Theme Parks

[Somersetpyro]

This is something i've developed more of an interest in during lockdown, reawakening the long days spent playing Roller Coaster Tycoon as a child i'm interested to hear any recommendations from people who've been to parks in Europe anywhere,to add to my list of places to visit. So far I have a postponed trip to Alton Towers as soon as i'm able to after July 4th, and then next April i've got a trip to Europa park in Germany, which i've transferred to after a cancelled short holiday this summer. Then i'd also like to make it to Phantasialand in Germany, Efteling in the Netherlands, and Liseburg in Sweden, as soon as finances and covid allows obviously building up to the ultimate trip to Florida, but despite the very cheap prices currently available on flights and accommodation, the price of park tickets and food whilst you're there does make it prohibitively expensive still lol

 

[Vladster]

The only European parks I've been to were Terra Mitica and Iberia in Benidorm, it used to be one park but they split it into two so they could fleece the general public by charging another entry fee. We were lucky as the hotel we stayed in gave free entry to both of them. It was decent to be fair as it was very quiet but i wouldn't pay to get in lol...there just wasn't enough there to justify it.

You'll love Florida mate, the best parks by far are the 3 Universal ones, Busch Gardens is very good too but its a good bit away from Orlando. i was booked up again for this September but we've managed to move it to May next year without losing our deposit with British Airways.

Get it booked and then worry about how you pay for it

 

[Somersetpyro]

You'll love Florida mate, the best parks by far are the 3 Universal ones, Busch Gardens is very good too but its a good bit away from Orlando. i was booked up again for this September but we've managed to move it to May next year without losing our deposit with British Airways.

Get it booked and then worry about how you pay for it

Interesting to hear that, as someone who's never been all that interested in the Disney parks. Universal has always appealed to me more

I do have to be a bit careful, i'm supposed to be moving house (and job) in August, and that's not going to be easy at this time. But then again, it's been a long few weeks, and sitting on Citywalk with a giant doughnut and a beer is very appealing... lol

 

[Vladster]

The Disney parks are still good but they're more for small children than thrill seekers IMO

Citywalk is something else mate, especially at night but it's so expensive.... that donut and beer will probably cost you 20 dollars lol

 

[Somersetpyro]

The Disney parks are still good but they're more for small children than thrill seekers IMO

Citywalk is something else mate, especially at night but it's so expensive.... that donut and beer will probably cost you 20 dollars lol

That's my concern really, I can fly and stay for no more than a decent all inclusive to spain, but once you're there I expect it'll cost me a good couple grand for me and the missus. Might be one for when the savings are a bit firmer lol

 

[Alexs21]

I haven't really been to many but have always liked them, i remember looking for hours of POV videos on rollercoasters around the world thinking one day i'd go haha. Flamingo Land is a good one though and is quite nearby for me, been to alton Towers a couple of times as well a long time ago.

 

[Somersetpyro]

So despite everything, we decided to go up to Alton Towers on Monday and Tuesday to complete the postponed trip. And i've got to say it was fantastic, it was very well done with the covid rules imo, the staff were doing a brilliant job. Queues weren't ridiculous either, didn't wait over an hour for anything. Was just great to do something that's a little more normal, after 4 months of madness

 

[Firey Dave]

My daughter and I were due to go to Poland to visit Legendia and Energylandia next month, and I was planning Europa park and Phantasialand probably next year. However although flights and parks are open we're most likely going to rearrange flights for next year, partly because some new attractions due to open have been delayed but mostly I don't think traveling abroad is the most important thing I can do right now. There are so many parks in Europe I want to visit, the Dutch ones look brilliant.

 

[Somersetpyro]

My daughter and I were due to go to Poland to visit Legendia and Energylandia next month, and I was planning Europa park and Phantasialand probably next year. However although flights and parks are open we're most likely going to rearrange flights for next year, partly because some new attractions due to open have been delayed but mostly I don't think traveling abroad is the most important thing I can do right now. There are so many parks in Europe I want to visit, the Dutch ones look brilliant.

Sounds like an excuse to do all 4 of those in 1 sitting to me mate the 2 Polish parks look epic, there's some amazing rides there, Energylandia have a mental number of coasters

 

[Firey Dave]

Indeed

Sounds like an excuse to do all 4 of those in 1 sitting to me mate the 2 Polish parks look epic, there's some amazing rides there, Energylandia have a mental number of coasters

Indeed they have, a new one should have opened this year in a new area, it still may as yet. And I believe they are planning another for next year. I'll look at Phantasialand when their new coaster FLY is open.

