Theme Parks

THREE fab theme parks, three unique experiences – which one will you pick?

From magical fairy-tale worlds to high-octane thrills and waterpark adventures, there’s something for every family.

Efteling, The Netherlands

Lifestyle Editor Catherine Bennion-Pedley and her family fell for fairy-tale fun in Kaatsheuvel.

As we whizz past trolls swinging from trees and down to the sparkling rainforest floor, the kids are completely spellbound.

From this ride, Droomvlucht, we head back into daylight to find fairies twirling around the lawn, bubbles filling the air.

Efteling is the very definition of enchanting. From musical toadstools to talking bins that suck up litter through their mouths, we find ourselves staring in awe at all the quaint details.

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The Fairytale Forest brings much-loved stories to life through animatronics, and Poppy, seven, and Raffy, five, are delighted by a donkey that poos out gold coins when you pop in 50 cents.

But there are plenty of wilder attractions, too – wooden coaster Joris En De Draak feels way faster than 47mph as it swerves around corners, and Baron 1898 drops you into freefall for almost 40 metres.

Baby Switch cards mean husband Andy and I don’t need to queue twice for rides the kids are too short for, either.

Our best foodie finds in the park are the soft-serve ice creams, which cost less than £2, and hotdogs drenched in truffle mayo with parmesan and rocket, £5.50.

But it’s the Polles Keuken eatery that is unmissable, with its musical stove and huge pancakes – my favourite is stuffed with apple slices and topped with whipped goat’s cheese, candied walnuts and rocket, £15.

Opened last year, Efteling Grand Hotel is home to gorgeous art-deco interiors and luxurious bedrooms that are the antithesis of the bright and brash themed rooms at some parks.

Chocolate coins are hidden in the coffee drawer, superb Zenology toiletries are in the bathroom and there’s a sweet elf night light built into the wardrobe.

We also get early access to some rides and use of the sauna, steam room and pretty pool with its blue and white checkerboard tiles and impressive water chandelier – although it’s not a place for swimming lengths!

Brasserie 7, with its cascading faux-flower displays, serves up quality breakfasts with fizz, as well as a delicious, albeit pricey, dinner.

The greatest thing, however, are the miming piccolos, bell boys and girls dressed in cute purple uniforms, who have us giggling through mealtimes with their comedy antics.

As the rain hits on our last day, we drop by the on-site theatre to catch illusion show Magicaluna, which is packed with stunning tricks.

It sums up the Efteling experience in its final line: “You’re never too old to wonder.” Yep, this park is magic.

Stays for up to six at Efteling Grand Hotel cost from £496 B&B, including two-day park access (Efteling.com).

Futuroscope, France

Acting Senior Designer Sasha Cunningham and her son enjoyed robot rides, tech storytelling and making a splash in Poitiers.

Strapped into the hand of a giant robotic arm with my eight-year-old son, we are thrust into the air, twisting, flipping and turning.

The robot’s movements synchronise with the pumping music and flashing lights on this Dance With Robots ride.

And as soon as we’re released, a beaming Oscar announces we have to do it again!

Made up of Futuroscope Xperiences and Aquascope water park, the resort is home to more than 40 attractions housed in geometric buildings.

We hop on a rollercoaster to Mars and even get swept into the eye of a tornado on a 5D adventure.

Brightly coloured playgrounds and beanbag chill-out zones line the paths, while the Futuropolis zone lets smaller ones operate their own rides.

After a morning of adrenalin rushes, we kick back in Europe’s largest 360-degree circular theatre for nature documentary Antarctica, listening to Benedict Cumberbatch’s narration on our headphones.

But it’s the Key To Dreams show that closes the park that’s our favourite, with its spectacular projections, lasers and 3D water effects.

Oscar’s mouth drops open once again as his bright-blue burger, £14, spirals down the rollercoaster tracks covering the ceiling and lands at our table.

We’re dining at Space Loop restaurant – advance booking is essential – where my pork mignon, £14.50, also arrives amazingly intact and we dive into meringue tart, £7, and candy-floss-topped sorbet, £3.50, for pud.

Just over the road is Hôtel Ecolodgee and our lakeside lodge.

Come morning, a basket with pastries, yoghurts, breads and juice is delivered to our door, and we arrive at neighbouring Aquascope for 9am to beat the crowds.

Each of the eight large indoor slides has its own theme – from sudden drops and light shows to the mega-twisty Spiral.

One of the most fun is Alien, where we’re flushed down a chute in a double ring, racing against another pair.

We also meet octopus Kraki, the star of Europe’s first aquatic cinema, before floating down a glowing lazy river.

Looking for a theme park that’s out of this world? This is it.

Stays for four at Hôtel Ecolodgee with two-day access to Futuroscope plus Aquascope tickets cost from £431 (Futuroscope.com).

Paultons Park, England

Our pick on home soil gets better each year, says Lifestyle Editor Catherine Bennion-Pedley.

This place is consistently voted the UK’s fave theme park for good reason, and fun new zone Valgard: Realm Of The Vikings opened in May.

Climbing vertically up 75ft to then plunge down a 95-degree drop and be whizzed upside down makes Drakon the standout.

And while smart people pack budget-friendly picnics, the Feasting Hall does serve scrumptious chicken burgers, £11.95.

The best thing about Paultons is that an average-height seven year old can go on all the rides, and only a couple rule five year olds out.

We adore flying through the air on Flight Of The Pterosaur, hurtling backwards on Velociraptor and racing down Buffalo Falls in inflatable boats.

There’s also Peppa Pig World and a mini zoo with lemurs and flamingoes.

Close by is thatched gastropub The Potter’s Heron. Recently given a serious glow-up, it’s deceivingly huge and has a lively bar.

Bedrooms are decked out in rich colours and prints, bathrooms have rainfall showers and Bramley toiletries, and a Roberts Radio, coffee machine and home-made treats complete the package.

At dinner, highlights are a prawn and crayfish cocktail with paprika and lime mayo, £9.95, and signature pistachio soufflé, £8.95.

The kids’ chicken roulade stuffed with ham and gruyère, £7, is also a hit.

The next day, the Full English sets us up nicely for exploring the New Forest before our easy drive home.

Paultons Park day tickets cost from £43 per person over a metre tall (Paultonspark.co.uk). Family rooms at The Potter’s Heron cost from £199 per night (Pottersheronampfield.com).

If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, one of the most affordable hotels has been revealed by an expert, having stayed at the park a staggering 36 times

A devoted Disney World Resort enthusiast has named the best budget-friendly hotel to book when visiting the beloved park, after staying there a whopping 36 times.

Hotels can be one of the most expensive parts of a holiday, even more so when it’s a trip to Walt Disney World in Florida. As one of the most popular family attractions, attracting a staggering 76.7 million visitors last year, holidaymakers can pay up to an eye-watering £4,000 per person on a trip to ‘The Most Magical Place on Earth’.

For a family of four, that could amount to £10,000 for a 10-night stay at the bucket-list destination, and for many, it’s worth it. Yet there are plenty of ways to keep those costs in check, including booking a budget-friendly hotel, without sacrificing on the experience.

Mark Patterson, who has been to Florida’s Disney World Resort a remarkable 48 times over the past six years and stayed at 36 different hotels during the trips, said there’s one particular area that offers an affordable option. “The Flamingo Crossings area is my favourite, it’s newer, and the hotels are all new, and they all have free breakfast. They offer good, reasonable prices there.”

While it’s a budget-friendly option, he did point out that, due to its location, visitors will need to drive, get a lift, or hop on a shuttle bus to reach the park each day. Nevertheless, with free breakfast thrown in, it could well be worth travelling a little further to keep the costs down.

During his own trips, Matt, who is based in Southern California, targets an average hotel price of around $100 (£74.71) to $200 (£149.42) per night to keep things affordable, while keeping a close eye out for any hidden fees. Another area he recommends is Disney Springs.

He explained: “The Disney Springs area has a range of hotels, right there within walking distance to the shopping area, and it’s where pretty much everybody goes to eat at night. It gets very busy and popular, so being able to walk to that is very handy.

“However, the bad thing about that, or something you have to trade off, is that only one of the hotels offers a free breakfast; all the others you have to pay for. So I might get a hotel for around $100 (£74.71) per night, but will then have to pay for breakfast, which is $28 (£20.92), along with paying for parking, which can be around $25 (£18.68) and a resort fee of around $40 (£29.88).

“So it can literally double the price of what I thought I was going to pay. Disney Springs area is great, but you’ve got those little hidden fees.”

In a bid to help holidaymakers save even more on their trip to Disney, Matt also recommends booking a hotel that has a kitchenette. “All the restaurants at Disney are expensive, so the hotels I like have a kitchenette with a stove and a full-size fridge, so you can buy food and cook it,” he shared.

