Our Top 5 Merlin Attractions From Buyagift

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Disclosure - We were gifted a Buyagift experience, however the idea for this post, photos and any opinions are our own. This post contains affiliate links. 

We have been Merlin Pass Holders for as long as I can remember. Being a Merlin Pass Holder allows us to visit Merlin attractions up and down the country and it’s a great way to spend a day, a weekend or even a week. Other than the a few Sealife centres and Shreks Adventure we have visited all the Merlin Attractions and they are by far our favourite day out. Recently I came across a collaboration between Buyagift and Merlin where you can now purchase Merlin experiences through Buyagift.

I love this collaboration because we are really big fans of Buyagift and we’ve used them many  times in the past and it’s nice to know now that we can buy Merlin experiences for our friends and family.

So what attractions can you purchase? Buyagift offer over 20 different experiences that you can choose from and I’ve listed just a few of our favourites. 

So if you follow our blog and socials you will know that Alton Towers is probably our favourite place to go for a day out. As a family of four we all absolutely love rollercoasters and Alton Towers is definitely the place for thrill seekers offering a huge range of thrill rides. If you have little ones it is also suitable as Alton Towers is home to CBeebies land and David Walliams World. Through Buyagift you can now purchase an experience that offers day entry to Alton Towers for two.

Madame Tussaud’s in Blackpool is a fun day out. John and I went just recently and we had a really good time. We went during the week when the children are in school, it was so quiet. We pretty much had the whole place to ourselves. This allowed us to take our time, look at all the different waxworks, and see the Marvel section which was fantastic. 

Whilst in Blackpool you can also now buy the Blackpool Tower Eye entry tickets for two. The Blackpool Tower is an iconic landmark in the North and is a must see for any visitor to the city. The Blackpool Tower Eye is more than just a tower inside you can enjoy the 4D cinema, check out the tower ballroom, circus and mini golf. Travel 380 feet above the ground to the top of the Blackpool Tower and will you be brave enough to walk across the SkyWalk?

From an iconic landmark in the North to an iconic landmark in the South. The London Eye is a 'must see and do' experience if you are in London. We’ve been on it many times and now Buyagift offer an experience where you can purchase London Eye tickets and a river cruise. The river cruise for two allows you a full day out in London with unlimited sightseeing trips on the hop on hop off with 10 stops in 24 hours. Check out the Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tate Modern. The experience also includes a ride for two on the London Eye.

It’s been a few years since our last visit to Warwick Castle and we are definitely overdue. The last experience that I would recommend from Buyagift is entry to Warwick castle for two. The castle boosts almost 1000 years of British history, Birds of Prey shows and lots more. The popular Julia Donaldson book Zog now features throughout the castle and grounds with a new Zog Playland, Zog Live show and a Zog quest for a golden star. 

You can check out more Merlin attractions by visiting Buyagift

Have you bought an experience from Buyagift before? How was it? Leave us a comment below and let us know.  Also if you are looking for more posts about Merlin attractions visit our Merlin page. 

You can always keep up to date with us on our socials, give us a like on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or if this post has helped you, you can Buy Us A Virtual Coffee to say thanks.

Michelle

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Top 7 for 2020

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I usually like to do a round up post of the year highlighting the ups and downs but then I spotted this on We're Going On An Adventure blog. It's a Top 7 for 2020 including 7 of my favourite posts, 7 things I have loved about this year and 7 things I am looking forward to in 2021. I'm a little late sharing but here it goes...

Firstly here are my top 7 posts of 2020

Visiting Alton Towers Gardens

We are regular visitors to Alton Towers throughout the year but we have never actually visited and appreciated the gardens. Alton opened the gardens only just after lockdown eased and this was our first day out and it was just what we needed. A change of scenery and some normality. 

Teaching Your Child How To Ride A Bike

Little J's birthday was right at the beginning of lockdown and he decided he wanted a bike with birthday money he received. He has had a bike in the past but has always preferred a scooter so we were shocked when he asked for a bike. Teaching him to ride became a project for John to focus on over the lockdown and they got there and he is now a whizz and loves going on bike rides with his Dad. 

Family Walk From Grizedale Visitor Centre

This post is one of my favourites for many reasons. It brings back lots of good and some bad memories of our walk and how much we laughed and cried (me) but mainly it is one of my favourites as it opened up a new passion in us all we didn't realise we had. We loved the walk, figuring out how to get to the top and pushing ourselves when we didn't think we could go any further. The walk we took was supposed to be an easy one however it took us twice as long and it wasn't easy, not for me anyway but the sense of achievement when we got to the top and then back to the start was amazing, I will never forget it. 

