layout of the coaster is also different and exciting, if a little short. It speeds up so much just before you re-enter the station ready for your second lap. I really enjoyed it and it's integration with the forest area and the log flume. It also had a tunnel and tunnels on rollercoasters are always very welcome.

10171221_10154069063685360_8330798188233319683_n.jpg


10152416_10154069063750360_6708511111004004885_n.jpg


We decided to go on the log flume next. The huge old motor in the middle of the cattlepen queue was impressive, as were the huge array of tools and that hanging around, quite reminiscent of Big Thunder Mountain at the Disney parks.

10277380_10154069063995360_1225652587872749008_n.jpg


10171063_10154069064120360_7851197003903593594_n.jpg


The log flume while a very short ride is still enjoyable, didn't get too wet which was good. The mine train was running while we were in that area, waving to the peeps riding was fun, especially the guy at the front who did a weird scream :p

10288778_10154069064345360_6343247627109796973_n.jpg


1779835_10154069065000360_7152924870619354240_n.jpg


We then went back on ourselves a bit to then get to Grizzli, the park's Disko-coaster. I quite liked the theme of it, the bear on the ride looks hilarious as it spins around and goes over the hump.

1175462_10154069067080360_4048565355741350718_n.jpg


10151771_10154069067090360_3176355528395414188_n.jpg


1902006_10154069067425360_5677969089322539195_n.jpg


As with all the others of this ride type (this was my 4th one), it's fun when it bounces either side of the hump but overall it's not as exciting as it looks. Still this one had nice surroundings and the little huts in the queueline are nice and fit in really well with the area.

10299146_10154069067450360_1910735768186433137_n.jpg


On our way over to the big rides area (and to gawp at Alpina Blitz before it's 1pm opening) we found a Mack boat ride like Seastorm at Chessington (sans rotating boats). It had animatronics in the middle of it which made us instantly love it and ride it.

10297631_10154069067555360_1790268663228509317_n.jpg


10156052_10154069067635360_518798559757188515_n.jpg


1558465_10154069067645360_1777311242544318066_n.jpg


We were quite surprised by the speed this one picks up, it's definitely a lot faster than most I've ridden.

10157186_10154069067710360_8469177562402660520_n.jpg

The park is just looks fantastic - blue sky helps

It was then time for Air Meeting which is a ride type I've wanted to ride for some years now. The ride area's theming is simple but quite affective (mannequins as fake commentators in a booth is a nice touch). I managed to pull off spinning my seat quite quickly which was awesome, it did get a bit much after a while though so I tried to stop and then start again but once I had lost the momentum I couldn't get it going again. I really enjoyed it though and would love to see more smaller parks getting them.

10150712_10154069067905360_8298785343811216396_n.jpg


10171224_10154069068225360_8394299963749117780_n.jpg


10271535_10154069068240360_2149595580815005267_n.jpg


10176018_10154069068290360_6547337725264182207_n.jpg


1903023_10154069068405360_6832290832550646012_n.jpg


Next to the ride is the park's 50's America area. The jukebox spinny ride I'd seen before and knew it'd make me ill, still it fitted the area really well. Inside the building was some games and a dodgems.

1044761_10154069068595360_2745074943009671828_n.jpg


1554542_10154069068745360_3181955530210560731_n.jpg


1511077_10154069068785360_4466982600483631591_n.jpg


Then we entered the very subtle entrance for Spatiale Experience, the parks indoor Mack rollercoaster themed to space. The queueline was awesome, they had this very 90s techno music going on which really built up the ride and the lighting was simple and effective.

10245379_10154069068835360_499664212919602479_n.jpg


1908280_10154069070225360_536100484230016755_n.jpg


I sat at the front with Peter while Benin and Nicky grabbed the back row. The ride begins with a spiral lift hill with a bunch of announcements going off and some flashing lights. Once at the top a strobe light goes off and you go down the first drop into space. There's a lot of things floating about and the music style changes from techno to classical which I approved of. There's some great near misses and the coaster really whips you about, reminded me a bit of the PAX creds at Parc Saint Paul. It was really good fun.


Day 2 continued a few posts below....
 

Darren B

Giga Poster
The spinning mouse. I missed the sentence in which you were pleased about the lack of spin ;) so, yes, you rode.
 

Nemesis Inferno

Strata Poster
Day 1 – Parc Saint Paul

A rather early morning of 3am was the choice made to venture to a selection of rather un-known French parks, and after a McDonald’s service station breakfast and a quick jaunt on the Eurotunnel we were firing down the French motorway with not a care in the world.

Unfortunately, disaster would strike us. We began to hear noises from the car, and decided to pull over on the hard shoulder to investigate. After some initial checks, we agreed to move the car forward slightly to see if there was truly something wrong, and it refused to start up.

Many calls were made and eventually a mechanic (who of course, spoke no English) turned up, and made that classic intake of breath noise that all mechanics do that tend to signify that the car/vehicle is completely buggered.

We were taken to a nearby garage, and made the decision that €2000 for a new gearbox was not worth the money at all, so we would leave the car forever in France, grab a hire car and continue with our adventure post-haste. The garage were very helpful to us especially given the language barrier, however Demi Lovato’s version of “Let It Go” was not particularly appreciated by myself.

We got a taxi to a hire car place and after many a hasty phone call from the guy working there we were eventually given a Volkswagen UP! So after a delay of about two hours we continued on our adventure to Parc Saint Paul.

10012453_10154059273305220_992322636816534205_n.jpg


1687_10154059273310220_845686709004591509_n.jpg


10013926_10154059273495220_6991421564129594657_n.jpg


1480726_10154059273560220_5524860556642826735_n.jpg


Upon arrival, our expectations of the place were not high, especially as their new Vekoma Junior coaster was being spiteful and not open. Nevertheless we headed to our first coaster of the trip, a Wacky Worm. Joyous! This one however was very well themed, with lots of statues, a very giant apple and even astroturf. Of course, it was still a Wacky Worm.

10294486_10154059273630220_9209180657365988371_n.jpg


10296644_10154059273695220_993605171905974070_n.jpg


1897931_10154059273795220_305775655727787116_n.jpg


Next up in the actual coaster department was the Wild Train, my first Pax coaster (who aren’t exactly known for being good). And the slight launch out the station worried us greatly as to how awful this ride might be, so to say it exceeded all possible expectations would be rather accurate. It was certainly wild, with a fair amount of airtime and reasonable Gs about, with a hint of re-rideability, which is always a bonus in my book.

