UK Theme Parks.....

[a311]

I have some time off coming up in September and not planning to go abroad. Being a rather large kid at heart I quite fancy a trip to a theme park. It’s been years since I’ve been so which are good these days? I live closest to Blackpool, there’s one in Glasgow which I guess would be similar in distance but probably not up to much? Been to the PB in the past and have fond memories seems to have quite a bit more ‘new stuff’ since I was last there. Haven’t been to Alton Towers since I was a kid, likewise Lightwater Valley and Flamingo land. Blackpool has a bit of rep these days as a stag/hen do destination but I’m just interested in the quality of the rides at the parks. Would plan to go non-weekend to avoid queues.

Anyone been recently that can offer insight/comparison?

[rich85uk]

Thorpe park if you want the most white knuckle rides, easily the best in the country for that IMO but from Blackpool your looking at a 4 hour trek on a clear run. Blackpool is actually good fun and has a lot of unique rides you won't get anywhere else, wooden wild mouse is easily the scariest ride in the sense that you think you might die, it is pretty popular for nightlife but a lot of it is around a small square area and away from the pleasure beach, make sure you pre book a wristband otherwise paying per ride is expensive.

Alton towers is the best all round theme park to suit everyone but is now quite far behind thorpe park for thrill rides

[pidsy]

to agree with Rich, Thrpe Park is the one you want but its a hell of a trek from where you are. i think its the only themepark in the group that doesnt have a themed hotel too!

[ChrisBMW]

I'm also a big theme park fan, if you have not been to Alton towers for sometime you will enjoy it. I have been to a lot of theme parks all over the world and we go to orlando every year but nemesis at Alton remains one of my fav coasters.

Thorpe park is also great but a bit far from you, if you pick the right days in September Alton towers will be quiet and on queues is a big bonus considering how busy these places can be

[a311]

Thanks for the replies. I'm up in the Lake District so Blackpool is the easiest to get to, I quite like that it's compact too-nice hotels are however surprisingly expensive! I've been on Stag do's and stayed in B&B's for about £15 a night but not something I'd like to repeat with the Mrs.

Thorpe park I'm sure I've been to when I was younger-is that the one that has/had tone of the oldest rollercoasters? The Vampire or something along those lines? Also have vague memories of Chessington world of adventure. Given the distance I'll probably rule them out so it's a shoot out between BPB and Alton Towers. I've been post Nemesis but there'll be plenty new, I do have memories of killer queues though, the schools will be back though so I'm hoping it will be quieter wherever we go. It's probably 4 hours vs the ish it will take to get to Blackpool.

[Trustmeimadoctor]

its almost as cheap to go to the states for a week than it is to go to a uk theme park these days (an exaggeration i agree but not by much at full price)

my main issue with them is they just arnt as nice as foreign parks they are messy the people arnt nice and you dont get turkey legs

[pidsy]

Trustmeimadoctor said:

its almost as cheap to go to the states for a week than it is to go to a uk theme park these days (an exaggeration i agree but not by much at full price)

my main issue with them is they just arnt as nice as foreign parks they are messy the people arnt nice and you dont get turkey legs

Funny you should say that - I looked at booking 3 nights at Alton towers splash landings hotel for me and mrs p - by the time tickets were added, we were looking at around £750. I thought that was pretty steep so thought about going to euro Disney.
Same dates, 3 nights - £1100 inc Eurostar.

Then looked at Disneyland florida for a week. Flights, tickets and accommodation (for both of us) £1400.

I'd rather go to the states for that amount than spend nearly a grand at Alton towers in 3 days after I'd factored in petrol, food etc.

Uk theme parks are expensive.

[anonymous-user]

a311 said:

I have some time off coming up in September and not planning to go abroad. Being a rather large kid at heart I quite fancy a trip to a theme park.

Save up some pennies, and go to Six Flags Magic Mountain (north of LA) one year. Feck me - it was like astronaut training for the day. I'd consider myself pretty much invincible when it comes to rides, but there was one (X2) which I really really wished had tighter harnessing, despite being barely able to breathe, and one (Goliath) that scared the living st out of me on the first drop. And a whole bunch which were just mildly terrifying to boot!

And the best seat on any rollercoaster is the one at the back. FACT!