What To Expect When Visiting Alton Towers After Lockdown

Another Alton Towers post. We were obviously a little anxious about visiting the theme park when Covid-19 was still very much present and we hadn't been anywhere like that since before lockdown. We were really impressed with the rides and how they operated queues to allow social distancing although it was still a little busier than we had expected but we used our common sense and if an area or ride was busy we moved along to the next one. 

Snowdonia View Farmhouse 

For the past few years we have booked a Summer weekend break with all the family, so 14 of us in total. We booked Snowdonia in 2019 so had no idea whether we could make it or not but we did and we all had an amazing time. It was our first visit to Wales as a family and we would definitely return again. 

 

Family Walk At Rivington Pike

I mentioned before that our walk from the Grizedale Visitor Centre was one of my favourite memories as it made us realise we love going for walks. Our walk at Rivington Pike was just the three of us but we enjoyed it so much. Again we didn't find it easy and we managed to go off the path and ended up adding some steep climbs to our route but we loved it. 

Disneyland Paris At Christmas - Ten Things I Will Miss This Year

This post was so hard to write as it reminded me of how much I love Disneyland Paris and how we hadn't stepped inside a Disney Park in 2020. However I also enjoyed writing it as it brought back so many happy memories and I loved browsing through old photos and videos of our trips from the past 15 years. 

Next here are 7 Things I Have Loved In 2020. 

Unexpected Family Time

No one could have ever expected what was thrown at us in 2020. When we went in to lockdown I was placed on furlough and the boys were at home from school. John and I did everything we could to make the boys time at home fun and educational. I will never forget all the extra time we got together and even though we were at home we created so many memories that I will cherish forever. 

Turning 40

I had so many plans for my 40th but as my birthday was during lockdown none of my plans happened but I actually had a lovely birthday and spent it with my favourite people in the whole world. As I didn't get to celebrate it the way you should celebrate a 'big' birthday it means we have an excuse to celebrate on my next. 

Our Walks

I have loved our walks this year and I love that we have all enjoyed them too. It's a great way to challenge yourself physically and mentally and I enjoy browsing online finding new ones to explore.

Our Garden

We spent so much of this year in the garden. We went outside first thing in the morning, ate breakfast, lunch and dinner out there and stayed out until it went dark. Having the astro turf meant we could be outside no matter what and we did most of our playing and learning outside and it was amazing. 

A Level Results

John and I are so proud of big J and how he handled leaving school early. The last few months of school would have been hard taking his A Levels but he missed the experience and I am sad for him but he did amazing and is now in university beginning his journey to become a primary school teacher.

Pool Time

The weather was very kind to us this year and some days it felt like we were abroad on holiday, it was that hot. Very early in to lockdown John bought us a pool so little J could have a splash. When it arrived it was huge and could actually fit all four of us in with room to spare. Each morning we would fill it up and spend most of the day in there. It really was like we were on holiday. 

Christmas

Our favourite time of year. Christmas was quieter than usual and we didn't go on as many Christmas days out as we would have liked, but we had a lovely Christmas and we got to see our families which made it even better. 

Last but not least here are 7 things I am most looking forward to.

Spending Time Together

I think it will be a long time before we will back to normal and I think tier restrictions and possible lockdowns will dominate especially the first half of 2021. I am looking forward to spending time together.

Using Our National Trust Passes

Just before Christmas we purchased National Trust passes after visiting a few of the sites over November and December. We are really looking forward to using our passes over the year and exploring more of the UK (hopefully)

Travelling

We love travelling and it doesn't always have to be abroad. We love visiting cities and places in the UK too. Travelling was something we all missed in 2020 and it felt so good when we finally were able to go on days out. 

Visiting A Disney Park

I am hopeful that by Christmas 2021 we will be able to head to Disneyland Paris to celebrate Christmas time in our favourite place. 2020 was the first time in a very long time that we hadn't visited a Disney park so I really do hope we get to go. 

Seeing Family and Friends

Spending time with our family and friends is something we really missed this year. We love having people over even if just for a cup of tea and a catch up. The boys also love having their friends over and it was definitely a lot quieter than usual last year having no visitors.

