James F
Hyper Poster
After dipping my toes in with travelling to 2 parks last month, it was time for my most ambitious trip yet. Travelling from Paris to Depanne to Brussels and then finally Charleroi to do 3 parks in 3 days all while using public transport.
While I had some hiccups that you will read later, the public transport links in Mainland Europe are second to none, plus it worked out cheaper alot than hiring a car.
Day one: Travel
I flew from Manchester to Paris CDG. Only took 1hr 30 and 20 minutes of that was taxiing.
I soaked in the culture, staying in the Ibis at the airport. The room smelt a bit funny, soon drafted it out. Other than that it was decent.
The benefit of staying at the airport was that the shuttle bus to Parc Asterix was right next to my hotel. It's also great for lazy people like me who can get to their room within 40 minutes of landing.
Day Two - Parc Astérix (19th of April)
Never been to Parc Asterix before and to tell you the truth I never had much desire to until a certain Intamin made it's debut.
I was a little concerned about the reliability of Toutatis as I heard it went down all day a few days before. I guess I am a pessamist because I always expect the worse.
The first shuttle got there super early, an hour before opening. Which was a good thing because the entrance was soon filled with people. The anticipation was high, one of the parks staff had come out with a camera, I didn't think much of it until the rope dropped and there was a complete stampide of people running. Honestly I have never seen anything like it, a full on running of the bulls.
First guess to what everyone was running to. Again the pessamist it me came pack as I had only seen the ride test once in the hour we were stood outside. The line was already getting crazy backing up past Trace Du Hourra.
After a doubtful 30 minuites there was a sigh of relief and a buzz of excitement as the queue line opened.
Toutatis: Review
Wow, just as awesome as I expected. This was easily my most anticipated ride of 2023 and yep it delivers on every aspect.
Before even riding Toutatis, I was impressed by the theming and presentation of the area. It has a celtic theme and definitely given off Wickerman vibes (but not as dark) despite being brand new the whole area feels lived in and not just a lifeless pile of dirt.
The station area is really well done with a lighting package that is synchronised with every dispatch. The queue line was moving fast thanks to stellar operations (a recurring theme with Parc Astérix)
I got lucky and was given the back row for my first ride.
Once you board the coaster, you are sent down a little dip, if you a sat towards The back you will get a small pop of airtime here. Then you launch quickly into the first inversion which given great hangtime for all. Then you are sent into two outbanked bunny hops which don't do too much, but offer some mild floater once the ride has warmed up.
Then it's time for the main event. You fly into the switch track and hear the amazing sound of the LSMs as you sent into the airtime hill and up the top hat, this first run gives you a hint of airtime, but not much else, however the power of Toutatis is soon realised when you fall backwards and are sent aggressively skywards on the return run. The vertical spike offers some weightlessness and a spectacular view as you are sent back though the same element with even more speed.
Once you reach the top hat you will start to feel the train slow down but not before experiencing more airtime on entry if you are sat up front, towards the back you get pulled down the 110 degree drop.
The zero G stall is quite snappy, the only thing I have to relate it to is Zadra, I prefer Zadras due to the scale, but it's still superb.
You get another sideways pop of air before being launched over the airtime hill with some great ejector especially in the back.
I was expecting the wall stall to be a dud, which it was in the morning but as the ride warmed up I felt some floater coming off it. The heartline roll offers some great whip before you are sent into two final ejector pops.
So yeah Toutatis is awesome and based on just one ride I knew it would make my top ten.
The next coaster on the agenda was Pegasis Express, not nearly as much to say about it except that it's a great family coaster with a really high throughput and a deceptively intense backwards section.
Tonnerre 2 Zeus was next. I had heard it's reputation for being rough but offering good airtime, for me it was the opposite. Quite smooth but not much in the way of forces, but this might be due to the Timberliner trains which I found restrictive. Still a fun ride though, I liked it better than Troy.
Now it was time for the dreaded nightmare that is Goudurix. I didn't want to hate it. Admittedly it looks pretty and it had a fairly unique layout with the butterfly loop an all. While I didn't find it painful, it was just too rough to be enjoyable. It didn't help that some guy in front was filming on his phone so I had to brace myself for two possible concussions at once.
Here it is at last, my #200 credit Oziris. It's a great invert, smooth as expected and it's quite forceful even if it doesn't mach the mighty Nemesis. Although I would say it's as good as Montu.
After riding some of the smaller rides I made my way back to Toutatis for rerides. I ended up getting 5 rides in total. One in the front, two in the back, one second to back and one middle row. After my resides I can safely put it in my number 5 spot. Another amazing European coaster that I think every enthusiast should ride if given the opportunity.
Parc Astérix is an amazing park. I was surprised by how good it is. I have been to several European parks now and Parc Astérix to me is one of the best, properly 3rd best in Europe after Europa Park and Phantasialand. The operations are incredible. The park has great theming and is also naturally beautiful. I would definitely go back when I get the chance.
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If you are reading this shortly after I post. I am sorry about the lack of photos. I am trying to upload images from my phone, but I keep getting errors. Hopefully I will be able to post them soon.
