On-site there’s plenty to do as well including year-round fitness classes to tennis, woodland walks, golf, coasteering, little ones can enjoy the outdoor playground too.
During the school holidays, kids can try their hand at cheerleading, pottery painting, football, archery, arts and crafts.
Originally a farm, Wooda has lots of animals to see from the pygmy goats, chickens and lambs to the resident alpacas, Bruce, Boris and Bessie.
When it comes to food and drink, visitors can head into Bude, or enjoy the offers on the holiday park.
The Lodge offers quick fixes with takeaway options from fish and chips, to rice bowls, burgers, pizzas and salads.
The Yard Coffee, Bar & Kitchen is open during the summer months for sit down dinners or snacks like paninis and cream teas.
The holiday park has sea views and it’s easy to visit the beaches of BudeSource: TripAdvisor
The Bar at The Mowhay is also open for the high season as is Cocktails at The Mowhay where there are also live music events.
On-site is a farm shop too which is stocked up with essential groceries as well as sweets, gifts and toys.
If you are looking to relax, then Wooda has its own wellness barn where there are treatments from massages to eyebrow shaping and tinting and lash lifts.
Even kids can have a little pamper from a mini massage to a mini facial.
The holiday park has 200 pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes with lots of essentials.
Non-electric tent pitches which sleep up to six people start from £23 – or £3.80pppn.
On-site are three toilet and shower blocks with private cubicles inside along with sockets for hairdryers and straighteners
For those wanting a bit more privacy, there are four family bathrooms on-site which can be hired out during your stay at £10 per day.
It has seasonal holiday activities and an outdoor playgroundSource: TripAdvisorThe holiday park also has luxury lodges, holiday homes and cottagesSource: Wooda Cornwall
Or check out the private bathroom pods which have a separate toilet and shower room – they also have their own fridge and hair dryer.
Other essentials include its Camper’s Kitchen with things like microwave, fridge and freezer, laundrette, Wi-Fi and picnic areas.
For a bit of comfort, Wooda also has cosy holiday homes, cottages, pods and luxury lodges.
If you want to go all out, take a look at the nine self-catered Gwelva Hills Lodges.
The eco-friendly lodges sleep between four and six people and are fully kitted out with beautiful bedrooms, a spacious lounge and modern kitchen.
There are floor to ceiling windows to show off the sea views too – these start from £464 for four nights.
Here’s the full list of the AA’s top caravan and camping spots for 2026…
AA Campsites of the Year:
England and Overall Winner: Castlerigg Hall Caravan & Camping Park, Keswick, Cumbria
Scotland: Drummohr Camping and Glamping Site, Musselburgh, East Lothian
Wales: Red Kite Touring and Lodge Park, Llanidloes, Powys
AA Campsites of the Year – Regional Winners for England:
Heart of England: Waleswood Caravan and Camping Park, Wales Bar, South Yorkshire
North East England: Ladycross Plantation Caravan Park, Whitby, North Yorkshire
North West England: Riverside Caravan Park, High Bentham, North Yorkshire
South East England: Sumners Ponds Fishery & Campsite, Barns Green, West Sussex
South West England: Back of Beyond Touring Park, St Leonards, Dorset
The pass costs £66.88 per child aged 10 or older and £62.37 per child aged between three and nine-years-old.
The website currently states: “Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park is currently closed for refurbishment. During this time, we encourage Guests to enjoy Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park.
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park will reopen on January 27, 2027. Please check back for more information.”
PAULTONS Park, aka the country’s best theme park, is bringing back its Christmas extravaganza.
Families will be able to experience the delights of the theme park with lots of festive extras as its award-winning event returns next month.
A Celebration of Christmas is returning to Paultons ParkSource: Paultons ParkThe theme park will be decorated for Christmas and Santa will be aback in his grottoSource: Paultons Park
A Celebration of Christmas will be back at Paultons Park from December 5 – it comes after it won Best Christmas Event at the Theme Park Awards earlier this year.
There will also be daily meet-and-greets – including with Frosty the Snowman and friends under a flurry of snowflakes.
Santa’s Grotto is back too, families can enjoy an enchanting walk-through experience, filled with twinkling lights and their favourite characters.
A photograph is included so the experience won’t be forgotten, and children get a soft plush toy too.
The Grotto is open from December 5 until December 24 (early booking is advised).
Santa isn’t just in his cosy grotto – he will also be on stage for Santa’s Storytime and Santa’s Christmas Wish Show.
It’s filled with singing, dancing and he’ll be joined by Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Reindeer.
Visitors can still head on all the rides including those in Valgard: Realm of the VikingsSource: Paultons Park
The event will start on December 5 and will end on January 6 – Paultons is open every weekend in December (apart from on Boxing Day) as well as additional dates.
These are Monday 14, Friday 18, Monday 21, Tuesday 22, Wednesday 23, Thursday 24, Monday 2, Tuesday 29, Wednesday 30 and Thursday 31.
As well as all the Christmas happenings, there’s plenty of time for rollercoasters too.
Head to Valgard: Realm of the Vikings, which opened in May 2026, to experience Drakon, the park’s first rollercoaster to take riders upside down.
In Valgard, there’s also Vild Swing, Raven and the Feasting Hall where visitors will find a ‘banquet fit for Vikings’.
It serves up flame-grilled chicken, burgers, crispy fried favourites, saladbowlss and ‘Little Viking’ meals for kids.
Tornado Springs is the American themed adventure park with the Storm Chaser rollercoaster as well as tractor rides.
There’s also the Lost Kingdom which is full of dinosaurs, Critter Creek which has a caterpillar rollercoaster and an express train.
There will be plenty of photo opportunities around the parkSource: Paultons ParkPeppa Pig characters will be wearing their winter warmersSource: Paultons Park
Meanwhile, Wild Lands is home to animals like meerkats and reptiles.
Day passes for anyone over one-metre tall visiting Paultons Park start from £41.
Short breaks over Christmas start from £45 per person per night on selected two-night stays.
The package includes park tickets, a stay in a nearby family-friendly hotel, breakfast and parking.
James Mancey, managing director at Paultons Park, said: “Each year we strive to make A Celebration of Christmas even more magical than the year before and we are delighted that our win at the UK Theme Park Awards this year reflects the efforts of our entire team. We all strive for Christmas at Paultons to be the place where families make their favourite festive memories.
“For the second year ever, the magic of Christmas at Paultons carries on beyond Christmas Eve with thrilling rides, meet and greets, and our delicious festive menu available throughout the Christmas break and into the new year.
“There’s no better way to make the most of Twixmas and keep the festive spirit alive than a day out with the family before it’s time to go back to school.”
Paultons Park is closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day.
A lawsuit had sought to block border wall construction in the Big Bend National Park by targeting the waivers that sidestep environmental protections.
Published On 9 Nov 20269 Nov 2026
The United States Supreme Court has allowed President Donald Trump’s administration to build a border wall through a remote section of Big Bend National Park in West Texas.
In its decision on Monday, the court granted the government’s emergency request to lift a lower court’s injunction that had paused construction while the matter was litigated.
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The injunction, it said, “impedes the Government from advancing its ‘compelling interests’ in border security and integrity”.
The border wall has long been a signature part of Trump’s platform to restrict immigration into the US.
During his first successful bid for the presidency in 2016, for instance, he rallied supporters with chants of “Build the wall!”
But the push to expand the border barrier through the popular national park has met pushback from conservationists, local officials and some members of Trump’s own Republican Party.
Big Bend National Park includes mountain ranges and desert that serve as a home to endangered species like the Mexican long-nosed bat.
Opponents say the plan to build the wall through the park would disrupt the ecologically and culturally significant landscape.
The Trump administration, however, has depicted the project as an urgent priority for national security and immigration control. It has described the Big Bend area as an artery for irregular border crossings and drug trafficking.
