* ~** ThemeParks megathread **~**

[nicK]

oke

gonna be in leeds in a couple of weeks for the weekend..
on the saturday i was planning to go to alton towers for the day..
whats the best way to get there? (no car)

i know virgin do package holidays (return train ticket + theme park ticket) , but they don't do one from leeds unfortunately

centraltrains do the same kinda deal, but again, nothing from leeds..

so, anyone any idea of the best way to get there or what ticket to get and where?

carrotcake

get the train to stoke-on-trent and then get the x39 bus from the train station, which'll take you right there

daveg

Tis an excellent spot. garenteed a great day out. Info on trains other than Virgin can be found on their website.

[nicK]

can't seem to get a train from leeds to stoke-on-trent.. and the all-inclusive packages don't run from leeds at all.. so (you people that know england and its train routes) ..what are my options..?

[nicK]

bumpdiddledeebumbbumbumb

... need info before thursday, can anyone help me out?

daveg

Could you hire a car Nick? It seems Nation express no longer run a bus service.

If not you can probably get a train from Leeds to Stoek on trent and then get a bus/taxi to Alton Towers.

Also try ringing Alton Towers direct and ask them.

sceptre

Originally posted by Scrappy]-[Nick
can't seem to get a train from leeds to stoke-on-trent

Go here and check for times. The train will take you just under 2 hours and there's always a change.

[nicK]

gone and back..

had nothing organised before i went but it couldn't have worked out any easier.
got a ticket from manchester to leeds at around 6:30, arrived in manchester and got a train from there to stoke about 5mins later. from there we had to wait no longer than 10mins to get the x39 (thx daveg) bus (towers tickets included) straight out to alton towers - (air rocks) (..and so did the damien rice in leeds)

daveg

Glad to hear it all worked out. You have to remember not every country in the world had a public transpost system as fúcked up as ours.

I've been to Alton towers twice. Tis an excellent place.

KdjaCL

bringing kids to Euro Disney or Wexford during summer got a quote for 4 nights in Euro Disney staying in the theme park for 2402 euros without flights.
3 kids 2 adults going anyone been there for a little bit less than 2402.
1st family holiday so want to go somewere where kids will have fun eurodisney seems to be a good idea but not that price.
I wouldn mind not staying in the park and getting hotel outside it.

Anyone done this before?
Thanks.

kdjac

Cal

I did it a few years ago and stayed in the Davey Crocket log cabin area. It is a bit off site and requires a car but it was good. Not too sure on price though.

My brother did the on site hotel thing last year and loved it. A big tip he told me was to purchase your park tickets seperately. When booking the hotel tell them you have season tickets for the park then when you get there buy your tickets on the gate. I was told there was a big saving doing it that way.

Cal

chopster

I too was looking into this but the prices seriously put me off just for a few days ! However i came across this hotel here , ten mins from charles de gualle and has a complimentary shuttle bus to disneyland , again a ten mins ride.

Now the best part depending on when you go the rate is around €150 in your case for a room that can sleep 6. So if you go for four days that would be aound €600 , and have some change from €2402 to buy the kids those rediculous mickey ears .
The other thing is that the hotel is extremely kiddie friendly. Hope this helps somewhat.

KdjaCL

That hotel looks superb, although the prices are for off season i dont think they be much dearer. The free bus makes it a winner for me

We booking soon thanks

/pah who needs travel agents, boards is fine

kdjac

chopster

np , just tell me how you get on once you get back as i may head for there during the summer also , taking the kids to portugal first in Easter then will look for something during the summer.

By the way just click on 'Rates' to see just that on the page and peak season is still under €200/night .

:cool:

shabbyroad

boards.ie does it again.... did some searching and saved money and hassle.

for the fun of it we got a quote of 2100 yoyos for 3 nights in eurodisney not including insurance

so, got online and used some recommendations from threads in this forum
it's 2 adults and 3 kids for 4 nights

hotel : here
worked out at 450 euro for a big room which has a double bed, 2 single beds and (wait for it) a separate 'bunk room' with bunk beds. Some parents don't like sharing bedrooms with their kids... we're in that camp. Thanks to chopster for the recommendation

flight : ebookers.ie return flights with cityjet 850 euro

tix for eurodisney direct from their website - three day pass worked out at 450

insurance - got it online for 72 euro for the year... saves us again in the summer for our holiday in july

all done from the comfort of my kitchen table with email confirmations in minutes.

who needs travel agents ? (somehow I feel the savings will be eaten up in merchandise when we get there.... better off in my kids pocket's I suppose)

Beruthiel

a friend of mine flew with ryan air and then took a taxi straight from the airport down, sounds daft, but there was a gang of them, and by the time he added up the bus into paris and the train to eurodisney from there, it came out cheaper, so the taxi was great, he also went down and collected them for the home journey, he charged around 120 for the trip down and 170 for going down and collecting them for the return journey.

