Europa-Park
Things to Do
26 attractions, museums, and experiences
Rulantica
Rulantica is Europa-Park's massive Nordic-themed water park that opened in 2019, operating year-round with indoor temperatures kept at a toasty 30-34°C. You'll find 25 water slides spread across four towers, a proper wave pool that actually generates decent waves, and a winding 160-meter lazy river perfect for floating between the action. The theming goes deep here: think Viking longboats, Norse mythology, and atmospheric lighting that makes you forget you're in Germany. The experience feels more like a themed resort than a typical water park. The signature Snorri Saga family raft slide tells an actual story as you ride, complete with special effects and multiple chambers. Tornado and Svalgur deliver proper thrills for older kids and adults, while the dedicated children's lagoon keeps the little ones safe in shallow water. The adult-only Hyggedal sauna complex (16+ only) offers a proper Scandinavian spa experience if you need a break from the splash zones. Here's what most guides won't tell you: the queues for Snorri Saga regularly hit 45-60 minutes after 11 AM, so hit it first thing at opening. Evening tickets after 4 PM cost EUR 28-32 versus EUR 45-50 for full day passes, which is brilliant value if you're not doing a full day. Renting robes for EUR 3-8 isn't just comfort, it's practical since you'll be walking between indoor and outdoor sections. Skip the themed restaurants inside, they're overpriced tourist food.
Blue Fire Megacoaster
Blue Fire Megacoaster launches you from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.5 seconds, making it one of Europe's most intense launch experiences. This isn't your typical roller coaster: the magnetic launch feels like being shot from a cannon, followed by four inversions including a vertical loop and heartline roll that'll leave you breathless. The 1,056-meter track winds through Europa-Park's Iceland themed area, and the whole experience lasts about 2 minutes and 30 seconds of pure adrenaline. The ride begins in the Space Cafe, a fully themed futuristic queue area that's genuinely impressive even when there's no wait. You'll hear the magnetic launch system charging up as other riders get blasted out of the station, building anticipation perfectly. The launch itself is absolutely brutal in the best way: you go from sitting still to highway speeds before your brain can process what's happening. The inversions flow seamlessly, and the ride maintains incredible smoothness throughout despite the intensity. Most people underestimate how intense that launch really is, so don't ride this on a full stomach. The single rider line consistently saves 40-50% of your wait time and dumps you right into the regular queue near the station. Skip the back rows if it's your first time: the front gives you the best view of the track ahead during that incredible launch sequence, and you'll appreciate seeing what's coming.
Silver Star
Silver Star towers 73 meters above Europa-Park as Germany's tallest roller coaster, a Mercedes-Benz sponsored hypercoaster that's dominated the skyline since 2002. You'll climb a massive lift hill in the France section before plunging down at 130 km/h across 1,620 meters of track designed for serious airtime. This isn't a gimmicky themed ride but pure coaster engineering: one enormous drop followed by perfectly calibrated hills that launch you out of your seat repeatedly over 66 seconds. The experience starts with a slow, intimidating climb where you can see across the entire park and into the German countryside. Then comes the moment of truth: a sustained drop that feels endless, especially from the back row where you're whipped over the crest. The subsequent airtime hills create genuine weightlessness, not the fake floating sensation of lesser coasters. You'll hit each hill at precisely the right speed to maximize hang time, with the silver track gleaming ahead of you. Most guides don't mention how quickly this queue explodes from reasonable to brutal. At 9 AM it's a 15-minute wait, by 10:30 AM you're looking at 45 minutes, and summer afternoons mean 90-minute queues. The single-rider line cuts your wait by 30-40% and moves consistently fast. Skip the front row unless you love wind in your face, the back delivers twice the intensity. Entry costs your general park admission (around 56 EUR), no additional charge.