US District Judge Kathleen Cardone blocked the construction in October, noting that while the Big Bend sector makes up more than 25 percent of the US-Mexico border, it accounts for only 0.3 to 2.2 percent of migrant apprehensions.
“Therefore, if the Big Bend Sector is an area of high illegal entry, so is every other sector, and the waiver authority would apply to the entire US-Mexico border,” Cardone wrote.
The Supreme Court, however, said the government was “exceedingly likely to prevail” on its argument that Cardone lacked jurisdiction under the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, which limits the ability of lower courts to rule on border barriers.
Under that law, district courts can only hear claims alleging a violation of the US Constitution. The Supreme Court found that the challengers’ claim did not qualify, writing that “there is no such thing as a ‘constitutional’ major-questions claim”.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was the only justice to indicate she would have denied the government’s request. She did not explain her reasoning.
The Center for Biological Diversity was among the plaintiffs who brought the lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security, along with Friends of the Ruidosa Church and a local river guide and landowner.
The lawsuit challenged waivers used by the agency to fast-track border construction and sidestep environmental and conservation laws.
Without those waivers, plaintiffs said that construction would have to comply with laws such as the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act to alter the landscape in “one of the most remote and ecologically and culturally significant landscapes in the United States”.
A THEME park which has welcomed millions of thrill-seekers has announced it will be closing its doors for good next year.
Six Flags confirmed the closure of its Great America park in California, due to issues with its lease and that this season will be its last.
California’s Great America amusement park will close next yearSource: TripAdvisorIt opened 50 years ago and one its most famous rollercoasters is Gold StrikerSource: TripAdvisor
The theme park which celebrated its 50th anniversary earlier this year first opened in Santa Clara in 1976, but will close next September.
The reason for its closure is due to the expiration of its lease in June 2028.
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It’s currently closed for winter, but will reopen for what it has called its ‘Farewell Season’ in March 2027.
Six Flags has said it’s the last chance for fans to ride its rollercoasters and attractions before it permanently closes on September 6, 2027.
Some of the most popular rides include Gold Striker – a wooden rollercoaster which has top speeds of 54mph.
Another is called Flight Deck which travels at 50mph with loops and twists, and the Drop Tower which plunges at 220 feet.
The Grizzly is considered one of the most nostalgic rides, the wooden rollercoaster opened in 1986.
The waterpark opened in 2004 as Crocodile Dundee’s Boomerang Bay but is now known as South Bay Shores.
It has a large wave pool, lazy river, raft ride, splash park for smaller children and Pacific Surge is where visitors will find the extreme water slides.
After the closure announcement, previous visitors took to social media, one wrote: “I remember the first day it opened. Great memories.”
The theme park will close because the lease on the land is expiringSource: TripAdvisor
Another added: “I went there on my honeymoon back in 1979. We had so much fun. This really makes me sad.”
It’s not just members of the public that has visited the park, the occasional celebrity has been spotted there too.
Jin (Kim Seok-jin) from K-pop band BTS visited California’s Great America in Santa Clara earlier this year.
According to reports he was spotted munching on churros and waiting in-line to ride the Gold Striker.
The Great America theme park first opened in the 1970sSource: SpVVKIts waterpark called South Shores has water slides and a lazy riverSource: TripAdvisor
Park Manager Dave Vosejpka said: “For more than five decades, this Santa Clara theme park has brought people together, created family traditions and served as the backdrop for unforgettable memories.
“The Farewell Season is an opportunity for generations of Bay Area guests to return, spend time with family and friends, and revisit the attractions and traditions that have made the park in Santa Clara, California such a meaningful part of the community.”
After its closure, the closest Six Flags will be Discovery Kingdom in the San Francisco Bay Area.
There are almost 500 national parks in Europe, offering some of the continent’s most pristine scenery and best wildlife viewing opportunities. We’d love to hear about your favourite experiences in Europe’s national parks (excluding the UK) – it could be snowshoeing across the frozen lakes and wild taiga forests of Finland’s Hossa, kayaking the wild wetlands of Estonia’s Soomaa or wolf tracking in the Mercantour in southern France.
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WITH my face contorted by G-force and hands gripping white-knuckle tight to the grab rail, I wondered what on earth I’d let myself in for.
Beside me, my 12-year-old son was grinning from ear to ear as he yelled: “I told you being at the front was the best seat to be in, Mummy!”
Enjoy world-class coasters at Europa-Park, voted Europe’s best theme parkSource: SuppliedWine and dine at a traditional Christmas marketSource: Supplied
Europa-Park has just been voted Europe’s best theme park and boy, does it live up to the title.
We were rocked, flung, hung upside-down and rattled at speed over more loop-the-loops than I could count as we gasped, laughed and threw our hands in the air.
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Close to the borders of France and Switzerland in the town of Rust, it’s Germany’s answer to Walt Disney World with 20 European-themed lands and 14 rip-roaring rollercoasters.
Visiting during the festive season adds even more magic as the whole site is festooned with lights — more than 3,000 trees are draped with fairy lights and baubles.
Add a dusting of snow (real and fake) and a Christmas market complete with mulled wine and open fires and it is the ultimate pre-Christmas break.
Navigating the park itself was very easy with the dedicated mobile app that shows where all the rides are, the waiting times and the distance from each.
For tired little legs, a monorail runs straight through the park and the on-site hotels, offering a bird’s-eye view of the action.
We made our way round the miniature countries, each carefully themed with authentic food, drinks and world-class rides.
The Christmas market in mini Germany was a standout for me due to the many stalls selling festive treats.
The boy was much more interested in the Croatian zone, where the latest high-octane ride was drawing a crowd.
Voltron Nevera is a terrifying, record-breaking coaster that catapults riders at a 105-degree angle.
Despite the winter crowds, queues rarely topped 30 minutes, and outdoor patio heaters helped keep chilly fingers warm while we waited.
If you need a breather, the hour-long circus show — featuring world-class acrobats, clowns, and a live orchestra — is a festive must-see.
Also worth a trip is the 55m-high giant wheel, Bellevue, that graces the Portuguese area each winter with enclosed, heated gondolas to keep you cosy as you enjoy panoramic views across the park.
With temperatures dipping, a turn around the Nordic fjord lake that serves as a huge outdoor ice-skating rink is a winner — as is a reviving schnapps poured from bottles frozen in ice at Bar Glaciar.
Whatever the weather, you aren’t far from the warmth of one of Europa-Park’s six 4H hotels that come with the added advantage of early park admission for guests.
Wrap up warm for your festive family breakSource: SuppliedRulantica is packed with wild flumes, lazy rivers and an Icelandic-style heated outdoor lagoonSource: Unknown
We checked into Spanish-themed Hotel El Andaluz and our room came complete with terracotta tiling, a huge double bed plus bunk beds and even a matador’s hat on the coat peg.
There was plenty of storage, the usual flat-screen telly and decent fluffy towels.
The only thing missing for this English mum was a kettle for a cuppa.
But there was plenty of tea and coffee on tap every morning in the hotel’s Don Quichotte restaurant alongside a hearty breakfast buffet.
My son was particularly impressed with the pastry selection while I stuck to the cheese and amazing bread selection on offer.
The staff were all incredibly attentive and the food was constantly replenished.
I would definitely recommend filling up here as the chilly temperatures and outside walking require sustenance.
One other top tip would be to book your evening meals when you reserve your room.
Festive breaks are hugely popular, and family-friendly hotel buffets fill up fast.
In contrast, the outside heated pool was empty after dark so we enjoyed an evening swim in warm water in the chilly air watching the fireworks from our hotel. It was really magical.
We saved the best wind-down for last: a short five-minute shuttle to Rulantica, the resort’s colossal indoor water kingdom packed with wild flumes, lazy rivers and an Icelandic-style heated outdoor lagoon.
To avoid the busiest spots, we treated ourselves to a private relaxation suite, complete with its own sauna, bubbly whirlpool, sofa, and TV.