“You can then take it into the park with you, and that can save a lot of money. Even if you just take two meals in for the family, that can save you easily $100 (£74.71) to $200 (£149.42) per day.”

Mark documents his numerous visits to Walt Disney World Resort on his website, DDadBudget, offering useful tips to fellow fans.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

A THEME park that has been left abandoned for a decade is set to reopen as a new attraction.

Pleasure Island Park in Cleethorpes closed back in 2016 but is now set to become a “Center Parcs-by-the-sea” style destination.

The £70million park is set to have 272 holiday lodges, as well as hotels, restaurants and shops.

There would also be a Lidl superstore at the site.

Spanning across 60 acres, just a short walk from Cleethorpes Beach, plans include two hotels including one with 148 rooms and a casino, a drive-thru coffee shop as well as a cycle-hire destination.

The abandoned theme park currently has a lake in the middle, which would be turned into an angler’s hub.

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Councillors previously said that the plans were “an effective use of the land” and would “contribute to the local economy and the vitality of the resort”, reports Grimsby Live.

In the latest update, councillors will decide on the plans “ideally as soon as possible”, according to a councillor.

However, only a few checks have been completed.

Planning was submitted back in 2023 but the process has been delayed due to environmental assessments needing to be carried out as well as legal challenges.

Little else is currently known in regards to the holiday park, such as when it would open if given the go-ahead.

The theme park opened back in 1993 and featured six themed areas including Africa, Kiddies Kingdom, Morocco, Old England, Spain and White Knuckle Valley.

Attractions included rollercoasters, a carousel and dodgems.

A lot of the rides were sold off in 2018, but most of the buildings remain abandoned on the site now.

In the surrounding area, visitors can head to Cleethorpes Beach which features a long stretch of golden sand as well as the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway.

DISNEY has confirmed all of the exciting new rides and cruises launching in the next few years.

The announcements were part of Disney’s huge annual D23 event, which talks all things Disney when it comes to films, TV shows and, of course, the theme parks.

The upcoming attraction openings include Disneyland Paris, Disney World and the Disney cruises.

From new dark rides and log flumes, to four new cruise ships and a UK-based stage show – here’s the rundown on all the top attraction announcements:

Disneyland Paris

A number of new announcements were made about Disneyland Paris and some of the park’s upcoming attractions.

Already in the works is a new Lion King-themed water attraction, with three drops including a 15.8metre plunge from Pride Rock.

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Along withDisney‘s first audio-animatronics figure of Scar, the ride will be at the centre of the first immersive world based on The Lion King.

The new land will sit next to the World of Frozen, transporting visitors to the African savanna.

Once completed, the zone will span 30,000sqm and have the log flume alongside a shop, restaurant and character experiences.

Next year, Wilderness Explorers Sky Swings will open, which will be the first attraction at Disneyland Paris inspired by the Up film.

The park will also retire the Star Wars themed Hyperspace Mountain and reimagine the attraction as Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune.

It first opened in 1995 based on Jules Verne’s novel “From the Earth to the Moon” before becoming Hyperspace Mountain in 2017.

The attraction is now set to revert back to its original theme, closing at the end of next year for a few months.

And last but not least, Disneyland Paris will also be getting a new daytime parade.

The parade will feature Aladdin, The Princess and the Frog, Tangled and Coco and will launch in 2028.

It will be the first new parade at the park since 2017.

Disney World, Florida

Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida is set for several new attractions.

Excitingly, there will be a new Villains Land in Magic Kingdom, home to two major attractions including a Maleficent rollercoaster and a Magic Mirror dark ride.

The Maleficent rollercoaster will take visitors through an enchanted briar surrounding Maleficent’s mountaintop fortress, with yet-to-be-revealed “elements never attempted before.”

The other attraction – Magic Mirror – will be a dark ride with lots of Disney Villains.

Disney stated: “You’ll find the Magic Mirror where the Evil Queen keeps him in the catacombs beneath her pristine palace. After making your way to him, he’ll magically transport you into his mystical Mirror Realm to see things on the other side of the mirror. 

“There, in his ethereal realm, you’ll be transfixed by countless Disney Villains conjured in ways only the Magic Mirror can do. 

“A combination of special effects and physical set pieces will bring his Mirror Realm – and these iconic Villains – to life.”

Disney added: “ If you dare enter the forest of Villains Land, you may soon come across a Wishing Well that’s been torn asunder. 

“Under most circumstances, a Wishing Well would indicate pure and good energy at work, but something dark happened to this one.

“Once upon a time, someone made an evil wish here – a wish so evil it corrupted the stone and broke open the structure, spreading the Well’s poisoned magic throughout the forest.”

In addition to the two major attractions, there will be shops and restaurants.

Magic Kingdom will also be getting two Piston Peak rides in Frontierland, including Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along inspired by the “Diva of Demolition” from Cars 3.

The ride will feature a “huge school-bus-sized animatronic” who hosts a stampeding bash at her “wildest demolition derby yet”.

The other attraction will be Cars Ridge Run Rally, which will be a quest to find “the wildest racer in the wheelderness”.

The ride will go through scenes of America’s national parks, as well as a climb up Piston Peak itself before riders then plummet down toward a geyser field.

Over in the new land of Tropical Americas in Animal Kingdom, there will be a new Indiana Jones Ride with audio-animatronics figures and an original storyline where  guests are transported into the world of the ancient Maya.

Called Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, riders will beneath under an  ancient temple ruin before heading off on their journey.

Also in Tropical Americas will be the new El Carrusel de los Animalitos - a carousel with 22 hand-carved animals inspired by Disney and Pixar stories.

Animal Kingdom will launch a new family-friendly Encanto Ride as well, called Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto.

When visitors enter the house, they’ll board a ride vehicle which will resemble the different pieces of furniture assembled by the power of Casita.

Inside, the space has been transformed into a rainforest with more than 50 animals and guests will travel through different rooms to see them all.

A part of Monstropolis will also open at the theme park next year, while work continues to build a “door coaster”.

The new attraction will be a show at the Glob Theatre called “Welcome to Monstropolis”, with the monsters in the show introducing visitors to Monstropolis.

There will be a new restaurant, Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza, too while next door, will be the Monsters University Alumni Club.

There will be Harryhausen’s Restaurant too, where visitors can see the spot that was a part of Mike and Celia’s most unforgettable dates.

There will even be the famous sushi chef brought to life with a new audio-animatronics figure.

Forbidden Mountain in Animal Kingdom will also be upgraded with a new Yeti audio-animatronic.

Over in EPCOT, Spaceship Earth is getting an update with the storyline of the ride reimagined.

Disney cruises

Disney Believe will be Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship but will also be the final ship in the Wish class.

It will launch in late 2027 and inside passengers with a Moana-inspired Grand Hall, Tinker Bell on its bow and Woody and Buzz Lightyear on the stern.

Attractions on board the ship will feature Disney Animation’s Encanto, Frozen, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Moana and The Little Mermaid.

As for the stern, guests will spot Woody and Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story.

Disney has also announced three new ships that will begin launching in 2029 – this will increase the cruise line fleet to 13 ships in total.

After Disney Believe – part of the Wish Class – launches next year, there will Disney Cruise Line will move on to a new ship class.

As part of this new class, there will be three ships that will be bigger than the classic ships but smaller than the newer ships.

Little other details have been revealed about the ships but Disney commented that “there are amazing opportunities to visit new places and reach brand new audiences than ever before”.

New West End show

Disney also confirmed that The Greatest Showman stage musical will open at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane in spring 2027.

The show will replace Disney’s Hercules, which is due to end on September 5.

It will feature all the original film anthems including ‘This Is Me’, ‘Rewrite the Stars’ and ‘A Million Dreams’.

SPEEDING through a jungle of steel, I’m flipped 180 degrees to face the ground as crowds gawp up from below.

I’m suspended midair for what feels like minutes as I travel upside down through a zero-G stall.

Held in only by a lap bar, I’m suddenly snapped upright and fired into another series of twists at breakneck speed.

As I hurtle out of Wayne Manor in a Batmobile, I know this isn’t your average rollercoaster.

It’s Batman Gotham City Escape at Parque Warner Madrid — Spain’s answer to the big US theme parks.

And at just half an hour from the Spanish capital, it’s way easier to get to than its American counterparts.

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The Madrid park impresses from the off. You enter through Hollywood Boulevard — a glitzy strip modelled on the LA Walk of Fame.

Palm trees, golden stars and vintage studio lights line the streets.

But all eyes are on the towering “top hat” drop of Batman Gotham City Escape in the distance, which everyone races to ride first.

There’s no clanking of lift hill chains as you’re raised up to the heavens.

You’re launched out of the station at nearly 65mph and right into the action. It’s gut churning, but in the best possible way.

