Thorpe Park Review

Overall Rating

I went today for the 19th time, i only live 3 miles from there. The one thing i see is that people bash it for long queues but in retrospect, the queues are that big because it is the best theme park in the UK. The rides are the best, they are all close to each other - there is no amazingly long walks like Alton Towers and there is lots to do for all ages. At times some of the staff haven't been that great in the past but today i had the most the pleasure of some of the most friendly i have had in any park i have been to. There are rules i follow about going to a theme park and i think you should use them because they always work for me.

1. Get to the front doors 20-30 mins early and then head for the ride you want to do the most. I.e the newest ride like Saw.

2. Once done, go to the rides that others will not go on straight away. This works especially well because the majority of people will be hitting the newest and most talked about rides first.

3. About 12:30 - 1pm, make your way to the queues of the the best rides as a lot of people will start getting hungry and move to the many food outlets to get some lunch - this is the time to get on the rides whilst the queues are at their lowest capacity. This works especially well if the ride is located near many eateries.

4. After hitting say, 2-3 rides, then go get some lunch whilst the masses come back and swamp the rides once again.

5. After the hoardes start to get tired at say 4:30pmm this is your time to hit the big rides as the queues tend to start filtering out. My experience is that at this time, the first queues you join at this time will be the longest. You will find the queues get shorter and shorter. This is especially the case at Thorpe park. The best time to actually go on the rides is from 4:45pm.

6. To spend less money i would suggest taking your own food and hiring a locker for the day. Stash your food in there until you're hungry and then go get it. It saves you money and makes sure you cut down on the bills for the day. It does cost a pound in most parks and the fee is unredeamable but for the sake of maybe 2 visits to the locker, it saves paying out a fiver for one meal a time. You get my drift.

7. Stay the hell away from stalls and it's vendors - they might have great cuddly teddy bears and such but you will always find that the vendor has to claim at least a £10 a time from each player before they give you a win. Plus, how many times do you get the biggest teddy bear? Hmmmm Work it out, at £2 a time for say '3-balls', then you will start to see what im saying. My advice - don't even bother as all those £2 pounds sure add up, especially if you have a family of 2 and over.

8. If you have children and they need the toilet - always use the disabled toilet. I know this sounds bad and i shouldn't advocate this but the parks cleaning staff have to more productive when it comes to a disabled toilet (this is fact) and they will be most likely cleaner than the more frequently used able-bodied toilets.

9. For the water rides - If you have bought a poncho at another park, don't throw it away, keep it in good condition and use it again. Hell, thats what they are bought for.

10. If the staff are miserable you can usually cheer them up from there very mundane jobs. Talk to them, say hi and engage them in conversation. Just imagine yourself doing the same job. If you had to spend that many hourse telling people where to go and what to do - wouldn't it be nice to get some reaction, especially if it was a nice reaction. You'd be surprised the reception you do get when you start speaking to someone with a smile - it makes there day better to hear some positive conversation and just to be asked how their day is, maybe a thank you. You'd be extremely surprised at what they will do for you if treated with the same respect as you would want to be treated yourself.

These are my tips anyway and they usually work for me - hence why i can give a positive reaction to a poor day or a happy day. The more you come away smiling the better your day is. Follow my simple rules and it might help you, well i hope it does!

I gave Thorpe 5-stars for the fact on it's merits, it gave me pleasure but i have learned a lot from visiting many theme parks over the years - some good, some bad but it depends on you, the end user to make the experience what it is. You cannot rely on the staff like you can in places like Florida. In this country you 'the user' need to make the day what you want it to be. Sometimes we take it for granted that we will be gaurenteed a great day out. Start it with a smile, keep that smile and go home with that smile. Smile, and everyone smiles with you. Frown and the recipitent will frown with you. Give what you expect to recieve.

Well i hope i can bring something to the table for you, hopefully more than the usual reviews can. My days out have been really good and today was like no other for me as i went out with a positive frame of mind and came back with a day full of good memories.

I had a great time today with just me and my little girl and i hope you do as well. Remember, that smile could get you more than you know! :)