Filed under: Theme Parks
Posted by Kirstie
From Alton Towers to Thorpe Park, many of the Theme Parks across the UK are re-opening over the next few weeks. With Easter only a few weeks away, now is a great time to get planning an Attraction Break for you and your friends or family, so to provide you with some inspiration here’s my choice of my Top 5 favourite roller coasters!
1. Rita at Alton Towers
Launched in 2005 and given a spooky makeover in 2010, Rita, formerly known as The Queen of Speed, is one of the fastest rides at Alton Towers theme park in Staffordshire. I queued for over an hour to have a go on this ride during the first year that it opened but it was completely worth it. After a long and exciting wait I was lucky enough to get seats at the very front, and when the ride started it honestly felt like being shot out of a gun! When you give this ride a go make sure you hold onto your eyeballs as you’re catapulted from 0-100km/ph in 2.5 seconds!
2. The Big One sponsored by Pepsi Max at Blackpool Pleasure Beach
The Big One sponsored by Pepsi Max is Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s scariest ride and holds the crown as the UK’s tallest and fastest roller coaster! Feel the adrenaline rush as you climb to a nail biting height of 235ft and enjoy the views over Blackpool bay before taking a terrifying drop towards the sea! I sat next to my Dad the first time I went on this ride, and as a man of few words it was hilarious to hear the ear-piercing shrieks that came out of his mouth! This is definitely not one to be missed for anyone paying Blackpool Pleasure Beach a visit.
3. Stormforce 10 at Drayton Manor
Any theme park trip in the summer is not complete without a ride that leaves you drenched. The worst culprit and the most thrilling I’ve experienced is Stormforce 10 at Drayton Manor theme park near Tamworth. The ride is the UK’s first reverse chute water coaster with a 180 degree platform that sends boats backwards down a 9m drop! I got well and truly soaked when I went on this a few years back so I’d recommend planning this as your last ride of the day if you don’t want to spend the rest of your theme park trip walking around in soggy pants.
4. Colossus at Thorpe Park
Opened in 2002, Colossus is one of the biggest rides at Thorpe Park theme park in Surrey, and offers thrill seekers an adrenaline fuelled ride through a record breaking ten vertical loops as you hurtle towards the UK’s only quadruple corkscrew! With mind blowing twists and turns this ride is a real stomach-lurcher, so I’d save your packed lunch for afterwards!
5. Vampire at Chessington World of Adventures
One of the first ever roller coaster rides that I went on was Vampire at Chessington World of Adventures in South West London. Set in the Transylvania zone of the park, the ride has one of the lowest height restrictions for roller coasters in Europe. At only 1.1m Vampire is the perfect ride for youngsters to try their first roller coaster experience so they don’t miss out during your family break.
Will you be visiting any theme parks this summer? What are your favourite roller coaster rides?
March 16, 2012
Posted by Becky
This year Disneyland Paris celebrates its 20th Anniversary making the themepark an ideal destination for a short break in 2012. Since it first opened on the 12th April 1992 as the short lived EuroDisney, Disneyland Paris has seen millions of visitors pass through its gates every year. To commemorate its twenty years of Disney magic Disneyland Paris has organised huge celebrations throughout the park starting from the first April.
Those booking Disneyland Paris breaks in 2012 will experience a whole host of fantastic events and activities. From the superb new Disney Dreams! show projected directly across Sleeping Beauty Castle featuring a spectacular array of visual effects, water fountains and a new story following Peter Pans shadow on a fantastic adventure, to meeting Mickey Mouse himself there is plenty for the whole family to enjoy. Join Mickey in his backstage dressing room and explore the iconic character’s wardrobe, props and even pose for a photo.
The renowned Once Upon A Dream daytime parade is also being adapted for the 20th Anniversary with a new night-time Disney Magic On Parade featuring an array of well loved Disney characters.
During the 20th Anniversary celebrations Disneyland Paris will extend its opening hours so you can enjoy the park for even longer. Plus with a great selection of Paris hotels within easy reach of Disneyland Paris there is no reason not to stay and experience the full effects of the anniversary events.