1613874_10154059273950220_9049791728331606839_n.jpg


10152655_10154059274195220_8799865430746540218_n.jpg


10255604_10154059274235220_6369725874827921418_n.jpg



We meandered further into the park, and decided the spinny mouse could be done later because it had an awful queue (which didn’t get any better unfortunately) and went onto the next Pax coaster, Formule 1. Unsurprisingly, it’s themed to Formula 1, with the different cars based off different manufacturers, and a scary statue of Schumacher at the entrance. It’s also a slight rip-off of the Gerstlauer Bobsleds, with a much steeper lift and a more insane experience, with over-banked turns being the main culprit of this. Again it was rather enjoyable ride, if slightly terrifying.

10177232_10154059274490220_6299995706950558093_n.jpg


10274246_10154059274660220_8445229009542514233_n.jpg


10153874_10154059274755220_1416892104949679211_n.jpg


10253995_10154059274895220_203348401712994740_n.jpg


10175984_10154059274735220_2259063375938822998_n.jpg


We wandered a bit further into the park, discovering that it wasn’t all quite run-down as we expected it to look within. There was a fair amount of woodland, lakes and even some buildings taken straight out of Lightwater Valley. It’s very family set with more for the kids, but we saw tonnes of BBQ sets for people to come and cook their own food, and it did have a rather lovely atmosphere.

1975252_10154059273745220_7290602267367110582_n.jpg


10268436_10154059276735220_6355209516020907613_n.jpg


10169207_10154059277335220_5021226478826357742_n.jpg


Back to the rides, Mini Mouse Cartoon was next, which is a Zamperla Mini Mouse or something. It makes a Wacky Worm look interesting that’s all I know. +1

1536506_10154059274955220_2461143203802342977_n.jpg


71399_10154059275010220_5636598889546350997_n.jpg


Next door to that was Telepherique, which was by far the most amazing thing ever created by a French person. It’s a platform led zip line, only in (such a) cred format. It involves a lot of spinning, swinging and swearing (and even crashing in some cases, like with me). Part of that old “Never in the UK” ideal, I thought it was brilliant, but the others not so much.

10155268_10154059275160220_6565643175541730988_n.jpg


10151826_10154059275205220_7600862050896416307_n.jpg


10277829_10154059275220220_8309558607338118677_n.jpg


10264871_10154059275425220_9091479110527690870_n.jpg


10259898_10154059275665220_6267049140458933297_n.jpg


10168135_10154059275820220_8756605833742134247_n.jpg


We headed back to the Souris Verte Spinning Wild Mouse of boredom, having endured the queue of burdenous times. I’m so bored of these now it’s not true. Again, +1

1509141_10154059274435220_2605803417465995199_n.jpg


We then decided to go and see the Tiger show, to which those who visited Bagatelle and seen their Lion show had “I have seen things” moments as a result. However only two of the tigers looked like they wanted to eat the fat French man who was flicking them with a whip. Fortunately there was no maiming of the fat French man (or unfortunately, dependant on opinion of such animal shows), so we were able to continue on our journey via a Giant Slide.

10154288_10154059275900220_1799947390258423368_n.jpg


1013766_10154059276230220_1519825239940456404_n.jpg


10153867_10154059276325220_3790409136245749299_n.jpg


1509141_10154059276665220_8492623266659126158_n.jpg


As John and Peter did the horror house thingy, we meandered around the House of Mirrors, which wasn’t very entertaining. After they returned, we went into the 3D Walkthrough, which was actually quite epic and looked tonnes better than Hocus Pocus Hall even did. We then marvelled at the themed bins and doors as we had some ice cream.

10176145_10154059277430220_862536611993748714_n.jpg


10155769_10154059277445220_548219798375355096_n.jpg


10269543_10154059277390220_434093558377850372_n.jpg


1493162_10154059277525220_1903611727404763353_n.jpg


We had another go on the Formula 1 coaster, before me and John did the Drop Tower of Forever – Extreme Edition, which decided it would go from slow to fast to slow again during the trip up the tower, which was equally hilarious and burdenous. I don’t think my laughter was appreciated by the randomer next to us though who was unsure about the whole thing. When it did get to the top, the drop was instantaneous, so it was all a bit weird. Good though. We finished this with another go on the Wild Train before heading off for a long drive down to our hotel, but not before a quick character photo!

Overall, the park exceeded our (admittedly lower than low) expectations of it. It’s very much like Lightwater (but tinier), and whilst it had a fair amount of rides dumped in places, they did make an attempt to make them look really nice. Hopefully the park can continue on a positive trajectory in the future, because we certainly enjoyed ourselves.

10155094_10154059278190220_75191329094941188_n.jpg
 

marc

CF Legend
It's actually a nice little park with a good selection of family rides.

The pax coasters were good fun and we re rode them a few times when we all went.

Not somewhere id rush back to but well worth a visit.
 

peep

CF Legend
Day 2 continued....

After a quick loo break we went to gawp at Alpina Blitz (which is currently closed till 1pm daily due to ongoing groundwork in the area). Waiting for us was Rodolphe Gelis, the park's project manager and the main man behind Alpina Blitz. We all introduced ourselves before we moved over to an outdoor fast food place to grab some drinks. We then sat down and had a really long chat. As most of the rides are closed either between 12-1 or 1-2 we decided to take time to relax and talk park stuff including a whole bunch of rumours and stories of meeting other park managers.

10153943_10154069070300360_8309905576115851218_n.jpg


923573_10154069070385360_4077947354055027969_n.jpg


After we finished our drinks Rodolphe took us over to the engineering area for a tour. It was all rather quiet as most staff were on their lunch break but that didn't stop him showing us every nook and cranny, including but not limited to the head engineer's office complete with cleaner, staff lunch room complete with staff eating food and the store room for all the merch and food.

10171684_10154069070440360_5794559936539989689_n.jpg

You may easily spot the Silver Star banner, but there's also an Intamin and Gerstlauer calander

10300446_10154069070610360_2391423983169608945_n.jpg


1902929_10154069070725360_3287878847738372550_n.jpg


10298896_10154069070865360_3314353251326334247_n.jpg

Wheels!

1533869_10154069071030360_5050323410398300855_n.jpg

Peter was happy to be in the engineers building

The tour was amusing, mainly because Rodolphe was taking the mick in regards to goons and their backstage tours. Any interaction with confused staff was amusing and jokes were possibly made at our expense :p

We walked around a corner and all of a sudden we were back in the Canada area, there was a lack of gate, he joked at how they've been meaning to add one for years. We were then treated to a traditional local dish for lunch which was like a pork based bolognese, it was rather tasty.

It had gone 1pm now so Alpina Blitz was open, we all headed back over to it where we then got to go up the exit and wait on the exit platform and just fill empty seats when they became available.