Themed on The Dark Knight Trilogy, the ride features Batmobile-themed trains that take you on a high-speed chase through Gotham as you escape the Joker.

This rollercoaster is the only multi-launch one of its kind in Spain, boasting four inversions, a 147ft beyond-vertical drop and, honestly, it’s the best I’ve done in Europe.

But that’s just the start.

From Gotham, it’s straight into the action-packed Movie World Studios zone.

Here you’ll find Stunt Fall — a terrifying giant inverted boomerang coaster that you won’t find anywhere else in Europe.

It yanks you backwards vertically up an almost 200ft tower before dropping you through a loop and cobra roll — only to do it all again, but in reverse.

There’s also a live stunt show packed with explosions and car chases straight out of a Fast & Furious film.

From here, you can head over to the Old West Territory, where things get pretty wild.

The theming is top-notch — it’s all wooden saloons, sheriffs and live shootouts.

Plus, there’s Coaster Express — a massive wooden coaster that looks as old as a western and rattles so hard it feels like it’s going to fall apart.

You’ll also find a Wild West-style flume ride, perfect for baking summer visits — just don’t sit at the front unless you want a good soaking.

The biggest rides of the park are in DC Super Heroes World.

Aside from Gotham City Escape, you’ve got Superman: Atracción de Acero — a floorless coaster that throws you around seven inversions and over a 180ft drop with your feet dangling.

There’s also Shadows Of Arkham, a disorientating inverted coaster that whips you through Gotham’s darkest corners.

While La Venganza Del Enigma — a giant drop tower themed on Batman villain The Riddler — sends you plummeting more than 300 feet.

For younger ones — or anyone needing a break from G-force — there’s Cartoon Village.

This Looney Tunes-themed land has gentler rides, costumed characters and everything from Correcaminos Bip Bip, a Road Runner coaster, to a mild Tom & Jerry’s kids’ chase ride.

Going into Parque Warner Madrid park is like stepping onto a movie set, where every ride’s an action scene.

And this is what makes it a great alternative to those big US theme parks such as Universal or Disney.

It has all the theming with less of the faff. Instead of princess castles, you’ve got Bugs Bunny, Batman and Superman.

It’s also packed with Warner Bros characters including those from DC, Looney Tunes and Hanna-Barbera, with plenty of meet-and-greet opportunities and shows to be seen.

So there’s plenty to keep younger generations entertained.

Visit out of season and skip the queues too. I went on a Friday outside of peak summer holidays and didn’t wait more than 20 minutes for a ride.

And the price? It’s miles better than Disney.

Tickets start at just €32.90 (£28.50) for both adults and juniors, cheaper than some UK parks too.

While eating options are limited — think classic, fast-food diner menus — it’s great value.

For just over a tenner, I bought an enormous sandwich, fries and a drink that could have easily fed two people.

When it comes to overnight stays, there’s no Disney-style resort hotel attached to the park, but most people pick accommodation in central Madrid, or base themselves in Pinto, the closest train stop.

If you want US-style experience without the hefty price tag and gruelling ten-hour flight — this is the place to go.

HEADING to a theme park heaving with school trips in a heatwave is not anyone’s idea of fun.

But I’ve found the perfect shady spot with unique rides and attractions that will keep you cool all summer long.

GreenWood Family Park in between Bangor and Caernarfon in North Wales has just been snapped up by buyer Wood Family Group after going on the market for £1.25m earlier this year.

It doesn’t surprise me – having recently visited, we had a fantastic family day out in the forest.

We were pedalling, paddling and playing in the dappled light beneath the trees in this woodland of wonder, with paths winding here, there and everywhere and something new to discover in every nook and cranny.

It’s green by name and green by nature here, with a rollercoaster powered by people and the UKs first solar-powered water ride among the eco attractions.

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As you arrive, you’re getting a cawr-some glimpse of what’s to come, with a quirky metal giant (cawr in Welsh) greeting you on the path to the ticket office.

It was lovely to hear youngsters chatting away in Welsh and switching between their two native languages with ease.

Despite the gaggles of youngsters, we never had to queue for long for any of the attractions and, because of the clever layout, it felt bustling but not overcrowded.

GreenWood is firmly rooted in its surroundings, with bilingual signage, nods to local legends and a fantastic use of the forest landscape, from a river course low down where water pools to playframes and rides capitalising on slopes and gravity.

That’s how the Green Dragon rollercoaster works – you climb up a gentle hill to enter a funincular carriage next to the start point of the rollercoaster.

As the funicular then descends full of passengers, its weight hoists the empty rollercoaster back up to the top of its track.

Then the funicular passengers exit at the bottom of the slope, use a second path to get back up to the top, climb into the rollercoaster and whizz through the trees at speed. It’s an incredibly clever design – fun and physics combined! 

There’s loads of attractions here that are entirely people-powered.

My boys loved the moon karts, with double and single seaters to pedal around a track.

The Enchanted River Ride is great for all the family as you hop into a flat-bottomed boat to paddle around a course, with dangling ropes to grab along the way for extra propulsion if needed.

The Forest Glider is a 75m snow tubing slope where riders carry their own ring up to the top to set off.

Meanwhile the Solar Splash uses the sun’s energy to power its water chutes, with riders setting off from a 12m tower with views over Snowdonia.

There’s also plenty of play areas for little ones to let off steam – my favourite was the Giant’s Quest, set in one corner of the woodland.

The boys also loved the jumping pillow and the chance to have a go at archery, under the watchful eye of an expert instructor.

We grabbed a bite to eat in the oak-framed WoodBarn cafe, which has a large soft play extending up into its eaves and lots of natural light streaming in through its skylights.

Kids’ meals even have £1 off over the summer, so staples like sausage and chips plus a juice carton are less than £7.

Day tickets start from £21.50 for adults (or anyone over 1m) while anyone under £1m pays from £8.65.

If you’re heading from further afield and want a couple of days at the park, there’s a glamping site with tipis that can accommodate up to six people, with unlimited park access and a communal kitchen to make meals.

Overnight stays for a family of four during the summer holidays cost from £220 midweek and £260 at weekends. 

Park entry this summer is £84.85 for a family of four.

You’ll certainly want to take your clan to GreenWood – I can’t wait to return and check out what the new owners do with this woodland wonder, with the promise of new rides, attractions, play experiences and guest facilities on the cards.

LOOKING for some last minute action-packed family days out this summer?

Luckily, top UK theme parks are teaming up with giants like Minecraft, Formula 1 and Pokémon for amazing events that you and the family to get stuck into.

Whether your little ones want to hunt down real-life Minecraft Mobs, build LEGO Poké Balls or ride record-breaking coasters after dark, you still have time to do all of the above this summer.

Here’s the top events across UK theme parks that STILL have plenty of availability in August, from as little as £19 per person.

Alton Towers

Minecraft Meet the Mobs event: until August 28

If you’ve got any Minecraft fans in the family, you’ll want to bring them along to the Meet the Mobs event at Alton Towers.

Families can explore the theme park in an entirely new light as Creepers, axolotls, baby pandas and more roam the park ready to pose for pictures. And yes – you can meet the Minecraft movie-famous Chicken Jockey.

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There’s also an adorable Baby Mob Trail which takes you through memorable scenes and terrains from the movie and game. Complete the trail, and you’ll even get a baby axolotl hat to take home.

Not only this, but there’s even Minecraft-themed food and drink to enjoy, plus an arts and crafts zone to take a breather.

Book a day to ticket to Alton Towers from £32.13pp

Legoland Windsor Resort

Lego Festival and Pokémon collaboration: until August 31

Think everything you get from a fully-fledged festival – headline performances, chill zones, live music and more – but fully designed for kids. And throw in a whole bunch of Lego bricks.

Not only is there live shows and brick building zones here, but there’s also a new-for-2026 Pokémon play zone.

Here you get an interactive Pokémon Trainer experience, before building your own Lego Poké Ball as well as plenty of other themed activities.

You can even grab a family photo with Lego Pikachu for the memories.

Plus, for any Formula 1 fans, there’s also a new F1 Thrill Zone, where you can take on the Lego Brick Stop Challenge as you build against the clock.

Throw into the mix designing, building and racing your own F1 car, and you’ve got yourself a pretty action-packed day out at the Lego Festival.

Book a day to ticket to Legoland Windsor Resort from £29.75pp

Thorpe Park

Thorpe Park Lates: Summer Sounds: 14, 15, 21 and 22 August

Make the most of summer’s bright, sunny evenings with Thorpe Park Lates, where you can ride coasters up until 9pm in August.

Not only can you stay out later, but the theme park also hosts live DJ sets, so you’ll have a soundtrack to your late night rides.

Tackle the record-breaking Hyperia, go from 0-80mph in under 2 seconds on Stealth, or reach speeds of nearly 60mph on The Swarm.

