Theme parks for young children with shortest queues

[LegoHouse274]

Which theme parks are best for young children (aged 7 and under) - and have the shortest queues? We've done Cbeebiesland /Alton Towers twice before which was very much loved but that was week days in term time and now eldest is 6 and at school. So we'd be looking at peak times and I can't see the 3 year old queuing for hours.

Another one saying Paultons. I was so impressed with how well maintained it was when we went but also the range of rides. We went for Peppa but there are a fair amount of rides that are pretty thrilling as well. We did one of the winter half term events at Chessington and it was bleak. Queues were like an hour plus for the things like the flying elephants. We didn’t even stay the whole day. It would have been much better during one of the proper opening days though. Legoland in holidays is not always the nicest experience unless you’ve got reserve and ride.

We've just got back from Paultons, we live Staffordshire so has been a long day but would 100% recommend. Longest we queued was 5 minutes but most rides we walked straight on to. Not sure if it was because it's December however when we booked a few days ago the grotto was fully booked so I wouldn't say it was dead today. Everyone was friendly and polite as well - we had annual passes for Drayton Manor a couple of years ago and the staff just used to grunt at you there!

I agree with Paulton’s Park. Even in high season it is good.

I find Legoland far too busy and only manage a few rides because of the queues and those who can pay more to jump the queues.

Thanks everyone. Paultons sounds great but honestly I just can't imagine doing the journey. We are in the North West, the only way we can fit all the car seats in the car is with me in the back middle seat, and I get travel sick...the journey there is just too long.

Don't think anyone's mentioned Drayton Manor, any thoughts on that? I can see it has Thomas Land which our 3yr old would probably love.

Drayton manor is okay, we had annual passes a couple of years ago as it's only 30 minutes from us. Thomas land does get very busy queue wise at peak times late morning however if you went there as soon as it opened, then went round the zoo, then back to Thomas land say 3ish you'd be fine. Some parts are a bit dated. Take a picnic with you though as it's very expensive for food. If you're going in the week though even better as it will likely be half empty. They used to do parent and toddler tickets for £25 in the week, I presume they probably still do.

We used to love Drayton Manor, more than Paulton's Park but then we were at DM because of Thomasland. It is busy early in the day but by the afternoon you can go on many rides with no queue, and there were lots outside Thomasland that my son enjoyed. Also a nice zoo and a cinema. The food is terrible but there is a good M&S two minutes away so we brought picnic food.

I went to Drayton Manor a few years ago. It was ok. Queues were definitely longer than at Paulton’s.

https://www.diggerland.com/park-locations/

Have you considered Diggerland? A lot of fun for young and old alike.

At Drayton Manor, can you take babies on some of the rides on your lap? I was looking on the website and it seems there are some without a height restriction etc but then they all say something like 'every person must sit on their own' which I take to mean not on laps, am I correct? We will have an approx 9 month old with us you see.

Thanks everyone for all your help with this thread btw doing lots of research! We are probably going to go the Midlands route and do one on a weekday right at the start of the summer hols so really I'm between Alton Towers again, Drayton Manor or Gullivers in Matlock Bath. The latter I presume will be least queues and also will be by far the cheapest.

We went to Drayton Manor, and there were so few people there we could stay on the rides and go round multiple times.

Paultons is way better than DM!

Have a look at Sundown Adventure Land. Absolutely brilliant for young children. You can stay on site too.

You could always stay at/near Paultons park and do two days there!

I agree with everyone else about how good it is. I'd also say it's good for over 12s too. The height restrictions are lower than other parks, so shorter older children can still do good rides.

Tbh all theme parks are ok queue wise if you plan properly. Choose inset days, especially if your school has a random one. Go early and go on a good ride or two first. Then do the less popular ones in the middle of the day and then popular ones again late on when other people have gone home.

Have a short break / holiday near Southampton sometime.
Do Paultons, Longdown Activity Farm, New Forest Wildlife Centre, Bournemouth, Moors Valley.

Wicksteed Park.

We love wicksteed Park