rides

MILAN — She flipped her hair. She shrugged. She dusted her hands off.

Alysa Liu makes winning an Olympic gold medal look easy.

The 20-year-old became the first U.S. woman to win the Olympic singles title since 2002, electrifying the crowd at Milano Ice Skating Arena with her “MacArthur Park” program Thursday and overtaking Japanese rivals Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai, who won second and third, respectively.

Liu scored a monster 150.20 points in her free skate, the highest mark for a women’s free skate all season in international competition to win by a total of 1.89 points. Her choreographer Massimo Scali’s jaw dropped when he heard the score read in Italian. A beat later when the screen caught up to the public address announcement in the stadium, Liu nodded confidently and cracked a subtle smirk.

American gold medalist Alysa Liu hugs Japanese bronze medalist Ami Nakai after their final scores were revealed at the Winter Olympics on Thursday in Milan.

(Jamie Squire / Getty Images)

She doesn’t care about the scores.

Liu, who grew up in Oakland, has floated through her second Olympics as if she had not a single care in the world. A two-year retirement during which she climbed Mt. Everest, got her driver’s license and started college at UCLA made skating feel inconsequential. Now so unbothered, Liu spent part of her six-minute warmup cheering on teammate Amber Glenn in the leader’s chair. Minutes before taking the ice, Liu snapped a selfie with her coaches. She gives her coaches a high-five right before taking her starting position.

“She’s not like us,” her coach Phillip Diguglielmo said. “The rest of us here would be like, ‘Oh my God, I’m nervous. Oh, I can’t do this. I have a million voices in my head.’ She has one voice in her head, and it says, ‘I got this.’”

The only emotions Liu felt during her program were “calm, happy and confident.” When she sees the faces in the crowd smile, Liu said she can’t help but smile, too. And there was a lot of smiling. Her Donna Summer disco program had fans clapping within the first minute. Diguglielmo and Scali held their hands overhead to join the roar. Liu’s pre-program message to the crowd on the video board was “Y’all better turn up!”

Liu, who won the 2025 world championship with the same crowd-pleasing program, returned to the sport in 2024 with the sole objective of sharing her art. She wanted to make as many programs as possible. Winning never seemed to matter. With the gold medal hanging around her neck, Liu stopped short of saying she even wanted it. She surely didn’t need it, she said.

“What I needed was the stage,” Liu said. “And I got that.”

Once Liu processed the final scores, she rose to her feet and turned toward Nakai, clapping for the 17-year-old. Nakai, skating in her first Olympics, was shocked. She held up three fingers to Liu, asking if she had finished on the podium. Overjoyed, they hugged. Liu picked Nakai, who had entered the free skate in first place, up off the ground.

Sakamoto was less than a point ahead of Liu entering Thursday’s free skate, but small mistakes from the three-time world champion, in addition to Liu’s strong technique and infectious energy made Liu the first U.S. woman to win the Olympic gold medal since Sarah Hughes in 2002. The United States’ 20-year drought without a medal — since Sasha Cohen took silver in 2006 — was the country’s longest.

Liu held her palms up in disbelief after finishing the program of her life that put her in the lead with two competitors remaining. She leaned into the camera and pointed to the piercing on the inside of her upper lip. She did it herself.

With blond horizontal stripes dyed in her dark brown hair, bold black eyeliner and the smiley lip piercing, Liu has cut an alternative path to the top of a sport that long valued a specific kind of femininity. But the slick back bun, classical music and balletic dress was not Liu’s brand.

Her brand is joy.

And now as just the second figure skater in history to win two Olympic gold medals at the same Olympic Games — joining U.S. star Nathan Chen — Liu has the stage, and the attention, to display her joy for the next generation of athletes.

“People will be able to see how she approaches the sport now versus before and see how much more successful it is now in a healthy way,” Glenn said. “And I’m hoping people can really learn from that.”

Glenn got redemption after the short program, putting up a season’s best 147.52 during her free skate that vaulted her from 13th to fifth with a 214.91 total score. The only blemish was when Glenn put one hand down on her final jump — the same triple loop that cost her in her short program. But as she held one leg behind her during a spiral in her last sequence, Glenn smiled as she looked into the crowd. After the program, she whipped her fist through the air triumphantly.

The performance put a positive punctuation mark on Glenn’s winding Olympic journey. She has faced intense scrutiny at the Games. The same pressure that consumed Glenn and teammate Ilia Malinin could not even touch Liu’s glowing aura.

