Latest news with #Playland
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Daily Record
UK's cheapest theme parks revealed - including one where entry is completely free
As school holiday boredom takes its toll, many parents will be looking for days out that won't break the bank - and these theme parks offer affordable family fun As any parent will tell you, the terms 'budget-friendly' and ' theme park ' seldom appear together in conversation. With numerous weeks of school holidays to occupy, many mums and dads will be seeking days out that won't drain their wallet. Research by Outdoor Toys analysed the peak pricing of theme parks throughout the UK, ranking attractions based on children's ticket costs during summer weekends. This suggests those prepared to visit during quieter periods or weekdays could make even greater savings. The attraction claiming the top spot was Playland Fun Park in Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire, which charges no entry fee. Instead, you pay for individual rides, with many priced at just £1. Their website boasts it has "20 fantastic attractions", featuring a pirate ship, F1 cars, and bumper boats. During warmer days, youngsters can enjoy the splash park to beat the heat. Savvy parents can cut costs further by packing their own food and drink - there's a picnic spot with tables. Despite its bargain pricing, Playland boasts impressive TripAdvisor feedback. One visitor commented: "Went with our son and our 3 year old granddaughter . She loved it. Loads of electric cars and bikes for her to drive. She was very happy there and on way home. Queues very small even on a sunny Saturday, every ride 1 or 2 pounds." Another reviewer noted: "This was really fun and a great price. Does need a bit of a refurb but we enjoyed it regardless. Nice pace going round." Next on the list was The Web Adventure Park, situated just outside York. A child's ticket is a bargain at £17.95 during the summer months, giving access to an indoor play area, fairground attractions, and a section for 'animal encounters' where youngsters can interact with animals. There are regular foam parties in the summer too, so be sure to pack some spare clothes. With an excellent 4.5-star rating on TripAdvisor, one visitor praised it as: "Amazing value for money! All staff were excellent and friendly. Was nice to have paid and let the kids enjoy everything without having to budget." In third place is Camel Creek Adventure Park in Wadebridge, Cornwall, where entry starts at only £20 for children, with kids under 92cm admitted free of charge. An added perk is that purchasing a day ticket entitles you to a free seven-day pass – ideal for families on holiday in the popular Cornwall region. Camel Creek features thrilling rides such as Thunder Falls, a rollercoaster that ends with a splash, a pirate ship, and a chair swing. For those who adore animals, the stables and pet corner are sure to be a hit, offering the chance to meet a variety of adorable creatures. Just shy of third spot is Fantasy Island in Skegness. If thrill rides aren't your thing, you can enter for free and enjoy attractions such as the daily market. However, if you want to enjoy the rides, a wristband for a single day will set you back £20.50 for children, as the research indicates. For those planning an extended visit, you can opt for either a two or seven-day wristband, which offers better value per day. Fantasy Island has a wide variety of attractions, ranging from white-water rapids to thrilling rollercoasters, alongside gentler rides suitable for younger children. You can even book on-site accommodation for an extended staycation and enjoy more of the park. The attraction holds 3.8 stars on TripAdvisor, with one visitor commenting: "We've been before but not for a few years, and I have to say I think Fantasy Island is a great day out for all the family. The kids (aged 14, 11 and 8) had a superb time and I thoroughly recommend spending a full day here. Wristband prices are good value." The same reviewer offered a helpful cost-cutting suggestion: "I didn't realise beforehand but apparently there is a blue light discount too if you are eligible." Rounding out the top five, BeWILDerwood in Cheshire secured fifth place, with peak season admission priced at just under £23. BeWILDerwood markets itself as offering: "Magical family fun in the great outdoors!" and features woodland-themed adventures including an aerial maze, enormous slides, and live performances all covered by your entry fee. One guest said: "The place is really great - loads of tree house type mazes, play areas, craft area, show & meet & greet with the show's character. All the staff we encountered were very friendly."
