 |
RCCGB FORUM
Message Board for Members of the Roller Coaster Club of Great Britain to discuss club events and all things theme park related.
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Andy Hine MBE
RCCGB Chairman
Joined: 23 Sep 2007
Posts: 480
Location: Seat 3, Phoenix, Knoebels
|
 Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 1:51 pm Post subject: Stay in or out? |
 |
|
Is it best to stay in a theme park hotel or are there better options outside?
Chessington World of Adventures & Zoo, Surrey
Soar on the Vampire rollercoaster through Transylvania, take a fiery spin round Dragon's Fury or discover the mystery of Tomb Blaster. Then come faceto-face with sharks in the park's Sealife Centre, go to www.chessington.com
Stay Inside: Holiday Inn Chessington from £169 for a family of four staying one night and with one day's entry to the park. Book at www.chessington.com
TOTAL COST: £169
Stay Outside: Holiday Inn Woking from £132 for a family of four staying one night with one day's entry to the park.
Book through www.chessington.com
TOTAL COST: £132
Verdict: Although you'll save £37 by staying outside, the hassle of driving and parking might not be worthwhile.
PortAventura Theme Park, Costa Dorada, Spain
Spread across five exotic lands with rollercoasters and other scream-inducing rides. There is also the Caribe Aquatic Park, with the highest water ride in the world, plus three new golf courses.
Stay Inside: The Mexican-style Hotel El Paso. Seven nights' half-board from £429 per adult, £225 for the first child and £365 for the second child. Flights depart Gatwick May 8. With unlimited access to PortAventura and Û100 voucher. Go to www.firstchoice.co.uk
TOTAL COST: £1,448
Stay Outside: Club Dorada Palace Hotel and Apartments, walking distance from PortAventura. Seven nights' halfboard from £239 per adult , £219 for the first child and £239 for the second child. Depart Gatwick May 8 with www.firstchoice.co.uk. Add a week's entry to Port Aventura averages £180 through www.attractiontix.co.uk
TOTAL COST: £1,116
Verdict: Even with the 100 euros spending money you'll still save £238 on a family holiday by staying outside.
Sea World, Orlando, Florida
Encounter sharks, penguins, dolphins, manatees and orcas up close. Try out rides such as Journey to Atlantis and the Manta rollercoaster. Sea World and Aquatica 2-park ticket £65 per adult.
Stay Inside: Seven nights at the Renaissance Orlando Resort, room only, from £2,330.40 for two adults and two children (departing June 6), including flights from Gatwick. Go to www.funwayholidays.co.uk, 0844 557 3875.
TOTAL COST: £2,330.40
Stay Outside: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Orlando International Drive, minutes away Sea World. Seven nights' room-only from £1,999.38 for two adults and two children including flights from Gatwick on June 6. Go to www.funwayholidays.co.uk TOTAL COST: £1,999.38
Verdict: Stay outside and save £331.02.
Parc Astérix, Picardie, France
Just an hour north of Paris, Parc Astérix cleverly combines merrymaking and historical authenticity for a great day out. The Meet Asterix & Obelisk at Parc Asterix, France park has 31 attractions and live shows.
Stay Inside: From £58pp per night based on four sharing at the Hôtel des Trois Hiboux. Book at www.parcasterix.fr or call 0033 3 44 623131.
TOTAL COST: £232
Stay Outside: From £168pp per night based on four sharing at Tiara Château Hôtel Mont Royal Chantilly in La Chapelle en Serval (www.tiarahotels.com, 0033 3 4454 5050).
TOTAL COST: £672
Verdict: Stay inside to save £440 with no parking problems.
Universal Orlando Resort, Florida
Thrills in two theme parks - Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, plus Universal CityWalk.
Highlights include The Simpsons Ride and Revenge of the Mummy - The Ride - go to www.universalorlando.co.uk
Advertisement - article continues below »
Stay Inside: Loews Royal Pacific Resort has rooms sleeping up to five from £160 per night, including pass for both parks - call 0808 234 2305..
Total Cost:£160 per night
Stay Outside:B&B form £64.39 per room per night at the Comfort Suites near Universal, with two queen beds and a double sofabed. Free theme park shuttle bus-book through www.expedia.co.uk
Total Cost:£64.39 per night
Verdict: No-brainer... stay outside and you'll save £95.61 per night.
Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida
Storybook fantasty comes to life with rides like Mickey's PhilharMagic, a 3-D adventure, the Wishes Night-time Fire-work Spectacular of Spectacular, the rollicking high speed rollercoaster of Space Mountain and the ghoulish Haunted Mansion.
