Rulantica at Europa-Park recently celebrated its second anniversary, and with more to discover at this water world than ever before, we went to experience everything it has to offer.

With recent additions including Germany's largest outdoor water playground, Svalgurok, and the innovative Snorri Snorkling VR attraction, there has never been a better time to visit Rulantica.

We stayed at the museum-themed 4* hotel Krønasår, connected to Rulantica.

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Rulantica

The Nordic-themed Rulantica opened in 2019, a huge indoor and outdoor complex with 12 themed areas and 27 slides. It's a €180 million addition to the Europa-Park resort that provides a fantastic reason for guests extend their stay.

In the 32,600m² indoor area, which is open throughout the year from 10am until 10pm, there are 25 attractions including 17 water slides, Germany’s largest indoor wave pool, a relaxing 'lazy river', and a choice of places to eat, drink and shop.

The most thrilling attractions are the daunting vertical drop slides Dugdrob and Vildfål, rapid rafting slides Svalgur Rytt and Vinter Rytt, tube slide Stormvind and Isbrekker, a pair of jump slides that launch riders into the air above a lagoon.

Slightly less intense but just as exciting are the racing tube slides Munin and Hugin, tube slide Två Fall and wild raging river Vildstrøm.

The spectacular wave pool Surf Fjørd is a lovely place to enjoy a swim until it suddenly comes to life and the calm bay turns into a whitewater adventure.

Snorri's Saga is a relaxing 'lazy river' ride all around the water world, through magical tunnels with lights and sound effects, screens and animated scenes. It's beautifully done and one of the highlights of Rulantica.

The mystic Trøll Valley is perfectly suited to younger visitors, and there are plenty of other features that have been designed to appeal to all ages.

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We were impressed with the food offering at the self-service restaurant Lumålunda and the swim-up bar Skogbar where you can enjoy drinks in the alpine-themed lagoon. In the evening, we enjoyed some cocktails at the outdoor swim-up bar Tempel Krog, surrounded by atmospheric lighting and fire pits.

Once you're inside Rulantica there's no need to carry cash or cards with you to buy food and drink, you simply tap your entry wristband at the pay points and the charges are automatically added to your account which is settled when you leave. It's a little touch like this that makes the whole experience feel so effortless.

There are some other aspects available at an additional cost, including the Hyggedal relaxation and sauna area, and various upgraded lounging options. However, with more than 2,000 deckchairs to use when taking a break from the slides and other attractions, there is plenty of space.

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Svalgurok

The centrepiece of this newly-created outdoor expansion is a 2.5 tonne moving snake head with various effects. Embedded in the spectacular feature are 10 more slides providing even more fun for all ages. The body slide Stormrok starts at the very top and features a dramatic funnel finale and Vågorrok enables guests to race each other as they travel down and gain extra speed with short drops. The huge 'tipping bucket’ is filled with 2,500 litres of water, then eventually overflows and drenches anyone beneath it!

At nighttime the whole structure comes to life with a superb lighting design and because the water is heated even when it gets cooler outside the fun doesn't have to stop. Svalgurok is open seasonally along with the new Snorri Strand water play area for younger children.

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Snorri Snorkling VR

Snorri, who is very much the mascot of Rulantica, welcomes guests for a very special dive. Adults and children from 12 years old and 1.25m tall can dive into the world of Rulantica and go on a unique underwater tour alongside Snorri. The attraction was developed and implemented by MackNeXT in cooperation with VR Coaster. Guests simply put on a real snorkel and VR 'diving goggles' once in the water then begin a virtual adventure with the character.

An additional ticket for €6 is required for the VR underwater experience, which is located in two separate pools across from the Skog Lagoon.

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Krønasår

This 4* resort hotel is located adjacent to Rulantica, and has been modelled after a natural history museum. In the entrance area, hotel guests discover the impressive skeleton of a sea serpent, part of a story about 'the legendary island of Rulantica’.

