Plenty of new things in the East

Preface

The Freizeitpark Plohn, which originated from a trout farm with an attached restaurant in Plohn near Lengenfeld, had been on my must-do list for several years and was repeatedly considered in various excursion ideas before they were discarded. The decisive factor for this was the extremely positive reporting since the opening of the wooden roller coaster El Toro in 2009 and although Freizeitpark Plohn is hardly further away for me than Phantasialand in Brühl, I have never made it to the amusement park before.

After testing the local Allwetterbobbahn in nearby Eibenstock, I reached the parking lot at about 11 am and left it already half an hour later. I used this time in the queue in front of the only open cash desk before I was told that my bank card with PIN entry cannot be accepted here, but only one with signature. This is not my fault, it’ s the cash system of the park and therefore the park itself, I was told without even being told a reasonable alternative. In fact the not very friendly cashier basically meant that it was only me.

Extremely annoyed I drove to Lengenfeld to get some money at the local Sparkasse and then back to Plohn – after all there is a quite promising wooden roller coaster in the park and the way back would be 500 km long – where I had to stand in the queue again for another 30 minutes. Backed up by a deeply stupid comment I finally got into the Freizeitpark Plohn.

Freizeitpark Plohn

Fluch des Teutates

Thank God they are already working on a better entrance area at the Gaul village, hopefully with a better cash register system. In this area, next to the Drachenschaukel, a windshield wiper-like ride, which was not in operation, is the River Splash ride Fluch des Teutates by the manufacturer ABC Rides.

The trip in the round boats starts immediately with a slightly longer lift. At the top, you leave the lift in a right-hand bend and after a small straight section, a larger turn follows. Afterwards, relatively unusual for this type of ride, a small slope in lofty height under the lift hill follows. After another turn, but this time to the left, another slope follows immediately. Now, a downward helix on the right side of the slope takes up a lot of momentum. You leave this helix in a left-hand curve or rather in a left bend, which runs parallel to the lift for a short time, whereupon the final shot is initiated. This is followed by the return to the station.

The Fluch des Teutates is a nice ride, which can be put into a more than decent rotation with some weight shifting in the boat. But even without it, this was probably unintentionally possible for everyone without any problems at the beginning of the year due to a somewhat too rough paint on the deck. This was then sanded down and the ride was repainted with the correct paint, which is why the ride was out of order for a longer period of time this year.

Passing an animal enclosure, the trail now leads to the Plohnidorf, where a former carousel from the North German amusement park Heide Park, a dark ride and a roller coaster are located. The houses are decorated with jokes about the park’s own mascot and in numerous shop windows the pranks of Max and Moritz by the poet and illustrator Wilhelm Busch are told.

Plohseidon

The family roller coaster Plohseidon is a Force 190 of the manufacturer Zierer, which was built over a water basin and has an imaginative underwater design. Here the design was perfectly adapted to the slightly stretched layout.

The journey begins with a shallowly ascending straight, which soon leads into a left turn. A small swivel to the right and a small straight line later the friction wheels of the lift hill take you up. You leave the lift hill in a shallow steep curve to the left whereupon the maximum height difference of about 7.5m is reached. In an upward helix, you pick up again in altitude and immediately change direction. In a bavarian curve you now go downhill, followed by the return to the station.

The family roller coaster Plohseidon is a nice roller coaster with a surprisingly fast layout, but with quite modest ride characteristics. Well, the kids probably won’t even notice it, but the ride feels like a relatively old ride of the same type.

Plohnis Tauchfahrt

In the immediate vicinity is the small dark ride Plohnis Tauchfahrt. Similar to the former dark ride Ocean of Darkness of the Dutch amusement park Attractiepark Slagharen, you will pass through a colourful underwater world. The plastic design is supported by some well integrated screens, in which the park mascot appears among others.

El Toro

Through a passageway you reach the Westernstadt, the western area of Freizeitpark Plohn and immediately stand in front of the wooden roller coaster El Toro of the American manufacturer Great Coaster International. Along the rear turn of the roller coaster you can reach the entrance of the wooden roller coaster, also coming from the other side. After a small ramp you’re immediately inside the station and have more or less free choice of seats, because there wasn’t much action here despite the ride’s only train.