Lex Luthor

We stayed at one of the hotels there in Oct 02 for 3 nights. 2 adults, 1 kid for $1000. Park tickets were included in that. Bought online at their website. I think the hotel was called Santa Fe. It was in the park and 5 mins from the main centre.
You could access both parks in & out all day no restrictions.

I highly recommend the Aersosmith Rollercoaster.

If the place is busy, as it was when we were there (mid term), you will need to book the restaurants well in advance.

Also, the weather is unpredictable, so bring rain gear. If you don't you can get rooted to the hotel all day.

Mr. Fancypants

Thinking of heading to PortAventura with my girlfriend this September. Prices for flights seem quite cheap from Ryanair (€179 return for 2 inc taxes). Could anyone recommend a place to stay? We are hoping to have easy access to the theme park and to the train station to get into Barcelona. I checked one on site hotel and it was €924 for the week!

Thanks!

LegacyUser

In the middle of April, I travelled to Salou (Reus) airport with Ryanair on a Thurs, coming back on a Sunday, and stayed in the Calypso Hotel in Salou. Total cost (flights and hotel for three nights incl. breakfast — €167). Could have gotten in cheaper (€142 total), but there were a bunch of us going and we wouldn't have all gotten the same gotel.

Got the little toy train for €2.50 out to PortAventura and it was €34 entry.

tinkerbell

The hotels are lovely in the Port Aventura grounds.

Hixfunk

Yeah yeah yeah Buckfast, and what else did you get up to in Salou???

LegacyUser

Spent most of my time in gay bars with my good friend KH!

Waaaay mucker. Bout time you signed up!

Keyzer

Puerta Ventura.....

Sorry for being annoying but I couldn't help it...

Mr. Fancypants

Keyzer wrote:

Puerta Ventura.....

Sorry for being annoying but I couldn't help it...

Is it? Seems a bit odd that the official site is http://www.portaventura.es/home.asp

LegacyUser

Keyzer wrote:

Puerta Ventura.....

Sorry for being annoying but I couldn't help it...

Not annoying, just makin yourself look like a complete d!ck.

Puerta Ventura is in Panama isn't it? Bit of a walk from Salou, not sure if the toy train will bring you there.

Not sure if Michael O'Leary would bring you long haul for that price (original post) either.

ROFLMAO at keyser.


EDIT: SP

poppins9000

One is in the canarys.....the other is the theme park in spain...
No wait im wrong there...thinking of fortaventura in canarys... I take it back, before ye hammer me! :rolleyes:

tinkerbell

That would be Fuerteventura

LegacyUser

poppins9000 wrote:

One is in the canarys.....the other is the theme park in spain...
No wait im wrong there...thinking of fortaventura in canarys... I take it back, before ye hammer me! :rolleyes:

In fairness, there was no ambiguity about mbroaders original question — he called it Port Aventura and even said it was a theme park.

Hixfunk

Buckfast....ya need to keep a lid on that temper of yours.

Port Aventura is class, the Dragon Khan is definetely woth the whole trip.
Just don't go on the swing ride, heard that they can be scary, ain't that right Buckie?

Puerta Ventura.....Sorry for being annoying but I couldn't help it...

I love it when people correct others and turn out to be wrong. If I were going to be annoying enough to correct someone I'd at least check that my information was right! Puerta Ventura and Port Aventura aren't even pronounced the same way.

daveg

Myself, the misses and 6 year old son will be in L.A. for 3 days/4 nights in Jan 06. Any tips on the following would be much appreciated:

• Should we hire a car? Is it a nightmare to drive in LA.
• Will be staying in the Sheraton Universal. Has anyone stayed in this hotel?
• To see the sights were we planning on taking one of the day tours. Any tips on which one to take? What sights should we see?
• Any tips on outlet shopping?
• We want to spend a day at a theme park as well. Which ones the best? We were thinking 6 flags as we have been to Disney/Universal in Orlando.
• Is LA as dangerous as it sounds? What should we not do and where should we not go?

Any other tips?

