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Water parks

I guess it’s nice to have a brand new water park open somewhere, just a shame it’s not got a better main pool, i also didn’t like the fact that the rapids was very much separate and no where near the main pool, I do like parks where they all flow together better.

however I’ll probably go back in the future once all the corona has disappeared.
 
KolonelKlink said:
That said, if you’re prepared to travel an hour outside London, there are plans for a fairly big waterpark in Oxfordshire:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-england-oxfordshire-48791980
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Anyone heard any more about the proposed Great Wolf Lodge at Bicester, their website is stuck on the loading animation https://gwresortsuk.com/

Themeparksandy1981 said:
It’s had a lot of bad reviews for the prices. Like if I want to take my daughter there it will cost me £25.50 for 3 hours and then you got petrol/parking charges or train fare so your looking at roughly £40.
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To be fair for one adult and one child at Alton Towers waterpark it is £29 so assuming the quality is similar the pricing isn't too bad, but it looks like you get more than three hours at Alton Towers.
 
jon81uk said:
To be fair for one adult and one child at Alton Towers waterpark it is £29 so assuming the quality is similar the pricing isn't too bad, but it looks like you get more than three hours at Alton Towers.
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You get as long as you want at Towers but I challenge anyone to not be bored stiff after three to four hours.
 
D4n said:
You get as long as you want at Towers but I challenge anyone to not be bored stiff after three to four hours.
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I wouldn't say bored stiff, but yes I've usually been ready to leave after 3-4 hours. and that usually includes spending 20 minutes at a time in the outdoor bubblywubbly pool. They could really do with adding another proper slide or two.

But it does show that the pricing that The Wave isn't badly priced, given its cheaper than Alton Towers waterpark and Waterworld Stoke.
 
I usually spend up to a couple of hours in the water. I'm not the sort of person who would stay for like half a day.
 
I spent 6 hours at Splash Landings the first time I went, with an hour out at lunch time. But these days, 2-3 hours is about right at Splash. I would imagine Water World could be a little longer, as there's quite a bit more to do.To be honest, I find the pricing about right.

Larger water parks such as those found at PortAventura or Europa-Park can easily sink over 6 hours.
 
Had a great day at Waterworld today and stayed in the water longer than planned. Was very busy (if you are conscious about social distancing, don't go yet), but we didn't have to wait too long for the slides, although we had to wait outside in the rain for a little bit (queue moved quickly though so wasn't too bad). Tornado Alley is world-class, Cyclone and Hurricane are my favourites in the whole park. Twister was awesome too (another one that I didn't do last time). Liked the contactless temperature check- you just put your arm next to a sensor and if the green light comes on you're good to go.

Staff were fantastic, especially the lifeguard on Stormchaser; I tripped when entering the trough and he quickly grabbed my arm to stable me then checked if I was ok. :tearsofjoy::)

Overall, nice to get back and it certainly won't be another seven years before I visit again. :)
 
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Remembered something else that happened when I was there; we were queueing on the spiral staircase for the central slides and a young lad was coming back down. When he passed me he slipped and fell, so I shot my arm out to help him. Nearly gave me a heart attack mind, but at least he was fine. :)
 
A couple of bits of waterpark related news this week from Centre Parcs.

- They are planning a new park in West Sussex near Reigate, which will of course mean a new subtropical swimming paradise with slides and rapids.

- With covid restrictions ending they are planning to keep swimming session slots. This is a dreadful decision and having been a few weeks ago I don't think I would book again if they stick with it.
 
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pluk said:
A couple of bits of waterpark related news this week from Centre Parcs.

- They are planning a new park in West Sussex near Reigate, which will of course mean a new subtropical swimming paradise with slides and rapids.

- With covid restrictions ending they are planning to keep swimming session slots. This is a dreadful decision and having been a few weeks ago I don't think I would book again if they stick with it.
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we go at the start of august for our first ever visit. I am glad they have kept the slots to manage the capacity for now, however I did expect them to increase the number of slots you are allowed. We are their for 7 days so get 4 slots which we are ok with (that’s what was listed when we booked and accepted that’s what we would get) also have no kids to manage expectations of. However I think only 2 slots on a mon-fri break isn’t enough. I think they could safely increase capacity to allow 1 visit a day, but keep the pre books slots to manage capacity safely and spread people across the day.
 
Maelstrom said:
we go at the start of august for our first ever visit. I am glad they have kept the slots to manage the capacity for now, however I did expect them to increase the number of slots you are allowed. We are their for 7 days so get 4 slots which we are ok with (that’s what was listed when we booked and accepted that’s what we would get) also have no kids to manage expectations of. However I think only 2 slots on a mon-fri break isn’t enough. I think they could safely increase capacity to allow 1 visit a day, but keep the pre books slots to manage capacity safely and spread people across the day.
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Two hours is just not long enough. Its always been a place with both relaxation and excitement and activity which isn't possible with a get it all done approach that this necessitates. It's obviously a lot more of a problem with a young family when you want to give most of your time up to their enjoyment in the kiddie areas but also have a go on the adult slides. We felt very rushed and unfulfilled by it.

The bigger problem by far is managing group activity across the holiday as a whole when you visit as part of a larger group. Of course you want to swim together, its one of the few truly sociable activities, but trying to fit it in around other booked activities that smaller groups from the party was pretty much impossible. Also couldn't waste a swimming slot on an evening swim which is the most magical time in there when usually we would swap about on babysitting duties across the party.

I can't believe for a second guest feedback was actually possitive on this, noone I spoke to was happy with it beyond an understanding it was reasonable for a covid effort. The bottom line was it didn't achieve what they claim the advantage to be. With everyone in there 'making the most of their short time the attractions were actually busier than normal times, with almost noone sitting around relaxing as they usually would. I have no doubt they see a long term monetisation of the pool.
 
pluk said:
Two hours is just not long enough. Its always been a place with both relaxation and excitement and activity which isn't possible with a get it all done approach that this necessitates. It's obviously a lot more of a problem with a young family when you want to give most of your time up to their enjoyment in the kiddie areas but also have a go on the adult slides. We felt very rushed and unfulfilled by it.

The bigger problem by far is managing group activity across the holiday as a whole when you visit as part of a larger group. Of course you want to swim together, its one of the few truly sociable activities, but trying to fit it in around other booked activities that smaller groups from the party was pretty much impossible. Also couldn't waste a swimming slot on an evening swim which is the most magical time in there when usually we would swap about on babysitting duties across the party.

I can't believe for a second guest feedback was actually possitive on this, noone I spoke to was happy with it beyond an understanding it was reasonable for a covid effort. The bottom line was it didn't achieve what they claim the advantage to be. With everyone in there 'making the most of their short time the attractions were actually busier than normal times, with almost noone sitting around relaxing as they usually would. I have no doubt they see a long term monetisation of the pool.
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Yep I can understand why then it is such an issue. Will be interesting to see if they do react to any of the feedback that’s been left on social media since yesterday’s announcement. Plus if people do cancel which might force them to change the policy.
 
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