10154962_10154069071210360_5564094255010909145_n.jpg


The first thing I want to point out is that the station building is beautiful. Not 100% finished yet but the pure craftsmanship that has gone into carving real wood for everything just added a really nice touch. Whereas in most parks you'd get a fake wood finish it really was great to see proper materials used.

10170773_10154069071390360_7215824217998849505_n.jpg


1601421_10154069072060360_6830794049588159860_n.jpg


The ride itself is excellent. All of us had ridden an Intamin mega-lite before so were comparing it from the off. The Mack trains are so much more comfortable, you feel safe and secure but still quite free and open. The train silently glides around the track at a decent speed throughout, it looks a little slow off-ride but on ride it feels fast and the air time provided is top notch. It was pretty unanimous that the best bit of the ride is the snappy little hill before the banked turn into the final bunny hops. It was forceful in parts (especially the first banked turn after the drop) but not so forceful you couldn't re-ride loads.

10251936_10154069071535360_1443674998820403349_n.jpg


10252134_10154069071695360_785724741409211408_n.jpg


10173716_10154069071815360_8213957761443970619_n.jpg


1621822_10154069071875360_8822333150661613837_n.jpg


10299075_10154069072265360_3249839689487553953_n.jpg


I stupidly didn't take a photo of it in use but at the front of the train in the station the park created their own bridge mechanism so staff can cross the platform easily and quickly. It was genius.

1544495_10154069072400360_2377635478842427130_n.jpg

Rodolphe on ride

We had all ridden the new coaster quite a few times (back and front row included) to get a good rounded opinion of the ride, also because it's awesome.

Rodolphe then asked us if we wanted to check out the hotel so we said yes. Very glad we did. The hotel is small but awesome, the attention to detail throughout is great and it's themed to pirates. The bar in the lobby was a large ship and the restaurant theming was top notch. Each bedroom has a unique painting on the wall which we thought was awesome. We were shown several rooms, each were a decent size and some have a view of the park which is great. We were also shown all the staff areas like the kitchen and that.

1422600_10154069073540360_7986861835289166679_n.jpg


10277155_10154069075310360_6225403806591815453_n.jpg


1908280_10154069075365360_7815667065194039155_n.jpg


10291081_10154069075280360_5093682233844438141_n.jpg

Show/conference room

10296700_10154069075545360_392820748155783570_n.jpg

The parrot on the right is a large animatronic which goes off when someone walks past

10178145_10154069075600360_5848657728862903402_n.jpg

The bar

10154518_10154069075675360_7488771625278867221_n.jpg


10155509_10154069075880360_1939482412730363300_n.jpg


I then filmed a small interview with Rodolphe outside of the hotel on behalf of CoasterForce (still in edit, will appear in this topic when online). We then headed back inside the park where we rode the remaining coasters in the park. First up was the big apple which we were informed may be leaving at the end of the year ;)

10259985_10154069076305360_4180128613207984061_n.jpg


It was then time for Le Schitt' Express, a Mack wild mouse. It was very smooth and the supports were painted to look like wood!

We then rode the Bobsleigh rollercoaster, a rather feisty Schwarzkopf. I sat in the back row and it really threw me around, it's also a lot longer than it looks from the outside.

1505279_10154069076685360_4799799949602528828_n.jpg

More tunnels <3

Upon exiting Rodolphe was quite excited to show us something. We stood next to a small shack where there were some themed mine carts heading towards it. He unlocked the doors of the shack to reveal it was just theming to hide the chairswings hydraulics. Obviously we loved the sheer effort gone to hiding it.

1011802_10154069076375360_4657755171717211902_n.jpg


10150699_10154069076665360_330249939578413056_n.jpg


10178062_10154069076495360_3229031273188276437_n.jpg


10177953_10154069076745360_7389901679703028312_n.jpg


We then went back to Spatiale Expérience where Rodolphe tried to turn on all the lights for us. I tried to film it but I haven't even looked at the footage yet. Most of the lights were turned on apart from the middle section, still the whole situation of Rodolphe going out of his way to make our day even more epic was great.

We wanted another go on the Gertslauer skyflyer, Rodolphe didn't approve, I don't think he's the biggest fan of inversions :p I had another good go at spinning and managed to spin myself quite a bit, nearly to the point of too much.

He then really wanted to show us Africa Cruise which was probably a good choice after all the spinning. They'd started a refurb on the entire ride, adding some new scenes and generally trying to improve the whole attraction. We were informed that all the rockwork was done in-house which is surprising as it's really good.

10151328_10154069078675360_1614672030888933481_n.jpg


10153831_10154069078890360_3077066895632590701_n.jpg


1902852_10154069079065360_7456553058394324441_n.jpg


1621822_10154069079140360_7431483396578102062_n.jpg


10290711_10154069079270360_8473870524208296153_n.jpg


10154962_10154069079370360_688089779035287234_n.jpg

Rodolphe joked that he wanted to add fake blood to this scene

1620691_10154069079695360_136491178821416207_n.jpg


10268436_10154069079865360_6183279992050728086_n.jpg


While lots of room for improvement, it was definitely one of the better ones of this ride type we'd been on. Next we headed for the creepy dark ride (read as: Haunted/Phantom Mansion/Manor inspired dark ride). The exterior looks great. The ride was a little dated, it had an unusual ride system though and it did a lot of spinning.

10245367_10154069079910360_254371998642687783_n.jpg


Rodolphe wanted to show off the Mississippi river boat next. Before the boat returned to pick us up he had to shoot off and do work-based things. We thanked him and arranged to meet him at the hotel after park closing. The boat ride was relaxing and actually had to animatronic musicians and a bar on board.

10273850_10154069080090360_1529641051650695680_n.jpg


We decided to end our time in the park riding Alpina Blitz some more. It's still awesome, we got to be on the last train of the day, when the train got back to the station the ride op asked if we all wanted to go round again (silly question), so we got one more final ride. Peter got in the most rides in our group (over 10).

While buying some park merchandise we discovered that Peter wasn't feeling too good at all. By the time we got to the hotel to meet back up with Rodolphe we worked out it could have been a result of too many rides on Alpina Blitz or suntroke. Either way he wasn't in a good state and we wanted to get him back to our hotel for rest. After a drink at their bar we apologised to Rodolphe for having to shoot off and we made our way back. It's a shame the day had to end on such a note but these things can't be foreseen/prevented sometimes.

I'd like to thank Rodolphe for everything, he was an excellent host and provided much amusement throughout the day.

For those thinking that our reviews of the park are glowing purely due to meeting Rodolphe I can honestly say our opinions were the exact same on park, even before we met up. The park really did excel any expectations we had, just a very pleasant place to be with a great line up of attractions for the whole family. I can't wait to go back!
 

