Our travels usually take us all around the globe. This time, however, we went to Phantasialand in Germany between Cologne and Bonn. We are big fans of rollercoasters and Phantasialand has often been recommended to us as the best theme park in Germany and even in Europe! That’s why we finally wanted to see this world of adventure for ourselves. In this post, you will find out how we liked Phantasialand and whether it’s worth a visit!
Phantasialand – a unique theme park in Europe
Even at first glance, Phantasialand is more than just an amusement park. With its six detailed themed worlds, it attracts visitors from all over the world and takes them on an adventure around the globe and even through time! The activities are the ideal mix of action and fun, offering something for adrenaline junkies and families alike. Each world is designed to transport its visitors to a completely different environment – be it Africa in “Deep in Africa” or the ancient Middle Ages in the “Mystery” world. The attention to detail in the design of each area ensures that you no longer feel like you are in Germany, but as if you have traveled through space and time.
Black Mamba
Chiapas Water Ride
The Hotel Charles Lindbergh – Sleep in a roller coaster
One of the most unique experiences that Phantasialand offers is the opportunity to spend the night right next to a rollercoaster. The three adventure hotels in the park offer direct access to the attractions and each hotel has its own unique theme and is therefore perfectly integrated into the respective theme world. The newest of these, the Hotel Charles Lindbergh, is located in the Rookburgh theme world and is completely dedicated to the theme of flying.
The special airship cabins
There are no regular rooms at the Hotel Charles Lindbergh; instead, you sleep in vintage-style airship cabins. They are not very big, but super cozy and offer everything you need for a comfortable stay, including two single beds and a private bathroom with shower. A special feature is that the F.L.Y. roller coaster whizzes right past the window, which provides an extra thrill, especially when you experience the speed and the “flying” visitors so close. But don’t worry, you won’t wake up in the morning to screaming rollercoaster fans: the last ride of F.L.Y. is around 7:30 – 7:40 pm and the silence lasts until 10 am the next morning when the rides reopen. I slept really well in our cabin and woke up feeling relaxed the next day.
The fact that guests at Phantasialand can sleep SO close to and in the middle of the park is unique! In other parks, the hotels are usually located outside the grounds and you often have to plan for a shuttle ride. This is an absolutely unique selling point at Phantasialand!
Benefits for hotel guests
Hotel guests also receive some exclusive benefits: Every guest receives a Fast Pass for the F.L.Y. roller coaster every day, so they don’t have to queue for the popular roller coaster. The stay also includes breakfast and a three-course dinner menu in the Uhrwerk experience restaurant. This really blew me away, especially the burger and the Poké Bowl were incredibly tasty!
In the evening, guests can relax in Bar 1919, which is also decorated in a vintage 1920s style, and sample unique cocktails and numerous international craft beers. In addition, hotel guests have exclusive access to the Rookburgh theme world after the park closes. During an evening stroll, you can see the world in a completely different light thanks to the lighting and feel like you’re on a movie set.
It would have been great if guests could also benefit from exclusive early access to attractions, but unfortunately this was not the case.
Six Theme Worlds in Phantasialand
Phantasialand has a total of six themed worlds, which take visitors to different places around the world and let them travel through time. But what is unique here is that the worlds and their attractions are perfectly linked to each other and merge seamlessly. At least one attraction winds its way through each world. It leads over and under the walkways, restaurants and other facilities. I have never experienced this in any other theme park and it is unique to Phantasialand. In addition, every detail is perfectly coordinated with each world: This starts with the restaurants with “local” food and drinks, the outfits of the staff, the music, … as a visitor you feel completely transported to another reality.
My favorite theme worlds & attractions
Deep in Africa
The ‘Deep in Africa’ theme world transports you directly to the African continent. You can stroll through an exotic landscape and experience the fast-paced Black Mamba rollercoaster, which races at high speed through and over the African town and past waterfalls. The Deep in Africa Adventure Trail also offers a unique climbing and adventure trail for all ages with suspension bridges, slides and more.
Mystery
The Mystery theme world takes its visitors back to a time long past: the Middle Age. It is home to the Taron roller coaster, a multi-launch coaster that accelerates several times and flies through the entire world. For me, it was not only the most intense roller coaster in Phantasialand, but also the most adrenaline-filled ride I have ever experienced! We seem to fly past medieval buildings and a basalt mountain range and my heart was pounding as we got off. You have to experience it for yourself to understand what I mean.
The other attractions in Mystery are also great: like the River Quest water ride – the highest white-water rafting ride in the world, which provides a nice cool-down on hot days.
China Town
China Town takes its visitors on a journey to Asia without leaving Germany. The authentically designed buildings, the detailed decorations and the Asian food offerings completely immersed me in another world, so much so that I almost forgot we were still in Europe. The focus of this world is less on roller coasters and much more on immersing yourself in the Far East.
