originally posted on 9/9/2024
To say the 2024 international trip, ACE Journey to Central Europe, was a success would be an understatement. Members were treated to 14 different parks over two weeks, and each one of the stops had its own character and highlights.
All but two of the parks provided ERT for attendees, which provided a thorough experience with extra rides on some of the parks’ best attractions.
During the course of the tour, ACEers journeyed through four different countries: The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Poland. The Poland portion was an optional add-on, but more than three-fourths of the 196 attendees chose to participate.
Because of hotel limitations, the registration was capped at 196, the maximum that four coaches could hold. The tour sold out in less than 15 minutes. Unfortunately, a long waiting list materialized. Over the course of spring and summer, quite a few of those on the list were accommodated owing to changes in people’s lives and schedules. And yet, everyone who was hoping to go did not get the opportunity. That was a shame because the trip was an absolute delight. Hotel accommodations were challenging enough as it was with the capped figure.
Attendees found their way to Utrecht, a town about 30 miles from Amsterdam. There, event check-in took place on the evening of July 6. The next morning, it was off to the first stop, Walibi Holland (Biddinghuizen, The Netherlands).
Close to 200 attendees gather for an impromptu group photo near the entrance of Walibi Holland.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Highlights there were the Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) creation Untamed, Mack Rides’ Lost Gravity and the Intamin megacoaster Goliath. A bit of rain served as a learning lesson the first day on how to navigate one’s time, but thankfully, all three of those coasters got extra time to shine during an ERT that evening, when the skies miraculously cleared.
ERT took place on Baron 1898 prior to Efteling opening to the public.
Photo: Vejas Balzinskas. View full-sized image.
Day Two brought the group to Efteling (Kaatsheuvel), a truly magical park. A full day started with ERT on the Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) Baron 1898, but other delights were in the park, including four noteworthy dark rides, the newest of which was the impressive Symbolica. Other coasters were the Great Coasters International, Inc. (GCII) Joris en de Draak and Vliegende Hollander, an interesting KumbaK coaster that had both dark ride and water elements. The woodie was the first of four wonderfully maintained GCII projects ACEers would enjoy during the tour.
The Ride to Happiness at Plopsaland De Panne was a huge hit with the die-hard thrill seekers.
Photo: Silas Rager. View full-sized image.
Plopsaland De Panne (Adinkerke-De Panne) was a first-time visit for ACE. It took the group into Belgium. Of its six coasters, there was no question that The Ride to Happiness (Mack), and its Tomorrowland overlay, was the true hit. For quite a few, it was a favorite of the entire tour. It was a bit much for some tastes, but everyone respected the coaster for its wild and extreme experience. An evening ERT allowed diehard fans more than 20 rides. Also, on hand was GCII’s second woodie of the trip, Heidi The Ride.
The visit to Walibi Belgium began with ERT on the incredible Kondaa.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
The fourth day was a stop at Walibi Belgium (Wavre). Kondaa was the newest coaster, and the Intamin megacoaster was sensational. An 80-degree first drop, airtime and a noninverting cobra roll made this coaster a crowd-pleaser. The morning started with a wonderful ERT aboard this heavily themed thriller.
ACEers could choose whether to be launched forward or backward on Fury.
Photo: Jonathan Hymes. View full-sized image.
Two more parks in Belgium were enjoyed on Thursday. Bobbejaanland (Lichtaart) started things off with ERT on Fury, an interesting looping Gerstlauer Infinity coaster on which riders get to choose which direction to be launched. This ACE first-time visit to the park had people hoping to get on all the coasters in half a day, which everyone comfortably did.
The massive Troy was one of four great GCII woodies on the tour.
Photo: Dan Brewer. View full-sized image.
Upon departure, the coaches skirted back into The Netherlands for a half day at Toverland (Sevenum). Because Toverland was open later than many parks, attendees were able to ride into the evening. This park’s theming was reminiscent of something akin to Universal. Fēnix, a B&M wing coaster, soared over the new Avalon area. Another signature attraction is the massive GCII woodie, Troy.
ACEers made the most of a very rainy day at Movie Park Germany, but ERT on Star Trek: Operation Enterprise still took place.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Germany was the third country of the tour. The saying “Into each life some rain must fall” applied to Day Six. While there had been some off-and-on showers through the first week, Movie Park Germany (Bottrop) got the worst of it. But ACEers persevered and got their credits. Thankfully, the skies cooperated for the morning ERT on Star Trek: Operation Enterprise by Mack Rides.
Following park close, attendees made it to the hotel in time for many to journey a few miles to a big fair in Dusseldorf if they wanted some authentic night rides. The rain was clearing, but it was still rather cold for July. Among the wild rides and assortment of coasters was Alpina-Bahn for Schwarzkopf fans.
F.L.Y. is interwoven into the incredibly immersive Rookburgh area of Phantasialand.
