• ℹ️ Heads up...

    This is a popular topic that is fast moving Guest - before posting, please ensure that you check out the first post in the topic for a quick reminder of guidelines, and importantly a summary of the known facts and information so far. Thanks.

2022 Trip Plans

Matt N

Matt N

TS Member
Favourite Ride
Shambhala (PortAventura Park)
Hi guys. The 2021 season is almost over in many parks, so that can only mean one thing; it's time to start looking towards 2022! Of course, the travel climate is still somewhat uncertain, but I'd be intrigued to know; what are your tentative trip plans for 2022?


Currently, I have a few ideas brewing... these are some of my hopeful 2022 plans as of right now, COVID permitting:

  • 5-day stay at Europa Park (3 days on park) - Either April 2022 or June 2022 - Yes, I'm hoping to take my very first visit to what is among many people's favourite parks, and I couldn't be more excited! There's loads of rides I'm really excited about (the park's big 3 exactly parallels my own top 3 in terms of ride types, for one!), and I just can't wait to see what the fuss is all about in general; we're aspiring to stay on resort, so my parents and I will hopefully get the full experience!
  • Solo trip to Drayton Manor - Unknown - Yes, at some point next year, I am hoping to return to Drayton Manor for the first time since 2018! With a direct train running from my local train station to Wilnecote train station, which is very near to the park, the prospect of a visit to Drayton in 2022 was hard to resist; I'd personally say I'm getting pretty good at taking the train to uni, and after my pilot solo theme park visit at Thorpe this year was a resounding success, I thought it might be fun to try on a midweek day when the kids are in school! I'm also keen to go back because 2022 will mark 4 years since my last visit, and both the park and I have changed a lot since then; I'll be intrigued to see how the likes of Shockwave hold up now I've almost doubled my coaster count, and I'd also be keen to do some of what I missed last time (the likes of Stormforce 10, The Haunting, Sheriff Showdown et al), as well as some of the new stuff!
  • 2-day stay for Alton Towers Fireworks - November 2022 - Third time lucky? I'm hoping our 3rd attempt to visit Alton Towers during Fireworks is finally a successful one, after the second COVID lockdown put a stop to our first attempt in 2020 and my parents' lack of desire for a 4th 2021 Alton visit stalled our second attempt in 2021. I know I've been to Alton Towers numerous times, but I'm particularly eager to visit during Fireworks because I've never ridden the coasters at night before. I've heard that the rides in the dark are something I need to try, so I'm hoping that 2022 will finally be the year I get to experience Towers night riding for myself!
  • Alton Towers - Unknown - I'm sure I'll get to Towers at least once in 2022 regardless of what happens with Fireworks, but as well as Fireworks, my parents have also aired the possibility of us visiting the park in 2022 with a larger group compared to usual; we could potentially be visiting with my aunt, my uncle, my 9-year-old cousin (will be 10 by 2022) and her best friend! If we do end up doing this, it should be an incredibly interesting trip; my cousin hit 1.4m in 2020, and after her and her friend visited Alton Towers for the first time very recently, they were hooked! Well, my cousin certainly seemed very enthusiastic when she was talking to me about their visit, anyway... she'd already formulated her own Towers coaster ranking! It'll be really interesting to see the park from a child's perspective for the first time in quite a few years (well, since I was a child...), and if we do end up going with them, it should make for a very different and interesting dynamic compared to our regular Alton Towers trips!
These are currently tentative plans, of course; things might change, and I wouldn't be surprised if I do end up doing some other stuff (for instance, I'd be surprised if I don't do Thorpe at least once in 2022), but these are my current ideas and aspirations for 2022 park visits.


But what are your current 2022 trip plans?
 
I'm probably going to make a couple of trips to Towers, including Fireworks, which should be a few days before my 30th birthday. Also, I'm finally going to New York next year, and a trip to Six Flags Great Adventure is on the cards. :D
 
JAperson said:
Don't forget to keep up your solo theme park trip Magnum tradition @Matt N
Click to expand...
I’m sure I will, particularly given that it’ll probably be during a fairly hot period based on my university holidays (at very coldest, my visit will probably be during April, and if not April, then it’ll be some time in summer!)!
 
