scorecardI went to one of Europe's biggest theme parks and met my Prince Charming on a surprisingly relaxing ride
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I went to one of Europe's biggest theme parks and met my Prince Charming on a surprisingly relaxing ride

Sam Tabahriti   

I went to one of Europe's biggest theme parks and met my Prince Charming on a surprisingly relaxing ride
Insider's Sam Tabahriti and the Europa entrance.Insider
  • I went to Europa-Park, one of Europe's biggest theme parks that can welcome 60,000 visitors a day.
  • I tried several of the big rollercoasters but met my Prince Charming on a more relaxing ride.

I went to Europa-Park, one of Europe's biggest theme parks in Rust, southwest Germany, tried some crazy rides - and met my Prince Charming.

I went to Europa-Park, one of Europe
The Poseidon rollercoaster.      Philipp von Ditfurth/Getty Images

Adult tickets cost $57 (€55) and parking is $8. An aquatic park called "Rulantica" is also attached to Europa.

Adult tickets cost $57 (€55) and parking is $8. An aquatic park called "Rulantica" is also attached to Europa.
The park's mascot is Ed Euromaus.      Europa-Park

As I arrived at the entrance of the park, which can accommodate 60,000 guests a day, I became a kid again – excitement took over.

As I arrived at the entrance of the park, which can accommodate 60,000 guests a day, I became a kid again – excitement took over.
The entrance of the park.      Sebastien Bozon/AFP via Getty Images

I was so excited to hop on all the rollercoasters, including this wooden ride called Wodan. It's noisy, but it is the one I laughed the most on.

I was so excited to hop on all the rollercoasters, including this wooden ride called Wodan. It
A view of the Wodan.      Insider

Sun was out – it reached nearly 100 degrees that day, and it couldn't be more pleasant. The park wasn't too crowded and the longest we waited to get on a ride was 45 minutes.

Sun was out – it reached nearly 100 degrees that day, and it couldn
Insider's Sam Tabahriti.      Insider

Queue times vary, depending on what days you visit, but the queues tend to move quickly. There could be a 60-minute queue for Silver Star, but you rarely get held in one spot for too long.

Queue times vary, depending on what days you visit, but the queues tend to move quickly. There could be a 60-minute queue for Silver Star, but you rarely get held in one spot for too long.
Queues at the entrance of the park.      Philipp von Ditfurth/Getty Images

What surprised me was the church in the middle of the park. Its website says: "We consider the stave church as an oasis of quiet in the midst of fun-filled liveliness, between wildwater rafting and rollercoasters." It can be used for "a wedding anniversary, a themed service or a surprising conversation with us."

What surprised me was the church in the middle of the park. Its website says: "We consider the stave church as an oasis of quiet in the midst of fun-filled liveliness, between wildwater rafting and rollercoasters." It can be used for "a wedding anniversary, a themed service or a surprising conversation with us."
A church is located in the middle of the park.      Insider

The park is massive – about 234 acres, or 95 hectares. It has six hotels, a campground and a movie theater.

The park is massive – about 234 acres, or 95 hectares. It has six hotels, a campground and a movie theater.
The park was not too crowded when I visited.      Insider

The Silver Star is probably one of my favorite rollercoasters. Fast and smooth, it feels as though you're flying. Compared with the Wodan, this one is gentle and it doesn't feel shaky.

The Silver Star is probably one of my favorite rollercoasters. Fast and smooth, it feels as though you
Silver Star.      Silas Stein/Getty Images

The park has many rides involving water. I wouldn't have minded a swim that day, but I went fjord rafting instead.

The park has many rides involving water. I wouldn
Fjord rafting.      Andrew Parsons/Getty Images

The Atlantica SuperSplash is also a great way to cool down. It starts by going up, before descending backwards and then hitting the big splash.

The Atlantica SuperSplash is also a great way to cool down. It starts by going up, before descending backwards and then hitting the big splash.
Atlantica SuperSplash.      Sebastien Bozon/Getty Images

The park has everything you could want, from children's rides to extreme rollercoasters for the most daring. There are even two ways of getting from one end of the park to the other: a train and a tram called the EP Express.

The park has everything you could want, from children
Blue Fire, one of the two biggest rollercoasters.      Europa-Park

The EP Express takes you from Spain to the other side of Europa-Park, stopping at Greece, Germany and the hotels.

The EP Express takes you from Spain to the other side of Europa-Park, stopping at Greece, Germany and the hotels.
EP Express.      Europa-Park

The park has more than 100 attractions and shows, 13 rollercoasters, and 18 themed areas including France – where I am from.

The park has more than 100 attractions and shows, 13 rollercoasters, and 18 themed areas including France – where I am from.
A map of Europa-Park.      Europa-Park

The "Quartier Français" (French area) has bridges resembling those in Paris, as wel as restaurants with terraces. The smell of crepes filled the air, and music was playing softly in the background.

The "Quartier Français" (French area) has bridges resembling those in Paris, as wel as restaurants with terraces. The smell of crepes filled the air, and music was playing softly in the background.
The park's French restaurant.      Insider

It even has a replica of the Moulin Rouge – a landmark of Parisian nightlife that has been lit up on Montmartre since the 19th century – and a ride called the CanCan Coaster.

It even has a replica of the Moulin Rouge – a landmark of Parisian nightlife that has been lit up on Montmartre since the 19th century – and a ride called the CanCan Coaster.
A replica of the Moulin Rouge.      Insider

After a long day of being thrown into the air, having an adrenaline overdose, it was time for a calmer ride.

After a long day of being thrown into the air, having an adrenaline overdose, it was time for a calmer ride.
Josefina’s Magical Imperial Journey.      Insider

I was surprised how this calm ride made me feel. I wasn't ready for what came next.

I was surprised how this calm ride made me feel. I wasn
Josefina's Magical Imperial Journey.      Insider

My Prince Charming, who was holding a golden rose, had been waiting for me this whole time. He looked at me and I knew straight away: let us continue this journey together.

My Prince Charming, who was holding a golden rose, had been waiting for me this whole time. He looked at me and I knew straight away: let us continue this journey together.
Statue of my charming prince.      Insider

As we glided along, he introduced me to his mother (or so I assumed), Josefina. She was elegant and looked at me kindly.

As we glided along, he introduced me to his mother (or so I assumed), Josefina. She was elegant and looked at me kindly.
Josefina’s Magical Imperial Journey.      Insider

Josefina's Magical Imperial Journey was truly magical. My day ended on a positive note and despite its madness I still felt rested.

Josefina
Josefina's Magical Imperial Journey.      Insider

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