The Adventure Journal
Sharing our journey through theme parks, attractions, holidays and
family fun across the UK and beyond.
2026
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October 2026
Our first French Theme Park
Parc Asterix
Our European theme park adventure continued as we headed to Parc Astérix in France, our first ever French theme park! We weren't quite sure what to expect, but we absolutely loved it. The roller coasters were fantastic, with plenty of thrills and brilliant rides to keep us entertained throughout the day. The theming around the park was great too, making it a really memorable experience and a brilliant addition to our European theme park tour. One of the biggest highlights was the incredible high-dive show. The performers were amazing, and it's definitely something you shouldn't miss if you visit Parc Astérix! As the day came to an end, we watched the park's parade before rounding off our French adventure with a delicious crêpe for Gio.
Not for the faint hearted!
SCREAMS
We were invited to SCREAMS in Skipton, North Yorkshire, for an unforgettable Halloween experience, and it absolutely delivered! From having our mouths taped, head masked and hands tied up to tackling some seriously intense scare mazes, this was Halloween taken to another level. The actors were fantastic, getting up close and personal to create genuinely terrifying moments. One maze, in particular, stands out as one of the best Halloween mazes I've ever experienced!
A huge thank you to the team at SCREAM for inviting us along. If you love intense scares and immersive horror, this is one Halloween event you won't want to miss.. but be warned, it's definitely not for the faint-hearted!
Our First Ride on Hyperia!
Gio CONQUERS Thorpe Park
We headed to Thorpe Park for an action-packed day of rollercoasters, father and son fun and unforgettable memories! The biggest highlight of the day was finally getting to experience Hyperia for the very first time, especially given Hyperia had been temporarily closed on previous visits. After looking forward to riding the UK's tallest and fastest rollercoaster, we were excited to see whether it lived up to the hype and it was amazing to finally tick it off our coaster list. With Fast Track for the entire day, we were able to make the most of our visit and experience more of the park's incredible rides without spending as much time waiting in queues. Of course, no theme park trip would be complete without a bite to eat, so we also stopped for some classic fish and chips to refuel before continuing our adventures. From conquering the coasters to enjoying the atmosphere and making more father-and-son memories, it was another brilliant day out at one of the UK's leading thrill-seeking theme parks. And with Hyperia finally conquered, there's another huge coaster experience to add to our ever-growing list!
Halloween on a perfect Autumn evening!
The Magical Woodland
We were delighted to be invited to The Magical Woodland for a fantastic family-friendly Halloween experience! The attraction features a winding woodland trail filled with beautifully lit, themed displays that create a magical atmosphere as you explore. After following the trail, we arrived at a brilliant food court offering everything from stone-baked pizzas and gyros to hot dogs and jacket potatoes. We were also treated to hot apple and brownie crumble, which was perfect on what felt like the first proper day of autumn! One of the highlights for Gio was getting the opportunity to hold and stroke an owl, making the visit even more memorable. With stunning displays, delicious food and plenty to enjoy together, The Magical Woodland is a brilliant autumn attraction for families. We had a wonderful time and would highly recommend adding it to your Halloween plans!
5 rides on The Ride to Happiness!
Plopsaland Belgium
Our visit to Plopsaland Belgium was one of the highlights of our European adventure, and there was one ride in particular that completely stole the show.. The Ride to Happiness. We had been desperate to experience this incredible spinning coaster, and we were incredibly lucky to get on it five times during our visit! Every ride was just as crazy as the last, with the spinning trains, inversions and relentless twists making it one of the most unique coasters we've ever experienced. Of course, there was plenty more to explore around Plopsaland, with a great mix of rides and attractions for the whole family, but The Ride to Happiness was undoubtedly the star of our day. Getting five rides in was a pretty special experience and made our visit to Plopsaland one we'll remember for a long time!
An unforgettable Halloween experience!
Farmaggedon
We were incredibly excited to be invited along to Farmageddon, and it turned out to be one of the most entertaining Halloween events we've experienced! From the moment we arrived, there was a fantastic atmosphere, with creepy characters, entertainment and plenty of food and drink to keep us going. But the real highlight was the scare maze with paintballing, which added a completely different element to the experience. Trying to make your way through the scares while also taking aim made it incredibly immersive and a lot of fun. There was plenty to keep us entertained throughout the evening, and the combination of scares, characters, entertainment and activities made Farmageddon feel like much more than just a walk-through scare attraction. We genuinely had an awesome time and would highly recommend Farmageddon to anyone looking for something a little different this Halloween.
September 2026
Was visiting in September a mistake?
