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Oct 2011
With school holidays and the arrival of warmer weather, thoughts immediately turn to theme parks – a great way to entertain kids and a must for those in search of the next adrenaline fix. Here’s a round-up of the most thrilling rides around Britain – all you need do is bring the noise.
A healthy mix of rides for all ages. For big kids, highlights include Oblivion with its 200ft drop, Rita Queen of Speed, and Air. Thirteen is described as 'the ultimate rollercoaster and every theme park ride you've ever dreamed of in one'. Everyone's has their favourite, but here at AA HQ the overwhelming winner has to be Nemesis. As one person in the team puts it, “it's pure adrenaline – straight to the point, and no dull points”.
Sadly after carrying 43.5 million people, the iconic Corkscrew's 30-year rollercoaster ride through history came to a sharp end in 2008. Other highlights include Cloud Cuckoo Land, aimed at young kids and a SEALIFE aquarium by the name of Sharkbait Reef.
We couldn't write about Blackpool without mentioning the big one – and, by that we mean the Pepsi Max Big One. This rollercoaster is literally on the seafront and the views are amazing, not that you hang around to enjoy them for very long.
And if that's a bit passé for you, then check out 'Europe's first 360-degree rollercoaster', in the shape of the Irn Bru Revolution. Fusion features five incredible loops plus a double line twist on a suspended looping coaster. For something a little more sedate - watch the fountains dance from the comfort of the onsite Bean Street FY4 restaurant.
If you’re lucky enough to avoid the rain, then Rameses Revenge will certainly give you a good soaking. And don't think we're joking – at one point you'll be suspended upside down above water fountains. Top tip: take waterproofs or a change of clothes! Thrillseekers will also love the Vampire ride, the Rattlesnake, the Runaway Train and countless other rides on offer at this theme park favourite.
As well as the theme park, Chessington boasts its very own zoo, with has a range of shows on offer including the feeding of various animals from owls to otters and even squirrel monkeys. There's also a SEALIFE centre and plenty of annual events. Don’t forget to take a ride on Kobra, highlight of the park’s popular Wild Asia area.
As well as the legendary 'Thomas Land', where you can take a trip in the Troublesome Trucks or ride Cranky the Crane, Drayton Manor boasts Europe's only stand-up rollercoaster and the world's first stand-up tower drop – Apocalypse. There are a host of other grown-up rides to choose from including G-Force, Shockwave, Maelstrom, Pandemonium and Stormforce 10. There's also a zoo – 15 acres – home to more than 100 species from around the world including 12 rare breeds. Other attractions include a children's farm and an exotic creature reserve.
Fans of Indiana Jones may want to beat a path to the Tomb Raider ride in the Adventure World section of this Cheshire theme park - your chance to imagine you're Indy for a day. You may also want to give Pirates’ Cove a try – a flying island that takes visitors on a magical journey through the sky.
There are also lots of great rides in Western World, Alice's Wonderland, Lost World, Water World and more.
Legoland is one of the best theme parks in the UK for younger thrillseekers, but there's plenty to keep bigger kids happy. The Dragon is Legoland's very own rollercoaster and if you don't mind getting wet, then Vikings' River Splash and Pirate Falls Dynamite Drench will both hit the spot. The Kingdom of the Pharoahs is home to Laser Raiders, and Rocket Racers made a recent comeback due to 'popular demand'.
The highlight, however, has to be Atlantis Submarine Voyage, which takes visitors on an underwater adventure they will never forget.
There's also plenty of Lego to marvel at in Miniland and plenty of shows, rides and attractions to keep little ones happy. Younger visitors will love Pirates Landing.
Stick to the more sedate options such as the Big Wheel for views out onto the nearby loch and the Scottish landscapes. For the thrill-seeker, a number of white-knuckle rides are on offer as well as over 20 rides for younger visitors, including glow-in-the-dark indoor bowling and Amazonia – an indoor tropical rainforest with exotic animals, birds and creepie crawlies. Devil’s Island adventure golf course is sure to provide a devilish challenge for the whole family too.
Near the south coast, this is another of the British theme parks that's ideal for younger kids. There's a raft of rides for little ones, plus family rides too. Peppa Pig World is sure to prove a major hit with younger visitors. It’s not all about the kids though, as Cobra provides plenty of enjoyment for all the thrill seekers out there…
Nemesis Inferno got the most votes here at AA HQ, but Stealth crept up steadily on the inside. In fact, it was such a close-run thing that you'll have to try both and decide for yourself. Other white-knuckle favourites at Thorpe Park include Colossus and SAW, which boasts a 'beyond vertical' 100 degree, 100ft drop to really get your blood pumping. 'SAW Alive Horror Maze' is a terrifying live action maze featuring six iconic scenes from the 'SAW' horror films. Not for the faint of heart.
1. Getting there - If you're an AA Member, you can benefit from a range of discounts to use for your trip to theme parks around the UK:
If you're thinking of taking a short break to a theme park, check out our great offers at UK attractions.
If you fancy self-catering, enjoy up to 10% off with cottages4you if you book online.
If you're driving there and back, get 20% off food and drink if you show your membership card at Moto service areas (if it's a day trip, you can get a round-trip route when you plan an AA route online).
2. Planning your day - It pays to know what you want to do and a rough order of when you want to do things, so you can make the most of the attractions at the theme park. Don’t forget to:
3. Once you're there
To avoid unnecessary disappointment, here are a couple of theme park must-dos:
Head for the virtual queue kiosks early on - you can book your slot on popular rides and get a fast-track to the front when your time comes.
Agree a central meeting point - so if anyone gets lost, you have a central place to meet up.
There are loads of other tips to make the most of your day. Visit your chosen theme park's website for more details. And remember, pace yourself - arrange pit-stops along the way or you'll burn out, and try to avoid the heavy-duty rides just after lunch!
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