The Sun’s Helen Philpot and her son warm up with a brewSource: SuppliedSay cheese with the mascotSource: Supplied
Leaving my son to conquer the waterslides, I enjoyed a blissful lie-down, soaking up the heat to my favourite playlist via the sauna’s Bluetooth speakers.
It was the ultimate warm-up — and the perfect finish to an adrenaline-packed mother-and-son escape.
GO: EUROPA-PARK
GETTING THERE: Switzerland’s Basel airport is most convienient for access to Europa-Park with flights from London, Manchester and Bristol.
STAYING THERE: An overnight B&B stay at one of Europa-Park’s 4H hotels including tickets to the park and Rulantica water park is from £155pp, based on two adults and two children sharing.
There is a colourful Christmas display at Gulliver’s World Land of LightsSource: Supplied
“THE nights are drawing in and there’s a nip in the air – the perfect time to light up your life with some festive fun.
“And Gulliver’s World is the perfect place to embrace the winter season with its fantastic Land of Lights Experience at its parks in Milton Keynes, Warrington and Rotherham.
“Fairytale characters welcomed us to Gulliver’s World in Milton Keynes, as I’m quickly struggling to catch up with my kids, Finn (nine) and Isobel (seven) as they burst through the gates.
“We’ve visited Gulliver’s World before. It’s the perfect day out for younger children, with gentle rollercoasters, log flumes and classic fairground fun, as well as thrill rides for adrenaline seekers like Dragon Siege.
“But this time, we’re here to enjoy the separately ticketed Land of Lights.
“This is a joyful trail through brilliantly illuminated lands, complete with giant light installations, larger-than-life lanterns and cute photo opportunities.
Join Sun Club now — don’t miss out.
Adult and child tickets usually cost £23 each on the door – but Sun Club members get two for freeSource: Helen Wright
“We start in Dinosaur Land, where the park’s life-size Jurassic monsters are joined by some extra residents, including a luminous T-Rex and Triceratops.
“Alongside the brightly coloured beasts are some fun facts and a few entertaining special effects.
“Following the path through a fairy garden and animal farm, complete with a glowing tractor, we wander open-mouthed through the luminescent Under the Sea exhibit.
“Halfway through, we stop to toast marshmallows on a bonfire. There is an extra cost of £5, but my kids love it and it’s a great way to warm up.
“There’s also a little food court for a break along the way if you’re feeling peckish.
“Bolstered by our marshmallow feast, we arrive at the Christmas-themed kingdom, complete with appearances from Santa and his elves.
“I’m just as captivated as the children, skipping along the sparkly path of lights.
“For families who want to make a weekend of it, you can stay on resort in themed cabins, including a Dinosaur Lab and a Wild West Saloon.
“The next morning, we head into the theme park for some thrills.
There’s also a dinosaur and under the sea section on the lights trailSource: Helen WrightYou can also roast marshmallows for an additional £5Source: Dominic R Worrall
“The Land of Lights may have been far more relaxing, but Isobel is beaming at finally being tall enough to ride upside down on Dragon Siege.
“Stepping off, our cheeks have a different kind of glow.
“It’s such a great way to keep everyone entertained. A little weekend with something for everyone is a winter win”.
The Sun has teamed up with Gulliver’s World to give Sun Club members an exclusive chance to experience the magical Land of Lights for FREE.
We are giving away 3,000 FREE tickets across all three Gulliver’s locations, and Sun Club members can claim two tickets each.
Land of Lights is running until Saturday, January 30 in Warrington and Rotherham, and Saturday, February 27 in Milton Keynes.
Your free tickets can be used on any date, excluding Thursday, December 31.
Entrance to Land of Lights costs £23 per adult and £23 per child on the gate, so signing up to Sun Club means big savings.
To get your tickets, simply join Sun Club and book from today before tickets sell out.
Free entry applies to Land of Lights only. Entrance to Gulliver’s Theme Park and overnight accommodation are priced separately.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
18+ UK only. Digital subscription required. Online access required. Offer ends at 23:59pm on 06/12/26. 3,000 tickets available across 3 locations. Non-transferable & non refundable. T&Cs apply, see club.thesun.co.uk/sun-club. New customer offer: £2.99 per month for 3 months, £6.99 thereafter unless you cancel at least 7 days before your next billing date. Full T&Cs apply, visit thesun.co.uk/terms-and-conditions.
It’s the first week of November, and that means it’s officially the holiday season, which is my favorite time to visit our local theme parks. Disneyland is first out of the gate, unveiling its full slate of holiday programming on Nov. 13. Universal Studios Hollywood and Knott’s Berry Farm will follow the weekend of Nov. 20.
For many, it’s also a season of gift giving, which can be one of the most daunting parts of this time of year. Thankfully, our theme parks are here to help — enter any of them and it’s difficult to walk more than a few feet without passing a souvenir shop, stand or stall.
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Todd Martens’ newsletter delivers news and commentary on the past, present and future of theme parks, right from the theme park capital of the world — Southern California.
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To celebrate the start of the holiday season — and to coincide with the launch of The Times’ extensive gift guide — I’ve decided to dedicate this newsletter to some of my favorite items currently available at our theme parks. A word of warning, however. I’m a bit of a dork for monorails, and I like silly things, so this list does possess a slight personal bias. But like our paper’s guides to stocking stuffers or unique, made-in-L.A. items, consider it primarily a source of inspiration.
Or a reminder, perhaps, to schedule a visit to one of our theme parks this holiday season and bring home a little gift for yourself.
Disneyland
My favorite new item available at Disneyland is essentially a flip book, albeit one styled as a vintage ‘50s-style TV with brown casing that can house multiple oversize flip books. Turn it on, and it springs into action, playing scenes from either “Steamboat Willie,” “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” or “Flowers and Trees,” all classic pieces of Disney animation. The images unfold, of course, where the screen would be, and the set also plays music from the animated works. This Disney Animation Television (pictured above) is $99, and you can find it at Disney California Adventure’s Off the Page. It is a park exclusive.
I warned I was a monorail fiend, and new this year at the Disneyland Hotel is a collection from midcentury artist Scott “Scooter” Burroughs. I know many a Disneyland fan is a mug collector, so I’m highlighting this Burroughs-designed Disneyland Hotel item, which has the hotel’s vintage logo on one side, and Mickey and Minnie carrying luggage in front of one of the hotel’s towers and monorail on the other. The teal Disneyland Hotel coffee mug (pictured above), complete with an ornate Disney “D” handle, is $24.99 and available in the hotel’s gift shop.
I’m also showcasing the $24.99 monorail salt & pepper shakers (pictured above), which despite having been available for multiple years, remains my favorite gift at the resort. Yes, they’re in the style of Walt Disney World’s current monorails. but I love the mini track holder and smile every time I use them. Available throughout the resort, including Disney Home in Downtown Disney.
A new Fantasyland sweatshirt has arrived at Disneyland.
(Todd Martens / Los Angeles Times)
The Disneyland Resort has in recent years upped its fashion game. Too often I’d spy a shirt or sweatshirt I liked, and turn it around only to find the understated design on the front was paired with a garish creation on the back. Thankfully, the park seems to be moving away from that style, and this year debuted a gorgeous, restrained yet artful Fantasyland sweatshirt featuring a flying pirate galleon from “Peter Pan.” It’s $69.99 and available at multiple shops, including the Disneyland Hotel or the Emporium on Main Street, U.S.A. I love its minimal use of colors, pairing a creamy white with a royal blue.
For the last Disney item, I’m going to pivot slightly to include a selection from Walt Disney World. As I write this newsletter I’m listening to the newly released “Epcot” vinyl (pictured above), a two-LP set that spans the history of the Florida park. As someone who visited the park yearly as a child, it’s a nostalgic joy, featuring music from “Journey into Imagination,” “Universe of Energy,” “The Land” and more, but the primary keepers for me are some of the Future World instrumentals. This is available online from the Disney Music Emporium for $32.99.