Matt N said:
I’m sure I will, particularly given that it’ll probably be during a fairly hot period based on my university holidays (at very coldest, my visit will probably be during April, and if not April, then it’ll be some time in summer!)!
Click to expand...
Hahahaha you will have to tag me in a photo of it!
 
JAperson said:
Hahahaha you will have to tag me in a photo of it!
Click to expand...
Now you mention it, I’ll be sure to take a photo just for you if I do have one!

But the million dollar question is; does Drayton Manor sell Magnums?
 
I'm not sure about 2022 because it's unusual to be this far through the season with so few announcements made about new additions, the only thing I know about in the UK is Farmyard Flyer at Paultons (which was already looking great when I went on Friday). If anyone else announces anything new that I'm interested in (especially hoping for new flats at Towers) then I will of course plan trips there.
 
I’ve just come to a bit of an epiphany; if all goes well, and I get to ride all of Europa’s non-kiddie credits (so effectively everything apart from B-a-a-a), then my credit count will hopefully be up to at least 91 if I get to visit Europa in 2022.


That leaves me within touching distance of the grand milestone of 100 credits. I had a bit of a target for myself of hitting 100 coasters by the time I turn 20 (31st July 2023, for those of you wondering), and I was wondering whether you guys think it would be remotely plausible for me to hit 100 creds in 2022 with minimal effort, or whether that might have to wait until 2023 (Florida’s on the table for 2023, which would net a surprising amount of additional credits based on the parks we’d plan to visit, but I am also wondering whether I’d rather try another new European park in 2023). In terms of my situation; I’m in the South West of England (Gloucestershire), I can almost definitely guarantee that leaving the country is out of the question due to us going to Europa Park already, and I am unsure on the prospect of being able to travel really far out of my way (I don’t currently drive, and I’m unsure on whether I’d be keen on travelling ridiculously far on public transport at this stage).


So my question is; do you guys have any suggestions as to how I could rack up some additional credits in 2022, taking into account my situation and the fact I wouldn’t ride any kiddie coasters (thus ruling out wacky worms, go gators and other tiny creds)? I did have the idea of finally knocking out my two “local” parks (Brean Theme Park and Funland at the Tropicana) in 2022, as I can take a fairly easy train ride (less than 2 hours and only one change at Severn Tunnel Junction) to Weston-super-Mare train station, and I believe there’s a Burnham train station not too far from Brean, so I reckon that could possibly be doable as another solo trip. Looking at RCDB, the non-kiddie credits at those two would net me an additional +4, thus taking the count up to 95.


But does anyone have any additional suggestions?
 
Matt N said:
I’ve just come to a bit of an epiphany; if all goes well, and I get to ride all of Europa’s non-kiddie credits (so effectively everything apart from B-a-a-a), then my credit count will hopefully be up to at least 91 if I get to visit Europa in 2022.


That leaves me within touching distance of the grand milestone of 100 credits. I had a bit of a target for myself of hitting 100 coasters by the time I turn 20 (31st July 2023, for those of you wondering), and I was wondering whether you guys think it would be remotely plausible for me to hit 100 creds in 2022 with minimal effort, or whether that might have to wait until 2023 (Florida’s on the table for 2023, which would net a surprising amount of additional credits based on the parks we’d plan to visit, but I am also wondering whether I’d rather try another new European park in 2023). In terms of my situation; I’m in the South West of England (Gloucestershire), I can almost definitely guarantee that leaving the country is out of the question due to us going to Europa Park already, and I am unsure on the prospect of being able to travel really far out of my way (I don’t currently drive, and I’m unsure on whether I’d be keen on travelling ridiculously far on public transport at this stage).


So my question is; do you guys have any suggestions as to how I could rack up some additional credits in 2022, taking into account my situation and the fact I wouldn’t ride any kiddie coasters (thus ruling out wacky worms, go gators and other tiny creds)? I did have the idea of finally knocking out my two “local” parks (Brean Theme Park and Funland at the Tropicana) in 2022, as I can take a fairly easy train ride (less than 2 hours and only one change at Severn Tunnel Junction) to Weston-super-Mare train station, and I believe there’s a Burnham train station not too far from Brean, so I reckon that could possibly be doable as another solo trip. Looking at RCDB, the non-kiddie credits at those two would net me an additional +4, thus taking the count up to 95.