Nemesis Inferno

Strata Poster
Day 2 – Nigloland

To say that Nigloland is in the middle of nowhere would be quite the understatement, with the signs telling you the park is Xkm away, and no visible sign of it until you are literally on the local village’s doorstep. The village itself is on the park’s doorstep itself, with some front gardens literally a road and hill away from the actual entrance building.

The way the park is accessed feels slightly Towers like, with country roads, a small village and a descent into a giant valley with a forest backdrop providing an interesting opener to the day.

10251992_10154059282435220_8387909804844064938_n.jpg


1558549_10154059282420220_5698051793565810873_n.jpg

A busy day awaited us

10154307_10154059284440220_1213039564541645131_n.jpg


10277640_10154059282615220_3072806823041964309_n.jpg


10169200_10154059282770220_2919460508850645323_n.jpg


10154303_10154059282725220_8799976237496497319_n.jpg


As part of the EU “Parks should open rides after the park has actually opened” law, we had 30 minutes to spend having breakfast on park. Eventually the rides opened and we headed towards the dead end of the park (themed to Canada), where the Gold Mine Train lives.

As we were to discover, Nigloland has a ridiculously healthy relationship with Mack, as half their rides are built by them. This is powered Mine Train that kind of sits between that gap of Chessie’s and Towers’, in that it goes off on a little adventure (with a decent drop into a tunnel) but isn’t too long a ride time. However since it actually goes off into the woodland and interacts with the Log Flume next door, it gets a lot of points on that front.

1924994_10154059283100220_7851863786267119559_n.jpg


10273709_10154059283205220_2778851208541289600_n.jpg


10152460_10154059283665220_2820529947635918926_n.jpg


1800257_10154059284070220_255903275068493076_n.jpg


Next door was the aforementioned Log Flume that interacts with the Mine Train. With just a singular drop it was rather short, a basic figure of 8 layout I think actually, however with an extended amount of interaction with the Mine Train it improves the meander around somewhat. Certainly a sign of a ride built from a park slowly building its reputation, and as the park’s only real water ride it’s one of the flaws the park has. Hopefully they plan to rectify this soon.

1239415_10154059283335220_3574547476228310486_n.jpg


10269620_10154059283810220_3376420763860979524_n.jpg


Next up was our first non-Mack ride, Grizzli, a Zamperla Disko Coaster, which was as standard as the rest of them are. However it was cool to finally ride the one that appears in practically all of Zamperla’s advertising of the ride, and it was also rather well themed (apart from the clash of shed).

10157267_10154059284195220_6651527044723866357_n.jpg


10270541_10154059284445220_760296651780595662_n.jpg


10257687_10154059284450220_3612499938259479350_n.jpg


We started to head further into the park, and chanced upon The Travels of Jacques Cartier, which was a non-spinning boat variant of Seastorm. It made up for this by having decent animatronics in the middle of the ride and being surprisingly intense.

1509858_10154059284710220_2350404468374546620_n.jpg


1459957_10154059284770220_181033913636044587_n.jpg


Further in and we found a ride many of us were anticipating, Air Meeting, a Gerstlauer Sky Fly. These are essentially an intense version of the old Flying Scooters, and are fantastic if you want a solid work-out, lots of confined spinning, and enjoying physics. The seats rotate based on the position of the wings and your own momentum, it’s a rather difficult method to describe and there certainly is a knack to doing it, just got to get it right, because once you lose the momentum mid-ride, you never get it back.

I wouldn’t mind seeing one in the UK, but the throughput would be an immense issue.

1501376_10154059284975220_5148821227754980352_o.jpg


10250131_10154059285215220_792674883519140804_n.jpg

Themed staff and stadium announcers

10250294_10154059285290220_8729309903851700752_n.jpg


10153026_10154059285435220_1675798777009705925_n.jpg


10268723_10154059285580220_7074225680257965743_n.jpg


Next up was the Space Experience, located in the 50s area of the park. So naturally, it was some good old fashioned cheesy space times, essentially it was EuroSat light. It was rather good fun, especially in the back row which promoted the tight turns and decent near misses with the scenery, although the change from pounding techno music in the queue and exit to classical was a bit curious to say the least.

10157281_10154059285650220_5465163302279370756_n.jpg


1625643_10154059285690220_2426933708001343298_n.jpg


10250178_10154059285715220_1298828567226656669_n.jpg


10277548_10154059285785220_4446016178363044779_n.jpg


1480726_10154059285810220_1685410910773406184_n.jpg


After this there was a toilet break, which I took the time to watch the construction taking place around Alpina Blitz. Again that EU Law of “Rides cannot be completed on time, but can run later in the day”.

10155991_10154059285880220_3626571303545894861_n.jpg


10277829_10154059285940220_2768860822184259766_n.jpg


10245543_10154059286100220_2671915306891938308_n.jpg


1797573_10154059286125220_6633197132719270067_n.jpg


As I was watching, a man came up to me and asked if I was John. This was a result of John getting in contact with the park prior to our arrival and asking if he could chat to anyone about Alpina Blitz and the park in general. He had received an email the night before asking if we were still visiting and Rodolphe had clearly developed a goon sense having worked at the park (and Madame Tussauds and Pleasurewood Hills), having noticed people talking not only in English but in possession of a Walibi hoodie. Needless to say John’s reaction when he vacated the toilet was quite amusing.

Rodolphe explained he’d had a busy morning doing stuff for a kids TV show, so needed a drink, promptly treating us all to something as well. We had a good natter amongst ourselves over our drinks before he suggested he take us on a mini backstage tour of the park. What kind of goons would we be to turn down such a chance? So off we went.

10245319_10154059286165220_4354562874196666881_n.jpg


1511426_10154059286200220_5606978455043765450_n.jpg


1897757_10154059286325220_1201862281161927628_n.jpg


1901139_10154059286390220_3822862773363731046_n.jpg

Even their engineers are goons

Having seen the entirety of the backstage (including the bakery, locker room and a very teasing Alpina Blitz sign they didn’t need anymore and would obviously resulted in a fight to the death over if my Peugeot had been alive), we decided that as most of the rides were closed for lunch (a system they use for very dead days, like this day was), we would also do that. And once again we were treated to a local delicacy which can be described as pork bolognaise, which was rather good and certainly in the upper limits of theme park food.

1016895_10154059286455220_4773003066936453481_n.jpg


After more tales of Rodolphe’s exploits at IAAPA and EAS, we decided that it was time for Alpina Blitz. After finding out the various reasonings as to why Nigloland went with Mack over Intamin (cheaper to build (ride alone costs €4.5m), great working relationship, better trains/restraints and many more), we were all pretty excited to ride it, if only to compare it to the Intamin version.

