Thorpe Park review – a Family Day Out

Thorpe Park is way too advanced to take the twins along but I knew my niece Rosie, 13 and nephew Billy, 11 would love it so I put the idea to their parents first and they all jumped at spending some family time together and reviewing Thorpe park for Mari’s World. Here’s an account in their own words of their Thorpe Park experience and check out the great savings at the end of the post too

Photo credits: Rosie Whooley

thorpe park

Rosie’s thoughts – age 13

Rosie Whooley

When I first heard about the opportunity to go and review Thorpe Park I was ecstatic (I was literally counting down the days)!

thorpe park

When I first got there I rushed straight to The Detonator. The feeling that you get when you drop down is so fantastic, such a high!

thorpe park detonator

I was then forced onto my first roller coaster. Ever. In the queue I was so scared but when I sat down I honestly enjoyed it so much! The rush gave me such an exhilarated feeling. I loved it so much I went on it another 3 times, that must be a record right? Although I loved it my mum came off as white as a sheet. She then vowed to me to never go on it again! It was pretty hilarious!

thorpe park

Thorpe Park has such a variety of rides. My favourites are the roller coasters. There are so many including Saw, Colossus, The Swarm, Nemesis Inferno and of course, Stealth!thorpe park quantum

Although if you are not a thrill seeker like my mum Thorpe Park has attractions such as Storm in a Tea Cup, Rumba Rapids, Mr. Monkeys Banana Ride and Flying Fish. Thorpe Park really caters for everyone.

airplane crash

The other thing that made my experience even better was the sets Thorpe Park has created. My favourite was the crashed aeroplane and overturned ambulance when you walk towards Swarm, it brings the experience alive!

ambulance crash Thorpe Park

All-in-all Thorpe Park is a great place to go with family or friends. The rides are amazing and there is definitely something for everyone. It’s truly a great day out although if you are planning to go in the holidays I suggest buying a fast track pass to rides such as Saw as Colossus as the queues were very long.

I urge you to get down to Thorpe Park today and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Rosie writes her own blog My Head and Me and she’d love some visits.

Billy’s thoughts – aged 11

To Auntie Mariane

Our trip to Thorpe Park last saturday was spectacular! Every ride was exhilarating, and although they definately weren’t for the fainthearted, everyone loved them-even mum!

mum hanging on for dear life :)

mum hanging on for dear life :)

Towards the last hour of the park’s opening time, the size of the queues reduced dramatically, which allowed us to fit in a few extra rides . Although the gift shop items were overpriced [£8 for 1 photo ], the merchandise was great. Overall, I would rate the day 10/10, and I will reccomend Thorpe Park to all of my friends.
From Billy.

Mum’s thoughts

Thorpe Park is the perfect day out for those of us with older children, but DON’T disappoint them by chickening out of a rollercoaster – hellish but worth serious street cred with your kids! Best things about Thorpe Park; variety of rides (as well as food & drink outlets), short queues (5 to 20 mins long, although we avoided a couple of rides which permanently had queues of more than an hour); general design – parts of Thorpe Park feel like being on a film set (especially The Swarm), and general friendliness and professionalism of staff. Worst things: fearing for your children as they ride Stealth…

Dad’s thoughts

A great way to spend a happy day with the whole family. So good in fact my teenage daughter was nice to me all day!

We all enjoyed the rides but my favourite was The Swarm; sitting on a winged roller coaster is great fun. No one would come on Stealth with me which was the one I wanted to go on the most but queueing alone is no fun.

Stealth thorpe park

We went last Saturday and luckily did not have to queue too much, I would recommend a fast track pass if it was a busy day though.

We spent 5-6 hours in the park but did not get round to trying it all, partly due to once the kids had discovered and enjoyed Nemesis they wanted to spend most of their time on that and partly due to the amount of things to do. A return visit will be in order.
We took a picnic but stopped for refreshments and were very happily surprised to find the drinks very reasonably priced, often at places like these you are charged a fortune as a captive audience, well done to Thorpe Park.

My one critisism would be the lack of sign posts. I am suffering with a bad knee and would have been much happier walking directly to each ride rather than going down blind alleys and doubling the distance.

Thanks for your thoughts guys and if you are interested in finding out more on Thorpe Park nip over to their website and start planning your day. You could even stay up to date on Facebook

Save money at Thorpe Park

    1. Pick up a Frijj to take advantage of a 2-for-1 coupon offer when booking tickets. Check out more information on their Facebook page
    2. Book tickets 7 days or more in advance to save 30% – adults from £30.24, children from £23.52 (under 12)
    3. Get 2-for-1 tickets courtesy of Coke
    4. If travelling by train, head to South West Trains to get online discounts on entry
    5. Feel like one day isn’t enough? We now offer over-night stays at the park in our newly opened ‘Crash Pad’ accommodation from £64 per person which includes 2 days at the park and breakfast

We were given four tickets for our Thorpe Park review. Thank you, as you can see the family had a brilliant time even if mum’s still recovering!

