Rapids Ride

Osaka’s home for little fairies

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Hirakata Park

Hirakata Park originated as the Kikuningyō-ten exhibition grounds in 1912, with chrysanthemum-decorated figures and scenes being displayed in October and November of each year, before the last regular exhibition was held in 2005. The actual development of the amusement park took place in 1926, when the Keihan Electric Railway began operating the park and the first rides moved in. In 1944, the site was put to military use.

After the end of the Second World War, the site was unusable and the Kikuningyō-ten took place on another area along the Keihan Line. The return to Hirakata followed in 1949. Initially run as a city park, the site was again converted into an amusement park in 1952 as part of a tax reform.  The park has always been owned by the Keihan Group.

Magical Volcano

So off we go to Hirakata-kōen and into Hirakata Park. Right at the entrance, a beautiful and spacious rock massif with an integrated interactive attraction awaits us. Personally, I can’t describe the Magical Volcano any better than that, because it really is a lot of things in one; be it an exploration tour with integrated skill games or an adventure playground with a pre-show and storyline. It is relatively simple: at the start you are assigned a mission, after which you have to answer three questions. In the meantime, the volcano almost erupts and we have to throw softballs into its crater. Towards the end, you let your bow be evaluated by a machine and get a corresponding feedback. In our case, of course, this was a perfect score, but we had also received help from the staff. All in all, this is an attraction that we would like to see here in Europe.

Pachanga, Wonder Gaden und Athletic Try-It

Exhausted, but one experience richer, we head straight for the wooden roller coaster Elf. While there, we take a ride on the unfortunately very dry rapid river Pachanga and admire the animals in the Wonder Garden. Unfortunately, the number of enclosures is very limited – this is especially a pity, as Hirakata Park does a good job and the animals are all housed in relatively large enclosures. Meanwhile, on the other side of the main path, we wonder about the Athletic Try-It, a kind of modern obstacle course, before we are finally drawn into the woods.

Elf

Elf, short for Episode of little Fairies, is a medium-sized wooden roller coaster from the European manufacturer Intamin. So far so good, but the expectations for this wooden roller coaster were not as high as they should have been, thanks to its former sister ride Pegasus at the Dutch amusement park Efteling.

After a short wait, it was time to take a seat in the train car, which was then quickly dispatched. Following a short drop out of the station and a short right turn past the storage track integrated into the structure, we immediately found ourselves in the lift hill of the ride. Shortly after, the initial height of 18.5 m is reached, whereupon the train goes down the first small drop. This is followed by a longer turn to the right, where we gain a few metres in altitude. But before the view would distract us from the action, we plunge down the second drop. We are now pulled through the valley with gusto, whereupon we are pulled right onto the next hill. The ascent is quite steep at first and then a little less steep after an apparent crest. Meanwhile, we dedicate ourselves to another turn, which we leave parallel to the lift in a drop down to the ground level. Now we follow the route we have already completed by climbing another hill and also completing a turn. Instead of going straight down another drop, however, we now cross the ride in a diagonal, in which we naturally also head towards the ground.Once again with the funny transition from steep to less steep slope, we now dedicate ourselves to a left-leading turn, where we get momentum for the next ride manoeuvre. With a big bang we cross the following camelback and plunge straight into the dense woodwork. After a final turn, a short dip follows, whereupon we reach the final brake.

Elf is fun! With a good pinch of airtime and interesting incline trajectories, the small ride doesn’t need to hide from any larger wooden roller coaster – especially since the wooden roller coaster seems much higher than it actually is due to its hillside location. In any case, you can and should get on more often, it’s worth it.

Sky Walker and Truck

It would most likely have been worth getting on the Sky Walker Ferris wheel, but unfortunately it is currently being restored. The neighbouring Cycle Monorail was therefore not visited at all and we also had to do without a ride on the children’s roller coaster Truck in Peek-a-Boo Town, as the train belonging to it was missing.

Crazy Mouse

The fact that it doesn’t necessarily take a missing train to rob a roller coaster ride of its main feature can be seen on the Reverchon Crazy Mouse. It turned a bit too well, so it was decided not to release the spin of the cars anymore in order to reduce the ride’s intensity. As can be seen from the ride, this was not a good idea. The hairpin bends in the lower level are driven through in such a lousy way that in the end the pleasure completely falls by the wayside. A real pity, as Reverchon spinning coaster are actually great rides.