After the train is finally cleared, the lift chain takes you up to a height of about 25m. With a lot of momentum you make the first descent, which is quite straight before it turns into a steep curve. In the valley you go under the lift hill of the log flume for the first time and change direction immediately. An upward leading left turn follows, but changes its direction relatively quickly. Now a wide bend leads the train to the lowest point of the layout, but even here you only stay for a short time. Over a hill, the train passes again under the lift hill of the log flume and shortly after through a curve parallel to the first drop. Now several hills follow, all of which carry you slightly out of your seat. Past the station you make a small detour and then a turn. With full speed you go down again and take a picture of the ride. The following hill initiates a right turn close to the ground with two hills attached to it. A last curve leads the train up to the brakes and back to the station.

El Toro is a really good roller coaster with an absolutely brilliant start, but a rather mild end. Although the wild bull could already convince at noon, it showed its full potential only in the late afternoon when the coaster is in its run-in condition and this invites, similar to the never full station of the visiting day, to constant repetitive rides. But when the crowd of the station did not allow a simple shifting anymore I left the ride, because the way from the exit to the entrance was not worth it anymore. El Toro is not Troy from the Dutch amusement park Toverland, but at least it is a very good wooden roller coaster and an enrichment without equal for the previously hardly known amusement park.

Westerneisenbahn and Westernrodeo

In the main street of the themed area is the station of the Westerneisenbahn, a round trip through the Wild West past the rides of the area and below the wooden roller coaster. Interestingly, the ride passes the entrances of the Westernrodeo, a break dance of the manufacturer HUSS featuring a long and varied, albeit slow ride, and the roller coaster Silver Mine and blocks it.

Silver Mine

The Silver Mine is a Flitzer roller coaster made by Zierer, which is similar to the ride High Explosive which travels in this country under Vorlop. Started under a German showman in the 70s, it emigrated quite quickly to America, where it entertained its passengers in the Adventureland amusement park in its original design until 1990. In 1996, the ride presented itself as Rioolrat in a new look and with new cars at the Dutch amusement park Avonturenpark Hellendoorn. These cars in the form of a canal rat were also used on the mouse roller coaster of the Spielerei Rheda-Weidenbrück, but here they were still used in combination with the originals. The ride lost all of its fun in 2000 when it was equipped with mine cars and presented itself to the public. It’s a difference like day and night when you ride the minimalist racers or when you constantly bump into the high walled cars during the ride, as it is the case here.

Wildwasserbahn mit Geisterbahn

On the other side of the spacious course is the entrance to the log flume Wildwasserbahn mit Geisterbahn, although the Geisterbahn (ghost train) part probably only really shows up on Halloween. After leaving the station, the canal leads the boat through a small themed passage towards the first lift hill. Once you reach the top, the first shot of the ride takes place, which can be a little bit moistening. After a turn and a right bend you leave the plateau and curve a little bit in zigzag movements through the tree tops and over the second slope until after another right bend you reach the second lift. At a lofty height you make another turn whereupon you slowly but surely approach the big descent. Without much fuss it goes down the slope at the end of which the cool water is waiting for you. This is followed by the return trip to the station of this rather neat log flume.

Holzmichl-Villa and Crazy House

At the exit of the log flume there is interestingly enough a small bumper car and above it the Geistermühle (ghost mill), which has some vibrating plates, distorting mirrors and many bad jokes.  Above the log flume there is also a special attraction. Next to Germany’s largest tree house with the slide Wilde Sau, there is the Holzmichl-Villa and the Crazy House attached to it. Contrary to my previous presentation of Freizeitpark Plohn, the number of amusement elements is unfortunately quite manageable.