Getting Fit

Both John and I want to be fitter in 2021 and hopefully our walking will help us achieve that. We say it every year and we do so well for the first few months but I am hoping this year we will make it happen. 

Watching The Boys Grow

I made myself a photo slideshow of 2020 and it was amazing to see how much the boys had grown over the past twelve months. It's not just their appearance that has changed. They adapted so well and so quickly to the changes 2020 threw at us and they were both so mature about the whole situation. 

Now that I have looked back 2020 wasn't as bad as I remembered. We tried to make it as normal as possible for the boys and I think we managed .... just about. 

My list of things to look forward to is quite big but I will just take every day as it comes and hope for the best. 

What are you looking forward to most in 2021?

Michelle

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Accessible Theme Parks In The UK

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Disclosure - This is a collaborative post 

As a theme park and a rollercoaster loving family we visit a wide range of UK theme parks each year. Our love of thrill rides is growing each year and as the boys get older we are trying to cram as much in to our days as we can. The days can be long and tough on the legs and as we get older I have often wondered just how long we can continue to visit theme parks as they can be quite a challenge even to those fit and well. It does make me think are the theme parks we visit accessible to all especially those who have limited mobility, use a wheelchair or need to use stair lifts when at home. I have done some research and here are our top 8 accessible themes parks in the UK.

Alton Towers

Alton Towers is the park we visit the most throughout the year. If you have visited you will know that the resort is huge and can be quite challenging to walk around as well a queuing for rides at this popular attraction. However there are facilities to make your day easier should you need it. 

Blue Badge Parking - parking close to the entrance is available for guests who hold a blue badge. The disabled parking entrance is clearly signposted on arrival at the resort. There is a charge for parking and it will be signposted on the day of your visit.

Free Carer Ticket - A free carer ticket will be issued upon proof of a disability. 

Ride Access Pass - This is available to guests who may find it difficult or cannot stand for long periods of time either due to a physical disability or a learning/emotional impairment. Pre registration is required at least 7 days before your visit.

Toilets - All toilets at Alton Towers have wheelchair friendly toilets. The resort also offers changing spaces for those who need it. You do need a radar key to use these facilities and if you do not own one you can loan a key from guest services for £20. (fully refundable).

Hire Options - Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are available to hire from Guest Services on the day of your visit. A £20 refundable deposit is required for wheelchairs and are on a first come first served basis. If you require a mobility scooter then you will need to pre register before your visit as only a limited number of scooters are available. There is a charge per day of £25 and also a £25 refundable deposit. 

Getting Around - As I mentioned before Alton Towers is a large resort, luckily they do have a 'skyride' which can take you to various parts of the resort to cut down your walking times. 

For more information on accessibility and FAQs you can visit Alton Tower Accessibility Guide

Chessington World Of Adventures 

Being a Merlin Pass Holder we haven't visited Chessington as much as I would have liked, however on previous visits we have loved the theme park. There is something for all ages with lots of rides and attractions suitable for younger guests but some thrill rides too. 

Blue Badge Parking - Blue Badge holders can access the disabled parking bays on a first come first served basis. The parking spaces can be found in our Lodge Gate Car Park. You must display a valid Blue Badge in your vehicle. Car parking costs from £7 per car

Free Carer Ticket - A free carer ticket will be issued upon proof of a disability. 

Ride Access Pass - This is available to guests who may find it difficult or cannot stand for long periods of time either due to a physical disability or a learning/emotional impairment. Pre registration is required at least 7 days before your visit.

Toilets - There are wheelchair friendly toilets locate in Lodge Gate, Shipwreck Coast, Adventure Point, Wild Wood and Forbidden Kingdom. There is also a changing space located in Shipwreck Coast. ou do need a radar key to use these facilities and if you do not own one you can loan a key from guest services for £10. (fully refundable).

Hire Options - Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are available to hire from Guest Services on the day of your visit. For wheelchair hire there is a charge of £10 per day plus a £50 refundable deposit is required. As numbers are limited you are advised to bring your own should you require one to make the most of your visit. If you require a mobility scooter there is a charge per day of £35 and also a £50 refundable deposit. If you would like to bring your own scooter this is allowed however you cannot bring it in to the ride queues, it must be left outside the queue line. 

Getting Around - Chessington World Of Adventures is described as 'hilly' in places so please do keep this in mind should your mobility be limited. 