But does anyone have any additional suggestions?
Click to expand...
I think 100 credits is easily reachable for you @Matt N I'm still well of so your doing better than me. Have you been to great yarmouth pleasure beach? You could go there and pleasurewood hills and that'll give you a few credits. I don't really have any other suggestions at the moment.
 
JAperson said:
I think 100 credits is easily reachable for you @Matt N I'm still well of so your doing better than me. Have you been to great yarmouth pleasure beach? You could go there and pleasurewood hills and that'll give you a few credits. I don't really have any other suggestions at the moment.
Click to expand...
I appreciate the suggestions, and I did think of those two myself, but they’re way further away than I’d anticipated; Pleasurewood & Great Yarmouth are both somewhere in the realm of 5 hours away from me by car, and neither is easily reachable by public transport (according to Trainline, my quickest train journey to Great Yarmouth is 6h 34m with 4 changes…).

The problem I now face is that many of the major UK parks I haven’t yet visited are quite a trek for me; Flamingo Land (probably the most substantial UK park I haven’t been to) is a solid 4 hours by car from me, Fantasy Island is 4-4.5 hours away by car, and the Suffolk area parks are 5 hours away by car! I nearly got to visit Dreamland Margate when we went to Canterbury in October 2019, but the park was closed on the day we’d set aside to visit, meaning that that park is now a good 4 hours away…
 
Erm @Matt N have you been to bream that's got a few credits I'm sure you'd do and that's not far away from the forest of dean (where it says your from in your profile)? https://rcdb.com/4862.htm
There's also Barry Island Pleasure Park that's not far away although that doesn't have anything that substantial but it does have a pinfari thrill coaster.
Can't think of much else round that area that I don't think you've done.
 
JAperson said:
Erm @Matt N have you been to bream that's got a few credits I'm sure you'd do and that's not far away from the forest of dean (where it says your from in your profile)? https://rcdb.com/4862.htm
There's also Barry Island Pleasure Park that's not far away although that doesn't have anything that substantial but it does have a pinfari thrill coaster.
Can't think of much else round that area that I don't think you've done.
Click to expand...
I did mention Brean in my initial post; if I got to there and to Funland at the Tropicana and did the non-kiddie rides, I could get to 95! And as you say, it’s also not far from where I live; only a 2h, 1-change train ride!

My one hope is that my parents might want to holiday somewhere further away that’s close to one of the UK parks I haven’t done yet; my mum did say that she’d like to go to Lincoln, which is not far at all from Fantasy Island…

We were also due to go to a place in Scotland in 2020 that wasn’t a million miles away from M&D’s, although that one is perhaps a slightly less attractive proposition now that Tornado has gone. Maybe if they get something new and fairly substantial?
 
Matt N said:
We were also due to go to a place in Scotland in 2020 that wasn’t a million miles away from M&D’s, although that one is perhaps a slightly less attractive proposition now that Tornado has gone. Maybe if they get something new and fairly substantial?
Click to expand...
I doubt there going to add any big coasters anytime soon I'm afraid. Being 5 coasters off you may just have to bite the bullet and go somewhere further away and just get up early. Or even ride a few kiddie coasters if your desperate. I too try and avoid kiddie coasters although I've got quite a few from being a kid.
I've just though: What about wicksteed park? You'd probably only get two credits but it's only just over 2 hours away from you and they've got some cool old attractions and it's a nice day out.
 
JAperson said:
I doubt there going to add any big coasters anytime soon I'm afraid. Being 5 coasters off you may just have to bite the bullet and go somewhere further away and just get up early. Or even ride a few kiddie coasters if your desperate. I too try and avoid kiddie coasters although I've got quite a few from being a kid.
I've just though: What about wicksteed park? You'd probably only get two credits but it's only just over 2 hours away from you and they've got some cool old attractions and it's a nice day out.
Click to expand...
I could just wait until 2023; if I do a new park before July 2023, I’ve technically still hit my own target!

