Theme Parks

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.

IF YOU love theme parks and often feel like you don’t get enough time in the day to see and do everything, then you might want to listen up.

Alton Towers is extending its opening hours from Friday, August 14 to Monday, August 31.

The park will stay open until 7pm each night, which gives guests an extra hour in the park.

Mina Fattahi at Alton Towers Resort said: “More time to experience thrills is always a good thing, but the classic mistake that people make is to head straight for the big rollercoaster they see from the entrance.

“Instead, head to the rides at the back of the park first.

“You’ll beat the crowds, spend less time queueing and fit in more rides throughout the day.”

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This summer Alton Towers also has “one of its biggest summer line-ups yet” with a Minecraft experience from July 18 until August 28.

And currently day tickets to the park cost less due to the Government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme.

Tickets cost £34.13 per person, instead of £39 per person when bought online in advance.

Guests under 90cm still visit for free.

Sometimes visiting for a day is just not enough though, even with the additional hour.

If this applies to you, you can also book to stay at Alton Towers Resort for short breaks from £87 per person.

The offer is available for stays between July 20 and September 1 and includes a day’s access to the theme park and free kids entry to the waterpark.

You can choose between either the Alton Towers Hotel, Splash Landings Hotel, CBeebies Land Hotel, the Woodland Lodges at the Enchanted Village, Luxury Treehouses or the Stargazing Pods.

If staying at the Alton Towers Hotel, you can book into a themed room including ones with beds that look like a bathtub, a hot air balloon or even a princess carriage.

Alternatively, if you have toddlers the CBeebies Land Hotel is a great option, with live shows, games and meet and greets with CBeebies characters.

In a small mountain town you may stumble across hundreds of half-built., abandoned homes that resemble castles. While this development had big dreams, the plans never came into fruition

Imagine living in your very own miniature château, a three-storey villa that had gothic-inspired architecture with turrets and balustrades that made it resemble Cinderella’s castle at Disney World.

One housing developer had this dream, and it was set to build 732 of these unusual homes in a small town not far from Istanbul. But sadly, despite many homebuyers looking to buy into this unique community, it now lies abandoned 12 years after construction began.

While the houses looked straight out of a Disney film, they were actually inspired by Istanbul landmarks including the medieval Galata Tower and the Maiden’s Tower from Istanbul. The name of the development, Burj Al Babas, translates as ‘tower of Babas’ in Arabic, and came from the nearby Babas thermal springs. Each castle was set to have its own pipeline to the waters to create luxurious indoor swimming pools.

But the plans didn’t stop at rows and rows of castles. If completed, lucky residents would have had access to a huge domed complex with a shopping centre, mosque, cinema, and hammam, creating an entire community in the mountains. The relatively cool weather in the area was also seen as a selling point, allowing people from nearby Middle East countries to escape the worst of the summer heat.

The castles were listed in a glossy brochure, with prices ranging from $370,000 to $530,000, about £278,500 and £400,000, a modest sum to live in your own château. But despite half the castles being sold in advance, mostly to buyers from the Gulf states, not a single moving van made it to the complex.

As soon as construction began in 2014, with the aim of finishing in four years, it started to hit several snags. Firstly, contractors complained that the disposal of rubble had breached environmental laws, and a year later, workers protested that they hadn’t been paid. Contractors soon pulled out and started the long legal process of trying to reclaim their lost wages.

Add a failed military coup and bad luck with weather, and the construction soon fell behind schedule. Sales stalled too, due to the country’s instability at the time, and the lack of cash flow soon put the developer into bankruptcy.

Not a single castle was completed as of 2022, and there are 587 half-built castles on the plot, with the exposure to the elements likely causing water damage in many of them as time goes on.

As recently as 2024, there was renewed interest in the development with the Emir of Kuwait visiting President Erdoğan, and it was reported that Burj Al Babas was discussed. The Guardian were also given a tour of the site in the same year by Adem Tekgöz, a representative of developers the Sarot Group, who claimed: “It gets cold in the winter, so we stopped construction. We’re preparing to restart next summer”.

