Theme Parks

[Yummymummy456]

Hi. Which theme park is better for a 3 & 6 year old (the 6 year old loves rollercoasters), Alton towers, Blackpool Pleasure Beach or Flamingo Land.
I have heard mixed reviews on all.
Thank you!

Guessing you’re up north and further south isn’t an option, but I think Paultons Park (near Southampton) is by far the best theme park in the UK for that age.

Yes, Sunderland area. We’ve already done Paultons this year but I agree with you, it’s fantastic!

Not mentioned but have you considered Drayton Manor? I think it’s great for that age. Alton Towers IMO isn’t great for 6 year olds, your 3 yo would be fine but we went when my youngest was 6 and she wasn’t interested in CBeebies but too small for any decent rides! Drayton Manot has a good mix for young ones and is usually not that busy.
Gullivers is also very good for that age, only been to the new one at Rother Valley but was impressed.

Don't go to Blackpool honestly you will be on edge all day, i loved it as a kid but we took ours to the pleasure beach 10 years ago it it felt unsafe. Flamingo land is nice maybe take them there, i can't comment on alton towers it has been so long since ive been.

I’ve not been to Flamingo Land, but out of the other two definitely Alton Towers!

The queues at Alton Towers are ridiculous (I don’t know what other theme parks do that they don’t), plus a lot of the rides seem to close down a lot. I think Chessington is my favourite - also has Paw Patrol land now!

Drayton Park is also great - we went several years ago and DS still raves about Storm Force Ten (you get drenched 😁)

Flamingo land is better I think for that age, though haven't been since late 2018. I do like Alton towers, but the big rollercoasters are all 1.4m minimum height. Wicker Man, Thirteen and spinball whizzer are 1.2m, but I am doubtful your 6 year old is that tall (perhaps just about if they are nearer to 7). There are a handful of other rides like river rapids, runaway mine train, gangsta granny, haunted mansion (can't recall it's official name), but not a lot for those kids that are more daring than cbeebies land but not tall enough for big rollercoasters. Agree Paultons Park is the best theme park, but it's so far away from us northerners.

We travelled from Northumberland to Lightwater Valley with our then 4 year old last year and she loved it. She could go on nearly everything. I think they've built one or two new rides in the last year which may be for slightly older children. She had the best time, and wants to go back this year.

8 and 4 year old girls, we love flamingo land and lightwater valley, my friend also recommended gullivers at Sheffield which i want to tey

Flamingo land used to be good, Alton towers is better for teens and Blackpool? Well wouldn’t want to be in Blackpool due to the other clientele

Paultons! Amazing for those ages and short queues. Plus parks, soft play, animals and splash pads!

What about Diggerland? There is one in County Durham. They do have rides, albeit not rollercoaster types.

Flamingo land. They have a few child friendly roller coaster type rides and the zoo is nice to look around too. We were there very recently and spent ages watching the penguins. Your 6 year old will like the aeroplane themed roller coaster and there's a spinning dinosaur roller coaster that's fun.

Paultons or Gulliver's world or one tailored for baby coasters

What about Sundown Adventureland? It’s fab for kids that age. But out of the ones you’ve mentioned I’d say Flamingo Land.

Gullivers Matlock!
If you can stay nearby and then do Abraham Heights that’s a fun cable car and there’s a great playground at the top as well as caves to explore. We had such a fun holiday when our kids were a similar age staying at Landals nearby.

I live near Alton towers and been many many times. We went to Drayton Manor at Christmas and found it substantially better for the 6 year old.
As others have said though, my outright favourite is Paultons.
If you fancy a bargain we quite liked Wheelgate for the price in planet radio offers.

Definitely not Alton Towers. Gullivers world would be much better. Sundowns also a great day out but not so many rides

Blackpool is so rough and dirty i wouldnt bother

Just got back from flamingo land can’t recommend enough plenty to do for little ones and bigger ones , Blackpool is more geared for the older ones , apart from a few things and the splash park there wasn’t much at Alton towers for the younger ones

Another vote for Drayton manor here. Not too big to walk round and queues are never too big. My 4 and 7 year old love it.

Not one of your options, but I'd seriously consider taking the ferry from Hull to Rotterdam and going to Efterling. Think Poulton's is the best in the UK for those ages. We have also enjoyed Woodlands and Crealy, both in Devon.

Flamingoland all the way. Relatively nearby (2 hrs from Sunderland via the horrible Sutton bank), well organised. You have the zoo etc if you don't want to do non-stop rides, and there are plenty for 3-6 year olds, and there are a few playparks up near the zoo that a relatively calm. It gets expensive to stay in a lodge there, but you can also camp, and this gives you access to the swimming pool (next to camp, bit basic, but OK for kids) and the club at night (bit hit and miss but good amusements). I do think you would not be bored for 2-3 nights, it is a bit of a rush around in one day. It also gets really busy in the day, and the rides close at 6, but you can wander up to the playparks near the zoo (one near a "fairly normal" pub if I remember, used to sit outside and watch mine play). Has a shop on site (albeit holiday camp shop prices) It is no center parcs, and it has it's fair share of "over-excited holiday-makers" but mainly avoidable. It is right for the age category. x

Another vote for Drayton manor. They have loads for little ones to do and quite a few inbetween rides I would think are suitable for your 6 year old. I thought Alton towers was absolutely terrible when we went a couple of years ago when our DC were similar ages to yours. The queues were ridiculous for the kids rides, loads were closed at various points throughout the day (some closed just as we got near the front of a queue we had been in for 45 minutes). Gulliver’s Valley at Rotherham is also brilliant for younger kids and excellent value for money IMO. Our DC love going there and at nearly 9 and 6 years old I believe they can get on every ride now

Paultons, Chessington, Legoland and Drayton Manor are all better for those ages. Out of the three you’ve named I’d probably choose Blackpool for Nickelodeon land, but it’s a bit grim in parts there.