When asked Thursday if she felt any “Olympic pressure,” Liu smiled.

“You would have to explain what Olympic pressure is,” she said.

Then she bounced away, the gold medal around her neck blending perfectly with her gold dress.

A MULTI-MILLION upgrade is set to transform a popular Center Parcs resort.

The family-favourite holiday park has announced it is building brand-new lodges as well as adding thrilling activities to its roster – including an aerial ride.

The Center Parcs in Co. Longford is set in 400 acres of forest with over 100 attractions – and it’s undergoing a €100million expansion (£87million).

The holiday park has announced that it is adding even more activities to its site including an aerial zipline.

It will be called the Forest Glider which is expected to open in autumn – and it’s described as “a continuous-loop, gravity-fed ride”.

It was also announced in August 2025, that it would be adding a lakeside restaurant to its site.

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And even more guests will be able to book a stay there too as it is constructing a further 83 new lodges.

In the planning phase are treehouses which will be a top of the range stay across two storeys with hot tubs and gaming dens.

Currently, there are 466 lodges, but the expansion will bring that number up to 693 and the capacity of guests up to 3,500.

Some other lodges are already being built with bookings available to make between December 2026 and April 2027.

These were announced last year, it said “we’re introducing new Forest Lodges with Hot Tubs for the ultimate relaxing break and spacious 6-Bedroom Woodland Lodges for larger groups“.

The Forest Lodges with hot tubs are the ones you’ll want to book for the ultimate “relaxing break”.

Each bedroom has an additional en-suite bathroom – and inside the main lodge is also a wine cooler, hydrobath and even a private sauna in some three-bedroom Forest Lodges.

Most of its four-bedroom Forest Lodges have games rooms with pool tables.

Meanwhile, six-bedroom Woodland Lodges are also being built which are ideal for larger groups as they sleep up to 12.

Inside are spacious bedrooms, family bathrooms, shower rooms and a generous open plan living space along with a fully-fitted kitchen.

The Irish Independent reported that one of the new six-bedroom lodges for up to 12 was priced from €1,899 (£1,660.58) for a four-night midweek stay early next year.

The price rises to €5,099 (£4,458.82) for the same period over the February midterm.

The Irish Center Parcs site officially opened on July 29, 2019 and since then has welcomed over one million guests.

It’s built around a man-made lake which is used for watersports like canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and even sessions on an inflatable obstacle course.

All Center Parcs sites come with a Subtropical Swimming Paradise, and this one is Ireland‘s largest indoor water park.

It’s included in the price for guests who can take advantage of its indoor and outdoor pools, along with kids’ splash zones and whirlpools, along with its Canopy Café.

Some of the most popular activities are its adventure golf, aerial adventure and laser combat.

A recent addition at the site are two escape rooms, The Plant Room and Forest Laboratory.

For more on Center Parcs, here’s the latest on the new holiday park set to open in Scotland.

And here are the nine most popular Hols From £9.50 holiday parks of last year.

THE Cotswolds is already a great place to visit, but nearby is a farm that parents are raving about as a great day out,

Millets Farm opened back in 1952, originally as a dairy farm.

Now, the farm is home to multiple attractions including a play barn, Maize Maze and Farmyard Golf.

The attraction is split into pre-booked activities and no pre-booking required activities.

For example, you could head off on the Millets Animal Walkway, where visitors will see a number of farm animals including goats, chickens, rabbits, horses, birds and alpacas.

The play area also doesn’t need pre-booking and has a mix of swings, slides, climbing frames and more.

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There are also token-operated ride-on tractors, diggers and a crane which little ones can go on.

One token costs £1.75, three tokens cost £4.50 and five tokens cost £6.

If the weather isn’t rainy, you can also check out the 10 acre Phoebe Wood, where there are a number of woodland walks.

There are then several activities you have to book ahead for, such as Sprouts Play Barn with a four-lane wavy cow slide, 360 tunnel, a ‘mini Millets farmers market’ with seven soft role-play areas, a sports court and an area for under five-year-olds.

One recent visitor said: “This has to be the best soft play in Oxfordshire, it’s absolutely huge and offers a great variety of activities and play equipment for a wide age range.

“There’s a little baby area at the front, and then lots of fun for bigger kids on the higher levels.”

Another visitor added: “The soft play was the best we have ever been to (and we have been to A LOT).

