Real World Theme Parks Off to London this weekend....
- Thread starter Helena
- Start date
Alton towers is better than most but all worth seeing
thorpe park
legoland
chessington
http://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/sightseeing/london-attraction/theme-park#zHqrZVKOxGo4Aqxm.97
thorpe park
legoland
chessington
http://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/sightseeing/london-attraction/theme-park#zHqrZVKOxGo4Aqxm.97
Hi Helena.
I was there at the weekend as I was at the WIMBLEDON final.
Thorpe isn't far from London. If it takes 2 hours to get there, it'll only be because of traffic. Getting anywhere in London is an utter ball-ache unless you're using the underground. It's also more geared towards thrill rides so has better coasters. It has a really good selection of rides and is close to London so I'd recommend it.
Chessington is really a kiddie/family park as is Legoland (which isn't really near London) and neither have decent coasters.
Alton Towers is epic. (I'm biased, I know lol) It's nowhere near London though. It's so unique and is very innovative with a few world's first coasters which are world famous. I'd definitely recommend it but if you're travelling to the UK, it's really worth going for 2 days and staying over. It'd be a real drag travelling up from London to get a few hours there and then having to go back. Also, there's no way you can get round it all and get on all the rides in one day. April, May and September are quieter but this weekend, the kids break up from school for the summer and it'll be rammed.
One thing I would say is go on the London Eye. It's absolutely brilliant and the view up there is awesome.
Also, the Olympic Park now has the world's tallest and fastest tube slide. It opened a couple of weeks ago but I didn't get chance to give it a go at the weekend. It goes around the big red tower sculpture that has the restaurant at the top. I think it costs £15 to go up the tower and then slide down. It looks amazing.
Also, Madame Tussaudes has a Starwars section now. If you're thinking of going, I'd recommend getting your ticket online beforehand as it's cheaper and the queues are hideous if you don't have a ticket. Same goes for the London Eye. In fact, as they're both owned by Merlin, you can buy a combo ticket which saves you even more. Thorpe, Alton, Chessington and Legoland are also owned by them but I don't think you can include them on the combo ticket.
So, May the force be with you this weekend and have an awesome time. Let us know how you get on and get some photos. [happy][up]
I was there at the weekend as I was at the WIMBLEDON final.
Thorpe isn't far from London. If it takes 2 hours to get there, it'll only be because of traffic. Getting anywhere in London is an utter ball-ache unless you're using the underground. It's also more geared towards thrill rides so has better coasters. It has a really good selection of rides and is close to London so I'd recommend it.
Chessington is really a kiddie/family park as is Legoland (which isn't really near London) and neither have decent coasters.
Alton Towers is epic. (I'm biased, I know lol) It's nowhere near London though. It's so unique and is very innovative with a few world's first coasters which are world famous. I'd definitely recommend it but if you're travelling to the UK, it's really worth going for 2 days and staying over. It'd be a real drag travelling up from London to get a few hours there and then having to go back. Also, there's no way you can get round it all and get on all the rides in one day. April, May and September are quieter but this weekend, the kids break up from school for the summer and it'll be rammed.
One thing I would say is go on the London Eye. It's absolutely brilliant and the view up there is awesome.
Also, the Olympic Park now has the world's tallest and fastest tube slide. It opened a couple of weeks ago but I didn't get chance to give it a go at the weekend. It goes around the big red tower sculpture that has the restaurant at the top. I think it costs £15 to go up the tower and then slide down. It looks amazing.
Also, Madame Tussaudes has a Starwars section now. If you're thinking of going, I'd recommend getting your ticket online beforehand as it's cheaper and the queues are hideous if you don't have a ticket. Same goes for the London Eye. In fact, as they're both owned by Merlin, you can buy a combo ticket which saves you even more. Thorpe, Alton, Chessington and Legoland are also owned by them but I don't think you can include them on the combo ticket.
So, May the force be with you this weekend and have an awesome time. Let us know how you get on and get some photos. [happy][up]
Thank you for plenty of good answers! 
Maybe stick to Thorpe. Alton is too far. My guy is even on border on Thorpe's distance. lol.
I would prefer to visit a thrills park because we visited Disneyland in Tokyo 1.5 weeks ago and it was basically just kiddy rides and cute theme. (less thrills than the Paris one). No we did not regret going there, it was nice. But it is nice to have some G power too.
Thanks for the advice about city things to do. We have been to London in 2010 but got food poisoned. We did not do London Eye nor Tussauds.
