Theme park/day out - Advice please

[Jahooli]

I've got a long weekend off in September and want to take our 16month old boy for a day out to a theme park. We aren't sure which would be best given his age and height will restrict the number of things he can go on.

We were thinking Legoland or Chessington (Thorpe Park might be too grown up for him). Which would you recommend, or is there another place we can visit?

Is this a day out for you or your lad?
My children didn't go much on any of the main parks until they were at least four,
before that we had great times at Washbrooks or Drusillas or even better on a sandy beach with buckets spades and a football.
The end of the pier had lots of children's rides as did Peter Pan if that's what you want.
My two didn't enjoy the "good" rides til they were 8 or 9, it used to piss me off having to go on the rides by myself whilst my bitter half looked after the sprogs.
The other rides were no better than the pier, Bubble works is a bit old and noisy for a lad of 16 months IMO but your lad may be made of sterner stuff than my two.

 

[sully]

I'd agree with Jahooli that there's little point spending the money that it costs for places like Chessington when the kids are so young.

Paultons is probably a bit old for an under 2 as well, though I really like it.

When my kids were that young, Drucillas was king and Longleat was pretty close.

 

[Playing On The Grit]

Is this a day out for you or your lad?
My children didn't go much on any of the main parks until they were at least four,
before that we had great times at Washbrooks or Drusillas or even better on a sandy beach with buckets spades and a football.
The end of the pier had lots of children's rides as did Peter Pan if that's what you want.
My two didn't enjoy the "good" rides til they were 8 or 9, it used to piss me off having to go on the rides by myself whilst my bitter half looked after the sprogs.
The other rides were no better than the pier, Bubble works is a bit old and noisy for a lad of 16 months IMO but your lad may be made of sterner stuff than my two.

We took him to the rides on Hayling Island and he loved it and he loved the rides at the funfair in Worthing last month so we thought it would be good to go to a theme park. He's definitely a daredevil and we think he will love going on the rides either at Legoland, Chessington or Paulton's Park. Also, he loves animals and birds so the zoo parts of the parks would be ideal. It isn't a day for us grown ups as we get our pleasure from his enjoyment of the day out.

 

[Blackadder]

I used to LOVE Paulton's Park when I was younger.

It's sort of a progression

Paulton's > Chessington > Thorpe Park

Agreed

Paulton's > Chessington > Thorpe Park > Alton Towers > Busch Gardens > Cardiff Away

 

[Jahooli]

We took him to the rides on Hayling Island and he loved it and he loved the rides at the funfair in Worthing last month so we thought it would be good to go to a theme park. He's definitely a daredevil and we think he will love going on the rides either at Legoland, Chessington or Paulton's Park. Also, he loves animals and birds so the zoo parts of the parks would be ideal. It isn't a day for us grown ups as we get our pleasure from his enjoyment of the day out.

Sounds like great fun, I was just giving a word of warning...for instance my lad was frightened to the point of tears at a firework party held at Tarnerland (nursery school) when he was little. He also tried to jump off a Thomas the tank ride at Plumpton, so take some reins they're easier to hang on to than wriggly little toddler's arms.

 

[footychick]

How about Gullivers? Toddler's at Gulliver's!
Though the nearest I think is Milton Keynes.

 

[Playing On The Grit]

How about Gullivers? Toddler's at Gulliver's!
Though the nearest I think is Milton Keynes.

That looks perfect but the drawback is the travelling time. Have you been there, Footychick? I'd never heard of it before.

 

[footychick]

That looks perfect but the drawback is the travelling time. Have you been there, Footychick? I'd never heard of it before.

No, I haven't but a friend has been there. She has a 3 yr old and she said it was great.
I think you can stay there too.

edit: not at that one though

 

[drew]

whatever you do, check out the websites and see exactly what rides you can take him on. Daredevil or not, I would think Chessington rides would be too adventurous and there are quite a few restrictions.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Drusillas - traditional local theme park for local people with little 'uns

 

[DC Rules]

I would go for Paulton's Park. Definitely lot less busy than Chessington etc

 

[dougdeep]

Drusillas - traditional local theme park for local people with little 'uns

Expensive though.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Expensive though.

Yeah, but they got penguins AND llamas

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Not a lot of people know THIS...

The following animals are available for annual adoption –
 Animals marked with an asterisk may not always be on show or on site

