ROLLERCOASTER Ruby

Welcome to Rollercoaster Ruby! 🎢

Hey! Welcome to Rollercoaster Ruby — your go-to website for everything rollercoasters! ♥

If you're obsessed with rollercoasters like me, you'll know the feeling of stepping off a ride and immediately wanting to know how many times you've been on it this season. Well, now you can! This website lets you keep track of every single time you've ridden your favourite attractions across the UK's most thrilling theme parks — from the towering coasters of Alton Towers and Thorpe Park, to the family thrills of Chessington World of Adventures, the brick-built fun of LEGOLAND Windsor, the iconic seaside thrills of Blackpool Pleasure Beach, and the Norse-themed adventures of Drayton Manor.

Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned theme park veteran aiming to break your personal record on The Smiler, this is the place to track your thrills. ♥♥♥

If you want any rides adding to the tracker, please and we'll take your request into account! ♥

Happy riding, Ruby! 🎉

🎢 Ride Counter

Tap + every time you ride!

Total rides across all parks: 0

📋 Ride Facts

Pick a park, then click a ride to reveal its secrets!

📝 Blog

Theme park stories, tips, and adventures from Ruby 🎢

💳 Annual Passes
Rollercoaster Ruby

When Should You Buy a Merlin Annual Pass?

Buying a Merlin Annual Pass mid-season might seem tempting, but it's often not the best value for theme park fans. You're paying full price for a pass that only lasts 12 months from purchase, meaning you miss out on the quieter spring months and early-season openings when parks are less crowded and more enjoyable. By the time you buy, you're heading into peak periods with longer queues, and you may not have enough time left in the year to visit often enough to justify the cost.

⭐ For the best value, it usually makes more sense to buy at the start of the season so you can spread out visits, enjoy better ride availability, and really get your money's worth.

If your wanting to visit a specific park buy a pass just for that park and you will have easily made your money back in a few visits.

At the end of the season parks usally sell of merlin passes for an extremely cheap price and is worth visiting just to buy one then. At the start of the season, passes usally have £50 off which is a great saving if your buying for a family so wait for this or black friday too purchase your passes.

During summer, parks like alton towers offer a 3 month pass for around £60 which makes your money back in two trips and its a perfect alternative than spending all that money on a merlin pass which cant be used at theme parks for months over the winter.

Dont get me wrong my platinum merlin pass is amazing with all its perks but not worth purchasing mid season if your not bothered on any non theme park attractions during closed season. If your looking to go to London and do some of the main attractions like the london eye, Madame Tussauds, sealife and shrek these passes are great value if wanting to visit the major theme parks around the uk too.

Merlin Pass Annual Pass Money Saving
💡 Tips & Advice
Rollercoaster Ruby

Is Fast Pass Actually Worth It?

Fast Pass can be a real game-changer — but whether it's worth it depends on when you visit and how much you value your time. On busy days like weekends, school holidays, or summer, queue times can easily hit 60–120 minutes, so skipping the line can mean riding way more in a single day. If you're only visiting once or want to make the most of a short trip, it's often worth the extra cost. But on quieter weekdays, you might find queues are short enough that you don't need it at all.

💡 Top tip: check the crowd calendar on the Queue Times website to see how busy it will be before you decide — that way you'll know in advance whether Fast Pass is worth it on your visit.

If it's going to be your only time visiting the park this year, I'd recommend going for the highest Fast Track option you can afford. You can burn through the cheaper one fast and be done by lunch when the queues are at peak highness for a few hours.

Which means the £60 per person you've just spent to skip 5 queues will be gone less than halfway through the day so its a complete waste of money. If you need to chose the cheaper options use it mid day to skip the mid day rush when park is at its highest capacity.

Fast Pass Queue Tips Money Saving

🩵 About Me

The person behind the rides 🎢

Hi, I'm Ruby! 🎢

I'm a teenager and I have been absolutely obsessed with rollercoasters and theme parks for as long as I can remember — honestly, it started when I was little and I've never looked back. What began as a love of the rides has grown into a full-on passion for everything theme parks have to offer: the theming, the history, the engineering, and of course the pure adrenaline rush of a great coaster. ♥

I'm lucky enough to hold a Platinum Merlin Annual Pass, which means I get unlimited visits to Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures, LEGOLAND Windsor, and all the other Merlin parks throughout the year. It's honestly one of the best things I own — there's nothing better than being able to just decide on a whim to spend the day riding coasters!

My favourite ride in the UK is SAW — The Ride at Thorpe Park. There's something about that beyond-vertical drop and the intense horror theming that gets me every single time. The indoor section especially — the darkness, the audio, the theming — it never gets old no matter how many times I ride it.

Internationally, my all-time favourite coaster is VelociCoaster at Universal Orlando in Florida. If you've never been on it, it is genuinely on another level — the launches, the top hat inversion, the lagoon fly-through... it is honestly the most perfect rollercoaster I have ever ridden. The Jurassic World theming makes it feel like a complete experience from the moment you join the queue to the moment you step off. ♥

I built this website to keep track of every ride I go on across all my favourite UK parks. I wanted somewhere to log my counts, read up on the rides, and share my love of theme parks with anyone who stumbles across it. If you're a fellow coaster fan — welcome, you're in the right place!