Photo: Tom Nickerson. View full-sized image.
Fortunately, that was the last of the rain for the remainder of the tour. For a Saturday, Phantasialand (Brühl) was certainly busy but not outrageously mobbed. Six quick passes allowed everyone to get their credits and enjoy favorites for a second go. For most attendees (even those who had visited before), the Rookburgh area was new. Thematically mind-boggling, the area was captivating with Vekoma’s F.L.Y. soaring all around onlookers. Everyone agreed it was really something and far different from most flying coasters. But the evening ended with ERT on Taron — a marvelous Intamin launched coaster in a spectacular themed area of its own.
ACE was staying at the resort hotels, which was a true bonus. It was an opportunity for everyone to have a meal together in the Zambesi restaurant.
Expedition GeForce continues to live up to its incredible reputation of amazing airtime.
Photo: Chris Viola. View full-sized image.
An early departure took the coaches to Holiday Park (Hassloch) for half a day. While the group’s arrival wasn’t quite as early as hoped, the park still held off the public for a brief period to make sure ACE enjoyed a full hour of ERT on the tremendous Expedition GeForce, one of the highest-rated coasters in Europe. Plenty of time allowed everyone to get to numerous attractions in the beautifully themed park before departing.
The first evening at Europa-Park kicked off with a one-hour of ERT on the new-for-2024 Voltron.
Photo: Jonathan Hymes. View full-sized image.
Attendees were invited to Rulantica, a heavily themed waterpark that has both indoor and outdoor attractions.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
After a comical drive around the entire Europa-Park resort (Rust), ACEers checked into Hotel Colosseo and began a two-and-a half-day love affair with the theme park. Sunday evening was highlighted by an hour of ERT on the new Voltron. Monday evening offered a one-two punch on blue fire Megacoaster (Mack launched looper) and Wodan (the fourth and final GCII). Tuesday night allowed ACE a complimentary visit to Rulantica, one of the most beautifully themed waterparks in the world.
It was tough to leave Europa-Park, particularly so early in the morning, but it was time to head on to new adventures.
The two newest coasters at Erlebnispark Tripsdrill were super smooth crowd-pleasers from Vekoma.
Photo: Rus Ozana. View full-sized image.
Erlebnispark Tripsdrill (Cleebronn), with its location and embracement of wine country, enchanted attendees with its beauty and charm. An evening ERT on Mammut (Cordes Holzbau woodie), G’sengte Sau (the original Gerstlauer bobsled) and Karacho (Gerstlauer launched multilooper) was great fun. There was plenty of time in the day to do most everything, which was handy for those who fell in love with Hals-über-Kopf, a delightfully smooth and fun suspended thrill coaster from Vekoma. It was a huge surprise.
Legoland Deutschland is the only Legoland park to boast a B&M!
Photo: Keith Kastelic. View full-sized image.
The final park of the main trip was Legoland Deutschland (Günzburg). The park had four coasters, including the newer Maximus – Der Flug des Wächters. To imagine a B&M — with inversions! — in a Legoland children’s park is astonishing. But there was no hesitation for people to queue up to ride.
The arrival at the Munich airport was bittersweet. Although most people were flying to Poland, it did mean the group had to say goodbye to around 30 attendees. Those flying on to Poland were divided into two flights. That’s a story to be saved for RollerCoaster!.
Lech Coaster at Legendia blew attendees away with its intensity.
Photo: Steve Gzesh. View full-sized image.
Friday morning, it was off to a small park, Legendia (Chorzów). The park provided ERT on Lech Coaster, which was a Vekoma Bermuda Blitz coaster that was so intense and amazing and smooth that everyone was blown away. Can we have one in America please?
Among Energylandia’s huge collection of coasters is the tremendous RMC coaster Zadra.
Photo: Jamey Frank. View full-sized image.
The final park on the tour was Energylandia (Zator). And it was a goodie to end the trip. With 18 coasters, some wondered if a day and a half would be enough to get everything in.
No sweat.
Energylandia has so many rides — rides on top of rides — that long lines weren’t too much of a challenge. Of the many coaster offerings were Zadra (a phenomenal RMC), Abyssus (Vekoma launched multilooper) and Hyperion (Intamin hypercoaster), which is the tallest coaster in Europe. The Saturday morning visit gave ACEers extra time on this signature hyper with access to taking pictures in the station (where cameras usually aren’t allowed). A full day gave plenty of time for people to ride their favorites several times.
But all good things must come to an end. And this trip wasn’t just good — it was fantastic. Attendees were appreciative of all the host parks, but also the volunteer committee that put the whole trip together. Cheri Armstrong, the trip organizer, deserved extra thanks for the months and months and months and months of work entailed.
Complete coverage of this tour will be seen in upcoming issues of RollerCoaster! magazine.
— Tim Baldwin, ACE News
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