Stay Inside: seven nights' room-only, including flights form Gatwick or Manchester with car hire form £799per adult and £369 per child (Sept 5-30). www.virgnholidays.co.uk
TOTAL COST:£2,366
Stay Outside:Seven night's room-only at the Four Points Sheraton Studio City, incl flights and car hire, form £859 per adult and £359 per child (Sep 5-30) www.virginholidays.co.uk
TOTAL COST:£2,436
Verdict: Stay inside. Save £100 and have early-morning access to the rides.
Disneyland Resort Paris, France
This bursts with attractions to suit all ages, from toddlers' (and grandparents') favourite It's A Small World to actionpacked thrill rides like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril and Thunder Mountain. Go to www.disneylandparis.com
Stay Inside: A two-night, three-day B& B package at the two-star Hotel Santa Fe from £189 adults and £93 children (7- 11). Under-sevens free. Includes three-day tickets - www.disneylandparisdirect.com
TOTAL COST: £564
Stay Outside: Two nights at the twostar Kyriad Hotel from £168 per adult and £79 per child. Free shuttle bus (www.disneylandparisdirect.com/0845 367 5111). A three-day park hopper ticket costs £94 adults and £80 kids.
TOTAL COST: £842
Verdict: Much cheaper in the park.
Alton Towers, Staffs
Alton Towers Resort is packed full of white-knuckle rides, nerve-wracking black drops and vertical Gs. Go to www.alton-towers.co.uk or call 08705 204060
Stay Inside: Choose Alton Towers Hotel or Splash Landings Hotel. From £55 per room, B& B (call 0871 702 7016).
TOTAL COST: £55
Stay Outside: The Manor Cheadle, four miles from Alton Towers, an old rectory in Cheadle. Prices from £55 per room B& B (www.themanorcheadle.co.uk, 01538 753 450).
Total Cost: £55 VERDICT: Evenly matched, so it's up to you - whether you want to keep the kids revved up near the rides or escape for a bit of peace and quiet!
Loro Parque, Tenerife
A fascinating wildlife site - part zoo, part aquarium, part theme park and part educational facility - this is a one-of-akind animal paradise and an inspiring and amazing day out for all ages (www.loroparque.com, 0034 922 37 38 41).
Stay Inside: From £80pp B& B per night, including spa access, at the fivestar Hotel Botanico. It's close to the Loro Parque exhibits and owned by the same group - go to www.hotelbotanico.com
TOTAL COST: £320
Stay Outside: Try the four-star Hotasa Puerto Resort at £67pp per night - go to www.hotasa.com
TOTAL COST: £268
Verdict: For an extra £52 per night, it's worth trading up to five stars and the spa at the park's own hotel.
_________________
Andy Hine is also known as NEV!
RCCGB - THE Club for trips!
UNITING COASTER ENTHUSIASTS SINCE 1988
[/url] |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
bradpeet
Hyper Poster
Joined: 08 Oct 2007
Posts: 222
Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 2:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Very interesting, and useful - thanks Nev.
It looks like the prices of the Alton Towers hotels are much more competitive than previously.
(I can't help thinking that somebody has too much time on their hands though   )
_________________
Now counting my coasters at http://www.coastercounter.com/bradpeet - which even has the snails  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
coaster-andy
Mega Poster
Joined: 01 Oct 2007
Posts: 382
Location: Crick ,Northants
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 3:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I think he is board or he is trying to find new places for new trips in the future 
Or he should be sorting things out but got completely board
_________________
Memeber of the 08 Top Thrill Rollback Club + Member of the "First to be denied SAW by Technical Failure" club.
A member of 2009 charity rider 100 times on Megefobia |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bluea61
Moderator
Joined: 24 Sep 2007
Posts: 863
Location: Portsmouth, Hants
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 11:19 am Post subject: |
|
|
That is very interesting. Although it is worth noting that with some parks you get extra benefits by staying in the park hotel, for example for Port Aventura:
*Unlimited access to PortAventura Park
*PortAventura Express Hotels: Fast entry to the best rides in PortAventura
*Free access to the private Beach Club
*Entry to Caribe Aquatic Park
*PortAventura Pass. Pay for your purchases in the theme park with your room key.
*Pick Up Service. We'll deliver all purchases you make in the Park directly to your hotel.
*Priority bookings in restaurants with waiter-service.
So some extra benefits you wouldn't get in a stand alone hotel.
_________________
Steve
RCCGB - 2355
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
butler
Moderator
Joined: 24 Sep 2007
Posts: 741
Location: Ilford, Essex
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 11:36 am Post subject: |
|
|
Having stayed onsite at Disney in Orlando. I would reccomend staying there as the benifits far outway thh extra cost.
At the end of a hot busy day all you have to do is get on a bus and they drive you home. Staying off-site means you have to find your car and leave the park at the same time as all the other hundreds of cars.
John
_________________
Member of the "First to be denied SAW by Technical Failure" club |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Join! (free) 
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