Rookburgh
Rookburgh is the latest addition to Phantasialand and is completely dedicated to the theme of flying. It is part of the “Berlin” theme world in the style of the 1920s. The F.L.Y. roller coaster is a unique attraction in the world, which changes to a lying position shortly after take-off, giving you the feeling of really flying. Afterwards, the roller coaster whizzes through the Charles Lindbergh Hotel, where we spent the night, and past visitors on the sidewalks. A unique experience! I flew with F.L.Y. three times, but I have to admit that I felt a bit dizzy afterwards.
Fantasy
Fantasy is ideal for families with small children. The themed world offers relaxing rides, climbing opportunities and the picturesque Mondsee lake, on which you can take a pedalo ride. It is a peaceful retreat that stimulates the imagination of the youngest visitors and gives them space to playfully explore the surroundings.
How much is the entrance fee for Phantasialand and how good is the price-performance ratio?
Ticket prices vary depending on the day of the visit, the time between the desired date and the contingent. However, tickets can of course be purchased spontaneously online – if still available. Phantasialand is open one hour longer every day until August 31 – until 7:00 pm!
→ You can find the online ticket shop with a calendar and price overview here!
And the price-performance ratio? I think just over 50 euros per person is a reasonable price for a theme park of this size, because you can spend the whole day in the theme park and still discover something new every time. In addition to the attractions, there is a great all-round experience with shows, music, immersion in different worlds and gastronomic highlights from all over the world.
Pregnant women or people with disabilities, as well as their companions, receive special prices or free admission. → You can find the exact regulations here!
If you compare the price across Europe, Phantasialand is unbeatable in terms of value for money. In comparison, we paid almost €100 per person for admission to Disneyland Paris in the summer and the attractions at Phantasialand are far more varied!
An overnight stay in the unique Hotel Charles Lindbergh is already available for €399 for two people per night. This price includes two day tickets per person for Phantasialand, breakfast, a three-course dinner and fast passes for the F.L.Y. roller coaster. In combination with the incomparable experience of sleeping right next to a rollercoaster, this is a great offer and a super gift idea for a special occasion!
→ You can book your stay here!
My tip for a visit to Phantasialand – the QuickPass
For some attractions, it is worth buying a QuickPass, which allows you to ride some of the most popular attractions without queuing. It is particularly worthwhile at weekends or during the vacation season when the park is very busy. The regular QuickPass costs 10 euros for two tickets and 20 euros for the QuickPass Plus, which is also valid for Taron and the Black Mamba.
Incidentally, some attractions are completely excluded from the QuickPass. → You can find an overview here on the Phantasialand website
The Fast Pass for the popular attraction F.L.Y. is not available for purchase, it is exclusively for guests of the Charles Lindbergh Hotel.
Ohne Warten: Black Mamba mit QuickPass
F.L.Y. Fast Pass
For whom is Phantasialand the right choice?
I was absolutely thrilled with Phantasialand! The theme park is unbeatable, especially for adults and older children aged 12 and over. Unlike many other parks, there are not just one or two adrenaline-filled rollercoasters here, but a whole range of them! Of course, there are also great attractions for small children, but couples, friends and families with older children will have the best time at Phantasialand and enjoy an unforgettable time!
Extra tip for families: I think it’s a great idea that parents with small children who are not allowed on all rides only have to queue once and wait in line. This way, one parent can wait comfortably in a restaurant with the little ones and the second parent receives a special “baby switch” ticket for the second person after the regular waiting time, so they don’t have to queue again!
Opening hours at Phantasialand
Phantasialand is open daily from 9 am, but the rides do not start until 10 am. The regular closing time is 6 pm – or 7 pm in summer between June 6 and August 31. However, the closing time does not mean that the park closes punctually at this time, but that visitors can queue at an attraction at 6 pm (or 7 pm in summer) at the latest. The park closes around 30-45 minutes later.
My résumé of our visit to Phantasialand
Phantasialand offers an incomparable mix of thrills, adventure, relaxation and gastronomy, embedded in a world of fantasy and journeys around the globe and through time. With its attention to detail and immersive visitor experience, it is rightly at the top of the list of theme parks in Germany and Europe. Whether you’re looking for thrills, want to immerse yourself in other cultures or simply want to spend an unforgettable day with friends or family – Phantasialand will enchant you and is guaranteed to make you scream (I’m just saying Taron, Black Mamba or F.L.Y. 😉 ) Especially with the combination of the overnight stay at the Charles Lindbergh Adventure Hotel, our visit to Phantasialand was an unforgettable experience, which I would definitely like to repeat again!