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Krønasår can accommodate up to 1,300 overnight guests. After a day in the Europa-Park theme park or the Rulantica water park, the themed hotel offers guests of all ages very stylish accommodation with a Nordic flair. The restaurant Bubba Svens, designed in the style of an old boathouse, offers a wide range of options while the fine dining restaurant Tre Krønen serves up higher end options. Café Konditori and Bar Erikssøn complete the culinary offers in the seven storey hotel. A bridge links the hotel with Rulantica, providing guests with direct access and early entry, plus a frequent shuttle bus transports guests to and from Europa-Park where a dedicated entrance also allows early entry.

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Our 'Standard Plus' room on a high floor had a view of Rulantica, two super comfy double beds, air-conditioning, bathroom with shower and a separate toilet. All the essentials you would expect were provided, including flat screen TV, desk, phone, Wi-Fi and complimentary mineral water. There are various types of rooms available including those designed specially for families, with bunk beds for children. 

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From the moment we arrived, with a warm and welcoming check-in, our delicious lunch outside on the terrace overlooking the water, our meals in the restaurant and drinks in the bar, to a friendly goodbye at the end of our stay, the service couldn't have been better.

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Europa-Park

Europe's second most visited theme park, attracting over 5.5 million people a year. There are 18 themed lands with over 100 rides and attractions, including 13 roller coasters.

It was wonderful revisiting all of the best rides and attractions from our previous visit when we were invited to the opening of Voletarium, but as so much at Europa-Park has been updated and refreshed since then, we had lots more to enjoy too. The highlights included the return of Pirates in Batavia, new-look Eurosat - CanCan Coaster and Coastiality VR experience, surreal Madame Freudenreich Curiosités and delightful Jim Button – Journey through Morrowland. 

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The mythology of Rulantica and adventures of Snorri continued in Europa-Park, with three attractions linked to adventures in the water world:

Snorri Touren

In this new dark ride, cheeky octopus Snorri takes guests to the mysterious island of Rulantica and shows you his home. Get ready for an adventurous journey, where you undertake an expedition in a rubber dinghy to the fantastic world of Rulantica and discover the various themed areas of this magical island.

Your tour starts in Trølldal, where the trolls celebrate a big party and Snorri plays the drums. Afterwards you will discover a wonderful and colourful underwater world, where the the sea people swim curiously around the boats of the visitors. At the end of the tour you come face to face with the sea serpent Svalgur. The clever and unexpected simulator section of the ride really enhances the experience.

Mack Rides worked with Jora Vision to create Snorri Touren and it was recognised with the TEA Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement last year.

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Snorri's Adventure

A new 360-degree experience in the Dome of Dreams, where Snorri takes guests on a journey into the magical underwater world of Rulantica.

Sitting or laying back, guests dive into the depth of the ocean to enjoy a breath-taking all around view in the dome. Around them, colourful coral reefs reach far into the distance, fish and playful dolphins swim with Snorri above their heads, majestic whales are slowly gliding past. But the calm doesn't last long! In the bustling underwater city of Aquamaris, a Kelpie, a wild water horse, creates all sorts of trouble.

When Snorri then steals a couple of delicious baked sea stars, a speedy and funny chase begins, all over Rulantica. From the mystical Kelp forest with its metre high seagrass and shining jellyfish, all the way to the city of ice, where Snorri accidently wakes Svalgur, the ancient sea serpent, during his escape. Luckily, he can always count on his friends Finja and Mats, with whom he has mastered several adventures in the Rulantica novels already.

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Journey to Rulantica

In this fascinating exhibition, discover the origins of the new water world, including concept models and artist's impressions. A multimedia show in the rotating theatre shares more about the history behind Rulantica and the projection screens enable you to experience some of the water attractions virtually.

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Our visit included two nights at Krønasår, one day in Rulantica and one day in Europa-Park. To book your short break at this award-winning resort in Germany, head over to www.europapark.de

We were guests of Europa-Park for the purposes of this review.