Four Headlining Grabbing Theme Park News Stories In 2024

Theme parks are a universally popular day out for people of all ages, and the UK has some of the most visited themed destinations in the world. Whether you’re organising a coach hire for a school trip, or planning your next family outing, it’s an option that never fails. There’s a huge variety of choices featuring white knuckle roller coasters and kid-friendly rides. 

Many of the UK’s theme parks close during the winter, but if you are having withdrawal symptoms, here are a few headline grabbing stories from the past 12 months.   

Dreams come true as couple win £20,000 for theme park ride design

BBC News reported in December that a couple who live near Weymouth in Dorset have won a £20,000 prize for a unique theme park ride design. Richard and Amy Hale entered a global competition set by Storyland Studios, despite having no expectation of a response. 

However, their boat-based design Portal Riders impressed the judges and the couple were flown to Florida to be awarded the first prize. The ride involves taking passengers on a dark water ride with fantasy worlds. 

The couple said they almost didn’t enter the competition after they saw the standard of the other entries, but decided that they had ‘nothing to lose.’ Mrs Hale said: “It was one of those most surreal moments, where we were both screaming and doing a happy dance around the bedroom.” 

“When we looked at the quality of the other submissions, I honestly didn’t think we stood a chance, I tried to withdraw it.” Mr Hale said: “We tackle every day as it comes and we don’t shy away from any challenges.” 

He added: “For most boat rides in Disney or Universal, you get a small boat and you travel around to the world you’re seeing. This is quite different – the boat stays still and the world comes to you.” Mr Hale also revealed that he had previous experience designing Sea Life centres and building Christmas grottos. 

Butlin’s visit ticks off bucket list wish

A group of adults with learning disabilities were taken to Butlin’s in Minehead to tick off an item on their bucket list, BBC News reports. The famous Redcoats welcomed the group of six, who took part in arts and crafts and watched a live dinosaur themed show. Briony Lane, 40, was one of the group, who said the experience was ‘magical.’

Craig Goodwin, resort director at Butlin’s Minehead, said: “We’re delighted to have been a part of such an amazing day with the My Day Care Services and NHS Somerset teams. As soon as we were made aware that visiting a theme park was on Briony’s bucket list, we knew we had to fulfil her wish.”

The one that got away…

Plans for Europe’s biggest theme park on the outskirts of London were felled by a tiny species of rare spider. The Times reports that The London Resort, which has been in the planning stages for several years, has finally bitten the dust. The ambitious project was intended to rival Disneyland in Paris with world-class attractions.

The resort was earmarked for a site on the Swanscombe Peninsula on the Thames between Dartford and Gravesend. The project had the backing of giants such as Paramount, the BBC and ITV, and reportedly was to cost at least £3.5bn, with features based on hit movies and TV shows such as Paddington and Dr Who.

However, despite a fast-tracked planning process and government backing, the 642 acre site was designated a protected site of special scientific interest. Natural England said the former industrial site possessed “ideal conditions for a unique variety of wildlife.” 

Most notably, it is home to a particular species of jumping spider (Sitticus distinguendus), which is one of the rarest spiders in the UK.  Despite investors sinking millions of pounds into the scheme, the giant theme park plans are now firmly sunk by a miniscule spider. Now that could make a good plot for a movie…

…And a shopping mall

OK, so this last one is a shopping mall rather than a theme park, but some would argue that Bicester Village in Oxfordshire is a theme park dedicated to designer labels at bargain prices. Despite many Britons being unaware of its existence, it is a major global tourist attraction, drawing visitors from all over the world.

In fact, The Times reports that it is the second most visited destination for Chinese tourists after Buckingham Palace.