Arthur in the Minimoys Kingdom
Arthur in the Minimoys Kingdom is Europa-Park's flagship dark ride, a suspended journey through Luc Besson's animated film world that rivals Disney's best attractions. Your 4-person vehicle hangs from overhead rails as it glides through 12 meticulously crafted scene rooms filled with projection mapping, animatronics, and perfectly timed effects. The story shrinks you down to Minimoys size for an adventure through this tiny civilization, complete with battles, chases, and genuine surprises that work for both kids and adults. The experience begins in an oversized garden where blades of grass tower above you, immediately selling the shrinking illusion. Each room flows seamlessly into the next as your vehicle tilts, swoops, and rotates to match the action on screen. The production values genuinely compete with Universal's Spider-Man or Disney's newest attractions, with effects that respond to your vehicle's movement. The synchronized audio, wind effects, and practical sets create complete immersion that makes 5 minutes feel both epic and too short. This is Germany's highest-quality family dark ride, but most guides won't tell you the queue itself entertains kids for 20 minutes even if they can't ride. Afternoon waits stretch to an hour, making morning visits essential. The ride has no height requirement, making it perfect for families, but don't expect typical kiddie ride thrills. The ending genuinely surprises even ride veterans, and you'll want to experience it multiple times to catch details you missed.
Foodloop Restaurant
Foodloop turns dinner into dinner theater with meals sliding down roller coaster loops from the kitchen above straight to your table. You'll order via tablet at your table, then watch as your plates zip through transparent tubes and spiral tracks before landing at your spot with a satisfying thunk. The menu covers schnitzel, burgers, pasta, and surprisingly decent Asian stir fries, with most mains running 12 to 18 EUR. The restaurant buzzes with excitement as kids (and adults) crane their necks following each delivery's journey through the overhead track system. Tables fill up quickly during peak hours, creating a lively atmosphere where half the entertainment comes from watching other diners react to their arriving meals. The food quality sits solidly in theme park territory: nothing revolutionary, but well prepared and filling after a day of rides. Honestly, you're paying for the show more than the cuisine, and that's perfectly fine. The novelty doesn't wear off during your meal since orders arrive continuously from other tables. Skip the overpriced desserts though, they arrive less dramatically in regular bowls. Book around 2 PM when it's less crowded but the kitchen's still running full loops.
Voletarium
The Voletarium drops you into a suspended seat that swings out over a curved dome screen, simulating flight across Europe's most stunning landscapes. You'll soar over Alpine peaks, drift through Venetian canals, sweep across Scottish highlands, and dive into Germany's Black Forest while wind, mist, and scents hit you at perfectly timed moments. It's essentially a 10-minute first-class flight tour without the jet lag, and honestly one of the most relaxing experiences in the entire park. The ride begins in an elaborate pre-show area designed like Leonardo da Vinci's workshop, complete with flying machine sketches and Renaissance contraptions that actually move. Once you're seated, the floor drops away and you're suddenly airborne, your feet dangling as the massive screen curves around you. The footage is genuinely breathtaking, especially the sequence through Swiss valleys where you can practically feel the mountain air. Unlike most theme park attractions, this one actually calms you down instead of getting your adrenaline pumping. Most people rush past the pre-show theming, but those Renaissance flight machines are genuinely clever and worth a few minutes of your attention. The queue rarely exceeds 20 minutes even on busy days, making it perfect for mid-afternoon when coaster lines peak. Skip it only if you're prone to motion sickness, as the flying sensation can be surprisingly intense despite the gentle pace. No height restrictions mean it's genuinely suitable for the whole family.
Märchenwald - Fairytale Forest
Märchenwald transports you into classic Brothers Grimm fairy tales through 15 detailed dioramas scattered along winding forest paths. You'll encounter animated scenes from Hansel and Gretel's gingerbread house, Snow White's cottage with moving dwarfs, and Little Red Riding Hood's grandmother's bed complete with a mechanical wolf. The figures move and speak in German, but the stories are universally recognizable, making this Europa-Park's most charming attraction for families with young children. The experience unfolds like a gentle woodland stroll where each turn reveals another beloved story brought to life. Towering pine trees create natural shade while mechanical tableaux perform their scenes on loop every few minutes. Children press buttons to activate certain displays, and the whole area maintains an old-fashioned, slightly creaky charm that feels authentically European. You'll hear distant laughter from nearby coasters, but the forest maintains a surprisingly peaceful atmosphere that encourages lingering at each scene. Most visitors rush through in 20 minutes, but you're missing the point if you don't slow down. The craftsmanship in these 1970s-era displays is remarkable, especially the Sleeping Beauty tower and the elaborately detailed witch's cottage. Skip this entirely if your kids are over 10, they'll find it painfully dated. The attraction is included in park admission, making it excellent value for the intended audience of toddlers and fairy tale enthusiasts.