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Cheapest theme parks in the UK revealed - including one that's £0 to enter
While a day at a theme park can leave a big hole in your wallet, there are some parks that give you plenty of thrills for a reasonable price As any parent will know, the words 'cheap' and ' theme park ' are rarely found in the same sentence. And with many weeks of school holidays to fill, many parents will be looking for days out that won't break the bank. A study by Outdoor Toys compared the peak prices of theme parks across the UK, ranking theme parks based on the cost of a child's ticket on a weekend during the summer. This means those who are willing to visit outside of peak season or on a weekday could save even more. The theme park taking home the crown was Playland Fun Park in Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire, which offers free admission. Instead, you pay per ride, with many costing just £1. According to their website, they have "20 fantastic attractions", which include a pirate ship, F1 cars, and bumper boats. On summer days, kids can cool off in the splash park. And savvy parents can save even more money by bringing their own food and drink. There's even a picnic area with benches. Despite its budget price tag, Playland has some excellent reviews on TripAdvisor. One said: "Went with our son and our 3 year old granddaughter . She loved it. Loads of electric cars and bikes for her to drive. She was very happy there and on way home. Queues very small even on a sunny Saturday, every ride 1 or 2 pounds." Another reviewer said: "This was really fun and a great price. Does need a bit of a refurb but we enjoyed it regardless. Nice pace going round." Up next on the list is The Web Adventure Park, on the outskirts of York. A kid's ticket costs just £17.95 in summer, and includes both an indoor play centre, fairground rides, and an area with 'animal encounters' where kids can play with furry friends. There's even a regular foam party, so make sure you pack a change of clothes. Holding an impressive 4.5 star rating on TripAdvisor, one visitor dubbed it: "Amazing value for money! All staff were excellent and friendly. Was nice to have paid and let the kids enjoy everything without having to budget." Third on the list is Camel Creek Adventure Park, which is in Wadebridge, Cornwall, with tickets from just £20 for kids, and children under 92cm getting in free. As a bonus, if you buy a day ticket, you can get a free seven-day pass, perfect for families holidaying in the popular Cornwall area. Camel Creek has rides that include Thunder Falls, a rollercoaster which plummets into water, a pirate ship, and a chair swing. Animal loving kids will also love the stables and pet corner, where they can make friends with lots of cute creatures. Narrowly missing out on third place is Fantasy Island in Skegness. If rides aren't your thing, you can enter for free and browse attractions such as the 7-day market. Otherwise, you'll need to buy a wristband, which for one day will cost £20.50 for kids, according to the research. If you're staying nearby, you can choose a two or seven-day wristband, which works out much cheaper per day. Fantasy Island has a huge selection of rides, from river rapids to rollercoasters, plus tamer options for little ones. There's even on-site accommodation for longer staycations. The park has 3.8 stars on TripAdvisor, with one review saying: "We've been before but not for a few years, and I have to say I think Fantasy Island is a great day out for all the family. The kids (aged 14, 11 and 8) had a superb time and I thoroughly recommend spending a full day here. Wristband prices are good value." The reviewer gave an additional money saving tip: "I didn't realise beforehand but apparently there is a blue light discount too if you are eligible." Finally, BeWILDerwood in Cheshire came fifth on the list, with peak time tickets at just under £23. BeWILDerwood describes its attraction as: "Magical family fun in the great outdoors!" and has tree-themed activities from a sky maze to giant slides and even live shows included in the ticket price. One reviewer said: "The place is really great - loads of tree house type mazes, play areas, craft area, show & meet & greet with the show's character. All the staff we encountered were very friendly." Cheapest theme parks in the UK *Entry fee is based on a peak summer weekend ticket for a child in 2025
San Francisco Chronicle
16-06-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Smaller amusement parks hope for a strong summer under the shadow of tariffs
