Crazy Bats is actually quite a special case, especially for Phantasialand. The ride originally opened as „Space Center“ all the way back in 1988. It was the first ever indoor coaster in germany and the first (and as far as I know) only example of the Vekoma Mk900. As the name suggests, Space Center originally featured a space themed ride with planets and projections within, simulating a flight through a galaxy. The sort of „cut out“ panels you see in the queue were made out of glass with little rooms and animatronics behind. Next to it, the now closed Hollywood tour opened in the same building. When Wuze-Town opened in 2001, the ride got a new theme, now being called „Temple of the Night Hawk“. The space elements were removed and smaller things like artificial leaves were added in the station. The main hall was now completely blacked out but initially it featured a hawk projection following the train through the layout. That effect was deactivated after a few years. The ride ran under this name till 2019 and it basically became a legend in the german coaster community. Very few ppl haven’t been on this ride as kids and for most, this has been the ride that got them into the enthusiast community. I don’t know wether this is still the case but at least until early 2024, you could still experience a part of this „legend“. The first lift hill out of the station had flashing light effects that were kept even after the ride became a VR coaster, which can still be seen if you take off your VR goggles. Since 2019, the ride is operating under the „crazy bats“ license, themed after the movie happy family. Nothing major was changed except repainting the queue and station and adding ice cutouts. However, although it kinda hurts, this coaster will be closed within the next few years. The ride is now more than 37 years old and the VR refit, although popular, doesn’t rly fit in the park. Meanwhile, Phantasialand was denied its now 6th attempt at expanding south by the city of Brühl. The building in which crazy bats is located takes up a lot of space, it’s about as big as Mexico. The Hollywood ride already got closed last year and I’m afraid, crazy bats will be next. Phantasialand simply doesn’t have the space to keep it.
So odd to me that in the UK even from a young age we all know and hear about the big parks in America, even Disney Paris, but rarely hear about these other parks even though they are just incredible! I only know about them through becoming an enthusiast! It’s 100% on my to do list and I am so excited to one day go! Part of me, even as a big Disney lover would even choose this over returning to Orlando!!
It’s crazy. My partner said the same, before she met me all she knew was Disney and Universal and I’ve taken her to Efteling and Phantasialand both of which I’d say are better!
what bothers me about Crazy Bats without VR is not even the darkness (I think it's not as dark as Vogel Rok), but the silence... it's somehow eerie! Btw. next time try out the drop towers by Colorado, they're quite fun and you'll get some nice views of the coaster. ;)
You're right - Crazy Bats without the VR is very similar to doing Vogel Rok, except longer. I remember riding it back when it was Temple of the Night Hawk, and all I really remember being able to see were little specks of light from the Hollywood Tour ride which was located below.
Phantasialand would never. On such a large project they go all or nothing, and likely they will rip it up the next years. Sad, as they used to have many great dark rides@@coaster_dad
I'm willing to fight you on the Geister Rikscha and Würmling Express. It's probably the nostalgia speaking, but I had the most intense discussions about the world, deep-set trauma and men on these rides 😂 Hope they're staying put for many years to come!
The first time i rode Crazy Bats my headset didn't work and it's just completely dark inside. Not like the time it was called Space center when you could see some stars and an Astronaut with his capsule.
Before I watched this vlog, I knew that there would be an awful lot of rides that you would keep, purely because I know you really love this theme park. Totally agree with all your selections for the keep pile.
The main problem with Black Mamba is the 2 sliding lockers in the station. As a ride op, you have to wait for basically everyone to get their bags and start leaving before opening the gates. Taron and FLY don't have this problem, since FLYs lockers are completely disconnected from the ride itself and Taron's are double sided. That's why the crew at Mamba will sometimes hurry people out of the station when there's a long line.
