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Scottish Sun
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I went to one of Europe's biggest theme parks with more than 40 attractions and record-breaking rollercoasters
Hurtling through darkness on rollercoasters adds an electrifying twist IN FOR A RIDE I went to one of Europe's biggest theme parks with more than 40 attractions and record-breaking rollercoasters Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WITH my eyes screwed tightly shut, I brace myself for the plummet. Suddenly, I'm being hurled an agonising 76 metres down a sheer drop, approaching terrifying speeds of 83mph before being thrown through a helix loop. 4 Go head over heels on the Dragon Khan ride which has eight loops Credit: Supplied 4 The park has the tallest coaster in Europe Credit: Supplied When it's all over, I can barely recall what had just happened. This is Shambhala, one of Europe's best hypercoasters, found at PortAventura World on Spain's sizzling Costa Dorada. The theme park is celebrating its 30th birthday this year but, judging from the spine-tingling ride I'd just been on, the park is far from slowing down. In fact, it is positively thirty and thriving. Boasting some of Europe's fastest and most exciting thrill rides, top-class waterpark Caribe Aquatic, Ferrari Land, and five on-site 4H and 5H hotels, this was a birthday party invite I couldn't turn down. With GCSEs done and dusted and school out for summer, teens Poppy and Charlie were raring to let their hair down. Armed with our Unlimited Express Passes (an essential extra if you want to hit every one of the park's biggest rides, among more than 40 attractions), we literally hit the ground running. And it was the best £54(ish) we could have spent. In under an hour we had been left rattled racing each other on wooden coaster Stampida, cooled off in the Grand Canyon Rapids and been blown away by multi-dimensional dark ride Uncharted and eight-loop coaster Dragon Khan. Luckily the park is not just bold, it's also beautiful, with lush landscaping across the six themed lands of Mexico, Polynesia, China, Far West, Mediterranea and SesamoAventura, where we could recover from the adrenaline rush and soaring temperatures. Martin Lewis warns about strict passport rule that could see you board your flight - only to get sent home on arrival My favourite was the Far West, where I could live out some of the Westerns I spent my childhood watching with my dad, moseying like outlaws through town and shooting targets, before picking out costumes in the Saloon Bar for a hilarious photo memento. Even the teens threw themselves into the dressing-up box, donning petticoats as saloon girls. Their adrenaline highlights were Shambhala and Red Force. After happily watching them ride the former three times in succession, they finally persuaded me to strap my creaky, menopausal bones in. I think I was actually transported out of my body and into the mythical kingdom of Shambhala for the duration of the ride. So when it came to visiting Ferrari Land, a must-see for petrolheads and F1 fans, I decided to get my kicks on terra firma by speeding round the Maranello Grand Race track in a mini toy race car, while the girls tackled the legendary Red Force alone. 4 The Red Force roller coaster Credit: Supplied 4 Have fun in Ferrari Land Credit: Supplied As the tallest and fastest rollercoaster in Europe, it did not disappoint. Carts climb 112 metres before plummeting at a 90- degree angle, with an incredible launch system that reaches 111mph. For the first time in two days, my hyper-excited giggling girls were left absolutely speechless. All this adrenaline-fuelled fun can build up quite the appetite, and thankfully — unlike many UK theme parks — the dining options are varied and excellent. We enjoyed a leisurely lunch overlooking the Mediterranean harbour at Raco de Mar — feasting on melon and parma ham, burrata, truffle cannelloni, crispy calamari and mussels served in a delicious sauce. Electrifying twist The park has plenty of quality fast food, too, if you're keen to maximise ride time, but we were more than happy to have a break from the heat and adrenaline. Another great lunch and dinner spot can be found in the Far West, at The Iron Horse restaurant. There's a special 30th Anniversary burger on the menu that completely steals the show. The excellent grub wasn't limited to the theme park either. We'd opted for half-board at the 4H Wild West-themed Gold River Hotel and took full advantage of the vast buffet breakfast each morning. Dinner was also excellent, with fresh seafood and grill options. The dining hall can get quite busy, but we managed to find a lovely, quiet spot to eat outside each night. Aside from the food, the hotel itself is a non-stop Wild West adventure from the breathtaking atrium to the surrounding cabin accommodation brilliantly disguised as a frontier town. Anyone staying at one of the theme park hotels also gets private early access to the park and tickets to the main park and Ferrari Land are included in the price of your stay. You may not need early access, though, thanks to PortAventura's extended opening hours for the anniversary, which means the park remains accessible until 11.30pm. I'd barely finished my dinner before the girls were dragging me back to hit the rides again. The park is totally transformed after dark, with each world glowing against the night sky. Hurtling through darkness on rollercoasters adds an electrifying twist. Of course, it wouldn't be a 30th birthday bash without fireworks, either. And the nightly spectacular Fiesta Aventura is guaranteed to wow, featuring a fabulous illuminated parade, a spectacular drone display and fireworks extravaganza. It was the perfect end to one hell of a wild ride.
