Best Theme Park for dc's aged 2-12?

[dillydollyrip]

I'm hoping to go to a theme park in August for my ds's 6th birthday, my other dc's are 2, 9 & 12 years.
Ideally the theme park would be suitable for all of them, even the little one. Only my 12 year old is likely to go on any of the more adventurous rides so I've ruled out Alton Towers & Thorpe Park (I think).
I've looked at Legoland, Chessington, Paultons Park or Drayton Manor, any thoughts or other suggestions would be great!

TIA :)

Drayton manor has thomas land for the little one and a zoo, not sure what the bigger rides are like as I didn't go to the main bit, maybe someone will comment soon. Alton towers has c beebies land as well now, they do have the big rides but have plenty of not too scary rides too

Will look at alton towers too then. Thanks :)

We went to Alton towers last year with children age 3-6 and they loved Cbeebies.

Drayton manor is good.

I have no experience of Paultons ,but IMO Legoland is for under 10s or even younger if your dc are adventurous with rides , Chessington is ok for a family group of mixed ages as is Drayton Manor but Drayton Manor has better 'big' rides than Chessington .

Depends on a few things.

The height of your 6 and 2 year old and the adventurousness of your 6 and 9 year old.

Both Drayton Manor and Chessington are best for a nice range of attractions that would suit all your age range. But in both cases there are rides that your 12 year old is wanting to do that the younger ones wont so both would probably include seperating off for a bit and coming back together. Both are nice family friendly relatively compact parks, which is nice if you are pushing a buggy. (Barring the caveat below)

Alton towers with cbeebies land is great for your two year old and maybe your 6 if they are still into cbeebies. But imho for your 6 and 9 year old I don't think offers as much as Chessington especially if both your 6 and 9 year old are into vampire ride (mine were). it is also very spread out, especially if the cable car is out, which is hard on little legs. Also Not so good if your 12 year old wants to nip off and do a few of the more exciting rides.

In Drayton Manor Chessington and Alton towers there will be a significant number of rides that your order ones will want to do that your 2 year old won't. Will you be the sole adult? do you always want to be the one sat out with the 2 year old?

Also Chessington is free for 90cm and below. If your two (or 6) year old are between the 90cm and 110cm marks, I would consider legoland. The advantage is there is nothing your 12 year old is going to want to do solo (there is nothing really geared to her age) and at 6 it is a bit special (it is however nightmare for queues and not very well arranged).

Paultins park I've always looked at the list of attractions and then the entry cost and gone its better value going to Chessington. plus peppa pig instantly puts me off.

My money would be on Chessington

My 2 year old is under 90cm (only 2 this month) so will be limited for rides.
The 6 and 9 year old aren't very adventurous at all really so maybe Chessington with the animals as well as rides would be a good bet.

Drayton Manor has a zoo and it has got Thomas land .

Your youngest would be able to go on most things in thomas land. When we took Ds his sister was not even 18 months and she could go on most things (with a parent obviously)

six one half a dozen the other then.

Yes drayton manor has all the kiddie rides collected together in Thomas land but there are there at Chessington just spread around the park.

Chessington has the parent swap (so if you do have another adult looking after the 2 year old, you can both go on the ride without queuing twice) I'm sure drayton Manor must also have it but I cannot find it on the website

I loved Drayton Manor when I went but I didn't get time to see the animals. I know Chessington a lot better (merlin passes so have been going regularly for years) and can say the zoo is awesome, lots of walk through enclosures and the sea lion show is fantastic.

Probably would come down to which is easiest for you to get to and which comes out cheaper.

Woodlands is brilliant, it's not quite a theme park but still big with plenty for young children to do.

I haven't heard of woodlands so I'll take a look at that Thanks.
We're in Norfolk so not much in it distance wise between Drayton and Chessington, think it's about 10 mins difference.

Ah Woodlands is a bit too far away from us but thanks for the suggestion :)