1613930_10154059286460220_1347524764349648237_n.jpg


10250061_10154059286970220_4498480388665285339_n.jpg


1509303_10154059286990220_1377932694307748510_n.jpg


Of course, as we were Rodolphe’s guests in the park, we went via the exit and stood on the offload platform as the ride was going around. Eventually the back two rows were held off and we were on.

The first drop and turn are a fantastic start to this ride, and any qualms people had of it losing speed throughout due to the high second hill can be discarded as rather unfounded. I was greying out everytime on the first turn, which arguably makes it more intense than Piraten, and the second hill when sitting in the front involves a rather special bit of ejector due to the transition. The rest of the ride is filled with airtime of both the floater and tonnes more ejector variety, and I can but hope our reactions as we returned to the station made Rodolphe very happy indeed.

10168078_10154059287255220_1047489525498819590_n.jpg


10174929_10154059287325220_2268049532716210916_n.jpg


1533777_10154059287425220_7467708109241939479_n.jpg


We were allowed to fill up some empty seats (the park really was empty), before being allowed to use the bridge of randomness to access the front row. It’s just as good if not slightly better than the back purely for the second hill turn.

Later on that night we found that the Mitch Hawker polls had come out, with Kawasemi 7th and Piraten 12th. If these are relatively accurate depictions (though why the Mega-Lite clones are separate I have no idea), then Alpina Blitz is quite clearly superior then Piraten at least. The Mack trains take a rather good layout (with some changes it must be said, it’s as much of a clone as Cinecitta World’s 10 looper is a clone of Colossus) and make it something even better. This ride alone makes me believe that Helix could easily be Europe’s best coaster, and hopefully with lots of parks visiting Nigloland to ride Alpina, we’ll be seeing plenty of these in the near future. Which can only be a good thing.

1925335_10154059287505220_8612378414095926455_n.jpg


10292213_10154059287545220_2187686904088631713_n.jpg


1239393_10154059287580220_1171058683166541699_n.jpg


After that, Peter enquired if we could have a nosey at the park’s hotel, a small 32 room affair but with 4 stars. So off we went. It looks rather unassuming (or bland) from the outside, however inside is a different matter. Beautifully themed from the bar to the restaurant, and the rooms are pretty decent as well, we all liked it so much that when we inevitably return to the park we’ll be booking a stay in the hotel for certain.

10254004_10154059287610220_7115946224654253155_n.jpg


It kinda shows the difference that a good family run park can provide compared to a corporation run park, as the attention to detail not just in the hotel but also throughout the park (themed staff uniforms, etc) with a focus on providing a great experience with a long term plan over monetary gain in the short term. Nigloland really does tick all the boxes brilliantly.

Back in the park, we decided it would be a good time to grab the rest of the coasters as they were all nearby. Starting with La Chenille, another Wacky Worm, before Schlitt Express, a Mack Wild Mouse which was a lot better than Bakken’s equivalent (probably because it wasn’t at Bakken), and finally Bobsleigh, a smaller version of Black Hole which was quite heavily themed it must be said. The two major coasters were both very enjoyable and themed to a very good standard, with the Bobsleigh standing out as looking rather brand new for something rather old, upkeep eh?

10176114_10154059287770220_6538610921424544161_n.jpg


10154945_10154059287665220_7571467269890675924_n.jpg


10245421_10154059287875220_3307735842642830214_n.jpg


10289905_10154059287905220_7161001068277924672_n.jpg


After Bobsleigh, Rodolphe showed us the hydraulic room for the Chairswings. Which on the inside are nothing out of the ordinary, however the theming effort put into the outside is something I’ve only really seen at Europa Park in the pump rooms for Atlantica. The fact that the piping linking the shed and ride together is buried under themed rail and mining cars is that next level set of detailing that sets great parks apart from good parks. To quote Rodolphe “Theming, theming, theming”, and he’s damn right.

1011802_10154069076375360_4657755171717211902_n.jpg


10150699_10154069076665360_330249939578413056_n.jpg


1044995_10154059288100220_6782138906954742316_n.jpg


After another drink we headed back onto Space Experience, where Rodolphe went off and got the lights turned on for us. It was quite cool to see the level of detail hidden amongst the theming that is dotted around the building. We then had another quick go on Air Meeting, where I did a couple of spins and thought better of it.

10155437_10154059288370220_5057989391826246697_n.jpg


1493162_10154059288390220_4768165973227668741_n.jpg


10270520_10154059288405220_7674600544845313245_n.jpg


Rodolphe then urged us to do “their Zufari”, in Africa Cruise, which is basically Jungle Cruise on a budget. However the home-made rocks looked really good, and the commentary of such issues on the ride like “we need more greenery to hide the mechanics” and “I was told we wouldn’t be able to see the concrete” showed a real honesty and enthusiasm about the park, which seemed to flow through the entire place. Very refreshing indeed.

10294283_10154059288605220_3800622795065920856_n.jpg


10157346_10154059288710220_7829612227743937462_n.jpg


10268663_10154059288835220_9198177276316460960_n.jpg


1175302_10154059289045220_6929717154264544883_n.jpg


10270301_10154059289180220_2576032378404685622_n.jpg


After this we ventured into the Haunted Mansion, which was practically Disney-light. You do have to love a good old-fashioned Disney knock-off, although the independent spinning car and the lighting of the load vehicle was pretty awesome it must be said. Give this ride an upgrade with brand new effects/animatronics and it’d be even better!

10252090_10154059289235220_6605343684195129980_n.jpg


10154081_10154059289335220_4915430884340587042_n.jpg


After this we headed over to the King of Mississippi riverboat, where Rodolphe had to leave us to do some real work (rather than show some dodgy English folk the park), so we went around without him. It was quite nice really; nothing too special around it, but one of those rides filed under “for a long sit-down”.

10294283_10154059289355220_8442229081924854905_n.jpg


10291786_10154059289415220_866171263518694185_n.jpg


10151833_10154059289525220_6108844890711703681_n.jpg


10294424_10154059289715220_7128249852755852059_n.jpg


With the rides closing shortly we decided it was time to whore Alpina Blitz a bit, with various rows experienced and the last ride of the day. It truly is a fantastic ride and hopefully we’ll see a lot more of them in the future, especially for a base price of €4.5 million, it’s SUCH a bargain! We met up with Rodolphe at the hotel for a quick drink but unfortunately dinner in the hotel (which he invited us to) had to be cut off as Peter had clearly ridden Alpina Blitz too many times in the heat of the day (turns out you CAN have too much of a good thing). So we bid farewell and promised that we would return to the park in the future.