A great video as always mate 😁👍. It looks like an amazing park with some ace theming, I really hope to get out there one day. It looks like you had a great time mate 😊😁. Is this your favourite park you’ve ever visited bud? 😊😊
As a German, you pronounced Geister Rikscha perfectly and give you a pass on Würmling Express. Well done. Last time I was in Phantasia, it was before the fire in 2001. I've still seen the Tanagra Theater and the Grand canyon Rollercoaster. Even the Silver Mine and the Hollywood boat ride. From what I can see, Phantasialand seems to back away from a family themeing and is aiming more for thrill rides. A lot of rides from my childhood memory are gone. Geister Rikscha is the only remaining of the old attractions and, well, I wouldn't tear it down but give it a grand refurbishment and overhaul to put it more on par with the rest of the park. They did exchange and alter some scenes over the years but like Hollywood Tour, it seems the Rikscha is in a severe state of decline With that out of the way, Phantasialand is not that far away and I booked myself a stay in May. I'm so looking forward to see how much has changed. And at my late 30ies, I'm finally brave enough to try out Mystery Castle. I was on Tower of Terror last year at Disney Paris, I had the best time in my life.
It would be great to see Geister Rickscha get some attention because it definitely feels run down compared to the rest of the park. Enjoy your trip in May I’m sure you’ll have a great time 😀
I wonder if switching from trainers to tatical crocs for water rides is the way to go? Also when visiting Europa park, the Yullbe pro near Rulantica is a must visit (make sure not to choose the standard Yullbe)
I brought some waterproof shoes (as well as waterproof coasters and a coat) for Chiapas, but the water in the boat came flying from one end to the other and filled my shoes with water! So yeah, something like crocs probably work better!!
Feng Ju palace has it's show on english aswell, as far as I know. Maybe ask the operator next time. Basically it's about a samurai trying to take and marry the girl and the other guy is fighting for her. At the end of the preshow the samurai takes the girl away and prepares a Wedding ceremony (The ride is the Wedding ceremony crashed by the guy he took the girl from)
Taron is incredibly efficient, huh? They let the passengers off prior to moving the train into the station. Dual sided lockers. Just obvious stuff that we just don't do well in the UK 😢 My mum injured her hip on the "fun" house 😅😅😅
I grew up with this park and visited it with my parents every year. Now i go with my Family there. Phantasialand is my favourite park. It doesn't need to hide behind Disneyland at all in my opinion. The Geister-Riksha is a tradition to ride once every visit, but its about 40 years old, as is the Feng-Shu Temple. While they do update things in other areas every year, i think the attractions in China are past their times and maybe need a replacement.
That's my problem with it. Seems like it'd be such a fun ride, but spent the whole ride bracing myself as my back and sides were getting hammered the whole time! It'd be such a great ride with better seats!!
Phantasialand rides remind me alot of rides like the Smiler. They arent coasters, they are Experiences where a perfectly fitting coaster was put inside to round the experience. If you start to compare immersive coasters that try to get to the "feels" of its riders to the next big RMCs or stuff like that that are just really really good coasters, you get nowhere. Fly, Taron and Smiler would never work without their theming. And their themes would never work without the rides. Theres really not much like this out there.
i rode crazy bats in 2021 when the VR wasn’t running (due to the you-know-what), and it was honestly the most disorientating, nausea inducing ride i’ve ever done. i loathed it.
Yeah curious how some people managed this. I assume the meta glasses. But even then since we had to take off a hat I’d think they’d be against glasses.
Taron is great, but the park is overrated unfortunately. The world class theming does not make up for an average ride lineup, occasional rude staff and slow queues.
Crazy Bats is actually quite a special case, especially for Phantasialand. The ride originally opened as „Space Center“ all the way back in 1988. It was the first ever indoor coaster in germany and the first (and as far as I know) only example of the Vekoma Mk900. As the name suggests, Space Center originally featured a space themed ride with planets and projections within, simulating a flight through a galaxy. The sort of „cut out“ panels you see in the queue were made out of glass with little rooms and animatronics behind. Next to it, the now closed Hollywood tour opened in the same building.
When Wuze-Town opened in 2001, the ride got a new theme, now being called „Temple of the Night Hawk“. The space elements were removed and smaller things like artificial leaves were added in the station. The main hall was now completely blacked out but initially it featured a hawk projection following the train through the layout. That effect was deactivated after a few years. The ride ran under this name till 2019 and it basically became a legend in the german coaster community. Very few ppl haven’t been on this ride as kids and for most, this has been the ride that got them into the enthusiast community.
I don’t know wether this is still the case but at least until early 2024, you could still experience a part of this „legend“. The first lift hill out of the station had flashing light effects that were kept even after the ride became a VR coaster, which can still be seen if you take off your VR goggles.
