Just Booked for Portaventura Next May!

[susieb]

Going May half term 2009, anyone been at that time? what are crowds/weather like?

Aand reviews of waterpark would be helpful.

[susieb]

Anyone at all - May half term!!!!!!!!!

[paulap]

We went in July a few years ago and the crowds were OK. We were staying in a PA hotel so used to pop up there in the evenings as well as it was not as hot or as busy. The waterpark was just about to open when we went so cannot comment on that.

[susieb]

thanks paula we're not staying onsite but will get 7 day passes I think so we can dip in and out!

[Helen uk]

Dont want to put you off but we were dissapointed when we went 2 yrs ago.We stayed in salou and thought it was a really dirty resort and would not go back again.

The water park did get busy and you had to pay for everything including beds and rubber rings to use,hense someone stole one of ours instead of shelling out there own euros but never mind.

We thought it would be like Typhoon Lagoon,in some ways it is but its only small.We only stayed till after lunch as it was busy and we had done everything.

Now as for the theme park thats different we really loved that and dont miss the fireworks late at night around the lake,you can also sit there and have something to eat and drink.

Hope you have a better time than we did .:wavey:

[missl]

we stayed at portaventura hotel and loved it also didnt reckon much to salou itself

[susieb]

thanks. We are staying in Cap salou which is smaller and nicer than Salou, I have been befor emany years ago when my sister was a rep there and we hated Salou but liked Cap Salou and Cambrils. Really only booked for the theme park!

Am hoping for no queues and nice waether!

[Dabies]

We went in July last year and had a great time, we stayed in a hotel very close to PA. Here's the view from our balcony,
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh311/morgan2609/PortAventura%202007/View.jpg

We were only about a 10 min walk from the turnstiles. The park itself is massive, and has tonnes of fantastic rides, and absolutely loads of shows to watch. The waterpark was also good. It's no BB or TL, but it's still good fun, it has some nice slides and an indoor section to get out of the sun for a bit. Unlike Helen Uk said we didn't have to pay for anything once we were in, the sunbeds were free, and there were plenty of rings in the lazy river to use.

One last thing, don't miss the nightime show FiestaVentura, it's a fantastic way to end the day, but you do have to get your spot about an hour beforehand.

Anyway, I'm sure you'll love it.

[TrueBlueAngel]

We went last year and stayed at the El Paso hotel. The hotel was lovely and the staff helpful, but the locals - dreadful! Whether it was in the hotel restaurant or in the park, it was a free-for-all with the most dreadful CMs who had no idea of order. If you're expecting the same as in Florida, forget it. To get along there, you need to think 'Spanish' and be arrogant and pushy just like them.
But the park itself was good (not quite Florida standard) and the waterpark was fun. I agree with others here, Salou was dirty and we rarely went there (we're not beach people anyway), but the little train ride through it is nice enough.
One visit was enough for us and we knew halfway through our holiday there we had made the wrong decision and should've went back to WDW!

[mickeyears]

We were thinking about going this year but decided to save the money and go to WDW again next year. Hope you have a nice time x

[missl]

we would like to go back but would want to stay at hotel portaventura again but with the price might aswell go to florida

[Sable]

Hi

Just back from Hotel Port Aventura this morning. Have been there before and absolutely loved the hotel - it's nice to be able to come and go to the park for an hour or two.

The water park was closed all week as they are expanding it at the moment but I am sure it will be opened again by next year. I enjoyed the water park the previous times I have been - I've never had to pay fo sunbeds and whilst you can rent rubber rings I really don't see much point for May - there are always plenty in the lazy river anyway.

Beach club was also shut this time of year which I have never done and had been looking forward to :(

The weather was fine for the most part - it rained a few times but mostly at night and one or two mornings - but this was fine as we just headed in to the park (any excuse does me lol)

Crowds in the park... most rides are walk on or a max 15 minute wait during the week. Saturdays and Sundays are understandably a lot busier when the Spanish arrive for the weekend. What I did notice most days I was there - the new ride Furious Baco was always really crowded mornings and evenings but at about 4 in the afternoon there was a very small queue. I don't know if this is typical but it worked for me!

I have to agree that I don't think much of Salou but Cambrils, Cap Salou and even La Pineda are quite nice to spend an afternoon in. There is also a water park with a dolpin show in La Pineda but I've never been so can't comment.

I hope you have a fab time and you will if you go with the right attitude (like I did). At the airport someone kept telling me how awful a time they had and you will always meet people like that. At the end of the day a holiday is what you make it and I made mine fabulous! A nice wee break until I get back to WDW! Enjoy!

[Bats]

We went in June in 2004 (while Euro 2004 was on). Stayed at the Hotel el Paso which was lovely.

When we were there, and for the 2 weeks either side, travellers staying at the onsite hotels could use the water park every day but at other times it was only once per week. Think it's once per week at most times now unfortunately.

At Costa Caribe, we always used the sunbeds which were over the bridge and to the left. We found it to be a nice spot, out of the way of walking traffic but near enough to all amenities too. We did have to pay for tubes and sunbeds but it wasn't that much back then.

Agree that Salou was/is quite awful but have been to Cap Salou too and found it much nicer. If you've a fooball fan going with you, a trip to the Camp Nou in Barcelona is excellent. The tour is really interesting and although the stadium is very old, the Mega Store makes up for it .... it's humungous!!! :omg:

[susieb]

thanks for your replies all

[Big Belle]

We went May half term 2004 & stayed at a hotel called H10 at Cap Salou. It was absolutely lovely. The park was great but it was VERY hot the day we were there. I don't remember the queues being too bad but we went mid-week.

BB
x

[Bellestar]

Great News we have looked @ it for a week between florida to see what it is like, looked @ staying on Hotel Portaventura, :grin: