Thorpe Park

Having won entry tickets I can't comment on the price, but my eight year old and I had a brilliant day out there in August.

We took the train to Staines and then used the shuttle bus which was just a couple of quid right to the door and very frequent.

I was slightly worried that we might have to queue as we were well into the school holidays but found the only queues were on the "adult rides" which my son wasn't interested in anyway. On the rides he liked - banana boat ride, flying fish, rumba rapids and rocky express in particular - we were able to either stay on as long as we wanted or get off, go around to the front and get straight back on again.

We bought our own snacks and drinks, but have previously visited the all you can eat Pizza Hut buffet which offers good value for money, and there are many other food options.

We have been to thorpe park a number of times, the last time we went we struggled to find things that dd2 would enjoy, she is not tall enough for most of the rides and the weather wasn't great so we could spend a couple of hours on the beach like we have in the past.

It is great for older childen and teenagers if they enjoy fast rides, but th queues a=can get really long.

Thought it was great, although some of the staff did not seem that happy. Also I had a wheelchair user with me who could only go on a handful of the rides so we was disapointed that the lift to the Nemisis was not working.

Excellent rides but avoid the school holidays like the plague. Its a really good place to go on an early summer or spring inset day as no queues. Its busier during the week in June & July than at weekends. Never pay full price to get in here. There are always offers on from book shops, supermarkets, fast food outlets. This makes ig Great VFM.

Good if you like the fast rides, however the queues are often really long, not that muich for younger children, howeever the beach area is nice to have a break from the rides.

Great for teenagers but not much for my son (7) only 110cm tall, so he had alot of waiting round. My daughter faired much better being 123cm tall. Water rides were great although we left them to the end and had brought spare clothes just in case. Its changed alot since I went there as a kid. Would take the kids again in about 5 years but probably not before then.
Average choice of food avaliable at the normal top end prices

This theme park contains the best wet water ride in the country, Tidal wave. You dont just get splashed, you get completely drenched. Tip, bring a spare set of clothes and keep them in the lockers or wear a swim suit.

Great theme park for older children and adults.
Good selection of rides with some very scary ones!
Food is reasonably priced and the queues are not very long on most rides.
I would definaly recommend the fast trak system.

I love Thorpe Park and our family have been there quite a few times over the years. There is something for everybody and it is a fabulous day out.

absolutely fabulous, provided your kids are over 1.1 metres. preferably over 1.3metres, and if they are 1.4 metres, then they can go on all the wonderfully scary rides, whilst you can join in with them and scream your head off. [smile]
we either take a packed lunch, or eat at kfs, which is fine. not fabulous, not terrible. just acceptable.

i gave it a very high value for money rating, becausee we go there using our merlin passes. without them, and without the annual pass, i think it is a waste of money, like all theme parks. however, with the merlin passes, you also get twenty percent of ice cream and merchandise, as well as free entry for a year. and if you live within an hours drive of the place, its more than worthwhile with kids aged over six

We live close to Thorpe Park and usually go once a year, it is great for older children and adults but for younger children it is not as good as Chessington which is just down the road.

Not a patch on Chessington which is just down the road if you have children under 10 years old (140cm tall). You have to be 140cm for lots of the advertised 'big' rides, at Chessington you only have to be 130cm.

This theme park is close to where we live and is lots of fun, I think it is aimed more at adults or older children, but there is still plenty for little one's to do. The rides are fantastic.

Very good - loads of things to do for the younger children as it has its own little beach and pool. Quite a lot of rides, some are the best in the country. What more can I say - it's great. We go about four or five times a year. It's a must for families.