PortAventura Timeline
The PortAventura theme park is 16 years old! Since opening its doors in 1995 as the first theme park in Spain, PortAventura has grown into a fantastic destination for family holidays in Spain. Today, PortAventura is one of Europe’s largest theme park resorts, and includes the main PortAventura theme park, PortAventura Aquatic Park, Hotel Caribe, Hotel Gold River, Hotel El Paso and Hotel PortAventura.
In its 16 year history, the theme park has had several names including Universal’s PortAventura, Universal Mediterranea and of course PortAventura, but it has always remained an incredibly popular theme park resort.
Here are our best bits!
1995 - PortAventura theme park opens. The new theme park opens near the town of Salou, on the Costa Dorada in Spain, becoming the first theme park in Spain. PortAventura is split into different themed areas, or worlds, each with its own rides, roller coasters, shops and restaurants. This is just 3 years after EuroDisney Paris opens (which later become Disneyland Paris).
1997 - PortAventura changes its name to Universal’s PortAventura theme park.
1999 - Brand new firework show, FiestAventura shows for the first time. This show amazes PortAventura’s guests with lights, water and fireworks, in the same year that Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park opens.
2000 - Universal’s PortAventura becomes Universal Mediterranea. A brand new theme park ride opens. Sea Odyssey is an underwater submarine simulator, and becomes one of the theme park’s most popular rides.
2002 - The theme park opens 2 brand new PortAventura hotels, called Hotel Villa Mediterranea and Hotel El Paso. PortAventura Aquatic Park opens.
2003 - PortAventura’s new Hotel Caribe opens, with an exotic and exciting Caribbean theme.
2005 - The theme park changes its name from Universal Mediterranea back to the original PortAventura.
2006 - PortAventura Beach Club opens. This beautiful beach club has breathtaking views of the ocean, swimming pools and relaxing spa treatments for guests of the PortAventura hotels to enjoy.
2007 - PortAventura introduces a brand new theme park ride, Furious Baco. This white-knuckle roller coaster is in the Mediterranea area of the park, and reaches speeds of up to 135km per hour.
2009 - Hotel Gold River PortAventura opens. This fantastic new hotel transports guests back to the American Wild West, and is the ideal accommodation for PortAventura holidays.
2010 - PortAventura is 15! The whole theme park celebrates this great anniversary with special shows, parades and PortAventura special offers.
2011 - This year PortAventura opened SesamoAventura, a themed area inspired by the cartoon universe and the world of Sesame Street. As the park's 6th theme area it offers eleven new rides and services adapted for the needs of the little ones in the family.
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Don't forget, there’s so much more to find out about PortAventura! Read all about the rides, find out about family holidays in Spain, check out the fantastic PortAventura hotels and see what special offers are available for holidays to PortAventura.
And don't forget...
By booking through PortAventura Holidays you also are entitled to these exclusive benefits:
- Free theme park tickets for the duration of your stay
- Free aquatic park tickets (for May and September 2012)
- 50% off water park tickets (for June, July and August 2012)