“Every section was clean, looked brand new and so well thought out.

“It’s huge with four floors and the under fives section is also the biggest I’ve seen.”

Included in the Sprouts admission tickets, you also get access to the outdoor play area which has slides, beams and water play.

There’s also an 18-hole farm themed adventure golf course that you can book.

If you want something that is a little bit more of a thrill, head on the carousel, Ferris Wheel or Jungle Thriller, which all cost £3 a turn.

However, at the moment only the carousel is open until the spring, when other attractions at the park will reopen.

The attraction also hosts a number of events, such as Phil’s Magic Mania Show and Tweedy’s Massive Circus.

There are a number of seasonal events at the farm as well, such as pick your own flowers.

Visitors can explore around 8000 dahlias planted around a bright pink double-decker bus during the summer months.

The site also has a big garden centre, that sells items for both gardeners and non-gardeners.

One recent visitor said: “Such a delightful garden centre to wander around.

“They have everything you can imagine, for any budget. Even a cafe if you need a little break.

“I could have spent all afternoon there.”

When it comes to eating, the attraction has several spots to grab a bite.

For example, there is The Farmhouse Kitchen Restaurant which has both indoor and outdoor seating.

If you fancy an ice cream, head to the Snack Shack.

There there’s also The Food at Webbs restaurant, which can be found inside the garden centre and offers homemade meals.

And if you want to make your stay a bit longer or more special, then head to Wellness at Millets for a beauty treatment.

For more UK farms with family activities, here are six UK farm stays inspired by Clarkson’s Farm from remote cottages to Highland cow petting.

Plus, the English campsite named best farm attraction in the UK reveals new kid’s playground and glamping.

FAR away from the Venice of Europe, is the ‘Venice of the desert’ with highs of 25C in February.

The Pearl Doha in Qatar is an artificial island that boasts homes, tourist spots and sandy beaches.

Construction started way back in 2004, with the first residents being welcomed in 2009 and today, the island features a variety of different neighbourhoods, each with their own identity.

The island, which has just under 20 miles of coastline. features 10 districts including the Qanat Quartier, which is often dubbed as the ‘Venice of the desert’ thanks to its canals and pastel-coloured buildings.

Visitors can head on boat rides to discover the pretty canals and a number of arched bridges, like the replica of the Rialto Bridge.

Another tourist-favourite is the Piano Stairs, where you can jump on different stairs to make musical notes.

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Or for some proper fun and games head to Megapolis, where you will find virtual reality games, karaoke, bowling and racing simulators.

One recent visitor said: “Qanat Quartier is one of the most beautiful and unique places I’ve visited in Qatar.

“The colorful buildings, quiet canals, and charming bridges give you the feeling of walking through a mini Venice right in the heart of Doha.

“The area is peaceful and perfect for a relaxing walk, especially in the evening when the lights reflect on the water.”

equally popular is the Abraj Quartier, which is known as the gateway to The Pearl Island.

This neighbourhood is home to two towers offering panoramic sea views.

In the Porto Arabia neighbourhood, there is an open-air shopping area that has a French Riviera lifestyle feel.

The shopping area also overlooks Qatar‘s largest and award-winning marina, which is the ideal place to catch a glimpse of the many luxury yachts moored up.

Along the colourful waterfront, known as La Croisette (just like in Cannes), there is a two-mile promenade where more shops and restaurants can be found.

It is also in Porto Arabia where you will find the Four Seasons Resort and Residences.

The resort features a spa, private beach, two outdoor infinity pools, an indoor lap pool and a kid’s area.

There are plenty of beaches to chose from on The Pearl, with one popular option being Bahriya Beach.

One recent visitor said: “[It] has pristine sandy shores, perfect for lounging and swimming.

“A must visit when in Qatar.”

Another visitor added: “Soft sand that is raked every day to make sure it is well kept and flat.

“The water is also Lovely and no jet ski’s or boat allowed close by so very safe for swimmers and children.

“Great for paddle boarding or canoeing.”

On the beach is also Plt Cafe, where you can grab a flat white for 21 Qatari Riyal (£4.23).

The cafe also serves an array of sandwiches for around 30 Qatari Riyal (£6.04).

The cafe is noted by visitors as having a “wonderful atmosphere” perfect for “short, cosy visits” with views across the beach.

Right next to The Pearl, is Gewan Island, where visitors can explore the Crystal Walk, which is Qatar’s longest climatised outdoor walkway with a temperature of around 22C year-round.

