France 09/25 – Fééryland + Jardin d’Acclimatation
It’s 2025, so about time to go pick up some new for Spring/Summer rides, in September.
Timing and location of the first park of the day meant that we actually didn’t require a disgustingly early Chunnel for once, so that was refreshing and civilised.
What park?
Day 1 – Fééryland
Have previously driven past this place, formerly known as Bal Parc, many, many times. Regularly saw the sign, or it pop up on coaster count as ‘nearest’, but it only contained a couple of dirty kiddie coasters, for too much money and some potential weird looks.
Not that the latter has ever been a consideration.
As of 2024 they rebranded, and in 2025 they’re up to a +4. We needed something to do, so took the plunge.
Arrived at opening with a soft spring rain in the air, bought some tickets, gates were opened, time for business.
Tried to start strong on the Dragon but, establishing a theme for the morning, it was having drive tyre troubles in the wet conditions.
Newest cred is the SBF spinner, #1 Magic Twist, which was also slipping on it’s tyres rather nicely, but cycling nonetheless. The operator gave a concerned look to a man that shall from henceforth be known as Mr. Fééry, who gave a nod of approval to let us on.
On we went, round it went, I’d like to say that SBF are actually improving over time, haven’t noticed the horrible transition on the final corner into the station on these in a good while. Hope I’m right.
To further test that theory, went over to the other SBF coaster, #2 Grand Prix. The operator gave a concerned look to Mr. Fééry, who was continuing to power around the park in front of us with an immense sense of authority. He gave a nod of approval to let us on.
On we went, round it went, once again the horrible corner transition at the base of this model was not present on this particular installation, even though it was travelling at a million miles per hour in the wet. It was brutally fast and forceful for what it is, but not rough.
After three laps it then overshot the station because of the speed, then couldn’t park itself because wet tyres. Oops.
Mr. Fééry powered into the ride area, almost dying himself on the slippery wet track to get to us, before an engineer also joined him. Tried once more to park it, no good, then voluntarily valleyed us, reset the ride and manually pushed us onto the lift tyres.
It took the smell of burning rubber to make it happen, but we commenced another amazing three lap cycle and then barely, barely managed to park it again at the end. Legendary.
Old mate wacky worm #3 Pomme doesn’t care about the rain, ran like a dream, parked like a dream. I like his stumpier than usual antenna, which are harder for children to brutalise.
Final mission was to get on #4 Balade du Dragon. The operator was continuously trying to make it happen, in manual mode, backing it out of the station for maximum run up and flooring the slippy tyres in order to make it clear the hump. Legendary.
Eventually it made it, to much celebration, and then 30 children descended on the ride in front of us.
This led to a nervous moment, would it make it while now full of riders, or would we be spited?
It made it, squeaked by and then only got stronger from then on as everyone’s confidence was built.
By the time it was our turn, we couldn’t fail. Go dragon go. Park complete.
Great park for our specific needs, got the job done effectively. Next.
Jardin d’Acclimatation
Round of applause for this park too, who managed to open their new for 2025 attraction in March. March. Imagine that.
Parked up on a street next to the back entrance of the park, to beat the reasonably substantial looking queues at the main entrance and for maximum geographical efficiency in reaching the two new coasters.
First up is the temporary #5 Fils du Dragon, the placeholder between the sad demise of their old Dragon Chinois and the construction of their new Dragon-themed coaster.
This one is the rare wacky worm with diagonal lift hill layout, scary clearances and a scarier face. It’s leaving at the end of this season so perfect time to get it.
The real deal is the new #6 Défi du Dragon, another fine looking creation from Gerstlauer.
Love the theming here, for some reason my immediate first thought was that it makes Crapterra look like crap. Wonder why.
There’s some beautiful details in the station, from intricate carvings to the hosing tap for ‘essential cleaning’ having a dragon on it.
Knew this model had shenanigans, but didn’t know what they were. Took me watching it once and then riding it once, to figure out what happens.
Launches out of the station into a standard first half of the layout which is some swoopy fun.
Then you stop on a turntable, and the train can randomly turn 90° in either direction.
From there it does a random swing launch – either forwards, backwards, forwards or backwards, forwards backwards, resulting in four total possible combinations.
The second half is just a closed circuit with a wiggly bit at the highest point of the ride, over the station, then you hit the turntable again and turn back into the station.
I think.
Great ride anyway, bit faffy on one train but it didn’t matter in the slightest. Would be fun to see it run two. Gerstlauer have done it again, and what a year they’ve had.
Paultons, 2026.
Headed into the rest of the park to see what was up. Sadly the violent Soquet was out of action, though probably wouldn’t have paid for it again and risk ruining it’s reputation. We know how these things can go.
Speed Rockets should always be good fun though, walked straight onto it and was treated to more Gerstlauer goodness that isn’t a Eurofighter.
Love the unconventional layout on this thing, very different from all the standard and cloney ones, it does plenty of funky stuff.
Had a bit more time to kill on the car parking, so took a mooch around some Korean festival that was going on. Arm wrestling was happening on a stage. Not sure what the connection was.
Saw whatever this is.
Whatever this is.
And some donkeys with no hats.
Great park, given we didn’t let them rip us off this time.
Love the way they’ve tidied up the new area, the quality of their recent investments and the tranquil vibe of the place.
Wish all capital cities had a green space this pleasant and full of creds.