* ~ ThemeParks megathread ~**

trisha · 09-04-2006 7:59pm

Hey,

I'm thinking of going to either Alton Towers or Thorpe Park this summer. Looking for good rides and an easy enough place to get to.... Anyone know anything about either theme park or if one is better than the other.

Thanks

D-Generate · 09-04-2006 9:36pm

Alton Towers is unbelievable. Have been there about 4 times now and each time was for 2 days. Out of all the parks that I have been in, Stateside included, I still count this as one of the best for the sheer volume of rides it has and how good they are. Very little queues aswell. The themeing isn't great and its far removed from any notions of a Disney style park but if you are 12+ you will love it I imagine.

trisha · 09-04-2006 10:43pm

Cool, sound like fun so.... My expectations arent high, the only rides i have been on is the crapy one's in funderland so no doubt ill b terrified!!!

Do you know of anywhere that you would recommend to stay!!!

cerebis · 05-07-2006 2:13pm

Hey all hitting Florida in August for 2wks and just wondering what is there 2 do, me and a mate are going and we are renting a car and we are in our 20s.

We'll probably spend a few days in Orlando, and maybe hit miami ? anyone drove around Florida before and have advice for us ?

cheers!

Teg Veece · 14-07-2006 4:09am

If you're in Orlando and thinking about doing some of the theme parks, I'd definitely recommend Islands of Adventure above any other. Best rollercoasters of the lot.

mel123 · 14-07-2006 2:29pm

U would prob be better off posting this in the Holidays/Travel section

bluto63 · 20-07-2006 9:50pm

Teg Veece wrote:

Islands of Adventure above any other. Best rollercoasters of the lot.

Definetly. Also, don't really bother by Disneyworld. I was seriously dissapointed by it(except the water parks)

NADA · 26-07-2006 10:58am

If you are a rollaer coaster goot head to busch gardens. It's awsome. IF the American school is back on while you are there you will walk straight on to most of them. And definately go on Shiekra. Good view and its fun too!

gmailer · 07-08-2006 10:47am

Heading to florida in a few weeks and was wondering about the theme park and which is best to go to, everyone says steer clear of disney for some reason, is it that bad? I hear Busch Gardens is much better..
also is it better to purchase tickets for the parks here or when i get over there, cheers!

Cutie18Ireland · 07-08-2006 2:38pm

the tickets over there are cheap enough!!

we did universal, seaworld, islands of adventure and wet n wild!! ... u can get a ticket for all 4 theme parks its called a 4 park orlando flex ticket or theres a five park one aswell

http://www.universalorlando.com/tic_multi_park.html

Seaworld is a must!! as were the other 3!! really was a great ticket for the price!

or if ur just looking for one or teo parks try here... http://www.universalorlando.com/tickets.html
the deals there seem really good!

hope you have a ball!!

we tried to go to disney at night just to see the fireworks but you can't do that any more... i would have loved to have seen disney as eurodisney was excellent! ah well maybe next time lol

Naked Lepper · 07-08-2006 3:52pm

disney is good for the kids, it has a few big rides too tho
epcot is quite boring, no thrill rides really
mgm is alright (probs the best out of them for rides) has tower or terror and test track thing
magic kingdom is where splash mt. and thunder mt. are, the classic disney scenery etc characters etc, best park if u have kids

wet n wild on international drive is the best water park, ya have to go there if in orlando area

busch gardens in tampa (about 1hour drive) is just rollercoaster after rollercoaster, great park if ur into thrill rides

island of adventure (universal 2) is also good for rollercoasters, just like universal studios it is but with bigger faster rides

daveg · 08-08-2006 2:33pm

Heading back to Florida end of October. It'll be my forth time visiting. Fantasic place.

Disney parks are superb for kids. Best thing in the world to bring kids to. If you don;t have kids don't bother.

For Rollercoasters busche Gardens (half theme park half zoo) and Islands of advernture would be the best imo. Superb parks.

I haven't been to Universal Studios of a few years (was in the L.A. one in January this year). Would not be my favourite park tbh and would not have the most extreme of rides.

Don't discount seaworld. This is a superb park with a good few rollercoasters. This park is owned by the same owners of Busche Gardens so you can buy a good value ticket for both.