Since 2019, the ride is operating under the „crazy bats“ license, themed after the movie happy family. Nothing major was changed except repainting the queue and station and adding ice cutouts.
However, although it kinda hurts, this coaster will be closed within the next few years. The ride is now more than 37 years old and the VR refit, although popular, doesn’t rly fit in the park. Meanwhile, Phantasialand was denied its now 6th attempt at expanding south by the city of Brühl. The building in which crazy bats is located takes up a lot of space, it’s about as big as Mexico. The Hollywood ride already got closed last year and I’m afraid, crazy bats will be next. Phantasialand simply doesn’t have the space to keep it.
Thank you for the detailed info 😀
So odd to me that in the UK even from a young age we all know and hear about the big parks in America, even Disney Paris, but rarely hear about these other parks even though they are just incredible! I only know about them through becoming an enthusiast!
It’s 100% on my to do list and I am so excited to one day go!
Part of me, even as a big Disney lover would even choose this over returning to Orlando!!
It’s crazy. My partner said the same, before she met me all she knew was Disney and Universal and I’ve taken her to Efteling and Phantasialand both of which I’d say are better!
what bothers me about Crazy Bats without VR is not even the darkness (I think it's not as dark as Vogel Rok), but the silence... it's somehow eerie! Btw. next time try out the drop towers by Colorado, they're quite fun and you'll get some nice views of the coaster. ;)
Ah nice. I just thought they looked very kiddie 😉
You're right - Crazy Bats without the VR is very similar to doing Vogel Rok, except longer. I remember riding it back when it was Temple of the Night Hawk, and all I really remember being able to see were little specks of light from the Hollywood Tour ride which was located below.
Ah. I didn’t miss anything then 😉
I agree with everything! Wish that geister rickshaw could just have an update because I love a dark ride!
Agreed. But given the length it would take some extensive work to update it. Unless they tackled it a few scenes at a time.
Phantasialand would never. On such a large project they go all or nothing, and likely they will rip it up the next years. Sad, as they used to have many great dark rides@@coaster_dad
@ yes that’s true! Then you might as well have made one from the ground up! Love the content, keep it up 👍
I'm willing to fight you on the Geister Rikscha and Würmling Express. It's probably the nostalgia speaking, but I had the most intense discussions about the world, deep-set trauma and men on these rides 😂 Hope they're staying put for many years to come!
Ha ha. Fair enough. You win 😉
The first time i rode Crazy Bats my headset didn't work and it's just completely dark inside. Not like the time it was called Space center when you could see some stars and an Astronaut with his capsule.
Before I watched this vlog, I knew that there would be an awful lot of rides that you would keep, purely because I know you really love this theme park. Totally agree with all your selections for the keep pile.
I knew I’d keep a lot but even I was surprised how many! 😳
fun fact: Colorado Adventure was opend by Michael Jackson and was many years called the Michael Jackson thrill ride
Interesting!
The main problem with Black Mamba is the 2 sliding lockers in the station. As a ride op, you have to wait for basically everyone to get their bags and start leaving before opening the gates. Taron and FLY don't have this problem, since FLYs lockers are completely disconnected from the ride itself and Taron's are double sided. That's why the crew at Mamba will sometimes hurry people out of the station when there's a long line.
Ahhhhhh makes sense.
A great video as always mate 😁👍. It looks like an amazing park with some ace theming, I really hope to get out there one day. It looks like you had a great time mate 😊😁. Is this your favourite park you’ve ever visited bud? 😊😊
mmm. it's up there, not sure what my favourite park is to be honest 🤔
@ What about Efteling mate ? 😊👍🤔
As a German, you pronounced Geister Rikscha perfectly and give you a pass on Würmling Express. Well done.
Last time I was in Phantasia, it was before the fire in 2001. I've still seen the Tanagra Theater and the Grand canyon Rollercoaster. Even the Silver Mine and the Hollywood boat ride. From what I can see, Phantasialand seems to back away from a family themeing and is aiming more for thrill rides. A lot of rides from my childhood memory are gone. Geister Rikscha is the only remaining of the old attractions and, well, I wouldn't tear it down but give it a grand refurbishment and overhaul to put it more on par with the rest of the park. They did exchange and alter some scenes over the years but like Hollywood Tour, it seems the Rikscha is in a severe state of decline
With that out of the way, Phantasialand is not that far away and I booked myself a stay in May. I'm so looking forward to see how much has changed. And at my late 30ies, I'm finally brave enough to try out Mystery Castle. I was on Tower of Terror last year at Disney Paris, I had the best time in my life.
