StealthFan

I really like the new entrance area it looks great! Plus the nods to the history of the park were pretty cool, wish more parks would do that.

I was pretty lucky with tubas and only needed about 6 by the time they added the tasks. I wish they would add more land though, I've pretty much run out now and am having to start put stuff in the inventory to make space.

Totally agree! Doing my trip report didn't do it justice just how much fun I had or how relaxed I was.

Is that a new things that the big boy seats have different colour seat belts or have I just never noticed it before?

So as I'm sure some of you are aware Tayto Park in Ireland have not only just opened Gravity Groups newest coaster but they also opened Irelands first major coaster! Theme Park Review traveled out to the park to get footage of this awesome brand new ride and take a look at the park. I want to start of by saying that the park have been absolutely fantastic to work with. Their hospitality was superb, all the staff are so friendly and it creates such a nice atmosphere on park which is something many parks do lack in in my opinion. The park itself is currently in its 5th season and is in the process of expansion and growth to really establish itself as a must visit attraction. Due to this expansion you do see construction, landscaping etc going on through out the park but it doesn't detract from the experience at all. Its great too see all the staff taking such pride in the product they deliver with the park and nothing is left until its up to the high standard the park have set themselves. Even with the short gap between my visits so much work was done and the park looked even better by my next visit. This park has a great advantage against parks like Alton Towers, Thorpe Park etc in the fact that they have no real direct competition in Ireland which will allow them to really capitalise with each and every new investment and hopefully drive gate figures up and up. On my second visit the park was very busy and the coaster was extremely popular so it looks like that has already begun which is great! Now I'm sure the part you have all been waiting for, the photos! This is a picture of the ONE flight I had that wasn't delayed! My luck with flights on these trips was just terrible! The entrance building to the park is new for this year and looks fantastic! Its very much a log cabin feel and its very inviting to enter. Most of the park buildings such as "The Lodge Restaurant", wristband kiosks, toilets etc are all the same style building which provides a nice consistent feel through the park. One of the new rides for this year is Zamperla Air Race. Im sure many of our readers have been on one of these but if not check out the POV below! [fbvideonew] [/fbvideonew] 8 new attractions plus food outlets! What a year for the park! If you like spinning rides I'm sure you will love the rotator, me personally I think it's EVIL! As you can see the 5D Cinema is the same style building as the entrance but I think it looks fantastic. I didn't actually watch the movie myself but it seemed to be very popular which is good! The park has LOADS of climbing attractions/play areas and really do cater to a whole variety of people. The rock climbing wall was very popular on my second visit to the park and I saw quite a few people struggle with the over hang, so don't be fooled by this wall looking easy. For me though the best part was the Zipline! The great thing about it for me was not only can you walk underneath it as people shoot over you but it looks great up against Cú Chulainn! OMG I found the Loch Ness Tree Monster! Another new for this year attraction is Dinosaurs Alive which is a walk through attraction. "Not our dino!" Check out this little video I made of Dinosaurs Alive! This sign was specially commissioned for me when I ate at the parks carvery! This is the parks ropes course which again was very popular. I didn't mange to do this one but having done other ropes courses before I'm always glad to see one! This is the parks Junior Shot Tower. As you can see the fences round the ride are currently temporary but look out for them to change in the future as the park continues expanding and really establishing itself. A water play area for the kids is always going to be popular, even in Ireland where it rains a lot! Who is the more horrifying in this picture? Comment below and tell me! I can't stress how good this food was. As we all know some park food isnt anything to write home about but this most definitely is! The quality of the meat was amazing and it all tasted so so good. This is the parks/Tayto crisps mascot Mr Tayto in tree form! Speaking of Tayto crisps one of the great things the park offers is a free factory tour! Its not just Tayto Crisps they make but they also make other brands of potato based products! That is quite a lot of potatoes! It may take 25 minutes to make one packets of crisps but it takes me less than 25 seconds to destroy one. Mr Tayto is trying to escape because he thinks I'm going to eat him. This is Elissa approved I am sure. Who else who visited the park has managed to find the hidden Gorilla? This is one of the more accurate park maps I have encountered. The paths are pretty much exact to the layout of the park so there really isnt much guessing to do. Does this remind anyone else of the Legoland toilet signs? EVIL SWAN! This guy started chasing me when I got near him. He must have been defending Mr Tayto. The Zoo is another great feature of the park and features a wide variety of animals. I get the feeling this Squirrel Monkey was not a fan of my Elsa phone case! I don't think we would get along due to this fact. Maybe he's an Anna fan? BUNNY RABBIT! Yay for 69ing Meerkats! There were multiple of these swings around the park. Its nice to see some unique seating around instead of the same old boring park benches. So now its on to the part I'm sure you have all been waiting for! Cú Chulainn! The entrance arch is really awesome with this bad ass Irish warrior! The no use of mobile phones or camera is a very good thing for this ride. In the time I was at the park I saw quite a few remains of what was a phone or a camera. Who wants some Gravity Group goodness? I know there has been some mixed opinion on the figure head of this ride but whatever you may think its great that it doesn't obstruct your view when you ride in the front seat! This is the first drop or as I like to think of it, the start of a non stop coaster that doesn't let up until the final brakes! Take the tunnel! The ride I found very deceptive, just when you think its going to be over it delivers with just that bit more. How many of you get excited by a picture like this? Overbank or Inversion? Comment below with what you think! This is one time when its highly recommended to head for the light at the end of the tunnel! The coaster is packed with multiple double downs/ups and every single one of them delivers a pop of airtime! How many of you would like to own some official Cú Chulainn wood? I took this picture for Thad! Lets tests some of our readers. How many of you know what all the flags on the lift hill represent? So over all Cú Chulainn is a REALLY good ride. It has a few jolts here and there but they are working on the ride still. They have just installed a second train which will help with queue times and track work is on going so expect this ride to just keep getting better. Out of all the woodies I have been on in Europe I would say this easily rates in the top 5. I think its better than Woodan at Europa by far for example. So on my way out of the park and back to the airport I took a walk through the shop and noticed they were selling Bison meat! How many parks if any sell meat in their shop? If I thought I could have got this through airport security I would have totally got myself some. I hope Dave approves of these cups! Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live as a giant poTayto Well now you can by buys Mr Taytos autobiography! So there we have it my Irish adventure has come to and an end with another delayed flight! So over all for a park thats only in its fifth season they really have a lot going for them. Great food, good selection of rides, very well priced and the whole park looks beautiful. I highly recommend keeping an eye on the park because the future is looking bright! If you get a chance to head out to the park take it as you won't be disappointed! -Craig