However, as of 2026 there appears to be no trace of the Sarot Group online and still no word as to whether the project will ever be restarted, leaving a ghost town rather than a fairytale village.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

TRYING to fill the long school holidays without spending an absolute fortune can seem impossible.

However, the recently launched Great British Summer Savings scheme is offering loads of deals and discounts until September 1 – meaning family days out will cost a lot less at a whole host of attractions across the UK.

The temporary scheme is slashing VAT from 20 per cent to five per cent on family activities, children’s meals in restaurants, children’s tickets for theatres and cinemas and tickets for everyone for soft play, adventure centres, and theme parks.

And along with free local bus travel for kids aged between five and 15 this August, you can easily find an affordable day out.

With nearly 2,000 spots across the UK taking part in the scheme, we’ve found some of the best, with the biggest savings.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort

With wooden rollercoasters and dark water rides, there is something for everyone at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, with an All You Can Ride eTicket costing £29 per person, instead of £60 on the gate.

You can also get an ‘Ultimate Ticket’, which includes Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Sandcastle Waterpark, The Blackpool Tower Eye, Blackpool Tower Dungeon and Madame Tussauds for £56.88, down from £65.

Savings: Up to £124 for a family of four

Zip World (various locations)

Across the eight different Zip World locations, families can now save money including ziplines and underground trampolines.

The biggest savings offered are on Velocity, which is the world’s fastest zip line. Instead of £124, tickets now cost £99 per person.

Savings: Up to £100 for a family of four

The Crystal Maze Experience, London or Manchester

Fans of the Crystal Maze TV show should try out the Crystal Maze Experience where you compete in a number of different challenges across an hour.

Tickets now cost £26.50 per person, instead of £39.50 – although you must get a minimum of three tickets per order, with one being a child (over nine).

Savings: Up to £52 for a family of four

Woodlands Adventure Park, Devon

Spread across 100 acres, Woodlands Family Theme Park is home to water coasters, rides, animals and a giant indoor soft play area.

If you book online in advance, tickets will cost just £20 instead of £29.15 per adult, and £15 instead of £21.45 per child.

Savings: Up to £31.20 per family of four

Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth

You can capture panoramic views from the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, right to the Isle of Wight.

An all-day adult ticket now costs £12 instead of £19.25, and an all-day child ticket costs £10 instead of £15.50 or a family of four ticket also now costs less – £40 instead of £68.50.

Savings: Up to £28.50 for a family of four

Go Ape (various locations)

Want to make the most of the sunshine? Go Ape has 37 sites across the UK, with up to 15 per cent off.

Tickets cost from £36.95 – prices may vary depending on location, and you need to use the code ‘VATSUMMER’.

Savings: Up to £26.96 for a family of four

Chaos Karts, Manchester

If you want to live out your Mario Kart dreams, then head to Chaos Karts in Manchester.

You can compete in immersive themed races with tickets now costing £21 per person, instead of £27 (though you must get a minimum of three tickets per order, with one being a child).

Savings: Up to £24 for a family of four

Drayton Manor, Staffordshire

Spread across 180 acres, Drayton Manor features four themed lands, including Thomas Land, Vikings, Adventure Cove and Frontier Falls and across these lands visitors can head on rides ideal for smaller children.

Day tickets cost from £39 instead of £45 per person.

Savings: Up to £24 for a family of four

Game of Thrones Studios Tour, Northern Ireland

Game of Thrones fans should head to the studio tour in Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, Northern Ireland.

Tickets cost £23.50 per adult instead of £29.50, if you use the code ‘SUMMER’. Kids tickets then cost £4.80 each and youth (13 to 15-year-olds) cost £11.20 each.

Savings: Up to £24 for a family of four

Harry Potter Studio Tour, Watford

For Potterheads who haven’t been to the Warner Bros studio tour yet, now is the perfect time with five per cent off tickets.

Instead of £58.50 per adult, you now pay £51.19 and instead of £47 per child, it is now £41.13. The family offer, which used to be £188 per family of four, is now £164.52.