For more information on accessibility and FAQs you can visit Chessington World Of Adventures Accessibilty Guide

Thorpe Park

As the boys have got older this is the park they want to visit the most. Jam packed with thrill rides and definitely not for the faint hearted. 

Blue Badge Parking - parking close to the entrance is available for guests who hold a blue badge. The disabled parking entrance is clearly signposted on arrival at the resort. There is a charge for parking and it will be signposted on the day of your visit.

Free Carer Ticket - A free carer ticket will be issued upon proof of a disability. 

Ride Access Pass - This is available to guests who may find it difficult or cannot stand for long periods of time either due to a physical disability or a learning/emotional impairment. Pre registration is required at least 7 days before your visit.

Toilets - All toilets at Thorpe Park have wheelchair friendly toilets. The resort also offers a changing space located in the Dome for those who need it. You do need a radar key to use these facilities and if you do not own one you can loan a key from guest services for £10. (fully refundable).

Hire Options - Wheelchairs are available to hire from the accessibility kiosk on the day of your visit. For wheelchair hire a £50 refundable deposit is required. As numbers are limited you are advised to bring your own should you require one to make the most of your visit. Thorpe Park does not offer mobility scooter hire. 

Getting Around - Thorpe Park can be steep in places so please do keep that in mind. 

For more information on accessibility and FAQs you can visit Thorpe Park Accessibility Guide

Legoland Windsor

Legoland Windsor will always hold a special place in my heart as it's so much fun however I can see us visiting less now the boys are more into thrill rides. 

Blue Badge Parking - parking close to the entrance is available for guests who hold a blue badge. The disabled parking entrance is clearly signposted on arrival at the resort. There is a charge for parking and it will be signposted on the day of your visit.

Free Carer Ticket - A free carer ticket will be issued upon proof of a disability. 

Ride Access Pass - This is available to guests who may find it difficult or cannot stand for long periods of time either due to a physical disability or a learning/emotional impairment. Pre registration is required at least 7 days before your visit.

Toilets - All toilets at Legoland Windsor have wheelchair friendly toilets. The resort also offers a changing space located in Heartlake city for those who need it. You do need a radar key to use these facilities and if you do not own one you can hire a key from guest services.

Hire Options - Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are available to hire from Guest Services or Sensory Space on the day of your visit. For wheelchair hire there is no charge however they do ask for photo i.d. If no photo i.d can be provided then they do ask for a £20 refundable deposit. As numbers are limited you are advised to bring your own should you require one to make the most of your visit.  If you require a mobility scooter there is a charge per day of £25 and also a £25 refundable deposit. You must prebook your mobility scooter before your visit due to limited numbers. If you would like to bring your own scooter this is allowed however you cannot bring it in to the ride queues, it must be left outside the queue line. 

Getting Around - Legoland can be steep in places however they do have a hill train which can take you from the top of the park to the bottom and vice versa. Please do note that we have visited many times and the train does not seem to run everyday so please do keep that in mind. 

 For more information on accessibility and FAQs you can visit Legoland Windsor Accessibilty Guide

Drayton Manor

We usually visit Drayton Manor at least once per year and it's always a fun day out. 

Blue Badge Parking - There is sufficient disabled parking at the front of all car parks. There is a £6 charge for parking and it will be signposted on the day of your visit.

Free Carer Ticket - A free carer ticket will be issued upon proof of a disability. You will need to apply online through Nimbus Disability, at least 7 days prior to visiting.

Easy Access Pass - Drayton Manor recognises that for some guests, accessing a ride via the conventional queue line can be challenging, either due to mobility issues or for example as a result of difficulties with everyday social interaction. If you require an Easy Access Pass you will need to apply online through Nimbus Disability, at least 7 days prior to visiting.

Toilets - There are disabled toilets attached to every toilet block. The resort also offers a changing space for those who need it.

Hire Options - Wheelchairs are available to hire from the main entrance near Thomas Land at a cost of £10 per day, and a £10 cash deposit must be left.

Getting Around - Drayton Manor is quite flat and easy on the legs!

 For more information on accessibility and FAQs you can visit Drayton Manor

Gulliver's World

Gulliver's World is our closest park and one we have been visiting for about 20 years. 

Blue Badge Parking - There is sufficient disabled parking at Gulliver's World however the entrance is extremely close to the car park within a 1-2 minute walk.  There is no charge for parking.

Concessionary Rate - The concessionary rate will be given upon proof of a disability for the disabled guest and one carer.