If you think any rides are missing from the tracker, there's a contact option on the home page — I'd love to hear your suggestions and I'll do my best to add them. ♥

Keep riding, keep counting! — Ruby 🎉

My Favourites ♥

🇬🇧
Favourite UK Ride
SAW — The Ride
Thorpe Park
🌍
Favourite International Ride
VelociCoaster
Universal Orlando, Florida
🎫
Annual Pass
Platinum Merlin Pass
Unlimited Merlin parks

💡 Tips & Tricks

Make the most of every park visit! 🎢

⏰
Arrive Before Opening
Get there at least 30 minutes before the gates open. The first hour is the quietest of the entire day — queues on the big rides are at their shortest and you can get a lot done before the park fills up.
🗺️
Hit The Smiler or Wicker Man First
The Smiler and Wicker Man build the longest queues as the day goes on — they are the busiest rides in the park by mid-morning. Head to one of these as soon as you're through the gate to get on while the queue is still manageable.
🚶
Work Around the Park Methodically
Alton Towers is a huge site and there is no monorail or sky ride currently open, so you are doing all the walking on foot. Plan your route to work around the park in a loop rather than criss-crossing back and forth — your legs will thank you by the end of the day!
🌧️
Rainy Days Are Your Friend
Alton Towers is far quieter on overcast or drizzly days. Most rides operate in light rain and queues can be a fraction of what they are on sunny weekends. Some of the best visits happen when the weather looks iffy!
📅
Avoid School Holidays
Summer Saturdays and bank holidays can see 2–3 hour queues on the big rides. Midweek visits in term time are dramatically quieter — if you have a Merlin pass, a Tuesday in September is a completely different experience.
🎃
Scarefest & Fireworks Are Worth It
Alton Towers' Scarefest in October and Fireworks Night in November are incredible events. Book tickets in advance as they sell out quickly — the park looks magical at night and the scare mazes are brilliantly done.
🍕
Bring Your Own Food
Park food is expensive. You're allowed to bring a packed lunch and there are plenty of picnic areas. Save money on food and spend it on an extra visit instead!
🌙
Ride at Night During Events
During Scarefest and Fireworks events, many rides stay open after dark. Nemesis Reborn at night is an entirely different experience — the lighting and atmosphere make it feel even more intense.
🚀
Do Stealth First
Stealth is a short ride with a high throughput but it draws an enormous crowd. Head there the moment the park opens — getting on within the first 20 minutes can mean a 5-minute queue vs a 90-minute one later.
🎯
Hyperia Mid-Morning
As Thorpe Park's newest headline coaster, Hyperia draws huge queues all day. Aim for mid-morning once the initial rush has eased slightly — or use the Fastrack if you really want to beat the wait.
🧟
Walking Dead — Afternoon is Best
The Walking Dead ride's dark theming is more atmospheric in the afternoon when your eyes have adjusted from the bright outdoors. The contrast between sunlight and complete darkness inside hits harder later in the day.
💦
Avoid SAW Before a Water Ride
Ride SAW before Tidal Wave or any water rides — not after! Getting soaked then queueing in wet clothes is miserable. Plan your route so water rides come at the end of the day.
🎃
Fright Nights Are Legendary
Thorpe Park's Fright Nights in October is one of the best Halloween events in the UK. The scare zones transform the whole park and many rides get special horror overlays. Book early as popular dates sell out fast.
🚌
Getting There Without a Car
Thorpe Park has a direct shuttle bus service from Staines train station. If you're coming by train it's the easiest option — much less stressful than driving and parking.
👟
Wear Trainers, Not Sandals
Thorpe Park involves a lot of walking across uneven ground, particularly around the island paths. Comfortable trainers make a huge difference by the end of a long day.
📱
Use the App for Queue Times
The Thorpe Park app shows live queue times across the park. Use it to spot when a big ride suddenly drops to a short queue — often after a brief closure or just before closing time.
🐒
Mandrill Mayhem First
As Chessington's newest and most popular coaster, Mandrill Mayhem builds the longest queues fastest. Head there as soon as the park opens to catch it at its shortest wait.
🧛
Vampire in the Evening
Vampire's wooded setting looks incredible as the light fades. If you're visiting on a late-opening day, save a ride on Vampire for the evening — swooping through dark trees is even better at dusk.
🐯
Bring a Change of Clothes for Tiger Rock
Tiger Rock will soak you — don't underestimate it. A spare set of clothes or a dry bag for valuables is essential if you plan to go on it, especially earlier in the day when you've got hours of visiting left.
🦁
Factor in the Zoo
Chessington is also a zoo — factor in time to see the animals! Many visitors forget this and spend all day queuing for rides. The animal areas are brilliant and much quieter than the ride queues.
🌞
Visit on a Weekday
Chessington is extremely popular with families during school holidays and weekends. Midweek visits in term time are significantly quieter — queue times on the major rides can drop from over an hour to under 20 minutes.
🎟️
Book Online in Advance
Chessington requires pre-booked time slots even for annual pass holders on busy days. Always check availability and book your slot before travelling to avoid disappointment at the gate.
🐲
The Dragon — Go Early or Late
The Dragon is LEGOLAND's most popular ride and queues build quickly. Hit it first thing in the morning or in the final hour before closing when many families have left early.
🏎️
Minifigure Speedway — Pick Your Lane
The two lanes on Minifigure Speedway are identical, but the left lane often has a slightly shorter queue. Small difference, but every minute counts on a busy day!
🧒
MINILAND is Free of Queues
MINILAND — the incredible LEGO model area showing cities and landmarks — has no queue at all. It's a brilliant place to take a break from queueing while still experiencing something amazing.
💦
Hydra's Challenge — Get Involved!
Don't just sit passively on Hydra's Challenge — use the water cannons aggressively! The boats that don't use their cannons end up the wettest because they don't defend themselves. Attack is the best form of defence.
🥷
NINJAGO — Use Both Hands
On NINJAGO The Ride, using both hands simultaneously to target different enemies scores significantly more points than one hand at a time. Aim for the glowing targets on the walls rather than the large central screens.
🎁
The LEGO Shop — Visit Last
Save the LEGO shop for the very end of your visit. You don't want to be carrying bags of LEGO around all day! Plus, treating yourself to something on the way out is the perfect end to a great day.
🎢
The Big One — Front Row is Everything
Request the front row on The Big One if you can — the views over Blackpool, the sea, and the resort from the top of that first drop are genuinely breathtaking. You can see for miles on a clear day.
🎯
Icon — Back Row for Airtime
The back row of Icon delivers incredible ejector airtime over the hills. The front row gives the best view of the launches coming, but the back row is where enthusiasts always head for the strongest sensations.
🏁
Grand National — Race Seriously
On Grand National, lean into your car and shift your weight forward over the hills — riders swear it helps your train win the race! Whether it works or not, the competitive element makes it one of the most fun rides at the park.
🌊
Visit in the Shoulder Season
September and early October are ideal for Blackpool — the weather is often still decent, the summer crowds have thinned, and the illuminations are on in the evenings. A walk along the prom after a day at the park is a classic!
🎠
Explore the Classic Rides
Blackpool Pleasure Beach has heritage rides dating back over a century. Don't just rush to the big coasters — the Ghost Train, the Pleasure Beach Express, and the dodgems are all part of the authentic Blackpool experience.
💜
Infusion — Sit Over the Water
Infusion is built over the park's lake, and the over-water sections feel incredibly exposed. Sit on the outside seat of your row to get the full effect of swooping over the lake on the lower sections of the ride.
🎟️
Wristband vs Pay-Per-Ride
Blackpool Pleasure Beach offers both wristbands for unlimited rides and a pay-per-ride token system. If you're planning to go on 8 or more rides, the wristband almost always works out better value.
🌪️
Maelstrom — Brace Yourself
Maelstrom is an Intamin Gyro Swing and it is more intense than it looks from the ground. Watch it for a full cycle before you ride to understand what you're in for — the combination of height and spinning catches a lot of people off guard.
🏄
Storm Force 10 — Sit at the Back
The back of the log on Storm Force 10 gets the biggest splash on the main drop. If you want to get absolutely drenched, that's your seat. If you want to stay relatively dry, sit near the front.
👨‍👩‍👧
Thomas Land is Brilliant for Little Ones
Drayton Manor is home to Thomas Land — one of the best children's themed areas in any UK park. If you're visiting with young children, allocate a good chunk of the day there as they'll absolutely love it.
⚡
Maelstrom, Thor & Loki Back to Back
The three Norse-themed rides — Maelstrom, Thor, and Loki — are located close together. Plan to do all three in one go as they're in the same area, saving you a lot of walking back and forth.
📅
Drayton Manor is Best Midweek
Drayton Manor is a smaller park than Alton Towers or Thorpe Park, so it fills up quickly on weekends. A midweek visit means you can often do everything you want to without excessive queuing.
🌊
Check Ride Height Requirements
Drayton Manor has a wide range of rides with varying height restrictions. If you're visiting with younger members of the group, check the requirements on the website before you go so nobody is disappointed on the day.
🥪
The Lake Area is Great for a Break
Drayton Manor has a beautiful lake in the centre of the park. The area around it is a perfect spot for a sit-down and a snack — it's much quieter than the busy ride areas and gives you a lovely view of the park.