Miniwah und das Geheimnis von Gold Creek City

In a former riding and show hall, whose show was probably cancelled due to horrendous GEMA fees, the roller coaster Miniwah und das Geheimnis von Gold Creek City is located since this year. A good ten years after the last Powered Coaster of the manufacturer Mack went into operation in Europe, an equally impressive ride including a regular multimedia show and a spectator stage is presented here in an impressive setting.

Miniwah and the secret of Gold Creek City is a really good powered coaster. The general design is surprising, as well as the fast riding, in this very compact layout. Even the first, slowly driven round with its sightseeing like character is enough to find the ride good.

Raupe

As convincing and harmonious as the western city is, the oldtimer park on the other side of the path with its lake stage and smaller attractions for children is just as unattractive. This is also where the last roller coaster of Freizeitpark Plohn is located, the children’s roller coaster Raupe, a Big Apple made by SBF Visa featuring the well-tried layout.

Freefall im Urzeitdorf

Adjacent to this area is the fairytale forest with some hidden carousels and nicely designed fairytale scenes. If you follow the paths you will find yourself in Dinoland, the most remote part of the Freizeitpark Plohn. Here you will find, besides the Floßfahrt durch die Urzeit, the rather nicely operated Family Freefall Tower Freefall im Urzeitdorf of the manufacturer Zierer and a pedal boat rental.

Pictures Freizeitpark Plohn

Conclusion Freizeitpark Plohn

Freizeitpark Plohn is without question a good amusement park, it just lacks a little bit of professionalism. It’s a bit strange when you have hardly any food left in the park at shortly after 2 pm, no more coffee and cake at 4 pm and instead you are about to complete and concede the checkout. Beside the generally unmotivated and unfriendly staff, the experience at the cash desk joins in and creates a somewhat unsatisfying picture of the amusement park, which is generally very much praised – I am a customer and I am willing to spend money, so please take it and don’t constantly refer me back for avoidable mistakes.

 

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The home of the old Danish Rutschebanen

Preface

I wanted to visit the Danish amusement park Tivoli Gardens for quite a while now. Unfortunately, visiting the Danish capital as a German student on a budget, this was not at all easy. Ideas to go on a road trip throughout Scandinavia were abandoned due to the lack of passengers to come along. Even day trips turned out to be not necessarily wise due to either high tolls or ferry fees, so that the cheapest way to travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen is surprisingly by train, although it takes quite a while even in an ICE. As at the beginning of the week there was supposed to be a return trip in the late evening and the hotels were comparatively cheap during an overnight stay from Sunday to Monday, a short trip to Copenhagen was quickly arranged. The Deutsche Bahn proved to be less reliable and the offered return trip could not be booked. A little research then resulted in a bus connection via Flixbus returning at the same time, which should actually arrive slightly earlier at the Hamburg main station.

The outward journey turned out to be a little nerve-racking. It all started with a bus, which actually didn’t show up (as it passed my station way too early), which resulted in a drive to the city where I parked my car nearby my university. It came worse, when a smelly stranger slept on my shoulder in the rail replacement service on the Danish part of the journey.

Tivoli Gardens

Arriving at the station, the reward for the morning’s exertions was immediately apparent, which was why I exchanged the prepaid all-inclusive ticket for admission, the wristband for unlimited rides on the rides, as well as the vouchers for a visit to the in-house aquarium, the meal and the ride photo. This package cost online around DKK 190 more than the regular entrance fee and the wristband, but as the meals in this city are generally in a similar price range, this is highly recommended. The offer varies according to the general price structure of the restaurants, so in cheap restaurants one additionally gets a big drink, in medium-priced restaurants a small drink, as well as in high-priced restaurants only the meal remains served. Without the voucher, I would have spent 210 DKK in addition to the 25 DKK saved at the aquarium, as well as the value of the ride photo.

Rutschebanen

Since I used the less frequented entrance at the main station the ways led me fast and directly to the over 100 years old wooden roller coaster Rutschebanen and thus to the longest-serving roller coaster of Europe. On the occasion of the anniversary Tivoli Gardens gave the old lady an elaborate cosmetic operation, reminding her of her original design – which had been redesigned out of respect for arriving guests from the alpine countries, as they should not be reminded of their homeland immediately after leaving the train station by the peaks of Rutschebanen. As is generally the case with the so-called Scenic Railways, the Rutschebanen also has a brakeman riding in the train, so that the ride is controlled by his know-how and can be quite exciting at the same time.