Europa-Park 1-day ticket
A single-day admission ticket to Europa-Park, Germany's largest theme park. Covers all rides, shows, and themed areas inside the main park; does not include Rulantica water park (separate ticket). Adult EUR 62.50, kids 4-11 EUR 54, kids under 4 free. Online advance booking runs the same price as at-gate purchase but includes a timed entry slot and a faster-moving dedicated queue at the main gate. Parking EUR 9 per day at the general lot. Park operating season runs from late March to early November for the main season (plus a Winter season from late November to early January). Typical operating hours 9 AM to 6 PM (to 7-8 PM in peak summer). A 2-day ticket is EUR 106 adults / EUR 92 kids and saves about 15 per cent versus two single-day tickets. Annual passes run EUR 210-275 depending on the variant.
Hotel Colosseo
Hotel Colosseo is the largest of Europa-Park's 6 themed hotels, opened in 2004 on the edge of the park. The architecture is an elaborate Italian Roman theme: a central courtyard with a copy of the Trevi Fountain, Roman colonnade pool hall, and 347 family rooms decorated in Venetian and Roman palazzo style. Rates run EUR 200-400 per night for a 4-person family room including breakfast buffet, 30-minute early park entry, and free shuttle to the park gate. The on-site restaurants include the Cesar pizza restaurant (EUR 12-18 plates) and the Medici fine-dining Italian restaurant (EUR 40-70 plates). The pool hall is open to hotel guests and is large enough for families wanting a second water-activity option alongside Rulantica. The hotel is the best of the six for first-time visitors because it has the strongest theming, the most family-sized rooms, and the most dining choice.
Hotel Krønasår
Hotel Krønasår is the newest of Europa-Park's themed hotels, opened in 2019 concurrently with Rulantica. The theme is a Scandinavian natural-history-museum-meets-grand-hotel design, with 276 family rooms and a hotel lobby that doubles as a kind of museum with taxidermy, maritime exhibits, and themed photography stations. The distinctive feature: Krønasår has a direct indoor corridor to Rulantica, so hotel guests can walk from their rooms to the water park in robes without going outside. This makes it the preferred choice for families whose primary destination is the water park rather than the main theme park. Rates run EUR 220-380 per night including breakfast, early park entry, and shuttle to the main park gate. Restaurants include the Bubba Svens fish restaurant (EUR 20-35 plates) and a family-oriented themed cafe. The hotel is also the closest to the park's main gate if walking.
Euro-Mir
Euro-Mir is a spinning roller coaster in the Russia area of Europa-Park, themed as a Soviet-era space programme. Opened in 1997 and rebuilt in 2016, the ride has 4 spinning cars that rotate freely through a launched lift and a dark indoor space station segment before a 4-minute outdoor coaster section. Minimum height 130 cm. The spinning character means each ride is different depending on how your car happens to orient through turns. The Russia-area theming is among the strongest in the park: full Kremlin-inspired architecture, Cyrillic signage, and a themed pre-show walk. Queues typically stay under 30 minutes. Good second-priority coaster after Silver Star, Blue Fire, and Wodan; suitable for visitors who want a thrill ride without the highest intensity.
Piraten in Batavia
Piraten in Batavia is an indoor boat-flume attraction in the Adventure Land area of Europa-Park, re-opened in 2020 after a 2018 fire destroyed the original. The 10-minute ride travels through 12 scene rooms with animatronic pirates, projection-mapped storm sequences, and a final outdoor drop into a shipwreck lagoon. Minimum height 100 cm for kids riding alone; smaller kids can ride with an adult. The final drop is modest (3-4 metres) and produces a predictable splash rather than a full soaking. Queue times stay under 30 minutes on most days. The ride is rebuilt to modern dark-ride standards with improved effects compared to the original and is one of the more popular family attractions. Suitable for ages 4 and up, though very young children may find the storm sequence mildly intense.