It would be great to see Geister Rickscha get some attention because it definitely feels run down compared to the rest of the park.
Enjoy your trip in May I’m sure you’ll have a great time 😀
I wonder if switching from trainers to tatical crocs for water rides is the way to go? Also when visiting Europa park, the Yullbe pro near Rulantica is a must visit (make sure not to choose the standard Yullbe)
Crocs probably would work. I’m just lazy and wear the same shoes day in, day out until they’re dead 😂
I brought some waterproof shoes (as well as waterproof coasters and a coat) for Chiapas, but the water in the boat came flying from one end to the other and filled my shoes with water!
So yeah, something like crocs probably work better!!
As always thanks so much
No problem 😀
Feng Ju palace has it's show on english aswell, as far as I know. Maybe ask the operator next time. Basically it's about a samurai trying to take and marry the girl and the other guy is fighting for her. At the end of the preshow the samurai takes the girl away and prepares a Wedding ceremony (The ride is the Wedding ceremony crashed by the guy he took the girl from)
Ah didn’t know that. Thanks for the info.
Taron is incredibly efficient, huh? They let the passengers off prior to moving the train into the station. Dual sided lockers. Just obvious stuff that we just don't do well in the UK 😢
My mum injured her hip on the "fun" house 😅😅😅
And if your child is
The whole park puts the UK to shame!
I grew up with this park and visited it with my parents every year. Now i go with my Family there. Phantasialand is my favourite park. It doesn't need to hide behind Disneyland at all in my opinion. The Geister-Riksha is a tradition to ride once every visit, but its about 40 years old, as is the Feng-Shu Temple. While they do update things in other areas every year, i think the attractions in China are past their times and maybe need a replacement.
id do meh for colorado adventure just because of how uncomfortable the seats are on your back, but its an amazing coaster other than that
That is a fair criticism. They aren’t adult friendly for sure!
@@coaster_dad tbf im quite short im only 5'1 and my mum is 5'2 and we both found it really uncomfortable
Back and Knee if you're taller than 6"/183cm
@@CavHDeu Tip: Cross your legs if you're riding alone! That way you wont hurt your knees! (Your back is still screwed though lol)
That's my problem with it. Seems like it'd be such a fun ride, but spent the whole ride bracing myself as my back and sides were getting hammered the whole time! It'd be such a great ride with better seats!!
Phantasialand rides remind me alot of rides like the Smiler.
They arent coasters, they are Experiences where a perfectly fitting coaster was put inside to round the experience. If you start to compare immersive coasters that try to get to the "feels" of its riders to the next big RMCs or stuff like that that are just really really good coasters, you get nowhere. Fly, Taron and Smiler would never work without their theming. And their themes would never work without the rides. Theres really not much like this out there.
The pre show at Feng Ju Palace is NOT the ride
True but it’s part of the experience. And I wasn’t that impressed with the ride either.
Agree with everything but crazy bats 🤣🤢 made me feel so sick
🙈
i rode crazy bats in 2021 when the VR wasn’t running (due to the you-know-what), and it was honestly the most disorientating, nausea inducing ride i’ve ever done. i loathed it.
🙈
It's Colorado Adventure, not Colorado Express. 💀
Ha ha. Ooops
Geister Rikshah needs to be teared down, it's horribly old and boring and useless.
Yup
ua-cam.com/video/c-30ewAQIrk/v-deo.html FLY onride
Yeah curious how some people managed this. I assume the meta glasses. But even then since we had to take off a hat I’d think they’d be against glasses.
Fly is overrated and very uncomfortable
I’ll agree with overrated as I do love it but prefer Taron. But for me personally I find it very comfortable
Taron is great, but the park is overrated unfortunately.
The world class theming does not make up for an average ride lineup, occasional rude staff and slow queues.
I guess I’ve been lucky. Lots of people have mentioned rude staff but thankfully not experienced it!