Which theme park to go to?

[HolliDays]

October half term (birthday treat).

Kids are DS13 & DS11. Not massive thrill seekers. It'll be the three of us.

Thorpe Park; Chessington or Legoland?

Alton Towers is just too far.

I'm completely torn: they'd probably manage every ride in Legoland but I fear it might be a bit babyish...

AIBU to ask which one we should go to?

Just throwing in Paultons Park. Top notch theme park and much better run / cleaner than Merlin parks.

Legoland is better suited to younger kids I'd say.

I would go to chessington - we just went to Thorpe park and unless you are really into the big rides there isnt a lot to do. Chessington has a better mix of rides plus the zoo and aquarium.
Lego land is also good and not all the rides are babyish.

If they are 11 and 13, definitely Thorpe Park. Legoland is much too babyish and although there are a couple of scaryish rides at Chessington, it is aimed more at younger kids. TP is a bit of a concrete jungle but there are loads of good scary rides there.
I saw someone recommend Paultons park. It’s a lovely well run park and would be my choice for primary kids, but again not enough to keep a 13 year old amused I don’t think.

Oh - I just noticed not thrill seekers. Maybe chessington would be more suitable then? There is the zoo and safari etc.

Not legoland they are too old.

If they like 'big rides' then there probably wouldn't be enough at Paultons.
If they still enjoy smaller rides, with some bigger ticket ones then Paultons would be OK.
It is more aimed at Primary and pre-school age.

Chessington is the obvious choice if they aren't thrill seekers

Never too old for Legoland if they are Lego fans.
But Chessington if not.

Chessington

If they're not thrill seekers do they even want to go?

my dd12 recently had a great day at chessington - there were plenty of big rides for her plus some gentler ones - we went to Thorpe park and she found a lot if the rides v intimidating even though she loved them once she plucked up,the courage.
Paultons park is great and we could still have an enjoyable day there but if she had to chose I know that would no longer be top of her list

Chessington

Far too old for Legoland, ours had grown out of the rides by the age of 10.
Chessington is better for that age - Thorpe Park is for an older age group in my opinion

If they're not thrill seekers I'd go with Chessington. Thorpe Park can be a bit intense if you're not a huge roller coaster fan, and Legoland will probably be considered very childish at that age.

Agree Chessington. Some bigger rides but plenty other stuff to do if not thrill seekers. I think Thorpe Park is mainly thrill rides and Legoland more for littles.

Smashing - thank you - yes they do want to go but we were stuck between what will be most appropriate for their level. Chessington it is this time, and TP next year when they've built up more confidence.

We went to a theme park (Festyland...) twice in France this summer which they loved (although not the biggest rides), and I just wanted to be sure of which one out of the three I mentioned, would be most appropriate.

We are quite close to PP and will go there with the toddler in the latter part of half term, so the big two can go off whilst we hang out at Peppa Pig World. Thank you again!

I'd also say Chessington. It looks a little run down in places, but there's quite a lot to do and a mix of bigger and smaller rides and attractions. I think they have a Halloween thing at half term as well?

We used to go to Chessington before we got brave. Then thorpe park was a better option

At those ages (depending on their heights) it would be Thorpe Park all day long. The others are top young for an 11 and 13 year old.

Another vote for Thorpe Park. If they're 1.4M tall, they can go on everything.

It's funny how things change isn't it. When I was a kid/teen in the 90s you wouldn't be seen dead at thorpe park! That was the one for smaller kids! Chessington was for the thrill seekers! I only ever go to thorpe park now though as I love rides. I remember the days though when Chessington had Rameseys revenge, and samurai (which is now at thorpe Park) etc. (And even though it's technically still there under a different name I really miss the bubble works).

But yeah these days Chessington is best for non thrill seekers. There's still some good rides though.

Hi HolliDays,

My son and I went to Thorpe Park last Friday and filmed the first video of our new YouTube channel there.

Here's the link to the vid:

Check it out. Its a great park! He's only 10 but tall enough to ride all of the rides and he absolutely loves them. Also, the park is a nice size to walk around and it has some really good rides if the coasters are a little too intimidating.