Universal Studios
I can’t resist when Universal Studios Hollywood releases items that center the park’s tram tour. So I immediately wanted this King Kong plush (pictured above) that features the giant gorilla cradling a mini tram vehicle. This, in my mind, is a nod to the attraction when it featured a large animatronic of Kong that would create the illusion of rocking the ride vehicles, so in addition to being cuddly, it has a sort of vintage coolness. This park exclusive item is $30, and can be found in the Universal Studio Store near the entrance.
I don’t think the kitchen cupboard of any Universal Studios Hollywood fan is complete without a few pieces of the park’s retro glassware (pictured above). I have the one styled after the late great E.T. Adventure ride, which opened here in 1991 but sadly left the park in 2003. The ‘80s-style graphic cups have mini ride summaries. Each one is $10, and the park also has glassware styled after the “Back to the Future” ride (RIP) and the Kong section of the tram tour. The items can be found in the Universal Studio Store.
There’s a whole lot of Yoshi’s in this colorful shirt at Universal Studios Hollywood.
(Todd Martens / Los Angeles Times)
Universal Studios Hollywood is also the go-to shop for fans of the “Harry Potter” franchise and Nintendo. I’m a bigger fan of the latter, so I’m going to focus on a couple of my favorite Nintendo items. I’ve long been eyeing this Yoshi camp shirt, but I’m not yet persuaded I can pull it off; one of these days I’m sure I’ll be break down and buy the $75 item. I love its mix of green and pinks, and dig the soft, playful vibe. Plus, everyone adores Yoshi.
Universal Studios Hollywood’s mini-”Jaws” puzzle is an ideal stocking stuffer.
(Todd Martens / Los Angeles Times)
The park also has a fair amount of Nintendo toys, including Mario, Bowser and Yoshi, but I’m a big fan of the dancing Piranha Plant, which spins and rotates when exposed to noise. It’s $37 and a little goofy, but I can’t have plants in my apartment because my cat instantly destroys them, so I’m always on the prowl for toys that double as greenery.
The Universal Studio Store has small sections dedicated to a number of the films featured in the park, and I was smitten with this mini “Jaws” puzzle, which would make an excellent stocking stuffer for fans of the Steven Spielberg classic. It’s $15, comes in an easy-to-store capsule, and features bright, cartoonish poster art.
Knott’s Berry Farm
I love all things boysenberry and at any time throughout the year you can find numerous boysenberry items around my apartment. Lately, I’ve been using the park’s boysenberry cream hand soap, which sells for $16.99. Look for it at numerous shops at the theme park, including the main store just outside the park or the hotel gift shop. It does have a powerful berry fragrance, but I don’t mind as it allows me to pretend I’m spending the night at the park. If you can’t make it to the park, Knott’s sells a $12.99 boysenberry bath bombonline.
The boysenberry, a Knott’s creation, is a delight, a sort of midpoint between a blackberry and a raspberry, although sweeter than both. That’s why I never don’t have a jar of boysenberry jam (pictured above) on hand. They’re $12.99 and available pretty much everywhere at the park but also online. The boysenberry jam is a hearty jelly, its taste reminding me of fall, as it’s not a thin, easily-spreadable jam.
Knott’s stages its annual boysenberry fest each spring, and it’s always a good time to sample dozens of boysenberry-infused foods. Typically, I prefer a more subtle touch, which is why I’ve become a big fan of the park’s boysenberry pancake mix, which sells for $7.99 and is available throughout the park and online. Each bundle is good for a number of meals, although I tend to use more than the recommended dose for thicker, larger pancakes. It’s not a heavy boysenberry flavor, so if you want to go overboard you can pair them with boysenberry syrup, which sells for $12.99 per bottle.
While I focused on boysenberry items in this list, it would be derelict of me not to mention that Knott’s Berry Farm is a prime source for all things “Peanuts.” The boysenberry, however, is such a SoCal original that I’ve been known to visit the park for the sole purpose of snaring a boysenberry pie, which I should mention is a perfect Thanksgiving dessert.
This week in SoCal theme parks
Layoffs last week hit Disney’s experiences division, which oversees its theme parks.
(AaronP / Bauer-Griffin / GC Images)
Layoffs hit Walt Disney Imagineering. Last week The Times revealed that just under 200 people would be cut from Disney’s experiences division, which includes Disney’s theme parks, cruise line and Aulani resort and spa in Hawaii. Many of those involved, sources say, were with Walt Disney Imagineering. None of the currently announced projects for the Disneyland Resort are believed to be affected.
Another coaster is coming to Magic Mountain. Six Flags’ Valencia park is soon going to be home to ArieForce One, which previously resided at the now-shuttered Fun Spot America near Atlanta. Six Flags purchased the coaster earlier this year, but at the time did not announce where it would be relocated. Magic Mountain hopes to open ArieForce One in 2028, according to a park spokesperson. The news was first reported by Brady MacDonald of the OC Register.
Express access comes to Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift. Getting on Universal’s fancy new coaster will now be a little easier, at least for those who are willing to pay to skip the line. Universal Studios Hollywood is now selling a paid line-skipping pass for $19.95 per person. This will give you an entry time to return to the attraction.
Happy holidays! The Disneyland Resort is giving us a beer stand. Set to open in the coming days at Disney California Adventure is Bountiful Valley Brews, a new beer stall that will also sell a pepperoni pizza egg roll. In addition to local ales, Bountiful Valley will also sell a margarita and a Southern whiskey peach tea. The kiosk will be located near the entrance to Avengers Campus.
A new immersive experience is coming to Anaheim. TeamLab, the Japan-born, tech-heavy immersive art collective, is plotting its first permanent U.S. exhibition in Anaheim. The group, stylized as teamLab, is moving into a 110,000-square-foot space at OCVibe, the 100-acre mixed-use entertainment district currently in development near the Honda Center. The teamLab spot is not estimated to open until 2030, but a press release specifies this will be a new exhibition and not a re-creation of one of the collective’s popular international exhibits.
Tell us your stories. Ask us your questions.
Have a theme park tale to share? Whether it was a good day or less-than-perfect day, I would love to hear about it. Have a question? A tip? A fun photo from the parks to share? Email me at todd.martens@latimes.com. I may feature your note in an upcoming newsletter.
Ride on,
Todd Martens
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What in the name of common sense is a 16-year-old who lives in Venice dreaming about competing in the Olympic Games as a snowboarder instead of a skateboarder or surfer?
“I really liked skateboarding but needed something more exhilarating flying into the air,” said Tristam Henkels, who’s been spending this month training in Switzerland and Austria as a member of the U.S. snowboard rookie team for halfpipe.
He used to spend nine hours a day skateboarding at a park in Santa Monica. He watched snowboarder Chloe Kim compete at the Mammoth Mountain World Cup shortly before her gold-medal performance at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang.
Then his mother, Judy, decided to become his chauffeur when he was 10, taking him to Big Bear to practice snowboarding. She’s still traveling with Tristam, who’s enrolled in an online school but prefers snowboarding over everything else. He previously attended Canyon Elementary School in Santa Monica.
He’s so obsessed with being the best that three broken arms suffered from falls, along with a compression back fracture, hardly deters him to think twice about flying through the air trying to perform tricks. He did admit that hitting ice feels like hitting concrete, so he has learned to be careful and hasn’t had any major injuries in the last three years.
“If you fall and get back up, you’re going to be stronger the next time,” he said of his philosophy during a phone conversation from Switzerland.
There will be lots of competition for a 2030 Olympic team berth in France. Henkels is working his way up in a sport filled with talented athletes who have to maneuver their bodies like a gymnast in pursuit of a perfect score of 100 from the judges.
This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.
WHEN two brothers open a Mississippi blues bar in horror film Sinners, it starts out like a great party.
That is, until someone welcomes in a very troublesome vampire — and all hell breaks loose.
