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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

is 2 too young for a theme park

32 replies

AuntiePickleBottom · 01/05/2011 11:00

i want to take dd to paulton theme park for her 2nd birthday, however it will turn out to be expensive especially as its a 2 hour drive there (so not doubt have to fill up which cost approx £70)

i am planning to take a picnic, and loads of drinks so that cuts down on the cost. Just worried it will not be sutiable...even if she will love the pepper pig world

OP posts:
GreatBallsOfFluff · 01/05/2011 11:10

Paulton's Park is amazing for the younger children. I took my DD there when she was 5 and it was absolutely perfect for her. For the age of 2 however I'm not sure whether it is worth it for a 2 hour drive. Saying that though, the Peppa Pig world wasn't built when we went. I can recall there are quite a few things for a 2 year old to do there, certainly it would be one of the better theme parks to take a 2 year old.

If you do go, I hope you both have lots of fun!

carriedababi · 01/05/2011 11:11

if you can afford it easily go, they will ge ble to go on the simple rides that go round etc

if its quite alot of oney to you
perhaps wait till shes 3, then it will be more fun

unsurevalentine · 01/05/2011 11:13

Yes - will be a complete waste of money.

BendyBob · 01/05/2011 11:18

Lol my dc are now 9 and 12 but this takes me back.

When dd1 was a baby we went to PP and lurked about outside in the car park trying to look over the fence Blush to see if it would be worth a visit for her. It seemed such a lot of money to go in and find nothing for her.

My dc have been regulars there over the years since - they've even had season ticket courtesy of very kind gp's at one point - and they LOVE it.

It is fun and there are things there your dd will enjoy - small things for her age group, sand/climbing areas, dinosaurs, a train and very nice grounds with birds and animals.

You'll have a good time BUT it is still £70 and really, much of that money is going towards big rides that I suspect she'll be too young for at this age.

If the £70 is affordable go for it, absolutely! But if (like us) it's a lot to find, then I bet you'd have as much fun at the beach or park or play area familiar to you and save PP for later.

TiggyD · 01/05/2011 11:19

She would really enjoy it. She would also enjoy a big cardboard box, or some shiny things, or a trip to a big muddy puddle. I'd get her something that will last for years like a tent/house which ideally would come inside a big cardboard box.

welshbyrd · 01/05/2011 11:21

Theme park close to us, has a fab toddlers world, well worth going

Just depends what theme park your going to, and how much activities there is for them

Isthreetoomany · 01/05/2011 11:25

I took my daughters to paultons when DD1 was 4 and DD2 was 2.
2 year old loved it, and I don't think I even paid for her as she was under 1m.

welshbyrd · 01/05/2011 11:25

Mind saying that, my DD is 2 in next 2 weeks, we are having a soft play party.

For 12 children, its costing £84, @£7pph, it includes all day/however long you want to stay, dinner choice of food hot/cold, drinks, ice cream. Given its £3.95 to get into the soft play anyway, its quite reasonable

And DD loves it there

meliesmummy · 01/05/2011 15:05

We took dd to legoland last summer when she was 2.4 and she loved it! She still talks about it nearly a year later. The only thing that I would be concerned about are height restrictions, im not sure about Paultons but a lot of legoland rides are for children over 90cm. Dd was literally on the line, had she been 1cm shorter we would have missed out on a lot of rides and probably would have been disappointed with the day. We are heading to Paultons in a few weeks and I think it looks perfect for toddlers.

Firawla · 01/05/2011 15:09

I've not been to paultons but took ds1 to legoland the month after he turned 2, he enjoyed it and we had a great time, there is lots to do other than rides if you think the queueing will be too much for them.
Paultons looks good though and supposed to be for youngish children so I think it would probably be nice esp if you think she would like the Peppa Pig. What else do they have for young children?
There's also places like Chessington cos aswel as any rides for small children they also have a zoo, so thats something that can be done for any age

unsurevalentine · 01/05/2011 15:14

Zoo at Chessington is dire.

Firawla · 01/05/2011 15:18

oh is it? i've not actually been Blush

unsurevalentine · 01/05/2011 15:23

I've been three times and it always makes me feel Sad as it never looks clean or nice and the animals don't look very happy (Confused) but I'm not an expert and others may disagree. Forgot about Peppa Pig World so take back my waste of money comments!! Haven't been to Paultons for yrs.

MarioandLuigi · 01/05/2011 15:29

Peppa Pig world looks brilliant - we are planning a day out in the summer :)

yorklass · 01/05/2011 16:26

Love Pultons Park. As others have said you do not pay for children untril they are 1m so could be cheaper. Not seen Peppa Pig World yet bur i am sure it will be fab.

yorklass · 01/05/2011 16:28

They also have loads of coin operated style small rides which for free. Great for little ones.

