Theme parks for 9&7yo

[NorthernMC]

We want to take our Dc to a theme park but I’m not sure which is best for their age. They have no specific interest in any of the themed ones like Lego so purely on what rides would be best suited to their ages. They’re 1.2m (just) and 1.3m. We were meant to be at Disneyland Paris so want a replacement for this year. Happy to travel but want ideally within 4 hours of Manchester

[teaandcustardcreamsx]

Blackpool pleasure beach! Has quite a few “big rides” though the height limit are smaller and the queues are much shorter too

[rbe78]

I would agree about Alton Towers - wait until they're both 1.4m, otherwise all the good rides are off limits.

[Miscarriage39]

I was going to suggest Chessington too, but if your in Manchester, would Alton Towers perhaps be easier.

You can do much cheaper packages with Legoland, staying at hitels jn the local area. We’ve booked for May half term, and for the same price as a stay on site, we managed to get the queue jump tickets for one day, and the passes that half the queue time for the other.

[CheshireSplat]

I'd agree they're just the wrong age for Alton towers. We took my 8 year old and there wasnt much for her

Fab for 4 and understand at CBeebies world and then older kids.

[Secretsoutherncomfortdrinker]

I would recommend legoland or chessington for those ages and to save yourself some money, the sun is doing their free tickets at the moment so you could collect those and save yourself a few hundred ££ and just book a hotel.

[MinnieMountain]

Twin Lakes just outside Melton Mowbray is good. It’s aimed at pre-teens.

[dollyscoat]

Great thread, I never realised there were so many decent parks around Chester.

Now planning a Chester and N Wales camper trip!

[NorthernMC]

I’m not sure how much they’ll enjoy Bewilderwood, it’s hard to tell from what I’ve seen of it so far.
Manley mère looks awesome!! I’ve been looking at the crocky trail but I’d heard it takes a while to get round and it’s time restricted slots due to Covid so I ruled it out for this year.
I’ll take a look at Gullivers, thats easily a day trip too.
Paultons will be too far unfortunately given the traffic south of Birmingham heading that way, it’s more of a 6 hour drive from past experience.
The north wales one looks good and we’re booked to stay in Anglesey in October so maybe then.
So glad I posted as I’m getting lots of ideas here.

[De88]

@whiteroseredrose

A bit different, but Greenwood Forest Park in North Wales? Not an alton towers type but has a people powered roller-coaster, grass sledging and pull yourself boats.

Crocky Trail south of Chester with lots of rope swings, and obstacles. Or Manley Mere which is like Crocky Trail but muddier? Option to canoe as well.

Another recommendation for Greenwood!

[Essexgirlupnorth]

We did Legoland and Chessington in one weekend while visiting my sister as we had merlin passes we preferred Chessington there is a Zoo and an pretty good aquarium as well as the rides.
Alton Towers is a bit rubbish if kids are too old for cbeebiesland but too small for the big rides not a huge amount in between. We are also in Manchester so probably did it to death when we had merlin passes.
We went to Drayton Manor last year with our 6 year old and really enjoyed it.

[dollyscoat]

Bewilderwood looks awesome!

[MadeinBelfast]

I was just going to recommend Paulton's. You could just about do the drive in 4 hours. If you were staying in the area a bit longer the Naval Dockyard in Portsmouth is a great day out for children of that age too.

[Unhomme]

Paultons Park is absolutely the best for this age group and without the ridiculous queuing you get at Chessington. It's a bit further but definitely worth a 2 day trip.

[whiteroseredrose]

A bit different, but Greenwood Forest Park in North Wales? Not an alton towers type but has a people powered roller-coaster, grass sledging and pull yourself boats.

Crocky Trail south of Chester with lots of rope swings, and obstacles. Or Manley Mere which is like Crocky Trail but muddier? Option to canoe as well.

[Rollercoaster1920]

My children are nearly that age and can't stand the queues, so I would say visit somewhere with plenty of non ride entertainment. Legoland has the mini land and two play areas. Chessington has the zoo.
An annual pass takes the stress out of the idea you have to do all the rides in a day, so perhaps something within an hour of where you live?

[Hellocatshome]

Gullivers in Warrington would be perfect for you, we stayed in one of the themes rooms to male it seem a bit more special and the kids loved it they were 7 and just turned 10. No worries about what they could and couldn't go on as they are no big thrill rides but still plenty of things to keep them entertained all day.

[Southlandssue]

• wouldn’t

[minniemomo]

If you are thinking Lego land there's a de vere hotel nearby that's family friendly

[Southlandssue]

I wouldn’t recommend making the journey all the way from Manchester for Chessington especially on a bank holiday. We live nearby and like it but don’t think it is any better than any of the nearer ones recommended. Although I haven’t been to Lightwater Valley or Flamingoland since I was a teenager and lived relatively close by but I would travel with my kids to them now even though I loved them then.

[NorthernMC]

@OhYouBadBadKitten

Chessington is great for that age, but I don't think hotels open for general use til the 17th.

Why didn’t I think of that! It’ll have to be self catering or a day trip then unless we go in June.

[purpledagger]

Chessington to Windsor is 30 miles and Chessington to Thorpe park is 12 miles, so you could easily do 2 parks on different days.

[Aroundtheworldin80moves]

PILs take ours to Light water Valley in Ripon most years (from toddler good, eldest child is now 13). Last year they concentrated on the family market only, so young teens down, and didn't open the biggest three rides. Not sure for this year. Meant it wasn't busy. Never had to queue long.

[Luzina]

Bewilder wood is brilliant, it’s not exactly a normal theme park but well worth a visit

www.bewilderwood.co.uk/

[noblegiraffe]

Legoland has some amazing rides and you don’t need to stay in the resort hotel- there are far cheaper ones nearby.

[Thefamilybusiness]

Gullivers at either Warrington or Matlock Bath are good for that age.