PORTAVENTURA WORLD BRINGS NEW ADDITIONS TO SUMMER 2019 PROGRAMMEALICE IN WINTERLAND COMES TO LIGHTWATER VALLEY THIS CHRISTMAS

BY GABRIELLE

The enchanting Alice in Winterland is coming to Lightwater Valley this Christmas, inviting guests to embark on a magical journey with festive lights, the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts, Alice and much, much more.

The family theme park in Ripon, Yorkshire will be lit up with hundreds of giant illuminated lanterns, as visitors encounter stories and characters from Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass.

Families can enjoy watching the Mad Hatter preparing for his tea party, discovering the giant chess board, becoming acquainted with a four-metre high Alice lantern and coming face to face with the legendary Alice in Wonderland Queen.

A glowing garden with huge mushrooms, brightly lit tulips, flamingos and other curious objects, will play centre stage at the Alice in Winterland season.

It is believed that the town of Ripon played an influential role in Lewis Carroll’s classic children’s story. Carroll’s father was the canon of Ripon Cathedral where he carved figures of Alice and the Mad Hatter. The figures have been found on a number of the choir stalls.

Asides meandering round illuminated scenes from the much-loved books, guests can have fun on a traditional fairground, including a carousel and the Skyrider.

There will also be an Indoor Play Area and Young Fun Rides for younger guests.

Food and drink will be available, alongside tasty, festive drinks to warm visitors up as they experience the light experience.

Alice in Winterland at Lightwater Valley will run from 22 November until 30 December 2019.

THEME PARKS HAILED AS FUTURE OF YORKSHIRE’S ‘STAYCATION’ SCENE

BY GABRIELLE

Construction has begun for a new Gulliver’s Valley attraction near Rotherham in Yorkshire. The £37million project is being built in five phases over a period of 15 years.

The first phase of the Gulliver’s Valley development is due to open in 2020. The regenerating of the Pit House West site next to Rother Valley Country Park, will be a huge theme park designed for families.

The site will include an indoor water play zone, themed areas throughout the park, free-range self-catering woodland lodges and treehouses, a family hotel, a woodland adventure centre, an indoor climbing centre, outdoor gyms, and Gully’s dream village, amongst other unique features the ambitious new theme park will comprise of.

Yorkshire’s budding attractions’ industry is being hailed as contributing to the county’s blossoming staycation scene.

As the Yorkshire Post notes:

“Yorkshire is a popular destination for visitors seeking a thrill with Flamingo Land, Lightwater Valley and Alpamare Water Park all located in the region.

Alongside the new Gulliver’s Valley project, plans are also in motion to build Future Park, a new £250million food and leisure attraction near Knaresborough in North Yorkshire.

Plans are also due to be submitted by the Yorkshire property developer Fallons, to construct a new eco site, dubbed as to become one of Britain’s “most significant cultural and energy-efficient attractions to be built in the 21st century.”