Top 10 tips for LEGOLAND Windsor

LEGOLAND windsorThis weekend saw the official opening of the DUPLO Valley Splash and Play area at LEGOLAND Windsor and we were lucky to be invited to test run it. We had a brilliant time and all our photos can be found on the Mari’s World Great British Housewife Facebook page

LEGOLAND dog and picnic box

We arrived to a busy car park and it was just gone 10am once in we were faced with where to go first??

lego family LEGOLAND

The resort is big. It’s VERY big and there’s lots to do, if you’re a bit like me this can be a bit overwhelming without a plan.

spinning spider LEGOLAND

Our first ride was the Spinning Spider, we hadn’t quite figured out how the Q bot system works so we queued like the rest of the world and waited our turn. On the exit I spotted the Q bot ‘ers waiting and watched them all let in first before the others patiently waiting in the queue.

Viking's Splash River LEGOLAND

Next was the Viking’s Splash River and we used the Q bot – we walked straight on much to the annoyance of those waiting in the queue. The ride is great but you will get wet. You pass by a wall of spectators waiting for you with water cannons and they aim right at you so be prepared. There was a dryer at the exit which we didn’t use as there was a queue.

Pirate Falls Dynamite Drench

Next stop was Pirate Falls Dynamite Drench. A boat ride, this one slower with no spinning tub but still more spectators waiting to shoot water at you combined with the final plunge down into the pool of water below means you will get wet. There were more dryers available here but again we didn’t stop as the weather strangely was quite warm.

Treasure chest LEGOLAND

We tried the rollercoaster known as The Dragon which is in the castle, it was quite scary but the girls loved it and asked to repeat this later in the day

Knight's Kingdom LEGOLAND

Look mummy dragon footprints!

dragon's footprints

We had lunch in the Crossed Ribs BBQ we ordered four set meals, Steak baguettes for us and pasta for the girls, very nice and came to £30 in all with refillable drinks.

steak baguette LEGOLAND

I really wanted to see Miniland so I dragged them all along and it was fabulous only we had another toilet call shortly after arriving there which broke up my grand tour somwhat

London miniland LEGOLAND

Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square LEGOLAND

One Canda Square

One Canada Square LEGOLAND

MIniland LEGOLAND

Then it was time for Duplo Valley. Our walk to this area led us straight past the Raft River Racers where we were told ‘YOU WILL GET WET’ I hadn’t realised how wet. A brilliant ride, you sit in a raft at the top of one of two slides. Both rafts set off together and it’s a race to the bottom. As you slide the corners water seeps into your raft. Alice and I won but we both got drenched.

Drench towers LEGOLAND

Drench Towers was rammed with kids having loads of fun. A red bucket at the very top fills with water and once full it tips and empties out on whoever is below. The kids LOVED it, mum or dad may be required to enter.

Duplo Valley Spalsh and Play

For smaller guests there’s the Duplo Safari Park with fountains, taps and large animals on Duplo bricks, a gorgeous play area. Easy to watch from the side.

Brickville LEGOLAND

We visited Brickville (above)

The Duplo theatre

Duplo Theatre LEGOLAND

Traffic where the girls had driving lessons and were awarded Driving Licenses at the end and Boating School where the kids get to drive the boats

L drivers LEGOLAND

Duplo Airport

Duplo airport LEGOLAND

Fairytale Brook was so lovely I forgot to take photos and Atlantis Sub Store – A. Maz. Ing.

Atlantic Sub Store LEGOLAND

Kingdom of the Pharaohs, Orient Expedition, another couple of goes on The Dragon before finishing at the Pirate Training Camp

Keep out LEGOLAND

What a day and we didn’t get to go on everything either as there were lots of toilet calls luckily there are facilities all over the site

Toilet sign LEGOLAND

Top Ten Tips for visiting LEGOLAND

  1. Study the resort map before you go and work out a plan to make the most of your day
  2. Check any height restrictions in place, if the children are under the mark they will NOT be allowed on, save the tears and be prepared
  3. Consider investing in Q bot depending which time of year you are visiting, they will save serious time lost in queues.
  4. Work out pit stops for the children to let off steam like Brickville, Pirates Training Camp where they can run around and play
  5. Keep an eye on toilets and make sure they are used frequently.
  6. Take refillable water bottles as there are plenty of drinking water taps around the site
  7. There are plenty of restaurants but also green areas where you can eat a picnic too
  8. Work out show times and fit them into your schedule, they also make a nice break from walking
  9. Take costumes and towels for Duplo Valley Splash and Play area
  10. Look out for lockers to store bags, buggies to hire for the kids and what to do with under 4′s

and above all have a great time because when you tell the kids the park is closing you’ll most likely get a reaction like this one

crying girls

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