rollercoaster

THE WORLD’S first Bluey rollercoaster will be in the UK and it has announced its launch date.

Bluey the Ride: Here Come the Grannies! will open on March 28 at Alton Towers Resort theme park in the West Midlands.

The new ride will be in CBeebies Land at the park and is based on the episode where Bluey and Bingo dress up as grannies called Janet and Rita.

The ride will be themed on the two characters causing chaos.

Recent images, that revealed a first look at the ride, show both of the characters dressed as grannies.

The ride is specifically designed for preschoolers and young families.

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Howard Ebison, vice president of Alton Towers Resort said: “Bluey the Ride: Here Come the Grannies! is all about celebrating energy, play and those everyday moments families love about the show.

“It’s playful, unexpected and unmistakably Bluey – and we can’t wait to welcome families from March 28 to experience the world’s first Bluey coaster right here at Alton Towers Resort.”

In addition to the new ride, guests will also get the chance to meet-and-greet Mum (Chilli), Dad (Bandit), Bluey and Bingo.

There will be a live show experience as well inside the Big Fun Showtime at the park.

And, if you really want your visit to be all about Bluey, you can stay in new Bluey-themed hotel rooms at CBeebies Land Hotel.

Sun writer, Hannah Ferrett, stayed in one of the already-open Bluey rooms.

She said: “The hotel has done a great job.

“The kids slept in Bluey and Bingo’s room, complete with bunk beds, the recognisable watermelon rug and the cartoon dogs’ pretty Himalayan rock salt night light — a nice touch for little ones.

“The bathroom had pictures of Bluey and her sister plastered across the walls.

“My partner Dan and I were in Bandit and Chilli’s room, which had a king size bed, TV and lots of pictures of Bluey and Bingo as puppies, much to the delight of our kids.”

The room is one of 13 in total that have been designed with kids in mind.

Other rooms include Postman Pat, Bing and Octonauts.

Attractions in CBeebies Land include Peter Rabbit Hippity Hop where visitors join Peter Rabbit and Lily Bobtail as they explore the garden and try to figure out a series of puzzles.

There’s also the In The Night Garden Boat Ride where you head through a real Night Garden and see the characters.

A pass to visit CBeebies Land costs £32 when booked in advance, though you can also grab a £29 toddler and parent pass.

Children under 90cm tall go for free.

In other theme park news, a popular UK theme park is set to demolish much-loved ride – with plans for new attraction.

Plus, Thorpe Park to close its popular waterpark for GOOD after 35 years.

THE oldest rollercoaster in the UK is officially closing down after more than 100 years – and as an ex-local, I’m gutted.

The Scenic Railway at Dreamland in Margate first opened back in 1920.

However, it was forced to shut back in 2024 due to damage to the famous wooden track, with parts of it breaking off.

Not only that, but due to its age and design, it was advised that it would need a daily inspection.

With these estimated to take around five hours, it has since been deemed not viable to stay open.

The theme park has said that it will remain at the park as a feature, but will no longer be open.

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Thanet Council called the news “disappointing” for the park which has undergone a major revamp in the past decade.

In a statement, the theme park said: “The Scenic Railway has completed its journey as a roller coaster and will now take well-earned retirement from operation as a ride.

“This is not the end but a new beginning.

“We are committed to developing a new long-term vision that will not only showcase this remarkable Grade II listed structure, but reimagine its purpose so it can continue to be enjoyed by future generations in a fresh and meaningful way.

“This summer we will be hosting a pop-up exhibit celebrating the history of The Scenic Railway.

“In the longer term, it will be re-invented for people to enjoy in a different way.”

The ride has certainly had a difficult history, being destroyed by a fire in both 1948 and 2008.

Another fire in 2014 also broke out on the ride although this caused less damage.

As someone who used to live in Margate, visiting the theme park was always one of my favourite things to do.

Free to visit, it means you can just wander around and take in the atmosphere without paying a penny.

But the thrill of the Scenic Railway – which still had a rather terrifying manual brake operated by a person – still beats other rollercoasters in my eyes.

Where else can you be thrown about a rickety track, with a few life-fearing drops before coming up to views of the ocean?

Thankfully there are other rides at the theme park that will still be open this summer.

This includes the Pirate Ship, Big Wheel and Rock ‘N Rollercoaster.

New last year was a water flume ride, which left the park back in 2016 only to have been rebuilt.

And Dreamland also attracts huge live music acts every year, with this year’s line up including Tom Grennan, Kesha, Fatboy Slim and Nile Rodgers.