Bassh

Whereby I should actually be a little less critical: The ride is quite okay and not being able to show a rotation as a spinning mouse is somehow special. Equally special is its location at a lofty height, elevated on a platform. This has the advantage that there are two other attractions underneath it. Besides the Little Witch’s Labyrinth walkthrough, the station of the Bassh log flume is located here.

The ride begins with a left turn that takes you under the plateau of the Crazy Mouse roller coaster. Past some animal sculptures and with the best view onto the tracks of the mouse one level higher, another left turn leads the boat directly into the ride’s lift. Due to the slope of the ride, you now spend some time in it before a short left turn takes you down just a medium shot. Without a single drop on your skin, a right turn follows immediately, after which you dash like mad through the channel. One S-curve later, you find yourself straight below the first shot, before you tackle a left/right curve combination and make your way towards the second and final shot. Once there, the descent is immediate and exhilarating. In the subsequent splashdown, every drop of water is missing and the score is close to zero. So we did something wrong, but unfortunately that’s what an amusement park with a dry log flume also does.

Red Falcon

So it’s time to ride a type of roller coaster that no one in Japan can do wrong: The classic jet coaster. The one here at Hirakata Park is called Red Falcon and has been wonderfully placed on the big slope. But before you can dare to take a ride, you have to squeeze into the cars, and that is simply impossible, especially for taller people in the back rows.

After a short straight section, the train takes you over a short dip into the ride’s lift. Typical for a proper jet coaster, this one is comparatively steep and you spend some time in it. But that’s not too bad, because it gives us more time to look at the city of Osaka. At the top, the train quickly picks up speed after a first, quite steep, small drop. This is followed by a long left turn before the first long descent. The train takes you rapidly through the first valley and over the top of a hill that bends slightly to the left. Far above the visitors’ heads, the train climbs another hill and passes the log flume.

After another drop, you then reach a tight right-leading turn before you throw yourself properly to the ground for the first time. From then on, parallel to the track you have just completed, the train races over another hill into an extremely funny element. Coming out of a very wide right-hand bend, you drive through a narrow valley with a clear cross slope, which is suddenly followed by a narrow right-hand bend just below the first gradient. As in a very shapeless Bavarian curve, this leads you over a short hill, into another valley. A wide left turn follows. After a very flat drop with an equally flat ascent, a wide 540° helix awaits you, which then releases you into the final shot. After the subsequent ascent, a rather strange transition into a curve awaits you and shortly afterwards the braking section of the ride is reached.

The Red Falcon combines many of the Japanese peculiarities of roller coaster construction, but is a thoroughly nice ride that you should simply enjoy. The ride distance of 1300m gives you plenty of time to whizz over the rather flat hills at up to 70 km/h – secured by a shoulder restraint. The view of the city of Osaka and its imposing location far above the rest of the amusement park benefit the ride immensely.

Meteo

The very late braking on the Intamin Meteo freefall tower one level below is just as beneficial. As already experienced in the Kijima Kogen Park, people in Japan like to do without the secondary safety belt, so that here too the ride seems even more threatening and, in combination with the hard braking, can be described as absolutely ingenious.

In addition to the obligatory freezer, this time (quite small) in the form of a large refrigerator, there is also a very good spinning Disk’o from the manufacturer Zamperla on this level, as well as a kite flyer and a Zierer wave swinger, which was unfortunately undergoing maintenance on the day we visited.

Palm Walk

One level further down, you come to the Palm Walk and its integrated interactive dark ride Gururimori, as well as the Legend of Dark Forest (a mirror maze) and Makafushigido walkthroughs. The area has a lot of charm and is similar in concept to the City Walk at nearby Universal Studios Japan – except that it is integrated into Hirakata Park.

Octopus Panic and Haunted House

On the lowest level of Hirakata Park, you can mainly find various children’s rides, but also some classic rides and gems, such as the Octopus Panic sea storm ride, Japanese tea cups in Hello Kitty design or the child-friendly dark ride Haunted House, where you travel through the chirpy underworld with the Dororon travel company. Of course, the 3D 360° cinema right next door should not be overlooked.

Fantasy Cruise and Gnome’s Train

Meanwhile, if the hustle and bustle has become a little too wild for you, you should take a little stroll through Hirakata Park’s huge rose garden or venture out for a ride on the Fantasy Cruise round boat or the surprisingly long Gnome’s Train park railway. This area is an ideal retreat and invites any garden lover to linger, plus you have an exceedingly good view of Hirakata Park’s final roller coaster.