10292532_10154059289945220_8705321002377891176_n.jpg


1044649_10154059290045220_6463209265725809586_n.jpg


10268668_10154059290060220_2699226666368267269_n.jpg


10151400_10154059290145220_4144087745770282974_n.jpg


10298875_10154059290640220_5300786977021440029_n.jpg


10277224_10154059290390220_666541702809879099_n.jpg


And that we shall, because even without Rodolphe’s tour of the place we would have loved it anyway. The park itself is presented well, with lots of rides dotted about with some immense theming (I fell in love with the Tractor ride as an example), and just an overall look and atmosphere to the place that few parks can achieve. Alpina Blitz is a brilliant landmark coaster for them to be put on the map in the wider world of the industry, and hopefully that will kick-start them into pushing for a lot more guests not only this year but in the years to come.

I send a lot of thanks to Rodolphe as well for giving us an even more fantastic day and really going above and beyond the levels of park hospitality for us, the sort of stuff that in my experience is only reserved for those huge groups who pay for it, rather than 4 random people. His tales and honest opinions on the industry, the park and his own experiences and future were both fascinating and insightful throughout the day. And his enthusiasm about the park (and his career in general) certainly rubbed off on us.

1544495_10154069072400360_2377635478842427130_n.jpg

Party on Rodolphe!

In summary, it’s a fantastic park that everyone should visit. I don’t say that about many parks, but for Nigloland, it’s a clear exception to that rule.

10176252_10154059283075220_2437415959176519600_n.jpg
 

Serena

Miss CoasterForce 2016
Staff member
Social Media Team
Great reports! Alpina Blitz sounds fab, and those apple chair swings look so cute <3
 

DelPiero

Strata Poster
Brilliant reports guys! I've really enjoyed reading these. Alpina looks awesome and sounds like you had a great afternoon with Rodolphe.
 

Mysterious Sue

Strata Poster
Glad you guys had a great time in the end and have only good things to say about Alpina Blitz. Poor Benin! Rodolphe sounds such an amazing guy.
 

Nemesis Inferno

Strata Poster
Day 3 – Walygator Parc

So the final day led us to Walygator, more known for its financial issues and random 2nd hand B&M than for being any good, and we were heading there for their first operational day of the season!

10245319_10154059293820220_5754575941002530072_n.jpg


However, the day certainly started poorly as the tickets you pre-book online through the website CANNOT be picked up on park.

You have two options, pick it up at random shops dotted about the country (none near where we were though), or delivered to home. But NOT at the park? Not wanting to waste time having already turned up attempting to find some random place in Metz ended up paying for tickets on the day as well as in advance. Needless to say I was very unimpressed by this situation, not helped by the fact that they have turnstiles they don’t use and a generally bad entrance procedure (let’s have the park gates open into the ticket booth queues!)

1888520_10154059293830220_5166815676014051773_n.jpg


1509858_10154059293945220_7299163793672557247_n.jpg


1558549_10154059294035220_1942218698749729661_n.jpg


Eventually in, we headed straight to Monster, the B&M Invert. We waited for people to turn up to reach the minimum amount of riders and after about 20 minutes into our already limited day we were finally on the front row (first ride of the season though).

I didn’t really like Raptor at Cedar Point, so I wasn’t particularly excited for this one. However it was quite decent, with a good bit of force about itself. It’s certainly not at the top of the Invert pile but it’s not at the bottom either. The RCT plonked nature of it does demean itself somewhat though, especially as the ride just exists off in the distance with no interaction with the rest of the park at all.

10177950_10154059294385220_8448140783487600354_n.jpg


10155645_10154059294470220_237532883470472523_n.jpg


10298877_10154059294600220_2602659221530701786_n.jpg


1549343_10154059294720220_3011521457843820300_n.jpg


10154354_10154059294755220_5385075158329672262_n.jpg


We hopped on the Disney themed Chenille (the 3rd Wacky Worm of the trip) before heading towards Anaconda, their (Morgan apparently) Wooden coaster, which had just this year had some retracking done by GCI. As we were in the queue, we noticed that the PLC on the brakes was behaving rather erratically, with the trains stopping at excessively random and unknown times; nevertheless we were on the back row of the half loaded train (we discovered the entire park was in this queue because of the front rows being sand-bagged).

1959475_10154059294875220_7304090259030715347_n.jpg


10259354_10154059294945220_8551477781917851460_n.jpg


10275917_10154059295755220_2694614461947507394_n.jpg


Rides can be awful for many reasons, violent, juddery, rough, but the sole worst reason for a ride to be considered awful to me is for it to be boring. This is what Anaconda is, incredibly dull, forceless and slow. It bounced along the track at a lull, struggling to climb over every hill and not doing anything remotely interesting with the layout. So imagine how surprised we were that the brakes decided to become the most interesting part of the ride and partially fail, causing us to stop half-way down the station, and me breaking out into a fit of hysterical laughter at just how pathetic the situation was.

10155223_10154059295815220_6582668591173976634_n.jpg


10245407_10154059295880220_3689154224317183292_n.jpg


10155645_10154059296080220_2886455333178849119_n.jpg


Eventually the engineer sorted it by opening and closing the gates to reset the rather confused ride system, and we got another go around. It was still dull, even with me laughing my head off.

We were hungry, so giant waffles were had because they were out of pancakes. Fail. We went to see the new Dive Show, with a slight (read – minimal) Wild West theme, and pre-show entertainment by clowns who did EPIC balloon animals and a FBI agent. Confusing times.

Either way, the show was a pretty standard High Dive affair really. The guy who did it whilst on fire was good though, but these shows aren’t THAT interesting enough unless they have a story going on behind it. At least it was better than ITV’s SPLASH!

10154537_10154059296120220_118158345021181581_n.jpg


We wandered into their recently rethemed Space area with the new Air Race which wasn’t open yet (mainly as it had actually arrived EARLIER than planned), however it does look very awesome, and even has a viewing platform which was also unfortunately closed. The 4th and final coaster of the trip was Waly Coaster, a Vekoma ‘Hurricane’, or ‘Loop and 2 Screws’. Again 1st day syndrome hit us, as the ride op sent the train out having missed an open restraint on his side twice on an empty seat, which resulted in an E-Stop (personally, I would’ve either ignored it or pushed it down as it went out). We were sat in the station once again waiting for an engineer.

Unsurprisingly, the ride was not worth the wait, short but smooth, but didn’t really do anything interesting, feeling like a lesser version of their old Bayerncurve Corkscrews really. Meh.

