Whale Adventures - Splash Tours

It’s quite a lot going on in Iceland. No, we don’t think of financial crisis or even a fiery volcanic eruption, which are currently afflicting the northern country. Let’s better think of Europa-Park and their last year’s new themed area. A lot of novelties can be gazed at for the 2010 season at the park-own Iceland area. Gazing begins, when you queue up for the Blue Fire Mega coaster. The waiting line follows new ways. At the end of the launch track the new Gazprom hall with the queue line passing through, rises next to the artificial rocks. Next to the hall, some rocks twine over the launch track, which could serve as a nice Headchopper effect. For a brief overview of all novelties 2010 at Europa-Park, switch over to our press-article (in German).

Let’s get down to this year’s main attraction at the Iceland area. Well, it took a little bit long, but at last, Europa-Park can offer now an own splash battle like water attraction in the park. Mack-Rides call their interactive boat ride ‘boat blaster’. A new part of ‘Iceland’ has arisen from an area, which was hidden behind a green bank last year, situated between ‘Portugal’ and the old entrance of Blue Fire Mega Coaster. Together with the Gazprom hall and the new water attraction, the whole Iceland area grew up with 40% more space. Facing the green bank last year, the landscape now opens to a sparkling blue water area. Small fishing boats, all equipped with a captain and some water cannons cruise through narrow turns over the water. Seagulls sit on a buoy and tricksy smiling seals inhabit some ice floes and rocks. Behind the water area, some large Icelandic looking buildings rise on rugged rocks and a remarkable yellow lighthouse towers on the left. A large group of Atlantic puffins is crowded together on the rocks, splashing the passing boats.

Let’s walk along the quay, passing a huge crane and looking at a building with small sheds next to it, building the little Icelandic haven and the station of the ride. Beware of carelessly exiting the attraction, especially at high season: The water cannons on board the boats are not just a nice looking mockup. They easily reach unaware passersby with their splashing water stream up to 9 meters away. But a wet revenge is always possible, even for the ones ashore. Around the whole boat ride, several water canons are mounted on the quay. So, be prepared for a splashing battle with the fisherman boats. It’s a clear advantage for the ones ashore, that they can flee their posts, when it gets too wet. Meanwhile the brave fishermen on their boats are more or less like sitting ducks, waiting for the water attacks.

Behind the station building, the passengers enter a kind of travel agency for Whale watching tours. A huge sign above the entrance says “Whale Watching Tours every day”. Taking a steep staircase, we enter the first floor of the building and look into the eye of a 12 meter long whale. ‘Tilu’, that’s the name of this big one, hangs above the boarding area of the whale watching tours. The queue line leads alongside the upper balcony and down another staircase where we finally take our places onboard of one of the fishing boats.

Just a few moments later, the boat is launching into the water, around the first turn and passes underneath the crane. Alternating one or both sides of the boat has to be alerted. The onlookers ashore are already waiting for the next boat to attack. On some spots, the strategic situation is a bit unfair for the passengers on the boat, because some battle stations on shore can already reach the rivals on the water, while they have to wait for the right angle to “re-splash”. The boats pass several targets on their way, which can be shot at with caution. Beware: On every hit, a jet of water comes back from one of the seagulls or other inhabitants of the Iceland Sea. It would be a good idea, when a hit on one of the targets would blast a water bomb amidst all the onshore attackers. But meanwhile watch out for other boats. While cruising the sea, the boats meet each other several times and a splash battle in a good old pirate’s manner can begin.

After several sharp turns, we pass the rock with dozens of Atlantic puffins sitting on it and splashing the passing tourists. Behind the rock, hidden from most of the onlookers, we finally catch a view on the leading actor of our tour. Well, double that. Two whales peek out of the water and jetting huge fountains into the air. Just a few moments after the encounter, we reach the dry realms of the harbor with the ride station again. More or less soaked, we leave the travel agency for whale watching tours. Revenge is on the way for some jet of water, we had to catch: Some water canons onshore are mounted at the station exit. See the next boat coming around the turn? –Battle stations!

Indeed, it’s a lot going on in Iceland. The land of the rugged rocks and many-colored houses grew by remarkable 40%. The new ‘splashy’ Whale Adventure – Splash Tours attraction is a nice addition to the park and will bring fun to the whole family. This interactive water attraction will pull a lot of visitors into the area, especially during warm days – of which Europa-Park has a lot throughout the year. Water attractions are always –along with the roller coasters- the most attended attractions in the whole park with long waiting times. It was just a matter of time, until a release of this best-seller from Mack-Rides would find its way to Europa-Park. These interactive free flow boat rides, or ‘boat blaster’ can often be found in several parks throughout Europe and the whole world. Different ways of propulsion and designs are offered from Mack-Rides and other manufacturers. Large park chains, like Six Flags or Legoland and small family-owned parks, like nearby Fraisepertuis City, they all have a boat blaster on their ride list. The reactions of the guests and the attendance figures of these attractions prove right to this concept. All have fun with this interactive water attraction, passengers, non-riders or just onlookers.