Fantastic Coaster Rowdy

The ride on the Fantastic Coaster Rowdy begins with a short right turn, followed by the lift hill. Once at the top, the lift makes a 180° left turn before the first drop follows. At a lofty height, the short-raced train now crashes over a camelback before it makes its way up again. Not at all rowdy, another tight 180° left turn follows and soon a very long right turn with integrated straight downhill. After a short right-hand bend, a very tight left-hand turn follows immediately, along with a shot. A left-hand and a right-hand bend join together like serpentines. This is succeeded by a final ascent into the braking section and soon the entry into the station, whereupon a ride not worth mentioning (as it is just okay) comes to an end.

Pictures Hirakata Park

Conclusion Hirakata Park

Although Hirakata Park is now over 100 years old, there are unfortunately no older rides to admire in the park; so they have always stayed up-to-date. This is understandable, but it does make the park a little less charming. It makes up for this with its green spaces, imaginative attractions and a successful overall ambience, which is why you ultimately feel very entertained when leaving the park.

 

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Click here for the next report of the Titanic Max Tour

Hirakata Park / Titanic Max Day 5

Playing all kinds of games in Spieleland

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Ravensburger Spieleland

The Ravensburger Spieleland is one of the youngest amusement parks in Germany. The park was founded by the famous Ravensburger AG – manufacturer of parlour games, puzzles and various other products – between its headquarters in Ravensburg and nearby Lake Constance near Meckenbeuren. Since 1998, the park has mainly offered play fun for families with small children; since 2016, there is also the possibility to stay overnight in the park’s own resort.

In general, the Ravensburger Spieleland does its own thing; one should not assume that it is a conventional amusement park with roller coaster and various carousels. It is rather the independent playground equipment that characterises the park to a large extent and thus makes it a special destination for excursions. But the fun also has its price, as the Ravensburger Spieleland is one of the most expensive amusement parks of the country.

Grüne Oase

By entering the park, one immediately finds oneself in the green oasis, a kind of farm theme area. Here you will find an electric horse-riding track, a tractor ride and an animal carousel, but also numerous smaller play facilities, the main station of the Swabian railway, a petting zoo, as well as an electric rodeo, where on several mechanical bulls the children are shaken around and this even free of charge. A show stage and several outlet stores can also be found here.

Mitmachland

If you follow the paths in a clockwise direction, you will immediately come across the Mitmachland. In addition to three show tents, in which the children are always involved in some way, you will find the park’s large children’s driving school, the Bienenflug, as well as the interactive play equipment Max Mäuseschreck and the Bosch Car Service Mini-Werkstatt. While you shoot softballs into the holes of the oversized cheese at Max Mäuseschreck, you actually change tires at the mini-workshop with the questionable branding by Bosch Car Service; which is of course extremely practical if there is actually a flat tire on the way back. Also located in this area is the Bunte Schokohaus of Ritter Sport, where, in contrast to the absolutely great Bunte Schokowelt in Berlin, they unfortunately have no café of their own and sell their own products far above the shop value. If you feel like it, you can take a workshop here, which of course requires additional fees.

Käpt’n Blaubärs Wunderland

This is followed by Käpt’n Blaubärs Wunderland, a theme area based around the stories of author Walter Moers; known from the programme “Sendung mit der Maus”, which also has its own theme area. Here you can explore the big lake on Käpt’n Blaubärs Spaßboote, experience a splashing water ride on the Gummikutter or go on a dark ride with the well-known characters on the Abenteuerfahrt, telling several smaller sailor’s yarn stories of the blue bear. A canoe trip for the little ones, as well as the new animation studio – which can be experienced for a fee and by prior arrangement – round off the area. The second station of the Swabian railway is also located here.

Maus und Elefant Erlebniswelt

The Maus und Elefant Erlebniswelt form a dead end within the park. Next to a 3D cinema, where a purchased film is shown at regular intervals, as well as the well known Lach- und Sachgeschichten of Sendung mit der Maus (these however in 2D), you can experience a low ropes course, as well as an interesting basketball game. You can rest and relax on the sunny meadow, while the children have fun on the Moser free-fall tower Hier kommt die Maus.

Future World

In order to explain Lufthansa’s understanding of service to children in detail, it is worthwhile visiting Future World, where there is a new playground with exactly that questionable branding. The biggest attraction in this theme area is the observation tower Aussichtsturm. The most interesting one is the Galaxy-Racer, where you are not allowed to race, but you can actually drive a real (albeit very slow) car. You can also let yourself be shaken by a 4D cinema, but unfortunately the film is only a purchased standard product. Meanwhile, puzzle lovers can puzzle on an open-air stage at will.