If high-intensity coasters aren’t your thing, there’s bumper cars, teacups, a 4D cinema and plenty more attractions to spend your evening drifting between.

Book a day to ticket to Thorpe Park from £35

Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Late Night rides with fireworks and summer shows: until August 29

End the night with a bang at Blackpool Pleasure Beach with their Late Night Riding and Fireworks nights.

Here you can ride famous coasters like the Big Dipper and The Big One into the night, before grabbing a hot drink to watch the fireworks to put a finish to a fun-filled day.

The fireworks begin at 10pm, with an epic backdrop of massive rollercoasters and the familiar Blackpool seaside skyline.

There’s also entertainment shows running until the end of summer. One of which is the Evolution of Magic (£14) where you can watch an interactive magic show from Britain’s Got Talent-famous illusionists, Craig Christian and Elizabeth Best.

Book a day to ticket to Blackpool Pleasure Beach from £29

Gulliver’s Land

Summer Soundwaves: until September 1

Gulliver’s Land are bringing the festival feeling to Milton Keynes, with a packed live DJ schedule throughout the rest of the summer.

DJ Leonard’s Rides and Vibes sees Leonard the lion leading dance parties throughout the park, plus Buddy’s Buccaneer Boogie brings the pirate tunes.

And that’s not all – there’s also K-Pop Karousel events where you can learn dance routines and take part in karaoke, plus you can spin under the lights at Dodge’s Disco Dodgems.

When you’re not stopping to sing and dance at one of the park’s many parties, there’s rides like the Jungle Falls waterslide and The Wriggler caterpillar kids coaster, plus a dinosaur trail and farmyard to explore.

Book a day to ticket to Gulliver’s Land from £12.50

Prices correct at the time of publication.

A SUPER affordable UK waterpark is set to undergo a major refurb and will get new attractions.

Time Capsule in Coatbridge, Scotland, is set to undergo a £2.5million modernisation project.

As part of the project, there will be a new themed tipping bucket attraction, health suites and a Clip ‘n Climb arena.

The changing areas will also be upgraded, as well as the areas around the pool and the soft play area.

Plans include replacing the water flumes later this year as well.

The project will take place over the remainder of this year and add to already completed projects which include a refurbished gym.

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Councillor Geraldine Woods, Convener of the Communities Committee, said: “The Time Capsule has been at the heart of leisure and family life in North Lanarkshire for more than 30 years, and this investment demonstrates our commitment to its future.

“These exciting improvements will enhance the experience for everyone who visits, while creating modern, accessible facilities that encourage more people to be active and enjoy everything the venue has to offer.”

Councillor Jim Logue, Leader of North Lanarkshire Council, added: “This significant investment is about protecting one of our most valued leisure facilities and ensuring it continues to serve our communities for many years to come.

“Many of the new features have been designed to celebrate Coatbridge’s industrial heritage, creating a unique visitor experience while complementing the Time Capsule’s role as one of North Lanarkshire’s flagship leisure destinations.”

The Time Capsule waterpark is one of – if not the most – affordable indoor waterpark in the UK, with adult tickets costing less than a tenner (£9.55 per person) and kids tickets costing £7.90 per person.

Under threes go free and kids aged three or four-year-olds cost £5.25 per person.

In comparison, Sandcastle Waterpark in Blackpool costs from £22.31 per person over the age of eight and from £13.96 per child between the age of three and seven.

And Waterworld in Stoke-on-Trent costs from £17.50 per person.

Inside, you will find high-speed flumes including Tornado Tantrum – a high-speed raft ride, where four people ride together – and Storm Chasers –10hmetre-igh speed flumes.

For those who aren’t a big fan of thrills, you can enjoy the lazy river called Riptide River.

There’s also Cove Island, which is a gentle splash area for toddlers.

And of course, if you want a gentle splash or swim there is a 25-metre pool.

Away from the waterpark, the attraction has an ice rink and gym too.

CHESSINGTON has reopened to guests – after being forced to cancel all tickets yesterday at the last minute.

The UK theme park announced just an hour into its opening that it would be closing, after a Thames Water outage in the area.

Due to this, the theme park wasn’t able to reopen.

In a statement issues yesterday, Chessington said: “Thank you to our guests for your patience and understanding”.

Anyone who had tickets yesterday is covered under the Return Promise.

This allows anyone affected to go back to the park at a later date, free of charge.

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However, anyone who wants a refund will have to contact the park directly.

Many families were left fuming yesterday, with many paying for train tickets and hotels as well.

One dad called it “utter shambles” as many were forced to wait outside of the gate, while another said they had spent “hundreds on an overnight stay and fast passes”.

Anyone who has travel insurance is likely to be covered, or if you paid with a credit card.

Under Section 75, any purchases made on a credit card between £100 and £30,000 are covered, which includes holiday cancellations.

A spokesperson told The Sun yesterday: “Following confirmation from Thames Water that water supply to the local area has been restored after a burst pipe, Chessington World of Adventures Resort will reopen tomorrow as normal.”

A THEME park in the UK has been forced to close at short notice due to a water outage.

Chessington World of Adventures confirmed that anyone heading to the park will have their tickets “revalidated” for a future visit.

The water outage was reported by Thames Water, which said a burst water main was affecting the KT9 area.

While repairs are underway, the park will be closed for the rest of the day.

Chessington said in a statement: “Due to a water outage in the local area affecting our operations, Chessington is closed today.

“All tickets booked for today will be automatically revalidated under our Return Promise and can be used on a future date.

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“We apologise for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.”

Families had already arrived at the park for the day with the park opening at 10am before closing after just one hour.

However, one dad called it “utter shambles” as many were forced to wait outside of the gate.

Another said they had spent “hundreds on an overnight stay and fast passes” before the park closed.

The theme park is one of the most popular in the UK, with around 1.5million visitors a year.

And with the summer holidays in full swing, this is likely to affect thousands of people.

Anyone who had plans to visit the park today has been told not to go.

The Return Promise allows families to visit the theme park on a different day, in the event that the park has to close.

It isn’t the only chaos for Brits going holiday today, with train disruption affecting anyone going to both London Gatwick and London Heathrow airports this morning.

And Catania Airport in Sicily has been forced to suspend flights following a weekend of chaos caused by the eruption of Mount Etna.

THE biggest Legoland in the world has just celebrated its first birthday – and its MUCH bigger than the one in the UK.

The park in Shanghai is a whopping 318,000 square metres and it’s home to largest Lego figurine in the world.

Legoland Shanghai Resort is the only one in the country and in its first year of opening, saw two million visitors through its doors.

Aimed at families with children between 2-12 years old, the park has immersive experiences, eight themed zones and a Lego-themed hotel.

Legoland Shanghai makes an impression before visitors even enter the park thanks to its enormous Lego figure called Dada.

The figure is 26 metres tall and holds the record for the largest ever built.

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It sets the tone for the theme park which has 75 attractions overall.

They are set in amongst the eight lands: Brick Street, Bricktopia, Legoland Creative World, Lego City, Lego Ninjago, Lego Friends, Lego Castle, and Lego Monkie Kid.

Rides vary but the biggest and longest rollercoaster at Legoland Shanghai is the Big Lego Coaster.

The ride actually passes through the hands of the Dada figurine and has a top speed of 52.8mph.

One unique experience the world-first water-town boat tour, which takes them on a cruise through a Chinese water town built entirely from Lego bricks.

Another first for the brand at this resort is Legoland Creative World – which allows visitors to see the largest Lego Minifigure in history.

There are also a number of live shows at Brick Street and Bricktopia.

Another attraction is a jet-ski based Water Race Challenge, there’s also boat building competitions and a ‘Beach Party’.

In the Lego Castle land, guests are transported into a magical land with wizards and dragons.

Fans of the UK’s Legoland in Windsor will be familiar with the driving school where kids can complete a circuit in their very own car and get their driving licence.

If any visitors need help, they can communicate with the world’s first AI Brick Girl Minifigure that helps visitors explore the Creative World.

And amongst all the rides and models, guests can also interact with robotic minifigures.

Guests can talk to them and according to Blooloop, they ‘respond to you in real time’.

That’s not the only part that has it’s very own AI robot – there are more at the 250-room hotel.

Called Little O, the fully interactive astronaut-themed robot talks to guests, welcomes them at check-in, shares facts and performs dances.

Inside the hotel are themed rooms like Monkie Kid and Ninjago with character meet-ups and even pyjama dance parties.

When it’s time to eat, the park has six restaurants, for example, Bricks Restaurant offers Lego-themed dining from Brick House Burgers with buns in the shape of Lego bricks, Brick fries and Apple Fries with ice cream.

Of course, there are souvenirs are everywhere, visitors can build their own Minifigures, engrave their own bricks and buy Lego sets.