Please note all the parks are in the Orlando area except for Busche Gardens which is in Tampa (about 1 1/2 hours drive).

One other thing check to see if Universal or Busche Gardens are doing the Holloween party's while your there. I have booked tickets for our trip in October. It's supposed to be excellent. Runs from Sept - Nov.

Finally this place is supposed to be excellent for tickets:

http://www.park-tickets.com/

gmailer · 10-08-2006 11:13am

thankf for that ticket link, pretty good value...

deisemum · 12-08-2006 6:06pm

We're going next February. If you want to swim with dolphins then try Discovery Cove. It's fairly expensive but you get a day in the place, buffet lunch/drinks and you get a time for your dolphin swim as they only take 1000 people per day. Your ticket also allows you 7 days at either SeaWorld or Busch Gardens

daveirl · 12-08-2006 6:14pm

This post has been deleted.

danbhala · 20-12-2006 12:55pm

myself and the girlfriend have been talking about going to the states for about a week to hit some theme parks and generally have fun.

anyone know of any irish agencies that do great and cheap deals? anyone gone before? any other theme parks that we should go to or avoid? we're not really interested in disney land, but we're definatley gonna hit universal...

muletide · 20-12-2006 1:00pm

If you have children go to Disney world if not dont. I was bored out of my brains there

For rollercoasters go to universal and also water world (sorry cant remember the exact name) plan on spending a full day there in each. Book every thing yourself over the net its much cheaper and definitely rent a car it makes life much easier especially if you want to get to the outlet stores. And driving there is very easy even the americans can do it.

Enjoy

robinph · 17-07-2007 2:49pm

I'm going to have the best part of a week to loose myself somewhere over California direction in mid-august. I expect to be meeting some friends in San Jose area towards the end of the week before then getting a flight back to Washington DC, but I'm not sure exactly what to do with myself for the rest of the week before hand. I'll be hiring a car and where I fly into over that side of the country does not really matter, I'll already be in the US anyway.

So any ideas of what to do with myself greatfully received?

Tchocky · 17-07-2007 2:50pm

Hit Yosemite!

Chardee MacDennis · 17-07-2007 3:08pm

napa valley wine tasting - great day out

if you're into baseball - if the Oakland A's are at home on tuesdays the tickets are only $2 and hotdogs are $1!!!

Fuzzy_Dunlop · 17-07-2007 3:57pm

Just wondering, if we were to go about getting our tickets for Port Aventura theme park here for when we go in august, do these 3 day tickets and such cover for the night time as well? I ask this because on the main site it says that there are night tickets available during the peak season, so does this mean you can't go at night without these night tickets?

Esteem · 17-07-2007 5:16pm

Paramounts great america theme park is near San Jose. I think there is also a waterpark there now. San Francisco is also a great spot for a few days, and only a short journey from San Jose.

dak · 18-07-2007 8:59am

Hi We had 2 week tickets for Portaventura a few weeks ago and they covered entry for any time including the night. While the park is good we had up to 1 and ahalf hour waits for some rides. You can buy express tickets for 20 euro per day each on top of your entry fee - I think you can only buy these locally at the entrance booths . Car parking is 6 Euro a day. The next time we go we are only going to buy 3 day tickets and expresss . If you have any kids under 1.4metres they won't get to go on the fast rides etc. My 9 year son was 1.38metres and was devestated when he couldnt do on the mad roller coaster! Food is reasonabley priced for a theme park.

Fuzzy_Dunlop · 18-07-2007 11:29am

Thanks very much for the in depth response. I don't think we'll have to worry about children under 1.4m because its a sixth year holiday we're going on:D, well at least i should hope not

ZOLTAN28 · 25-07-2007 1:45pm

playa3 wrote:

Just wondering, if we were to go about getting our tickets for Port Aventura theme park here for when we go in august, do these 3 day tickets and such cover for the night time as well? I ask this because on the main site it says that there are night tickets available during the peak season, so does this mean you can't go at night without these night tickets?

Your tickets last for the whole day - you may also get one day in the water park next door as part of the three day deal. The night-time tickets are discounted tickets for people just going for the evening.

