I took my children to the new ‘Turkish Disney' – it may be the highlight of their year

Telegraph

2 days ago

I can't say I've ever felt compelled to hurl tomatoes through a basketball hoop. Nor have I ever been tasked with smashing suspended dinner plates with burger patties, propelling them one by one, frisbee style. Yet during recent school holidays, I found myself doing exactly this, with a surprising level of determination.
These unlikely scenarios were among the missions I encountered on SpongeBob's Crazy Carnival Ride at the new Nickelodeon Land in Turkey. While I wasn't hurtling vegetables around per se; I, my husband and our two children were using these ingredients on a series of screens, frantically trying to reach the high score from a moving carriage.
While you could relive this zany ride in Vegas, it is Europe's first. As for Nickelodeon theme parks, you'll find two others on the Continent – in Spain and Germany – plus one on British soil, at Blackpool's Pleasure Beach. But the neon-lit underwater city of Bikini Bottom, here, near the coastal resort of Belek, is like nowhere else.
To a bouncy bluegrass banjo soundtrack, we soared on swings beneath a giant pink jellyfish, squealed on the forbidding Flying Dutchman's Ghost Ship and got yo-yoed on the submarine-like Snailways Express. To temper the adrenaline, we took a sedate flight on Sandy's Rockets, marvelling at starfish-dotted rocks and 'flower clouds' around us.
There are 15 rides and attractions across Nickelodeon Land. Neighbouring Bikini Bottom is the open-air PAW Patrol: Adventure Bay, where speakers blasted out classic tunes from the popular kids' TV series. Our eyes were drawn skywards to a PAW Patrol lookout tower whose pup-themed parachutes, we were told, were off-limits owing to high winds.
But a flight on Skye's Flyers (which flew us round in a model of the namesake cockapoo's pink and grey helicopter) softened the blow before a circuit on Rubble & Crew (a spinning ground-level ride on which we were jerkily flung at high speed in mock construction vehicles that the cartoon's loveable English bulldog would typically drive) and a miniature racetrack drive.
Keen on ticking off each attraction, I cajoled my brood towards the VR expedition of the Star Trek ™ Wild Galaxy. Eerily empty, save for the Galactic creatures encased in a 'Biodome', this low-lit capsule seemed to have the desired effect: 'We shouldn't be in here,' my six-year-old stuttered. After some gentle reassurance, we continued and a human eventually appeared, presenting us with 3D glasses to wear in the Space Shuttle theatre.
Alongside a narration from Dal and Gwyn of the Star Trek ™: Prodigy spin-off series, blasts of water, sulphur-smelling air and a juddering simulator made us seemingly speed past unearthly creatures, tumbling rocks and treacherous lava fields. 'This place is epic,' the kids announced when we were back on planet Earth.
I was starting to agree. I'd previously steered away from theme parks owing to my fear of heights – and I guess, pre-conceived notions of being in a queue-heavy 'fantasy bubble'. In the lead-up to our visit, I found myself downplaying our plans among fellow parents. 'The kids will love it, even if I don't,' I'd remarked.
As it turns out, visiting outside of high season, around six weeks after opening, allayed my fear of tedious queues (€19pp Fast Track passes are available). Nick Land is part of the existing Land of Legends – which comprises four more attraction-filled zones – meaning we could dip into circus shows at Masha and the Bear Land of Laughter and enjoy a soaking on Adventure Land's Watermania boats. We followed foliage-lined paths to the Wave Shock Pool, whose faux beach setting and wave machine kept the others busy while I briefly basked in the sun.
The five-star Rixos-owned Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Antalya, which debuted with Nick Land, was our abode while at the park. Packed with Nickelodeon design features – from slime drips to life-size Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle models – and with free pick 'n' mix in the lobby, it was the stuff of kids' dreams. Staying here also gives guests unlimited park access, which usually costs from €40 per adult / €32 per child, per day.
Our bright and spacious PAW Patrol Junior Suite (there are also various Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle and SpongeBob-themed options), came with park views that we never tired of. And the hotel's SpongeBob-themed Le Spatula restaurant – with its wide-ranging buffet and Nick character-topped desserts – meant we could watch juggling chefs and the park's Typhoon Coaster through the windows. Thanks to the hotel's 'full board-plus' offering and handy location, we could swerve the park kiosks' £7 coffee, zipping back to the lobby bar for take-away drinks within minutes.
As well as an on-site splash park and pool, the children could enjoy Club Nick's drop-off craft sessions and evening discos. Post-dinner, my husband and I headed off to the adjacent open-air Shopping Avenue, taking in its twinkly lights, gondolas (£25pp) and fountain shows. Stay up late enough (we didn't) to catch its musical boat parades and Wonder of Legends Laser Show, performed in front of a glowing model château (free for hotel guests).
Nearby is another strong accommodation choice, the palatial Land of Legends Kingdom Hotel. This all-inclusive property has a colonnaded facade that wouldn't look out of place in ancient Rome. Inside, its 380 rooms come with games consoles and cartoon murals of Roman-like soldiers while dance machines, air hockey and a kids' bar serving drinks and treats complete the family-friendly picture.
As we neared the end of our trip, it became apparent that our five- and six-year-old were at a sweet-spot age for Nickelodeon Land. They happily skipped past the 100cm minimum height restrictions, and the rides were scary enough to make them squeal, yet not so terrifying as to put them off theme parks forever. My six-year-old even built up the confidence to conquer the Fiery Fist of Fun and Plankton's Plunge, Bikini Bottom's most daring rides. High-fiving their favourite sea sponge by his underwater pineapple home, during a character meet-and-greet, may well be their highlight of 2025.