As for tickets, Legoland Shanghai offers day passes from ¥300 (£33.33) and has offers like half-price one-day child ticket from ¥175 (£19.44).

FROM the moment our family of five was picked up in a giant car that would not fit on a typical UK street, I knew the saying was true.

Everything really is bigger in America.

We had just arrived for an action-packed week of thrills at Universal Orlando Resort, known for its record-breaking rides that are both bigger and better than many in the world.

We’d chosen Universal’s own Loews Portofino Bay Hotel as our base.

It is geared up for the theme parks, with regular free coaches to Epic Universe and Volcano Bay and free water taxis running to Universal’s CityWalk shopping and entertainment complex every 15 minutes.

Stays also include early entry to the parks and free Express Passes for Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure (a huge perk) — although you have to buy your park tickets separately.

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Epic Universe, Universal’s newest park, only opened last year and has already gained a huge fan base.

Now that the hype has died down a little, it is a great time to visit Epic.

For us the queues were pretty manageable everywhere except for Super Nintendo World, a colourful and energetic land inspired by Super Mario and his pals.

My advice is to arrive early and head straight to get your fill of Mario, and then enjoy the rest of the park at your leisure.

To put this into perspective, queues for the Mine-Cart Madness ride can reach three hours, but it took us just 25 minutes.

Elsewhere, queues for The Stardust Racers rollercoaster, one of the most intense thrill rides in Orlando, were never more than ten minutes during our May break.

And Monsters Unchained: Frankenstein Experiment, one of the most brilliantly-executed themed rides I’ve ever been on, has some of the shortest queues.

Epic Universe is just one of four Florida theme parks under Universal’s umbrella and you’d be mad not to explore the others.

We spent most of our time at Universal Studios park and the Islands of Adventure, which is so vast we were still discovering new rides on our final day.

The most popular ride is Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, the ride that everybody rushes to from the moment the gates open.

There is some controversy here as Universal stopped accepting Express Passes on this ride from July 1.

The decision was made in hope that it would bring the two-hour queue time down.

While Hagrid’s heart-pumping attraction is certainly worth the long wait, Jurassic Park VelociCoaster was our favourite of the trip.

It reaches top speeds of 70mph and features the most insane turns that had us wobbling on our feet afterwards.

All those thrills require some down time, though. Luckily the parks are a delight to simply stroll around.

Universal Studios, in particular, will keep you mesmerised for hours, with highly-themed areas inspired by the streets of New York, San Francisco, Hollywood . . . and Springfield, home of the Simpsons.

Make sure to pop into Moe’s Tavern for a pint of Duff Beer.

If you aren’t staying at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, it’s probably worth forking out for an Express Pass — especially for those visiting for only a short period of time or during peak seasons such as the summer or school holidays.

Ours saved us buckets of time, allowing us to tackle more rides per day.

Express Pass holders won’t have to faff around with ticket scanners either. Many rides have been fitted with facial recognition technology now, which speeds up access at the turnstiles. It was an impressive touch that should become industry standard.

But that’s not where Universal Orlando Resort’s improvements end.

A brand new Fast & Furious rollercoaster is being built riverside, aiming to open in 2027, with construction work already under way.

It will be located next to our two favourite restaurants from the trip, the Hard Rock Cafe and the Chocolate Emporium, both of which serve delicious burgers.

The giant stack of ribs piled high in front of me at the Hard Rock reaffirmed my thoughts from the start of the trip.

Everything is bigger in America. And not just the cars and the food — but now the grin on my face.

WHAT’S better than a day out at your favourite theme park? Not having to drive home afterwards.

We’ve rounded up the top UK staycation deals across theme parks where you can stay on-site as a family from just £34.13pp.

That means waking up just steps away from your favourite coasters – and in some cases – some free fast passes and gifts bundled in, too.

Here’s our top short break deals for attractions like Thorpe Park and Alton Towers.

Alton Towers

Alton Towers are running a Kids Swim Free summer sale across their short breaks.

Choose between a stay at the CBeebies Land Hotel, Alton Towers Hotel, Woodland Lodges, Luxury Treehouses, Stargazing Pods or Splash Landings – the last of which is attached to the waterpark.

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With your stay you’ll enjoy one day’s theme park entry, and with the summer sale, you’ll also bag free waterpark entry for kids.

In one weekend you’ll be able to tick off the new Bluey children’s coaster and take on the high-speed flumes of the huge indoor waterpark.

Book the Kids Swim Free waterpark offer with an Alton Towers short break – from £87pp

Gulliver’s Theme Park

Head to Wowcher to save up to 57% on tickets to Gulliver’s Theme Park.

The offer is valid across their locations in Milton Keynes, Rother Valley, Matlock Bath and Warrington.

Across the parks you can take on the dizzying Gyrosaur, ride the Rocky Ridge Railway, or drop by the farm park to meet the animals.

At £12.50 per person, this Wowcher offer slashes the standard £25 ticket price in half.

Add in free parking and free admission for toddlers under 90cm, and it makes for a budget-friendly school holiday day out.

The theme park are also currently offering a save up to 40% deal on short breaks – check their website for more.

Book a day out at Gulliver’s World from £12.50pp

Chessington World of Adventures

Book in for an affordable theme park staycation at Chessington World of Adventures this summer.

Short breaks at Chessington include an overnight stay in a themed resort hotel plus one day’s theme park and zoo entry, early ride time, hotel entertainment, a buffet breakfast plus free parking.

Older kids will love thrill coasters like Vampire, while little ones can tackle rides like Chase’s Mountain Mission at the newly-opened World of Paw Patrol.

Plus with the Summer Savings scheme underway until September 1, you’ll benefit from reduced VAT prices whilst you’re away.

Book a short break at Chessington from £88.13pp

Thorpe Park

Thorpe Park are also offering affordable short breaks this summer, bundling an overnight stay, breakfast, two-day theme park entry, free parking and one hour’s fast-track into one price.

Stay in the theme park’s cabins to be right in the heart of the action, or choose to stay at a nearby hotel.

Plus if you choose to stay in a themed cabin on-site, you’ll get an extra fast-track pass for one coaster per guest. You can use it five times on coasters like Colossus, Nemesis Inferno and The Swarm.

Whether you’re visiting to have a go on Hyperia, the UK’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster, or to to race down multi-lane rubber ring waterslides as a family, you’ll tick it all off with a staycation.

Book a short break at Thorpe Park from £34.13pp

Merlin multi-attraction tickets

Heading to London? Plan ahead by booking a multi-attraction pass and bag some savings.

You can combine a mix of Merlin attractions like the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, the London Dungeon, Sea Life and more to spread across your visit to cut costs.

There’s loads of combo packages available – one example is a trip to the London Eye, Madame Tussauds and Sea Life bundled at £56 per adult (down from £64) and kids’ tickets at £50.31 instead of £57.50.

If you’re visiting London from elsewhere in the UK, you’ll want to make sure you tick off several of the big attractions in one go – and these multi-attraction passes are one of the most cost-efficient ways to do so.

Browse Merlin multi-attraction passes from £51.63pp

Legoland

Immerse yourself fully in the world of Lego with a themed stay at Legoland Windsor Resort.

Short breaks include an overnight stay with hot breakfast and one day’s entry into the theme park.

Pick between an off-site hotel or a Legoland Resort Hotel – stays at the latter include a Lego-themed room, early park access, Legoland character meet and greets, a free gift for kids and free parking.

Guests also get discounts on Legoland Adventure Golf, which makes for the perfect rainy day activity if the weather decides to play up.

In the park, scan race on the Minifigure Speedway coaster, soar on the Flight of the Sky Lion, and get creative themselves in the massive playroom.

Book a short break at Legoland from £102pp

Prices correct at the time of publication.

FOR thousands of Disney fans, a holiday to Walt Disney World is the trip of a lifetime. But for some lucky British students this summer, it’s everyday life.

Instead of pulling pints at the local pub or taking on a typical summer job, they’re working behind the scenes as Disney cast members while living just minutes from the magic.

Students can apply for the placements through UK partner Yummy Jobs, spending their summer working across Walt Disney World while living at Flamingo Crossings Village.

This is Disney’s purpose-built accommodation for students, complete with swimming pools, a gym and free transport to the parks.

Alongside earning money and gaining international work experience, participants receive complimentary admission to all of Disney’s theme parks and water parks.

This means that days off can be spent riding attractions, watching fireworks and making the most of life in Orlando.

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For 20-year-old Niamh from Liverpool, the placement has been unlike anything she’d done before.

The Newcastle University student, who is studying Physiological Sciences and hopes to pursue a career in medicine, heard about the opportunity through a friend and applied through Yummy Jobs.

She said: “I’d never done anything like this before but it looked like an amazing opportunity.”

Like everyone on the programme, Niamh couldn’t choose exactly where she’d work.

