November theme park trip

[Bowser]

We've unexpectedly got an inset day at the end of November so i'm wondering if we can take advantage of a quiet theme park visit.

Obviously nothing in the UK will be open, is there much in Europe? All i can think of is Efteling, Disney and Phantasialand which we already have visits booked for, is there anything i'm missing? Energylandia probably the only other option but that's probably a bit far for us.

 

[NuttySquirrel]

We've unexpectedly got an inset day at the end of November so i'm wondering if we can take advantage of a quiet theme park visit.

Obviously nothing in the UK will be open, is there much in Europe? All i can think of is Efteling, Disney and Phantasialand which we already have visits booked for, is there anything i'm missing? Energylandia probably the only other option but that's probably a bit far for us.

Have you considered Madrid? Both of their major parks (Parque de Atracciones and Parque Warner) are open on weekends throughout November and December. Pretty good line-up with 14 coasters between them - and Batman: Gotham City Escape is world class. Flights to Madrid from UK airports are numerous and cheap, and the weather in November should be milder than here.

You'll want to check height restrictions though - a couple of the coasters are 1.37m although most are no more than 1.32m.

 

[Matt N]

I’d also suggest PortAventura as a potential option; the climate is generally very pleasant in Salou without being overbearing (it certainly was when I went in September 2024), and I found it a really nice park! It should be quiet in November, hopefully.

Height restriction-wise, I think only Shambhala, Khan and Baco were 1.4m, of the major rides.

 

[Bowser]

I’d also suggest PortAventura as a potential option; the climate is generally very pleasant in Salou without being overbearing (it certainly was when I went in September 2024), and I found it a really nice park! It should be quiet in November, hopefully.

Height restriction-wise, I think only Shambhala, Khan and Baco were 1.4m, of the major rides.

Height restrictions seem much more favourable at Madrid.

And tbh the accounts of queue jumping and negative RAP experiences have put me off PortAventura for life even if they are anecdotal though I’d need to check the RAP situation in Madrid.

 

[GooseOnTheLoose]

And tbh the accounts of queue jumping and negative RAP experiences have put me off PortAventura for life even if they are anecdotal though I’d need to check the RAP situation in Madrid.

The RAP situation at PortAventura is actually very good. They accept the UK Access Card scheme, but will also allow other documentation to be used (such as a diagnosis letter or a Blue Badge).

You can access their list of accepted neurological development orders here:

https://media.portaventuraworld.com/mediaManager/file/4a92f6b4970c46b0bb8e9957a139cac6772ca7551825b5f8644e8fbd682d79f6.pdf/Listado_transtornos_de_desarrollo_aceptados_EN_new.pdf

They have an incredibly friendly, responsive and assistive accessibility team, who can be emailed (in English) using the following address: [email protected]

I would highly recommend emailing them any questions you have about accessibility at the park, for your son. It really is a wonderful park that has a bit of an unfair bad rep. They also offer discounted tickets for those with accessibility needs.

 

[NuttySquirrel]

Height restrictions seem much more favourable at Madrid.

And tbh the accounts of queue jumping and negative RAP experiences have put me off PortAventura for life even if they are anecdotal though I’d need to check the RAP situation in Madrid.

I wouldn't say that queue jumping is not a thing in Madrid - we did notice it at Parque de Atracciones more than Parque Warner - but it is perhaps not as much of a problem as at PortAventura. To some degree you just have to put up with it as a cultural difference.

Here is the guidance for people with disabilities for Parque Warner, I hope this will have the information you need:

People with Disabilities | Accessibility | Parque Warner Madrid

In Parque Warner we strive to ensure accessibility for all. Find out here everything you need to know about rates, parking and access.

www.parquewarner.com

 

[Matt N]

Height restrictions seem much more favourable at Madrid.

And tbh the accounts of queue jumping and negative RAP experiences have put me off PortAventura for life even if they are anecdotal though I’d need to check the RAP situation in Madrid.

Anecdotally, I thought queue issues at PortAventura were overblown when I went. I noticed no queue jumping, and operations and Express usage were not bad at all.

 

[Bowser]

I wouldn't say that queue jumping is not a thing in Madrid - we did notice it at Parque de Atracciones more than Parque Warner - but it is perhaps not as much of a problem as at PortAventura. To some degree you just have to put up with it as a cultural difference.

Here is the guidance for people with disabilities for Parque Warner, I hope this will have the information you need:

People with Disabilities | Accessibility | Parque Warner Madrid

In Parque Warner we strive to ensure accessibility for all. Find out here everything you need to know about rates, parking and access.

www.parquewarner.com

Thanks... Annoyingly they don't state what RAP documentation they accept from other countries and there's no email contact (just a request form that doesn't work), both of which probably aren't ringing endorsements!

Also just returned to the Parque Warner General thread and was reminded of their no food policy which was the reason we ruled out going in the first place.