Matt N
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Mako (SeaWorld Orlando)
Today, my family and I arrived in Center Parcs Longleat for their Winter Wonderland event. I have been to this holiday park a lot over the years, but I've never been at Christmas before. One thing I will say is that if you've ever been to a Center Parcs before, then you probably know what it's like. Also, may I just applaud Center Parcs on their efforts with their Christmas decorations. There are Christmas decorations just about everywhere you look, from the wreaths on the lodge doors to the Christmas trees in the Village Square. Speaking of the accommodation, I'm staying in an Executive Lodge, and it has definitely been revamped since I last stayed in one. It looks lovely. In fact, the whole park has been refurbished quite a lot since I last went. Not that any of Alton's facilities are particularly dated, but I think Merlin should spend some money doing revamps of some facilities. The main reason I posted this thread, however, is to review the water park, which has recently had two new rides installed; Tropical Cyclone, a ProSlide Tornado, and Typhoon, a ProSlide TopsyTurvy (I think?). There are some other great attractions at the water park too, like the Wild Water Rapids. Here are my personal reviews of all the main attractions:
Tropical Cyclone:
Wow! I had high expectations for this ride, and it really delivered! Basically, this attraction consists of some turns and a large funnel, which doesn't really sound that interesting on face value, but is actually the best ride in the waterpark in my opinion! You ride in a 4 person raft, but the employees do let you ride with 2 or 3 people in your group. I got a really intense moment of airtime going over the drop, which photos and videos do not do any justice with regards to how large it is! Another great thing about this ride is that you can choose a visual and sound experience while you ride. The options are Thunder, Underwater, Coral Reef and Waterfalls. I rode the ride 3 times today. For two of them, I had Thunder, which has lightning bolts projected onto the ride. For the other ride, I had coral reef, which has sharks and water projected onto the ride. My description probably doesn't do this any justice whatsoever, but that's the best way I can describe it! But in conclusion; brilliant.
10/10
Typhoon:
It may not be the best of the two, but this attraction really pleasantly surprised me after what Omocka Rocka at Aquatica was like. It was much better because it felt much faster and much more exciting than Omocka Rocka. If you've never ridden one of these attractions before, then you basically go down in a 1 or 2 person tube. Like on Tropical Cyclone, you also get to choose your experience, however on this, you only get to choose the lighting. The options I chose for my 2 rides were Rainbow and Atlantis, as examples of what you can choose. I really felt that you got thrusted against the walls with much greater force and speed than on Omocka Rocka. However, it's not particularly nice having freezing cold water chucked on you in both funnels, especially in December! Brilliant attraction, though!
9/10
Wild Water Rapids
The Wild Water Rapids is a Center Parcs classic! It's quite unlike anything I've ever ridden in a water park before! It's basically a mix between a lazy river and a concrete body slide, but much more fun. Part of what I love about this attraction is how fast it is and how much it varies between rides. For example, you might have a ride with loads of slipstream moments and then have a ride where you get stuck loads! This attraction is not too easy to describe, but it's great fun!
9/10
Small Green Slide (Unnamed)
This ride doesn't do anything significant, but carries a good pace to it. It's a fun ride, but pales in comparison to the new slides.
6/10
Large Green Slide (Unnamed)
Meh. Didn't ride today, but I don't remember it being that good. I actually completely stopped midway through when I last rode.
4/10
Other stuff at the waterpark includes a tipping bucket play area and some straight water pistes. Overall, Center Parcs is really good, and I'd really recommend it, if you ever get the chance to go. I actually think that this waterpark has a superior offering to the Alton Towers Waterpark now that Tropical Cyclone and Typhoon have opened. Come on, Merlin, invest some capital into Alton's waterpark. It needs it to be able to keep up with Center Parcs and other UK water parks. On a side note, I am here for another 3 days, so is there anything you guys would like to know while I'm here?
Tropical Cyclone:
Wow! I had high expectations for this ride, and it really delivered! Basically, this attraction consists of some turns and a large funnel, which doesn't really sound that interesting on face value, but is actually the best ride in the waterpark in my opinion! You ride in a 4 person raft, but the employees do let you ride with 2 or 3 people in your group. I got a really intense moment of airtime going over the drop, which photos and videos do not do any justice with regards to how large it is! Another great thing about this ride is that you can choose a visual and sound experience while you ride. The options are Thunder, Underwater, Coral Reef and Waterfalls. I rode the ride 3 times today. For two of them, I had Thunder, which has lightning bolts projected onto the ride. For the other ride, I had coral reef, which has sharks and water projected onto the ride. My description probably doesn't do this any justice whatsoever, but that's the best way I can describe it! But in conclusion; brilliant.
10/10
Typhoon:
It may not be the best of the two, but this attraction really pleasantly surprised me after what Omocka Rocka at Aquatica was like. It was much better because it felt much faster and much more exciting than Omocka Rocka. If you've never ridden one of these attractions before, then you basically go down in a 1 or 2 person tube. Like on Tropical Cyclone, you also get to choose your experience, however on this, you only get to choose the lighting. The options I chose for my 2 rides were Rainbow and Atlantis, as examples of what you can choose. I really felt that you got thrusted against the walls with much greater force and speed than on Omocka Rocka. However, it's not particularly nice having freezing cold water chucked on you in both funnels, especially in December! Brilliant attraction, though!
9/10
Wild Water Rapids
The Wild Water Rapids is a Center Parcs classic! It's quite unlike anything I've ever ridden in a water park before! It's basically a mix between a lazy river and a concrete body slide, but much more fun. Part of what I love about this attraction is how fast it is and how much it varies between rides. For example, you might have a ride with loads of slipstream moments and then have a ride where you get stuck loads! This attraction is not too easy to describe, but it's great fun!
9/10
Small Green Slide (Unnamed)
This ride doesn't do anything significant, but carries a good pace to it. It's a fun ride, but pales in comparison to the new slides.
6/10
Large Green Slide (Unnamed)
Meh. Didn't ride today, but I don't remember it being that good. I actually completely stopped midway through when I last rode.
4/10
Other stuff at the waterpark includes a tipping bucket play area and some straight water pistes. Overall, Center Parcs is really good, and I'd really recommend it, if you ever get the chance to go. I actually think that this waterpark has a superior offering to the Alton Towers Waterpark now that Tropical Cyclone and Typhoon have opened. Come on, Merlin, invest some capital into Alton's waterpark. It needs it to be able to keep up with Center Parcs and other UK water parks. On a side note, I am here for another 3 days, so is there anything you guys would like to know while I'm here?