Best park in Europe bar none (Port Aventura)

Member Name: flobbleflop

Product:	Port Aventura
Date:	26/03/09 (62 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Thrilling rides, great value

Disadvantages: None at all

Port Aventura is a theme park in the holiday resort of Salou. I have visited Salou four times and every time have gone back to Port Aventura- I love it! It is definitely one of the best theme parks in Europe.

Cost:
My last visit was in July 2008 and the cost was 42 euro and I then bought a fast pass which allowed me on several of the main rides without having to queue for hours. This was an extra 20 euro but considering the time of year it was well worth the extra cost.

Park Layout
The park is divided into five main areas all based around a different country. They are:
Polynesia, Wild West, China, Mexico and Mediterranea
Each part of the park is decorated to look authentic and they really did go all out in ensuring it was realistic. The shops and buildings are all designed to look like the native country and most of the restaurants serve traditional food from the country as well as the normal burgers, fries, sandwiches and ice cream.
The rides are also based around the theme of the land and I will explain them in more detail now

Mediterranea
This is the main entrance of the park and until 2007 had no actual rides in it. That was until they build the Furious Baco. This is by far one of the best rides I have ever been on. It is based around a scientist and a monkey who are working in a wine making factory although the actual story is hard to follow as it is in Spanish. The ride goes from 0-83.9mph in just three seconds. This absolutely takes your breath away and the ride does not let up. Any women going I advise you to wear good support because as I found out the first time I rode it, you can and will "fall out"! Even better, there is a camera in the back of the seat in front of you which films you the whole way round so you can relive any embarrassment for only 15 euro (well worth it to protect my modesty!) The only downside to this ride is that the queues can take over an hour and there is not fast track available

There is also a very large gift shop in Mediterrenea and a walk on boat where kids can look at the water. During the day there will be opportunities to have your picture taken with various character from Universal Studios and they will then give you a card with a number on it. There is a stand in this area where you can view your photo and then decide if you want to buy it which is nice because it means you don't have to carry it with you all day.

Polynesia
This is based heavily on Hawaiian influences and the main focus here is water. The big ride here is Tutuki Splash which is supposed to simulate being shot out of a volcano. A word of warning, you will get wet. Very wet. There is a bridge over part of the ride where people waiting in the queue can use water guns to shoot at you which is great fun
Sea Odyssey is another ride in this area but the build up is in my opinion too long although the ride itself is very good.

In this land the show is absolutely spectacular and the Hula dancers are breath-taking. I would highly recommend the show to anyone.

China
My favourite ride is in China- the Dragon Khan. I first rode it when I was 10 and have loved it ever since. It is scary and thrilling all at the same time with 8 loops and breath-taking views of the whole resort from the top. Even it's top speed of 65 mph is very good. The queue for this ride is long but moves quickly and there is a fast track available.
The food here is brilliant and very authentic so if you like Chinese food, you will love this part of the park

The Tea-Cups in China are also a great ride. We went on them for a joke but they really do go fast especially as you turn them yourself using the wheel in the middle so the top speed is only determined by your own strength. Beware, you will be very dizzy by the end

Mexico
There are two main attractions here
The Hurakan Condor is thrilling and you will need to ride it twice to collect your stomach as you will leave it at the top. The ride takes you up a 330 ft pole and then drops you into a free fall. However, there is a twist in the tale as the cars are sometimes tipped forward at a 45 degree angle meaning you are looking down as you fall. The effect of having your legs dangling really intensifies the fear element on this ride and the photographs at the bottom always have some terrified expressions

El Diablo is a relatively tame looking rollercoaster but it is nippy enough and the fact that it is wooden makes it seem much more rickety and scary. The first drop out of the station is enough to get most people screaming. A great ride

The final area is the Wild West and is by far the most authentic looking. Every building and person working looks like they have come straight from a John Wayne spaghetti western movie and even the games stalls are all themed.

The main rides here are: the Grand Canyon rapids which is a laid back, easy going ride that the whole family can enjoy

The Silver River Flume- again you will get drenched as there are some massive drops

Stampida: this is a racing rollercoaster and you have to pick blue or red and the two cars race each other. At times to heighten the fear it seems as though the two are going to collide. Amazing fun and just enough fear to get you going.

The whole park is brilliantly put together and there is talk that it is extending which if true will make it better than ever.

The park offers great value for money and the displays at night are fantastic. I cannot recommend this park highly enough and my only complaint is that it isn't open 24 hours!

Summary: Brilliant Park, more rides to come