Maybe stick to Thorpe. Alton is too far. My guy is even on border on Thorpe's distance. lol.
I would prefer to visit a thrills park because we visited Disneyland in Tokyo 1.5 weeks ago and it was basically just kiddy rides and cute theme. (less thrills than the Paris one). No we did not regret going there, it was nice. But it is nice to have some G power too.
Thanks for the advice about city things to do. We have been to London in 2010 but got food poisoned.
We did not do London Eye nor Tussauds.
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I just watched a video of this and at the current rate of exchange £15 is just about $20 USD and I would not be willing to pay that much for just a few seconds of a ride eventhough it does look like fun. That $20 would go a long way towards an admission to a full theme park that has a lot more than one ride like Busch Gardens Williamsburg where you can buy a "fun Card" for $77 per person and use it for unlimited visits until September 5th , but to each his own.
You're very welcome, Helena.
Honestly, Thorpe is very close to London. It's only 25 miles (40km) drive from Central London. London is about 35 miles (56km) across and Thorpe isn't really far from Heathrow Airport, which is in London. Traffic permitting, it takes about 50 minutes.
Gutted you got food-poisoning last time you were here. You're very unlucky and I hope you have a better time this visit. [happy]
Honestly, Thorpe is very close to London. It's only 25 miles (40km) drive from Central London. London is about 35 miles (56km) across and Thorpe isn't really far from Heathrow Airport, which is in London. Traffic permitting, it takes about 50 minutes.
Gutted you got food-poisoning last time you were here. You're very unlucky and I hope you have a better time this visit. [happy]
Yes, stay away from the carbonara at the Science museum (whatever it is called) haha! ugh (it was likely heated over and over the whole day)
I have never gotten poisoned at the trips since (many cities in the US, Paris and Tokyo) then so I guess it was super bad luck.
We aren't having car so it is all about public commuting/trains. Which adds to time with the changes and such.
But as for myself, I want to visit the park.
I have never gotten poisoned at the trips since (many cities in the US, Paris and Tokyo) then so I guess it was super bad luck.
We aren't having car so it is all about public commuting/trains. Which adds to time with the changes and such.
But as for myself, I want to visit the park.
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It's a weird quirk of British parks. In Merlin owned parks, closing times vary throughout the season, sometimes being different day to day. I can only think of Blackpool Pleasure Beach (which isn't a theme park) closing later into the evening (correct me if I'm wrong). I've always found it strange that we're in this country on this latitude that has really long days in the summer, that theme parks don't capitalize on this. In June, here in Lincolnshire, the sun doesn't go down till nearly 10pm and it never gets fully dark. I know Alton has loads of restrictions due to noise issues, but I don't know why, even occasionally, more parks don't make the most of our gorgeous summer evenings.
Yeah! Coming from a city with a park that never close earlier than 8pm and sometimes all the way to midnight I got surprised. Yes we are a little more north latitude wise but still.... Liseberg is the park in question.
Good thing I checked times. Haha. Opening very early, closing very early.
Good thing I checked times. Haha. Opening very early, closing very early.
It is all to do with the silly thing of noise and light pollution in why they are open when they are. The only time these opening times change is if their is a pre-arranged event such as Halloween which requires the park to get permission from the council to open late etc.
London Eye is good just to relax and see the views although not cheap and the slide looks interesting, will be something we do next time we are there just to say done it.
Sorry to hear you got food poising last time, I would suggest not eating at big places like that, no atmosphere and yeah lot's of reheated food.
Check this out for some great places to eat that won't kill the budget at the same time...http://www.timeout.com/london/food-drink/londons-best-cheap-eats
London Eye is good just to relax and see the views although not cheap and the slide looks interesting, will be something we do next time we are there just to say done it.
Sorry to hear you got food poising last time, I would suggest not eating at big places like that, no atmosphere and yeah lot's of reheated food.
Check this out for some great places to eat that won't kill the budget at the same time...http://www.timeout.com/london/food-drink/londons-best-cheap-eats
Home again, I am so exhausted haha, first Tokyo super intense trip for many days, more than 2 weeks, then a few days home, and then off to London for 6 days.
We went to Thorpe park! I loved the rollercoasters! However I think their map could be improved, we did not realize the "X" was coaster until we went home. But the others. I loved Nemesis, Stealth and Swarm the most. Colossus and Saw shook on my head too much to enjoy (gave me headache, Saw was worst, Colossus because of the side bars my head banged to...) I think Swarm was the most enjoyable ride, but I thought it was a bit short. Stealth too for that matter but it is kind of the point there... hmm.
