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Theme parks and theatres worldwide have been preparing to entice visitors back with new rides, shows and attractions, plus enhanced safety measures. Debbie Ward reports
Lockdown has offered few thrills, so a break at a theme park or glitzy show is the perfect way to inject some excitement into clients’ plans, whether now in the UK or elsewhere in the world once green-listed. All attractions have extra health and safety measures in place and during their enforced closures they haven’t been idle, with many unveiling extra treats, from record-breaking rides to anniversary celebrations. Here’s a look at what’s new…
The Prince of Egypt musical, based on the DreamWorks Animation film, will be back at London’s Dominion Theatre from 1 July, with travel trade and group rates available from 6 September. “We look forward to telling this beloved story once again and experiencing the euphoric reactions we were privileged to receive from audiences in 2020,” say DreamWorks Theatricals producers Michael McCabe and Neil Laidlaw.
Book it: Do Something Different has supersaver seats for the show from £53pp and top seats for £106pp. dosomethingdifferent.com
The first Legoland Water Park in Europe has been unveiled at Italy’s Gardaland Resort. There are slides and games for all ages and a River Adventure, which allows visitors to cross the park in boats customised with floating bricks. Meanwhile, 10th birthday celebrations are under way at Legoland, Florida, and New York gains a Legoland this summer.
Book it: Jet2Holidays offers seven-nights’ B&B at Gardaland Hotel from £645pp based on two sharing, departing 18 September, including flights from Bristol and entry to the theme park. jet2holidays.com
Dippy’s Theatre is new at Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure in Norfolk, hosting live stage shows, movies and meet and-greets. Park director Adam Goymour says: “It gives another dimension to our mix of attractions, from Dippy’s Splash Zone to conquering your fears on Predator High Ropes.”
Book it: Single weekend tickets cost £18.95pp. Unlimited Entry Discovery Passes are £55pp until 31 October. roarrdinosauradventure.co.uk
Super Nintendo World debuted this year at Universal Studios Japan. Augmented reality technology is incorporated in the Mario Kart ride and challenge games that see guests jumping to collect coins. Also in Asia, Universal Beijing Resort has launched with Kung Fu Panda, Transformers, Harry Potter, Minions, Jurassic and Waterworld-themed lands.
Book it: A one-day Universal Studios Japan Studio Pass costs from £53 per adult and £35 per child. super-nintendo-world.usj.co.jp/en/us
“The World’s Most Magical Celebration” begins in October to mark Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th birthday. Across 18 months of festivities, Cinderella Castle and other icons at the Walt Disney World parks will be specially lit. October also sees the opening of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at Epcot.
Book it: Attraction World has a 14-day Ultimate Ticket to all Walt Disney World Orlando parks for 2022 for £547 per adult/£516 per child. attractionworld.com
Universal’s steepest drop is promised at Islands of Adventure this year on the new Jurassic World VelociCoaster in Orlando. Hotel Dockside Inn and Suites has also launched at the resort, along with DreamWorks Destination, where guests can meet their favourite characters. Meanwhile, Universal Hollywood has gained an animation adventure based on movie The Secret Life of Pets.
Book it: First Choice has a week at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort from £1047.25pp, based on a 1 September Gatwick departure. A Universal three-park explorer ticket with dosomethingdifferent.com costs from £297 per adult. firstchoice.co.uk
Clients can take selfies with superheroes and learn to draw comics at Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel, new at Disneyland Paris. The park also has a new Cars attraction. “Our guests can enjoy iconic attractions, new character moments and unique interactions with our cast members,” says Natacha Rafalski, president of Disneyland Paris.
Book it: A family of four stay with park tickets at Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel starts from £1,905.10 for a two-night/three-day package, based on 25 August arrival. disneytravelagents.co.uk
Orlando is the latest destination to be covered by an Attraction World GoSeeDo pass. It covers the Boggy Creek Everglades experience, the observation wheel at ICON Park and the i-Ride Trolley service, with big savings to be made over booking separately.
Book it: The Orlando GoSeeDo pass costs £65 per adult and £56 per child. attractionworld.com
Dubai has new attractions this year. Bollywood Parks at Dubai Parks & Resorts re-opened in January with nine new rides and experiences, including the world’s tallest swing; Atlantis Aquaventure has 28 new slides and attractions including a family water coaster; and there’s also a new desert dining experience at Sonara Camp.
Book it: Gold Medal offers four nights’ half-board staying at Lapita in Dubai Parks & Resorts in a twin room (sleeps up to four) from £739pp, including Heathrow flights. Based on travel between 1 and 14 April 2022. A day’s all-park access is included for each night booked. goldmedal.co.uk
Guests can travel back to 50 BC at Parc Asterix’s 4-star hotel Les Quais de Lutece, which opened last year and has won an award for its theming. The park, north of Paris, incorporates worlds based on historical themes, including the Roman Empire, Ancient Greece and the Vikings.
Book it: One night’s B&B at Les Quais de Lutece costs from £200 for a family of four. Advance park tickets cost €45 per adult/€42 per child. parcasterix.fr
Construction has resumed on Universal Orlando Resort’s Epic Universe. “It will become the most immersive and innovative theme park we have ever created,” claims Tom Williams, chairman and chief executive for Universal Parks & Resorts.
Book it: Opening dates still TBC. For details, contact salesandmarketing@nbcuni.com universalpartnercommunity.com
Common Covid-safe measures in place at theme parks involve number limiting, social distancing, frequent ride sanitising and mask wearing. Some also have virtual queuing apps and click-and-collect food ordering to reduce physical time in queues. Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi even has digital facial recognition for entry and purchases.
Most parks have compulsory advance booking and restricted visitor numbers; more reason to ensure clients book ahead. Look out too for parks, including Disneyland Paris, allowing flexibility on dates and packages.
