Poseidon is one of two Mack water coasters at Europa Park and I think it is the better
of the two. This is one of the longest water coasters in the world and it has some decent
theming too. Find out everything you need to know about Poseidon in this review.
Mack debuted their first water coaster in 1998 with Journey to Atlantis at SeaWorld Orlando.
The ride is very well-themed, but from a technical perspective, it includes an impressive ride system
combining floating and coasting sections. You have an impressive drop on full display,
but the finale features a twisted plunge you’d never get on a traditional flume.
Because of the success of the prototype, Mack built their very own water coaster at Europa Park.
This one wouldn’t feature a dark ride section. Instead, it would just showcase the ride system.
But in true Europa fashion, the ride is themed though. The ride is the centerpiece
of the Greece section of the park. The water is bright and blue. Then the station is themed to
look like the Acropolis and there are some nice facades leading up to the first lift.
Poseidon usually has a manageable wait, hovering around the 15-20 minute mark most days. Each boat
only holds up to 8 riders, but because of how many are cycling at once, this ride has a theoretical
hourly capacity approaching 1700 rides. That’s outstanding, so the line never stops moving.
The 2 abreast rows are more comfortable than you’re typical log flume since everyone has
their own designated seat and you’re restrained by a lap bar. Once checked, you float through
the best looking part of the ride. You pass an abandoned town and some ship wreckage.
Their size really envelopes you in the area. You then ascend the larger of the two lifts.
The first is 76 feet or 23 meters tall. The first section feels like one extended helix.
I feel like the intent was to show how the water coaster system could handle banked turns.
You start with a gentle U-turn into a mid-course brake run. Then you rumble down this large
twisting drop. And I use rumble deliberately. The first section of the ride has a shake to it.
This drop is followed by an uphill twist that pulls some decent Gs. This leads into yet another
mid-course brake run, which is understandable so this coaster can cycle so many vehicles.
You then rumble down another twisting drop and bank upwards into the first splashdown,
which doesn’t get you too wet. Most of the first coaster section is rather forgettable
outside of that forceful ascent unfortunately, but Poseidon saves the best for last.
You then float towards the section lift, which stands 66 feet or 20 meters tall.
At the top, you sound a slow turn and then head down the final plunge. And this drop has bizarre
profiling. Just take a look at it from the side. The drop starts with a tight crest, straightens
out briefly at a shallow angle, and then travels over a larger crest to reach it’s max angle.
I don’t know why this angling was selected, but it creates a weird experience on-ride. You get no
airtime at the start of the drop, but you get a weak pop of airtime halfway down the drop.
You then dive into a rock tunnel and zip over a bunny hill.
Despite the speed at which you take this hill, you don’t really get any airtime.
You then hit the final splashdown, which is a little wetter than the first one, especially
if you have a heavy boat. You then float past some rocks and adorable seagull animatronics on
your way back to the station, ending the 2743 foot or 836 meter long experience.
So what would I rate Poseidon? I would give this water coaster a 5 out of 10.
I like the visuals around the attraction and the free-floating sections. And the final drop while
weird, is quite good. But the first coaster section drops the ball. It’s mostly dull,
but the shake doesn’t help either. I think I prefer the feel of a traditional log flume,
but this ride did show what the water coaster ride system was capable of for future installations.
So those are my thoughts on Poseidon at Europa Park.
What are your thoughts on this water coaster? Do you enjoy this attraction?
Let me know your thoughts down in the comments. If you enjoyed this review, I’d appreciate it
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