TPJThemeParkJames

Day 5: Parc des Combes and Le Pal

Fortnight in France

A long wait for pizza and a grand technical tour on the first two park day of the trip...

Wednesday 5th July 2023

Day 5 started with us swapping over to a new coach, as the previous one we had been given did not have a toilet (and a toilet would very welcome for emergencies with so many long drives ahead of us!) Thankfully it was a slightly later start than the previous day too, with a departure time of 0745.

It was also the first day of the trip on which we would be visiting two parks: Parc des Combes in the morning and Le Pal in the afternoon.

We were soon travelling through the sunflower fields on a wonderful French summer morning

We were soon travelling through the sunflower fields on a wonderful French summer morning

Parc des Combes

We arrived at Parc des Combes around 0930

We arrived at Parc des Combes around 0930

Although the park would not be open to the public for another hour, we were walked around by one of their maintenance engineers who ran the coasters for us

Although the park would not be open to the public for another hour, we were walked around by one of their maintenance engineers who ran the coasters for us

First up was Déval'Train

First up was Déval'Train

It was a small Vekoma family mine train coaster

It was a small Vekoma family mine train coaster

Next was Boomerang, a Vekoma Family, errr, Boomerang

Next was Boomerang, a Vekoma Family, errr, Boomerang

Top of the spike

Top of the spike

Going forwards ... or backwards

Going forwards ... or backwards

And finally, the park's <a href='../../../../theme-parks/europe/france/parc-des-combes/rides/alpine-coaster/'>Alpine Coaster</a>

And finally, the park's Alpine Coaster

It was short, but fun

It was short, but fun

One of Parc des Combes' big attractions is a train that goes out of the park - we hoped we could take a ride, but it only runs in the afternoon

One of Parc des Combes' big attractions is a train that goes out of the park - we hoped we could take a ride, but it only runs in the afternoon

The Nautic Jet made a good substitute

The Nautic Jet made a good substitute

Arms up

Arms up

Flying through the air

Flying through the air

Splash down

Splash down

Survived

Survived

Grand Galop

Grand Galop

Some of the horses were slower than others!

Some of the horses were slower than others!

Our group meal was at Pizza Nuts, which was right at the top of the hill

Our group meal was at Pizza Nuts, which was right at the top of the hill

They weren't really set up to cope, and it took over an hour for everybody to get something to eat

They weren't really set up to cope, and it took over an hour for everybody to get something to eat

Le Pal

The second park of the day was Le Pal, which was celebrating its 50th anniversary

The second park of the day was Le Pal, which was celebrating its 50th anniversary

It was a large park with a lot to see, so we had no time to waste

It was a large park with a lot to see, so we had no time to waste

<a href='../../../../theme-parks/europe/france/le-pal/rides/le-tigre-de-siberie/'>Tigre de Sibérie</a> was our first stop

Tigre de Sibérie was our first stop

Followed by the jungle themed <a href='../../../../theme-parks/europe/france/le-pal/rides/azteka/'>Azteca</a>

Followed by the jungle themed Azteca

The <a href='../../../../theme-parks/europe/france/le-pal/rides/le-disque-du-soleil/'>Disk'O Coaster</a> had a bit of airtime

The Disk'O Coaster had a bit of airtime

<a href='../../../../theme-parks/europe/france/le-pal/rides/le-twist/'>Twist</a> was spinny

Twist was spinny

I convinced the group we should have a go on the fantastic <a href='../../../../theme-parks/europe/france/le-pal/rides/king-kong/'>King Kong</a>

I convinced the group we should have a go on the fantastic King Kong

I'm not sure they all thought it was as great as I did!

I'm not sure they all thought it was as great as I did!

The final coaster at the park was <a href='../../../../theme-parks/europe/france/le-pal/rides/yukon-quad/'>Yukon Quad</a>

The final coaster at the park was Yukon Quad

It was a quadbike style launch coaster from Intamin

It was a quadbike style launch coaster from Intamin

We also had an ERS on it after the park closed

We also had an ERS on it after the park closed

That was followed by a behind the scenes technical tour of the ride

That was followed by a behind the scenes technical tour of the ride

It was very comprehensive

It was very comprehensive

Still touring behind the scenes

Still touring behind the scenes

Yet more ride tour

Yet more ride tour

Eventually we moved on to look at other parts of the park

Eventually we moved on to look at other parts of the park

Construction site for Le Pal's new 2024 water coaster

Construction site for Le Pal's new 2024 water coaster

Unfortunately the extended technical tour put us behind schedule. By the time we reached our hotel for the night 
    all the local food places had shut and it was too late to get dinner, so it was emergency biscuits before bed!

Unfortunately the extended technical tour put us behind schedule. By the time we reached our hotel for the night all the local food places had shut and it was too late to get dinner, so it was emergency biscuits before bed!

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