This has all the makings of a great family day out, but I will begin with negatives first.
The overflow car park is in a hilly field opposite the attraction, on a busy drizzly rainy bank holiday day like the day we went, you might end up with a couple of issues trying to get your vehicle out if the weather turned into torrential rain. However there are quite a few helpful parking attendants, some driving diggers around. The attendants are however very organized in getting people parked, but you could end up a few hundred meters away from the attraction and on a grassy hill, so bare this in mind if you are coming with a pregnant wife, young children who need push chairs, or infirm elderly relative, and on a family bank holiday outing you might have all three. I am also afraid navigating the hilly terrain isn't much better once you are inside the attraction area. On the plus side, I would say that the interesting hilly terrain, which makes you feel that you are surrounded by nature sets this location apart from some of the other more boring theme parks around.
The seating is a bit restricted outside the eating areas, but you should eventually get something if you hang around.
However, if the above doesn't put you off, read on. I would say that price is reasonable for this kind of attraction, which has the makings of a very unique and fun day out. One big disadvantage is that the food outlets don't take card, but you can get cash back where you purchase the tickets.
A full review of what rides to expect can be found at www.dinosaur-park.com, below is just a few select comments of my family's experience. My wife being pregnant at the time really found this day out difficult for reasons stated above.
Suitable for young children? The dinosaurs are very realistic looking, and completely scared my two year old son, as did the mummy in the Egyptian section. So again you have to be fairly sensitive to what your young children can and can't take. Come to think of it the noise and the water hurtling down towards the train ride scared him too, and he found the light show noisy in parts. However being able to see animals wandering freely such as wallabies and the butterflies flying around in the butterfly enclosure was a delight to him and other young children, and we all enjoyed watching the sea lion show. There were opportunities to have a photo being kissed by a sea lion but again that was on a cash only basis, we were surprised that we couldn't get a photo taken and then pay for it in the gift shop by card.
There is a very good selection of animals to see here, which you wouldn't necessarily get to see at either Bristol or Paignton zoo (unless you went to both zoos). It has been a while since I have been to Bristol zoo. I was surprise to see Wallabies, Pelicans and Raccoons and Wolves (which I don't recall seeing at the zoos), and birds of prey and otters (which normally again you would have to usually pay to see at a separate day out such as the Otter Sanctuary and the alike). This is where there is real value of money at this day out, in that it is kind of several mini theme parks in one.
Good review, but would have been even better if you listed entrance fees as that could be a paramount factor in deciding whether to go there.
catsholiday 11.09.2008 13:48
I agree with jesi a few more bits of info would be handy. my grandsons LOVE dinosaurs so would be somewhere we might go if we were in Devon nearby. Sue
jesi 08.09.2008 18:58
To improve this review, it would be helpful to have an idea as to what the park costs . . . any concessions or family tickets available? Also opening hours? any special opening dates and times?
. . . . . ♥ jesi ♥
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Advantages: Pleasant and friendly Staff, beautiful surroundings and stunning views Disadvantages: Worn out and dirty caravan, fine if you like bingo, lager and slot machines
Sep 2nd, 2008
very helpful by (100%):
