Legoland or Chessington or Thorpe park

[xyzandabc]

We have an inset day coming up, girl 10, girl 8, boy 5.
We've done Legoland probably once a year for the past 5/6 years if not more, so know it well but haven't seen the new star wars or ninjago stuff. All kids enjoy it 5 yr old loves it.

Never been to Chessington or Thorpe Park. All about an hours drive so nothing in it timewise. How do they compare? Would kids be able to go on most rides or are they aimed more at teenagers/older kids/adults? Which do you prefer and why?

I can't decide as I know LL will be a guaranteed hit with the kids, I'm a bit bored of it now but do I risk a new place incase it's a flop with the kids?

Help please

I would go to Chessington as you have been to Legoland a few times already. Thorpe Park may not have enough for your 5 year old.

Thank you. If just doing one full day at Chessington, would you recommend just doing the theme park, or is it better to do a bit of park with a bit of animals and a bit of aquarium. I'm not sure how we'd fit it all in.

Also what are the shows like? Any recommendations for not to be missed ones?

You could do animals and theme park. It's nice to do the animal bit when the queue times get long and the atmosphere is a bit more relaxing to have some chill time.

The penguin feeding and the panda show (although they are fake pandas but look really realistic) are good. Also Madagascar show is good to watch while having lunch outside.

Fake pandas?!?!
So a real bear that looks like a panda but is a different species?
Or a robotic panda?

Another vote for Chessington, seeing as you've not been previously. Don't worry - the zoo, aquarium and theme park are included in the same ticket and the zoo and aquarium aren't huge so won't take much out of your day at all.

Wouldn't recommend Thorpe Park really as aimed at older kids / teens / adults so wouldn't me much there for your younger two. Also, it is very focused on big rides so not much in the way of shows / theming compared to Chessington, which is far more family-orientated.

Have fun!

Another vote for chessington! Plenty for all ages. Zoo and Aquarium are both pretty small, we usually spend an hour or so in them, sometimes we don't bother with either. Can't recommend any shows though as never seen them!

Chessington or Legoland would be the choice of my 11 and 9 year olds. Probably Chessington as you have done Legoland recently.

Yes it's like a robotic panda but really realistic. Even I was taken in to begin with!

Def Chessington. One day, on an inset day, is plenty. The aquarium is tiny compared to other Sealife ones and the zoo nice but again small. But a nice break from doing just rides.

Food etc is similar to Legoland and prices for food/drinks as well.