NEW YORK (AP) — The trade disputes involving global economic powerhouses such as the U.S. and China are being felt even in such distinctly local places as your regional amusement park. Families who balk at the cost of a summer vacation at big amusement parks like Disney World favor trips to regional parks, which typically are within driving distance, so expensive flights aren't necessary. But if tariffs lead to economic uncertainty, they may just stay home. For park owners, tariffs could subject them to extra costs that their customers might not think about. Parts of the rides are made of imported steel that's currently subject to tariffs. Those prizes and toys people win after they shoot basketballs into a hoop? They usually come from China, which has been subject to varying tariffs. So far this year, however, there's been no letdown. 'We've had good crowds, and everyone seems excited to be here,' said Brian Hartley, vice president of Playland's Castaway Cove, in Ocean City, New Jersey, which boasts 30 rides, miniature golf, go-karts, and other beachfront attractions. 'As long as the weather is good, they're ready to come down.' That's true for park-goer Chris Del Borrello, at Castaway Cove on a bustling June Friday evening with a group of 10 family members, including his four children. 'We come here every year because it's so fun, and we build memories every single summer,' he said. Tariffs loom over the summer tourism industry just as leisure travel is expected to finally get back to prepandemic levels. The U.S. Travel Association expects Americans to take 1.96 billion trips expected this year, up 2% from 1.92 billion last year. Travel spending is also expected to increase 2% year over year. Tariff Pressures As park operators prepared for the 2025 summer last year, President Donald Trump unrolled on-again, off-again tariffs against U.S. trade partners that made planning difficult. For instance, proposed tariffs against China started at 10% in February, rose to 20% in March, ballooned to 145% in April, and were reduced to 30% in May. On Wednesday, the Trump administration put the number at 55%. Hartley said he ordered items like stuffed animals for games from China early to beat the tariffs – and benefitted from the pause announced in May. 'We loaded up, we're tripping over stuff at this point,' he said. 'We tried to purchase as much stuff as we could to be ready for the season, because that little bit makes a big difference in the bottom line at the end of the day,' he said. In particular, the park added two new rides this year, but parts were delivered back in the fall. Not all parks were as fortunate. At Adventureland, in Farmingdale, N.Y., the steel structure for a new ride, Wave Twister, and some China-made game prizes like plush toys and basketballs were affected by tariff costs, said manager Jeanine Gentile. 'We ordered them months ago before the tariffs were in place, but they typically arrive for delivery at this time of the year, and so obviously the tariffs were in before we received the product,' she said. 'We did have to pay additional for those tariffs in order to get the product.' So far, the park is absorbing the cost – they made the decision not to raise ticket prices this year. But that could change next year. 'We've just sort of felt that if we can do this (not raise prices) for Long Island and for our guests let's do it, where we can afford it, at least for this season,' said Gentile. Economic Uncertainty At Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, which is co-owned by country legend Dolly Parton and Herschend Family Entertainment, Director of Communications Pete Owens said they decided to open a week later in March due to concerns about the economy. But so far, attendance at the park, nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, is up 4% from last year. Attendees are spending but looking for deals. A promotion giving discount tickets to public employees has proved popular. And Owens is seeing customers purchase tickets for their family closer to their actual visit instead of several days or weeks in advance. Some are even waiting until they're in the Great Smoky Mountains to decide to buy a ticket. 'I think they're all still looking very closely to see what value pricing there is or what opportunities there are,' he said. The same holds true at Silver Dollar City near Branson, Missouri, an 1880s Western-themed park, which draws its visitors from what president Brad Thomas calls 'America's heartland,' an 'oval' in the middle of the country, including Minneapolis, Denver and Memphis and Houston, Texas. 'What those families tend to say as they visit us is that they want their families just to escape, even though there's a lot of concerns in every family's life, they're all dealing with time pressure and money pressure and inflation pressure and all kinds of other things,' said Thomas. He said this year families coming to the park are sticking to a plan, moneywise. 'They have carved the money that they'll spend in their day with us or their days with us,' he said. 'They've planned that into their budget.' Back at Castaway Cove, Hartley said that while the season is going well, he worries about the mood of the consumer as economic uncertainty persists. That could affect trip planning later in the summer. 'People that really haven't already booked a vacation … it may affect, do they come down here for a weekend? Do they not? Do they come for two days instead of four or five days?' he said. 'I think people don't know what the future is going to hold.'
