PhotoTR: PortaAventura Resort

Hi everyone,

 

Last week Benny (groteslurf), Michael and me made a trip to spain. Our original itinerary contained the both Madrid parks, Terra Mitica and PortAventura. Unexpected the both Madrid parks and Terra Mitica seemed to be closed on the beginning of the week. So our park visits were shortened to only Parque Warner and PortAventura. We had a great time though in Pinto, Benidorm (It was Bennydorm during our stay) and Salou.

 

I forgot to bring my camera to Parque Warner so no pictures from that place. The park was a bit of a let down. There are two good coasters but park operations were really bad. Luckily it was not too busy. Oh and surprisingly Stunt Fall was down for the day.

 

Actually this report is all about PortAventura!

 

We arrived on wednesday june 12th and we stayed on property at Hotel Caribe. The Hotel is awesome, really a great atmosphere.

 

Will post Hotel Caribe pictures first.

This is the main building.

With the restaurant building next to it.

It has two swimming pools.

The pools are divided by this water.

This was our building.

What do I spot over there? More in next update.

I have recently heard a lot of great things about the park and resort! Looking forward to the rest of your report!

Parque Warner was not as it was during my first visit several years ago : operations reminded me of La Ronde (if not worse) and even Superman wasn't smooth at all anymore.

Bennydorm was special : i've been there now and can't imagine i will go there ever again. So, terrible-TM-guest-relations-people-who-confirmed-me-twice-the-park-would-be-open-when-we-would-be-there-and-for-transferrring-me-to-your-press-manager-to-whom-I've-sent-several-mails-about-us-being-members-of-TPR (with the approval of Robb)-but-who-didn't-even-reply-to-mails-up-to-date ....., we had fun at Bennydorm even without a visit to TM !!! But i'm wondering, why do you confirm me twice in writing that your park will be open on the day of our visit while it wouldn't be, and why didn't you even simply apologize for the inconvenience you have caused to us, and why did your f*****g press manager didn't even take the time to respond to my mails

Oh well, as said, we had fun at Bennydorm : the zoo next to your park but operated by your competitors was nice and got my money in stead, the tapasbars in the old city really ruled, and the Penelope nightclub made me hit the floor twice

But even though we had a good time at Bennydorm, Port Aventura and Salou really made our trip worthwhile. Looking forward to the next update.

^

 

Speaking about the next update....

 

I finally found some time to post the PortAventura pictures. PortAventura is such an amazing park. They may not have the best coaster selection in the world but now with Shambhala which is probably my new #1 steel coaster. I still need to ride Geforce this year and who knows what the TPR Texas/Midwest trip may bring.

 

Being such a great park it's a shame to see that the operations aren't always that fast. Luckily for us the park offered a quickpass for only 54 euro's per person for the whole stay. So for us that was three days. Quickpass included front of the line for most of the big rides except the droptower and 1 frontseat ride on the three big coasters.

 

I really do think that PA has a winner in their park now. When the temp is 30+ degrees Shambhala really rules. I never experienced so much ejector airtime on a B&M before. So when you do plan to go to this park pick a very hot day to fully enjoy the Shambhalalalala experience. Dragon Khan is still ok but now with Shambhala over shadowing him.... well.

 

Let go to the pictures!!

On arrival at the park. It was Saturday so the park was packed.

Hey Woody!

Yes that's right... The parkmap.

The new lake view.

Q-ing times. It was really busy this day but no queues for us.

First of to Baco!

What a disappointment. I tried several seats. Outside front, inside second and yes outside last row. I guess there isn't a good seat on this one. Don't get me wrong the launch is very, very, very good after that it just tries to kill you.

Barrel rolling all the way.

Entering Polynesia.

A very well themed part of the park.

Our destination.

More Polynesia.

There is a new pathway to China through the sesamestreet.

More people found out about it!

Made it to heaven.

Learn more about the story behind it.

Sationbuilding.

First read the safety regulations.

This was our line.

The grouper system might work if the ride operators were quick.

Going out for some bliss.

Going up and over Khan.

Coming down the first drop. Airtime from top till bottom.

Going up the second hill. Again massive airtime going down.

Going through the massive turnaround.

That little speed bump after the turnaround produced massive airtime too.

Yup.

Going down the hill that leads into the splash down. And again massive airtime.

The splash down.

More water!

It's everywhere.

I bet you gonna get wet.

and going up again.

Going into the airtime filled grande finale.

After the brake run. This part leads into the final breakrun.

SO first some random park pictures before some Khan love.

A flowering cactus.

The old west.

Betty Boop!!

Good old Khan.

It's still good only a bit of a rattle.

Bit of headbanging.

Little loop.

And to conclude some love between them.

Looking pretty together.

Thanks for reading and make sure to visit this place some day.

Nice photos! Thank you very much!

I seriously don't know what to make of Spain right now. Sure I get that they're having a lot of trouble with their economy, government, strikes, etc. and a lot of parks have cut down on their hours and operating days, but then you see how busy Port Aventura is and you realize it's just an excuse being used by crappier parks!

 

I have a lot of people wanting to do another TPR Spain Trip, but we can't yet because of schedules and issues with the country!

 

I do love the Port Aventura Resort though, maybe we'll just do a 'mini-spain' trip!

Shambhalalalalala!!!! After hearing such great reviews of this ride, and the resort, I would really love to visit! And on a 30 C + day, of course! The fastpass system sounds excellent value too. Great photos as usual Hans!