Dysgu · 01/05/2011 16:51

We went to Paulton's Park about a fortnight ago. DD2 is 2.3 yo and had a great day - and did we did not have to pay for her as she is under 1m. A few of the rides are for over 90cm (but she was EXACTLY that - with a stretch and a hat!) and they let her on!

Peppa Pig world was great (if you are aged 2 or 4!) and we spent most of the day there. The longest queue we had was about 20 minutes and it was in the middle of the holidays here.

There were LOADS of rides and DD2 went on everything that DD1 and their cousins went on - train rides, cars, dinosaurs, diggers, seals, big balloon, windy castle. Apart from paying for the rest of us to get in and to buy ice creams later in the day we spent no additional money!

DD2 usually sleeps during the day but didn't on this occasion as there was so much to do. We took her buggy and she climbed in and out (as did the two 4 year olds!) but just had a fabulous day and slept on the way home.

Make sure you stop at the First Aid station on the way in to get stickers for 'Lost Children' (just in case). And buy your tickets online first as you will save money on anyone you do have to pay for.

We are planning on going again in the summer - DP had to work this time and was very jealous that he missed out on the day!

Enjoy.

cat64 · 01/05/2011 17:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
AuntiePickleBottom · 01/05/2011 17:28

think i will be going, just looked online and for the weekend is £140 and thats for hotel and 2 days in paulton theme park :)

OP posts:
leedsgirl79 · 01/05/2011 17:31

Yes hotel offers are fab.

wennis · 01/05/2011 18:57

we went the 1st week PP world opened, it was fantastic my 4 year old an almost 3 year old loved it! The queue for the PP helicopter ride was long (1.5hours!) but the rest of the rides were fine 20 mins. They had some great rides in the rest of Paultons that they could also go on. The food insides is pricy (£6.10 for a coffe and muffin! Shock) so take your own if you can. You don't have to pay if a child is under 1 metre so we didnt pay for DD2. There is a soft play area if the weather is not good and if its hot the muddy puddles is fun (take swim suit/change of clothes and towels). It was just fantastic -my DN's their cousins were also there aged 6 and 8 and had a great time too - they live 5 mins away the lucky things and have season tickets Envy Blush.
They had entertainment on a stage in the main too not sure if that is daily - I wish we had got the deal to stay in a local hotel and got the two day tickets as so much to do and see, it was alot for us to afford but if we can afford it we will go again later this year it was that good and my DD's had the best time :)

gkys · 01/05/2011 19:46

OP drayton manor thomas land is fantastic if you can go in the week they do a toddler and parent ticket for about twenty pounds, also guillivers kingdom is fantastic, £52 for a family of four, most rides the kids must be over 90cm to go and under 120cm have to have an adult with them, we had a great time on friday and are planning to go back, matlock bath VERY hilly (in derbyshire and it didn't occur to me that it would be hilly Confused Blush) have a fabulous day

jetgirl · 01/05/2011 19:56

We went today, it was wonderful! DCs are 3 and 5. The rides were great, the longest we queued for was 30 minutes for Peppa's big balloon ride. It was pretty busy so we did other bits of the park too - lots of birds, giant plastic dinosaurs, other little rides and a few animals too. Your dd will love it (I'm definitely going back, you can't help but smile on George's dinosaur ride Grin and we didn't do windy castle today.

We took a picnic and drinks which helped with costs. If you are able to go in term time, I imagine it will be quieter.

Whatevertheweather · 01/05/2011 19:58

Definately go Grin we live locally so have been taking dd regularly since she was walking. There is tons to do not just the rides - there are trampolines, bouncy castles, several playgrounds designed for under 4's, wind in the willows, fairytale land, animals-penguins, birds, meerkats,wallabies, indoor play centre in pp world, 2 x water splash parks. Lots of the rides have no height restriction and then 90% of the rides are 90cm restriction. Log flume is 95cm and swings 100cm. There are then 2 much bigger rides which are about 120cm. most of peppa pig work is not height restricted. Can you tell we go a lot Blush

The food in the park is truly dreadful though so do take your own. If not there is a pub/hotel which does nice food by the entrance. There is also a macdonalds about 2mins away if you don't object.

Any questions feel free to ask!

MrsPennySworth · 01/05/2011 19:59

I've heard paultons park is great for younger children. Also, Gullivers Land near Milton Keynes is really good for that age too. They can go on most of the rides. Somewhere like Alton Towers would be a waste of money!

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