Shortly after the train entered the station it disappears into the first tunnel. After a left turn, the train engages in the elevator cable and is quickly carried up to the top. For a short moment, you can look into the Fun House Skaersilden beneath the ride. At the top you can have a short look at the alpine design before going down the first slope. With full speed we pass the first valley and then a camelback. Back at a higher level, a turn is now made with a pronounced speed, so that one involuntarily wanders from one side of the train to the other. After leaving the ice cave, the train dives down into the depths before reaching about half of the starting height. Barely braked, the next turn is made, which is the reason why a single rider changes sides again. Immediately after a short straight section you go downhill and shortly afterwards a fast-paced interplay of curves begins. Here a short S-curve is taken before a right-hand turn, which is further intensified by the gently rocking cars. Along the station you follow the same sequence of elements as at the beginning of the ride and immediately enter another cave. In this one you execute a combination of curves which would have been used in the computer game Roller Coaster Tycoon, ideally on a Virginia Reel. After a small turn to the right follows a small turn to the left, which then changes into a larger turn to the left. Shortly afterwards you leave the tunnel and are led into the station by the brakeman.

Rutschebanen is a timeless classic, which still excites the visitors today. The way the train takes the cars through the numerous mountains, valleys and bends is simply stunning and is further enhanced by the constant change of the cars’ sides for single riders. The design of the layout is worth seeing and creates a through and through original appearance in connection with the trains and the accompanying personnel, which you would not want to miss in Tivoli Gardens.

Skaersilden and Minen

Below the old Danish roller coaster you will find the Fun House of Tivoli Gardens – which is well worth a visit – as well as the boat dark ride Minen, which was apparently upgraded by a lot of Peng Peng or better said interactivity. The stream channel passes larger and very detailed scenes, whereby it is better to skip the interactivity function of the boat altogether and enjoy the ride.

Himmelskibet and Snurretoppen

The 80m high Starflyer Himmelskibet is located above the sleek and surprisingly fast moving Break Dance Snurretoppen. Here one notices for the first time that the Tivoli Gardens does not trust its foreign visitors without any amusement park experiences particularly much. As a result, the dispatching takes ages, despite the already optimised loading process. On the way up to the loading station, one is basically reminded at every meter which things one is not allowed to take along; a counted group is then let into the area with the luggage rack. Here, a very detailed verbal briefing is given which things one is not allowed to take along. Afterwards, only one of the possible access ways is opened. Then, the riders are forced to knock on their trouser pockets and are warned to go back in case of positive results and finally to take their things out of their pockets. After a quite decent ride with a fantastic view over the city at the same time, one is now left in a separate area on the other side and is held there until everybody has received their things.

Aquila

Interestingly, however, the dispatch was still reasonably justifiable, as the routine had become established during time. Aquila, an Zamperla air race from 2013 has a thoroughly abstruse dispatch time, as everyone sitting in the car is asked if they still have anything in their pockets, although the system never sweeps over the heads of others and the potential danger is minimal. Compared to the prototype in the Portuguese water park Aquashow Park, the ride is not very entertaining and thus falls behind the expectations.

Odinexpressen

In the immediate vicinity, just like everything else in Tivoli Gardens, is the entrance to Odinexpressen, a Mack Powered Coaster built in 1985. Throughout the entire visit there was always the longest queue of all the roller coasters, which was not due to the total duration of the ride of three laps, but rather to the fact that the people waiting for the ride were only allowed to enter the station when the train was already empty and each bar was checked individually.

The ride begins with an ascending helix to the left, followed by a change of direction above the station. A wide right turn leads the train upwards, followed by a left turn. On the roof of the arcades, a 540° downward helix is executed, after which the train always leads downwards at a clear speed parallel to the ascent. Once again above the roof of the station, the train plunges surprisingly fast to the ground and passes through a narrow righthand helix, whereupon you pass through the station at top speed.