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✈️ Travel

Getting there, where to stay, and what to pack! 🎒

🚗
By Car
Alton Towers is located near Alton in Staffordshire. The nearest motorway is the M6 — exit at junction 15 and follow the brown tourist signs. The journey from Birmingham is around 45 minutes, from Manchester around 1 hour 15 minutes.
🚌
By Bus
A direct coach service runs from various UK cities directly to Alton Towers during the season. National Express and other operators offer services — check their websites for routes and booking. There is also a local bus service from Alton train station to the park.
🚂
By Train
The nearest train station is Uttoxeter (about 8 miles away). From there you can get a taxi to the park. Stoke-on-Trent station is also a reasonable option with taxi or connecting bus services available.
🏨
On-Site Hotels
Alton Towers has several on-site themed hotels including the iconic Alton Towers Hotel, the Splash Landings Hotel, and various themed lodges and glamping options. Early ride access is available during summer only. Hotel guests also benefit from a private entrance located next to Galactica — saving around a 15 minute walk from the main entrance, which is a brilliant bonus especially on busy days.
🏡
Nearby Accommodation
The nearby towns of Uttoxeter, Cheadle, and Ashbourne have a range of hotels, B&Bs, and self-catering options at lower prices than the on-site hotels. Uttoxeter is the most convenient, being around 8 miles from the park with good road links.
⭐
Top Tip: Stargazing Pods for Budget Stays
If you want the on-site experience without the full hotel price, the Stargazing Pods are a brilliant budget option. They're cheaper than the main hotels, include breakfast (a sausage, bacon or veggie sandwich), and come with the Galactica private entrance benefit — saving you that 15-minute walk from the main gate. Often better value than staying somewhere off-site nearby!
🚗
By Car
Thorpe Park is located near Chertsey in Surrey, just off the M25 at junction 11. It is well-signposted from the motorway. From London it is around 30-40 minutes depending on traffic, and from the M25 itself just a few minutes.
🚂
By Train
The nearest train station is Staines, which is on the South Western Railway line from London Waterloo. From Staines station, a direct shuttle bus service runs to Thorpe Park during opening hours — check the Thorpe Park website for timetables.
🚌
By Bus
The 950 shuttle bus runs directly from Staines bus station to the park entrance. National Express also runs seasonal coach services from various locations. The bus is a stress-free alternative to driving on busy days.
🏨
On-Site Hotel
The Thorpe Shark Hotel is located adjacent to the park and offers themed rooms for guests. Hotel guests receive one hour of Fastrack in the morning — letting you skip the queues on the most popular rides before the park fills up. A brilliant perk that makes a real difference on busy days.
🏡
Nearby Accommodation
Chertsey, Windsor, and Staines all have a wide range of hotels within 10-15 minutes of the park. Windsor is a particularly popular base — it's close to both Thorpe Park and LEGOLAND, making it ideal for a multi-park trip.
⭐
Top Tip: Avoid the M25 on Saturdays
The M25 around junction 11 can be extremely congested on Saturday mornings during peak season. Arriving early — or using the train and shuttle bus — will save you significant stress and ensure you get into the park at opening time.
🚗
By Car
Chessington is located in the London Borough of Kingston upon Thames in Surrey. From the M25, exit at junction 9 and follow the A243 north. From central London it is around 45 minutes, though traffic on the A3 and surrounding roads can add significant time at weekends.
🚂
By Train
Chessington South station is just a short walk from the park entrance — one of the easiest theme park train connections in the UK. Direct trains run from London Waterloo, taking around 40 minutes. A brilliant option that completely avoids parking and traffic.
🏨
On-Site Hotels
Chessington has two on-site themed hotels — the Azteca Hotel and the Explorer Hotel — both offering themed rooms and early ride access. The jungle and explorer themes are brilliantly done, and Chessington is widely regarded as having one of the best theme park breakfasts in the UK — a brilliant way to start the day before heading into the park.
🏡
Nearby Accommodation
Kingston upon Thames has a wide range of hotels and the town centre is vibrant and well-connected. Epsom, Leatherhead, and Surbiton are also convenient bases. Being in outer London, there are many more accommodation options here than at the more rural parks.
⭐
Top Tip: Train is the Best Option
The Chessington South train connection is so convenient that the train genuinely beats driving in most cases. No parking costs, no traffic stress, and a 5-minute walk from the platform to the park gate. Highly recommended if you're coming from London.
🚗
By Car
LEGOLAND Windsor is located just outside Windsor in Berkshire, close to the M4 motorway. Exit the M4 at junction 6 and follow the brown tourist signs. The park is also accessible from the M3 and M25. From London it is around 45-60 minutes.
🚂
By Train
Windsor & Eton Central station and Windsor & Eton Riverside station are both served from London (Paddington and Waterloo respectively). From Windsor town centre, a shuttle bus service runs to the park during opening hours.
🚌
By Bus
A shuttle bus operates between Windsor town centre and the park entrance. National Express also offers seasonal coach services. Windsor is a popular tourist destination so there are good public transport links from many directions.
🏨
On-Site Hotel
The LEGOLAND Windsor Hotel is right at the park gate and offers incredibly themed rooms — from pirates to kingdoms to LEGO Friends. Early ride access is included and the LEGO-themed rooms are genuinely extraordinary for children. One of the best themed hotels in the UK.
🏡
Nearby Accommodation
Windsor has a great range of hotels, from budget chains to boutique options in historic buildings. Staying in Windsor means you can also visit Windsor Castle and the town itself — a brilliant bonus for a multi-day trip to the area.
⭐
Top Tip: Windsor is Worth Exploring
If you're staying overnight, Windsor itself is a brilliant destination. Windsor Castle, the Long Walk, and the town's cafes and restaurants make it a genuinely lovely place to spend an evening after a day at the park. Much more enjoyable than just driving home.
🚗
By Car
Blackpool is reached via the M6 and M55 motorways — exit the M55 at junction 4 and follow signs to the seafront. The Pleasure Beach is on the south side of Blackpool's promenade. From Manchester it is around 1 hour, from Leeds around 1 hour 15 minutes.
🚂
By Train
Blackpool Pleasure Beach has its own dedicated train station — Blackpool Pleasure Beach station on the South Fylde Line. Direct trains run from Manchester Victoria and Preston. From the station it is literally a 2-minute walk to the park entrance — unbeatable.
🚃
By Tram
The famous Blackpool tram runs the length of the promenade and stops right outside the Pleasure Beach. If you're staying anywhere along the seafront, the tram is a brilliant and characterful way to get to the park.
🏨
On-Site Hotel
The Big Blue Hotel is located right next to the Pleasure Beach and offers great views of the coasters. Guests receive discounts on park tickets and the location is unbeatable — you can walk to the park entrance in under a minute.
🏡
Nearby Accommodation
Blackpool has one of the UK's largest concentrations of guest houses, hotels, and B&Bs — there is something for every budget along and near the promenade. The south shore area near the Pleasure Beach is particularly convenient.
⭐
Top Tip: Evening Illuminations
If visiting in autumn, Blackpool's world-famous Illuminations run along the promenade from September to November. After a day at the Pleasure Beach, a walk or tram ride along the lit-up seafront is a spectacular way to end the day — and completely free!
🚗
By Car
Drayton Manor is located near Tamworth in Staffordshire, very close to the A5 and M42 motorway. Exit the M42 at junction 9 and follow the A4097. From Birmingham it is around 20 minutes, from Coventry around 30 minutes — one of the most accessible major parks in the UK by car.
🚂
By Train
The nearest train station is Tamworth, which has good connections from Birmingham New Street and London Euston. From Tamworth station, a taxi to the park takes around 5 minutes. There is no direct bus from the station, so a taxi or pre-booked transfer is the easiest option.
🏨
On-Site Hotel
Drayton Manor has an on-site hotel — the Drayton Manor Hotel — located within the resort grounds. It offers standard and themed rooms with park access included. A convenient option for an overnight stay without the need for any extra travel.
🏡
Nearby Accommodation
Tamworth town centre has a range of budget hotels and chain options. Birmingham, being just 20 minutes away, offers a vast range of accommodation at all price points and is well worth considering as a base if you want more options for the evening.
⭐
Top Tip: Ideal Central England Base
Drayton Manor's central location near Tamworth makes it a great addition to a multi-park trip. It's within easy reach of Alton Towers (around 40 minutes), making a two-park weekend very achievable from a base in the Tamworth or Birmingham area.