16-06-2025
- Business
Smaller amusement parks hope for a strong summer under the shadow of tariffs
NEW YORK -- The trade disputes involving global economic powerhouses such as the U.S. and China are being felt even in such distinctly local places as your regional amusement park. Families who balk at the cost of a summer vacation at big amusement parks like Disney World favor trips to regional parks, which typically are within driving distance, so expensive flights aren't necessary. But if tariffs lead to economic uncertainty, they may just stay home. For park owners, tariffs could subject them to extra costs that their customers might not think about. Parts of the rides are made of imported steel that's currently subject to tariffs. Those prizes and toys people win after they shoot basketballs into a hoop? They usually come from China, which has been subject to varying tariffs. So far this year, however, there's been no letdown. 'We've had good crowds, and everyone seems excited to be here,' said Brian Hartley, vice president of Playland's Castaway Cove, in Ocean City, New Jersey, which boasts 30 rides, miniature golf, go-karts, and other beachfront attractions. 'As long as the weather is good, they're ready to come down.' That's true for park-goer Chris Del Borrello, at Castaway Cove on a bustling June Friday evening with a group of 10 family members, including his four children. 'We come here every year because it's so fun, and we build memories every single summer,' he said. Tariffs loom over the summer tourism industry just as leisure travel is expected to finally get back to prepandemic levels. The U.S. Travel Association expects Americans to take 1.96 billion trips expected this year, up 2% from 1.92 billion last year. Travel spending is also expected to increase 2% year over year. As park operators prepared for the 2025 summer last year, President Donald Trump unrolled on-again, off-again tariffs against U.S. trade partners that made planning difficult. For instance, proposed tariffs against China started at 10% in February, rose to 20% in March, ballooned to 145% in April, and were reduced to 30% in May. On Wednesday, the Trump administration put the number at 55%. Hartley said he ordered items like stuffed animals for games from China early to beat the tariffs – and benefitted from the pause announced in May. 'We loaded up, we're tripping over stuff at this point,' he said. 'We tried to purchase as much stuff as we could to be ready for the season, because that little bit makes a big difference in the bottom line at the end of the day,' he said. In particular, the park added two new rides this year, but parts were delivered back in the fall. Not all parks were as fortunate. At Adventureland, in Farmingdale, N.Y., the steel structure for a new ride, Wave Twister, and some China-made game prizes like plush toys and basketballs were affected by tariff costs, said manager Jeanine Gentile. 'We ordered them months ago before the tariffs were in place, but they typically arrive for delivery at this time of the year, and so obviously the tariffs were in before we received the product,' she said. 'We did have to pay additional for those tariffs in order to get the product.' So far, the park is absorbing the cost – they made the decision not to raise ticket prices this year. But that could change next year. 'We've just sort of felt that if we can do this (not raise prices) for Long Island and for our guests let's do it, where we can afford it, at least for this season,' said Gentile. Aside from tariffs, economic uncertainty is the biggest challenge for amusement parks this season. At Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, which is co-owned by country legend Dolly Parton and Herschend Family Entertainment, Director of Communications Pete Owens said they decided to open a week later in March due to concerns about the economy. But so far, attendance at the park, nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, is up 4% from last year. Attendees are spending but looking for deals. A promotion giving discount tickets to public employees has proved popular. And Owens is seeing customers purchase tickets for their family closer to their actual visit instead of several days or weeks in advance. Some are even waiting until they're in the Great Smoky Mountains to decide to buy a ticket. 'I think they're all still looking very closely to see what value pricing there is or what opportunities there are,' he said. The same holds true at Silver Dollar City near Branson, Missouri, an 1880s Western-themed park, which draws its visitors from what president Brad Thomas calls 'America's heartland,' an 'oval' in the middle of the country, including Minneapolis, Denver and Memphis and Houston, Texas. 'What those families tend to say as they visit us is that they want their families just to escape, even though there's a lot of concerns in every family's life, they're all dealing with time pressure and money pressure and inflation pressure and all kinds of other things,' said Thomas. He said this year families coming to the park are sticking to a plan, moneywise. 'They have carved the money that they'll spend in their day with us or their days with us,' he said. 'They've planned that into their budget.' Back at Castaway Cove, Hartley said that while the season is going well, he worries about the mood of the consumer as economic uncertainty persists. That could affect trip planning later in the summer. 'People that really haven't already booked a vacation … it may affect, do they come down here for a weekend? Do they not? Do they come for two days instead of four or five days?' he said. 'I think people don't know what the future is going to hold.'