Odinexpressen is a very nice example of a powered coaster due to the very well designed and space saving layout. Similar to the English Merlin Entertainments Group’s parks, the mood at the ride is outstanding and the delicious smell during the downhill helix on the roof probably served as inspiration for the Alpenexpress Enzian at Europa Park.

Den Flyvende Kuffert

Next to the arcades you will find the dark ride Den Flyvende Kuffert which tells the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen in many scenes with cute little dolls. The ride in the flying suitcases is held in either Danish or English, whereby you have to listen carefully to avoid being distracted by the narrations of the other gondolas. During the long ride, which always leads up and down, one gets a good insight into the well-known fairy tales.

Tivoli Aquarium and Linie 8

The Tivoli Aquarium is located in the foyer of the Concert Hall, a theatre with a capacity of 1660 that plays classical music as well as musicals. The Tivoli Aquarium is not included in the entrance fee and has smaller aquariums and a 30m long reef with more than 1600 inhabitants. In front of the concert halls there is the station of the historical railway line 8, which takes a little tour through the Tivoli Gardens.

Monsunen

Passing by countless restaurants we now enter the furthest corner of Tivoli Gardens, where the Arabic theme area of the park is located. Strangely enough, most people from the region spend their time in the Tivoli Gardens here and unconsciously create the proper atmosphere. Located directly at the edge of the park is a Suspended Flying Carpet by Zierer. Monsunen is the only one of its kind in Europe, with only a second ride being installed in the Japanese theme park Nagashima Spa Land. The ride resembles the standard model of the Flying Carpet of the same manufacturer, except for the different sitting position. The only difference is that here not the upper body reacts to the movement, but the legs. Altogether the ride is a very interesting and above all massive installation with an interesting lifting technology for the boarding platform.

Karavanen

Directly opposite you can find the small Tivoli roller coaster Karavanen made by Zierer. Their Tivoli coaster was an initial success in the Scandinavian countries, which led to many installations worldwide. Karavanen itself features a small variation of the original design, which made it a slightly more dynamic ride, which almost automatically makes everybody in the train smile.

Vertigo

The most interesting facility in this area is by far Vertigo, a Flying Fury by Technical Park. In the early years of this ride it was possible to rotate the passenger carrier around its own axis, as well as the axis of the main arm, by yourself which resulted in a rather wild and individual way of riding. There was also the possibility to press a button for full throttle which let to an acceleration of constant 5G. Since the technology for the steering is unfortunately susceptible to errors – which i doubt very much and would rather blame the riders, which did not understand the ride – two automatic programs are used nowadays.

The ride begins with a few rollovers in the station area with a simultaneous rotation around the vertical axis before the ride continues at a lofty height. Of course, the machine also goes upside down through the station before the nacelle is locked and the machine accelerates to a speed of 120 km/h. Over a period of time you will experience a constant 5G, while your field of vision will slowly but surely narrow. This is where the only difference between the driving programs becomes apparent, as this passage is performed either looking forwards or flying backwards. After a few, almost uncountable laps, the speed is slowly reduced and you turn upside down again. The small aircraft now performs its last rollovers and then slowly approaches its parking position.

Vertigo has an amazingly versatile ride to offer with its only 2 minute long ride program. As almost always in life, a backward driving style makes the ride much more exciting. The waiting times at Vertigo are among the longest in Tivoli Gardens due to its capacity, but as a single rider it can take as little as 15 seconds. However, in both cases you should definitely take a ride and try out both ride programs.

Gyldne Taarn

The last major attraction in this area is the golden painted Gyldne Taarn, a Turbo Drop Tower by S&S. This is a normal freefall tower where – similar to the freefall towers of the manufacturer Fabbri – you are shot downwards, which results in a pronounced airtime. Sadly, the Gyldne Taarn isn’t good at this when being compared to other towers of the same manufacturer.

