Hmm I appreciate this. Unfortunately for me that would mean I would do no parks this season as I have no interest in the merlin parks and blackpool is too far for me to go.
Coronavirus: Impact on Theme Parks
- Thread starter JammyH
- Start date
Hmm I appreciate this. Unfortunately for me that would mean I would do no parks this season as I have no interest in the merlin parks and blackpool is too far for me to go.
jj23w
Hyper Poster
I completely understand. You could always see what the local independent parks are like with their policies. And if you live close enough you could always try funfairs if they are your thing they look completely safe and do need arguably more guests than Merlin right about now. It’s just you can never be to one careful abroad right now.
If you’re too uncomfortable to go this season, it’ll make next season even sweeter for you.
Meanwhile, any ideas what queues are like at Energylandia / Phantasialand, generally? I dislike queuing and will typically always opt for the fast pass, so not sure if I’ll tolerate super slow ops / hour long queues.
I don’t think either of those run a fast pass, which is fair enough in the current climate.
I don’t think either of those run a fast pass, which is fair enough in the current climate.
SilverArrow
Certified Ride Geek
I haven't been to a UK park yet (been to a couple of zoos, but no theme parks) but I have done 3 parks on the continent via eurotunnel and felt pretty safe there as they've been doing it a lot longer (most parks opened earlier than ours), have lower levels of covid now and the majority of people seemed to be respecting the rules. I deliberately avoided big regional parks though, maybe something else to consider.
I have no idea where you want to go, or where you're located but the eurotunnel was actually nearer than going to Alton/Blackpool for me and you you can't get out of the car in the train on the way (you can before obviously but just not on the train anymore at the moment) so it's pretty much the same as going somewhere in the UK really in terms of faff.
Nicky Borrill
Strata Poster
Back down again today by more then they were up yesterday... So that’s 4 of the last 5 days (?) in the right direction, and the 7 day average is falling
Nicky Borrill
Strata Poster
Walk on for us at Energylandia, despite being the busiest I’ve seen the park!!! Which is odd, because there were quieter days last year where queues were longer ??
?? Makes no sense! Walk on at EL still means a 5 / 10 min wait though, due to their batching system and one train ops.
They DO have a fast track if you stop at Western Camp and buy tickets from there... But honestly no point, you rejoin main queue before the actual queue, with it being walk on! Think Nemesis fast track on a quiet day, pointless...
I REALLY enjoyed my trip to Energylandia this year, proper sense of some normality!
I’m fairly confident visiting parks though, I’m almost certain they’re not a ‘hot spot of infection.’ The very nature of parks doesn’t lend itself to transmission, outdoors, ventilation, sunlight, some natural distancing... Any measures on top of this are just an added reduction in the likelihood of something, that is already unlikely, happening
I’ve now visited parks in 5 countries since unlocking, with various levels of infection control... Enjoyed every one...
Although, given the choice, I would drive on the continent rather than fly... Unless something’s changed in the last week I wouldn’t want to fly again... Purely because the Airport experience was hell... Nothing open, nowehere to get a drink without queueing 3 hours for M&S, water fountains closed off, vending machines broken... It was horrible at Luton Airport... Krakow airport was great, everything open
Luton Airport is crap at the best of times. Probably worst airport I've been to. But I find T5 pretty crap too. Mostly only high end jewellery and drink shops. I fail to see the point for the average commuter. Birmingham has mostly been ok for me. But all this nonsense of ending up in a shop as you walk to the gate or out. Sigh...
I don't know when flying will get back to normal, IF it will even get back to normal. Especially since it is really what caused the virus to spread in the first place.
I don't know when flying will get back to normal, IF it will even get back to normal. Especially since it is really what caused the virus to spread in the first place.
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May I ask where you visited out in Europe? I've been looking at this as a possibility too. A lot of European parks are a lot stricter on rules and actually enforce the rules, compared to the UK parks where there's some fumbly rules in place which no one seems to stick to, from what I've seen (aside from Blackpool but its a trek) The likes of Portaventura, Toverland, Efteling, Disneyland Paris, Tripsdrill, movie park Europa Park and Phantasialand look really well managed from what ive seen. I just don't know how fun I'd find the whole public transport experience to get to them, probably more stressful than being in the parks themselves. So I'll have to see if driving is a feasible option for me.
In terms of where im located, Thorpe Park is my local park, and then Chessington, but I have no interest in either of them as from what ive seen it's long queues, no social distancing and they haven't had any new rides in years. I don't really have many local independent parks near me which I can support, i'm going to try and get to Drayton Manor to support them but apart from that its only Wicksteed park and unfortunately they've gone into administration
I can't think of any other easy parks to get to off the top of my head. A drive to the Efteling for me is just as quick as driving to Blackpool to put it into perspective, so I completely agree with what you've said there! I just will have to see how comfortable I am driving abroad, could be more stressful than getting public transport out to Europe!