Thanks in advance.

jcoote

i was in LA in 2003 (**** 2 years ago already) and its a superb place...was only there for 3 days like yourselves...

i managed to get to universal studios and its just unbelievable possibly the best place i've been... loads of rides film studios and th tour is out of this wold well worth going to.. we got a front of the line pass and it was the best $80 i ever spent...no waitiing around to get on rides its a great...

we were staying on wilshire boulevard (which at the time they were filming spiderman 2 and we were stayingon the set fantastic stuff)...anyway we walked around a bit and hit ourselves lots of mexican guys asking us if we wanted id and all that kinda stuff...so taxis everywhere is ow we got around...

sunset boulevard and the walk of fame and the chinese theater are all in the same spot so thats a definate place to go to...we wanted to got o rodeo drive were all the clebrity shopping shops are but never made it maybe next time...

anyway thats my 2 cents...have a great holiday!

mad m

Going there myself this week with the wife and two kids.We got a pass to do about five theme parks for a very good price,Link

As for renting a car and driving over there,well my brother inlaw lives there and he is the worst driver I have ever come across and he has a californian drivers license now(Cant imagine how he got it).So he said its no problem driving over there.So I'm thinking if he can drive it should be a doddle for me.

I was told to bring packed lunches into Disney parks and possibly one of those cooler haversack to keeps things nice and cold as it is expensive to eat/drink inside the grounds.

RyanfromNJ

mad m.... DEFINITELY bring food with ya to the theme parks if ya can... it is SOOOOO expensive... I've been both to Disney Land in Cali, and Disney World in Florida, and they are about the same... it seems as though every theme park marks up the food tremendously... I live in New Jersey, and we have a Six Flags theme park near us, and even though I go there 2 or 3 times a season, I always bring my own, leave it in a cooler in the back of my SUV(along with a few cold beers!!!) and just head out there at lunch time... good luck buddy!!


Ryan

mad m

@RyanfromNJ

Yeah thanks for the advice,we ended up getting a hotel right opposite the Disney gates,so I guess its back to room at lunchtime...Any more help you can tell me I'd appreciate it...

Silvera

I spent 3 days in L.A last year on my way home from Oz/NZ/Cook Islands.

I did a city tour the first day - very cheap and takes in all the main sights, Hollywood sign (from a distance!), Farmers Market (well-known shopping area/market), Venice Beach (stops there for c.1hr so you can have a look around), Rodeo Drive, etc.
It's a great way to see the city when you don't have a lot of time. Starts c.10am, til c.4pm. I booked mine the night before at my hotel reception (Holiday Inn, Buena Park. Really nice hotel and staff!)

I spent a day in Universal Studios and it was brill!
Don't go to L.A. and miss U Studios !!!
(Food is pricey there, but I was travelling solo, so only had to buy one meal ! )

I also went to Medieval Times (Dinner and Tournament). Nightly show with guys jousting, and showing their skills on horseback. Bit of harmless fun, a good way to spend a few hours. (I first heard about it on the Osbourne's show !)

I would advise against driving in L.A.
My travel agent in NZ (A well-travelled Canadian) said it was not worth hiring a car for a few days - the road system is a little complicated to the novice and you would waste time, and only give yourself unneccessary stress.

I believe downtown Hollywood/L.A. is the area to be avoided.
I travelled in tours/groups/straight to U Studios and straight back to hotel, so didn't venture around the streets too much.

Have a good trip.

Silvera.

Good tips above.
You may as well go to Universal,its different to the one in Florida and you can do the studio tour.That place is as silvera says excelent tbh for the rides alone and the tour.
It will take you down onto the set of desperate housewives,yes the actual set of wisteria lane so you might see ms hatcher and loads of other sets too.

Do hire a car, get one from Hertz and ensure that you have their talking hertz never lost GPS system its absolutely brilliant and its true to its name, it will tell you everything as well as showing your live progress on the map.It will tell you that you have a right turn in 2 miles,1 mile a half mile and then go "ding dong" when you get to it and say right turn now etc-fecking excelent!
Driving in LA is not a nightmare tbh and even on the highways ,if you have 2 or more in the car, you can drive in a special lane which is mostly empty as unlike in Ireland they do obey the rules.
It means even at rush hour you will speed by everybody else.

Einstein

'Ello

Heading to Fuerteventura for a week on SUnday morning.
Anyone ever been? Whats it like?
Any info etc appreciated!

Dave

Saruman

Just like the other canary islands only less developed. Its also windier and great for surfers. Still hot though. I have not been myself to that one but thats what everyone who has tells me. Oh its quieter than Gran Canaria's big resorts like Pley del ingles etc.

Lex Luthor

not been to F'ventura but could see it from the beach every day last year from L'zarote. Also been to Tenerife.
Can't ever see myself going to another Canary Island for the rest of my life...

Nothing personal against L'zarote, we loved it there....different reasons why I didn't enjoy Tenerife and I won't get into to, but I just hate cockroaches.