The Hill
16-06-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Smaller amusement parks hope for a strong summer under the shadow of tariffs
NEW YORK (AP) — The trade disputes involving global economic powerhouses such as the U.S. and China are being felt even in such distinctly local places as your regional amusement park. Families who balk at the cost of a summer vacation at big amusement parks like Disney World favor trips to regional parks, which typically are within driving distance, so expensive flights aren't necessary. But if tariffs lead to economic uncertainty, they may just stay home. For park owners, tariffs could subject them to extra costs that their customers might not think about. Parts of the rides are made of imported steel that's currently subject to tariffs. Those prizes and toys people win after they shoot basketballs into a hoop? They usually come from China, which has been subject to varying tariffs. So far this year, however, there's been no letdown. 'We've had good crowds, and everyone seems excited to be here,' said Brian Hartley, vice president of Playland's Castaway Cove, in Ocean City, New Jersey, which boasts 30 rides, miniature golf, go-karts, and other beachfront attractions. 'As long as the weather is good, they're ready to come down.' That's true for park-goer Chris Del Borrello, at Castaway Cove on a bustling June Friday evening with a group of 10 family members, including his four children. 'We come here every year because it's so fun, and we build memories every single summer,' he said. Tariffs loom over the summer tourism industry just as leisure travel is expected to finally get back to prepandemic levels. The U.S. Travel Association expects Americans to take 1.96 billion trips expected this year, up 2% from 1.92 billion last year. Travel spending is also expected to increase 2% year over year. As park operators prepared for the 2025 summer last year, President Donald Trump unrolled on-again, off-again tariffs against U.S. trade partners that made planning difficult. For instance, proposed tariffs against China started at 10% in February, rose to 20% in March, ballooned to 145% in April, and were reduced to 30% in May. On Wednesday, the Trump administration put the number at 55%. Hartley said he ordered items like stuffed animals for games from China early to beat the tariffs – and benefitted from the pause announced in May. 'We loaded up, we're tripping over stuff at this point,' he said. 'We tried to purchase as much stuff as we could to be ready for the season, because that little bit makes a big difference in the bottom line at the end of the day,' he said. In particular, the park added two new rides this year, but parts were delivered back in the fall. Not all parks were as fortunate. At Adventureland, in Farmingdale, N.Y., the steel structure for a new ride, Wave Twister, and some China-made game prizes like plush toys and basketballs were affected by tariff costs, said manager Jeanine Gentile. 'We ordered them months ago before the tariffs were in place, but they typically arrive for delivery at this time of the year, and so obviously the tariffs were in before we received the product,' she said. 'We did have to pay additional for those tariffs in order to get the product.' So far, the park is absorbing the cost – they made the decision not to raise ticket prices this year. But that could change next year. 'We've just sort of felt that if we can do this (not raise prices) for Long Island and for our guests let's do it, where we can afford it, at least for this season,' said Gentile. Aside from tariffs, economic uncertainty is the biggest challenge for amusement parks this season. At Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, which is co-owned by country legend Dolly Parton and Herschend Family Entertainment, Director of Communications Pete Owens said they decided to open a week later in March due to concerns about the economy. But so far, attendance at the park, nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, is up 4% from last year. Attendees are spending but looking for deals. A promotion giving discount tickets to public employees has proved popular. And Owens is seeing customers purchase tickets for their family closer to their actual visit instead of several days or weeks in advance. Some are even waiting until they're in the Great Smoky Mountains to decide to buy a ticket. 'I think they're all still looking very closely to see what value pricing there is or what opportunities there are,' he said. The same holds true at Silver Dollar City near Branson, Missouri, an 1880s Western-themed park, which draws its visitors from what president Brad Thomas calls 'America's heartland,' an 'oval' in the middle of the country, including Minneapolis, Denver and Memphis and Houston, Texas. 'What those families tend to say as they visit us is that they want their families just to escape, even though there's a lot of concerns in every family's life, they're all dealing with time pressure and money pressure and inflation pressure and all kinds of other things,' said Thomas. He said this year families coming to the park are sticking to a plan, moneywise. 'They have carved the money that they'll spend in their day with us or their days with us,' he said. 'They've planned that into their budget.' Back at Castaway Cove, Hartley said that while the season is going well, he worries about the mood of the consumer as economic uncertainty persists. That could affect trip planning later in the summer. 'People that really haven't already booked a vacation … it may affect, do they come down here for a weekend? Do they not? Do they come for two days instead of four or five days?' he said. 'I think people don't know what the future is going to hold.'