Poseidon
Poseidon is a water coaster in the Greek area of Europa-Park, opened in 2000. The 4-minute ride combines an indoor dark-ride section through a flooded Atlantis-themed space, an outdoor coaster segment, and two water drops with predictable soakings. Minimum height 120 cm for riders alone; kids 100-120 cm can ride with an adult. The Greek-themed architecture around the ride (including a Poseidon statue and a Mediterranean courtyard restaurant) is among the strongest area theming in the park. Queue times typically 15-45 minutes. Bring a change of clothes for kids or buy a park poncho (EUR 12) at the ride entrance. Back rows get the wettest; front rows get wet but with less impact. Riding Poseidon and Atlantica SuperSplash back-to-back and drying out in the French quarter terrace for 30-40 minutes is a standard afternoon move.
Bamboo Garden Restaurant
Bamboo Garden Restaurant serves solid Chinese and pan-Asian food inside Europa-Park's thrill ride section, making it a convenient refueling stop when you're tackling the big coasters. The menu covers familiar territory: sweet and sour dishes, fried rice, noodle bowls, and spring rolls, all prepared quickly for theme park crowds. Don't expect authentic regional Chinese cuisine, but the portions are generous and the flavors hit the comfort food sweet spot that kids and adults both appreciate. The dining room embraces full theme park aesthetics with bamboo details, lanterns, and red accents that feel more Disney than authentic Asian restaurant. Service moves fast during peak times, sometimes almost rushed, but that works when you're eager to get back to Silver Star or Blue Fire. The atmosphere stays family-friendly and relatively quiet compared to the outdoor food stands, giving you a proper sit-down break from the park chaos. Most guides won't mention that the food quality drops noticeably during summer rush periods when they're churning out hundreds of plates per hour. Main dishes run 12-16 EUR, which is steep but standard for Europa-Park. Skip the "specialty" dishes and stick to simple stir-fries or fried rice, they execute these better than the more complex menu items. The location puts you right between major coasters, but honestly, you'll find better Asian food at Foodloop if you don't mind the gimmicky conveyor belt service.
Landgasthof Adler
Landgasthof Adler delivers authentic Baden cuisine in a proper half-timbered building that feels genuinely local rather than theme park fake. You're eating where Europa-Park employees bring their families, not just another tourist trap. The Zwiebelrostbraten at EUR 19 comes with perfectly caramelized onions and house-made Spätzle that's worth the carbs, while the game dishes rotate seasonally (wild boar stew appears in autumn). The Baden wine list focuses on local Pinot Noir and Grauburgunder that pair beautifully with the hearty fare. Inside feels like stepping into someone's grandmother's dining room, complete with dark wood beams and checkered tablecloths. The terrace overlooks the village church square where you'll watch families stroll between rides while you nurse a glass of Grauburgunder. Service moves at German pace, meaning thorough but never rushed. The atmosphere shifts throughout the day: quiet family lunches give way to livelier evening crowds of locals and savvy park visitors who've discovered this spot. Most visitors skip this entirely, assuming park food means overpriced schnitzel and fries. That's their loss because you're getting restaurant-quality food at theme park prices. The EUR 19 Zwiebelrostbraten would cost EUR 28 in downtown Freiburg. Skip the tourist-heavy lunch rush (12-2 PM) unless you want that authentic Sunday church crowd experience. Evening reservations aren't required but recommended for terrace tables.
Ristorante Bella Italia
Ristorante Bella Italia serves proper thin-crust pizzas and fresh pasta in Europa-Park's German-themed area, which sounds odd but actually works perfectly. You'll get authentic Italian flavors without leaving the park: margherita and diavola pizzas from a wood-fired oven (EUR 10-14), plus classics like carbonara and bolognese made fresh daily. The open kitchen lets you watch pizzaiolos stretch dough by hand, and the bright dining room with terracotta tiles feels genuinely Mediterranean. The atmosphere strikes that perfect Italian trattoria balance: casual enough for theme park clothes but nice enough that you'll want to linger over your meal. Families fill most tables, especially in the evening when everyone's exhausted from rides and craving comfort food. The pizza oven dominates one wall, constantly crackling with orange flames, while servers weave between closely packed tables carrying steaming plates. You'll hear more Italian from the kitchen staff than German, which adds authenticity. Most park restaurants feel like cafeterias, but this one actually delivers restaurant-quality food at reasonable prices. The pasta portions are generous (EUR 12-16), though pizza offers better value. Skip the tourist trap desserts and go for gelato elsewhere in the park. Evening reservations aren't needed, but expect a 20-minute wait around 7 PM when German families traditionally eat dinner.