Glad to hear you enjoyed the park. Did you get to see the impressive method of moving food that gets stuck on the track to the tables at Food Loop? Otherwise know as the big poking stick!

I actually quite enjoyed "The Great Movie Ride" for what it is. I mean its a nice little attraction that I would happily do after having something to eat so its nice to see it get a few upgrades.

This seems like a must visit if I get to go back to Epcot!

Glad to see you enjoyed the park. I really think the park has so much potential and if the woodie is a success for them I'm sure the future will be very bright.

Sorry to tell you but being a moron is a world wide problem.

I love the lever in the station with the attendant dispatch button on it! That is pure genius and a great way to incorporate a necessary operational feature into the theme of the ride!

I stand by my statement about Disney World for my first visit this year. Their design philosophy has got to be something like "Just how much project mapping onto things can we do?". Its not a bad thing at all to go that route in fact I believe its the complete opposite, its AWESOME especially when Frozen themed!

I love the look of the control room there! This park just keeps getting better. Red Arrows Skyforce seems to have been a great hit for Blackpool Pleasure Beach so I hope this does the same for Holiday Park!

That is something we really don't get to say a lot these days. Most new coasters have their layouts released or leaked pretty early on so the fact this one hasn't been yet is great!

None of the maps have changed, paper or park ones. Well that to me says it is possible they are some what optimistic that the ride will re open this year. If the ride was shut down for the year I would expect to see new maps. Im convinced this year they started out with maps that didn't feature "The Blade" but when they decided that the ride was staying for the season new ones were introduced featuring the ride. Or am I just imagining that happened?

What I love about this project is that it seems the park are not rushing it. They are taking their time to make sure they get it right then opening it when its finished to the high standard they expect. It is nice and refreshing to see a park do that.

I don't think its too strange. I mean the other thing that it provides with removing the sign is people don't know where the entrance is so won't head towards it instinctively going "Oh look a ride entrance". The amount of people at parks who ask "Where is *insert ride here*" and they are standing right by the entrance. Removing the signage removes one of the incentives to want to ride believe it or not. I will be interested to here what you find out.

^I think that sounds about right for Spinball from what I remember but it has been quite a while since I visited. I think from what I have read the park have done well removing all The Smiler branding from the park in such a short time, of course it will be here and there on things such as parent swap passes but they have done a good job none the less. Have the park provided new maps around the park and paper ones for guests with The Smiler removed?

Guinea Pigs in a basket is an amazing concept! I love this idea and an now thinking if it can be done with Capybaras or as I like to call them Giant Guinea Pigs!

^Dont forget all the people who will want to ride "that roller coaster that crashed"

^I do think it is the best direction for the park if I'm honest. The media will try to sensationalise it when it re-opens thats to be expected but from a visitor stand point I feel it will be more beneficial. I don't believe any loss of visitors they have now will increase further, we are past that point and it is now becoming old news so if anything I believe slowly but surely the numbers will come back up.

Hmm....I am surprised they removed them entirely rather than covering them up. It wouldn't surprise me if they are looking at changing the name and branding of the ride after the investigation is complete. The fact is the name "The Smiler" will be linked to this incident in everyones mind and when people see the name they will relate to it. People are very naive when it comes to thing like this and a simple name change will be enough to get people back on, plus reduce the amount of people going around the park saying "OMG that Smiler ride is well dangerous, I died 72 times and got a finger shoved up my backside by it cause it is scariest thing evaaaarrrrrrrrrrrr".

^ More Dinosaurs less Potter should be the Universal philosophy from now on!

This is my favourite TPR PSA since the one at the end of this video.

I really need to get back to this park. They have done so much since my last visit on 2008 and I really enjoyed the park back then.