Chessington World of Adventures
We were really excited to return to Chessington World of Adventures, but this visit turned out to be a little different from what we had expected. September can often feel like a great time to visit a theme park, with the summer holidays coming to an end and the cooler weather setting in, so we went into the day wondering whether it really would be a quieter time to visit. We had a lovely day being back at Chessington and managed to enjoy some of the rides and attractions, but there was one thing that definitely surprised us... just how busy the park was. In fact, we found ourselves asking the big question: is Chessington actually worth visiting in September? We won't give away our verdict here, because that's something you'll have to find out in the video, but if you're considering a September visit yourself, our experience might give you a few things to think about before you go.
An unforgettable day of incredible rides!
Seaworld Orlando
Our visit to SeaWorld Orlando turned out to be one of the most special days of our entire Florida trip. We have always felt that animals should only be kept in captivity when there is a genuine reason for doing so, so we approached SeaWorld with an open mind. What really stood out to us was seeing the level of care given to the animals and how much emphasis there was on their welfare, conservation and education. It was genuinely refreshing to see, and it made the experience feel very different from what we had perhaps expected. Alongside the animals, SeaWorld was also one of the best theme parks we visited in Orlando when it came to the rides. The coasters were absolutely fantastic, and it was particularly exciting for us to experience the stand-up coaster, with it being my second time riding one but Gio's first. The park itself felt smaller and more compact than some of the huge parks we'd visited, but it packed an incredible number of great rides into that space. After several days of walking around some enormous theme parks, having so many brilliant coasters within a relatively compact area was very welcome for our already tired legs! SeaWorld ended up being a real highlight of the trip, combining amazing rides with some genuinely memorable animal experiences, and leaving us with a very positive impression.
August 2026
Flying over Theme Parks & the Everglades
Our FIRST Helicopter ride!
One of the most memorable experiences from our Florida trip was taking our first ever helicopter ride with Orlando Helicopter Adventures. We had never flown in a helicopter before, so there was a real sense of excitement as we took off and started getting a completely different view of Orlando. Flying over the city and out towards the Everglades was incredible, but one of the highlights was being able to look down and spot many of the theme parks we had visited during our trip. Seeing them from above really put into perspective just how huge the Orlando theme park area actually is, and it was amazing recognising places we had spent so much time exploring from the air. It was an unforgettable experience and definitely something we would recommend trying if you get the opportunity to see Orlando from a completely different perspective.
Fun in the sun in Alcudia
Our stay at the Bellevue Hotel
Our stay at the Bellevue Hotel in Alcudia, Mallorca, now known as Be Club, was another memorable family holiday experience. Set in a fantastic location in Alcudia, the resort has plenty to offer, with lots of space to explore, swimming pools and a lively holiday atmosphere. It’s the kind of place where there is always something happening, making it a great choice for a family trip. We enjoyed our time here and loved having everything we needed for a fun and relaxing stay, while the surrounding area of Alcudia gave us plenty of opportunities to get out and explore. Looking back, it’s easy to see why the Bellevue became such a popular choice for families visiting Mallorca, and it was a great base for our time on the island.
Pizza & Pasta on the Menu!!
The Worlds BIGGEST Mcdonald's
Our food review series continued with a visit to the worlds biggest Mcdonalds's in Orlando, famously known as Epic McDonald’s and this is definitely not your average McDonald’s! As soon as we arrived, it was clear there was a lot more going on than just burgers and fries. Alongside the usual McDonald’s favourites, Epic McDonald’s offers stone-baked pizzas, pasta and a whole range of speciality items that you wouldn’t normally expect to find on the menu. There’s even a huge arcade and a play area, making it much more of an experience than simply stopping for something to eat. We had great fun trying some of the more unusual menu options and exploring everything the restaurant had to offer. It was another brilliant stop for our food review series and definitely one of the most unique McDonald’s visits we’ve ever had!
July 2026
Universal Studios Florida
Is it still worth a visit?
We headed over to Universal Studios Florida for another day of exploring the Universal Orlando Resort. While we’d probably say it’s the weaker of the Universal parks overall, there’s something really enjoyable about the more classic Universal Studios feel. The park has a different atmosphere, with plenty of familiar movie and TV themes, iconic attractions and that unmistakable old-school Universal feeling. We had a really good day exploring the park, enjoying the rides and taking in the atmosphere, and it was great to experience another side of Universal. It might not have quite the same wow factor as Islands of Adventure for us, but there’s still plenty to enjoy and we were glad we made the time to visit.
We ate at Hooters!
Our First Visit Restaurant Review!