Gasthaus Krone
Gasthaus Krone serves the kind of hearty Baden cuisine that locals actually eat, not tourist versions of German food. You'll find proper sauerbraten that's been marinating for days, wild boar goulash during hunting season, and spätzle made fresh every morning. The restaurant sits in Europa-Park's German themed area, but the food quality rivals what you'd get in the Black Forest villages 20 minutes away. The dining room feels like stepping into your German grandmother's house: dark wood paneling, ceramic beer steins lining the walls, and servers who've worked here for years. Tables fill up with multigenerational families sharing massive platters, while the kitchen sends out dishes that smell incredible. You'll hear more German than English here, which tells you everything about the authenticity. The portions are genuinely enormous, easily enough for two people to share. Most theme park restaurants serve mediocre food at inflated prices, but Krone breaks that rule. Main dishes run 12 to 18 EUR, which is reasonable given the portion sizes and quality. Skip the tourist trap restaurants in the French section and come here instead. The wild game dishes (available October through February) are exceptional, but even their basic schnitzel beats anything else in the park. Book nothing, just show up, though evenings get busy with locals from Rust village.
Café Mühlenhof
Café Mühlenhof sits on Rheinstraße in Europa-Park's German quarter, serving genuinely good coffee from their own roastery alongside proper homemade cakes. You'll pay EUR 2.80-4.20 for coffee drinks and EUR 4.80 for their Black Forest gateau, which actually tastes like the real thing rather than theme park approximation. The 7 AM opening makes this your best bet for a decent breakfast before the crowds arrive, with regional bread baskets and cold cuts running EUR 8-12 per person. The interior feels more like an actual German coffeehouse than a theme park concession, with genuinely wide aisles that accommodate strollers without the usual bumping and squeezing. You'll find families settling in for proper sit-down breakfasts rather than grabbing quick snacks, and there's a small play area by the back windows where kids can burn off energy while parents finish their coffee. The atmosphere stays relaxed even when busy, probably because people aren't rushing to catch rides. Most Europa-Park dining guides skip this place entirely, which keeps it pleasantly uncrowded compared to the flashier restaurants. The Frühstücksteller breakfast platter gives you better value than ordering separately and easily feeds two adults for around EUR 15 total. Skip the individual pastries and go straight for the Black Forest cake, it's what they do best and costs the same as inferior options elsewhere in the park.
Wodan Timburcoaster
Wodan Timburcoaster is Europe's longest wooden roller coaster at 1,050 metres of track, opened in 2012 in the Iceland area of Europa-Park. The Viking-themed ride reaches 100 km/h and runs for 73 seconds with the distinct rattling character of a wooden-track design. No inversions but considerable airtime and lateral forces through the 18 airtime hills and 5 drops. Minimum height 120 cm. The queue structure itself is elaborately themed as a Viking ship's underbelly. Middle cars give the best balance of airtime and forward visibility; the back row is the most intense for airtime but the rattle is stronger. Wooden-coaster enthusiasts rank Wodan with Phantasialand's Taron as the best wooden coaster in Germany. Queues are typically 20-40 minutes after the initial morning Silver Star rush, so it is a good afternoon ride on a full-day plan.
Bäckerei Heitzmann
Bäckerei Heitzmann is a proper German bakery that's been serving Rust locals since way before Europa-Park tourists discovered it. You'll find authentic Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte for €3.20 per slice, warm Brezeln for €1.10 each, and Apfelstrudel that puts theme park snacks to shame. It's your chance to eat what Germans actually have for breakfast: fresh rolls with butter and jam, real coffee (not the watery stuff), and pastries made before dawn. The shop has that lived-in feel of a neighborhood bakery where regulars chat with staff in rapid-fire German. Glass cases display rows of dark breads, sweet pastries dusted with powdered sugar, and seasonal specialties like Stollen around Christmas. The seating area holds maybe 20 people at small tables where you'll hear more German than English. Staff will switch to English if needed, but don't expect theme park-level service polish. Most Europa-Park guides skip this place entirely, which keeps it authentic but means you might walk past without noticing. The Black Forest cake is genuinely excellent (locally made, not shipped in), but skip the standard croissants which lack the buttery layers you want. Coffee runs €2.40 for a proper cappuccino. Come hungry because portions are generous and prices are half what you'll pay inside the park gates.