£50.00 Adoptions includes three complimentary tickets

Animal species Names – Please choose from the following
Alpacas Clive, Rufus
Beaver – North American Gnasher, Gnawer
Boa Constrictor Clubhead, Solomon
Capybara Benson, Tullula
Coatis Angel, Bebetto, Elsie, Little Girl, Louis, Mandy, Mostin, Red
Crocodile – Dwarf Cuddles, Snapper
Fruit bat Bertie, Biscuit, Fred, Morgan, Old Grey, Rufus, Vincent Van Bat
Gibbons – Lar Pattani, Tali, Ulu
Lemur – Ring Tailed Derek, Lee, Mehki, Ringo, Scar, Stumpy, Timmy, William
Lemur – Ruffed Conner, Kasiji, Morgan, Reece, Tao, Tionie
Lemur – Red Ruffed Bert, Kirindy, Rudy
Llama Diamond, Snickers, Tori
Macaque – Sulawesi Frodo, Gimpy, Gizmo, Murgo
Macaw Pablo, Pedro
Meerkat Adika, Big D, Chitado, Cleo, Macca, Mapoza, Nandi, Simba, Sulley, Thoko, Timon,
Tinker, Tubani, William, Yaya
Mongoose – Dwarf Nala, Zazu
Mongoose – Yellow Hazel, Tufty, Zebedee, Zoe
Monkey – Capuchin Barbara, Barney
Monkey – Diana Frank, Woody
Monkey – Goeldis Erica, Don, JJ, Ralph
Monkey – Saki Ella, Kauwa, Requena, Suri
Monkey – Squirrel Branco, Cabello, Colinas, Ernie, Filipe, Jose, Juli, Little Boy, Luis, Mortez, Paulo,
Quinto, Verde, Tocuyo
Otter – Asian Short Clawed Jambi, Tara
Penguin – Humboldt Anthony, Augustus, Chuff-Chuff, Dave, Fred, Java, Lambrini, Marble, Miracle,
Pebbles, Reef, Sambuka, Skipper, Slate, Sweet-Pea, Tiberius
Penguin – Rockhopper Granite, Slasher
Prairie Dog Annie, Clarabel, Cyril, Gordon, Harold, Henry, James, Percy, Rosie, Thomas
Python – Burmese Basil
Racoon Bandit, Jemima, Turpin, Woody, Zorro
Serval Benson, Kariba
Tamarin – Cotton Topped Georgie, John
Tamarin – Emperor Lucy, Tiny Tim
Tamarin – Red Handed Alice, Harry, Mary-Kate

 Animals marked with an asterisk may not always be on show or on site

£40.00 Adoptions includes two complimentary tickets

Animal species Names – Please choose from the following

Cow – Jersey George, Snowdrop
Conure – Red Fronted Cheech, Chong
Donkey – Miniature  Astrid, Bella, Coco, Drusilla
Flamingo Bob, Maude
Goat – Anglo Nubian Dinky, Dopey, Jack, Molly
Goat – Pygmy  Billy, Little-John, Micah, Mindy, Sandy
Kookaburra Hunter, Lizzie
Mara Angel, Treacle
Marmoset – Common Amy, Mitzy, Reilly
Marmoset – Geoffroys Calli, Cartman
Marmoset – Pygmy Chicco, Kito
Marmoset – Silvery Captain Jack, Jazz, Undi
Owl – Eagle Brandy, Hector
Owl – Snowy Zapper, Zephyr 2
Owl – Great Grey Bonnie, Clyde
Pig – Kune Kune Peppa, Porker, Rusty
Pony – Shetland  Smudge, Treacle
Porcupine Albert, Prickles, Robbie

£30.00 Adoptions includes one complimentary ticket

Animal species Names – Please choose from the following

Agouti Inti
Chinchilla  Toby
Cockatiel Cuthbert
Cockerel Charlie
Cockroach – Madagascan Eric
Degu Long-tail, Short-tail
Duck – Laysan Teal Hugh, Jemimah
Ferret Harrison, Paul, Ringo
Gerbil Kevin
Guinea Fowl James, Matt
Guinea Pig Bacardi, Bounty, Fruity, Lulu, Malibu, Tooty
Iguana William
Lovebird Ricky, Sharpy
Mouse Matilda
Pheasant – Golden Amber, Goldie, Jade
Potoroo Frank, Rufus
Rabbit – Lion Head Annabelle, Blue
Rat Horatio, Lucifer
Tarantula Rosie

 

[empire]

Paultons Park?

Paultons Park family theme park offers a family day out in the New Forest with over 50 attractions and rides included in the price

deffo what he said

 

[matildaseagull]

Legoland very good but very expensive. We use Tesco vouchers (from saving up clubcard points) and buy an annual pass. Aim to get there at least half an hour before it opens.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

Not a lot of people know THIS...

The following animals are available for annual adoption –
 Animals marked with an asterisk may not always be on show or on site

£50.00 Adoptions includes three complimentary tickets
Lemur – Ring Tailed Derek, Lee, Mehki, Ringo, Scar, Stumpy, Timmy, William

You can cross him off the list. Just ask Pasty.

 

[Mrs Coach]

Legoland is the best park for little ones, but I was disappointed with the lack of maintenance of the park when I went there recently. Considering it's the most expensive park in England now (only go there with Tesco's vouchers, discounted days or Sainsburys reward vouchers) they have put little upkeep into it. Peeling paint, broken rides, miniature models so old and out of date - not even the NEW wembley!

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

You can cross him off the list. Just ask Pasty.

What? Has something happened to a ring-tailed lemur?

 

[empire]

tilgate park is a nice day out,esp for the little ones with a nice free farm