10245477_10154059296275220_5799851747527624204_n.jpg


1509858_10154059296445220_1781185876445118903_n.jpg


10153673_10154059296495220_3960422715671928031_n.jpg


1549479_10154059296515220_3244273715335424675_n.jpg


10269652_10154059296585220_7257442984890356432_n.jpg


10296700_10154059296750220_8761565838333645594_n.jpg


1621686_10154059296800220_2852835536010757710_n.jpg


1621686_10154059296835220_6805405047984769018_n.jpg


10007526_10154059296925220_6197104169020694131_n.jpg


10155246_10154059296940220_7087636895490980569_n.jpg


We walked past the abandoned Haunted House towards the Rapids. These have an ingenious design of which the boats are too big to fit inside the station, so have to be manually pulled in by the staff to park up in a group of 4 for loading. Holy bad ride designs!

Again, the ride itself was a mixed bag, with some good bits but an excessively boring ending. Methinks half the park would be better demolishing half their rides and starting over from scratch; which is what they’re doing with their Huss Topple Tower in fact, poor boring things that they are.

10294481_10154059296975220_3508802821809522989_n.jpg


10269652_10154059297020220_8661196779066282149_n.jpg


1926775_10154059297120220_5713825131717898080_n.jpg


1601118_10154059297215220_578653189278374453_n.jpg


1011820_10154059297245220_3198385317970082060_n.jpg


10246724_10154059297195220_2449148527501379583_n.jpg


After some faff and decision making we elected to go on Waly Boat, which had been slightly revamped for the season. The Tow Boat ride system is incredibly popular in Europe, and I’ve been on a few, but none as slow as this one. It was 25 minutes long and half of that was slowly floating towards the next nice looking but rather uninteresting after seeing it for 5 minutes scenes. It was just completely unnecessary for it to be so damn slow.

10294370_10154059297330220_6073089865594029117_n.jpg


10264976_10154059297385220_6656523667757648474_n.jpg


10174792_10154059297525220_7965508222101372985_n.jpg


1912011_10154059297560220_5147131445617338689_n.jpg


10174965_10154059297970220_580144551023613523_n.jpg


10174927_10154059298180220_8971075286103315629_n.jpg


10150546_10154059298520220_4594685648501522893_n.jpg


1528455_10154059298720220_6011275675454834684_n.jpg


10270593_10154059298860220_3054930271005025956_n.jpg

Cave of nothing

988468_10154059299380220_1782366542510208404_n.jpg


Once our insomnia had been cured, we had a few minutes to kill before the Dancing with Waly show, so promptly rode the Mistrel Chairswings next door, which completed the collection of dull and slowly run rides. The show itself was rather decent, with pop songs through the ages being played and kids allowed to interact completely with the WalyGator family, rather than sit down and watch. I don’t think I’ll ever forget seeing a dancing giant alligator doing Gangam Style too.

10168101_10154059299660220_2480873507869107938_n.jpg


1549445_10154059299750220_664381338456523369_n.jpg


1239520_10154059299770220_2512859989395681899_n.jpg


10173736_10154059299815220_3335491840346752152_n.jpg


10262178_10154059300190220_4969938970289227662_n.jpg


And that was really it. We had to head up to Calais for our ferry back to the UK since the hire car couldn’t really be taken all the way home, but I wasn’t particularly fussed about leaving early as we’d done the major rides and I don’t think the park had anything much else to offer. It has SOME potential, but for the most part it’s really tatty and the rides there are just DULL, which is probably worse than the rides just being rough and awful. I had no desperation to ride anything again, and I even gave Baco the honour of a second ride.

However the new area theme and the brand image both look very good, especially the new branding which is very solid (and the plushies are just so adorable). There is plenty of potential in the park but it’s a long way to go to reach the likes of Nigloland, and hopefully the new management (only their second year of new ownership it must be said, so it looks slightly long term) will learn from the park’s past mistakes and look elsewhere to see how to improve things, such as a station building for Monster, and some actual good rides to support it.

10299070_10154059300545220_4845257180293735991_n.jpg


10268684_10154059300350220_5358005047788474049_n.jpg


The journey back up to Calais was at least, uneventful, and being a foot passenger on the ferry means you get first dibs on seating. Overall it was a good trip, if a bit mental for all the wrong reasons on the first day, and it was certainly worth it for Nigloland and Alpina Blitz.

10274073_10154059297300220_8349338746055274838_n.jpg
 

peep

CF Legend
Friday 18th April

Our last day of the trip saw us travel to Walygator Parc. Having been the only member of our trip to have already visited the park (2010) I was intrigued to see how much had changed and if it improved the park at all. My memory of the ride experiences could totally differ now that I've been on so much more since so it was going to be interesting to return.

As we drove up to the entrance some guys were standing in the road clearing it of leaves and the like. Trying to get everything in order for the first day of the season!

1533775_10154069080275360_4193390937322931038_n.jpg


There weren't that many people in the car park but once again we'd turned up early for a 10am start only to find out it was another 10:30 opening! We queued around to collect our tickets that Benin had purchased through their website. After a long wait we discover that Benin's email means nothing and we would have to collect the tickets from a nearby town, to which they weren't being very helpful about (no directions etc). It seems like a bizarre policy, but then I would have found it odd to not have received an e-ticket in the email itself.

After paying for more tickets from the park we were given what resembles a shop receipt rather than a ticket which I found odd as loads of people around us had nicely printed tickets and I have no idea why there would be a difference? Rather than worrying about anything I just admired the new look to the entrance, they've really tarted it up. The bright colours are slightly garish but I think it works.

10290159_10154069080335360_7463000028608594841_n.jpg


10150792_10154069080475360_4364898813424112934_n.jpg


There was some faff amongst the staff on when and how to open the park gates without chaos happening, it was a little bit of a mess. They had lined up three of the park characters for photo opportunities and all the park management started to appear inside the park. After lots of trying our hardest to make the queue to get in stay rather British (families trying to push in with buggies left right and centre) we were finally in.

10151171_10154069083265360_2714962324014052925_n.jpg


10155275_10154069083065360_3565372234618768590_n.jpg


The management posed for a photo with the mascots. It was tempting to try and speak to them on behalf of CF but I don't think I would have got very far :p

1800215_10154069083225360_8652276126662951030_n.jpg


We made haste over to Monster for our first ride in the park. I remember absolutely loving it despite its stupid queueline. We managed to get on the first ride of the day (and season) in the front row. It was good, the first drop is excellent (not as awesome as Katun's or OzIris though) and it has some good moments throughout. However overall I didn't find it to be that great, it was good and enjoyable but I've just been on so many rides that are better now.

10006207_10154069084095360_183548649606353122_n.jpg


10176053_10154069084360360_2745259047819563825_n.jpg


We then jumped on the kiddie cred for the +1.