Europa-Park transfer from Basel
A round-trip private or small-group transfer service from Basel city centre or EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (EAP) to Europa-Park in Rust, approximately 90 minutes each way depending on traffic. Transfer services are provided by several regional tour operators and are convenient for visitors flying into Basel who do not want to rent a car. Adult round-trip typically EUR 60-90 per person for shared shuttles, EUR 280-400 for a private minivan for a family of 4. Some operators include park ticket bundles. Transfers typically depart Basel at 7:30-8 AM and return from Rust at 6:30-7 PM, allowing a full park day. Similar services run from Frankfurt (2-hour transfer, EUR 80-120 per person round-trip) and Zurich (100-minute transfer).
Gästehaus Winzerhof
The Winzerhof sits in Rust's residential streets where a genuine wine-making family has converted their 19th-century farmhouse into six guest rooms. You're staying with the Müller family who've been making wine here for four generations, and their Riesling consistently wins regional awards. The property overlooks their working vineyard where you'll watch the family harvest grapes in autumn, and every room has direct views of the vines stretching toward the Black Forest. Your morning starts on the communal terrace where Frau Müller serves homemade bread with honey from their beehives and jam from their plum trees. The atmosphere feels like visiting relatives rather than checking into a hotel. The cellar stays cool year-round and houses 200-year-old wooden barrels alongside modern stainless steel tanks. You can buy bottles directly from the source: their 2022 Riesling costs €12 and their Pinot Noir runs €18. Most guesthouses near Europa-Park are sterile and overpriced, but the Winzerhof offers genuine local character at fair rates. Rooms run €85-95 per night including breakfast, which beats nearby hotels by €30-40. The 15-minute walk to the park entrance through Rust's quiet streets actually becomes a pleasant buffer after intense theme park days. Book directly by phone for the best rates and ask for Room 3, which has the largest terrace.
Pension am Park
Pension am Park sits in a quiet residential area just 800 meters from Europa-Park's main gates, offering basic but clean accommodation at roughly half the price of on-site hotels. You'll get simple rooms with small kitchenettes (fridge, microwave, hotplate), making it easy to avoid overpriced park food for breakfast and late dinners. The family rooms sleep four people comfortably, and the owner often has discounted park tickets available when you book directly. The pension feels more like staying at a friend's house than a hotel: minimal staff, self-service coffee in the lobby, and a small garden where kids can burn off energy after long park days. Rooms are functional rather than fancy, with IKEA-style furniture and compact bathrooms, but everything works well. The neighborhood stays quiet even during peak season, so you'll actually get decent sleep despite being close to the action. Most budget travelers make the mistake of booking through booking sites and missing the direct ticket discounts, which can save you 3-5 EUR per person. The walk to Europa-Park takes 8-10 minutes through residential streets, not the most scenic route but perfectly safe and well-lit. Skip this place if you want hotel amenities like room service or concierge help, but for families wanting clean beds and kitchen access, it delivers exactly what you need without the tourist markup.
Pension Haus Schlosser
Quiet pension on the edge of Rust village with eight clean rooms, each with private bathroom and flat-screen TV. Free parking directly in front of the building and bicycle rental available for EUR 8 per day. The walk to Europa-Park takes 12 minutes along a tree-lined path through residential streets.
St. Johannes Baptist Kirche
Charming 18th-century Catholic church in the heart of Rust village with beautiful baroque elements. Features a distinctive onion-domed bell tower that's visible across the town. The peaceful interior offers a quiet retreat with historic frescoes and traditional religious art.
Snorri Saga
Snorri Saga is the signature family raft slide at Rulantica, Europa-Park's water park. The 6-person round-raft slide runs through illuminated tunnels, waterfall drops, and a final high-speed curve that sends the raft skimming across the pool at the bottom. Riders 100 cm or taller can ride; smaller kids can ride in adult laps. The full experience is a 3-minute slide preceded by a 45-60 minute queue during peak summer (shorter in shoulder seasons). The slide is themed to the invented Snorri Island legend that runs through Rulantica's overall theming. Ride it first on any Rulantica day (around 10:30 AM, right at park opening plus 30 minutes to change and reach the slide tower) before the queue builds. The adjacent Svalgur and Tornado slides are teen-focused (no rafts, high speed) and have shorter queues throughout the day.