Spielewelt

Passing a duck carousel and a water roundabout, you will get down the mountain into the Spielewelt. Here you will find the largest game equipment, above all the Memory-Flug, in which you will be transported to different levels in small helicopters, one after the other, to uncover the fields of the game field. No less interesting is the firefighting game Feuerwehrspiel, which you can experience in a similar (and physically less strenuous) variant in the Legoland theme parks of Billund and Windsor, and which invites you to a very funny competition. The bumper car Tempo, kleine Schnecke and the very successful crazy labyrinth complete the attractions of the area.

Fix & Foxi Abenteuerland

The best known area of the park is probably the Fix & Foxi Abenteuerland, where the characters of Ralf Kauka from the comic strip that has been discontinued since 2010 have found a home and otherwise only live on in private television. Nobody has to regret the death of Fix & Foxi, according to the newspaper Die Welt eight years ago, and so I doubt very much that children nowadays have any connection to the characters at all. Well, the area is already older and in 2004 this development was not yet foreseeable; nevertheless, one should possibly think about a rebranding, after all there are certainly still some companies who would like to have their own area in the Ravensburger Spieleland.

Prof. Knox Turbo-Boote

Next to the Fix & Foxi Baggergrube, where you are allowed to dig a little in the gravel in your own excavators, there is the rubber dinghy slide Prof. Knox Turbo-Boote with a total of only two lanes and thus an almost non existing capacity, which unfortunately leads to very long waiting times, as well as the bobkart track Fix & Foxi Raketen-Blitz of the manufacturer Wiegand.

Fix & Foxi Raketen-Blitz

This powered summer toboggan run starts off with a left-hand bend, where the top speed is reached immediately. Over three jumps you race along a straight line, which is immediately followed by an upward helix to the right.  Now follows a short left-hand bend, which leads very quickly into a wide right-hand bend. A short upward helix leads you to the necessary altitude meters to start the fast finale. Basically you just make another right turn and after a short change of direction a wide left turn. After a final jump and a last left turn you reach the starting platform.

The Fix & Foxi Raketenblitz was the first faster ride of the Ravenburger Spieleland and proves in an impressive way how funny such a bobkart track can be, if it weren’t for the low capacity of the ride and the possibly occurring crawlers. The track itself is good and makes a lot of fun at full throttle, so a ride is definitely worthwhile.

Alpin-Rafting

The last theme area of the Ravensburger Spieleland is the Entdeckerland, where children can let off steam on small soccer fields of the VfB Stuttgart or queue up for minutes in the slide world Rutschenspaß; quite honestly, I have never seen it like this even with comparable slides in other amusement parks when there is a bigger crowd. The main attraction in this area, the Alpin-Rafting, comes from Intamin and is a truly special rapids ride.

After boarding the boat and securing the children with a life jacket, after passing the round of questions about the technically irrelevant minimum age, the trip can begin immediately. After a short left turn, you will now bob through the canal for a few metres before you reach the vertical lift of the ride. Here, one has to wait for some time before it takes one to the starting height of 12m. This is followed by what has to come, and thus, a short time later, one shoots down the 8m high shot. In the following run-out section, some water is transported into the boat and the boat is slowed down to a low speed; thus, the wetness factor is definitely there and should not be underestimated at all! A right turn and a long zigzag stretch follow before the second highlight of the course, the world’s only whirlpool built by Intamin, follows.  Bit by bit you pick up more and more speed, just before the round boat dives into a tunnel. While the ride itself is a lively pleasure, there is no moment of surprise shortly afterwards. This is the biggest weak point compared to the similar rides of the producer Hafema, where most of the times, there is a rapids waiting for you that can easily soak you. A bit disappointed, the return to the station follows, which is quite uneventful. First a wide right turn, then another zigzag stretch and finally a short left turn.

All in all, the Alpin-Rafting is of course an extremely well done major attraction, which impresses above all by the big shot ride. Unfortunately, the whirlpool is then only a nice element that falls short of the expectations. The rest of the route is also relatively uneventful, but admittedly, one should not expect a conventional ride like the one in the nearby Europa-Park.

Pictures Ravensburger Spieleland

Conclusion Ravensburger Spieleland

The Ravensburger Spieleland is an extremely nice amusement park for families with small children, who are mercilessly confronted with all kinds of advertising here. Although sponsoring is the order of the day in some amusement parks, I find it really alarming here (apart from the self-advertising for the products from our own production) because of the younger target group. The whole thing is paired with a comparably high entrance fee, which is at least 10€ above the entrance fee of comparable amusement parks in Germany and the near vicinity. There are also a lot of upcharge offers available, which is not really necessary. Thus, the Ravensburger Spieleland is only recommended if you don’t want to experience a theme park in the true sense of the word, but a charming park with numerous interactive games equipment, which, as I said, characterise the Spieleland and make it special.

 

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Ravensburger Spieleland

The Pulsing Waters of Walibi Belgium

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Preface

It is rare that a concept where you always ask yourself how it actually works is put into action. It is even rarer if this is done by a park, which has already gained quite negative experiences. Well the Doppelmayr cable car coaster Vertigo, which was put into Walibi Belgium 9 years ago, is said to be quite fun on the few open days back in May of 2008; This was nevertheless a disaster on both sides. This time, however, the ride comes from the traditional roller coaster company Mack Rides. Therefore, the chances for another debacle were rather low with Pulsar. The Power Splash can be roughly described as a shuttle coaster, i.e. a roller coaster without a closed circuit, with a watering towards the end of the journey. What should go wrong, especially when the park knows a lot about shuttle roller coasters? Nothing!

Pulsar

Thematically Pulsar represents a machine (in the form of a beating heart), whose destructive energy is derived via a roller coaster at regular intervals. The nice thing is that the visitors are the missing component to make all of that possible. The story plays in the same universe that was created to restructure Walibi Belgium in 2011; So no “F*ck Slow, #Hard Gaan”, as in the Dutch sister park. In general, the audience in Walibi Belgium is now very pleasant; but it may also be that unwanted crowds of visitors (I remember times when the cashier was regularly insulted as “fils de pute”) fail to comply with the additional security measures all around in Belgium.

After walking through the queue on the upper floor (or as a Single rider just a few meters till the turnstiles) you are already divided into one of the five rows. You store your luggage in the shelves on the right side of the station and wait for the next arriving boat. The boarding is done very quickly thanks to automatically closing lapbars, so that only a few moments pass before the 20-passenger boat – accompanied by the heartbeats of the machine – is rotated towards the actual track.

Once in position, the boat is immediately accelerated backwards over a hill. The initial scepticism about the (still) quite shallow acceleration is soon to be forgotten, as you fly over the hill. Now you pass the still unflooded water water basin and climb the vertical spike on the rear end of the ride about half of its height. At about the same speed, the return leads to the station, where you are now noticeably accelerated on the hill and neatly lifted from the seat. Now you climb the front spike of the ride up to its end. With noticeably fast speed, you cross the acceleration hill for a third time, which now tries to eject you from the ride. Back in the rear section of the ride, you climb the spike till its (slightly flattened) top. During this manoeuvre the water level in the basin is raised by 30 cm. In the meantime, the upcoming splash quickly moves back into the memory of the passengers, whereby the previously accumulated joy suddenly passes into a respectful panic. At 100 km/h, the boat now dives into the pool, which leads to a visually very impressive wave. However, this rewards the front rows of seats only with a little mist, while it can thoroughly soak the rear of the boat. Shortly thereafter you pass the hill for the last time and are slowed down to walking pace, whereupon you stop in the next valley. The turntable then turns you back to the station and the bar opens.

Pulsar is an all-round successful attraction, where you always like to get on again. The ride is just terrific and can absolutely convince just by its unusual acceleration phases over the hill. The watering is optically more impressive than it is while riding; However, it is definitely scary! Especially if you suddenly get soaked after the first rather dry ride. Hopefully more copies of this truly enhanced water ride will follow.

Pictures

Closing Words

Due to the location within Walibi Belgium, the paths in the park are now slightly optimised so that you can commute on the fastest routes between the main attractions Flashback, Psyké Underground, Pulsar and Loup Garou. Interestingly, the probability to suddenly meet an old friend of yours in the park is reduced. However, whilst waiting for another round on Pulsar I suddenly got a call from my friend David. He was in a group waiting in the normal queue and I just got on as a Single Rider. After the ride, I finally realised him in the queue, so I took another round via the single rider to actually sit with him in the same row. My plans to leave Walibi for another visit of Plopsa Coo or Plopsa Indoor Hasselt were discarded. The times to leave Walibi Belgium early are now a thing of the past. Thanks Pulsar!

 

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Walibi Belgium