The other day I was sat pondering what kind of questions would I ask if I weren’t a regular and didn’t know the UK parks all that well but was looking at which theme park to visit. One which popped into my head was which park to visit Alton Towers or Thorpe Park? I feel that’s something I’d certainly be asking myself if I never had a Merlin Annual Pass or visited before. So, why not break it down to which one I recommend to visit first depending on a spectrum of characteristics?
Alton Towers:
Alton Towers is a resort that’s a fundamental element to keep in mind. So, you have the offering of the theme park, waterpark and golf. That’s a whole weekend planned right there. The theme park is inclusive with regards to a targeted audience and doesn’t define one specific age frame but instead has a range of possibilities for all to enjoy. Whether you’re into historic buildings and landscaping you can visit to explore the Tower Ruins & Gardens. Perhaps you are a young family striving for some adventure there’s the option of World of David Walliams, CBeebies Land alongside other family areas like Mutiny Bay. Yet you could be at the opposite end of the market & longing to seek thrills where you can experience the world’s ONLY 14 inverting rollercoaster, the original Dive & flying coaster. There truly is something for quite literally everyone to take on. Not to overlook the broad mixture of onsite accommodations. You have Splash Landing Hotel, Alton Towers Main Hotel, Enchanted Village, Stargazing Pods & CBeebies Hotel. Offering guests to stay on a budget in the Pods or splash all out with their young families at CBeebies. It truly does have it all.
Thorpe Park:
Let’s head down South to what’s dubbed the UK’s thrill capital theme park. Thorpe Park with a stunning skyline of various rollercoasters including the UK’s tallest & fastest Hyperia & flat rides oh and Tidal Wave. The park is vigorously aimed at thrill seekers with its broad and fierce variety of big rollercoasters, dark-themed indoor rides & some pretty intense flats too. It’s a park you can take your family but there’s not the broadest blend of things for them to enjoy especially if they are young. But they do have the beach which is a lovely touch in the Summer. Thorpe Park has one accommodation on-site which is the Shark Cabins and they are quite literally Cabins. Compacted accommodation to say the least but it is physically within the theme park grounds, has everything you need and select rooms offer stunning views of the park. They themed rooms as well.
Which Park??
The decision-making purely comes down to preferences and what you appreciate as a person. Alton Towers is the ideal theme park to visit if you’re looking for something more than just a day at a theme park but also if you heading there with people who aren’t fond of thrill rides or as a family. There’s so much to do within the resort that does prevent anyone from missing out on much. Thorpe Park is that place to visit with your mates and if you are someone who’s daring wants to push yourself and simply adores thrills. You can visit as a family but can’t be heading there expecting a great portion of family-friendly rides by any means. But that’s not to say Thorpe Park isn’t the place to visit. Both parks have an extraordinary offering in my opinion something so unique to both of their line-ups.
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Where would you visit?
Thanks for reading!