The Irish Sun
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I went to one of Europe's biggest theme parks with more than 40 attractions and record-breaking rollercoasters
WITH my eyes screwed tightly shut, I brace myself for the plummet. Suddenly, I'm being hurled an agonising 76 metres down a sheer drop, approaching terrifying speeds of 83mph before being thrown through a helix loop. 4 Go head over heels on the Dragon Khan ride which has eight loops Credit: Supplied 4 The park has the tallest coaster in Europe Credit: Supplied When it's all over, I can barely recall what had just happened. The theme park is celebrating its 30th birthday this year but, judging from the spine-tingling ride I'd just been on, the park is far from slowing down. In fact, it is positively thirty and thriving. Read More on Travel Boasting some of Europe's fastest and most exciting thrill rides, top-class waterpark Caribe Aquatic, Ferrari Land, and five on-site 4H and 5H hotels, this was a birthday party invite I couldn't turn down. With GCSEs done and dusted and school out for summer, teens Poppy and Charlie were raring to let their hair down. Armed with our Unlimited Express Passes (an essential extra if you want to hit every one of the park's biggest rides, among more than 40 attractions), we literally hit the ground running. And it was the best £54(ish) we could have spent. Most read in News Travel In under an hour we had been left rattled racing each other on wooden coaster Stampida, cooled off in the Grand Canyon Rapids and been blown away by multi-dimensional dark ride Uncharted and eight-loop coaster Dragon Khan. Luckily the park is not just bold, it's also beautiful, with lush landscaping across the six themed lands of Mexico, Polynesia, China, Far West, Mediterranea and SesamoAventura, where we could recover from the adrenaline rush and soaring temperatures. Martin Lewis warns about strict passport rule that could see you board your flight - only to get sent home on arrival My favourite was the Far West, where I could live out some of the Westerns I spent my childhood watching with my dad, moseying like outlaws through town and shooting targets, before picking out costumes in the Saloon Bar for a hilarious photo memento. Even the teens threw themselves into the dressing-up box, donning petticoats as saloon girls. Their adrenaline highlights were Shambhala and Red Force. After happily watching them ride the former three times in succession, they finally persuaded me to strap my creaky, menopausal bones in. I think I was actually transported out of my body and into the mythical kingdom of Shambhala for the duration of the ride. So when it came to visiting Ferrari Land, a must-see for petrolheads and F1 fans, I decided to get my kicks on terra firma by speeding round the Maranello Grand Race track in a mini toy race car, while the girls tackled the legendary Red Force alone. 4 The Red Force roller coaster Credit: Supplied 4 Have fun in Ferrari Land Credit: Supplied As the tallest and fastest rollercoaster in Europe, it did not disappoint. Carts climb 112 metres before plummeting at a 90- degree angle, with an incredible launch system that reaches 111mph. For the first time in two days, my hyper-excited giggling girls were left absolutely speechless. All this adrenaline-fuelled fun can build up quite the appetite, and thankfully — unlike many We enjoyed a leisurely lunch overlooking Electrifying twist The park has plenty of quality fast food, too, if you're keen to maximise ride time, but we were more than happy to have a break from the heat and adrenaline. Another great lunch and dinner spot can be found in the Far West, at The Iron Horse restaurant. There's a special 30th Anniversary burger on the menu that completely steals the show. The excellent grub wasn't limited to the theme park either. We'd opted for half-board at the 4H Wild West-themed Gold River Hotel and took full advantage of the vast buffet breakfast each morning. Dinner was also excellent, with fresh seafood and grill options. The dining hall can get quite busy, but we managed to find a lovely, quiet spot to eat outside each night. Aside from the food, the hotel itself is a non-stop Wild West adventure from the breathtaking atrium to the surrounding cabin accommodation brilliantly disguised as a frontier town. Anyone staying at one of the theme park hotels also gets private early access to the park and tickets to the main park and Ferrari Land are included in the price of your stay. You may not need early access, though, thanks to I'd barely finished my dinner before the girls were dragging me back to hit the rides again. The park is totally transformed after dark, with each world glowing against the night sky. Hurtling through darkness on rollercoasters adds an electrifying twist. Of course, it wouldn't be a 30th birthday bash without fireworks, either. And the nightly spectacular Fiesta Aventura is guaranteed to wow, featuring a fabulous illuminated parade, a spectacular drone display and fireworks extravaganza. It was the perfect end to one hell of a wild ride. GO: PORTAVENTURA WORLD GETTING THERE: Ryanair has direct flights from the UK to Barcelona Reus, a 20-minute drive, from £21.99 one way. See STAYING THERE: Four nights' half-board at the 4HHotel Gold River including unlimited entry to the park and one day's Ferrari Land access is from around £275pp, based on two people sharing. See PARK ENTRY: One-day ticket to PortAventura Park and Ferrari Land is £43.50; £38 for juniors or seniors. See
