We love Thorpe Park and Charlie can’t wait to get to the magic 1.4M to do the big rides. But for now, we tend to hit King Pigs Wild Hog Dodgems, Mr Monkey’s Banana Ride, Rush, Timber Tug Boat, Rocky Express, Lumber Jump, Flying Fish and the Angry Birds 4D Experience.
So, if all goes to plan – the park is opening on April 12th 2021 including the Shark Cabins as they are classed as self contained accommodation.
Download the Thorpe Park App to your phone prior to your visit. You can book tickets and accommodation via the app. Also, you can buy meal deals and digipass (photos) via the app. Plan your visit on the app, choose which rides you want to go on and check everyone in the group is eligible to ride (mainly for the little legs in your group). But probably the most useful bits of the app is the live queue checker to keep an eye on queue times and an interactive map to help you get around the park.
If you do have little legs, do the Flying Fish early, but we have never queued for more than about 20 minutes for it to be honest, the same with the Banana Ride.
Once you have done the rides with the slightly longer queues, head over to to the Old Town and you’ll find that the Timber Tug Boat, Rocky Express and Lumber Jump are all pretty much walk on rides, perfect for the little legs in the group.
In the summer, make the most of Amity Beach. Last year (2020) you had to pre-book a time slot, so I suggest that if you want to visit it this summer, head straight and book your slot as soon as you get to to the park as the slots get booked up quickly.
My favourite “big ride” is Swarm, close second is Stealth. Once Charlie hits that magic 1.4, Swarm will be his first “big ride” we’ll be doing.
Again, like all of the other parks, Thorpe Park are only accepting pre-booked tickets, you can get yours here. If you are a passholder, you still have to pre-book (no charge). You can’t just turn up on the day, so to get your passholder ticket, click here. Its very easy to do if you have a pass, just scroll down on the page and will tell you how to book.
All food outlets will be take-away only for now, there are areas where you can sit and staff are constantly cleaning tables.
You are allowed to take picnics.
Face masks are mandatory for 11+
The park, like the others, have gone cashless – so make sure that you either have a bank card, or Apple / Google pay on your phone.
To get through security quickly, if you need to take a bag – keep stuff to a minimum as they will do a bag check before entering. If you’re able to go without a bag, then do so, it makes it much quicker to get into the park.
If you want to eat in the Infinity Bar and Grill, they are allowing you to sit down but only outside, no seating will be available inside for the time being and booking is essential as they are working at a reduced capacity. It’ll be table service only, so once shown to your table, you’re not allowed to walk around unless you need to use the restroom.
If you’re staying over, you can order takeaway from the bar and grill at an additional cost. You can also order takeaway via Just Eat / Uber Eats to be delivered.
Again, if you’re staying over a continental breakfast will be available each morning of your stay from a collection point near to the cabins. Each guest will also be given a voucher which can be used towards a purchase at one of the shops or restaurants during your visit.
Car parking – Thorpe Park now operates with ANPR. You can pre-book online here and it will ask you to enter your registration number, it will save time and a little bit of money by doing this.
Car parking – if you have either a Gold, Platinum or Premium Merlin Pass then you get free parking and just scan your card on exit
If you’re planning on visiting Chessington & Legoland whilst in the area and didn’t want to stay on site, No 9 the Courtyard in Windsor is a great choice. It sleeps up to 4 people. It’s approximately 50 mins from Chessington, 32 mins from Thorpe Park and 20 mins from Legoland, perfect if you are coming from further afield.