🎒 Theme Park Packing Lists

Everything you need for a brilliant day out — click your type of visit!

👟
Comfortable Trainers
Comfortable, well-fitted trainers are the single most important thing you pack. Theme parks involve miles of walking and hours of standing — the wrong footwear will ruin your day. Avoid sandals, flip flops, or new shoes you haven't broken in.
🎒
Small Backpack or Bumbag
A small, lightweight bag is essential for carrying your belongings around the park. Avoid anything too large — most rides require you to store bags in a locker or bin, and a giant backpack becomes exhausting to carry. A bumbag is ideal for keeping hands free.
💧
Reusable Water Bottle
Most parks have free water refill points. Bringing your own bottle saves a huge amount of money and means you stay hydrated all day. Dehydration makes a long day feel even longer, especially on hot days with lots of queueing.
🥪
Packed Lunch and Snacks
Food inside theme parks is expensive. Bringing a packed lunch, fruit, cereal bars, and snacks can save a family £40-60 in a single visit. Most parks allow outside food and have picnic areas outside the main entrance.
☀️
Sun Cream
Even on overcast days, you can burn after hours outdoors — especially when queueing exposed in the sun. Bring a high-factor sun cream and reapply throughout the day. Sunburnt shoulders make the journey home very uncomfortable!
🧴
Hand Sanitiser and Wipes
Theme parks are busy places with lots of shared surfaces. A small bottle of hand sanitiser and a pack of wipes are compact, lightweight, and genuinely useful — especially before eating and after water rides.
📱
Fully Charged Phone + Portable Charger
Your phone is your map, queue time checker, camera, and contactless payment all in one. Make sure it's fully charged before you leave, and bring a small portable charger. A dead phone in a theme park is a genuine problem.
🧥
A Light Layer
Even on warm days, the UK weather can turn. A lightweight waterproof or hoodie rolls up small and fits easily in a bag — and if you go on a water ride, having something dry to put on afterwards is essential.
💊
Paracetamol / Pain Relief
A long day on your feet, in queues, and on intense rides can leave you with a headache or sore feet. A small pack of pain relief in your bag is a sensible addition that costs almost nothing and has saved many a theme park day.
🎫
Pre-Downloaded Tickets
Download your tickets to your phone before you leave — do not rely on park Wi-Fi to access them at the gate. Screenshot them or download them to your Apple Wallet / Google Wallet so they're accessible offline.
👕
Spare Set of Clothes for Kids
Children will get wet on water rides, drop food, or just get grubby. A complete spare outfit per child in a sealed bag is essential — especially if you're visiting a park with rapids or log flumes. Pack it in a plastic bag to keep it dry.
🩹
Small First Aid Kit
A mini first aid kit with plasters, antiseptic wipes, and blister plasters is worth its small weight. Children can pick up scrapes and blisters easily on long days out, and park first aid posts can involve a walk and a wait.
🍎
Plenty of Snacks
Young children need snacking throughout the day — hunger meltdowns in theme park queues are a rite of passage but entirely avoidable with good snack preparation. Fruit pouches, raisins, crackers, and cereal bars are all ideal.
🧴
Factor 50 Sun Cream for Kids
Children's skin burns faster than adults. Factor 50 sun cream applied before leaving and reapplied every two hours is essential on any sunny day. Don't forget hats for very young children in direct sunlight.
🎒
Child-Sized Backpack
Giving children their own small backpack with their water bottle and snacks gives them ownership and saves you carrying everything. It also keeps them occupied in queues rummaging for snacks!
📏
Know Height Requirements in Advance
Check the height requirements for rides before you go and measure your children. Arriving at a ride your child desperately wants to go on only to be turned away is genuinely upsetting — knowing in advance avoids disappointment on the day.
🗺️
Download the Park Map
Download the park map before you leave so you have it offline. Knowing where the toilets, quiet areas, and first aid posts are before you need them saves a lot of stress with young children in tow.
💧
Reusable Water Bottles for Everyone
Keep the whole family hydrated throughout the day — most parks have free water refill points. Young children dehydrate quickly, especially on warm days with lots of walking and excitement.
🔋
Portable Charger
A long family day means heavy phone use — photos, queue time apps, maps, and contactless payments. A portable charger ensures your phone lasts the whole day without any stress.
👙
Swimwear or Quick-Dry Clothing
If you know you'll be doing multiple water rides, wearing swimwear or quick-dry activewear underneath your clothes is the smart move. It dries fast, is comfortable wet, and you won't be walking around in heavy, soaked jeans for the rest of the day.
👕
Spare Dry Clothes in a Dry Bag
Pack a complete dry outfit in a waterproof dry bag or sealed plastic bag. After your water rides are done, getting changed into dry clothes makes the rest of the day massively more comfortable.
🩴
Water-Resistant Footwear
On heavy water ride days, having a pair of water shoes or crocs in your bag to swap into for the wet rides is brilliant — your main trainers stay dry and you're not squelching around for hours.
🧴
Waterproof Phone Case / Dry Bag
