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So much for the ideal family rides, what about a family park? This is a much wider topic, as almost every park in the world claim to have something to cater for the whole family. Being a good family park, however, requires more than just having some thrill rides and some kiddie rides, it’s about promoting a sense of family togetherness.

Alton Towers, for example, advertises its mix of everything from white knuckle coasters to kiddie rides, but neglects to mention that the thrill seekers will spend much of the day over half a mile away from their younger siblings. Disneyland Paris goes one step further, but putting its best thrill ride, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, in a separate park to the other decent rides, but at least makes up for this by having a good selection of true family rides, and offering plenty of opportunity for families to enjoy their own company away from the rides.

Chessington is trying to encourage visitors away from the popular Legoland Windsor to little success.

Chessington World of Adventures is a curious park in its new guise as “Where families come first”. In theory, it is a fabulous family park, with several excellent family rides in the form of Dragon’s Fury, Dragon Falls, Tomb Blaster, and the Bubbleworks; plus plenty of kiddie rides and something for the older generation in the form of Rameses Revenge.

Somehow, though, it doesn’t quite hack it. Maybe this is because of the fact that too many of the supposed family rides are in fact thinly disguised kiddie rides, or maybe because we simply expect slightly more from a company of Tussaud’s stature, particularly given that a day ticket to Chessington will burn the same kind of hole in your pocket as the group’s other parks.

Efteling too, should be the perfect family park on paper. Unfortunately, the park is let down by the low quality of three of its main coasters, Bob Bahn, Pegasus and Python, the latter actually dragging the park down by appearing as an almost token effort to provide something for thrill seekers. Vogel Rok helps to redress the balance, as do the plethora of dark rides, but the overall impression is that the park isn’t really focused on keeping the entire family entertained.

What of the king of amusement parks, Blackpool’s legendary Pleasure Beach? Here is a park that certainly doesn’t lack choice. Thrill seekers are catered for to an extent that other parks can only dream of, and usually have short queues to avoid splitting the group for hours on end, while kiddie rides are hardly in short supply. More importantly, the park is littered with rides that the whole family can enjoy, although admittedly some are a job to find among the park’s highly concentrated layout.

Nevertheless, it would be a harsh family that couldn’t enjoy the Roller Coaster, River Caves, Flying Machines, and Gold Mine. The only real downside of the Pleasure Beach is its unavoidably “urban” atmosphere. A busy night at the Pleasure Beach can be quite intimidating for the family audience, and Blackpool’s more manic pace of life, and let’s say “colourful” clientele, is a world away from the relaxed countryside feel of an Alton Towers or an Efteling.

Furthermore, getting the most from the park requires you to adapt your expectations slightly. An audience accustomed to Pirates of the Caribbean or Efteling’s Dream Flight might struggle to see the allure of the Gold Mine or River Caves, which rely on a sense of age and British seaside charm.

So, what makes the definitive family park? Ideally one where virtually every ride is a fine of example of the balancing act between the requirements of thrill seekers and the more refined visitor. A place that a typical family can visit and enjoy spending the day together, without being split up or being bored waiting as various factions indulge in their favourite rides. Where could that be I wonder?

Who rules the roost when it comes to all-round family fun?

Well, there is one park I mentioned earlier. One with an excellent family mine train, and two terrific spinning coasters. Oh yes, and a fabulous water ride. Yes, it would seem that if any park has cracked the golden formula, it is Phantasia Land. With a wide range of true family rides, plus a smattering of more challenging rides such as Mystery Castle, and the occasional low-key thrill ride such as Crazy Loop, this is one of the few parks that genuinely has something for everyone, while avoiding the trap of forcing family groups to spend their day splitting apart.

Add to that the kind of theming that well and truly puts the like of Chessington in the shade, along with a pleasant setting and atmosphere, and you have what must be the very definition of a good family day out. Maybe this is what we can expect from the American Adventure in a couple of years’ time.

Or then again, maybe it isn’t.

Author: JP Sunday, April 01, 2005 | Post a Comment