Three days will probably do you - it's a big park but you will get through everything in three days.

Legend_DIT · 26-08-2007 11:22pm

Ok, so my gf and I are going to a Porta Vetura theme park and we were just wondering what do you do with your bag carrying all your essentials while you go on rides?

My experience in this is very limited and when my girlfriend went to places like this before there was always one who wasn't going on a ride who would look after the stuff...

Is there a place you could check-in your bag like at a club?

quickstitch.ie · 27-08-2007 10:12am

Not sure about port aventura itself, but most theme parks have a left luggage place like a locker... it's owned by the same group that own universal and a few others so I'd imagine it's the same setup..

Ms Inquisitive · 27-08-2007 11:17am

Just went onto the PortAventura site and found this exert under 'Services Provided';

To leave your luggage at the left-luggage office, go to our offices, next to the Group Tickets Office in the Parking area. Or you can leave it next to the Customer Service Office, inside the park.

I was there about 3 years ago, you'll have a great time!

dak · 27-08-2007 12:50pm

I was there in July. On a lot of the rides you can tuck the bag in at your feet providing its only something like a small rucksack. Wouldn't advise you to bring valuables to a themepark if you can possibly avoid it

Dodge · 27-08-2007 6:53pm

YOu won't be allowed bring your bag on any of the rides (you're not even allowed hats) but there's storage space provided for the duration of the ride. (I wear glasses and had to leave them here)

The luggage room is attended day (similar to nightclubs etc) and a must really...

Legend_DIT · 27-08-2007 9:34pm

Thanks for all the replies guys... Very helpful !

WooPeeA · 07-01-2008 5:45pm

Do you know any theme park in Ireland? Or any other place that one who loves them should visit in??

I'm big fan of theme parks. Especialy the rollercoasters and other extreme attractions. AMAZIG!

SuperSean11 · 07-01-2008 5:47pm

WooPeeA wrote: »

Do you know any theme park in Ireland? Or any other place that one who loves them should visit in??

I'm big fan of theme parks. Especialy the rollercoasters and other extreme attractions. AMAZIG!

Theres nothing to Europes standards

AdrianII · 07-01-2008 5:50pm

None to be honest - there is one in wales called oakwood www.oakwoodthemepark.co.uk

Its only a day trip away but none over here unless funderland still on

Gran Hermano · 07-01-2008 5:52pm

Extreme attractions? I think you'll be needing to head overseas.

All we have in Ireland is akin to 'Fun Land' as featured in Father Ted
and I'd hardly call the 'Pond of Terror' or 'Crane of Death' extreme.

If you want to experience the theme park life get yourself onto a flight to
Orlando. Between Universal and Disney you'll find enough to keep you
entertained. Don't bother with Disneyland Paris - the car park in Disney
Florida is bigger.

Feelgood · 07-01-2008 5:57pm

We should really all chip in and open one and a big casino....whos with me?

WooPeeA · 07-01-2008 6:07pm

Feelgood wrote: »

We should really all chip in and open one and a big casino....whos with me?

Me!! I would be the best guest there!

Gran Hermano wrote: »

Extreme attractions? I think you'll be needing to head overseas.

All we have in Ireland is akin to 'Fun Land' as featured in Father Ted
and I'd hardly call the 'Pond of Terror' or 'Crane of Death' extreme.

If you want to experience the theme park life get yourself onto a flight to
Orlando. Between Universal and Disney you'll find enough to keep you
entertained. Don't bother with Disneyland Paris - the car park in Disney
Florida is bigger.

There are few of them also in Europe. I can recomend Gardaland in Italy which is full of extreme attractions like rollercoasters and my favorite Space Vertigo. I also can recomend Movieland (just beside Gardaland), all about the movies (U-Boot simulator rocks!!!).

There are good theme parks in Germany and Spain but I'v never been there.

dylbert · 08-01-2008 3:35pm

AdrianII wrote: »

None to be honest - there is one in wales called oakwood www.oakwoodthemepark.co.uk

Its only a day trip away but none over here unless funderland still on

I went here a few months ago, not really worth the trip, the rides aint that good and it's allot of travailing to do in one day.

