When ACEers sign up for events, they usually have definite reasons for choosing the event: it’s in their region, it’s a new park for them, a new ride has opened, some of their friends are going. What they won’t know in advance are the unexpected finds and surprises they’ll experience. Here are some from Le Voyage Lumière.
Lee Ann Draud, United States
The effort devoted to the theming in all the parks, but especially in Parc Astérix and Nigloland, just blew me away. I'm an amusement park person, not a theme park person, and what I care about is whether I like the rides, not how they are themed. The ride entrances and random statues in these parks were just beautiful and always fit the rides, and it was obvious that the parks had put both thought and money into creating an experience that would affect visitors' perceptions. I was surprised at how much it made a difference for me.
Jamey Frank, Portugal
The utter insanity of the second half of Tonnerre 2 Zeus, like a paint can shaker thrown down hills. (It even caused one ACE attendee’s “girls” to come loose!) Also, the consistent “Wild West” theme throughout nearly every park was very surprising, especially speaking French with a cowboy accent!
Jonathan Hymes, United States
With their proximity to Europa-Park, Phantasialand and Efteling, the French parks get overshadowed. These would be top tier parks in the U.S. The parks we visited except for Parc Astérix are all underrated. The standout rides were Mystic at Walibi Rhône-Alpes, Toutatis and Tonnerre 2 Zeus (when completely retracked it will be one of the best coasters on the planet) at Parc Astérix, Cheyenne River (the Millennium Force of flume rides) and Wild Buffalo at La Mer de Sable, Donjon de l’Extrême freefall at Nigloland (and the show), Fraispertuis City’s hospitality and The Monster at Walygator Grand Est, which was more enjoyable than Raptor at Cedar Point (sorry, fanboys).
Patrick Kaak, the Netherlands
The warm welcome at the smaller parks and the cooling down, laid-back moments. It’s fun to chase every ride at a park, get all the credits (some multiple times) and squeeze every bit out of each park’s visit. But owing to the heat this trip, especially in the second half, it became more of a ride-a-coaster-and-then-chill experience. Sometimes just sitting down for an hour, soaking in the atmosphere, enjoying a drink or some ice cream. Or just talking somewhere in the shade about, well, of course, coasters and parks. But also about life, hobbies, music and a whole lot of “that’s what she said.” It made for a quite relaxing trip.
Matt Lambert, United States
The number of new Facebook “friend requests” that seem genuine and pure. And the surprising new deep, close friendships with a few that seemed like we've known each other a lifetime. But otherwise my joy and love of Le PAL and Nigloland.
Jan Liebricht, Germany
The hospitality, the detailed presentation of the new Western-themed coasters (Vekoma custom family Wild West Coaster) and the gifts at Winnoland. Oh, and the Nigloshow, in a cringe what-the-heck-surprise kinda way!
Jo Pools, Belgium
The participants' gratitude...
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