There is much news from the theme parks business in the UK this week.
As an "affordable" rival to Center Parcs, Chessington World of Adventures wants to open a water park within the M25 area, with wave, infinity and spa pools, lazy and rapid rivers, themed water slides, a splash pool and aqua play.
The park said this week that it would be affordable because families could visit without the necessity of staying overnight at the resort. Not only would it rival Center Parcs, but the water park would be the first of its kind in the London area.
The company, part of Merlin Entertainments, has submitted plans to Kingston Council that include the expansion of its safari hotel and other developments at the park.
The news came as Scarborough's Alpamare water park said it is to close for the winter because of high energy costs.
Meanwhile, at Southend-on-Sea in Essex, the Adventure Island’s Rage roller-coaster hit the headlines when the ride stopped half-way through, leaving people hanging vertically for about 30 minutes last Saturday. Apparently the ride’s safety computer caused the stoppage.
While all of this has been going on, many parks around the country have been preparing for a hoped-for boost from Halloween. Alton Towers, Legoland, Thorpe Park and Chessington have all planned special events to cater for the bizarre and gruesome centring around the half-term next week.
Chessington will run its Howl’o’ween from now until October 30; Legoland has a Brick or Treat event under way until November 5; Alton Towers is running its Scarefest until October 31; and Thorpe Park its Fright Nights through to the end of the month.
Incidentally, the latter park was forced to apologies to locals for keeping them awake all night with its blaring Halloween sound effects, for 12 hours non-stop after a technical fault in the early hours of Monday.