Wicksteed is a nice suggestion, actually; I might see how the year goes, and think about it!
 
Booked our longest ever trip to Orlando with 3 weeks fully booked, although it is a milestone birthday year so always planned an extra special holiday. Going (Hopefully!) in August, 9 nights staying onsite at Universal (Cabana Bay) and 11 Nights onsite at Disney (Coronado Springs). Hotel and Flights are fully flexible and can move dates/cancel if required. Won't be much else next year, due to the cost of this trip! Not having a car, last time we went in 2018 we didn't have a car for the first time and worked out well, using onsite transport and Uber/Lyft. Much cheaper when you factor in hotel parking and then parking costs at the parks. Plus prices are insane for hire cars next year due to a car shortage, as hire companies sold many cars off at start of the pandemic to keep afloat and with the chip shortage causing issues getting new cars they can't get enough)/

Would like to go to Europa again and Phantasialand for the first time, which was planned for this August but canceled earlier in the year due to all the restrictions. Hope to fit those in during 2023. Having done Florida and west coast a few times would like to do an east coast road trip in Summer 2023 or 2024 (finances depending!) and visit some parts like cedar point.
 
Going out to LA and Anaheim in October next year for both mine and the wife's 40th with the children in tow. Will be doing Universal, Magic Mountain, Disney and Knotts. Was considering Sea World just to ride Manta but we want a few non theme park days around the local beaches and sights.

If I can get the Mummy and Hippogriff in on the Universal day, I will be going to MM with my 100th credit in sight. I know the Raptor will be open by then but which of the coasters there would people recommend to hit the magic mark with?
 
I’m visiting Phantasialand at the end of this year for Wintertaum, which I’m looking forward to very much (will be staying on site at Hotel Charles Linbergh). Then kick off next season with a trip to towers as usual, hit a few other UK parks before flying to Florida to ride Velocicoaster and hopefully Iron Gwazi. I have no other plans as of yet, but maybe I’ll head back over to Energylandia if their new sweet valley area is open (it’s such a cheap trip so why not).
 
Ils said:
Going out to LA and Anaheim in October next year for both mine and the wife's 40th with the children in tow. Will be doing Universal, Magic Mountain, Disney and Knotts. Was considering Sea World just to ride Manta but we want a few non theme park days around the local beaches and sights.

If I can get the Mummy and Hippogriff in on the Universal day, I will be going to MM with my 100th credit in sight. I know the Raptor will be open by then but which of the coasters there would people recommend to hit the magic mark with?
Click to expand...

I have been to LA area a few times now in October, its a great time to visit, weather on all trips has been fantastic. You will easily get on all the rides in Universal in a day. In regards to Magic Mountain, we got there both times about 45 mins before they open the park, then go straight to Full Throttle, that gets a big queue but should be on quickly if go straight there. We then head to twisted colossus. Also try and do Superman early before the queue builds up as that has low capacity and often only runs on one side.

My fav coasters at the park are- Twisted Collosus, Tatsu, Apocalypse, Golliath & Ridlers Revenge. Batman is also good as are Full throttle and Superman (But both are both really short). I don't rate X at all, having done it a couple of times, first time smashed my head really hard on the backrest and that caused a headache for a good few hrs after, kind of ruining part of the day. The new trip that didn't happen but just found it too uncomfortable and trying to ensure I didn't bang my head again probably didn't help.

Knotts, we have go one either a Monday or Tuesday on each trip and its always completely dead, ie most rides walk-on or a few min wait max while cycle ends. Most coasters only a handful of people on each train, more empty seats than full seats.

Disney is busy on any day however I really like the resort and parks. If you get chance try and get on Guardians of the galaxy masters after dark (halloween overlay) it switches from the regular version to this version around 4-5pm in the afternoon. Its such a fun ride, in fact despite the criticism of the redo to guardians of the galaxy, it was the surprise of the trip of how much fun and enjoyable the ride is.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top