Ozzy Osbourne: Prince Of Darkness house features music and gothic moments from the late rocker’s back catalogueA vampire from the 2025 box office hit SinnersCredit: Universal Orlando Resort
As I walk arm-in-arm with my best mate, we laugh, scream and cling to each other for dear life as the same terrifying story plays out in front of our eyes.
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The Halloween event in Florida has been running for 35 years and film fans can’t get enough of its fully immersive horror houses.
Each year, ten elaborate sound stages are erected to shock, frighten and entertain.
Horror is now the fastest-growing film genre, so it’s easy to see why the Halloween Horror Nights have grown to the scale they are at today.
What started in 1991 as a single haunted house, open to visitors for just three days, is now a two-month Spooktacular that is virtually sold out every night.
Whether you are a big movie buff or not, it’s a unique experience that isn’t for the faint-hearted.
Some of the biggest movies are played out in such intricate detail that, once inside the dark passageways, it’s all too easy to believe you are part of the movie itself.
Sophie Minot at the Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Resort OrlandoCredit: SuppliedScreams in the Hellraiser attraction
As well as 2025 box office hit Sinners, Universal has teamed up with other killer movie thrillers.
They include Evil Dead Burn and Hellraiser — a franchise that Lora Sauls, the theme park’s assistant director of creative development, says has taken a decade to secure the rights to.
And the wait was worth it, as Hellraiser delivered the most jump-scares of the night.
The films’ Cenobites and other ghouls burst out of every dark corner, mysterious curtain and doorway, accompanied by strobe lights, wild screaming and flumes of fog.
Other houses this year include Netflix’sStranger Things 5 — which also has an energetic light and water show inspired by it on the lagoon — while a very cool Ozzy Osbourne: Prince Of Darkness house features music and gothic moments from the late rocker’s back catalogue.
One original theme house is Jack & Oddfellow: Chaos & Control, which stars the much-loved characters who have dominated the event over the last three decades and have sealed their place in Halloween Horror Nights lore.
The remaining five houses cover aliens, cannibals, classic Universal monsters and futuristic cyber baddies, all offering plenty of scares as well as a few giggles.
The Halloween Horror Nights event is on a separate ticket to the regular theme park 14-day passes — and the fear continues outside the haunted houses, too.
Those who re-enter for the night get to enjoy a huge Halloween street party, stretching the length and breadth of the park.
There are dedicated bars and food pop-ups, with drinks and bites themed for the attractions, such as the Meat Grinder Red Velvet Cake and Hellraiser Spicy Meatballs.
Navigating the event is no walk in the park, with five scare zones set up to keep the jumps jumpin’.
One of them, the neon playground based on video game Fortnite, is a fresh and unique take on the event’s street scares.
During the night, you will also pass through Club Horror and The Sideshow Of Decay, which is swarming with zombies.
And the Infernal Carnival Of Nightmares has creepy fairground games and a manic cast of characters.
Universal Studios Florida gets a complete and creepy makeover as the sun goes downOther houses this year include Netflix’s Stranger Things 5
Perhaps the most terrifying can be found at Downtown Clowntown, which is pretty self-explanatory.
If jesters give you the jitters, I recommend a different route.
Halloween Horror Nights are recommended for guests over 11 — but by day, more wholesome and family-friendly movies take centre stage.
While over at Epic Universe, you can enjoy rides and attractions based on How To Train Your Dragon, Super Nintendo and the wizarding world of Harry Potter.
Universal’s Islands Of Adventure has you hopping between Hogwarts, Jurassic Park and Worlds Of Marvel, with high-speed coasters such as Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and VelociCoaster providing the thrills.
The Universal All-Parks Ticket gets you in to all the theme parks, as well as Universal’s water park, Volcano Bay.
That guarantees plenty of excitement and not a clown in sight.
For anyone visiting Florida next September and October, Halloween Horror Nights are a fun way to shake up your holiday.
The event I went to carried on until 2am, so there was still time after midnight to go back through the Sinners house, much to my friend’s despair.
But with entertainment on such a grand scale, a soothing blues soundtrack and the opportunity to laugh at her screaming round every corner, how could I resist?
GO: HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS
GETTING/STAYING THERE: Seven nights’ room-only at Universal Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites is from £1,478pp including Virgin Atlantic flights from Heathrow on October 6, 2027.
PLAYING THERE: A Universal Orlando All Parks Ticket starts from £521 and gives you 14 days’ unlimited access to Epic Universe, Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal’s Volcano Bay water park.
IF YOU are looking for your next countryside escape then look no further than this holiday park set to open next year.
A new Landal holiday park in Malvern Hills is set to open in springnext year.
A huge new holiday park in Malvern Hills is set to open in spring next yearCredit: LandalIt will have 40 lodges each sleeping between two and six peopleCredit: Landal
Landal Malvern Hills will be set in a woodland with 40 timber lodges complete with terrace hot tubs.
The lodges can each host between two and six people.
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Inside, the interiors will have a modern design, with light woods throughout.
The entire park will be dog friendly too so your four-legged friend doesn’t need to be left behind.
THE UK’s best holiday park has been revealed and it is the ultimate peaceful retreat.
Named Best Holiday Park at the Sykes Gem Awards2026, Stonerush Lakes in Lanreath, South Cornwall is spread across 28 acres and is home to numerous different lodges.
Stonerush Lakes in Cornwall has been named the best holiday park in the UKCredit: CharteroakThe lodges each have been one and three bedrooms and some even have a terrace hot tubCredit: Charteroak
Lodges vary in size between one and three bedrooms, are all detached and timber clad.
Many also have views of the lake or hillside and you can book one with its own hot tub too.
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And if you really want something special, there are lodges with cinema rooms and spa facilities available.
There’s an onsite Old Mill Bar and Restaurant right by the lake, ideal for grabbing a bite to eat with meals made using local produce.
On the same week that a court filing showed that construction on President Trump’s hotly contested triumphal arch could begin as soon as Nov. 5, another less reported development pointed to the possibility that the government might be misrepresenting its plans for Trump’s National Garden of American Heroes in West Potomac Park.
On Monday, the National Park Service held a meeting about a proposed redesign to the park, which is part of the National Mall and also where Trump wants to put his Garden of Heroes featuring more than 250 statues ranging from Humphrey Bogart to Kobe Bryant to Benjamin Franklin. Trump first proposed the idea in 2020, but it wasn’t until his second term — when he began a crusade to remake much of Washington, D.C.’s historic core according to his own predilections — that the plan looked as if it might manifest. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act even appropriated $40 million for the project.
The Garden of Heroes has remained largely in the background while preservationists focused on the demolition of the White House East Wing and the construction of a massive ballroom in its place, as well as the botched painting of the Reflecting Pool, and, of course, the gigantic triumphal arch.
But Monday’s NPS meeting about plans for West Potomac Park rang alarm bells for some when Judy Chesser, chair of the nonprofit conservation and preservation group the Committee of 100 on the Federal City, asked, “How does this relate to the Garden of Heroes that is being discussed in West Potomac?” to which the NPS spokesperson replied, “This is just an update to the tidal basin master plan we started before. This is not the Garden of Heroes.”
However, the Washington, D.C.-based education and advocacy organization Cultural Landscape Foundation noted that the rendering in NPS’ presentation and the illustrated “Pledge Agreement” from the National Garden of American Heroes Foundation contain similarities that “go way beyond coincidental.”
“Each includes a great lawn, a giant oval/circle, an amphitheater, a fountain, and a staircase to the Potomac River,” Charles A. Birnbaum, founding president and chief executive of the foundation, wrote in an email.
“In addition, the new design shown Monday amputates part of the FDR Memorial to accommodate the Oval. This is intentional. Clearly the Oval is meant to host something else or it would be re-scaled so as not to interfere with the FDR Memorial,” the email continued.
