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

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.

Bewilderwood looks awesome!

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.

@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!

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.

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

Now planning a Chester and N Wales camper trip!

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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