Savings: Up to £23.48 per family of four

Blenheim Palace

There are three different ticket types for Blenheim Palace but if you want the ultimate experience, opt for the palace, park, gardens and adventure play for £44.63 per adult (was £51) and £35.88 per child (was £41).

Alternatively, you could get a family ticket for £144.38, instead of £165.

Savings: Up to £20.62 for a family of four

Waterworld, Stoke-on-Trent

Waterworld is the UK’s number one indoor tropical aqua park with more than 30 rides and attractions, including a huge wave pool and the thrilling Thunderbolt trap-door slide.

Tickets now cost £20 per person over 1.1 metres tall, instead of £26 per person. Kids under 1.1 metres tall, cost £18 now instead of £22.

Savings: Up to £20 for a family of four

RockReef, Bournemouth

Found at the end of Bournemouth Pier, you can head to RockReef with 28 Clip ‘n Climb walls suitable for all ages and PierZip – which is the world’s first pier-to-shore zip wire.

A Clip ‘n Climb session now costs £15 per person, instead of £20.

Savings: Up to £20 for a family of four

Coronation Street Experience, Manchester

Corrie fans should use this summer to head to the world of Coronation Street in Manchester, where you can step onto the famous cobbles.

Guided tour tickets cost £35 instead of £40 per person.

Savings: Up to £20 for a family of four

Alton Towers, Stoke-on-Trent

You can enjoy Alton Towers‘ 40 rides and attractions for less now, as online tickets now cost £34.13 for a day pass instead of £39 (guests under 90cm still visit for free) when bought online in advance (you’d save £135.48 for a family of four compared to the original on the gate tickets).

You can save even more by getting the ‘twice the fun’ ticket that allows you into two theme parks for £34.13 until the last weekend of July, including Alton Towers, Legoland, Chessington World of Adventures and Thorpe Park.

Saving: Up to £19.48 for a family of four

Chessington World of Adventures, Surrey

Just 12 miles from the capital, Chessington World of Adventures is home to more than 40 rides and 1,000 animals.

A day ticket online costs from £34.13, instead of £39 per person (you’d save £127.48 for a family of four compared to the original on the gate tickets).

Savings: Up to £19.48 for a family of four

Legoland, Windsor

Great for little kids and Lego fans alike, online tickets to Legoland now cost from £34.13 for a day pass instead of £39 and guests under 90cm still visit for free (you’d save £135.48 for a family of four compared to the original on the gate tickets).

The park has 11 themed lands, with more than 55 rides as well as live shows.

Saving: Up to £19.48 for a family of four

Thorpe Park, Chertsey

With over 25 rides and attractions including rollercoaster The Smiler, there’s loads to see and do at Thorpe Park, with online tickets instead costing £34.13 for a day pass instead of £39 (you’d save £127.48 for a family of four compared to the original on the gate tickets).

With the day pass, kids under 1.2 metres tall go for free still and all day tickets include a free return visit.

Saving: Up to £19.48 for a family of four

English Heritage properties (various locations)

All English Heritage properties across the country are taking part in the scheme.

This means you can get 12.5 per cent off the ticket price, which is automatically applied at check out.

Savings vary depending on the attraction you are heading to, but for example, if you went to Stonehenge, an adult ticket would cost from £23.65 and a child ticket would cost from £11.82.

This is instead of £27.20 per adult and £17.20 per child.

Saving: Up to £17.86 for a family of four

Paultons Park

Often dubbed the UK’s most affordable theme park, Paultons Park is now even cheaper to visit – and thanks to a new £12million themed world – Valgard: Realm of the Vikings – there could not be a more perfect time to visit.

Tickets were previously £46.75, and now cost from £43.

Savings: Up to £15 for a family of four

Warwick Castle, Warwickshire

History buffs can head to Warwick Castle, which is home to over 1,100 years of history and inside the castle, you will find immersive experiences as well as a bird show.

Online tickets cost £25.38 instead of £29 per person (you’d save £54.44 for a family of four compared to the original on the gate tickets).