In that instance lawyers repeatedly said there were no plans to renovate the golf course (thus preventing U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes from issuing an injunction against said renovations), only to chop down hundreds of trees on the course with no notice over a holiday weekend. Reyes was irate and sources familiar with the feud say that the judge expects the case to go all the way to the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, as of 2 p.m. PDT, Thursday, opponents of Trump’s arch have filed a motion for an injunction on the possible Nov. 5 construction, arguing that Congress needs to approve any plan moving forward. This head-snapping whirlwind of motions and counter motions is expected by critics to continue to be the norm as Trump tries to push through as many of his D.C.-based renovations as possible before a new Congress is seated in January.
“What better way to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary than to shut down the legally required review process, ignore some 100,000 negative public comments, and fast track the construction of a bloated and deeply unpopular monument that the president claims is for him,” wrote the Landscape Foundation’s Birnbaum in a statement about the arch.
I’m Arts editor Jessica Gelt pitching preservationists for my personal garden of heroes. This is your arts and culture news for the week.
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The week ahead: A curated calendar
FRIDAY
American Sound Takes Flight MUSE/IQUE explores the nation’s music from Aaron Copland to Paul Simon in a concert setting infused with storytelling and cultural context. Featuring Brandon Victor Dixon, Liv Redpath and the MUSE/IQUE Orchestra, led by Artistic and Music Director Rachael Worby. 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The Wallis, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. thewallis.org
Bach to Broadway The 31st annual concert, featuring Pueri Cantores SGV, the St. Andrew School Choir, Los Angeles Children’s Chorus and members of the L.A. Opera and L.A. Master Chorale benefits the restoration of historic St. Andrew Church. 7:30 p.m. St. Andrew Church, 311 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena. saintandrewpasadena.org
Ballet Festival: Jerome Robbins at the Ahmanson Theatre
(Steven Pisano / The Joyce Theater Foundation)
Ballet Festival: Jerome Robbins Three programs of the choreographer’s masterworks, curated by New York City Ballet principal dancer Tiler Peck, with dancers from New York City Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet and other major companies performing to live chamber music 7:30 p.m. Friday, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. musiccenter.org
Andrew Bird The acclaimed multi-instrumentalist and songwriter joins with the Los Angeles Philharmonic to mark the 20th anniversary of his album, “The Mysterious Production of Eggs,” with orchestral arrangements, plus popular songs from his catalog. 8 p.m. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. laphil.com
Aymeric Hainaux and François Chaignaud The musician and choreographer team up for “Mirlitons,” a marathon vocal and dance duet. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The Nimoy, 1262 Westwood Blvd. cap.ucla.edu
Museum on Haunted Hill: A Celebration of Vincent Price The institution pays homage to its original patron, the noted actor, art collector, advocate and historian, with an evening of after-hours access to exhibitions, casual screenings of classic Price films, drinks and snacks, music, a photo booth and haunted decor. 5-8 p.m. Vincent Price Art Museum, East Los Angeles College, 1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez, Monterey Park. vpam.org
PLAY: A Play EmIly Mast’s unscripted conceptual performance features six players, guided by a coach, working against a clock and an evolving set of rules to examine “the invisible systems that govern power, behavior and care.” With Hugo Armstrong, Gregory Barnett, Chu-Hsuan Chang, Jessica Emmanuel, Jessica Hemingway, Aramazd Stepanian and Maxwell Transue. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 4:30 p.m. Sunday. The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, 152 N. Central Ave., Little Tokyo. moca.org
Sinners: Sounds That Summon This exhibition examines the standout Club Juke scene in Ryan Coogler’s Oscar-winning 2025 film focusing on the guitar played by the character Sammie Moore (Miles Caton), costumes, objects and archival material. Through March 14, 2027. California African American Museum, 600 State Drive, Exposition Park. caamuseum.org
SATURDAY
Grand Ave Arts: All Access Tenth annual celebration of L.A. downtown cultural corridor with free exhibitions, tours, performances, family-friendly activities and more from participating organizations including the Broad, Center Theatre Group, Colburn School, Classical California, Dataland, Gloria Molina Grand Park, Grand Performances, L.A. Opera, L.A. Phil, Los Angeles Central Library, Metro Art, MOCA, the Music Center and REDCAT. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Grand Ave., between Temple and 6th Streets, downtown L.A. grandavearts.org
Kabuki in Motion: The Lion Returns U.S. Kabuki Ken Kyu Kai presents this program of kabuki dance, Nihon buyō (Japanese classical dance), and live koto and shamisen music featuring artists from Japan and California. 4:30 p.m. The Huntington, Rothenberg Hall, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. huntington.org
Picasso Ceramics From the Rosenbaum Collection The exhibition presents 63 original prints and limited-edition ceramics, including vessels, plates, pitchers and sculptural forms created by the artist after 1947. Through Feb. 28, 2027. Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana. bowers.org
SUNDAY
Lucile Dollat The French organist performs music from the 16th century to the present. 7:30 p.m. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. laphil.com
TUESDAY
Jason Moran Presents Duke Ellington: My Heart Sings The pianist and composer performs with members of the Pacific Symphony to engage with Ellington’s work through a contemporary frame. 8 p.m. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. scfta.org
The Music Man Meredith Willson’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy brings smooth-talking con man Harold Hill to River City, where his schemes are curtailed when he falls for Marian, the local librarian. Through Nov. 8. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. centertheatregroup.org
Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal with Rafael Payare The Canadian ensemble and its charismatic Venezuelan conductor (who also leads the San Diego Symphony) perform Dmitri Shostakovich’s “Symphony No. 10 in E minor, Op. 93,” plus Felix Mendelssohn’s “Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64” with Leonidas Kavakos. 8 p.m. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. laphil.com
The 39 Steps Patrick Barlow’s adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1935 spy thriller (itself an adaptation of a novel by John Buchan) about an ordinary man entangled in international intrigue. Directed by Hunter Foster. Through Nov. 22. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. lagunaplayhouse.com
The Who’s Tommy The band’s 1969 rock opera featuring “I’m Free,” “See Me, Feel Me,” “Sensation” and, of course, “Pinball Wizard,” is transformed into a Broadway musical by composer Pete Townshend and original director Des McAnuff. Through Nov. 15. Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd. broadwayinhollywood.com
WEDNESDAY
Nedra Ryan Taylor and Sarah Scott Davis in the play “Confederates.”
(Davis Northern)
Confederates Institutional racism, as experienced in two different eras by Black women, is the subject of Dominique Morisseau’s 2022 dramatic comedy. Best known for her three-play cycle “The Detroit Project” as well as the book for the musical about the Temptations “Ain’t Too Proud,” Morisseau juxtaposes the plight of an enslaved rebel and Union spy during the Civil War with that of a contemporary political science professor facing a threatening work environment. Fountain Artistic Director Raymond O. Caldwell directs this sharp-eyed satire examining an unbroken thread of racial and gender bias in American history. (Charles McNulty) Previews, 8 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, play runs through Dec. 13. Fountain Theatre, 5060 Fountain Ave. fountaintheatre.com
THURSDAY
Seasons of America With Teddy Abrams & Ray Chen The world premiere of Abrams’ L.A. Phil commission, written especially for violinist Chen, along with Julia Perry’s “A Short Piece for Orchestra.” Charles Ives’ “Three Places in New England, S. 7” and George Gershwin’s “An American in Paris.” 8 p.m. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A.laphil.com
Sasha Velour: Travesty The Season 9 winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” performs a new solo work that spans queer history through lip-sync performances embodying various personas including a witch burned in a field, a clown who builds a theater and patrons of an underground gay bar. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Oct. 30. The Wallis, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. thewallis.org
The SoCal scene
Katie Folger gets ready at her home before her performance of “Getting in Bed With the Pizza Man” at the Elysian Theater.
(Carlin Stiehl / For The Times)
ICYMI, the best of this week’s L.A. Times arts coverage:
A marble torso sculpted during the early Roman Empire set a new world record for ancient classical sculpture at auction earlier this week when it sold at Sotheby’s New York for $34.3 million. That was almost three times more than its pre-sale estimate of between $8 million and $12 million.
