If your like me you’ll love things which holds history that’s perhaps not so easy to spot if you didn’t know about it. Or perhaps it’s in your face yet doesn’t get acknowledged enough. I love nods to the past even though the park is heading towards the future. So here are some of the things I love at theme parks which perhaps you’ve not noticed or it hasn’t been spoken about much.
Princess Diana’s Logger Leaps Memorial:
If you head into Old Town at Thorpe Park where Loggers Leap once operated, there’s a memorial boat for Princess Diana. I feel this is easily missable given there’s not all that much in the area to do outside of Fright Nights. But it’s a small touch and nod to its history as no doubt you’ve all seen the iconic pictures of her riding this log flume with her two sons!
Geoffrey Thompson at Blackpool Pleasure Beach:
I find it moving to the amount of nods to this iconic owner of Pleasure Beach. He gave us some of the most loved rides that still stand today like Valhalla & Big One. But if you take a ride on the Pleasure Beach Express you’ll notice there’s a train named after him. It’s a small nod but something which lives on. It’s something I’ve loved about the train is that this still remains.
The Corkscrew Double Barrel Roll Centrepiece At Alton Towers:
This is almost impossible to miss yet perhaps not many people outside of the theme park enthusiast community would know what this was! But this was the first thrill rollercoaster to open at Alton Towers and it was well known for the double barrel roll. Therefore Alton Towers has popped that element on their plaza. It’s a lovely way to always remember where it basically began!
The Buddha In Land of the Tiger at Chessington World of Adventures:
Perhaps this isn’t something many would batter an eyelid at. Yet this statue has remained during the changes to the area. It still remains today. It’s a nice way to remember the various changes over the years & even after its rehaul to remain a part of the area is a lovely way to never forget.
Vintage Merchandise:
Something which started at Alton Towers but spread widely across to Blackpool Pleasure Beach & other Merlin theme parks. Vintage merchandise. These items are past rides that are no longer at the park. Often the pin badges will have the year of opening to the year of closure. I’m personally a huge fan of this retail line. It’s a beautiful way to always have something to remember these rides from whether you experienced them or not. Thorpe Park for the 2020 season have realised a wider retro range including t shirts, mugs etc. I’ve purchased all of the pins and will definitely be grabbing whatever I can of this range too.
I love parks which always highlight their history and past. It’s quite warming to treasure those rides & experiences which has shaped the parks to their positions they are in now!
Have I missed anything from this post? Be sure to share your favourites with me across our social media accounts!
