DLP, Efteling, ...?

[Spindelina]

We've been to DLP and Efteling, both of which worked brilliantly for our family.

Where else? Ideally by train / bus. Doesn't have to be outside UK. Will combine with visiting nearby city.

DC1 will be 8 ish, adrenaline junkie but probably not yet 140cm.
DC2 will be 3 ish.

Not a clue but following with interest I've only been to DLP so far but considering PortAdventura. It's supposed to be good for families.

Europa park maybe?

I've just been looking into Durinell in Holland which might be worth you taking a look at but I'm interested if anyo e comes up with anything else.

I had to go isle DLP

Sorry museumum! I figured the people who knew the answer to my question would know what I meant!

I forgot to include Legoland (Windsor) in my list btw. Could do Billund?

I'll do my own googling of these suggestions later. The only thing I came up with on my own was Futuroscope, which I had a crap time at approximately 25 years ago .

Another vote for Duinrell based on ages, even under 1.4 there are some pretty hairy rides he can get on

We loved port adventure but it’s a lot of thrill rides rather than little ones but they had a fab water park too

We enjoy Efteling and Duinrell but would not DLP.

Duinrell is great. Can get there by either train or ferry if you don’t want to fly.

Avoid legoland in school holidays or at weekends unless you are willing to pay for the queue jump things.

Port Aventura is great for all ages . In the UK we used to do theme park short breaks when ours were younger but with a car so Flamingo land and Lightwater Valley taking in York on one break . Drayton Manor and Alton Towers ( and a now closed park called American adventure ) on another . Camelot ( also closed now ) , Blackpool pleasure beach and Sandcastle water park on another . We live commutable in a day trip to Chessington , Thorpe Park and Lego land so they were our regular haunts . Park Asterix is also good but again would need a car unless you can get a coach tour .

Duinrell and PortAventura both look great, thanks. And we're big fans of Germany as a holiday destination so I can definitely imagine us going to Europa Park, which I'd never heard of either.

We did legoland last year when our Easter holiday was a week earlier than most of the south of the England, so it wasn't too busy.

I grew up within a day trip of Thorpe park and Chessington (remember the zoo? Or Windsor safari park for that matter!) but my impression is that they are more for teenagers than littlies. Same with Alton Towers - we went as students, and I think DC1 will love it once she hits that magic 140cm. We string together a few days in a number of places by train fairly regularly, and I can imagine including those parks in a few years.

Water parks not really our thing. Well, they are my thing and the DCs thing, but DH and water don't go well. Though I suppose if DC1 can swim strongly, I could take both DC and then get a reciprocal child-free break! Or take one at a time.

Thorpe Park is definitely more for teens but Chessington is for under 12s in my opinion , they still have the zoo .

Hmm ok then, I'll add Chessington to the list of UK pins. Though I've just been googling and I'm not sure I'll cope without Professor Burp's bubbleworks.

Duinrell has a large indoor water park, and a new this year outdoor part. There are sections suitable for children though so you probably wouldn’t need two adults. I’m not a swimmer so generally take a book and look after the stuff.

Have you looked into coach trips? You can often get a two day trip with accommodation for a reasonable price.

We haven't looked at coach trips, no. The thought of entertaining a three-year old for more than a few hours in a coach does not fill me with joy, it has to be said. Trains let you walk up and down a bit, and we always plan our journeys to get out and have a walk every couple of hours. Journey as part of the holiday mentality. Willing to be convinced, though! Would the coach be overnight?

My 8year old adores Chessington and has for a couple of years. We really miss Bubbleworks.

Thorpe Park is limited until DC are 1.4m.

Either day trips or a couple of nights with accommodation included. No actual nights spent on the coach. I agree, I wouldn’t book anything too far away with a small child, but they do stop for a break. We’ve done a couple of theme parks this way. I definitely wouldn’t book a coach trip outside of the U.K. though.

Duinrell. Train to Amsterdam

Thanks for all this!

What about getting away from roller coasters? Is there anything that has the rest (characters, shows, accommodation, themed family restaurants...) that isn't a theme park?

Centre parcs? Seemed a bit centred round the pool when we ended up with a day pass once. Butlins? Childhood memories of Bognor Regis are positive!

We love portaventura. Were going back for the 5th time in a few weeks. Have a look at theme park worldwide on YouTube. Theres vlogs from all the European theme parks.

Phantasialand near Cologne in Germany has some good rides with several rollercoasters that have lowish height requirements.

Billund in Denmark has Legoland, Legohouse and Lalandia (big water park).

Some of the Dutch Centre-parcs are less pool focused - one of them has a giant indoor climbing frame too.

Beekse Bergen is a safari park/zoo in Holland with houses around the “savannah” so you can watch the animals roaming from your holiday home. I think there is a amusement park next door too.