RIDE ON
Six UK theme parks luring in families for February half term, with £5,000 competitions and big discounts
Watch our video on the country's best theme park rides
TOP theme parks in the UK, like Alton Towers, Paultons Park and Legoland are opening their doors for themed events and takeovers during the half term holidays.
From reduced ticket prices to competitions worth up to £5,000 and free entry into the park, Sun Online travel have rounded up the very best theme park deals.
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Drayton Manor Park
To coincide with the blue train character's 80th birthday, Thomas Land is opening up for families from February 15 to February 24.
Thomas Land has been part of Drayton Manor for nearly 17 years and is has more than 25 Thomas-themed rides and attractions including the Troublesome Trucks Runaway Coaster and James & the Red Balloon.
Visitors can also purchase a Thomas Land Birthday Bucket for £3, which they can use to collect treats along the Birthday Trail at the theme park.
Brits who visit Drayton Manor in the February half term will be automatically entered into a competition to win a holiday for four worth £5,000.
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Park entry starts from £19 per person.
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Alton Towers
The Alton Towers Pirate Takeover will run from February 15 until February 23.
During the week-long takeover, families will be able to enter Mutiny Bay, CBeebies Land and Towers Street, with a selection of family rides and attractions in operation.
Short breaks start from £49 per person and include an overnight stay at the Alton Towers Resort, breakfast, live entertainment and entry into parts of the theme park.
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Meanwhile, day passes into the theme park during its Pirate Takeover start from £15 per person.
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Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort
Nickelodeon Land at Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort will be opening for the February half term.
Paultons Park reveals new interactive ghost ride opening next year
From February 15 to February 23, park-goers can visit the Nickelodeon themed area of the park as well as Wallace & Gromit’s Thrill-O-Matic ride.
Entry to the seaside theme park has been halved, with gate tickets from £25 per person.
In addition to those day tickets, Blackpool Pleasure Beach has an Adventure Package.
The Adventure Package costs £40 per person and gives guests access to four activities at the theme park.
Park-goers don't need to redeem the activities all on the same day, so the entry can be spread across four days.
Activities include entry into Nickelodeon Land, entry to Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, a round of Adventure Golf and a skating session at Pleasure Beach Resort Arena with free skate hire.
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Legoland
Brick Days will be running from February 15 until March 9 at the Windsor-based theme park.
Selected rides and attractions like Lego Ferrari Race & Build, Lego Studios 4D and the Duplo Express will be open.
Families will also be able to take part in brick building challenges too.
Overnight packages at Legoland Windsor include a stay in a themed room, one-day entry to the park, one Lego gift per child, evening entertainment and free parking.
Day tickets start from £34 per person when booked in advance online, which is 50 per cent off the gate price.
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Paultons
The home of Peppa Pig World will also be opening its doors in February.
Paultons Park has plenty of Peppa Pig-themed rides and attractions, including Grampy Rabbit's Sailing Club, The Queen's Flying Coach, Grandpa Pig's Little Train, and Peppa's Big Balloon in the Peppa Pig World.
Kids can also enjoy play areas, as well as meet and greets with Peppa Pig and George Pig.
Short break packages start from £44 per person per night and include a second day of entry, worth up to £147, for free.
Guests will also get free parking and a hotel breakfast in the morning.
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Gulliver's World
Gulliver's World first opened in the UK in 1989 and is now home to more than 30 rides and attractions.
Located in Milton Keynes, some of its smaller rides include swinging ships, dodgems and spinning cups.
Holidaymakers who visit during the February half term and book their tickets at least two days in advance will save on park entry.
Tickets will cost £17 per person – £14 less than the standard entry price.
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Use these tips on your next theme park trip
Next time you visit a theme park, you may want to use our top tips to make the most of your adrenaline-inducing day out.
- Go to the back of the theme park first. Rides at the front will have the longest queues as soon as it opens.
- Go on water rides in the middle of the day in the summer - this will cool you off when the sun is at its hottest.
- Download the park's app to track which rides have the shortest queues.
- Visit on your birthday, as some parks give out "birthday badges" that can get you freebies.
- If it rains, contact the park. Depending on how much it rained, you may get a free ticket to return.
At the end of last year, Alton Towers announced it would be closing its oldest ride permanently.
Meanwhile, here's an exciting new look at the nearly-completed Epic Universe, which will open later this year.
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