UK THEME PARKS
Theme parks are big business, with many families choosing to make a weekend of it and stay overnight close to the park, maximising their access time and agents' commission, says Laura Gelder
W
ith staycations and weekend breaks evermore popular, a
theme park is a good way to add on some commission and give families or groups a fantastic experience that will have them coming back for more. Whether your client comes in asking for a theme park break or you’re suggesting it as an add-on, you need to know which park is suitable for which client. The big three UK theme parks
are Alton Towers in Staffordshire, Chessington World of Adventures and Thorpe Park, both in Surrey. These superparks all have extreme rides for adults and older children, as well as play areas and rides for younger kids. Alton Towers is set in 500+ acres of countryside with a sister water park, live shows in the summer, themed ‘Scarefest’ nights around Halloween and 'Fireworks'
in November. Rides include the newest rollercoaster TH13TEEN, which takes thrill seekers through the spooky Dark Forest. There’s options for golf players should you be looking to book a longer break that makes allowances for adults. Chessington began its life as a zoo
and has since added a theme park with many famous rides including the vampire rollercoaster, and a SEALIFE Centre. The zoo offers interactive experiences including ‘Zoo Keeper for a Day’, a four- hour educational experience for 7-16 year olds, teaching them how to care for skunks, wallabies, meerkats and more from £125, or a whole-day experience for over-16s working in special areas like primates or reptiles – from £165. Thorpe Park's most sought-after rides include Stealth, with pushes passengers from 0-80 miles per hour in under two
seconds, SAW the Ride rollercoaster and SAW Alive Horror Maze which uses live actors to recreate scenes from the gory horror franchise.
Both Chessington and Thorpe Park
are close to London and make a great add-on to a sightseeing break in the capital. Similarly, if your client comes in to book the theme park, point out how close London is on the train, they can pop in for the day without baggage and minus paying the premium for a central city hotel. The possibilities for add-on attractions in London are then endless, from bus tours to West End shows. Drayton Manor in Staffordshire is
a family-owned park which is rivalling neighbour Alton Towers with its six themed lands and rides including Apocalypse, the world’s fi rst stand- up tower drop, and Thomas Land for
younger patrons. For real theme park fans, suggest twinning the two. If your clients are driving back to the south, suggest dropping in at Cadbury World on the way. The beautiful Peak District is in the same county too, and a country break might make the perfect compensation for tired adults. Don’t forget the smaller parks which might be better for clients not wanting to travel too far. Paulton’s Park in the New Forest is great for younger children, with a mixture of thrilling, family and children’s rides as well as animal attractions and gardens. It’s also set close to the New Forest’s natural attractions and Dorset’s gorgeous Jurassic Coast further west. Camelot further north is a medieval-themed adventure playground for children, complete with magic shows, jousting >
18 July/August 2011 •
www.shortbreaksholidays.com
thedeal seal There's opportunity in
occasion... Theme parks aren’t just for families. What about hen or stag parties?
©BRITAINONVIEW
©BRITAINONVIEW
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