-
The next post will be reporting the traveling to Belgium from Paris and Plopsaland DePanne.
Hope you enjoyed reading this.
While I had some hiccups that you will read later, the public transport links in Mainland Europe are second to none, plus it worked out cheaper alot than hiring a car.
Day one: Travel
I flew from Manchester to Paris CDG. Only took 1hr 30 and 20 minutes of that was taxiing.
I soaked in the culture, staying in the Ibis at the airport. The room smelt a bit funny, soon drafted it out. Other than that it was decent.
The benefit of staying at the airport was that the shuttle bus to Parc Asterix was right next to my hotel. It's also great for lazy people like me who can get to their room within 40 minutes of landing.
Day Two - Parc Astérix (19th of April)
Never been to Parc Asterix before and to tell you the truth I never had much desire to until a certain Intamin made it's debut.
I was a little concerned about the reliability of Toutatis as I heard it went down all day a few days before. I guess I am a pessamist because I always expect the worse.
The first shuttle got there super early, an hour before opening. Which was a good thing because the entrance was soon filled with people. The anticipation was high, one of the parks staff had come out with a camera, I didn't think much of it until the rope dropped and there was a complete stampide of people running. Honestly I have never seen anything like it, a full on running of the bulls.
First guess to what everyone was running to. Again the pessamist it me came pack as I had only seen the ride test once in the hour we were stood outside. The line was already getting crazy backing up past Trace Du Hourra.
After a doubtful 30 minuites there was a sigh of relief and a buzz of excitement as the queue line opened.
Toutatis: Review
Wow, just as awesome as I expected. This was easily my most anticipated ride of 2023 and yep it delivers on every aspect.
Before even riding Toutatis, I was impressed by the theming and presentation of the area. It has a celtic theme and definitely given off Wickerman vibes (but not as dark) despite being brand new the whole area feels lived in and not just a lifeless pile of dirt.
The station area is really well done with a lighting package that is synchronised with every dispatch. The queue line was moving fast thanks to stellar operations (a recurring theme with Parc Astérix)
I got lucky and was given the back row for my first ride.
Once you board the coaster, you are sent down a little dip, if you a sat towards The back you will get a small pop of airtime here. Then you launch quickly into the first inversion which given great hangtime for all. Then you are sent into two outbanked bunny hops which don't do too much, but offer some mild floater once the ride has warmed up.
Then it's time for the main event. You fly into the switch track and hear the amazing sound of the LSMs as you sent into the airtime hill and up the top hat, this first run gives you a hint of airtime, but not much else, however the power of Toutatis is soon realised when you fall backwards and are sent aggressively skywards on the return run. The vertical spike offers some weightlessness and a spectacular view as you are sent back though the same element with even more speed.
Once you reach the top hat you will start to feel the train slow down but not before experiencing more airtime on entry if you are sat up front, towards the back you get pulled down the 110 degree drop.
The zero G stall is quite snappy, the only thing I have to relate it to is Zadra, I prefer Zadras due to the scale, but it's still superb.
You get another sideways pop of air before being launched over the airtime hill with some great ejector especially in the back.
I was expecting the wall stall to be a dud, which it was in the morning but as the ride warmed up I felt some floater coming off it. The heartline roll offers some great whip before you are sent into two final ejector pops.
So yeah Toutatis is awesome and based on just one ride I knew it would make my top ten.
The next coaster on the agenda was Pegasis Express, not nearly as much to say about it except that it's a great family coaster with a really high throughput and a deceptively intense backwards section.
Tonnerre 2 Zeus was next. I had heard it's reputation for being rough but offering good airtime, for me it was the opposite. Quite smooth but not much in the way of forces, but this might be due to the Timberliner trains which I found restrictive. Still a fun ride though, I liked it better than Troy.
Now it was time for the dreaded nightmare that is Goudurix. I didn't want to hate it. Admittedly it looks pretty and it had a fairly unique layout with the butterfly loop an all. While I didn't find it painful, it was just too rough to be enjoyable. It didn't help that some guy in front was filming on his phone so I had to brace myself for two possible concussions at once.
Here it is at last, my #200 credit Oziris. It's a great invert, smooth as expected and it's quite forceful even if it doesn't mach the mighty Nemesis. Although I would say it's as good as Montu.
After riding some of the smaller rides I made my way back to Toutatis for rerides. I ended up getting 5 rides in total. One in the front, two in the back, one second to back and one middle row. After my resides I can safely put it in my number 5 spot. Another amazing European coaster that I think every enthusiast should ride if given the opportunity.
Parc Astérix is an amazing park. I was surprised by how good it is. I have been to several European parks now and Parc Astérix to me is one of the best, properly 3rd best in Europe after Europa Park and Phantasialand. The operations are incredible. The park has great theming and is also naturally beautiful. I would definitely go back when I get the chance.
-
If you are reading this shortly after I post. I am sorry about the lack of photos. I am trying to upload images from my phone, but I keep getting errors. Hopefully I will be able to post them soon.
-
The next post will be reporting the traveling to Belgium from Paris and Plopsaland DePanne.
Hope you enjoyed reading this.
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