Who is your favourite Disney Character? Will you be visiting for the 20th Anniversary celebrations?
March 15, 2012
Superbreak are always on the lookout for guest bloggers who would love to share their passion for short breaks with our readers, so we reached out to Sarah and asked her to let us know all about her recent theatre break to Singin’ in the Rain.
I must be one of the few people who have never seen The MGM film of Singin’ in The Rain! So, without knowing anything about the plot or storyline I took to my seat in the glorious Palace Theatre! I have never had a bad seat with Superbreak and this was no exception, it was one of the most comfortable theatre seats I have ever sat in!
Singin’ in The Rain is a lavish and colourful production! Although I did find it a little slow to start with it soon became very entertaining. The entire cast were exceptional, so often the chorus (now called ensemble) are given little credit but in this show everyone has a chance to shine. Special mention must go to Scarlett Strallen who has a beautiful voice with a smile to match (the family resemblance to Bonnie Langford can clearly be seen!). Adam Cooper as Don Lockwood is very charming!
There was a great deal of humour in this show and most of the laughs were as a result of Katherine Kingsley (Lina Lamont) who plays the role with absolute perfection! I was also impressed with Daniel Crossley (Cosmo Brown) who has marvellous comedic timing.
The children who play the young Don and Cosmo are wonderfully cast as they actually look like both of them in miniature!
The scenes with the rain are quite simply spectacular! The cast seem to thoroughly enjoy kicking the water into the audience to give anyone in about the first 6 rows a soaking! It was great fun, visually stunning and caused much hilarity in the audience!
Singin’ in The Rain is a thoroughly enjoyable family show and would be enjoyed by all!
March 7, 2012
With Christmas and New Year now a distant memory the February half term is fast creeping up. Whether planning a short break away with the family, a special treat to visit one of the UK’s attractions or sightseeing tours or a theatre break to London there is plenty to discover this half term.
For lovers of the sea and marine life Sealife centres across the UK are offering Kids go Free with every paying adult. From the seaside towns of Scarborough, Brighton and Blackpool to the outstanding National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham there are plenty of destinations to choose from.
If you are after the thrill of the theme park then Alton Towers will be open between 11th-19th February with a selection of rides on offer including the big rides Oblivion and Nemesis alongside the Peugeot Driving School, Marauder’s Mayhem and the Runaway Mine Train. Not all rides are available during this time.
Why not explore the wonders of Warwick Castle and learn about life in medieval times with hands on activities and exhibitions or discover the stunning Royal Palaces of London. If you are planning a break to London then be sure to take in a show in the West End with a great range of shows on offer there’s bound to be a theatre break to suit you and your family from the acclaimed Matilda, to the highly popular Lion King or the magic of Shrek brought to life on the stage.
What will you be getting up to this half term?
January 17, 2012
Haunted Houses have long attracted visitors wanting to explore the paranormal and everything that goes bump in the night and many of our hotels also feature a local ghoul or two. Hotels with a dark past are quickly proving to be a short break in their own right, with many people wanting to delve deep into the history of many old hotels.
Ballygally Castle is a 17thcentury building in Northern Ireland and is surrounded by beautiful views of the sea, but this incredible hotel has a haunted past! The hotel is thought to be occupied by several ghosts including the famous resident, Lady Isobel Shaw. She is thought to be most recognisable from the smell of vanilla and according to reports she was thought to be held in a top corner turret of the castle against her will by her husband. Many guests of Ballygally Castle have reported hearing knocking at their door during the night or the musty smell of vanilla in the bedrooms.
If you don’t fancy heading to Northern Ireland to discover a haunted hotel, then you will be pleased to know that many English hotels have their own ghosts. The Brownsover Hall in Rugby is a stunning gothic mansion and has attracted visitors for many years with tales of haunted corridors and unexplained goings on! A member of the Boughton-Leigh family who lost his hand at the time of Queen Elizabeth I is said to haunt the grounds and people have reported hearing groans and voices from the empty tower.