Ride Access Pass - Guests with particular additional needs who are unable to queue may be eligible for a ride pass. This would allow them and up to three accompanying helpers to access the ride via the ride exit area for ease of access. Proof of disability will be required on the day.

Toilets - There are disabled toilets throughout the theme park.

Hire Options - There is no option to hire wheelchairs or mobility scooters at Gulliver's World.

Getting Around - Gulliver's World is mostly flat with very small inclines. We have been visiting for over 15 years it's a lovely park to walk around with no sudden hill or steep surprises

 For more information on accessibility and FAQs you can visit Gulliver's World

Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Another local park for us and again one we always have so much fun at. 

Blue Badge Parking - There is sufficient disabled parking at all car parks. Parking starts at £15 per day depending on which car park you choose.

Essential Companion Ticket - A free carer ticket will be issued upon proof of a disability. You will need to apply online through Nimbus Disability, at least 7 days prior to visiting.

Easypass Ride Access - Blackpool Pleasure Beach recognises that for some guests, accessing a ride via the conventional queue line can be challenging. The EasyPass service is for guests who are unable to stand in the main queue line whilst waiting to board a ride, due to medical reasons or disability. If you require an Easy Access Pass you will need to apply online through Nimbus Disability, at least 7 days prior to visiting.

Toilets - There are disabled toilets located in Balmoral Car Park, Tickets & Information Area, Bowl A Drome, Superloos opposite the Alice Ride, Superloos opposite the Big Pizza Kitchen and Nickelodeon Land. Changing facilities can be found in Nickelodeon Land behind the SpongeBob Splash Bash Ride, to the left of the Nickelodeon Land Shop. Radar key access is required, however for those guests without a Radar key, a toilet attendant can be summoned by pressing the button outside the changing room.

Hire Options - Wheelchairs are available to hire from Guest Services or Ticket Sales on the day of your visit. For wheelchair hire there is a charge of £5 per day and £20 refundable deposit. As numbers are limited you are advised to bring your own should you require one to make the most of your visit 

Getting Around - Blackpool Pleasure Beach is fairly easy to get around. There are wheelchair friendly paths and the option to avoid stairs if needed,

 For more information on accessibility and FAQs you can visit Blackpool Pleasure Beach Accessibility Guide

Flamingo Land

We have only visited Flamingo Land once but would love to return.

Blue Badge Parking - A limited amount of designated parking spaces reserved for disabled badge holders are available at the entrance to the theme park. Parking attendants will direct you.

Free Carer Ticket - A free carer ticket will be issued upon proof of a disability. .

Direct Access Pass - A free direct access pass for guests who due to a disability are unable to use our standard queue lines. Proof of disability is required. 

Toilets - Toilets are located around the park and can all be accessed by disabled guests.  Adult disabled changing facilities are available in the first aid centre. This service is accessible using the radar lock key system.

Hire Options - Wheelchairs are available on loan, free of charge from the first aid centre. A non- monetary deposit is required such as a valid passport, driving licence, disability book etc before a wheelchair can be issued. As wheelchairs are limited, it is recommended to pre-book the use of a wheelchair in advance of your visit by phoning the first aid centre on 01653 668 140.  

Getting Around - It's been a while since we visited Flamingo Land however I don't remember it being challenging at any time. 

 For more information on accessibility and FAQs you can visit Flamingo Land Accessibility Guide

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Michelle

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The World Of David Walliams at Alton Towers

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It's no secret that we are huge fans of Alton Towers and having a Merlin Pass means we usually visit at least 6 times each year. When we visited at Halloween last year we saw teaser posters for the new area of the park 'The World Of David Walliams'. The books are not stories we are familiar with however we have just watched Gangsta Granny and now little J cannot wait to visit again in Spring. 

The World of David Walliams which is set to be unveiled sometime in Spring will also see a new attraction, Gangsta Granny The Ride.  The new ground-breaking family attraction that brings to life David Walliams’ most popular children’s novel Gangsta Granny.

If you are unfamiliar with the book, Gangsta Granny tells the story of Ben who discovers that his Granny is secretly an international jewel thief. The thrilling new 4D ride experience will see guests join the main characters as they attempt the greatest heist in the history of the world, to steal the Crown Jewels.