As you walk along the 450-metre walkway, 45 crystal structures light-up.

When you are out and about looking for a bite to eat, you can expect to pay around 300 Qatari Riyal (£60.36) for a mid-range three-course meal for two.

You may have to stick to soft drinks though, as alcohol is only allowed for non-Muslims at licensed hotel bars and restaurants.

Hotel prices vary in Doha depending on the area of the city you stay but, for example, you can find a Premier Inn for £31 a night or stay at the five-star Andaz Doha by Hyatt for £66 a night.

Return flights from London to Doha in April cost from £468, alternatively you could fly from Birmingham from £531, Edinburgh from £608 or Manchester from £615.

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I WAKE up to what sounds like thunder shaking the walls of my hotel room.

As I open a porthole-style window, a rollercoaster roars past, just yards from my face.

Not your average wake-up call.

But nothing about this place is average – I’m in Rookburgh, a gritty, smoke-filled steampunk world inside Phantasialand, which is one of Germany‘s most impressive theme parks.

This place, in Bruhl near Cologne, is famous for its attention to detail, next-level rides and the kind of immersive lands that make you feel like you’ve stumbled into another world.

And that doesn’t stop at the rides – even the accommodation is part of the show.

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I’m staying in the Charles Lindbergh Hotel, a retro-futuristic airship terminal.

Wrapped around the hotel like a giant steel snake is F.L.Y. – the world’s only launched flying rollercoaster.

What really makes it unique is the way in which you board.

You are strapped in while the track is on its side, almost like a sideways train.

Then, as you roll out of the station, the seats slowly rotate and the track shifts above you, flipping you into a face-down ‘flying’ position.

There’s no slow climb, just a powerful launch that catapults you face-first through tunnels, over rooftops and past steamy vents and water features that feel just inches away from your feet.

As you step out of Rookburgh, you’re greeted by the park’s entrance zone, named Berlin and it couldn’t feel more different, with quaint streets, fancy facades and a classic carousel.

You’ll find ice-cream parlours, food carts and flower-lined walkways, with plenty of seating if you need a breather.

Once you’re feeling ready for some more adrenaline-inducing rides, head over to the adjoining Mexico zone.

Mariachi music drifts through the air and the main attraction here is Chiapas – a log flume that is themed on a lost Mayan world.

It looks like a family ride but don’t be fooled.

There’s a 53-degree drop, which is one of the steepest of its kind in the world and then there’s a mix of tunnels, waterfalls, twists and turns so you never know what’s coming next.

Next door is the Talocan ride, which is even more intense.

It’s a Top Spin ride set in a Mayan temple, with fire blasts and water bursts all around you.

Just a short walk from the Mexico zone is the land of Klugheim, a village carved from rock.

It’s dark and moody, and home to what is considered to be one of the world’s best rollercoasters, called Taron.

With two powerful launches, it throws me straight into high-speed twists and tight turns, hugging the ground and darting along at speeds of up to 73mph.

Just around the corner from the jagged rocks of Klugheim is the Mystery zone – a medieval fantasy world with stone towers and crumbling castle walls designed around a forest theme.

The main draw here is Mystery Castle, an indoor drop-ride built into an ancient fortress.

It’s dark inside, with flickering lights and echoing sounds.

Once I’m strapped in, I’m launched upward with serious force and then suddenly dropped without warning.

It’s intense and over quickly, but terrifying while it lasts.

I jump on the neighbouring River Quest ride next, which features wild rapids with a twist.

Instead of you slowly bobbing around, an elevator platform takes your raft high up into a tower before plunging you downwards into dizzying drops gushing with water.

I dry off while exploring the nearby Wuze Town, which is part of the mystical Fantasy area and filled with rides for all ages.

The standout attractions here are Winja’s Fear and Winja’s Force, which are two spinning coasters running side by side but with different layouts.

They twist, turn, tilt and spin at random with sections of the track that suddenly drop mid-ride.

Before leaving the park, swing by Deep in Africa, which has a jungle theme set to a drumming soundtrack with dusty terrains and exotic plants.

This area is home to Hotel Matamba.

Built more for families, this lodge has tribal decor and views over Black Mamba – an inverted coaster hidden among foliage that hugs the scenery so tightly it feels as if you might hit it.

If you’re after a more upmarket stay, consider Hotel Ling Bao – an impressive Chinese temple-styled hotel with sit-down restaurants serving authentic noodle dishes.

It borders the gorgeous China Town, my favourite area of the park.

With red temples, koi ponds and hanging lanterns, it offers a lovely, calming break away from the crowds.

Because of the amazing theming throughout Phantasialand, you don’t just travel around the world, you travel through time.

One minute I’m flying around a steampunk airfield, the next I’m spinning through a medieval fantasy world or diving into a jungle temple.

In just one day, it felt like I’d done six holidays‘ worth of exploring and all without ever leaving the park.

Ryanair has direct flights from the UK to Cologne from £19.99 one-way.

Trains run regularly to Bruhl, with a shuttle bus to the park or a taxi takes under 30 minutes from Cologne Bonn Airport.

One-day tickets start from £27 for adults, £26 for kids aged four to 11 and free for children under four.

On-site hotels include Charles Lindbergh (short-stay cabins), Matamba (family-friendly), and Ling Bao (high-end).

Rooms start from €150 (£130) per night and packages include park entry.

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Chessington World of Adventures is getting ready to open the Pat Patrol area in spring 2026 – and it’s already looking PAW-some. Rides include Chase’s Mountain Mission and Skye’s Helicopter Heroes

PAW Patrol fans have been given an exciting first glimpse at Chessington’s new themed zone.

Chessington World of Adventures is getting ready to open the area in spring 2026 – and it’s already looking PAW-some. First look images unveiled today of the hotly anticipated new attraction – dedicated to the top-rated animated preschool series from Spin Master that airs on Nickelodeon and streams on Paramount+ – follow the installation of the PAW Patrol Lookout Tower, a real-life replica of the tower seen and played with by millions of children across the world.

The Lookout Tower will form part of the new ‘Chase’s Mountain Mission’ ride, the attraction’s entry-level rollercoaster.

The new images show PAW Patrol character, Rubble, who is overseeing the site’s construction, and Sian Hooper – creative director at Merlin Magic Making and the brains behind the new land – masterminding the finishing touches being put to the iconic Lookout Tower. This includes the tower’s pièce de résistance, the legendary PAW Patrol pup tag.

World of PAW Patrol will see PAW Patrol’s Adventure Bay setting represented in a themed area that stretches across 1.4 acres. The £15 million immersive experience will include four rides. Each of the rides is themed around a beloved member of the PAW Patrol pack:

• Chase’s Mountain Mission: A high-speed rescue vehicle and entry-level rollercoaster to help Chase and Everest save the day.
• Skye’s Helicopter Heroes: Riders are invited to climb aboard Skye’s iconic helicopter and take to the skies. Features spinning rotors, panoramic views, and a mission full of teamwork and tail wags.
• Zuma’s Hovercraft Adventure: Hop aboard a hovercraft and help navigate the waters from Adventure Bay to Seal Island on the UK’s first ‘Drifter’ ride.
• Marshall’s Firetruck Rescue: Hang on tight to the red firetruck as it rocks and rolls through the streets of Adventure Bay. A high-spirited ride, it’s perfect for junior patrollers ready to spring into action.
• Further details on what guests can expect when visiting World of PAW Patrol will be announced in the coming months.

Sian Hooper said: “Bringing World of PAW Patrol to life is a true labour of love. From the very first sketches to seeing the iconic Lookout Tower rise above Chessington, our goal has been to capture the magic, energy and teamwork that millions of families know and adore from the show. Every ride has been designed to make guests feel like they’re stepping into Adventure Bay — whether they’re skidding and sliding with Zuma or soaring sky-high with Skye. We can’t wait for families to join the patrol this spring and create their own pup-tacular memories.”

Ahead of World of PAW Patrol opening, the pups are also now on the hunt for a pre-schooler to become part of the patrol and take on the role of the ‘PAWject Manager’ this spring. The once in a lifetime opportunity will allow one lucky PAW Patrol fan to give their ‘final approval’ on the new land before fellow patrollers experience what’s on offer.

The role will include being the first to test the rides and meeting their heroes in their new home. The winner will also receive tickets for their family to attend the opening event, a night in one of the five PAW Patrol -themed hotel rooms at Chessington, and other additional PAW Patrol goodies.

To enter, little ones, with the help of their parents, can submit their application online explaining why they would be ‘PAWfect’ for the job. Entries are open until 11.59pm on Wed 4 March.