Darlington based Blackwell Grange Hotel also has a dark past and is thought to be home to many ghosts, the most famous being the Tartan Lady. After plundering a Highland town the Duke of Cumberland is believed to have stolen her portrait and brought it to Blackwell back in 1746, the picture was lost in a fire but many insist that the Tartan Lady’s spirit roams the grounds seeking revenge for the slaughter of her husband.
These are just three of our favourite haunted hotels but there are many more out there if you are brave enough to spend the night. Have you ever experienced the paranormal on a weekend break?
January 12, 2012
As we get ready to welcome in 2012 may of us are working out what we can change in the New Year, whether it’s the old cliché of going to the gym, giving up a vice or simply seeing more of your family everyone likes to clean the slate and start New Year afresh.
2012 promises to be an exciting year from the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee to the 2012 Olympic Games there is plenty going on. Why not make your 2012 one to remember with some of Superbreak’s top resolutions.
Travel More
From exploring the British Isles to taking the trip of a lifetime the world is full of new places to discover. See the fantastic cities of Europe on a Eurostar break, climb to the top of the Empire State Building in New York, tour the Sydney Opera House or simply relax on the beautiful beaches of the Canary Islands. If you don’t want to travel far then there are plenty of cities and towns to explore throughout the UK, from the picturesque scenes of the Cotswolds to the bustling streets of Birmingham or Manchester and the stunning coastlines of Cornwall and Devon.
See a West End Musical
There’s nothing quiet like seeing a top musical in the heart of the West End, whether after drama, comedy or family entertainment there is a theatre break to suit you. New for 2012 London welcomes Sweeny Todd with Michael Ball and Singin’ in the Rain, while many of the top shows are now touring across the county you can see Sister Act in Cardiff, Phantom of the Opera in Manchester and Dirty Dancing in Birmingham. For serious drama there is a fantastic array of Shakespeare plays and adaptations as part of the World Shakespeare festival.
Go on Safari
A great suggestion for all animal lovers but if you can’t afford a trip to Africa then why not head to one of the UK’s wildlife parks. Paradise Wildlife Park in Hertfordshire is home to a huge selection of animals from big cats to monkeys, penguins, reptiles and more. The park even offers special experiences where you can get up close and personal with the animals and Feed the big Cats or have Tea with the Tigers.
Have Fun
Across the world there are a superb range of attractions and themeparks to suit all tastes, from historic castles, stately homes and gardens and world class museums to adrenalin fuelled rides, aquariums and sightseeing tours there is something for everyone to enjoy. This year get out and about and explore what’s all around you.
What New Years resolutions will you be making?
December 30, 2011
Many theme parks are now closed for the winter but there are some that are open for limited rides and events throughout the festive season for those on attraction breaks to enjoy.
Chessington World of Adventure offers a zoo only ticket which allows you to discover an array of amazing animals across the zoo and Sealife centre, from the mighty lions and tigers to gorillas, sharks and more there is plenty to discover. Plus throughout December you can enjoy the parks Festive Zoo Days with Reindeer, Christmas Elves and Father Christmas all putting in an appearance, Chessington’s Festive Zoo days are available the 10th – 11th Dec & 17th Dec – 2nd Jan.
At Drayton Manor there is a magical Christmas, see the reindeers in the zoo or explore behind the scenes at Santa’s workshop, where boys and girls under nine will receive a free present. Celebrate Christmas with Thomas the tank Engine in Thomas Land, from November 26th 2011- Monday January 2nd 2012 limited rides will be open including the 19 rides in Thomas Land, the Ben 10 ultimate Mission rollercoaster alongside a 4D Cinema, Carousel, Jolly Buccaneer and Big Wheel.
At Alton Towers there is an array of activities available at the special Santa’s Sleepover events and the Alton Towers Festive breaks. Discover the wonder of Santa’s grotto on a sleepover break, where you can see the reindeer before their big flight, enjoy the sharks at Sharkbait reef or simply relax and enjoy the entertainment. For the Festive breaks a number of rides are open from Old MacDonald’s Farmyard and Mutiny Bay, as well as the wacky Waterpark.Сайт знакомств
What will you be doing this winter? Will you be visiting any of the UK’s theme parks?
