From record-breaking coasters to a jungle maze, Adam Shaw rounds up the best experiences
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1. Serengeti Flyer, Busch Gardens, Tampa
Guests at Tampa’s Busch Gardens can enjoy views of its 65-acre Serengeti plain on the new Serengeti Flyer. It’s the world’s tallest and fastest ‘screaming swing’, reaching 135ft and 68mph. While in Florida, suggest clients head to SeaWorld Orlando too to ride the new Pipeline: The Surf Coaster, launching in spring with surfboard-shaped vehicles.
Book it: Ocean Florida offers a 14-night stay from £1,049 per person based on four sharing, including a three-visit ticket to Busch Gardens, SeaWorld and Aquatica, and flights from Heathrow departing on November 2.
ocean-florida.co.uk/agents
2. Jumanji – The Labyrinth Gardaland, Italy
Gardaland, on the edge of Lake Garda, is launching an interactive experience based on the Jumanji franchise on April 1. Visitors must make their way across multiple levels, including a hall of mirrors, a tunnel filled with pretend snakes and a jungle maze that’s inspired by the blockbuster film series.
Book it: Jet2holidays offers a seven-night stay at Gardaland Hotel & Theme Park starting at £668 per person, including two days’ park entry and flights from Stansted, departing on May 24.
jet2holidays.com
3. TRON Lightcycle/Run, Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando
From April 4, visitors to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom can step onto a ‘light cycle’ – a space-age motorbike featured in the Tron franchise – to race against devious electronic figures known as ‘programs’. Speeds of almost 60mph make it the park’s fastest coaster.
Book it: Seven nights at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort starts from £2,369, including flights and park tickets, departing on May 20 from Gatwick.
disneyholidays.co.uk
4. Super Nintendo World, Universal Studios, Los Angeles
Step through a bright green ‘warp’ pipe into the land of Mario and Luigi. With toadstools and castles, Super Nintendo World is like being in a real Super Mario game. On Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, drive a go-kart while wearing an augmented-reality headset, while a Power-Up Band lets you track your score and collect special keys in interactive games on-site.
Book it: Five nights at Sheraton Universal Hotel can be booked with Vax Vacation Access for May 10 from $1,975. Price includes a one-day ticket to the park, but not flights.
vaxvacationaccess.com
5. Toutatis, Parc Astérix, France
An area dedicated to the Celtic god Toutatis will open on April 8 in Parc Astérix’s wooded Gaul Zone, featuring the family-friendly Chez Gyrofolix – a gentle windmill-style ride – and the Toutatis rollercoaster.
The latter is set to break the French speed record for a rollercoaster by hitting 68mph, while its 23 airtime moments (when passengers are slightly lifted from their seat) will be a world record for a steel coaster.
Book it: A two-night stay from June 3 booked via Parc Astérix starts at £354, based on two sharing, including daily tickets but not tansport.
parcasterix.fr
PICTURES: Universal Studios; Disney; Marion Lardic.
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