Dæmonen

After such a disappointment you need a good ride. Thankfully, the B&M floorless coaster Dæmonen is nearby. This ultra-compact installation offers an untypical ride in the tightest of spaces. Usually, the ride features the lowest waiting time at Tivoli Gardens.

After reaching the maximum height of 28m the train runs over the crest and the first small drop. The train is now thrown into the first curve and crosses a direction change at dizzy height, a righthand helix follows to reach the starting height for the next drop. As soon as you have survived the combination of curves you immediately descend and shortly thereafter enter the looping of the ride. The subsequent change of direction takes place in an Immelmann just before the world turns upside down again in the Nul-G Loop (Danish for Zero-G Roll). Depending on your position in the car, you will be wonderfully torn back and forth, a truly incomparable experience. The final turns and hills towards the brake run are just as wild, offering some great airtime moments. Soon after, the ride is already over.

Daemonen is awesome, although a bit too short. From the first curves you can feel that this machine is by no means a sensitive one. The looping and the Immelmann support the general intensity of the ride tremendously, but they lose all meaning in consideration of the truly delicious Zero-G Roll and the great finale.

Pictures Tivoli Gardens

Conclusion Tivoli Gardens

The amusement park Tivoli Gardens is a worth seeing amusement park not only because of its long history. The atmosphere is very similar to that of the Pleasure Beach Blackpool, except that it is smaller and generally more tidy, which can be seen in the Smøgen alley. The rides have a thoroughly good quality and the many restaurants and small gardens create an ambience in which one likes to stay. The prices however are quite high and you may be surprised how many people use the ticket system and pay more than they should. A ride on Daemonen for example costs 75 DKK – which is about 10€ – the Wristband itself is available for 210 DKK, therefore it pays off after just three rides. During a well visited Sunday I was able to ride all the rides I wanted within four hours. A visit in the evening can be a great way to experience Tivoli Gardens without missing too much. Except there is the Fredagsrock Event, where the entry to the park is far more expensive during the evening (so make sure to visit the rides during the day to enjoy a great rock concert for free in the evening).

 

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Entering the adventure park

Avonturenpark Hellendoorn

Originally I had planned to visit the Avonturenpark Hellendoorn during my first proper theme park tour in 2009, but the park was not open at Easter. Even on later trips to the Netherlands, the amusement park was only characterised by much shorter opening hours and constant days off. So it was definitely time to visit the park on a weekend in the middle of the season.

Wild Waterval

A little underdressed compared to the weather, after all, various weather reports predicted sunshine and pleasant temperatures instead of very fresh climatic conditions with permanent drizzle and other kinds of rain, I went straight into the park after the obligatory ticket purchase. Past the monorail, the path leads straight to the first highlight of the Avonturenpark Hellendoorn: The Mack log flume Wild Waterval.

As one of the first log flumes of the manufacturer, this ride still has a functional double loading station. Placed in a dugout, the ride leads purposefully in a long curve and past the station towards the first lift hill. On the now higher level, you can bob along wonderfully before you rush through the channel in a surprisingly wild way. In a shallower current you approach the second lift, which takes you up to the maximum ride height of 12m, whereupon the only shot of the ride follows. Well moistened, one completes the remaining meters of the ride, which can be described as a really good log flume.

Tornado

Already in sight of the log flume is the Tornado, a roller coaster of the same name from Vekoma, of which three rides were built. This is a modification of the whirlwind model, which was very popular in the early 80’s. Apart from minor changes, mainly the first corkscrew was replaced by a loop.

After you have boarded the quite spacious train, the first generation of the manufacturer, in the curved station, after a short curve you can complete the quite steep ascent in the lift. At the top you can enjoy the view only for a short time before you go down in a long right turn. This is followed by a wonderful powerful looping just before the second inversion figure is reached in a comparatively hardly inclined curve. With a proper transverse inclination it goes overhead in the corkscrew a second time, after which another curve along the first gradient is completed. On a diagonal through the ride, the braking process takes place before the ride enters the station at a leisurely pace. Unfortunately, a second round was spared despite a minimal number of visitors.