SilverArrow
Certified Ride Geek
Bagatelle, Dennlys Parc and Bellewaerde. Pretty much the closest parks to the tunnel bar Plopsa. Probably quite a few others you could do further away though.May I ask where you visited out in Europe? I've been looking at this as a possibility too. A lot of European parks are a lot stricter on rules and actually enforce the rules, compared to the UK parks where there's some fumbly rules in place which no one seems to stick to, from what I've seen (aside from Blackpool but its a trek) The likes of Portaventura, Toverland, Efteling, Disneyland Paris, Tripsdrill, movie park Europa Park and Phantasialand look really well managed from what ive seen. I just don't know how fun I'd find the whole public transport experience to get to them, probably more stressful than being in the parks themselves. So I'll have to see if driving is a feasible option for me.
In terms of where im located, Thorpe Park is my local park, and then Chessington, but I have no interest in either of them as from what ive seen it's long queues, no social distancing and they haven't had any new rides in years. I don't really have many local independent parks near me which I can support, i'm going to try and get to Drayton Manor to support them but apart from that its only Wicksteed park and unfortunately they've gone into administration
Mushroom
Goon of the Year
It is slowly getting back to normal, there are a lot more flights, but it is not full full.
Sent from my small tapping device...
Nicky Borrill
Strata Poster
It’s not the best airport, I actually like my locals best, East Mids and Birmingham... But it (Luton) wasn‘t too bad other times I’ve flown from there... But honestly last week it was nothing more than a big overcrowded tin box with a few seats... What a difference it makes when all shops and restaurants are closed
And not being able to get a drink, even water, on a hot day is shameful!Cheers for the reply. A follow-up... what in your view would be better all things considered...Walk on for us at Energylandia, despite being the busiest I’ve seen the park!!! Which is odd, because there were quieter days last year where queues were longer ??
Walk on at EL still means a 5 / 10 min wait though, due to their batching system and one train ops.
They DO have a fast track if you stop at Western Camp and buy tickets from there... But honestly no point, you rejoin main queue before the actual queue, with it being walk on! Think Nemesis fast track on a quiet day, pointless...
I REALLY enjoyed my trip to Energylandia this year, proper sense of some normality!
I’m fairly confident visiting parks though, I’m almost certain they’re not a ‘hot spot of infection.’ The very nature of parks doesn’t lend itself to transmission, outdoors, ventilation, sunlight, some natural distancing... Any measures on top of this are just an added reduction in the likelihood of something, that is already unlikely, happening
I’ve now visited parks in 5 countries since unlocking, with various levels of infection control... Enjoyed every one...
Although, given the choice, I would drive on the continent rather than fly... Unless something’s changed in the last week I wouldn’t want to fly again... Purely because the Airport experience was hell... Nothing open, nowehere to get a drink without queueing 3 hours for M&S, water fountains closed off, vending machines broken... It was horrible at Luton Airport... Krakow airport was great, everything open
Phantasialand and Holiday Park
Energylandia and Legendia
?
Nicky Borrill
Strata Poster
Can we just take a moment to admire this beautiful sentence from the beginning of the very first post.... Nearly 100 pages later ????
Nicky Borrill
Strata Poster
Both would be awesome!!! Especially if first visits... If one is a first visit but not the other, go for that!
Nicky Borrill
Strata Poster
The 7 day rolling average has risen from 600 to 610... So not too bad at all considering we’re ‘more or less’ back to normal... Mask will help too
The 7 day rolling average has risen from 600 to 610... So not too bad at all considering we’re ‘more or less’ back to normal... Mask will help too
Definitely masks will help, was just updating the numbers for those interested. So far easing lockdown hasn’t had too much of a dramatic effect!
Can salvage my Finland days next weekend to do a 4 day trip to Energylandia or Portaventura.
Costs about the same but Poland/Energylandia with a rental car.
Amidst the corona cases increase in Catalonia I'm thinking maybe Poland is the better/safer option?
Not been to either, ever.
Maybe I should scrap idea of international travel altogether and just head back to Blackpool.
Decisions...decisions....
Costs about the same but Poland/Energylandia with a rental car.
Amidst the corona cases increase in Catalonia I'm thinking maybe Poland is the better/safer option?
Not been to either, ever.
Maybe I should scrap idea of international travel altogether and just head back to Blackpool.
Decisions...decisions....
Munchy Road Hippopotamus
Mega Poster
I've just priced up Poland and could do it if I just went with my eldest and left the 3 year old and my wife at home. Grounds for divorce....