Has anyone visited a UK Theme Park recently?

[Michyloulou]

If so, how was it re Coronavirus precautions/cleaning etc.
Was the park busy?
Just asking as we’re planning a trip to Southampton to see my in-laws soon, but going to stay a couple of days at Premier Inn so we can also treat the kids to a day out at Paulton’s Park (we don’t bother with Peppa Pig world as our kids have all out-grown it & find it too babyish).
I’m sure these places are doing everything they can to attract business, so my gut feeling is that they’re probably going to be on it with regard to cleaning. I know they’re operating on a limited capacity basis for example.
We’ve had an email (as we’ve visited previously) just saying that as 2 rides exit via a shop, you are required to wear masks on those rides, and obviously for the gift shop at the end. Other than that masks aren’t required walking around which is a bonus.

[Guest]

Since they reopened we have visited Chessington and we are just now on our way home from an over night stay at Alton towers .
Both very busy, like extremely busy considering they’re supposed to be reducing capacity.
They are wiping touch points down regularly, Lots of hand gel on ride entrances and exits , social distancing markers in queue lines (which some people just can’t seem to pay attention to!) and one way systems.
You have to wear masks in shops and some rides but not when walking around .
The mask thing is a bit of a non issue as no one seems to mind and complies .

[Whitequeen]

Originally Posted by FizzyWhip

Since they reopened we have visited Chessington and we are just now on our way home from an over night stay at Alton towers .
Both very busy, like extremely busy considering they’re supposed to be reducing capacity.
They are wiping touch points down regularly, Lots of hand gel on ride entrances and exits , social distancing markers in queue lines (which some people just can’t seem to pay attention to!) and one way systems.
You have to wear masks in shops and some rides but not when walking around .
The mask thing is a bit of a non issue as no one seems to mind and complies .

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The Alton Towers thing is bothering me. I was under the impression that it would be reduced capacity and social distancing would be enforced but yours is one of many reports saying this just isn't the case. We're booked to go on 24th August and I don't want to go now.

[fefifoe]

Visted Blackpool 2 weeks ago. Pleasure beach was at max 30% capacity they said - and I believe it - we never waited long for any ride - infact we rode Icon 7 or 8 times.
Hand sanitisers on entering queues and exiting them. Markers in Queue to show where to stand , rides stopped and cleaned about every hour it seemed. Majority sticking to the one way paths etc but your usual few that think it doesnt apply to them.
All in though i felt very safe, felt safer in there than I did in the shopping centre as at that time masks were not mandatory unlike at home.

[Guest]

Originally Posted by Whitequeen

The Alton Towers thing is bothering me. I was under the impression that it would be reduced capacity and social distancing would be enforced but yours is one of many reports saying this just isn't the case. We're booked to go on 24th August and I don't want to go now.

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Well, the queues looked even longer than they were due to the social distancing in the queue lines but I still feel it was massively busy so I contacted them but they still say they are following government guidelines but won’t say what percentage they’ve reduced it by .
Hmmm...
Don’t get me wrong , we still had a fab couple of days and all you can do is make sure you stay 2m even if some morons can’t .
We didn’t feel unsafe , I was just so annoyed by how long the queues were!

[Michyloulou]

That’s good to hear they’re cleaning, not so good that it’s still extremely busy with reduced capacity.
Hope you enjoyed both of your days?
We usually always take a picnic & just buy the kids an ice cream (mainly to save money), but at least it means we won’t be queuing for meals. I say picnic, but with staying at Premier inn for 2 nights we won’t have anywhere to keep food cold, so on the morning of going to Paulton’s Park we usually nip to a nearby Morrisons and grab a meal deal each and a bag of large cookies.
I’m looking forward to a tiny bit of American vibe as their new Tornado Springs area & rides are open (the area based on 1950’s America). I’ll try & post a few photos when we return!

[Guest]

Originally Posted by Michyloulou

That’s good to hear they’re cleaning, not so good that it’s still extremely busy with reduced capacity.
Hope you enjoyed both of your days?
We usually always take a picnic & just buy the kids an ice cream (mainly to save money), but at least it means we won’t be queuing for meals. I say picnic, but with staying at Premier inn for 2 nights we won’t have anywhere to keep food cold, so on the morning of going to Paulton’s Park we usually nip to a nearby Morrisons and grab a meal deal each and a bag of large cookies.
I’m looking forward to a tiny bit of American vibe as their new Tornado Springs area & rides are open (the area based on 1950’s America). I’ll try & post a few photos when we return!

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We did still have a good time at both places but this whole thing just makes you aware of people’s personal hygiene (people biting their nails 🤮 ) and spacial awareness .
MOST were ok but some just couldn’t work out that you were supposed to stand on the chevrons even though staff were telling guests over the tannoy .. can’t fix stupid !

[jb_82]

Originally Posted by Michyloulou

That’s good to hear they’re cleaning, not so good that it’s still extremely busy with reduced capacity.
Hope you enjoyed both of your days?
We usually always take a picnic & just buy the kids an ice cream (mainly to save money), but at least it means we won’t be queuing for meals. I say picnic, but with staying at Premier inn for 2 nights we won’t have anywhere to keep food cold, so on the morning of going to Paulton’s Park we usually nip to a nearby Morrisons and grab a meal deal each and a bag of large cookies.
I’m looking forward to a tiny bit of American vibe as their new Tornado Springs area & rides are open (the area based on 1950’s America). I’ll try & post a few photos when we return!

See more...

We went to Paultons Park last week. We had a great time and the park are doing a great job. Some areas felt busy especially Peppa pig world at some parts of the day but there are plenty of open spaces to escape to. Social distancing markers in all the queues and most people stuck to them. Some lines got up to 45 mins or so but we found if you came back later it was a much more reasonable 20 mins or so.

The new area is not open yet, it was meant to in May but it has been delayed until 2021.

[Princess Ariel]

We got back from our weekend at Alton towers last night.
The hotel was lovely, however there is no way on earth AT are running at reduced capacity, all the car parks were full, the parks were full and waiting times for the big rides were 60mins or more most of the day for the two days we were there. Smiler, thirteen and wicker man We’re normally 90-120 mins.
The water park was also very busy. Even the extraordinary golf was packed!
I was aware of the crowd levels before we went so I was prepared for it, however if people are expecting a quieter or empty park... don’t go!
Social distancing was also more or less non existent most of the weekend!

[mikeclark007]

Originally Posted by Princess Ariel

We got back from our weekend at Alton towers last night.
The hotel was lovely, however there is no way on earth AT are running at reduced capacity, all the car parks were full, the parks were full and waiting times for the big rides were 60mins or more most of the day for the two days we were there. Smiler, thirteen and wicker man We’re normally 90-120 mins.
The water park was also very busy. Even the extraordinary golf was packed!
I was aware of the crowd levels before we went so I was prepared for it, however if people are expecting a quieter or empty park... don’t go!
Social distancing was also more or less non existent most of the weekend!

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Were you able to use the second entrance at half 9 to gain early access?