Europa-Park: More Than Just A Theme Park
April 12, 2018
After various different visits in recent years, it's safe to say that Europa-Park, Germany is one of our favourite theme parks in Europe. Comprising of 15 different themed areas that boast over 100 different attractions for the whole family, it's hard to see why anyone wouldn't love this ode to European relations, even at a time when Brexit dominates the headlines on a daily basis.
However, less than 6% of Europa-Park's visitors come from the UK, even though it's only a short flight away. Much of that is simply down to the British market being unfamiliar with this fantastic attraction, so here are 10 things you should know in the hope of inspiring a visit in the not too distant future.
Although the Europa-Park theme park didn't open until 1975, the wheels started turning (literally) in 1780 when the Mack family formed their first company. To begin with, the firm were building stagecoaches and circus wagons, but they soon moved on to carousels and, eventually, rollercoasters. To this day, the park is still owned and operated by the Mack family, which is now in its fifth generation.
As well as being the largest theme park in Germany, Europa-Park offers the largest selection of live entertainment in the world. That's right, your time spent here is not just about rollercoasters, there is also a huge choice of live shows to enjoy.
Added together, there is 23 hours' worth of entertainment on offer, including magic, music and cabaret. Performances take place indoors and outdoors, are long and short and are either made for kids or the whole family - it's such a varied offering that you're bound to find something you'll love.
As well as all the great restaurants in each European-themed 'land' (which we'll get to later), this is the only theme park in the world where you can savour a Michelin-starred meal. Attached to the park is a range of wonderful hotels, one of which, The Bell Rock, has a fine-dining venue within its lighthouse. Ammolite has been given not one but two Michelin stars and its menu will tempt you with dishes from the Black Forest and around the world.
When you go by the number of beds, the five hotels at Europa-Park combine to offer the largest amount of accommodation for a hotel complex in Germany. There are 4,500 beds in total, meaning there's plenty of space and choice available for every budget and taste.
Those figures don't even include the Wild West camping area or the brand new Kronasar Hotel that is currently being built. At the time of writing, the hotels are The Bell Rock (New England theme), Colosseo (Italian theme), Castillo Alcazar (Medieval Castle theme), El Andaluz (Spanish Finca theme) and Santa Isobel (Portuguese monastery theme).
One of the newest rides at Europa-Park is the CanCan coaster, situated inside the iconic dome at the centre of the park. As part of the French area, the attraction takes you back to the Belle Epoque era in France, on a fast-paced trip through the streets of Paris. A big part of the theming is related to the Moulin Rouge and so, in order to get things as accurate as possible, representatives of the famous Parisian club were involved in the design.
Virtual reality has been a big innovation in the world of theme park rides and Europa-Park is definitely leading the way when it comes to attractions that make use of this exciting technology. Having teamed up with VR Coaster, a company that specialises in providing virtual reality experiences around the world, Europa-Park can offer a range of futuristic adventures on certain rides.
CanCan Coaster and Alpenexpress both offer different storylines when riders don their headsets. The former immerses you in a new world right from the moment you begin queuing, whilst the latter has numerous storylines including one that features Paddington.
You may or may not be aware that there is currently a brand new waterpark being built on the site which is due to open at the end of 2019. Not only is this exciting because it offers a whole new domain of fun for visitors, but it's also going to be open all year-round. Europa-Park itself runs on a seasonal basis, closing during the winter and opening from April to November and again for a month around Christmas. However, the watery world of Rulantica will provide wet and wild activities throughout the year.
No other resort complex in Germany offers more food and drink options than Europa-Park, ensuring you never go hungry during your stay. And the best part is that it's so easy to find whatever you're craving. All of the dining areas serve cuisine from the country they're in within the park. So, if you're peckish for pizza, head to Italy. If you're in the mood for a mezze, try Greece. And if you just fancy good ole fish and chips, the British area will have you covered. There are 58 different restaurants and snack bars in total - plus 13 more inside the hotels.
Just because the park is closed for the day, it doesn't mean there's no more entertainment to be enjoyed. Europa-park holds regular events that feature evening shows and after-dark experiences. These include Halloween nights dubbed Traumatica, the Night Beat Angels clubbing experience (a raucous night of adult entertainment), Miss Germany Contests and more. All this makes a weekend at Europa-Park perfect for stag or hen dos.
A stay at Europa-Park, whether it be for a weekend or a week, doesn't have to be entirely action-packed. There are also plenty of facilities to help you relax, including sumptuous spa areas offering a range of treatments for singles and couples. A 15-minute drive will also take you to a nearby golf course, where you can practice your drive on 9-hole and 18-hole courses. The location is beautiful, surrounded by vineyards, and provides the perfect way to see more of the Black Forest.
If you would like to know more about how you can visit Europa-Park, our team can build a package that's bespoke to you. Call us or click here to contact us via the website.