Belfast Telegraph
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Popular sun resort celebrates its 30th birthday with new experiences
When it comes to making holiday memories that will last a lifetime, PortAventura World is at the top of many families' lists. The resort opened on May 1, 1995, as Spain's first theme park, and began setting records from day one – their Dragon Khan attraction immediately held the world record for the most inversions on a roller coaster. Located on Costa Daurada in Catalonia, PortAventura World stands out because of its unique attractions and impressive attention to detail. The resort has received over 100 million visits since its opening – and as it celebrates its 30th birthday, it remains committed to its goal of providing guests with a world-class experience that also benefits the local area and the environment. Themed worlds – often named after a particular country or area of the planet, and designed with an aesthetic that reflects that area's heritage – are a mainstay of PortAventura's appeal. Each world has been designed to ensure maximum enjoyment. A perfect experience for every visitor Thrill seekers are well catered for: the resort's Furius Baco ride accelerates from 0 to 135 km/h in just 3.5 seconds. The Red Force attraction in Ferrari Land reaches 180 km/h and stands 112 metres tall – it is also the fastest and tallest rollercoaster in Europe. Ferrari Land is the only Ferrari theme park in Europe, certain to appeal to motoring aficionados. King Khajuna, in the resort's Caribe Aquatic Park, is the second tallest free-fall slide in Europe. It stands 31 metres high with a jaw-dropping 55° incline. Culture vultures are also in for a treat: the resort's Mediterrània world plays host to Plaça Major, a replica of Prades square in Tarragona. The boats in Mediterrània are real and come from the Spanish towns of Cambrils, Tarragona, and Vilanova. The resort's Polynesia world is another must-see. It boasts over 600 palm trees and faithfully recreates 11 Pacific islands. The Polynesian huts, sculptures and totems were designed by South Pacific artisans, using traditional methods, while the Polynesian shows are also led by native Pacific artists. The China world includes imported roof tiles and authentic Chinese calligraphy. Even the park's scent design is carefully planned, with aromas specially tailored to each area (incense in China, wood in the Far West). The Far West is another highly recommended area to visit: it recreates the environment of July 4, 1876, in Penitence, Texas. The México area, meanwhile, features an exact replica of a Mayan pyramid. Little ones are sure to find a world that delights them: one of the most popular attractions is SésamoAventura, established in 2011, which recreates the much-loved Sesame Street. Woody Woodpecker® arrived in 1999 along with FiestAventura, a globally awarded children's show. 30th anniversary events This year, the Gran Teatre Imperial is holding special shows to celebrate the 30th anniversary of PortAventura World. Singers, acrobats, and dancers will take visitors on a fascinating journey through China, Polynesia, Far West, México y Mediterrània, in a performance filled with music and acrobatics. One very special highlight is the Birthday Parade, a new show designed to celebrate the essence of each different area of the PortAventura park. Music, dance, and history come together in this parade, led by the park's most iconic characters. Ideal for children and grown-ups alike, it promises to carry visitors to new heights and finish their day on a high note. Positive impact PortAventura World represents 0.5pc of Catalonia's GDP and generates 24,000 jobs. The resort is also a certified B Corp company, meaning that its positive social and environmental impacts have been independently verified. PortAventura World donates nearly 1pc of its revenue to the PortAventura Foundation and collaborates with various non-profit organisations to create positive change within Costa Daurada communities. Since 2020, 100pc of the resort's energy has been generated by renewable sources, and it features one of the largest photovoltaic solar plants of any holiday resort in Europe — PortAventura Solar. The park plays host to over 300,000 plants and 270 species, with greenhouses for the most delicate ones. The resort also repurposes over 90pc of its waste and promotes environmental education programmes for younger guests. All of the water featured in its attractions is filtered and reused. Over the past three decades, PortAventura World has dedicated itself to creating one-of-a-kind experiences that also have a positive impact on the planet. As it celebrates its 30th anniversary, the resort continues to shine as one of Europe's top holiday destinations – where excitement, innovation and unforgettable memories come together.