She said: “The company assigns you to what they think suits you best, and the location depends on what’s needed when you arrive.

“One of the biggest surprises has been living at Flamingo Crossings. The facilities are amazing. People of all ages live here and everyone’s on different programmes.”

Despite working in the parks, Niamh still has plenty of time to enjoy them herself and has figured out the best hidden gems.

She added: “You get roughly two days off a week and sometimes have mornings or evenings free too, so it’s not too bad.”

“I’ve started to figure out which rides to rope drop in each park. Joining the queue for the big rides just before park closing is a great tip, and watching the fireworks from Tomorrowland Speedway is amazing.”

21-year-old Hannah, from Cowdenbeath in Scotland, is back in Orlando after completing a similar summer programme at Universal Studios last year.

Now entering her final year studying Law at the University of Stirling, she discovered the Disney opportunity through TikTok.

She said: “I wanted the experience of working in a world-leading holiday destination and for a company that treats employees so well.”

Hannah works in merchandise, a role that gives her the flexibility to swap shifts and even work in different Disney locations, giving her an insider’s view of more than one park.

She’s also been impressed with the accommodation too.

Hannah explained: “I’m in a four-bedroom apartment where I have my own room and share a bathroom with one other girl.

“There’s a gym, two swimming pools and projector areas showing films and sporting events. We’re close to shops and restaurants, and we get free buses to work and to the Disney parks whenever we want.”

Hannah has also bought a Universal annual pass, meaning her days off are often spent exploring Orlando’s biggest attractions.

“I love spending time in the parks, grabbing a coffee, relaxing by the pool or visiting the malls and outlet stores. My friends and I also went to the natural springs and even took a trip to Miami.”

Working behind the scenes has also given her a new appreciation of what it takes to create the Disney magic.

“It’s given me a whole new appreciation for how much work goes into creating the guest experience.”

Having spent family holidays in Florida as a child, she says returning as a Disney cast member feels surreal.

Hannah explained: “Being able to live and work here now feels incredibly nostalgic and honestly still feels a bit like a dream.”

For many students, the programme is about far more than a summer job.

Alongside gaining valuable experience for careers ranging from medicine to law, they’re making international friendships, exploring Florida and experiencing the magic of Disney from the other side of the castle.

Disneyland Paris may be France’s most famous theme park but there’s an underrated, lesser-known gem that I discovered with my son which I’ve been telling everyone to visit immediately

Theme parks are not my thing. Like many first-time parents, when my first son was born, I was wildly optimistic about the prospect of travelling with him.

I imagined my sweet boy hanging off my hip as we wandered around restaurants and museums on city breaks, enjoying all the things I enjoy.

The reality, of course, is that children like children’s things. And if you’re lucky, they’ll tolerate your interests for half an hour at most. Which is why, for years, the idea of a theme park holiday filled me with dread.

So, when I found myself taking my 11-year-old to Futuroscope in France, I approached it with an endurance test mindset. What I didn’t expect was that by the end of the trip, I’d be recommending it to other families.

Getting there

The journey, in both senses, was easier than I expected. Just months away from starting secondary school, my son has reached that fleeting sweet spot between childhood and adolescence where he still wants to spend a weekend away with his mum.

Our route from Manchester involved an Avanti train, a night near St Pancras station, an early morning Eurostar, the Paris Metro and a high-speed train to Futuroscope station near Poitiers. On paper it sounded like a lot.

In reality, it became very much part of the adventure and my son was enjoying all the responsibility – checking maps and practising his French on DuoLingo.

As a mum of three, I realised how rarely we get this kind of uninterrupted time together. Even before we’d reached the park, the journey itself had already brought us closer.

Staying at the Ecolodgee

A short walk from Futuroscope station and we were there. In fact, the journey via Eurostar was so seamless that my son repeatedly asked whether we’d actually left England yet.

We stayed at the Ecolodgee near the park entrance for really easy access. It’s made up of nature-inspired cabins overlooking a beautiful lake with very lively families of frogs to provide endless wonderment for curious kids such as mine. My son along with some neighbouring kids named themselves ‘the frog hunters’ for the duration of our stay, which says it all really. Nature is the best playground.

The cabins themselves are thoughtfully designed with cabin beds for kids cleverly separated from the master bedroom area yet in the same space. According to my son, the hand-delivered breakfast basket that arrived on our cabin doorstep each morning filled with French delights was the best meal of the entire trip.

I couldn’t agree more. Sitting on the terrace together, listening to frogs and looking out across the lake with no screens, was just perfect.

The rides and attractions

As someone who once rode Blackpool’s Pepsi Max Big One six times in a row without hesitation, I’ve reluctantly had to accept that age has made me considerably less fearless.

Two fun-packed days with my son however, meant stepping out of my comfort zone and straight into the arms of a nine-metre-high robot. Dances with Robots is a ride that throws you around to music at a fear factor of your choosing. Speaking on behalf of both of us, that fear factor was apparently “expert level” according to my son.

I emerged feeling slightly shaken and wondering how I was going to survive an entire weekend of being flung upside down. Thankfully, I quickly realised that Futuroscope isn’t really a theme park in the traditional sense.

Yes, there are plenty of thrilling rides; my son called Objectif Mars (Destination Mars) “the best ride ever” before immediately asking to go on it again. But much of what makes Futuroscope special isn’t physical at all. It’s immersive, imaginative and distinctly French in a way that truly sets it apart from most theme parks.

If needed, English language translation is available through the ListenWIFI app for many of the story-led attractions, but I found myself happily dusting off my GCSE French for the most part and embracing the fact that this is a park built with French families in mind.

Chasseurs de Tornades (Tornado Chasers) was a favourite. We were plunged into the heart of a tornado on a revolving platform, combining blockbuster storytelling with a thrill factor that doesn’t make you question your life choices. My kind of ride.

I also loved La Clé des Songes (The Key to Dreams), a spectacle of water screens, projections, lights and pyrotechnics in the most grand and beautiful setting, that really was like stepping into a dream.

What I appreciated most though was the overall balance.

One minute my son was absolutely wired on the water rapids ride Mission Bermudes, the next he was peacefully gliding around the world with me on The Extraordinary Journey.

Each attraction activated different parts of his imagination. And, more importantly, gave me just enough recovery time.

The food

Futuroscope offers a huge variety of food options ranging from French dining and buffets to gelato and street food – without a nugget in sight.

La Table d’Arthur is great for most tastes with its generous self-service buffet, while L’Atelier des Saveurs offers a more traditional French dining experience.

The most enticing option for children, however, is Space Loop Restaurant, a futuristic dining experience where your meal travels from the kitchen to your table via a rollercoaster suspended above your head. The star attraction is the famous blue burger, which is as blue as a bottle of WKD and, unsurprisingly, is a child’s dream, as is much of the food at Futuroscope.

For us, though, enjoying it all required extra planning.

My son has multiple food allergies, including sesame, nuts and fish, so eating anywhere new can be very stressful. Throw in a language barrier, an overwhelming buffet and you have a familiar challenge for many allergy families.

Thankfully, Space Loop had a delicious pasta option and fries, which kept my son very happy and full. Meanwhile, when I felt stressed by the choices at La Table d’Arthur, staff were able to give a detailed allergen information sheet which was reassuring.

Travelling with food allergies will always need extra vigilance, but once I knew how to ask, our meals became easy and enjoyable.

My overall verdict on Futuroscope

What I loved about Futuroscope overall was that rather than stepping into a global brand, I felt like I’d genuinely travelled somewhere both unique and affordable. The food, language, attractions and even the families around us reminded me that we were in France at every turn. And for me, that’s its biggest selling point.

It also gave me something I hadn’t expected from a theme park holiday.

As my son edges closer to his teen years, uninterrupted one-on-one time can be surprisingly hard to find.

Whether eating food delivered on a rollercoaster or exploring virtual worlds, the trip gave us space to try new things and just be together and that’s what I’ll look back most fondly on.

Of course, he’ll treasure the rides the most. And strangely, we’ll probably both remember the frogs.

Book the holiday

• Stay three days and two nights at Futuroscope from €896 (£774) for a family of four staying at Hotel Ecolodgee, with Futuroscope tickets as well Aquascope tickets. Find out more and book at futuroscope.com.

“I’M going to spend my Saturday digging soil with a JCB for fun,” was a phrase that would never have passed my lips until I became a mum. 

Yet, here I am, spending the first sunny weekend in August on an industrial estate in Medway, Kent, having the time of my life at Diggerland theme park. 

Find out how to get 2-4-1 tickets through Sun Club here

Diggerland has to be seen to be believed and is possibly the UK’s most unique theme park.

Yes, it really is an attraction entirely themed around construction machinery, which was founded in 2000, by digger hire firm owner Hugh Edeleanu.