Regarding Florida, for rollercoasters Bush Gardens is the best park.

darrenh · 08-01-2008 7:56pm

i thought this thread was a joke! i hear there is a good one on Craggy Island!

DonJose · 08-01-2008 8:00pm

WooPeeA wrote: »

Do you know any theme park in Ireland? Or any other place that one who loves them should visit in??

I'm big fan of theme parks. Especialy the rollercoasters and other extreme attractions. AMAZIG!

We have one them park called Butlins, when you arrive into Dublin Airport just say "Asylum" and the immigration officers will show you what bus to get on

Butlins was Irelands only theme park, I visited there when I was a kid, its closed down now and is used to house asylum seekers.

http://www.butlinsmemories.com/mosney/index.htm

jrar · 13-01-2008 11:14am

Anyone been to the above theme park in SW Germany ? If so, is it any good - how does it rate versus Eurodisney etc. ? Looks like tickets for 2 adults and 2 kids would come to well over €100 so is it an expensive but good day out, or a very expensive queueing experience ?

Any and all contributions welcomed.................thanks.

watna · 13-01-2008 5:04pm

Ok, I was there about 13/14 years ago as a kid. From what I remember we had a great day and the park was fairly professional looking and not crappy. My dad used to take us to really dodgy theme parks through Europe (there was one in France called Aerocity..... I still shudder!) so I remember expecting Europa park to be like that but it was actually very good.

Sorry I can't be more specific but it was a long time ago!

ladybirdirl · 29-01-2008 4:45pm

Afternoon all,

My sister & her family are doing the Orlando trip this year.

As there's 4 kids, 13-19 she's been quoted mad money for tickets to Disney & Universal theme parks.

Does anyone know are you better buy on the net before you go or wait until you're there

Thanks guys

Ladybird

Savman · 29-01-2008 6:40pm

Oh, Rosie!

iMax · 29-01-2008 6:43pm

They are mad money, it's $70 per person per day. Contact Tour America, they have specially created Irish market ones, multi admission that works out around $55 per day (per person). Having said that, I think it's money well spent once you're through the gates !!

The Warden · 29-01-2008 6:48pm

Last year i got my tickets online at themeparkticketsdirect.com and they were cheaper than going through the travel agents. They do disney ultimate two or three week tickets and they do the orlando flextickets for universal, seaworld, wetnwild etc. The tickets came in the post about two weeks after ordering them. I would recommend them and in fact we,re going back in august this year and i,ll be using them again. You can look them up on tripadvisor, hope that helps:)

rossie1977 · 29-01-2008 6:55pm

disney is pretty expensive for what you get, there are no special deals on disney tickets, at best you will get maybe $5 off if you are a member of the US military or something

Going to seaworld is a good way to save money, for $89 you get a 2 day 2 park deal which includes Busch Gardens in Tampa (free transport from Universal Parking lot at 8am each morning) http://commerce.4adventure.com/EStore/Scripts/Skins/SWF/TicketsSeaWorldVisitors.aspx?selectedsellinggroupid=2011

Busch is a great park and far better than Disneys copycat Animal Kingdom

Your other option for discount tickets is to go to a time-share presentation, they last about 1.5-2hr but at the end you will have tickets for about half-price. last time i was in orlando we got the 2 universal parks for the price of one.

the 5 park flexi ticket is also decent value http://commerce.4adventure.com/EStore/Scripts/Skins/SWF/TicketsSeaWorldVisitors.aspx?selectedsellinggroupid=1502

ladybirdirl · 29-01-2008 8:36pm

Thanks all,

This is pretty much the info I was getting on the web but wanted to check it out!

Didn't know about Busch Gardens though!

Thanks all

LB

tamloc · 04-02-2008 2:59pm

Travelling over in May for a 1 night saty. Looking for cheap accomodation for a Family ( 2 adults and 3 kids). Most hotels accomodate 2+2, so can any of you guys help me out. Who like to be fairly near the theme parks but dont mind if it is Paris side. Thanks

WindSock · 04-02-2008 4:45pm

We are heding to here at the end of the month, we fly into Reus and are thinking of staying around here for a few days. Any one any recommendations? I was looking at the Port Adventura theme park too has anyone ever been?

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