As I've nothing better to do with my spare time here's an analysis of the new entrance portal.
Views of how the gate fit into the Berlin street fronts.
There has been some discussion on a few sites about whether there will be anything to fill the gap left between the facades either side. Some are not happy as they think disturbs the street. Could there be a theming element on top - Zeppelin, Hot Air Balloon, a dome or something?
Personally I don't think so. When you look at this picture from a higher view point taken by Chris Theis, Executive Assistant at PHL, there isn't much space and no visible points for connecting anything on top.
The interior still very much fits with the 1920s Berlin theme but its noticeably more industrial and darker with the riveted steel balconies and beams, metal pipes, bare bricks, large windows (similar to those on the Rookburgh concept art) and caged lights. The start of the style transition into the more industrial and steampunk world of Rookburgh.
Given the Berlin similarities and the name on the archway I take it that Rookburgh will be new world within the Berlin themed area - like how Klugheim is a theme world within the Mystery area, and Wuze Town and the Wuze Valley are within the Fantasy Area.
Last year after the announcement I believed it would be another world within Fantasy but thinking about it and seeing things develop I would now agree with all those who think it will be part of Berlin. I now envision Rookburgh as an industrial district of Berlin. After all Phantasialand's Berlin is not a historic representation but a whimsical and fantastical version of the 1920s - one with bakeries over run by mice which you fight by shooting chocolate at them, a crazy hotel where everything is on the ceiling and street characters walking their invisible dog. So walking down this dark side alleyway down into an industrial area which is steampunk rather than historically accurate would work. Also further evidence for it being part of Berlin would be that the park confirmed last year that Rookburgh is pronounced/spoken as a German word.
The clock is functional and tells the correct time. The writing on it is hand painted to give it an authentic historic look.
It reads:
Markus Grossmann
Glashütte 1/5 A
Made in Germany
I can't find anything about a 'Markus Grossmann' but there was a clock and watch maker called 'Moritz Grossmann'. The name still lives on in new watch making company which has the same logo as the one on the Rookburgh clock. Perhaps this company may possibly have made the clock for PHL? I imagine they were involved in some form as their historic name has been adapted for Phantasialand's version of 1920s Berlin.
https://www.grossmann-uhren.com
Also Glashütte is a town in Saxony, Germany known for being the birthplace of the German watchmaking industry.
The metal work may seem fresh and new but the brick walls all have this nice aged finish. Gotta love Universal Rocks.
On the ceiling under the balconies the two lights have small fake dials/gauges of some sort attached to their cables a little touch of steampunk theming coming through there perhaps?
At the back the two large steel gates, behind which is the tunnel into Rookburgh. I've seen a few people elsewhere say they are getting a bit of a Diagon Alley vibe from it. Which I do agree with. It will certainly be some experience - walking off the Berlin Street into a side alleyway, down the tunnel and then emerging into another world, similar to Berlin but not quite, with F.L.Y. going directly overhead.
Only thing is the other entrances to the area will probably pale in comparison as they can't offer such an experience (although I'd love to be surprised).
On the left some additional outdoor seating for the new for 2018 Lilli's Cafe on the right which now as an extra side entrance/exit.
From the inside looking out.
Hats off to Phantasialand though for creating more hype and excitement without any official announcement or releasing any videos or pictures. Just quietly opening up the gate without saying anything or any fanfare as a tease of what is to come.
I've said before in this thread the marketing and blog/video updates from the park for Taron started mid/late August 2015 so I expect we won't get anything else until next month.