Savings: Up to £14.48 for a family of four

Gulliver’s World (all four locations)

Gulliver’s World has four locations across the UK including Milton Keynes, Matlock Bath, Warrington and Rotherham.

Ticket prices vary per park, but you could get half-day tickets for as little as £13.75 per person. Day tickets cost from £22.50 per person, instead of £26 per person.

Savings: Up to £14 for a family of four

London Eye, London

One of London’s landmarks sat on the banks of the River Thames is suitable for all ages and offers great views of the city.

Tickets now cost £25.38 per adult instead of £29, and £22.75 per child, instead of £26.

Savings: Up to £13.74 for a family of four

Splashdown Quaywest, Paignton

Fancy cooling off in all this heat? Then you could head to the largest outdoor waterpark in the UK, with 18 slides.

A day ticket used to cost £31 per adult or £26 per child under the age of nine-years-old but now, day tickets cost £27.15 per adult and £22.75 per child.

Savings: Up to £13.50 for a family of four

Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool

Sandcastle Waterpark in Blackpool is the biggest indoor waterpark in the UK, with 18 slides and attractions as well as a spa.

Tickets cost from £22.31 instead of £25.50 per adult or child aged eight to 11 and £13.96 instead of £16.50 per child aged three to seven.

You can also get an ‘Ultimate Ticket’, which includes a range of attractions in the seaside resort.

This includes Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Sandcastle Waterpark, The Blackpool Tower Eye, Blackpool Tower Dungeon and Madame Tussauds for £56.88, down from £65.

Savings: Up to £12.76 for a family of four

Madame Tussauds, London

You can spend the day up close to 150 lifelike wax figures of celebs, royals and historical figures at Madame Tussauds in London.

Instead of £27, you’d now pay £23.63 per adult and instead of £24, you’d pay £21 per child.

Savings: Up to £12.74 for a family of four

Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, Edinburgh

Located across five floors, you can visit Edinburgh‘s oldest visitor attraction with more than 100 interactive exhibits and the attraction even has panoramic rooftop views.

Adult tickets used to cost £24.95 and are now £21.85 per person, while children’s tickets used to cost £17.95 and are now £15.70 per person.

Savings: Up to £12.70 for a family of four

Kew Gardens, London

Sprawled across 326 acres, Kew Gardens features a myriad of different gardens to explore, including indoor gardens and there’s also a giant kids play area.

Tickets cost £21.85 per adult instead of £25, £1.75 per child under 16-years-old and £8.75 for those aged between 16 and 29-years-old.

Savings: Up to £12.60 for a family of four

Rugby Football Union, Twickenham

You could head to the World Rugby Museum in Twickenham, which is home to the world’s most prestigious collection of rugby memorabilia.

Family tickets have been reduced from £80 to £67.50 in the case of two adults and two children.

Savings: Up to £12.50 per family of four

Butlin’s (various locations)

Butlin’s has three resorts in the UK, all of which are taking part in the scheme.

Visitors can get reduced day visits during the school summer holidays, with access to the Splash Waterworld pools, unlimited fairground rides, all live shows on the Skyline Pavillion stage, playgrounds, soft play and paid-for activities.

Day visit tickets now cost £13.60 per child instead of £16 and £20.40 per adult, instead of £24.

Under two’s still go free.

Savings: Up to £12 for a family of four

Eden Project, Cornwall

Down in Cornwall, you could head to the Eden Project where you can explore the world’s largest indoor Rainforest.

Adult tickets cost from £31.06 instead of £35.50 and children’s tickets cost from £10.94, instead of £12.50.

Savings: Up to £12 for a family of four

Frameless, London

For something different, you could head to Frameless, which is the UK’s largest permanent immersive art destination with masterpieces including by Van Gogh and Monet.

Flexible adult tickets cost £31.06 instead of £35.50, and flexible child tickets cost £22.75 instead of £26 each. You can also get a family of four ticket for £19.69 per person, instead of £22.50.

Savings: Up to £11.24 for a family of four

Wake the Tiger, Bristol

You could head to an immersive ‘amazement park’ in Bristol, which meshes theatre with art and an immersive experience to make you feel as if you are in a different world.

