European Theme park break

[Peabody25]

Looking for a trip next year for our 40th's with DS who'll be six, GPs and auntie/ uncle.

Likely to be summer holidays or may spring bank holiday. Are there any other theme parks similar to Duinrell or Efteling?

Or coastal resorts in Spain, Portugal etc that have water parks, theme parks nearby but other things as well - nice restaurants, somewhere to walk etc?

Also happy with inland resorts as long as there's loads to do. Presuming in Easter it won't be warm, so needs to have lots going on.

Probably going for 5 days or so, so quite short flights needed. Just looking at options at the moment so not ruling anything out.

Any ideas?

There’s portuventura theme park in Spain, we went to Efteling this year and thinking of maybe doing that next

Having done Duinrell in the past am watching with interest as am struggling to replicate it myself. So far seen Gardaland on Lake Garda where many of the campsites/homes nearby have water park on site and seems easy enough to fly to that end of the lake via Venice/Verona

Llandia in Denmark is such an amazing indoor waterpark resort. In addition to all the rides, there are restaurants, mini golf, trampoline park, bowling lanes and an ice rink. It's within walking distance of Legoland and the Lego House.

Op have you been to efteling? It seems pretty perfect for what you want, large relaxed. One always sees large families there, lots of generations... Lovey houses to rent...

If not what about tivoli gardens in Copenhagen or europa Park in Germany.

I second Europa Park in Germany. Easter or Mai half term holidays should be fine ... but would avoid summer (unpleasant heat and queues.) The surrounding area has a lot of touristy stuff on offer. Water Park, hiking pretty Towns, ... Only downside may be that you are advised to have a car or look for accommodation that supply a Konuskarte = free public transport (which is great!)

EuropaPark is excellent. There is loads for all ages and can not recommend it enough.

The accommodation is expensive at europa though

Europa park definitely, we’ve been in the height of Summer and always excellent. They have a new water park this year too :)

Those who say europa Park do you stay on site?

@sheratheallpowerful did you stay on site? And if so where

@milliemondiemandi

Did you stay on site at europa Park and if so which hotel thanks

I’ve stayed at Bell Rock which is really nice but a short walk each morning to and from the park, you do enough walking though, so the the following year we stayed in the Coloseum. Lovely hotels but in with the park rates it is expensive but we thoroughly enjoyed it.
You can stay in local hotels too.

No actual rides but still a theme park. Look at Puy du Fou in France. It is absolutely amazing. Phenomenal shows that adults and kids love, but probably better for your large party of mainly adults. Book the night show in advance though.
Can't recommend it enough and accommodation on site.

I've stayed at the Bell Rock, Collesseo and the camping teepees.
The Collesseo is by far my favourite but vvvv expensive!
The last time we went we rented a small apartment outside of the park just behind the Bellrock hotel. There is a Lidl right there so easy to self cater and makes it a bit more reasonable :)

Lalandia Billund is very good - lovely lodges. There are direct flights from Stansted (Ryannair) - it is a small airport, but literally minutes from Legoland/Lalandia. Legoland here is soo much nicer than Windsor.

de Efteling is also very good. It is pretty enough/well manicured to keep the older generations interested. Again, there are places of interest nearby if they tire of themepark stuff.

More importantly with both, the prices usually drop for the last week of August As the local children are back at school.

Puy du Fou in France , also near Futuroscope and the Vendee coast.

Puy du Fou. We went last summer and it was absolutely amazing. Appeals to all ages and completely different from anywhere we'd ever been before.

Portaventura is brilliant but if you're going at Easter the water parks in the area will still be closed.

Futuroscope is fantastic!

Willbeatjanuaryblues - we usually get independent accommodation and make sure we get the travel card for bus & train. It's also a lot cheaper.

Another recommendation for Europa Park. You can stay in the little village of Rust and walk to the park v easily.

Another vote for Puy du Fou!! We’ve been 4 or 5 times taking ds from 4 years & up. You need to stay to make the most of it as there’s absolutely no way you can do it in less than 2 days by the time you’ve seen the evening shows (there are 2, but the main one is utterly amazing!!).

The Roman Villa is excellent and so is the Field of Gold for overnight. Then you can do the Vendee etc too.

Thanks for all the suggestions! Think we're settled on Duinrell due to price, ease of getting there and appealing to everyone.

peabody, Duinrell are upgrading the outdoor waterpark (which was closed all the time we were there in a chilly bit of August last year).

Hope you have fun.

Ahh that's good to know!