An exciting family day out at Thorpe Park!
Family Days Out recently visited the amazing, thrilling and WILD Thorpe Park, and this time we visited with Adelaide, 6 and her very excited family.
It was an action packed day, so keep reading to hear all about it complete with spills and thrills, plus some great tips for anyone planning to visit!
Why Thorpe Park?
Thorpe Park is one of the most popular attractions for families to visit in the whole of the UK. It's here the whole family can spend the day enjoying the most thrilling of rides, catching a host of live events, eating some delicious food AND having just the best day ever!
There is so much to do at Thorpe Park, and if you LOVE to be brave on some of the biggest thrills in the country, you are REALLY going to have an amazing time!
Starting the day!
So when Adelaide visited Thorpe Park with her parents, along with her rollercoaster loving brother Finn, they couldn't wait for the day to start! They had travelled from West London, and found the park easy to find, but they also found the parking easy to navigate and plenty of parking options.
Before their day began, they had already formulated a game plan! To help, they downloaded the very easy to use Thorpe Park app, which offers a host of information about the park and rides, including wait times.
They arrived about 9:30am, which was perfect timing as Thorpe Park don't open the rides until 10am, and if you do arrive earlier than 10am, you'll just be held at Amity Beach until the gates open.
Finn LOVES a thrill, so planned to ride as many rollercoasters as he could. However at 1.2m tall Adelaide couldn't quite manage the truly heart stopping show stoppers of the park as children need to be 1.4m or taller to really take advantage of the full selection of rides. Still, they found plenty of rides that were perfect for Adelaide which she was really excited about!
With Adelaide excited about the more kid-friendly rides, and Finn wanting fast and exciting, they decided to divide and conquer! Finn went with his Dad and made a bee line for all the thrill rides, and Adelaide went off with Mum to tackle the more kiddie friendly attractions. This worked a treat for them!
Favourite rides!
Finn's absolutely favourite ride was THE SWARM, where you can experience speeds of up to 100km/h! What Finn also loved about THE SWARM was the story behind it too. He found himself in a post-apocalyptic world with Thorpe Park under attack from a flying alien race! Watch out!
He also braved Stealth which also happens to be the UK's fastest roller coaster taking riders to 205ft at 80mph in just 2.5 seconds!
Adelaide's favourite roller coaster was Flying Fish! She just loved this colourful family favourite, and at 6 years old it was the perfect speed for her as she made her way around the tracks next to her mum.
Another ride Adelaide loved was the Storm Surge, where they did get drenched! Thorpe Park does have a number of water based rides if your family love that style of fun. It was a HOT day that day, so Adelaide LOVED getting soaked!
The family verdict?
"SAW is amazing, SWARM is so good, there were a great variety of rollercoasters and they were all so great. The Ghost Train, Black Mirror Labyrinth and Walking Dead Experience looked amazing, we just thought it would be a little scary for 6 and 9 year olds. We'll come back and enjoy those next time!"
One tip Adelaide's mum offered was to explore the single rider lanes. Not all of the thrill rides have these, but definitely worth checking out if your child wants to ride but the parent doesn't need to!
All these rides can be hungry work! Whilst Thorpe Park has an amazing choice of foods for all tastes, the park also features plenty of green spaces complete with picnic tables and even a kids playground, so Adelaide and her family opted for the packed lunch route. They loved that this was an option, as it also offered a welcome moment for the family to regroup and replan before taking on the afternoon.
They did however, treat themselves to some very delicious doughnuts afterwards (and they were VERY delicious!)
Thorpe Park Shark Cabins
If you wanted to make more of a day out - perhaps an action packed weekend - did you know you can actually STAY at Thorpe Park? Yep! Not only are there a host of nearby hotels, but you can also stay at the Thorpe Shark Cabins.
You can always find great deals often offering multi night stays with breakfast, theme park entry, and 10% off merchandise and snacks in the park shops! If that wasn't enough, you can also enjoy an hour of FastTrack on your 2nd day between 10am and 11am, as well as FREE parking for your car! How cool is that!?
Overall, Adelaide and her family had a great time at Thorpe Park! For this visit, they didn't take advantage of the Fast Passes but seeing how well they worked within the park, and how families could really make the most of the day by skipping queues and enjoying more rides, next time that's something they WILL take advantage of!
Don't forget to visit https://www.thorpepark.com to plan your next adventure!
FAQ: Thorpe Park Must Have Info!