10176232_10154069084785360_6686412848795869582_n.jpg


This end of the park feels weird, like, everything is rather plonked down without much thought behind it, it is a park designed in RCT. So far the park had felt really empty too. We then joined the queue for Anaconda and found all the other guests.

10268636_10154069088525360_6111308892983870418_n.jpg


When I last rode it the thing was violent and evil. Watching it attempt to brake before getting back into the station wasn't a great sign of things to come but knowing the past two seasons it has had most of the track (and supports) completely replaced meant it could possibly be a better ride. The queue was also taking forever as it's quite a long ride and there's only one train.

10277885_10154069088650360_7090596447678876114_n.jpg

The unused original queueline for the cred.

10155509_10154069088710360_6152154362124489002_n.jpg

Queueline selfie

1926730_10154069088750360_3561161494131929641_n.jpg

The weird s-bend out of the station

10153192_10154069088850360_8670453645538444655_n.jpg

Only the back half of the train was being loaded, the front half was filled with sandbags.

So was the ride better? By miles. It was a lot less violent but it still managed to make climbing every hill a chore and like we might roll back at any second. When it did finally reach the top of a hill there was a surprising amount of air time on the drop down. It doesn't mean it's a great ride, it's still awful at life but at least it stopped doing an 'Ultimate' where it tries to kill you. However when we came to return to the station the brakes gave up on life, we must have caught it off-guard while it took a nap. We managed to stop half way through the station in a rather aggressive manner. The two staff members looked clueless as to how to help so we were sat there for ages while an engineer arrived. Some girls in front wanted off so once he managed to fix it he let them out and let some other [strike]victims[/strike] riders on. We were then sent round again. Yay?

We were getting a bit peckish so we grabbed some huge waffles, they were quite nice. On our way to the creds we walked past a ride that looked like the awesome pterodactyl ride in Madrid. Unfortunately when we got back there we realised it wasn't as awesome as they don't spin around. Boring!

On our way over to the new space themed area we walked past the new dive show area. A show was about to start so we decided to sit down and watch it. The clown entertainers before the show were pretty good. The one making items out of balloons was amazing. I think he had most of the audience watching him while he made a fish "ah awesome" we all went, he then proceeded to do more, "wtf is he doing now?". Turns out he then made a fishing rod and added a line with the fish at the end. I think we were all gob-smacked at how awesome that was.

The show then started and the presenter's microphone didn't work, cue a techie running from the sound booth all the way round the back and into the tent to give him a better mic. Once he had a working microphone the show began and he introduced us to the 4 divers. They all then proceeded to dive into the water, funny that.

10154524_10154069089760360_817515897801926354_n.jpg


I have never watched a dive show at a park though so I thought it was actually pretty cool. The fire dive was pretty awesome because fire makes everything better.

10011473_10154069091050360_5983774851632262707_n.jpg


1897853_10154069104805360_6619414913887602874_n.jpg


While walking around it's weird to see such a difference in some areas of the park, a lot of it is rather plain and open and then some areas look like the following...

1901247_10154069104860360_7440338426098619269_n.jpg


It's rather nice. We heading over to the new Space area which has the new Zamperla air race, G-Lock, which looks absolutely fantastic in this area. The backdrop shouldn't work but it really completes the area. We knew it wouldn't be open but when we were first looking into the trip it wasn't even meant to be at this stage of construction (literally days before testing started, it's now open. Original opening date was in May).

10174917_10154069104740360_6060099188775258350_n.jpg


10176133_10154069105010360_114570639362051547_n.jpg

Inside that building is the queue which looks fab

Sad it wasn't open we went over to ride WalyCoaster. The restraints didn't sit well on my shoulders but it was actually a very smooth ride, felt a little forceless but it was ok.

1959376_10154069105240360_7170229846531194373_n.jpg


We then went on the rapids where they have to physically push the boats through the station due to poor planning. The ride was good fun, lots of splashes and fear of getting drenched. Then in a weird state of affairs it becomes a gentle boat ride at the end, like, for ages. It was a bit sad that it just dies towards the end, would have been better if it stayed choppy all the way to the end.

It was then time to stare at the death of the topple tower. The ride has been such a burden for the park, I'm surprised it took them this long to take it down. Whether they replace it with anything is another matter entirely.

10258555_10154069105390360_6320010505415558468_n.jpg


1511077_10154069105605360_1716180489306633489_n.jpg


998977_10154069107300360_7202515516705500995_n.jpg

No idea why they have a model of a crazy cat lady. It looked like they'd recently touched it up too. Weird.

We then found ourselves back at the entrance of the park. We decided to ride Waly Boat, the newly themed boat ride on their lake. It took a whole 25 minutes to get round the lake, at times it felt like we were barely moving. Still, the new models were nicely done and it was great to hear a song from Lilo and Stitch. #CasualCopyrightInfringement

10155080_10154069107305360_6033007222980831683_n.jpg


10172677_10154069107505360_2068758450186231129_n.jpg


10245427_10154069107705360_2179436466828804141_n.jpg


10177317_10154069107925360_397815498265541726_n.jpg


10262011_10154069107975360_1531400388288721687_n.jpg


603619_10154069108135360_8356659027290194721_n.jpg


10006944_10154069108445360_3545034719411309401_n.jpg


1098340_10154069108520360_6937597967601260684_n.jpg

The Lion looks like he's on drugs

10247397_10154069108630360_5952169252067480147_n.jpg


10259777_10154069108875360_1137302831392029924_n.jpg


10269626_10154069109135360_4362857815344706878_n.jpg

Nicky and Benin were very bored by the time we got back to the station

We decided to ride the slow chairswing before the Dance with Waly show started.

1510967_10154069109465360_6528127192048030875_n.jpg


To be fair to the park, they're doing a good job at pushing their new characters and getting kids to interact with them. They could be found quite often in the park and they look great. The merchandise is also pretty good quality. The show reminded me of my childhood years spent at Pontin holiday resorts. They play a bunch of catchy dance songs and they force the kids to dance on the little stage with the characters. It drew a decent sized crowd though so must be a good move by the park.

10001456_10154069109615360_3354951613671840000_n.jpg


We browsed the merchandise store before grabbing some chips and leaving early. I would have liked to have maybe ridden Monster again to see if the ride got better during the day but that wasn't popular opinion. We then did the long drive to Calais to catch a ferry (as foot passengers!). For the first time the sailing made me feel a little ill but we made it back to Dover ok which is where we were met by Benin's Dad.


And that was the end of our short but very interesting holiday to France. Thanks to everyone for reading and making comments. The video interview is on it's way! Thanks to Benin for driving us around and arranging everything and not totally breaking down like the car. Also thanks to Benin's Dad for driving us back home from Dover.
 
Top