November 19, 2011
With the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter opening from March 2012 we decide to have a look at where else in the UK you can enjoy a Harry Potter themed short break.
Since the publication of the first Harry Potter book in 1997 the series has become a global phenomenon with over 400 million book sold worldwide. The film rights were bought by Warner Bros and over the course of ten years the Harry Potter franchise has become one of the biggest UK exports. For fans of the films there are plenty of destinations throughout the UK where you can let your imagination run riot and re-enact scenes from your favourite Harry Potter film.
Head to the North East of England and enjoy a stay in one of the fabulous Durham hotels. Durham Cathedral was used as part of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, this gothic Cathedral perfectly lends itself to the magical world of Harry Potter. Further north you’ll find the striking Alnwick Castle, the Grade I listed building was used as Hogwarts exterior and interior throughout the films.
If you are planning a Yorkshire break then a visit to Goathland train station is a must, this small station provided the setting for the Hogsmeade station where the Hogwarts Express stops. Also in Yorkshire you will find the limestone pavements of Malham cove, where Harry and Hermione camp in the first instalment of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The limestone is naturally formed and has existed for centuries, an ideal spot for a day out or a picnic Malham is just a short drive from Skipton.
Will you be going to the new Harry Potter tour? Which is your favourite film?
October 14, 2011
It’s fair to say summer has come to an end and if you weren’t lucky enough to jet off for a week or two in the glorious sunshine then recharge your batteries with a short break in the UK. Whether you want to relax, get outdoors or just spend a few days away from everyday life, we have it covered.
Best for Relaxing
There is no better way to relax than a few days away from it all in glorious countryside, with incredible food and a beautiful hotel and with a spa break you get all that and much more! Choose from one or two nights’ accommodation in some of the most sought after locations and enjoy full use of leisure facilities, spa treatments and a relaxing break away.
Best for Golfers
With miles of green grass and stunning scenery a golfing break is the perfect way to spend a couple of days, with many hotels and courses to choose from players of all abilities will be spoilt for choice! Guaranteed tee times, championship courses and many hotels offering dinner, bed & breakfast make for an ideal getaway for golfing lovers.
Best for Adrenaline Junkies
Theme parks across the UK will soon be getting ready to shut their gates for the end of another busy season, but there is still time to make the most of your favourite rides. With hotels surrounding each park and many parks offering 2 day entrance passes it’s the perfect opportunity to make the most of the quieter autumn time.
Where will you be heading on your next short break?
September 2, 2011
In just over a week the children will be heading back to school and it marks the end of the summer holidays. This year we haven’t exactly had a summer to shout about but it’s almost autumn, which means we are one step closer to Halloween, Bonfire Night and Christmas!
Halloween is one of the most exciting times of the year and it’s most definitely not just for the kids anymore. If you don’t fancy dressing up and making your house look like the inside of a witches layer then look no further than our choice of spooky breaks that will have you running for the door.
If you are feeling brave why not check out our Paranormal Activity breaks? Based in the Best Western Premier Queen Hotel Chester you will have the opportunity to enjoy a guided tour of the hotel and visit the spots of reported ghost sightings. After a spot of ghost hunting you can enjoy a sumptuous meal before heading off for a guided ghost tour of haunted Chester. But that’s not all, when you return to the hotel you will have an in depth psychic gathering with world famous medium, Eleanor Dayton.
If chasing ghosts isn’t your thing how about heading to one of the many attractions which offer Halloween themed fun for the whole family. From the 15 – 31 October Alton Towers transforms itself for the incredible Scarefest, the park remains open as night draws in allowing you to try your favourite rides in the dark! Or, if you are looking for some frights while you are out and about why not check out our Dungeons Breaks, available in York, Blackpool, London or Edinburgh!
Any of these breaks will have you jumping out of your skin, how will you be spending Halloween?
August 25, 2011
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