Want some serious fun? Team Fabulous road-test three European theme park stays
From Disneyland Paris to Germany's biggest theme park, have a whirl on these family days out
GRAB the kids and treat your family to a day out at a fun-packed theme park.
No matter your time or budget restraints, we've selected the best three to suit you - you're welcome!
THE VISIT-EUROPE-IN-ONE-GO ONE
Creative Director Mark Hayman, wife Margaret and kids Cassius, 12, Elliot, 10, and Audrey, six, travelled to Germany’s biggest theme park Europa-Park.
Ride
Europa-Park is divided into – you guessed it – European countries. For pure adrenalin, head to Iceland and its Blue Fire Megacoaster, with loops, twists and brain-rattling speed.
Audrey wasn’t tall enough (thank God!), but apart from this and the Silver Star coaster, she made it on to the rest of the rides.
The family favourite was the Arthur roller coaster. Inspired by the film trilogy, you whizz through giant poppies, fairies and huge bugs.
While Poseidon, an ancient-Greek-themed log flume, which soaked everyone, was another hit.
Want to lose your grip on reality further? Don a virtual reality headset, £1.60, on Pegasus.
It’s incredibly disconcerting, as the track gives way and vampires cling on to your carriage!
The giant Timburcoaster - made out of wood - is extraordinary, too.
ReFuel
Every nation boasts local cuisine, but the boys loved the FoodLoop in England, where each international dish is delivered on a toy roller-coaster track directly to your table.
The sheriff waiters and mysterious self-playing piano at the Silver Lake Saloon impressed Elliot, too.
Expect to pay £6.50 for burger and chips there.
On the hop? Head to Atlantis Snack Bar for a huge sandwich and beer for a fiver.
Rest
Europa’s five hotels are also themed. Take your pick from a Spanish finca, Italian piazza, Spanish medieval castle, Portuguese monastery and New England haven.
We stayed at New England’s Bell Rock hotel, and our family room had bunk beds and a huge double.
Breakfast is served in a room filled with nautical artefacts, plus, there are indoor and outdoor pools.
Remember
The 45-minute ice show in Greece, which takes place twice a day, features breathtaking acrobatics.
Plus, Margaret and I loved the cocktails in Bell Rock’s bar, while watching the evening harbour light show.
Book it
Family of four B&B breaks, including two days’ , start from £340. Fly from the UK to Basel (just over an hour from Europa-Park) from £18.49 per person each way with .
THE FAIRY-TALE ONE
Deputy Production Editor Kirsty Spence, husband Mike and daughter Ava, three, hit the magical Efteling park, just over an hour from Amsterdam.
Ride
Although Efteling’s four zones are walkable, the mini princess carriages, £3, are ideal if you want to leave pushchairs at home.
Ava was obsessed with the Monsieur Cannibale (spinning cauldrons) ride before we donned waterproofs for 350m of rapids on Piraña.
Raining? Ride an ornate pig to fairground tunes on the stunning 100-year-old covered steam-powered carousel.
There’s heaps to explore along the winding paths of the Fairytale Forest, too – Ava adored discovering Sleeping Beauty asleep in her castle and Hansel and Gretel’s cottage.
If she needed any convincing that fairy-tale stories are real, she got it.
Meanwhile, the stomach-churning Halve Maen – the world’s largest swinging ship – proved nostalgic for Mike and the double loop-the-loop corkscrew Python roller coaster terrified me!
ReFuel
When in Holland… eat pancakes! At Polles Keuken, tuck into a goat’s cheese, apple, pecan, honey and rocket one, £11.
Kids can pimp theirs with sweet toppings, £4.50, and glug “magic water”, £1.75 (you get to keep the cup, which lights up when filled), while they watch a display of pots and pans stir to music in the middle of the restaurant.
Alternatively, dig into pasta at underwater-themed restaurant Octopus.
If you’re on the go, grab a tasty smoked sausage, £3, from one of the many stalls.
Rest
The four-star Efteling Hotel next to the park lets little ones climb on to a platform and check in themselves, plus there is a castle-like soft play and outdoor playground.
You can book specially themed suites, but even standard bedrooms feature nods to fairy tales.
We discovered red shoes in the wardrobe (from Hans Christian Anderson’s tale), much to Ava’s delight. And characters like Little Red Riding Hood join the buffet breakfast (cupcakes included) for photos.
Remember
The Raveleijn show at the outdoor theatre is a 20-minute spectacle, starring a fire-breathing dragon, a disappearing princess and epic horseback stunts.
It’s totally unmissable – and it’s free!
Book it
Two nights at the , including breakfast and three-day unlimited early entry park access, starts at £250 for a family of four. from the UK to Amsterdam start from £41 per person.
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THE FAMOUS ONE
Fashion Director Tracey Lea Sayer, husband Lewis and kids Frankie, 12, and Louis, five, visited Disneyland Paris.
Ride
The winning ride for us all was Ratatouille at Toon Studio – a 4D ride through the eyes of rat Remy.
But Crush’s Coaster, where you meet Nemo and Squirt at the Great Barrier Reef before being plunged into the dark sea, was a close second.
FYI – this ride is not as innocent as it looks!
Leave your stomach in the clouds on the 82ft Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop, which is scarily high.
ReFuel
Head to the Earl of Sandwich for the chipotle chicken avocado combo, £5.50 – plus, my kids loved the pizza lunch, £6, which includes a drink and home-made brownie.
Meanwhile, at Planet Hollywood, kids’ meals include a souvenir cup, free entry to Aquarium Sea Life Paris Val D’Europe and a Kinder gift, all for £11.80.
Rest
Algonquin’s Explorers Hotel, a 10-minute free bus ride from the parks, is pirate-themed with a swimming pool – complete with pirate ship –
and nautical-style beds.
Feast on a continental breakfast buffet come morning.
Remember
Visit the 79ft dragon in the castle – Paris’ is the only Disney castle that’s home to the creature.
Got a little one and a teen? Split up when the 5pm Disney Parade is on – the queues for the big rides disappear.
Stay awake for the magical light and firework display at 10pm, too.
Book it
cost from £122 per night B&B. start from £30 for under 12s and £36 for adults. start from £24.50 each way.