Your phone needs protecting on water rides. A small waterproof pouch is cheap and fits easily in a pocket — it will save your phone on tiger rock, congo river rapids, or tidal wave. Don't risk it without one.
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Towel
A compact travel towel takes up almost no space and is invaluable after a soaking. Even a small one is better than drip-drying in the queue or a dirty hand dryer in the toilets.
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Water-Resistant Sun Cream
Standard sun cream washes off on water rides. Use a water-resistant formula and reapply after each soaking. This is especially important for children spending long periods near or on water attractions.
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Reusable Water Bottle
Staying hydrated is even more important on a warm water ride day. Fill up at the free refill points around the park — you'll be spending a lot of energy and time in the sun between rides.
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Portable Charger in a Dry Bag
Keep your portable charger in a waterproof pouch or dry bag on water ride days — getting it soaked is just as bad as losing your phone. A charged phone is essential for the whole day.
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Full Packed Lunch and Snacks
The single biggest saving you can make on a theme park visit. A full packed lunch, snacks, and drinks for a family of four vs buying everything inside can save £60-80. Most parks allow outside food and have picnic areas near the entrance.
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Reusable Bottles Filled Up
Bring filled reusable water bottles and top them up at the free water points inside the park. Buying bottled water at theme park prices adds up fast across a whole group. This one change alone can save £10+ on a family visit.
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Pre-Bought Tickets
Always buy tickets online in advance — on-the-day gate prices are significantly higher. Booking well in advance can sometimes save 30-50% compared to the walk-up price. If you visit regularly, a Merlin annual pass usually pays for itself in 2-3 visits.
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Pre-Book Parking
Booking parking in advance online is cheaper than paying at the gate at every Merlin park. At Alton Towers it's £13 online vs £15 at the gate. For a family visiting multiple times a year, these savings add up significantly.
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Consider the Train
For Chessington and Thorpe Park especially, the train can work out cheaper than petrol plus parking — especially for smaller groups coming from London. Factor in the total travel cost before automatically choosing to drive.
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Pack Your Own Sun Cream and Wipes
Buying sun cream or toiletries inside a theme park costs a fortune. Pack everything you need from home. These small items add up if you have to buy them on-site at inflated prices.
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Portable Charger
A portable charger costs very little to buy and means you never get stranded with a dead phone. On a budget day you especially don't want to pay theme park prices for a charging station locker.
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Leave the Big Suitcase in the Car
If you're doing a two-day visit, leave your overnight bag in the car or hotel room and only carry a small day bag into the park. Dragging a suitcase around a theme park is a nightmare — most hotels hold luggage if your room isn't ready yet.
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Toiletries and Medications
Pack any regular medications in your day bag so they're accessible throughout the visit. Don't leave them in a locker or the car. Also pack any motion sickness tablets if you're prone — taking them before the first ride is much more effective than after.
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Portable Charger
An overnight stay means two days of heavy phone use — maps, queue apps, photos, contactless payments. A high-capacity portable charger that can top up your phone at least twice is essential for a two-day trip.
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Day Two Outfit
Pack day two's outfit in a smaller bag you can easily access. If you're staying on-site, leave anything non-essential in your room and travel light on both days. Wet clothes from water rides on day one should be kept in a sealed bag overnight.
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After-Sun and Blister Plasters
After a long first day on your feet and in the sun, after-sun cream and blister plasters overnight will make day two significantly more comfortable. Your feet will thank you.
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Plan Both Days in Advance
An overnight stay gives you two bites at the park — plan your days so you tackle different sections each day. Use day one for the biggest queues (they'll be shorter on your second morning) and day two for anything you missed. The Day Plans section of this site can help!
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Reusable Water Bottle
Bring a reusable bottle for both days — fill up at the hotel in the morning and top up at the free refill points in the park. Over two days this saves a notable amount compared to buying drinks inside.