The Kent site was the first, and there are now three further parks around England, in  Devon, Durham, and Yorkshire. 

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You might question whether you can really get a whole day out of construction equipment, and I was as surprised as anyone to find ourselves racing around the park at closing time, trying to choose our last attraction. 

The range of activities is impressive, and not like any other theme park. 

They have 20 main rides and drives included in the ticket price, plus some extras like dodgems and quad bikes. 

Spin Dizzy is the biggest – spinning up to 8 guests high in the sky in the bucket of a huge digger.

But the giant diggers were by far my son’s favourite, as you spend around 10 minutes shifting soil in an impressive Komatsu PC55MR-5 tracked excavator. They’re simple enough to use that at seven years old, he was able to get into the cab and tackle control himself. 

Other crowd pleasers included the chance to drive a JCB around a circuit, digging for gold with Komatsu PC14 mini diggers and being lifted 50 feet into the air by the Skyshuttle. 

But the standout for me had to be the decommissioned police car. 

My son was able to drive the car himself, pedals and all, around a dirt track, despite being a whole ten years away from getting his provisional license. 

Which is no bad thing, considering he made for a hair-rising chauffeur and was even given a ‘speeding ticket’ at the end of his go.

It feels like the Diggerland creative team had a whale of a time when coming up with the various attractions, which are diverse enough to entertain all ages. 

You’ve got the little Tykes toy area, the indoor soft play and the crazy trikes for the younger kids, plenty of options for primary school age children, and a large choice for the adults who’ve always fancied having a go when passing a construction site. 

The parks even offer stag and hen do parties, with the onsite cafe listing a range of cocktails and beers that you’d never see at your typical theme park restaurant. 

If you fancy checking it out for yourself there’s no better time to visit as Sun readers can get 2-4-1 tickets at Diggerland through Sun Club or Sun Savers, with families saving over £39 on tickets, plus free entry for children under 90cm. 

To get your tickets, Join thesun.co.uk/club for just £1.99 per month or £12 per year, then head to Offers Hub and find the Diggerland page to claim your voucher. 

Tickets cost £25.95pp in advance and £39.50pp on the door, for adults and kids over 90cm.

Or you can pick up the The Sun newspaper from Saturday, August 1 and collect Sun Savers codes.

• Find the Diggerland page in the Offers section and select Start Collecting.
• Collect THREE out of eight Sun Savers codes printed in The Sun from Saturday, August 1 to Saturday, August 8. Once you have your THREE Sun Savers codes, enter them on the Sun Savers app or website to unlock booking. Booking opens at 11am on Monday, August 3.
• Download your voucher (Max 2 people per voucher) and have it ready on your phone or printed before your visit.
• Choose your Diggerland Park in Kent, Devon, Durham or Yorkshire.
• Claim this offer by Monday, 19 October 2026. Present your voucher and a valid Sun Savers account at the park entrance when purchasing your tickets. Your voucher can be redeemed at your chosen Diggerland attraction on selected dates up until Saturday, October 31, 2026.
• 18+ UK only. Sun Savers multiple code collect 01/08/26-08/08/26 or Sun Club subscription required. Online access required. Buy one full price standard admission ticket to get a second standard admission ticket free for the same day. Voucher must be redeemed at attractions alongside valid Sun Club/Sun Savers account. Cannot be used online or in conjunction with any other offer. Max 2 people per voucher. Tickets valid weekends in September-October and October 26-30 only. Subject to availability. Non-transferable & non-refundable. Full T&Cs apply, see sunsavers.co.uk  or club.thesun.co.uk/sun-club

EUROPE is sizzling through a major heatwave, but that doesn’t need to melt your getaway plans.

These waterpark hotels will ensure kids stay cool in the sun — and they are all in areas currently deemed safe from wildfires.

With plenty of deals still out there, Sophie Swietochowski picks some of the top waterpark resorts across the continent.

TURKEY – The Land Of Legends Kingdom Hotel and Aqualand

Thrill-seeking teens will be bowled over by this giant theme park in Antalya, on the southern coast.

Often labelled as the Disneyland of Turkey, it is home to a thrilling 62metre Hyper Coaster, a mega shopping district and a waterpark.

Typhoon Coaster is the highlight, hurling riders at mega speeds from 43-metres up, in to a splash basin.

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There’s plenty for youngsters too, including a mini wave pool and slides, and a lazy river.

Guests staying at the onsite Kingdom Hotel get unlimited access to the parks.

GO: Four nights’ all-inclusive at the 5* The Land Of Legends Kingdom Hotel is from £972.50pp for a family of four sharing, flying from Stansted on August 26. Details at onthebeach.co.uk.

CORFU – Aqualand Resort and Waterpark

This resort, attached to the well-known Aqualand park, offers round-the-clock ice cream, pizzas, and burgers for hungry little mouths, as well as tasty Mediterranean-inspired grub for the grown-ups.

Guests get unlimited access to the waterpark where the whole family can get stuck in, thanks to the massive mishmash of rides.

Mum, Dad and the youngsters can head for the family rafting ride, down a 180metre tube, while the brave can tackle the 24metre-high free-fall slides and the open flume “kamikaze” slides.

With 15 pools and swimming areas, the kids will never get bored.

GO: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the 4H Aqualand Resort and Waterpark is from £943pp, based on a family of four sharing and including flights from Liverpool John Lennon on August 17. See firstchoice.co.uk.

SPAIN – Evenia Olympic Park and WaterWorld Lloret

For adventurers, Tui offers a special package that combines a stay at the 4* Evenia Olympic Park with complimentary access to adjacent WaterWorld Lloret, one of Europe’s largest waterparks.

If it is too hot for the ten- minute walk, you can catch a free shuttle and then cool off straight away in the splash lagoon.

Meanwhile, older kids will want to make a beeline for X-trem Mountain, a 260metre watercoaster with steep drops, dark tubes and sharp bends.

There is also an onsite waterpark at the hotel with multi-lane racer slides, and a pirate ship.

GO: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the Evenia Olympic Park and Waterworld Lloret is from £876.53pp based on a family of four sharing and including flights from Manchester on August 22. See tui.co.uk.

CYPRUS ­– Leonardo Laura Beach & Splash Resort

One of the best holiday destinations for waterpark fans, but don’t just take my word for it. It is frequently ranked among the best in Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards.

The kids’ activity pool, featuring a series of mini slides and water jets, will ensure under-12s don’t miss out, while adrenalin junkies are catered for by the Tornado King ride.

When you are not splashing around, there are five onsite restaurants as well as kids’ clubs, an escape room and cinema.

GO: Four nights’ all-inclusive at the 4* Leonardo Laura Beach & Splash Resort is from £965pp based on a family of four sharing and including flights on August 12 from East Midlands airport. To book, see thomascook.com.

A theme park less than two hours away from the UK is adding a brand-new land with two rides and five Japanese-inspired eateries.

Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen will open the area in a few weeks’ time with “thrilling adventures for the whole family.”

The theme park, which opened in the 1840s and even inspired the creation of Disneyland, currently has 30 rides and will be adding a few more.

Called Hikari, the upcoming Japan-themed area is the biggest development in the park’s history and said to cost a ‘three-digit million amount’.

It has been under construction for two years and has actually been made up of elements from Japan.

It has reclaimed doors, windows, artwork and around 60 tonnes of traditional Japanese roof tiles.

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It will span across more than 2,000 square metres – the park itself is 80,000 square metres in total.

There are two new attractions, the first is Hotel Hikari where ‘nothing is quite as it seems’.

It’s essentially an immersive family funhouse with illusions, a vortex tunnel, tilted rooms and infinity mirrors.

Another new attraction is called Typhoons Eye which gives riders the feeling of weightlessness. According to Tivoli, it’s the only attraction of its kind in Scandinavia.

The zero gravity attraction is a rotating drum ride that suspends riders against the wall as the floor drops away.

The final ride in Hikari is actually one that will be familiar to previous visitors.

Called The Demon, the rollercoaster has stood in Tivoli for years but has undergone a transformation to blend into its new home.

There aren’t just rides either, there are five new eateries in Hikari.

Yaki-Tak! will serve up Japanese street food from yakitori skewers to yakisoba noodles.

Katsu Kitchen is where visitors can pick up chicken sandwiches to popcorn-style karaage to crispy prawns.

Comé Rice Kitchen will have onigiri, otherwise known as Japanese rice balls, served with the likes of spicy tuna, Teriyaki chicken and shiitake mushroom.

For sweet treats there’s Oishii Bubbles for creative drinks from fruit teas to slushies, or Kawaii Bites will have fish-shaped waffles and mochi ice cream.

Two new shops will open too; one selling Japanese-style ceramics and gifts, another will have a mix of snacks, drinks as it’s inspired by konbini, Japanese convenience shops.