Fuerteventura may be famed for its white-sand beaches, clear waters and dramatic volcanic scenery, but beyond the packed resorts an abandoned leisure complex paints a far darker picture.
A theme park with no rides has been named the best in EuropeCredit: AlamyPuy du Fou Espana is a historical theme park less than an hour from MadridCredit: Alamy
Named Europe’s leading theme park by the World Travel Awards, Puy du Fou España is a historical theme park on the outskirts of Toledo, Spain – less than an hour from Madrid.
Rather than rollercoasters, visitors can expect large-scale live action shows with falconry displays featuring more than 200 birds.
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The theme park is home to five historical villages – The Andalusian Askar, The Royal Town, Isidro’s Sale, The Suburb and Villaneuva del Corral.
The Andalusian Askar, for example, recreates the atmosphere of the 10th-century Córdoba.
And then in Villanueva del Corral, the theme is centred on a 16th-century Golden Age hamlet with traditional Spanish taverns.
During the day, visitors can watch a number of shows including the 25-minute immersive Beyond the Ocean Sea show which focuses on the Santa Maria ship trying to reach the East by sailing West.
At night, there’s the El Sueño de Toledo spectacular, which is a show about 1,500 years of Spanish history and includes water effects, lighting and hundreds of actors.
The park also has a number of outdoor play areas too and farm areas as well.
Scattered around the park visitors can also explore a number of shops for unique souvenirs.
Tickets cost from €37 (£31.07) per person.
And the good news for Brits is that a similar theme park is set to open in the UKCredit: Puy du Fou
And the even better news is that you won’t have to wait long until heading to similar theme park in the UK.
THE best hotels and resorts in Europe have been revealed and two in the UK have made the cut.
The annual World Travel Awards has named everything from beach resorts to city stays.
The Chancery Rosewood in London has been named Europe’s Leading New Hotel 2026Credit: Booking.comIt opened in September last year and has an underground swimming poolCredit: Booking.com
The good news for us Brits is that there are two in the UK – one in London and the second is a floating hotel in Edinburgh.
The Chancery Rosewood in London which opened its doors in September last year has been named Europe’s Leading New Hotel 2026.
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The Grade II listed building is on Grosvenor Square and is considered one of the most expensive hotels in the country.
It has 144 suites, some of which even have steam rooms and two-person bathtubs.
On the roof are the two penthouses named Elizabeth and Charles which are 350sqm in size, and even come with private butler.
Start saving – they can cost £20,000 a night.
Otherwise the hotel has a whopping eight restaurants and bars, 24-hour in-room dining and a spa with a 25metre long swimmingpool and fitness studio.
The other hotel mentioned on the list is Fingal Hotel in Scotland which was named Europe’s Leading Boutique Hotel.
It’s unlike most others as the hotel is inside the Northern Lighthouse Board ship that is permanently docked in the Port of Leith.
It has 23 custom- designed cabins onboard with super-king beds, tartan textiles,and Art Deco styling with a sun terrace, restaurant and bar.
The Fingal Hotel in Scotland is onboard the Northern Lighthouse Board shipCredit: Booking.com
A one-night stay for two adults starts from £279.
When it comes to hotels abroad, Ikos Odisia in Greece is one to talk about – it’s won Europe’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort at the World Travel Awards for three years in a row.
The hotel in Corfu sits on the edge of Dasia Bay – it has Mediterranean-style rooms, 10 swimming pools and a private beach.
With its ‘All Inclusive Plus’ package, guests have unlimited access to all restaurants and bars, as well as beach and pool food and beverage service with drinks, cocktails and snacks.
There’s 24-hour complimentary room service, guests can also use the Local Discovery programme which includes the use of a Tesla for one full day during the stay.
It also includes free museum tickets (one museum ticket per person, per stay) and 30-minute complimentary beachside childcare for children four and up.
The Cullinan Belek in Turkey is the Leading Luxury All-Inclusive Resort this yearCredit: Booking.comIkos Osidia has a generous all-inclusive package including use of a TeslaCredit: Booking.com
Named as Europe’s Leading Luxury All-Inclusive Resort is Cullinan Belek in Turkey.
It’s been described as having true ‘glitz and glamour’ with 600 rooms in total some of which are private family villas or rooftop suites with Jacuzzis.
When one Sun Writer checked into the Cullinan Belek, she found her room came with its own pillow menu.
Her Superior Duplex room also had “top-of-the-range tech to control lights, curtains and air, plus divine Bvlgari toiletries in the two bathrooms.”
She added: “But the real treat is the swim-up infinity pool which lapped my second-floor terrace, overlooking the main resort.”
There’s a gym with a Pilates reformer stand, yoga room, Hyrox zone and the hotel has its own golf course.
Almar Lido Jesolo in Italy is right on the beach with incredible views from the roomsCredit: Booking.com Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas has won Europe’s Leading Beach ResortCredit: Unknown
Meanwhile, Almar Lido Jesolo in Italy has been named Europe’s Leading Beach Hotel.
Fifty minutes away from Venice, the hotel has 184 rooms as well as a 70metre pool heated to three different temperatures.
Even the gym overlooks the sea, otherwise head to the ocean as there is a path down to the private beach.
Another beach hotel that made it onto the award winners list is Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas which won Europe’s Leading Beach Resort.
It’s considered one of the most luxurious in Crete – the five-star resort has everything from five tenniscourts and a scuba diving centre, to a swimming pool and two private beaches.
There are lots of rooms to choose from but one of the most impressive is the Island Bungalow Waterfront which has direct access to the water.
When it comes to Europe’s Leading New Boutique Hotel, the Avali by Mar-Bella Collection in Corfu has been named the best.
The hotel is on the smaller side with 76 rooms and suites, some of which have private rooftop pools.
There’s an option to go all-inclusive (which comes with unlimited ice cream) as well as 30-minutes free use of a canoe and pedalo.
It’s not all about relaxing though, the awards even highlighted the best Theme Park Hotel in Europe which went to The Land Of Legends Kingdom Hotel in Turkey.
Avali by Mar-Bella Collection in Corfu is Europe’s Leading New Boutique HotelCredit: TUI Guests at the Kingdom Hotel get unlimited access to the Land of Legends theme parkCredit: Unknown
For any fan of the theme park its ideal as guests of the hotel get included and unlimited access to the attraction.
This includes its rollercoasters and Aqua Land waterpark, and a complimentary shuttle bus and access to the private beachfront.
Next door is the newly opened Nickelodeon Hotel which opened just last year – it has character meet-and-greets throughout the day with free gaming stations and a kids’ club.
Here are all the hotels and resorts in the Winners 2026 list…
Europe’s Leading Airport Hotel 2026 – NH Lyon Airport, France
Europe’s Leading All-Suite Hotel 2026 – THE VIEW Lugano, Switzerland
Europe’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2026 – Ikos Odisia, Greece
Europe’s Leading Beach Hotel 2026 – Almar Lido Jesolo, Italy
Europe’s Leading Beach Resort 2026 – Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas, Greece
Europe’s Leading Boutique Hotel 2026 – Fingal Hotel, Scotland
Europe’s Leading Boutique Resort 2026 – Collegio alla Querce, Auberge Resorts Collection, Italy
Europe’s Leading Casino Resort 2026 – City of Dreams Mediterranean, Cyprus
Europe’s Leading City Hotel 2026 – Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus, Türkiye
Europe’s Leading Design Hotel 2026 – 1908 Lisboa Hotel, Portugal
Europe’s Leading Entertainment Hotel 2026 – Seven Visions Resort & Places, The Dvin, Armenia
Europe’s Leading Family Resort 2026 – Sani Resort, Greece
Europe’s Leading Heritage Hotel 2026 – Párisi Udvar Hotel Budapest
Europe’s Leading Hotel 2026 – Estoril Vintage Hotel, Portugal
Europe’s Leading Hotel & Spa 2026 – Almar Timi Ama Villasimius, Italy
Europe’s Leading Island Resort 2026 – Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa, Ireland
Europe’s Leading Landmark Hotel 2026 – The Phoenicia Malta
Europe’s Leading Leisure Resort 2026 – Domes Zeen Chania, a Luxury Collection Resort, Greece
Europe’s Leading Lifestyle Hotel 2026 – Hyatt Regency Vilamoura Algarve, Portugal
AUTUMN is theme park season in my house, as the time between summer season and October half-term is quiet with no queues – and I know how to get great deals.