🍕 Food & Parking

Save money and plan ahead! 💰

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Parking
Alton Towers charges £13 if booked online in advance, or £15 if paid on the day at the gate — so always book ahead to save money. The main car parks are a short walk or monorail ride from the entrance.
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Monorail
On busy days the monorail runs between the car parks and the main entrance. It's a fun and iconic part of the Alton Towers experience — well worth using, especially at the end of a long day when your legs are tired!
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Food Inside the Park
Alton Towers has a wide range of food outlets — burgers, pizza, fish and chips, pasta, and more. Food prices are theme park standard so budget around £10-15 per person for a main meal. There is a large food court near the entrance which is often the quickest option.
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Best Value Food: Burger Kitchen
For some of the best food prices in the park, head to the Burger Kitchen takeaway located in Mutiny Bay. A great option for a tasty, reasonably priced meal without breaking the bank compared to some of the other outlets.
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Bring Your Own Food
Alton Towers allows guests to bring their own food and there are designated picnic areas outside the main entrance. Bringing a packed lunch is one of the best ways to save money on a visit — a family of four can save £40-60 compared to buying food inside.
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Sweet Treats
The park has a great range of sweet treats and snacks — churros, fudge, ice cream, and pick-and-mix are all popular. Budgeting a small amount for treats is part of the Alton Towers experience and there are some great spots to grab a snack between rides.
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Parking
Parking at Thorpe Park costs £12. The car park is large and flat with a short walk to the entrance.
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Food Inside the Park
Thorpe Park has a KFC, a Burger King, a fish and chips outlet, and various other food options throughout the park. Having recognisable fast food chains is a genuine plus — the quality is consistent and the prices, while not cheap, are at least predictable.
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KFC is the Best Value
The KFC inside Thorpe Park is widely considered the best value food option in the park. A bucket meal feeds multiple people reasonably economically by theme park standards. It also tends to have slightly shorter queues than the other food outlets at peak times.
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Bringing Your Own Food
Thorpe Park allows guests to bring their own food and there is a picnic area outside the main entrance. If you plan to bring your own lunch, leave it in the car or a locker to avoid carrying it around all day.
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Lockers
Lockers are available near the entrance for storing bags, coats, and food. Many of the major rides require you to store loose items before boarding — having a locker for the day saves constantly going back to the car and speeds up your ride time significantly.
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Sweet Treats
Thorpe Park has a range of snack and sweet treat options throughout the park. Budgeting a little for treats is all part of the fun — especially after conquering one of the big rides!
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Parking
Parking at Chessington costs £12. The main car park is a short walk from the entrance and is generally well-organised even on busy days.
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Free Parking Alternative
Because Chessington South station is so close to the park, taking the train from London completely avoids parking costs. For visitors coming from London this is almost always cheaper and faster than driving and parking.
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Food Inside the Park
Chessington has a good variety of food options including burgers, pizza, fish and chips, and themed dining experiences. The Trail Blazers restaurant and other themed areas offer a more immersive dining experience than standard park canteens.
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Bring Your Own Food
Picnic areas are available outside the main entrance and Chessington allows guests to bring their own food. Bringing a packed lunch and snacks is a great way to reduce costs significantly on a family visit.
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Zoo Café
The café areas within the zoo section of the park are often quieter than the main food outlets near the rides. If you're spending time in the animal areas, grabbing food here avoids the busiest queues around lunchtime.
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Sweet Treats
Chessington has a great range of treats and snacks throughout the park. A great way to reward yourself or younger riders after a big ride!
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Parking
Parking at LEGOLAND Windsor costs £12. The main car park is a short walk uphill to the entrance. On very busy days there are overflow car parks with a shuttle service.
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Food Inside the Park
LEGOLAND has a wide variety of restaurants and food outlets throughout the park, with options ranging from burgers and pizza to pasta and themed dining. The Bricks Family Restaurant offers a full waiter-service experience inside the park for a more special occasion feel.
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Bring Your Own Food
LEGOLAND allows guests to bring their own food and there are picnic areas available. Given the cost of food for families inside the park, bringing your own packed lunch and snacks can save a significant amount — especially with young children who eat frequently.
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MINILAND Café Area
The café near MINILAND is a great lunch spot — it's often slightly quieter than the main food areas and MINILAND itself keeps children entertained while you eat. A brilliant combination of food stop and activity.
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Sweet Treats
LEGOLAND's food outlets include some great LEGO-themed treats and desserts. A LEGO-shaped waffle or themed ice cream is part of the experience — budget a little for treats as it genuinely adds to the magic of the visit.
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LEGO Shop
The LEGO shop on the way out has exclusive sets and builds you won't find anywhere else — save some budget for a browse at the end of the day as a brilliant finale to the visit.
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Parking
Parking at Blackpool Pleasure Beach costs £10. Given that Blackpool Pleasure Beach station is right next to the park, arriving by train completely avoids parking altogether.
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Food Inside the Park
Blackpool Pleasure Beach has a brilliant range of food including traditional seaside favourites — fish and chips, candy floss, hot dogs, and doughnuts are all part of the authentic experience. There are also burger and pizza outlets for those wanting something more substantial.
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Eating on the Seafront
One of Blackpool's biggest advantages is the proximity of the promenade — a world of fish and chip shops, restaurants, and cafes is just steps away outside the park. Eating on the seafront is often cheaper and more enjoyable than eating inside the park.
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Bring Your Own Food
Picnic areas are available and bringing your own food is a great option. Alternatively, the easy access to the promenade's takeaways means you can grab cheap, excellent fish and chips from one of the many seafront outlets for a fraction of the park's prices.
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Wristband vs Pay-Per-Ride Costs
If buying a wristband, the cost of food is worth factoring into your budget separately. If using pay-per-ride tokens, managing your token spend alongside food costs takes some planning — decide in advance how many rides you want to do to work out the best value option.
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Blackpool Rock
No trip to Blackpool Pleasure Beach is complete without buying a stick of Blackpool rock from one of the many seafront shops. It's a quintessentially British seaside tradition and makes a brilliant souvenir of the day!
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Parking
Parking at Drayton Manor costs £9.90 — one of the lowest parking charges of any major UK theme park, making it a great value option for families arriving by car.
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Food Inside the Park
Drayton Manor has a range of food outlets including burgers, pizza, fish and chips, and a full-service restaurant. Prices are reasonable by theme park standards and the variety is good. The restaurant overlooking the lake is a particularly pleasant spot for a sit-down lunch.
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Bring Your Own Food
Bringing a packed lunch to Drayton Manor is perfectly allowed and there are good picnic areas available. Combined with the low parking charge, bringing your own food makes Drayton Manor one of the best value days out in the Midlands.
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Lakeside Dining
The restaurant and snack areas near the lake are a highlight — having lunch with a view of the beautiful lake is one of the nicest dining experiences at any UK theme park. Far more relaxed than the busy areas near the major rides.
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Best Value Park Overall
Between the low parking charge, reasonable food prices, and competitive ticket prices, Drayton Manor is genuinely one of the best value theme park days out in the UK. If budget is a consideration, it should be near the top of your list.

