theme park round-up
Alton Towers
Alton Towers offers entertainment for all age groups. It is set in 500 acres of countryside.
Where is it: Alton, Staffordshire.
Highlights: the Alton Towers’ Big Five white-knuckle rides including Oblivion, the world’s first vertical-drop rollercoaster, Nemesis, Ripsaw, Corkscrew and Black Hole.
Who is it suitable for: there are rides and attractions for all ages, including an interactive show with Barney the Dinosaur.
What’s new: The Legend of Towers, costing £4.5m.
Admission price: £19.50 per adult, £15.50 per child and £59 for a family of four.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
There are over 145 rides from the white-knuckle Big Dipper, to more leisurely cruises around River Caves.
Where is it: Blackpool, Lancashire.
Highlights: the Pepsi Max Big One, the world’s tallest and fastest roller-coaster; PlayStation – The Ride, which catapults riders up a 210ft tower at 80mph.
Who is it suitable for: white-knuckle rides cater for teenagers and older visitors while Beaver Creek is aimed at young children.
What’s new: Europe’s biggest dark ride, Valhalla, opens in the spring. The £15mride will loop through a new building which will house games, catering and retail facilities.
Admission price: free entry but white-knuckle rides cost £2.50 each. Discount tickets cost £22 for 12 and include two complimentary show vouchers.
Legoland
Themed around Lego bricks and the Lego toy range, the park has seven activity areas, nearly 50 rides, live shows, parades and other attractions. Unlike other theme parks, it is open all year.
Where is it: near Windsor, Berkshire.
Highlights: Technosaurus, made from 1m Lego bricks.
Who is it suitable for: aimed at children of all ages, but especially two to 12-year-olds.
Admission price: £17 for adults and £14 for children aged three to 15 until March 2000.
Chessington World of Adventures
A combination of a zoo and theme park with white-knuckle rides for teenagers and family rides in Toytown.
Where is it: Chessington, Surrey.
Highlights: Samurai, a new white-knuckle ride which spins 360 degrees on both vertical and horizontal axis at 20.6 metres.
Who is it suitable for: all ages as there is a dedicated area for the under-eights and white-knuckle rides for older children and teenagers.
What’s new: a multi-million-pound Cartoon Land opening in April 2000 featuring a well-known cartoon character.
Admission price: £19 for adults, £15 for children aged four to 13, £10 for senior citizens and £8.50 for the disabled; a family ticket costs £59 for two adults and two children or one adult and three children. Discounts are available for groups of 12 or more.