I had previously heard and read many negative things about the ride, but I am very surprised how well the ride is maintained by Avonturenpark Hellendoorn. Not only was the appearance more than alright, but the prophesied ride characteristics turned out to be simply wrong, there was absolutely no sign of a nasty blow during the barely inclined turn above the station and the rest of the track was also running perfectly, so that in the end I was even slightly disappointed to have to get off after only one lap, despite the aforementioned lack of demand.

Sungai Kalimantan

Funnily enough, half of the amusement park has already been explored by now. Thus, we went straight to the second corner of Avonturenpark Hellendoorn. Along the way there is a large part of the Sungai Kalimantan, a rafting ride from Bear Rides with some special features. At the beginning the queue goes through a beautiful designed area before it goes along the unsightly elevated concrete gutter towards the ugly double loading station.

The ride starts along the queue with a few bends before we immediately enter the big wave pool. Here the waves are relatively tame, but it’s a nice feature that can be seen from outside. The next is a hairpin bend, a thoroughly strange and for a rafting course thoroughly untypical track element, which is also not very interesting from a technical point of view. Passing waterfalls and lush vegetation the route leads into a completely foggy and illuminated tunnel. Afterwards you can admire the unaesthetic supports from below. A subsequent lift ride takes you back to the station.

Donderstenen

After the descent from the station of Sungai Kalimantan, you will find yourself directly in front of the Donderstenen, a Force Two roller coaster by the manufacturer Zierer, which you can find in Potts Park or the Tier- und Freizeitpark Thüle. Basically it is a very solid roller coaster, but unfortunately the ride is not very exhilarating. The visual design here at Avonturenpark Hellendoorn is quite original, but unfortunately the aesthetics are easily ruined by the surrounding attractions.

Discovery Club

At the bottom of a dead end street, the Discovery Club is an interactive dark ride in the cellar of an old mansion, which in former times could probably be entered through the main entrance. For several years now, however, the pre-show of the ride is skipped and you enter the house through a side entrance with a turnstile. The cellar can then be reached by stairs or a lift. In the station the round carriages are waiting for you, which are also used by Capitán Balas in the Spanish amusement park Isla Magica. The ride leads past countless movable interiors and is very nicely designed. Unfortunately, the interactivity with the other players like in Capitán Balas is not possible, because water-spouting effects cannot be triggered.

Rioolrat

Apparently below the Bellas Snackbar is a very special roller coaster by Vekoma, at least as far as its design is concerned. The outer appearance and a large part of the queue of the Rioolrat reminds of the roller coaster Raptor Attack of the English amusement park Lightwater Valley, only in small and not so impressive. After the descent the way leads quickly towards the station, where the channel rat is already waiting for you.

After a small bend to the right, you will immediately enter the lift of the ride. At the top there is only a very shallow gradient before you go up and down towards the ground in a wide right helix in the manner of a Bayernkurve. After a short left-hand bend and a straight line, the track leads out into daylight in another right-hand bend before entering the building again and immediately hitting the brakes. As with the Donderstenen, a second lap follows.

The Rioolrat is a thoroughly nice ride, whose layout is very reminiscent of a Zierer Flitzer. Compared to similar rides, the repetition factor of the ride is surprisingly low, which is due to the comparatively long waiting time.

More rides and the Aquaventura Slidepark

Visually, the long boat ride Jungle Monster, the small Top Spin Montezuma’s Revenge, the Enterprise Tarantula Magica and the Dino Sky Pedalo monorail, as well as the Aquaventura Slidepark form a visual unit. However, the rides and water slides in this area did not open until 12 o’clock. This is a pity, because I would have liked to test at least one of the HUSS rides, but the lack of rides and the rather mediocre portfolio of the park made it very difficult to continue the visit as long.

Pictures Avonturenpark Hellendoorn

Conclusion Avonturenpark Hellendoorn

Avonturenpark Hellendoorn is a nice little park, but the entrance fee is a little too high. The design is partly quite nice, but mostly the complete opposite, although the condition of the rides is generally very good. However, I can do without another visit in the next years.
 

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