Adult tickets cost £21.88 instead of £25 each and children’s tickets cost £17.50 instead of £20.

Savings: Up to £11.24 for a family of four

IWM Duxford

In Cambridge, you could head to IWM Duxford which is Britain’s largest aviation museum.

Adult tickets now cost £25 each instead of £28.60 and children’s tickets cost £10 instead of £11.40 each.

Savings: Up to £10 for a family of four

Flamingo Land, North Yorkshire

With over 40 rides, 140 species of animals and even a holiday park, you won’t be short of things to do at Flamingo Land Resort in North Yorkshire.

Tickets now cost £43.50 instead of £46 per person.

Savings: Up to £10 per family of four

Shrek’s Adventure, London

At Shrek’s Adventure in London, you can walk through an immersive experience with a 4D flying bus ride, mirror maze and 10 live shows.

Instead of £21 per adult, tickets cost £18.38 and for kids, tickets cost £14 instead of £16.

Savings: Up to £9.24 for a family of four

Cadbury World, Birmingham

If you are based in the north then you could head to Cadbury World for the day to find out about the history of the iconic chocolate brand – the self-guided tour features exhibits as well as a 4D cinema experience.

Tickets cost from £15.75 per person, instead of £18.

Savings: Up to £9 for a family of four

The Historic Dockyard Chatham

For Naval history fans, you could head to the Historic Dockyard Chatham and explore the ships, galleries and exhibitions – including Steve Backshall’s Awesome Oceans Family Trail.

Tickets for a family of four cost £70 instead of £79.

Savings: Up to £9 for a family of four

Techniquest, Cardiff

Techniquest is Wales‘ largest science discovery centre, spread across three floors with live shows and lab workshops.

Tickets used to cost £17 per adult and £15 per child, but are now £14.87 and £13.12 respectively.

Savings: Up to £8.02 for a family of four

The Big Sheep, North Devon

The Big Sheep family theme park in Bideford is home to both farm animals and rides, as well as live entertainment for when the weather isn’t great.

Tickets cost £14.95 per person instead of £16.95 and £6 instead of £8 per child under three-foot tall.

Savings: Up to £8 for a family of four

After a day spent walking around Alton Towers, I was happy to be spending the night in their iconic hotel on the resort – here’s my honest review of a stay for our family of four

A day at a theme park is knackering, especially with two kids in tow who can seemingly have the best day of their lives while also complaining every single second. Nothing is worse than getting to the end of a day out and facing the drive home exhausted.

So, if you’ve got a day at a theme park planned, you may be considering staying in one of the park’s onsite hotels. Arguably, Alton Towers has one of the best selections of accommodation out of any UK theme park. It has hotels, woodland lodges, treehouses, and stargazing pods, so there’s all sorts of places to stay, and you’re right on the park’s doorstep so you’ve got somewhere to rest after a long day.

Recently, I stayed with my two kids at the Alton Towers Hotel, a three-star property that’s one of the park’s three hotels. Themed around a fictional Victorian explorer, Sir Algenon, the hotel has a sort of steampunk, historic look, although my kids thought it was pirate-y more than anything, but either way, the detail that has gone into it is impressive.

Stepping into the hotel, there’s a huge atrium with a large ship-shaped stage, and checking in late afternoon there was already entertainment and live music in full-swing. We went back later and the entertainers were playing some fun games with the kids, and it had a really joyful, slightly chaotic atmosphere around the bar.

We stayed in a Moon Voyage room, which had a similar theme to the hotel with lamps that looked like Victorian gaslights, lots of gears and levers, and explorer-themed murals. The room was clean and the beds comfy, and I liked that the kids sleeping area with bunk beds was slightly sectioned off and had their own TV. It meant we could lie in bed and watch some grown up TV while they could watch a bit of CBBC before dinner.

For dinner, we headed to the Splash Landings Hotel to try Flambo’s Jambo, an all-you-can eat buffet that had a bit of everything from peri peri to tacos, roast dinners, and Chinese dishes. The atmosphere was fun, with a giant waterwheel and the sounds of some very lively entertainment going on in the background, and the food was OK, with the kids more excited about the ice cream machine than anything else.