📅 Day Plans

A methodical route through each park for every age group 🗺️

1
Start: Spinball Whizzer
Head straight to Spinball Whizzer near the entrance — the bright colours and spinning cars are brilliant for younger children. Queue is shortest first thing.
2
Thirteen
Walk through Dark Forest to Thirteen. The outdoor section is gentle enough for younger riders, and the surprise indoor drop can be skipped if needed. Great gentle thrill intro.
3
Runaway Mine Train
Work around to the mine train — a classic family coaster with gentle dips and turns. Perfect pacing for young children building confidence on coasters.
4
Lunch break
Take lunch mid-day when queues peak. The picnic areas near the entrance are ideal — save money by bringing your own food.
5
Congo River Rapids
Head to the rapids in the afternoon — great fun for families and the soaking is refreshing mid-afternoon. Pack a spare set of clothes!
6
Wicker Man
End the day at Wicker Man — the wooden coaster is exciting but accessible, and the fire effects are especially dramatic in the late afternoon light.
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Thorpe Park is not recommended for under 8s
Almost all of Thorpe Park's major rides have a minimum height requirement of 1.4m, which most children under 8 will not meet. Unlike Chessington or LEGOLAND, Thorpe Park does not have a dedicated children's area or junior rides — it is designed as a thrill park for older visitors.
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What younger visitors can do
Some of the water attractions such as Depth Charge and Storm Surge have lower height requirements and may be suitable for taller younger children. Always check the Thorpe Park website for the exact height requirements before visiting with young children.
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Better parks for under 8s
If you're visiting with young children, Chessington World of Adventures, LEGOLAND Windsor, or Drayton Manor are far better choices — all three have brilliant dedicated areas and rides specifically designed for younger visitors.
1
Start: World of Jumanji
Head straight to the World of Jumanji area — the immersive Jumanji theming is absolutely magical for young children and the attractions here are perfectly pitched for under 8s. Queues build fast so get there early.
2
Dragon's Fury
The spinning coaster is brilliant for young riders — the unpredictable rotation makes every ride feel like an adventure. Short enough to keep young attention spans happy.
3
Zoo areas
Mid-morning is perfect for the animal areas — the zoo section is brilliant and completely queue-free. A natural break from rides that young children genuinely love.
4
Lunch
Take a relaxed lunch — Chessington has good family dining options. Let younger children recharge before the afternoon.
5
Vampire
Vampire's wooded setting and gentle swooping motion is magical for younger riders — the suspended coaster is exciting but not intense.
6
Tiger Rock
End with Tiger Rock for the soaking — save it for last so you don't spend the afternoon in wet clothes. Bring a spare change!
1
Start: DUPLO Dino Coaster
The gentlest introduction to coasters — bright, friendly, and completely non-threatening for the youngest visitors. Minimal queue and a perfect confidence builder.
2
The Dragon
Head to The Dragon early — it builds the longest queue of the day. The indoor castle section with LEGO scenes is magical for young children.
3
MINILAND
Spend time in MINILAND — the incredible LEGO models of world landmarks are completely queue-free and utterly fascinating for children. A brilliant rest from queueing.
4
Lunch
Take lunch mid-day and let young children recharge. LEGOLAND has plenty of child-friendly dining options.
5
Pirate Falls + Coastguard HQ
The water rides are brilliant for young children — exciting but gentle. Save them for the afternoon and bring a change of clothes.
6
Haunted House Monster Party
End with the dark ride — spooky but fun rather than scary, and the rotating vehicles mean every ride feels slightly different.
1
Start: Blue Flyer
The junior coaster is specifically designed for young first-timers — gentle, fun, and a brilliant first coaster memory at one of the UK's most historic parks.
2
Nickelodeon Streak
Step up to the wooden coaster — the Nickelodeon theming makes it appealing and the wooden rattle is great fun for children ready for the next level.
3
Big Dipper
A 1923 classic — one of the oldest operating coasters in the UK. The out-and-back layout and airtime hills are perfect for children ready for a proper coaster.
4
Lunch
Blackpool Pleasure Beach has plenty of dining options. Take a relaxed lunch and enjoy the seaside atmosphere.
5
Avalanche
The bobsled coaster is a unique experience for young riders — the free-rolling cars in the channel are unlike any other ride type and brilliant fun.
6
Grand National
End with the racing wooden coaster — the competitive element between the two trains makes it an exciting finale for any age group.
1
Start: Thomas Land
Head straight to Thomas Land at opening — it is one of the best children's themed areas in any UK park and builds queues quickly. Spend a solid chunk of the morning here.
2
Zoo and animal areas
Drayton Manor has a brilliant zoo — mid-morning is the perfect time to explore it. Completely queue-free and young children absolutely love it.
3
Lunch by the lake
The lake area is beautiful and much quieter than the ride areas. A great spot for a relaxed family lunch with young children.
4
Storm Force 10
The log flume is brilliant fun for families — save it for the afternoon and bring spare clothes. The naval theming and big final drop make it memorable.
5
Back to Thomas Land
Return to Thomas Land for the final hour — younger children often want to revisit their favourites and closing time queues in this area are typically very short.

🧠 Quiz

Test your knowledge or find your coaster personality! 🎢