The project has taken two years to build and will open later this month – no official date has been announced yet.

For anyone who wants to visit, Copenhagen is easy to get to as it’s under two hours away from the UK.

A family trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida can be notoriously expensive, but a travel expert who’s visited almost 50 times in the last six years has a money-saving hack

An avid Disney World Resort fan has been to the popular park a whopping 48 times, and during that time, he’s uncovered nifty travel hacks that can help families save hundreds.

Those who have been to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida will know how expensive a holiday can be, and those who haven’t will have heard about its hefty price tag. From flights, hotels, theme park passes, restaurants, and all the additional extras, it can quickly add up, with trips to ‘The Most Magical Place on Earth’ costing anything from £1,500 to £4,000 per person.

For a family of four, that could amount to anything from £4,000 to more than £10,000 for a 10-night trip. It certainly doesn’t come cheap, but for many, it’s a bucketlist holiday that’s well worth forking out for, and there are ample ways to help keep the costs down.

One of the best-known ways to save some serious cash is to book the cheapest available flights and opt for budget-friendly hotels outside the resort but close enough to travel back and forth each day. Yet, there’s another nifty money-saving tip that Disney expert Mark Patterson highly recommends to anyone planning a trip.

Matt, who has been to Florida’s Disney World Resort a whopping 48 times in the last six years for work and pleasure, told the Mirror: “All the restaurants at Disney are expensive, so the hotels I like have a kitchenette with a stove and a full-size fridge, so you can buy food and cook it.

“You can then take it into the park with you, and that can save a lot of money. Even if you just take two meals in for the family, that can save you easily $100 (£74.71) to $200 (£149.42) per day.”

Booking a hotel room or resort with a kitchenette to make meals for the day isn’t the only way to save some extra cash. The travel expert who lives in Southern California advised holidaymakers to book a hotel that offers free breakfast to help avoid hidden costs that can quickly add up to hundreds.

And there’s one area he recommends for that budget-friendly hotel with a free breakfast. “The Flamingo Crossings area is my favourite, it’s newer, and the hotels are all new, and they all have free breakfast. They offer good, reasonable prices there.”

However, he noted that, due to its location, visitors have to drive, get a lift, or take a shuttle bus to the park each day. Yet, with free breakfast included, it might be well worth travelling a little further to help cut costs.

Matt certainly knows what he’s talking about, having stayed at 36 different hotels during his trips to Disney World. He also aims for an average hotel price of around $100 (£74.71) to $200 (£149.42) per night to make it more affordable, while looking out for any hidden fees.

Another area he recommends is Disney Springs. He said: “The Disney Springs area has a range of hotels, right there within walking distance to the shopping area, and it’s where pretty much everybody goes to eat at night. It gets very busy and popular, so being able to walk to that is very handy.

“However, the bad thing about that, or something you have to trade off, is that only one of the hotels offers a free breakfast; all the others you have to pay for. So I might get a hotel for around $100 (£74.71) per night, but will then have to pay for breakfast, which is $28 (£20.92), along with paying for parking, which can be around $25 (£18.68) and a resort fee of around $40 (£29.88).

“So it can literally double the price of what I thought I was going to pay. Disney Springs area is great, but you’ve got those little hidden fees.”

Mark documents his many trips to Walt Disney World Resort on his website, DDadBudget, with various pieces of advice to fellow fans.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

THERE’S a leisure centre in the UK that has so many attractions, it feels more like a waterpark – and its just had a multi-million upgrade.

The Leisure Pool at Guildford Spectrum Leisure Complex has reopened after a major £10million refurb.

Over the past few months, upgrades and maintenance works have been carried out at the pool.

And there are a number of new features too including a splash pad for little ones, with different interactive features.

The Super Slide and The Surf – multi-lane slides – have both had a makeover as well.

The pool also operates a wave machine, with one visitor commenting that it “actually feels like you are in the sea”.

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Many visitors have also noted how the pool feels more like a waterpark, with “amazing” slides.

Another feature introduced this year is an inflatable obstacle course.

The course features balance sections as well as slides, and you can race people on it too.

Each session on the course lasts an hour and costs £9.45 per person.

Tickets to the Leisure Pool then cost £13.13 per adult and £10.50 per child.

Alternatively, you could get a family of four ticket for £40.

The project forms part of a wider £10million project to upgrade the entire leisure complex.

Other new features include interactive mini golf, which is already open, and replacing the soft play area, with a more modern soft play and cafe bar experience.

A RECORD-BREAKING ride is set to open at a theme park next year – but some people say it looks too scary to go on.

Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, America, will open Bakunawa in 2027 and it is set to break six world records.

The ride will be the world’s fastest spinning coaster, reaching speeds of 100mph.

It will also have the world’s fastest inversion, reaching speeds of 80mph.

It will be the first ride in the world to have an upside down launch and also be the first floorless spinning coaster.

In addition it will have the world’s longest stall inversion and will become the world’s tallest spinning coaster at 116.43metres.

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There will be two passenger carriages, each able to carry 20 people.

The carriages will travel at high speed along the track with multiple inverted sections as well as twists and turns, before climbing a vertical section of the track and spiralling up.

Once the rollercoaster reaches the top of the spiral, it will move backwards through the entire track.

The ride will last two minutes and 17 seconds in total.

To go on the rollercoaster, riders must be at least 121.92cm tall.

Many rollercoaster fans have taken to social media regarding the new ride, dubbing it “insane”.

One said: “I’m a coaster fanatic but honestly this one might be a bit much.”

Another added: “This thing looks scary. Those floorless spinning trains hanging off the track that high up.”

A third commented: “Yeah this will probably be the scariest ride on earth.”

GRAB your hard hat and get ready for a brilliant family day out, with an exclusive 2-for-1 discount on tickets to Diggerland, the UK’s only construction themed park.

Families can save over £39 on tickets and enjoy a day packed with giant machines, exciting rides, and hands-on fun across four locations in Kent, Devon, Durham, and Yorkshire.

Join Sun Club for just £1.99 a month — don’t miss out.

At Diggerland, visitors can get behind the controls of real construction machinery and enjoy over 20 rides and drives, with more than 100 machines to explore.

Take in the views from 50 feet high on the Skyshuttle, climb into the driver’s seat of a JCB 3CX Backhoe Loader, enjoy the twists and turns of the Spindizzy ride or take the controls of a dumper truck.

Whether it is your first visit or you are coming back for more, Diggerland offers a day out where families can get involved, try something new and make memories along the way.

After all the excitement, families can take a well-earned break at the on-site café, enjoy the indoor and outdoor play areas or let the little ones explore the dedicated Little Tikes area. 

With four UK parks to choose and FREE entry for children under 90cm, Diggerland has everything families need for a memorable day out.

Get 2-for-1 tickets to Diggerland

To redeem your voucher, follow the steps below:

• Step 2: Head to Offers Hub and find the Diggerland page. You do not need to collect Sun Savers codes. Booking opens at 11am on Monday, August 3.

• Step 3: Download your voucher (Max 2 people per voucher) and have it ready on your phone or printed before your visit. 

• Step 4: Choose your Diggerland Park in Kent, Devon, Durham or Yorkshire.

• Step 5: Present your voucher at the gate when purchasing tickets, alongside a valid Sun Club account and claim your voucher by Monday, October 19 to claim this offer. 

T&Cs: Voucher is available on weekends throughout September and October, plus every day during the October half-term break, until October 31, 2026.

Or you can pick up the The Sun newspaper from Saturday, August 1 and collect Sun Savers codes.

• Find the Diggerland page in the Offers section and select Start Collecting.
• Collect THREE out of eight Sun Savers codes printed in The Sun from Saturday, August 1 to Saturday, August 8. Once you have your THREE Sun Savers codes, enter them on the Sun Savers app or website to unlock booking. Booking opens at 11am on Monday, August 3.
• Download your voucher (Max 2 people per voucher), then either show it on your phone or print it and bring it with you to you chosen Diggerland Park in Kent, Devon, Durham or Yorkshire.
• Present your voucher at the gate when purchasing tickets, alongside a valid Sun Savers account and use your voucher by Saturday, October 31.

18+ UK only. Sun Savers multiple code collect 01/08/26-08/08/26 or Sun Club subscription required. Online access required. Buy one full price standard admission ticket to get a second standard admission ticket free for the same day. Voucher must be redeemed at attractions alongside valid Sun Club/Sun Savers account. Cannot be used online or in conjunction with any other offer. Max 2 people per voucher. Tickets valid weekends in September-October and October 26-30 only. Subject to availability. Non-transferable & non-refundable. Full T&Cs apply, see sunsavers.co.uk  or club.thesun.co.uk/sun-club.

Join Sun Club for just £1.99 a month — don’t miss out.