Theme parks
Wednesday 31 March 2010
Feel like checking out the thrills and spills of a theme park? Here are some of the best ones around the UK.
Thorpe Park
If you’re going to be around Surrey during the Easter break then why not visit Thorpe Park?
Thorpe Park is famous for Loggers Leap, a ride that will leave you soaked from head to toe. Or if you’re up for something a little different try out X:\No Way Out – a ride that travels backwards in complete darkness!
The rides aren’t the only thing that will give you a fright. The latest feature at Thorpe Park is SAW ALIVE – a live action horror maze. You’ll be taken through six different rooms that feature the same deathly traps from the horror flick ‘Saw’. Not for the fainthearted.
Alton Towers
Alton Towers is the UK’s largest theme park and is a well known hotspot for adrenaline junkies. Air leaves you feeling like you’ve flown through the sky, Oblivion drops you at an angle of 88.8 degrees, and Rita drags you from 0 – 100 km/ph in two and a half seconds.
Want to take a spin on Rita? Watch the video.
The park’s latest ride is TH13TEEN, a ride through a living and breathing forest and into a freaky looking crypt.
However if you’re not up for spooks then visit Alton Tower’s water park instead.
Chessington World of Adventures
Chessington is split up into nine different areas based on far out lands - from the ancient Forbidden Kingdom, to Mexicana and Transylvania. The park is a cool place to go if you’d rather spend quality time with your family and mates than on high-speed rides.
Chessington also has its own zoo with more than 1,000 animals. You’ll come face-to-face with farmyard creatures, rodents, creepy reptiles, big cats and gorillas!
The park recently opened up a Sealife Centre with over 20 marine animals. Look out for some cool exhibitions in the future.
Legoland
Everything you see and touch at Legoland is made of, you guessed it-Lego. There are over 50 rides there and you don’t even have to queue up if you don’t want to. You can reserve a Q-Bot to queue up for you. Find out how it works here.
There are loads of exhibitions to keep you entertained. Head to Miniland, a display of some of the world’s most well known attractions, which was made with over 40 million pieces of Lego. Or if you fancy a bit of c’leb spotting then visit Lego Creation Centre - its Wall of Fame is an exhibition of familiar faces.
Harry Potter
Love Hogwarts and all that comes with it? In June 2010, Universal Islands of Adventure in Orlando, will be opening a series of Harry Potter-themed rides, like The Dragon Challenge and The Flight of the Hippogriff.
The park will even feature a massive replica of Hogwarts Castle, plus a tour of Dumbledore’s office, Gryffindor's common room and the infamous hallways filled with the portraits of the ancient wizards – some of which even talk!
Theme park pointers
If you're planning to go to a theme park then follow these pointers. They'll save you some hassle.
- Book tickets online. You’ll probably find some really good deals.
- Go in a big group – it’s more fun and you could save some cash.
- Plan ahead - prepare your route beforehand and leave early in the morning.
- Bring some spare clothes and don't wear your best gear.
- Wear comfy shoes - you could be queuing up for up to an hour for some rides.
- Set a meeting place just in case someone goes missing.
- Spend a few seconds to find out whether the ride you want to go on has a height restriction. You don’t want to get to the front of the line to find out you’re not allowed on!
