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.

 

[Bowser]

Did a bit more research on this and 3 other parks that seem to be open are Toverland, Tivoli and Liseberg.

Anyone with winter experience of these? Are the Scandinavian parks better prepared to fully operate at that time of year?

 

[Plastic Person]

Liseberg is only partially open. Most major coasters will be closed, and the focus will be more on a Christmas market element.

I'm not certain about Tivoli, but Toverland could be a great choice. My instinct is that it would be comparatively progressive to your family's specific needs. It takes its lead from its arch-nemesis, Efteling.

 

[Poisson]

Toverland had nearly everything open when I visited in winter. It was a bit bitter weather. You could easily do Tover and Movie Park DE together. We did both in a day.

 

[Bowser]

Toverland had nearly everything open when I visited in winter. It was a bit bitter weather. You could easily do Tover and Movie Park DE together. We did both in a day.

Ooh didn’t know Movie Park was open, that’s another good shout. It’ll be one or the other for us.

Liseberg is only partially open. Most major coasters will be closed, and the focus will be more on a Christmas market element.

I'm not certain about Tivoli, but Toverland could be a great choice. My instinct is that it would be comparatively progressive to your family's specific needs. It takes its lead from its arch-nemesis, Efteling.

Thanks! I messaged Tivoli and they replied immediately saying all attractions are open unless it’s too cold to operate. Probably have to be a last minute decision.

 

[NuttySquirrel]

Toverland will have everything open barring any extreme weather events, but I'm not sure I'd bother to make the trip just for that one park. It's nice and all but it's much much smaller than the likes of Efteling, Europa Park and DLP and I thought the coasters were a bit meh (with the exception of Troy). It's a good thing to do tacked onto an Efteling trip but it's not a destination in its own right.

Tivoli is interesting, I had been looking at perhaps doing a winter trip there myself as they have lots of lovely festive markets and on New Year's Eve in particular the park is open but the locals all have their own traditions so it's apparently not busy at all. Could be a good shout for November. @Rowe might be able to give advice on how their access pass works.

Liseberg is a wonderful park and should definitely be on your list but it's only worth going if all the big rides are open. And Gothenburg in late November will probably be bitterly cold.

 

[Poisson]

Movie Park is an hour and a smidge from Tover. Could easily do Efteling, Tover and Movie Park in one trip (and it worked well when I did it)

 

[Bowser]

Toverland will have everything open barring any extreme weather events, but I'm not sure I'd bother to make the trip just for that one park

It’s mostly taking advantage of an inset day in what would likely be a quiet period to visit, with no parks in the UK open. So doesn’t need to be Efteling quality, just a park with some good rides he will like and is tall enough to go on.

Tivoli is interesting

This seems a preferable destination overall. I found one vlog where the park was open covered in snow and most of the rides were operating but Daemon was closed for the season which I think would be the big draw. I’ve downloaded the app to keep an eye on ride availability over the coming months as they don’t seem to advertise closures. There are some fun looking flats and things though.

Movie Park is an hour and a smidge from Tover

I checked and from what I can see the rides don’t operate for their winter offering, it’s just shows and things.

Logically Madrid makes more sense that time of year in terms of ride availability… except for the parks own poor availability

 

[Rowe]

Tivoli is interesting, I had been looking at perhaps doing a winter trip there myself as they have lots of lovely festive markets and on New Year's Eve in particular the park is open but the locals all have their own traditions so it's apparently not busy at all. Could be a good shout for November. @Rowe might be able to give advice on how their access pass works.

I will confirm I have done so in TPick's Tivoli Gardens - Any Tips topic, clickety click.

 

[Poisson]

If you do Madrid, Magicas Navidades might also be on. When I went it had a cred, but the main thing was the massive lantern show. Think Lightopia but to ridiculous levels.