UK Theme parks - dates and new rides...

[WDWfan uk]

I have a leaflet the Tussauds group are distributing for Thorpe Park and Chessington with opening dates and new rides.
It would be good if anyone has dates and details of new rides of parks around the UK if they could please post them.

Thorpe Park is opening on Sat April 5th. New rides Quantum and Eclipse and Nemesis Inferno...... details on www.thorpepark.com

They really have added several stomach churners since they took this park over!

Chessington opens on Thursday 10th April - <i>new</i> Hocus Pocus Hall. Their website is www.chessington.com

(BTW, I noticed that Tussauds are using the same slogan the Florida Tourism Bureau used in the 90's - "Come To Your Senses" Some of these rides are so gut wrenching I reckon it should be "Take Leave Of Your senses )

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

The new Nemesis Inferno at Thorpe looks wonderful: an inverted B&M coaster (think Duelling Dragons, but only one of them).

Tussauds seems to be positioning Thorpe Park as London's thrill ride park (as well as lots of family friendly attractions) and Chessington as more family focused. Sounds good to me, particularly as I live mid way betwene the two! Must renew my Tussauds annual pass soon...

Regards

Rob

 

[KayleeUK]

I have a voucher from Sainsbury's for one adult to go free when another paying for Chessington - so we might give that a try this year

Kaylee

 

[BONZO]

Can't wait to get our family Annual Passes via Tesco Clubcard points!

 

[WDWfan uk]

Any other theme parks around the country worth a visit??

 

[BONZO]

IMHO - Alton Towers is the best theme park in the country.


As big "white knuckle" ride fans it's the only one that comes anywhere close to rides in America.

 

[richard3330]

If you have younger children then Legoland is great, IMO.

There isn't much for older children but our 4 year old DS loves it here (and seen as we used to live about 10 minutes from the front gate it was quite handy )

www.legoland.co.uk

 

[Astrid]

My two love Legoland still even though Bryn is now 10.

Thorpe Park is a bit nearer than Chessington for me and we usually visit one or the other during the Summer.

The one just up the road from us is Paultons Park - www.paultonspark.co.uk which is brilliant for the smaller kids, I've had season tickets for us three ever since I had to start paying for them and was surprised that Bryn once again wanted to renew his this year.

Have to admit it's not a patch on anything Orlando though, and I tend to sit on The Stinger (their roller coaster) with my arms crossed and a bored expression on my face thinking, hmmm, hardly Splash Mountain!!!!!

Astrid

 

[Dimplenose]

I read somewhere that Tussauds are focussing their thrill rides at Thorpe Park as it doesn't have the green belt planning restrictions that its near neighbour Chessington has. I don't know how true that is but we certainly used to think of Thorpe Park as a kiddies park and now it seems to have a better mix of rides.

I haven't been to Chessington for years as I don't like the atmosphere there - but this may have been coloured by the fact that our last trip was a week after returning from WDW.

Libby

 

[bengunn]

We went to Thorpe Park last year, after a gap of several years and were pleasantly surprised. Lots of new thrill rides.

For the last few years we seem to have gone to Chessington more but, quite frankly, we are bored with it; they have not really added any new rides there for ages.

Alton Towers is the best park but it is a long way for us, needing overnight stops, so it is about 18 months since we went there.

We went to the American Adventure park near Nottingham a few years ago and that was quite good.

Oakwood Park near Camarthen is also worth a visit for its huge wooden coaster.

Lightwater Valley nearish York was bit disappointing (but it was a rainy day when we went) it has the longet coaster in the UK but it is very rough and not that thrilling. Most of the other rides were not very exciting but it has probably improved over the last few years.

 

[WDWfan uk]

Astrid, I had a flashback to toddlerhood just then! (Cue Twilight Zone music )
When we used to stay in Bournemouth and the surrounding area when I was very young, I seem to remember Paulton Park. If my memory is serving me correctly, then it was a park in the original sense - expanses of green, lakes and playgrounds plus a great kiddies miniature railway etc.
Am I thinking of the right place?

 

[bengunn]

That's the one Shirley. We used to take our kids there when they were small but at 18 and 20 they are a bit old for it now

 

[Astrid]

Glad to have provided a trip down memory lane for you Shirley!

I'd love to try Alton Towers one of these days but, as Richard says, it's a bit of a trek from here.

Astrid

 

[Dimplenose]

It's well worth visiting Alton Towers, why not combine it with a visit to the Peak District? There's some awe inspiring countryside not too far away from the theme park.

Libby

 

[animagique]

Hi, firstly let me introduce myself Im Sarah, if you post on the dlp forum then you may have seen me there.

OK so UK theme parks,

Alton Towers is in my opinion the best theme park in the UK. With the 3 B&M coasters it is well worth a visit. This year the Haunted House has had a makeover and it is now "Duel". Think Buzz Lightyear, you basically shoot targets littered through the ride. If you live a long way away then maybe the new Calipso Springs hotel and waterpark may provide a reason and way to visit incoporating a nights stay.

If like me you live in the North West then you have a chioce of 3 themeparks/amusement parks - Camelot (kids park), Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Southport Pleasureland.

Camelot this year has a new spinning rollercoaster. Though it doesnt look too big.

Blackpool and Southport (if you dont mind no themeing - maybe not the best thing to say on a disney forum) well in my opinion these are worth a visit as long as you remember its a far cry from a disney park. They offer some good thrill rides. Blackpools newest ride is spin doctor a rather scary looking thrill ride. Blackpool is worth a visit if just for the excellently themed valhalla.
Southport is also worth a visit due to its cheap prices and a smooth Verkoma coaster (yes it is possible)!The newest rides here are Abdullahs Dilema - haunted swing/mirror maze/interactive walktrough and the space shot.

I used to visit Lightwater Valley when i was little and i really enjoyed it but i think its changed a lot as it used to be a lovely place but i think its been taken over now.

By the way if you want to visit American Adventure better visit soon as ive heard a rumour its soon closing.

Sorry for writing a long post, i like my theme parks but my favourite is dlp by far.

 

[WDWfan uk]

Hi Animagique

Thank you for your informative post - I agree with you that from the UK parks I've visited, Alton Towers is the best... but I don't go on the really big rides such as Oblivion and Nemesis although the rest of my family love the big rides.

 

[bengunn]

Hi Astrid,

When we have been to Alton Towers, we have stayed at one of the Premier Lodge hotels which are within an hours drive and reasonably priced. We have always made a weekned of it, driving up Friday night and back on Sunday evening. Saturday is at Alton Towers and Sunday is something else (the Towers of Abraham at Matlock Bath, an industrial museum at Dudley and Stratford on Avon so far).

 

[bengunn]

Hi Shirley,

I have done Oblivion once and have my doubts as to whether to do it again but Nemesis is the smoothest coaster anywhere and, although it looks horrendous, it really is a must do - try it!

 

[Disney owl]

Another vote for Alton Towers the best in the Country IMHO.

They also have great rides for younger children which some people don't realise.

We've been going once a year for several years now with the same 3 other families .it's now a September tradition. ]

Going with others works great as the kids have friends to go on rides with, & DH & I have had someone to look after kids whilst we went on big rides.

have never been & paye d full price. usually a combiation of free tickets with Sainsbury vouchers & BOGOF offers. last year it was Kellogs cornflakes, we're waiting to see who does this years offer.

If anyone hears of one do please let me know.