 

[Somersetpyro]

Indeed

Indeed they have, a new one should have opened this year in a new area, it still may as yet. And I believe they are planning another for next year. I'll look at Phantasialand when their new coaster FLY is open.

They never seem to stop to be fair. As if they need more either, what with Hyperion and Zadra. And yes FLY looks like it'll be something special. I enjoy flying coasters so I may have to get out there once its open

 

[Somersetpyro]

Me and the missus had a great day at Chessington World of Adventures yesterday, did tonnes of rides and saw all the animals. Can highly recommend if anyone's after a decent day out soon, wasn't mad busy either

 

[Somersetpyro]

Me and the missus went to Thorpe Park for the first time yesterday. Had a decent day, not up to the standard of Alton Towers or Chessington though IMO. It does need a bit of TLC, plenty of cracked paintwork and tired signs. The rides also aren't anywhere near as good, The Swarm was brilliant but Saw was horrendous, so rough, i've never been in that much pain on a ride, and it's continued into today as well. Other rides are decent but nothing to shout about. I will go back (got a merlin pass so it doesn't cost anything) but only when it's rather quieter, so I don't have to queue as long. Going back to Towers for the 3rd time in September though, for their Oktoberfest days, which i'm really looking forward to, got to have a Twilight ride on Wicker Man!

 

[south yorkshire]

Thorpe Park is more for 6-12yr old Alton Towers is more 12-xx.

Had free tickets once did enjoy the JCB digger and the loop ride, they also did a rally car ride but cost £20 don't know if that still happens but for 3-4 mins was fun. Might have been longer like 10mins long time ago.

 

[south yorkshire]

Wait that was American Adventure, Thorpe Park is that big roller wooden coaster, went there with a end of year school day out, and half the rides were closed. That was over 20yr ago. We protested and left early.

 

[Firey Dave]

I went up to Blackpool for 4 nights last week and spent weds and Thurs in pleasure beach. Glad I was spending two days in it as it was very busy, far too many tickets had been sold (apparently they're running a reduced capacity, couldn't see it myself)! First time their and really enjoyed it... Icon is really something else, doesn't look all that when you see it going round but once you're on it, damn it's good, no let up from beginning to end.

 

[Somersetpyro]

I went up to Blackpool for 4 nights last week and spent weds and Thurs in pleasure beach. Glad I was spending two days in it as it was very busy, far too many tickets had been sold (apparently they're running a reduced capacity, couldn't see it myself)! First time their and really enjoyed it... Icon is really something else, doesn't look all that when you see it going round but once you're on it, damn it's good, no let up from beginning to end.

Icon is on my bucket list, as part of what seems to be the UK's "big 3" (along with The Swarm and Nemesis), looks just the sort of ride i'd enjoy. I'll be riding Blue Fire at Europa Park next year so it'd be good to compare the original to Icon at some point when I can make it up to Blackpool

 

[Firey Dave]

When you do get to ride Icon you mustn't hold on.... at all, hands in the air the whole way round.... you will love it! It's just made me want to ride Taron even more! I was going to do Germany next year but as I put of this years Poland trip I'm now penciling that in for next year, so Germany would have to wait a little longer.

 

[Somersetpyro]

I'm not always the best for hands in the air, but I reckon you're right, gives me an excuse to ride it several times to get that hands free ride in. Tbf if I was you i'd probably do Germany next year as planned then Poland, on the basis that in a couple of years, Energylandia will probably have built 10 more coasters to go with Zadra, Hyperion, Formula etc and also because the draw of Taron is quite significant! I'm half tempted to suggest to the missus that we do Phantasialand after Europa Park because that is one ride i can't wait to experience! And that's before we get to Black Mamba which is another I really want to try

 

[Firey Dave]

I had my hands in the air for my first go, second row from the back and when it went over the crest of the first hill after the launch I swore and grabbed on quick, the ejector airtime is crazy! Managed to keep them in the air for the entire second ride though. You're probably right about Energylandia and their coaster building. I don't know if this years new coaster has opened yet but I'm sure there was always another planned for next year. F.L.Y. has been testing in recent weeks too at Phantasialand so I imagine that'll be up and running by next year.