While we slept well and the room was comfortable, I woke up early to find the bathroom door had locked itself from the outside. I had to run down to use the loo in the lobby and find hotel staff, still in my pyjama bottoms and my hair looking even more dishevelled than usual. It did get fixed within an hour, but obviously that kind of thing is a pain when you’re up early with kids.

Breakfast was included and is served buffet style at the Secret Garden Restaurant. It had quite a basic selection of hot food, plus some cereal, pastries, and pancakes, which the kids were happy with. Again, the food wasn’t amazing, but it kept us going on the way home.

If you’re visiting Alton Towers and have a long drive, a stay at the hotel or its other accommodation is worth considering. For us, driving there and back would mean five hours in the car as well as the long day exploring the park, so it was nice to crash overnight and split the journey up.

I’ll admit, the hotel is expensive, and some parts felt more worth the price than the others. Packages include one day at the theme park, 9-hole golf, and breakfast, and there are deals on such as free child entry to the waterpark if you book an adult ticket. The hotel does have an incredibly fun style and is well-maintained, and kids are enchanted by the style.

But other things felt like they needed a little work. The themed rooms feel a little basic, and while they have nice décor it felt a little like they were missing something. I would have liked to have some bottled water in the rooms for example, as there were no refill points in the hotel and at £3 a pop, it’s expensive to rehydrate after a day in the sun. But I think most visitors know to expect theme park prices when they stay somewhere like this, and really, it’s the location that’s the main draw when you’ve spent all day on your feet in the summer.

Rooms start from £106pp for an Explorer Room at the Alton Towers Hotel this summer. You can currently book and take advantage of their Kids Swim Free offer. Find out more and book at altontowers.com.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

A MUCH-LOVED family ride has been forced to close after it appears it derailed and the track split.

The Big Dipper at Blackpool Pleasure Beach is one of the oldest operating rollercoasters in the world.

Yesterday afternoon, the wooden rollercoaster was forced to close and is still closed today, following some of the carriages of the ride derailing, with a video shared on social media also showing the track split down the middle.

Several videos shared on social media show the ride at a halt on a low part of the track.

The track in front, which rises before a drop, appears to be broken in several places – though, reportedly, no one was hurt.

One rider, Reanna Harrison-Berry, 20, who was riding with her boyfriend, said they heard a “crunch” sound as they went uphill.

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Just moments later, the cart then rolled backwards, with some claiming that the carriages had ‘derailed’.

Reanna added: “As we went three-quarters of the way up the big hill, it just completely smashed backwards really quickly.

“The next thing we realised we were tilted to the left and the back carriage was completely to the right – it was quite scary.”

Another rider said: “We went pretty quick upwards, but then it juddered and rolled back really quickly.

“I was terrified, I’m not going to lie. I’ve never had that happen on a rollercoaster before. We didn’t really know what to do.”

Once the riders deboarded, they gave statements and were offered a free Burger King.

Reanna said: “I couldn’t eat because I was so shaken up, but my boyfriend got a free meal and a couple of other people ate.”

The Big Dipper features five drops and a number of twists and turns.

It was first built in 1923, making it over 100 years old but was later extended in 1934.

The track stretches over a kilometre long and travels up to 34.8mph.

The ride was closed on July 20, 21 and 22 for routine maintenance and then reopened yesterday before the incident in the afternoon.

A spokesperson from Pleasure Beach Resort said: “The Big Dipper came to a stop on Thursday, July 23, around 2pm, at a very low point in the ride.

“Following this, a manual deboarding took place with guests guided safely by trained operators.

“All riders were checked by first aid trained staff, with no injuries reported.

“An internal investigation is taking place to determine the root cause.”

When Sun Travel asked if the ride will be closed for the foreseeable future, Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort declined to comment.

IF YOU are looking for your next holiday, then you can head to a brand new waterpark in Europe.

