With the final preparations completed, Drayton Manor’s highly anticipated new thrill ride, Air Race, is officially airborne. The new attraction was officially launched on Saturday 5th July with the help of one of the UK’s hottest pop bands, The Vamps.
The teen heart-throbs, Bradley Simpson, James McVey, Connor Ball and Tristan Evans, opened the theme park’s £1.2million attraction, accompanied by a dazzling confetti cannon display, before fastening their seatbelts for the first flight, alongside lucky competition winners.
Visitors to the park were also treated to a sensational acoustic performance from The Vamps, where excited fans watched them perform their hit songs Somebody To You, Can We Dance and Cecilia, ahead of their debut ‘Meet The Vamps’ headline tour later this year.
This year LEGOLAND Windsor will be awash with buccaneering adventure in the new Pirate Shores, now open at the park. Featuring themed rides and activities and 100s of LEGO models, Pirate Shores promises some serious swashbuckling fun.
More than 100 brand new LEGO models and themed features make the Pirate Falls Treasure Quest log flume ride an exciting Lego-tastic voyage. Guided by Scallywag the Parrot, riders join Captain Goodbrick on an explosive quest for Captain Blackheart’s hidden treasure. Add in the rollicking Jolly Rocker pirate ship ride and Pirate Goldwash. Plus, opening in May, Castaway Camp an all new pirate adventure play area and a new themed family restaurant Pirate Shores Burger Kitchen; Pirate Shores adds up to a hearty dose of family fun; strictly not for landlubbers.
To celebrate the opening of Pirate Shores a very special new appointment has been made at the LEGOLAND Resort Hotel as Charlie “the corpsing” McCaw takes up his perch as Parrot in Residence. Hotel guests will be able to “chat” with the ultimate pirate side-kick whose other skills include “playing dead”.
Chessington Azteca Hotel is now open, the second of the Resort Hotels located onsite at Chessington World of Adventures, and is set across three themed floors with spectacular views. There are 69 family-friendly rooms, a unique and interactive restaurant, and more - all situated right in the heart of Chessington World of Adventures.
We were invited to the launch of the Chessington Azteca Hotel, here is our review and a selection of photos.
LEGOLAND Windsor’s talented team of special Model Makers and Animators have spent a mammoth 2,541 hours creating some of Europe’s most iconic landmarks, including a 4 metre tall Eiffel Tower, as the famous Miniland gets a new Paris.
Installed when the park opened 18 years ago, the original Paris scene was in need of a makeover, so the buildings and boulevards were taken out at the end of the 2013 season to be replaced by resplendent new LEGO creations. As well as the Eiffel Tower, the scene features an incredibly detailed Arc de Triomphe, The Louvre and The Moulin Rouge with lights and animations. All of the structures are amazingly intricate recreations and the Model Makers have spent hours examining photographs and footage of the real buildings to ensure maximum accuracy.
The entire scene is comprised of more than 650,000 LEGO bricks with 230,000 of those making up the Eiffel Tower. The buildings weigh a staggering 389kg (that’s more than 62 stone!) and most of them were carefully maneuvered into place last week. The 150kg Eiffel Tower is the final piece of the Paris landscape to be installed and the top of the Tower was placed into position with military precision by Model Makers today.
Deep in the heart of the New Forest, Paultons Park is home to the world’s first and UK exclusive Peppa Pig World. There are new rides, attractions, eating and shopping experiences for 2014.
As well as being home to Peppa Pig World, Paultons Park has this year launched a brand new, hand-crafted Victorian Carousel. Sporting two levels, beautiful music and 24 traditionally painted horses; visitors will be able to gallop into their own fairy-tale experience on this enchanting new ride.
Bringing the legendary Robin Hood to the 4D Cinema for the first time, Robin Hood 4D is a family action adventure that takes audiences of all ages on the whirlwind journey of Maid Marion as she plunges into a world of excitement and falls for the dashing, reckless outlaw Robin Hood.
For the first time in the UK, a theme park adventure and an array of wonderful live safari animals - including White Rhino, Giraffe and Grevy’s Zebra - come together in one amazing attraction as Chessington World of Adventures launches Zufari - Ride into Africa. Come face to face with African animals as you embark on a thrilling journey but beware of the hidden dangers you may encounter along the way.
We were invited to the launch of Zufari - Ride into Africa at Chessington World of Adventures on Friday 15th March, here are a selection of our photos from the event.