The key to keeping costs down is using a technique I call ‘hack stacking’, and it’s really easy for everyone to do.
My favourite travel to tip is ‘hack stacking’Credit: Catherine LofthouseIt means you can use multiple offers to go to attractions like Drayton ManorCredit: Catherine Lofthouse
The way it works it to combine different deals to get entry for the individuals in your party and maximise the benefits that come with each.
We’ve already enjoyed cheap trips to Warwick Castle and have already lined up visits to Drayton Manor, Alton Towers and Legoland Discovery Centre.
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One deal to take advantage of is with Merlin which is currently running an annual pass deal that includes the rest of this year if you pay for 2027.
A gold pass includes car parking, so the £239 cost of one pass could be well worth it just for that if you go once a month plus a couple of extra visits in the summer as lots of the theme parks charge £13 a day for parking.
The key to hack stacking is that not everyone uses the same deal to get in.
So someone else could use Tesco Clubcard vouchers or Nectar points to pay for individual entry and others could get parent and toddler tickets if you’ve got children the right age.
It’s also important to keep an eye out for deals over the course of the year and work out how they could be combined to get the most bang for your buck.
In the spring, Merlin ran a stay and play deal that included annual passes if you booked an overnight stay at one of its parks.
That’s an amazing base for building your hack stacking on. I took two of my sons to stay overnight at Legoland Windsor in June for £270 and now the three of us can get free entry into multiple Merlin attractions until next summer.
If I add on a gold pass for my husband under the current 15 months for the price of 12 deal, I only have to find a final hack to get my third son a ticket to whichever attraction we plan to visit.
Keep checking for new deals throughout the yearCredit: Catherine Lofthouse
So for £510, split over two payments made six months apart, not only have I got annual passes plus car parking for four people, I’ve also enjoyed an overnight theme park stay and even got a little bit of cashback through Quidco.
I did much the same at Drayton Manor, starting with the tickets I claimed through the Sun Club earlier in the year and then using a Blue Light Card discount to buy more.
I could prebook two free tickets through my Sun Club membership over the summer and then buy two more for £20 each.
My final ticket to cover my family of five was £26 using our Blue Light Card and what’s great about this offer is that you can even book it on the day, saving almost £20 on the gate price.
Normally, Drayton Manor pricing is dynamic so it goes up the closer you get to the day of your visit, even if you’re booking online, whereas the Blue Light price is a flat rate.
We paid £66 for the five of us to visit Drayton Manor on a September weekend instead of £200 if we’d turned up and paid on the day.
Some can get entry through and annual pass, others can use Tesco Clubcard or Nectar pointsCredit: Catherine LofthouseIt’s a good way to keep costs down especially for familiesCredit: Catherine Lofthouse
You can even shave a couple of quid off the parking by prebooking that online too.
And if you visit during September, you get a return visit until the end of October included.
Teachers can get in free on October 3-4, so that’s something to consider if you work in a school.
My hack-stacking trick works at most theme parks as long as you take a bit of time to look at who you’re buying entry for and then work out how to combine deals.
We visited Pleasurewood Hills near Lowestoft, which has just been named theme park of the year, in April and there’s some great deals to be had for tickets there.
You can get a Blue Light discount, but it actually makes better financial sense to use a family ticket for four people for £70 or to buy early bird tickets at £16 each a month in advance.
People with local postcodes could get a reduced price ticket at the start of the season, so it’s worth keeping an eye out to see if that pops up again.
My final tip if you fancy giving hack stacking a go is to keep an eye on discount sites like Planet Offers, Groupon or Wowcher as you can make some great savings, as long as you read the small print to make sure what you’re buying is valid on the date you want to visit.
A family ticket on the Flamingo Land website costs £168 for four people, whereas it’s £98 for the same ticket on one of the discount sites.
And make sure you check rival sites too as there can be a big difference in what they are offering.
A Russian drone strike on a park in Ukraine’s north-eastern Kharkiv region has killed six people, including three children. The attack comes amid growing concerns over Ukraine’s air defences and Donald Trump’s moves to import Russian diesel.
WASHINGTON — A federal judge on Monday questioned the Trump administration’s claims surrounding its efforts to redevelop a historic Washington golf course, challenging its contention that a recent tree-cutting spree did not indicate work was moving forward on the project, which is temporarily blocked by a court order.
“There is no universe in which all of this coincidentally happened all at the same time,” U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes said during a hearing over the fate of a project that has emerged as the latest legal flashpoint in President Trump’s campaign to leave his personal imprint on the nation’s capital.
Reyes last week ordered a halt to the golf course’s redevelopment plans until at least Oct. 26 after scolding the government for starting a large-scale tree removal at the course over a holiday weekend while providing little notice to the court or the plaintiffs trying to stop the makeover.
Then, on Sunday, Trump announced plans on social media to close the golf course for 15 months, starting on Nov. 15, and redevelop the 106-year-old park and course despite a court challenge by the D.C. Preservation League and two golfers. In a post on Monday, Trump said the work would start immediately.
Plaintiffs’ attorneys challenging the golf course renovation work have asked Reyes to extend her order that temporarily paused the work. They say the work is inflicting irreversible damage and that the redevelopment would violate the congressional act that created the park where the course is located.
The hearings on the century-old golf course have grown increasingly tense and on the eve of Monday’s hearing, Reyes rejected the administration’s request for her to recuse herself from the case. The government questioned her impartiality and accused her of engaging in “egregious” behavior from the bench during last week’s emergency hearing for the case.
Trump, a Republican, referred to Reyes as a “crazed lunatic” in his social media post on Monday.
“The United States Department of Interior wants to take a terrible and very unsafe golf course, and make it into a great, safe, and prestigious golf course. They have an absolute right to do so. It’s as simple as that!” Trump wrote.
Reyes, who was nominated by Democratic President Biden, said the government has failed “by any objective measure” to demonstrate the need for her recusal from the case.
“It is easy to weaponize selective quotations to bring a baseless recusal motion. But it is much harder to meet the demanding legal standard against a full record,” she wrote.
Trump has pledged to turn the course into a world-class golf venue — part of his grand vision for Washington, D.C., where he has torn down storied structures, remade or renamed others and deployed the National Guard for more than a year.
While it has been open to Washingtonians of all income levels, opponents of Trump’s plans for the golf course have argued it will alter the character of the space and make it less affordable to people.
Monday’s hearing started with a tense confrontation between Reyes and Justice Department official Stanley Woodward, when the judge asked if other any government attorneys in the room “as officers of the court” were willing to certify that everything within a Sunday filing was truthful and legally sound under federal rules of civil procedures.
In that filing Woodward argued that there were no final plans for the park.
“First, the plan is not final because the Park Service has not completed its review and the details of the proposal are subject to change during the review process,” the filing said.
Much of the hearing revolved around Trump’s social media posts over the weekend and his appearance last June at the golf course, accompanied by golf course architects and members of the administration and why there was such a sense of urgency for the cutting of the trees.
The witnesses at the hearing, Greg Wischer, deputy chief of staff at the Interior Department, and acting National Park Service director Jessica Bowron both acknowledged that they had only learned of the National Park Service Cultural Landscape Report in September that led to the tree cutting. That NPS report was from 2019.
