Trip Planning help needed for UK

[dubaidave]

OK,

I was planning on doing a Europe trip this summer but it seems I will need to go to the UK to see family so I am after some tips for a UK trip. Which parks to hit? When they will be quietest? etc.

I will be picking my son up at Heathrow on the 18th July and spending about 10 days in UK. We have relatives in Swansea so plan to hit Oakwood and relatives near Scarborough so plan to hit Flamingo Land.

I feel a little silly asking this as I am from the UK but it is several years since I have been so any tips would be gratefully received.

 

thanks

[robinschroder]

I believe that the UK school holiday dates for the summer are roughly 25th July - 30th August (all schools are slightly different). So, that means you'll be here whilst they're still in school for the most part. Usually colleges and Universities have their holidays a bit earlier, but you'll be avoiding the super-crazy busy season, at least. (Weekdays will be quieter during this period - as with most theme parks!)

 

I'd say definitely try and get up to Alton Towers for Nemesis, Rita, Oblivion, Air, etc. And also Thorpe Park should be great for Stealth, Nemesis Inferno, Colossus, Rush, Slammer, etc. And, although I've not been myself ( !), Blackpool Pleasure Beach is probably a must too!

 

Otherwise, any of the other parks on Robb and Elissa's itinerary for the big TPR UK trip should be fun places to spend a day!

 

Robin

[verticalzero]

Visit Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures.

 

They have changed so much and you will enjoy the different types of coasters at both parks. Stealth should be open at Thorpe Park, hope to see a "roll-back" in action.

 

You could go to Paulton's Park and try their new "Cobra" Bobsled coaster.

 

Oakwood is a "must" park to visit, esp for "Megaphobia", wonderful coaster with massive " standing up Airtime" in the back seat down the 1st drop.

 

Alton Towers and Drayton Manor Park are worth a visit as well.

 

"Blackpool" is a Coasters heaven with so many to choose from, Wild Mouse and Grand National are the best.. Pepsi Max sux's with its rubbish layout and does get boring after the 1st drop.

[Shockwave]

Pretty much all the parks around that time of year will be busy either with schoolkids on day trips, or families on holiday.

 

If you visit Alton Towers and Thorpe Park, I'd recommend getting the Fastpass (upcharge at £5 approx) so you don't end up queuing all day for the big rides.

 

Blackpool is normally fairly quiet unless you visit on a day when the weather is good, as sunshine brings everybody to the park.

[martinb]

Well there are a few other parks near Scarbrough, theres:

 

LightWater Valley (home of the Ultimate, a very different coaster experience, 2nd longest coaster in the world, you have to ride this ferocious beast to understand the term 'ferocious'

 

Fantasy Island, loads of great extreme rides, including 170ft slc, 200ft ferris wheel, 330ft tower ride thingy, 200ft shot tower! Pay per ride!!never long que's allthough it will be busy because of market!

 

Pleasure Island, average family theme park, with 1 unique ride, a crazy flying enterprise!!!

 

Skeggy Pleasure Beach, family pleasure park, nothing amazing here but will have a brand new fabbri spinning coaster, quite a few coaster credits to be had here!

 

There all the local ones but then theres the obvious, Blackpool, Alton Towers, Chessington, Thorpe Park!!

 

Have Fun

[dubaidave]

Thanks so much for all your help.

It feels so strange asking for info for my home country.

At the moment it looks like the trip will be

Chessington

Thorpe Park

Oakwood

Alon towers

Blackpool

Flamingoland

 

In that order.

 

Wirth a few days inbetween to see family in UK.

 

 

Does that sound like a good plan?

[paulosthejackal]

Good plan, when you get to Alton go straight to either Air or Rita - longest ques you see!

 

This is a good year with lots of new rides for you so should be fun packed. All the students will be at the parks (including me) and if you get to them early it should be fairly easy to get some good rides in because the students don't generally get there till 12!

 

Also book your tickets online because when you get to Alton and Thorpe there sure will be a huge Q!

 

[dubaidave]

We are hoping to go to drayton then stay at alton towers hotel then go straight into the park.

 

I have to say I was planning on doing Eurpe this summer but there seems to be as much, if not more excitement in the UK.

[verticalzero]

As soon as the park opens run to your 1st coaster choice as the Q's will get large during the 1st hour.