Guests will board a Royal Carriage, and set off on a Crown Jewels tour only to be caught up in Ben and Granny’s audacious adventure. The ride will whizz, twist and spin passengers 360° through a series of scenes where they will see, feel, hear and even smell an electrifying and unique re-telling of the Gangsta Granny story. Using state-of-the-art special effects, 3D projection-mapping and animation inspired by the artwork of Tony Ross, guests will descend with Ben and Granny into the sewers, be chased through the streets of London and even come face to face with the Queen, but will the madcap scheme succeed?

As well as the ride a whole area of the theme park will be transformed, inspired by ‘The World of David Walliams’. The themed area will also feature a host of other rides and attractions where guests can

Pick up a crazy bargain in Raj’s Shop

Race on a regal thoroughbred on the Royal Carousel

Giggle with delight on Raj’s Bouncy Bottom Burp

Encounter other surprises and twists along the way

The fun doesn't stop at the theme park, fans of David’s books can also enjoy the ultimate sleepover with an overnight stay in one of four Gangsta Granny themed bedrooms in the Alton Towers Hotel.

At this moment there is no official opening date for The World of David Walliams it is just 'opening in Spring' but as soon as I know I will update.

Will you be visiting Alton Towers this Spring?

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Michelle

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July 2021 | Looking Back

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I feel like July has flew by and I know August will be the same and before we know it we will be heading back to work and school in September. July was a busy month so it's nice for me to look back at what we got up to. 

We headed into July with no plans and nothing booked but we ended up having a really nice month. July is usually the month we head on a Summer holiday but this year we stayed closer to home but still had lots of fun. 

Little J managed to visit three different play areas this month that had his favourite thing, an inflatable slide. The slide at Jump Maniax was huge which he loved. He even enjoyed racing with a friend he made while we were there. The inflatable slide at Calderstones Beach was lots of fun and he got to share it with his cousins. Then during a visit to Dino Kingdom in Manchester he spotted the slide and bouncy castle in the far corner of the fairground area. He was very happy. 

Little J was really excited about the Euros and managed to stay up and watch some of the matches even the ones that went to penalties. He really wanted England to win but unfortunately it didn't go their way. He's now looking forward to the start of the Premier League and then the World Cup. 

It was the end of another school year for me and it's such a sad time as I have to say goodbye to all my little ones. We were all spoilt this year. The parents were so kind and we got lots of lovely gifts and some personal gifts too.

We decided on a last minute trip to the seaside. It was late in the afternoon when we got there and it was fairly quiet. It was a nice but windy day, a lovely way to spend a few hours. 

We also managed to fit in a trip to Coral Island in Blackpool. Little J loves it there and was brave enough to go on the ghost train, we played air hockey, arcade games and we won a huge baby Yoda. 

We headed to one of our favourite places, Alton Towers to celebrate Johns birthday. We booked a stay over at the Alton Towers hotel and surprised him with the adult birthday package. We spent the day in the park, early evening in the waterpark and then to the Crooked Spoon for dinner. A lovely way to spend the day. We headed back to the park the next day to do some more rides. 

After our second day in the Alton Towers theme park we headed to Goin Golf. We had been invited to visit and try out the Golf Simulators and it was amazing. We didn't want to leave and really over stayed our welcome but it was so much fun. 

We finished off the month with a stay over at Drayton Manor Hotel and a visit to the theme park. It's a lovely family park with just a handful of thrill rides. Little J is absolutely desperate to ride the 'big ones' but is just short of the 1.4m requirement. Won't be long though.

In Other News

Big J has been working lots over the past few weeks so unfortunately has missed out on a few of our days out which he doesn't like but we have a full week with him very soon. 

To our surprise little J had to have a filling this month. It was a surprise because he is so good brushing his teeth at least twice a day and isn't a big sweet or fruit eater. He has a very strong gag reflex so had to be sedated but was very brave. 

We had one week of glorious weather which meant the pool came out for the week. I love having the pool out it was a lovely way to spend the first week of the Summer holidays. 

I completed my July book club in plenty of time. This months book was called Beauty Sleep. It was a great read and I would definitely recommend it. 

How was your July?

Michelle

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In The Night Garden Party At Alton Towers

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A few weeks ago little J got his first ever birthday party invite. It was so exciting as it was to celebrate the first anniversary of the In The Night Garden Boat Ride in CBeebies Land at Alton Towers.

Iggle Piggle, Upsy Daisy and Little J blowing kisses

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What's New At Merlin Attractions In 2021

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Today is the day that we begin the second step of the Roadmap out of lockdown and restrictions. All non essential shops will open, as well as hairdressers and beer gardens to name a few. I think the one thing we have been looking forward to the most is the opening of the Theme Parks. Visiting theme parks is our favourite day out and we can't wait till we can visit our favourites this year. 