Coral Bay, La Leyenda Perdida has opened at PortAventura World’s waterpark in Spain.

The entire land is inspired by an ancient sunken pirate land, that has risen from the ocean floor.

Overall, the new land spans 5,000sqm and has several different attractions for visitors to explore.

There’s Cyclone, for example, which is the world’s second water coaster and the first in Europe.

And then there’s The Crab – a multi-slide tower, with five different slides suitable for all ages.

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The little ones aren’t left out either, with Splash Port – an interactive water play zone.

However, the ultimate star of the show is Pirate Bay, which is the world’s first multi-adventure pool.

In the pool you can expect different obstacles to tackle, as well as a swimming area.

The land also has a new dining area called El Bucanero, along with rest zones.

Day tickets to the Caribe Aquatic Park cost from €35 (£29.93) per adult and €31 (£26.51) per child.

If you stay at one of PortAventura World’s hotels, you will get discounted entry to the waterpark.

For example you could stay at Hotel Roulette as a family of four for two nights in September, for £272.24, which works out at £34.03 per person per night.

While you’re there, you should head to the main theme park too.

One mum who recently visited said: “In under an hour we had been left rattled racing each other on wooden coaster Stampida, cooled off in the Grand Canyon Rapids and been blown away by multi-dimensional dark ride Uncharted and eight-loop coaster Dragon Khan.

“Luckily the park is not just bold, it’s also beautiful, with lush landscaping across the six themed lands of Mexico, Polynesia, China, Far West, Mediterranea and SesamoAventura, where we could recover from the adrenaline rush and soaring temperatures.”

It also has Ferrari Land, which has the tallest and fastest rollercoaster in Europe.

A CLOSED theme park set to become a new housing development will reopen for one last hurrah.

Camelot Theme Park in Chorley was once a beloved theme park for families but closed back in September 2012.

Now, a huge event has been announced for the abandoned park before it disappears for good.

Scare City – who are responsible for some of the best scare events in the UK – are planning to open its “largest, darkest and most psychologically brutal evolution to date” at the park.

As part of the experience, visitors will be able to see areas never seen by the public before, including a never-used entrance.

The event will be spread across nine different zones, of which many of the themes are yet to be announced.

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One zone confirmed is CarniValley, which will feature outcasts and a carnival-like atmosphere, albeit more creepy.

However, Scare City has confirmed that it will be the “most intense event yet”.

Adding on its website that: “What was once a kingdom of rides and laughter has become a sprawling nightmare of darkness, fear, and chaos.”

There will be towering outdoor sets, different pathways to the scare zones, live actors – and they will all be in the decaying former attractions of Camelot.

Scare City has been running at Camelot for the past five years, but this will be the last year before the abandoned theme park is turned into a large housing estate.

The event will run from September 26 to November 7.

A NEW attraction is opening in the capital in less than two months and it will feel like you are stepping into a very famous video game.

Arcade Arena London will open in September with immersive gaming experiences including Mario Kart-style racing.

Known as Chaos Karts, visitors will be able to race through futuristic landscapes where they will have to steer around obstacles as well as collect weapons.

It’s more than just racing around a track in a go-kart – the walls and floors will feature an immersive world and teams compete to get the highest score.

In addition to Chaos Karts, there will be two other immersive experiences.

Alien Invasion will be exclusive to the London venue (with the other venue in Manchester).

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In this game, you will join the Cosmic Cadets and head on a mission to save Earth while keeping an eye out for alien druids.

And there will also be Pac Man Live Experience, where visitors play as Pac Man themselves in a giant glowing maze.

As you venture around the maze, you’ll have to collect power pellets and try and escape the ghosts.

Between the different games, players will also be able to grab a bite to eat and a drink in the bar area.

Tickets for each experience cost from £30 per person, or you can do all three experiences from £65 per person.

If you don’t want to wait until September, you could head to their venue in Manchester where Pac Man Live Experience and Chaos Karts cost £27 each, per person – thanks to the Great British Summer Savings scheme.

Or you can get family tickets, where you must purchase at least one adult and one child – costing £21.50 and £18 respectively.