[Misc] Paultons Park or Chessington (or Thorpe Park)?

Bozza

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Jul 4, 2003

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• Jun 1, 2016

• #1

Looking to take my 6-year-old for a day out tomorrow. Legoland was the last theme park we took him to, so that's out of consideration for now so I'm mainly considering:

- Paultons. We've never been, and they seem to have only recently opened up a big dinosaur themed area and their website seems to suggest they have far more rides than I would have guessed.
- Chessington. I think the last time I went it was a zoo. I'm quite surprised to see from their website that not only do they still have a zoo but a Sealife Centre too, and all are included with the one admission. And a fair few rides too, obvs.

He's been going on about seeing penguins recently - not entirely sure why, but it seems both of these parks have them which is a bonus.

I guess we'd consider Thorpe Park too, although they don't seem to have penguins.

Any views on which may be better? Anyone been to Paultons since they opened their Lost Kingdom dinosaur area thing a couple of weeks ago?

 

Simster

"the man's an arse"

Jul 7, 2003

54,188

Surrey

• Jun 1, 2016

• #2

Rule out Thorpe Park, it's more geared to teenagers. Paultons for a 6 year old, IMO. It is clean and the queues are not as bad as Chessers - although visit Peppa Pig world first because that does get super busy.

Alternatively, just ask what Bruno would do. The answer is of course that he would go to Paultons.

 

WATFORD zero

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Jul 10, 2003

25,809

• Jun 1, 2016

• #3

For a six year old - Drusillas

 

Titanic

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Jul 5, 2003

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• Jun 1, 2016

• #4

Paulton's Park is definitely more targeted at his age group. Haven't been for years though as our kids are much older now.

Chessington will have quite a few rides that he can't go on. Still plenty to do though - and always vouchers available for 2 for 1 etc... to keep the cost down.

 

Stat Brother

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Jul 11, 2003

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• Jun 1, 2016

• #5

It's a hoot hoot.

At 6 years old Jnr Bozza is smack bang in their age bracket.

 

AmexRuislip

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Feb 2, 2014

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Ruislip

• Jun 1, 2016

• #6

Bozza said:

Looking to take my 6-year-old for a day out tomorrow. Legoland was the last theme park we took him to, so that's out of consideration for now so I'm mainly considering:

- Paultons. We've never been, and they seem to have only recently opened up a big dinosaur themed area and their website seems to suggest they have far more rides than I would have guessed.
- Chessington. I think the last time I went it was a zoo. I'm quite surprised to see from their website that not only do they still have a zoo but a Sealife Centre too, and all are included with the one admission. And a fair few rides too, obvs.

He's been going on about seeing penguins recently - not entirely sure why, but it seems both of these parks have them which is a bonus.

I guess we'd consider Thorpe Park too, although they don't seem to have penguins.

Any views on which may be better? Anyone been to Paultons since they opened their Lost Kingdom dinosaur area thing a couple of weeks ago?

Click to expand...

Bit of a drive I know, but well worth visiting if interested, we took our nephew's there when younger.

http://www.bekonscot.co.uk/
http://www.oddsfarm.co.uk/

 

One Teddy Maybank

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Aug 4, 2006

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• Jun 1, 2016

• #7

As others have said Paulton's for a 6 year old. Thorpe Park definitely for older children, lots of height restrictions on rides.

 

L

LVGull

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May 13, 2016

1,959

• Jun 1, 2016

• #8

Defo Paulton's. I went there in April with my boy. Loads to do he will love it!!

 

Paul Reids Sock

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Nov 3, 2004

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• Jun 1, 2016

• #9

AmexRuislip said:

Bit of a drive I know, but well worth visiting if interested, we took our nephew's there when younger.

http://www.bekonscot.co.uk/
http://www.oddsfarm.co.uk/

Click to expand...

The wife took mini sock to Odds Farm and he absolutely loved it - been back two or three times now!

 

Paul Reids Sock

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Nov 3, 2004

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• Jun 1, 2016

• #10

Head down to Cornwall and go to Flambards if it still exists - we used to go on holiday down there as kids and would always go there for the pure tack factor and a laugh. then they got this amazing ride and it ruined the fun as it was actually good

I've just checked their website and it does now look genuinely good!

 

skipper734

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Aug 9, 2008

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Curdridge

• Jun 1, 2016

• #11

Paultons is great for kids up to about 10. There's loads for them to do which isn't as terrifying as the bigger parks. Try and find a dry day though.

 

Bozza

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Jul 4, 2003

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• Jun 1, 2016

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• #12

Paul Reids Sock said:

Head down to Cornwall and go to Flambards if it still exists - we used to go on holiday down there as kids and would always go there for the pure tack factor and a laugh. then they got this amazing ride and it ruined the fun as it was actually good

I've just checked their website and it does now look genuinely good!

Click to expand...

We went to that when staying in a cottage down that way a few years ago. A bit far for a day trip I fear.

Looks like Paultons is the winner.

 

F

fleet

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Jul 28, 2003

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• Jun 1, 2016

• #13

Paultons for that age

 

R

ROSM

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Dec 26, 2005

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Just far enough away from LDC

• Jun 1, 2016

• #14

Definitely Paultons.

I my experience it's legoland (which you've already done) Paultons and then Chessington in that order but I do have 3 kids between 9 and 3 to cater for. For a 6 year old the Paultons wins and reports of the new dinosaur area from friends who've been is that it's really well done

 

Stumpy Tim

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Jul 6, 2003

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Back in Brighton. Well Hove actually

• Jun 1, 2016

• #15

Chessington is really tired and shabby. Another vote for Paulton's here

 

Easy 10

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Jul 5, 2003

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• Jun 1, 2016

• #16

Yup, can't really go wrong with Paultons for that agegroup. Its pretty reasonable pricewise, the queues aren't mental, and its a piece of piss to get to, just a couple of minutes off J2 of the M27. Not been there for a few years mind, but we went 2 or 3 times when the kids were U10.

 

Curious Orange

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Jul 5, 2003

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On NSC for over two decades...

• Jun 1, 2016

• #17

Ah, but Chessington DO have penguins (and a new enclosure for them to-boot). Taking my kids there next week

(mainly for the penguins)

 

Bansko Seagull

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May 6, 2009

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Worthing, West Sussex

• Jun 1, 2016

• #18

Loads to do at Paultons Park and 6 is the perfect age. Agree that Drusillas is good to.

 

Goldstone1976

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Apr 30, 2013

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• Jun 1, 2016

• #19

Cheapskate. Disney is perfect for 6. Take him to Paris. Or Florida. Or California. *nods*


Paulton's.

 

Bozza

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Jul 4, 2003

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• Jun 1, 2016

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• #20

Goldstone1976 said:

Cheapskate. Disney is perfect for 6. Take him to Paris. Or Florida. Or California. *nods*

Paulton's.

Click to expand...

He'll be having 16 nights in Disney World about 10 weeks from now. He's already a veteran of 4 Disney World visits, 2 Disney cruises and 2 Christmas visits to Disneyland Paris.

As such I was previously concerned he'd feel a bit underwhelmed with UK parks, but he loved Legoland. Tickets for Paultons for tomorrow already booked!