We are Merlin Pass holders so their attractions will be top of our visit list this year. They have been working hard behind the scenes during lockdown to bring lots of new and exciting updates to their parks and attractions in 2021. Here is what we can look forward to.

Alton Towers

Due to Covid-19 the opening of David Walliams land was delayed but it now looks set to open this year with the 'land' being added to the park map and features new rides. 

Gangsta Granny: The Ride

This dark ride will take you on a journey based on the popular David Walliams book, Gangsta Granny. 

You must be 0.9m or over to ride, and 1.2m or over to ride without an adult. All riders aged 11+ must wear a face mask. 

Royal Carousel

Hop on board the Queens horses or sit on the throne as you spin round and round. 

If you are under 1.3m you must be with an adult (18+). All riders aged 11+ must wear a face mask. 

Raj's Bouncy Bottom Burp

Bounce up and down on Raj's Bouncy Bottom Burp Ride. 

You must be at least 0.9m to ride Raj's Bouncy Bottom Burp. If you are under 1.1m you must be with an adult (18+). All riders aged 11+ must wear a face mask. 

If you are familiar with Alton Towers you may know David Walliams land will take over the former land Cloud Cuckoo Land. 

Although the location has not been confirmed yet I can only assume that Gangsta Granny The Ride will either be in the Charlie and The Chocolate Factory ride which closed in 2015 or the old Wobble World play area. 

The Royal Carousel and Raj's Bouncy Bottom Burp sound very familiar to the Carousel and Frog Hopper which were located in Cloud Cuckoo Land so may not be new rides as such, maybe just rebranded. 

Alton made a very exciting announcement recently on their social media that they have added three 'pop up' type rides to the park called The Retro Squad. 

We don't know a lot about these rides other than they are old school rides called Mixtape, Funk'n'Fly and Roller Disco. 

The locations of the rides have been shared with a brief description.

Roller Disco 

Located in The Dark Forest and is a spinning ride.

Mix Tape 

Located in X Sector and seems to be a 'bouncy' type of ride. 

Funk'n'Fly 

Located in Forbidden Valley and says we will soar to heights.

All three rides require you to be a minimum of 1.2m and all riders aged 11+ must wear a face mask. 

All the above rides may not open on the 12th April 2021. Further updates will be made with opening dates once released.

Chessington World Of Adventures

It looks like there is just one new addition to Chessington World of Adventures in 2021. 

Croc Drop

Jump on board and reach great heights before being plunge 25m in to the Crocs Jaw.

Croc Drop is a fun and exciting 'drop tower' type of ride which requires all riders to be a minimum of 1.2m. If you are between 1.2-1.3 you must ride with an adult over the age of 16. All riders over 1.3 can ride alone. 

There is no update about face masks for this ride however I assume it will be similar to Alton Towers. 

Legoland Windsor Resort

Opening on the 29th May Lego Mythica is a new land coming to Legoland Windsor Resort. Mythica is a parallel universe where all the lego creatures we create go so they can come to life. 

There are three new rides opening in the land of Lego Mythica and includes the UK's first ever flying theatre ride. 

Flight Of The Sky Lion

Take a ride with Maximus through Lego Mythica and explore the realms facing some of the rarest and scariest creatures.

Fire and Ice Free Fall

Two spinning top tower rides.

Hydra's Challenge.

An interactive water ride with twists and turns.

Again there isn't much information about the new land and the three exciting new rides. As soon as information is released I will update minimum height restrictions and other updates. 

Thorpe Park 

Just one new attraction heading to Thorpe Park this spring and it is a UK first.

Black Mirror Labyrinth

Opening on May 21st The UK's first ever Black Mirror Experience attraction. Described as a twisted and sensory defying maze it will lead you in to the core of the Black Mirror Universe. 

Based on the description I will assume this will be adults only however will update as soon as more information is released. 

Warwick Castle

A new activity trail to follow.

Zog and The Quest For The Golden Star

Included in the price of your ticket and available until 5th September 2021, the Zog activity trail will keep you busy. Learn how to become a true dragon, rescue a princess and collect stamps along the way. 

Zog will be there to pose for a photograph and hand out some golden stars too. 

All these new rides and attractions should keep us busy this year. What are you looking forward to most?

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