It's also very very hot in the Canaries this time of year so bring plenty SPF25.

On the plus side, I know plenty of people, not as hung up on roaches as me that have been to F'ventura who had a great time. They stayed at Barcelo apts. If the people on the island are as friendly as on L'zarote, you'll enjoy yourself.

Einstein

we managed to get a €1500 hol voucher, so we're staying at some 4* hotel. Seems to be pretty nice and got decent enough reviews on line. Me no like roaches though...

TerrorFirmer

There's a great theme park closeby......fantastic stuff. I believe their Rollercoaster "The Dragon Khan" has the most loops out of any coaster in Europe....

Lex Luthor

Divers wrote:

we managed to get a €1500 hol voucher, so we're staying at some 4* hotel. Seems to be pretty nice and got decent enough reviews on line. Me no like roaches though...

roaches don't care much for stars although you shouldn't see as many as if you were in 3*

dublinguy05

I have been there would'nt rush back, not much night life...found the place to be dirty.....there are some lovely beaches though....the beer and food is cheap....I took a boat trip over to lanzarote took about 15 minutes then we got a free bus up to port del carmen were I stayed for a night...would recommend the boat trip (there is big ferry and the other is a small glass bottom boat which takes about an hour to get over to lanzarote).....to be honest I'd give it a couple of years before I would return to any of the canary islands

Einstein

Lex Luthor wrote:

roaches don't care much for stars although you shouldn't see as many as if you were in 3*

yay thats a relief!

RedorDead

Just spent the first week of July there. Are you staying in Correlejo or Caleta de Fuste?
I was in Caleta. Its okay - lots of couples and families, esp families. Manmade beach which isnt great. If you want a good beach take a day trip to Jandia - the beach down there is amazing. Theres meant to be a nice beach by the new shopping centre also (the atlantico) about 1.5 km from Caleta. Plenty of places to eat and drink around the town. But its by no means a nightlife haven.


The Catlanza tour is also well worth a trip if you are offered it.

Weather there was great - wall to wall blue skies for the week - temps in the high twenties as mentioned before but if you burn easy throw on the suncream as the wind makes it feel cooler than it actually is.

kahaya

I was in Correlejo last September and stayed in a self catering apartment. Temperatures were grand found it quite dirty also, especially the pool in the apartments. No comparison with Bodrum in Turkey, pool cleaned every night. Wouldn't ever go back to the Canaries personally but hope you have a great time.

Einstein

headed to Correlejo, THe Atlantis Dunapark hotel on the recommendation of a couple of people here that have been. Was never one for all nighters in clubs anyway so lack of nightlife doesn't bother me, give me a nice restaurant and a few beers, some watersports etc and I'll be happy!!

hansov

MobileInfantry wrote:

There's a great theme park closeby......fantastic stuff. I believe their Rollercoaster "The Dragon Khan" has the most loops out of any coaster in Europe....

I think that you are thinking about Portaventura which is in Northern Spain. Fuerteventura is not that advanced yet!

Lex Luthor

dublinguy05 wrote:

I took a boat trip over to lanzarote took about 15 minutes then we got a free bus up to port del carmen were I stayed for a night...would recommend the boat trip (there is big ferry and the other is a small glass bottom boat which takes about an hour to get over to lanzarote).....

The ferry docks in Playa Blanca in L'zarote. We stayed there last year and watched the ferry come in daily in to the dock. I wouldn't bother with the trip up to P.del Carmen. P. Blanca is a 10 times nicer resort. If you decide to go across, you end up in the harbour 5 mins walk from the main shopping, bars/restaurants area.
When you get off the boat, turn out right onto the promenade and walk to the beach area. There is a great Tex Mex restaurant which over looks the sea right on the front.
A further 20mins walk up and you will probably come across the best beach on all of the Canary Islands. Its right in frnt of the impressive Princessa Yaiza 5*L hotel. A walk around this hotel will make any hotel you have ever stayed in look bad. I stayed in the apt blocks next door so we passed it each day on way to the beach.
The Yaiza has an outdoor play area for kids, but its not restricted to hotel guests only, but a charge is applicable. Plenty to do for the day in P.Blanca if you get bored of F'ventura.

Enjoy the holiday....I wish I was going somewhere..just back 2 weeks and still not back into the swing of reality

DaisyD

We are racking our brains (very painful!) trying to decide where to go on holiday this year. We are a mammy, daddy and boy of seven. The last two years we went to EuroDisney for a four day break and had a brilliant time. We want to do something similar this year. Has anyone been to Salou??? I believe there's a theme park there??? What's it like for families???

Anyone got any other ideas for us? Florida is a non runner this year.