Thorpe Park is located in Surrey, England. It is located between the towns of Chertsey and Staines-upon-Thames, about 20 miles southwest of central London. The park covers an area of 490 acres and is known for its thrilling rides and attractions, including roller coasters, water rides, and themed areas.
Yes, there is an age limit to enter Thorpe Park. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult, and there are also restrictions on certain rides based on height requirements. It's best to check the Thorpe Park website or contact them directly for more specific information on age restrictions for entry.
Yes, there are several hotels near Thorpe Park. Some of the closest options include: 1. Thorpe Park Resort Hotel - This hotel is situated within the park itself, making it the most convenient option for visitors. It offers a range of rooms and suites, as well as a restaurant, bar, and indoor swimming pool. 2. Premier Inn Staines - This hotel is located just a 10-minute drive from Thorpe Park and offers comfortable rooms with free Wi-Fi. There is also an on-site restaurant and bar. 3. Travelodge Chertsey - This hotel is around a 15-minute drive from Thorpe Park and offers affordable rooms with comfortable beds. There is also a restaurant on-site. 4. The Boleyn Hotel - This charming hotel is located in the nearby town of Staines-upon-Thames and offers stylish rooms, a restaurant, and a bar. It's around a 10-minute drive from Thorpe Park. 5. Holiday Inn London - Shepperton - This hotel is situated in the town of Shepperton, around a 15-minute drive from Thorpe Park. It offers spacious rooms, an indoor swimming pool, and a restaurant. There are also several other hotels and guesthouses in the surrounding area, giving visitors plenty of options to choose from.
Getting there by public transportation is easy and convenient. Here are some options: 1. Train: The nearest train station to Thorpe Park is Staines, which is around 2.5 miles from the park. From the station, you can take a taxi or a bus to the park. Alternatively, you can take a train to Chertsey or Virginia Water, which are slightly further, but still accessible by bus. 2. Bus: There are several bus routes that run to Thorpe Park, including the 950, 951, and 446. These buses run from Staines, Chertsey, and other nearby towns. 3. Coach: If you are coming from London, you can take a coach from Victoria Coach Station to Thorpe Park. This service is run by National Express and runs several times a day. 4. Uber: If you prefer to use ride-hailing services, you can book an Uber to Thorpe Park. The ride will take around 20-30 minutes from Staines or Chertsey. No matter which option you choose, make sure to check the schedule and fares beforehand to avoid any delays or unexpected costs. Enjoy your trip to Thorpe Park!
Yes, there are various food and drink options available at Thorpe Park! The park has a range of restaurants, cafes, and snack bars serving different types of cuisines and refreshments. Visitors can choose from a variety of fast food options such as burgers, hot dogs, pizzas, and fries, or opt for a more substantial meal at one of the park's themed restaurants. There are also plenty of sweet treats and snacks available, including ice cream, candy floss, and popcorn. For those looking for refreshments, Thorpe Park has several kiosks selling soft drinks, beers, and cocktails. Visitors can also bring their own food and drinks into the park, although there are restrictions on the types of items allowed. Overall, there is a good selection of food and drinks available at Thorpe Park to suit all tastes and budgets.
The park boasts of several exciting rides that cater to thrill-seekers of all ages. Here are some of the most popular rides at Thorpe Park: 1. Stealth: This is the fastest and tallest roller coaster in the park, which launches riders from 0 to 80 mph in just two seconds. 2. Swarm: This is a winged roller coaster that takes riders through several twists and turns. 3. Nemesis Inferno: This ride is a looping roller coaster that takes riders through several inversions and drops. 4. Colossus: This ride features ten inversions and takes riders through a series of twists and turns. 5. Saw - The Ride: This is a horror-themed roller coaster that takes riders through several drops and twists. 6. Derren Brown's Ghost Train: This is a unique VR-based ride that takes riders through a haunted train ride. 7. Tidal Wave: This is a water ride that features a massive drop and a huge splash. 8. Samurai: This ride is a giant pendulum that swings riders back and forth. 9. Detonator: This is a drop tower ride that drops riders from a height of over 100 feet. 10. Storm Surge: This is a water ride that takes riders through several twists and turns. Overall, Thorpe Park offers a wide range of thrilling rides that cater to all types of visitors. Whether you're a fan of rollercoasters or water rides, there is something for everyone at this popular park.
Lisa Downs
Lisa has been a content writer for Family Days Out for nearly 10 years, and a keen travel writer for nearly 20. She loves experiencing the best of a city, discovering the many things to do and immersing herself in the culture, and sharing these experiences with others through her writing.
Leave a comment