Due to the crazy early ride closing hour of 6pm we did not have time to ride any smaller rides. :/
We went to Thorpe park! I loved the rollercoasters! However I think their map could be improved, we did not realize the "X" was coaster until we went home.
But the others. I loved Nemesis, Stealth and Swarm the most. Colossus and Saw shook on my head too much to enjoy (gave me headache, Saw was worst, Colossus because of the side bars my head banged to...) I think Swarm was the most enjoyable ride, but I thought it was a bit short. Stealth too for that matter but it is kind of the point there... hmm.Due to the crazy early ride closing hour of 6pm we did not have time to ride any smaller rides. :/
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Glad you had a good time and Saw even upon opening was a rough ride, not sure why they decided to make it that rough tbh, the ride itself is awesome but you almost have to wear protective head gear haha
And yeah stupid opening times suck, especially when weather like this. Nemesis is probably my personal fav there. I like Colossus and don't remember it being a particular head banger.
And yeah stupid opening times suck, especially when weather like this. Nemesis is probably my personal fav there. I like Colossus and don't remember it being a particular head banger.
Could be a difference in body build and height? I do not know. My head kept hitting the side bars.
Well, Saw was worse definitely.
The best protection was on Swarm definitely, far apart side bars so no risk of hitting head and special body protection I have never seen before. Feeling nice secured in and not thrashing around.
Well, Saw was worse definitely.
The best protection was on Swarm definitely, far apart side bars so no risk of hitting head and special body protection I have never seen before. Feeling nice secured in and not thrashing around.
Glad you managed to get to Thorpe Park Helena, on your visit to the UK. London is one place I try to avoid unless I have no option but to go there. I spent over fifteen years driving a truck, delivering goods all over London and the outskirts before I retired and I am now glad to see the back of it. The best thing about London, is the road out of it. [haha]
I now live in a sleepy little village in the heart of the country, just two miles from Drayton Manor Park, which I visit occasionally.
I now live in a sleepy little village in the heart of the country, just two miles from Drayton Manor Park, which I visit occasionally.
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Thank you!
Nemmie, yes we did enjoy the Celebration. More so my guy he got autographs from all the celebs from that day (Sunday) but one, poor Kenny Baker but that is because we just got from him earlier this year locally.
I got only from the big ones: Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill. It was amazing. It was pricey to buy the autograph signings so I stuck to the big ones. Yes more costly, but quality over quantity, lol.
Coasterbuff, haha I have to agree though in a way about London. What annoyed me was that everyone and their dog smoked on the streets, no wonder as it is not allowed to smoke indoors but still it annoyed me. Also the filth made me go eww too. I got puzzled over people putting household garbage and street vendors/minor restaurants putting their crap on the street. Tray after tray with rotting fruit and vegetable peels cluttering the street.
When we told this to one guy who used to live in UK, he said because of poor people not affording to have actual bins. I understand about poor people, but about the vendors/restaurants I think it is pure arrogance toward the street cleaners and also pedestrians.
Those are the things that irked us. Also coming almost directly from the super courteous people of Tokyo people, I feel people aren't attentive about other people in need. No giving up seats in tube, etc. We gave up our seats to one woman with tiny child, no one else did.
Well, but at least we had fun with the stuff we did.
Nemmie, yes we did enjoy the Celebration. More so my guy he got autographs from all the celebs from that day (Sunday) but one, poor Kenny Baker but that is because we just got from him earlier this year locally.
I got only from the big ones: Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill. It was amazing. It was pricey to buy the autograph signings so I stuck to the big ones. Yes more costly, but quality over quantity, lol.
Coasterbuff, haha I have to agree though in a way about London. What annoyed me was that everyone and their dog smoked on the streets, no wonder as it is not allowed to smoke indoors but still it annoyed me. Also the filth made me go eww too. I got puzzled over people putting household garbage and street vendors/minor restaurants putting their crap on the street. Tray after tray with rotting fruit and vegetable peels cluttering the street.
When we told this to one guy who used to live in UK, he said because of poor people not affording to have actual bins. I understand about poor people, but about the vendors/restaurants I think it is pure arrogance toward the street cleaners and also pedestrians.
Those are the things that irked us. Also coming almost directly from the super courteous people of Tokyo people, I feel people aren't attentive about other people in need. No giving up seats in tube, etc. We gave up our seats to one woman with tiny child, no one else did.
Well, but at least we had fun with the stuff we did.