For our first ever full food review video, we headed to Hooters in Orlando, and it was an experience we thoroughly enjoyed! Hooters was one of those places I had grown up seeing in films and on American TV, so being in Orlando and finally getting the chance to visit one ourselves was a bit of a bucket-list moment. We decided to turn the visit into our first proper food review, and thankfully the food didn't disappoint. We really enjoyed our meals, the atmosphere was fun and relaxed, and it was great experiencing something that had been so familiar from the screen but was completely new to us in person. It was also a great way to start our food-review journey as a family, and we came away feeling like we'd found another type of content we'd really enjoy making during our travels!
June 2026
Our First Visit Universal Theme Park!
Universals Islands of Adventure
Our first ever visit to a Universal theme park took us to Universal’s Islands of Adventure, and it was a day we had been incredibly excited about! Walking into the park for the first time, there was an instant feeling that we were somewhere really special, with incredible theming, huge attractions and so much to explore around every corner. From the excitement of the rides to exploring the different themed areas, there was something for everyone to enjoy, and it was especially exciting seeing everything through Gio’s eyes as he experienced Universal for the first time. The attention to detail throughout the park was amazing, and it genuinely felt like stepping into the worlds we know from the films and stories. As our first Universal experience, Islands of Adventure certainly set the bar high, and it’s safe to say we left already looking forward to seeing what the rest of Universal has to offer!
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Our First Visit was incredible!
Our first visit to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay was one we were really looking forward to, and it certainly didn’t disappoint! As well as the fantastic rides and attractions, one of our favourite parts of the day was the incredible animal experiences throughout the park. We loved being able to get so close to the animals, and Gio even had a bird land on him, something we definitely weren’t expecting and a moment we won’t forget! It really added something special to our first visit and made the park feel so different from the other theme parks we’ve visited in Florida. The parking was a little on the expensive side, but we were happy to accept that as part of the overall experience. With a great mix of thrilling rides, amazing animals and plenty to see and do, Busch Gardens quickly became one of the highlights of our Florida trip, and we’d definitely return.​
May 2026
Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista
Our hotel in Florida
Our stay at the Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista was a great base for our Florida trip. Located just off International Drive and close to Universal and Walt Disney World, the hotel was ideally positioned for days out exploring the parks and everything Orlando has to offer. The rooms were comfortable and practical, giving us plenty of space to relax after busy days, while the hotel had everything we needed for a family stay, including swimming pools, dining options and plenty of parking. One of the biggest positives for us was the location... being so close to Universal and the other major attractions meant we could spend less time travelling and more time enjoying Florida. For a family looking for an affordable, convenient place to stay in the Orlando area, the Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista is definitely one we would consider returning to.
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Our first trip to Epic Universe
Is it worth the hype?
After years of waiting, we finally got to experience Epic Universe and it absolutely lived up to the hype.
From the incredible worlds and massive attention to detail, to the atmosphere and attractions, this park genuinely feels like the next generation of theme parks. Every portal feels like stepping into a completely different universe. Super Nintendo World was unreal, Dark Universe completely surprised us, The Wizarding world of Harry Potter blew us away and Isle of Berk might be one of the best themed lands we’ve ever seen.
Universal have really changed the game with this park, and this is only the start of our Epic Universe adventures.
We already can’t wait to go back.
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April 2026
Americans First Visit to Alton Towers
We had the opportunity to show an American friend Alton Towers for the very first time and seeing her reactions made us appreciate the park all over again. From the moment she walked through the gardens and saw the scale of the park hidden in the valley, they immediately realised this wasn’t your typical theme park experience. Nemesis, Wicker Man and The Smiler did us proud.
Alton Towers uses terrain, atmosphere and theming differently to the Florida parks she is used to.
One of the biggest surprises was just how unique Alton Towers feels. It’s not polished in the same way as Orlando but that’s exactly what gives it character. Watching her experience iconic rides like Nemesis for the first time was something we won’t forget.
Safe to say… they finally understand why we love this place so much.
March 2026
Alton Towers After Dark
Our First Alton Towers Visit Of The Season
Our first trip back to Alton Towers this season couldn’t have been a better one.
With Alton After Dark running, we got to experience the park during the day and at night. This switch completely changes the atmosphere. Seeing rides like Nemesis, Wicker Man and The Smiler lit up after dark makes the park feel like a totally different experience.
The daytime crowds, evening views across the park and night rides all combined to make this one of the best ways possible to start the season.
There’s just something special about Alton Towers at night, and this trip reminded us exactly why we keep coming back.
February 2026
The Tree of Hippocrates
A Historice Landmark in Kos, Greece
During our stay on the island of Kos, Greece, we made a short but meaningful visit to the Tree of Hippocrates. This stop was focused entirely on the tree itself, rather than the surrounding area, allowing us to simply pause and take in its presence.
Traditionally linked to Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, the tree is said to stand on the spot where he taught his students. Whether the current tree is the original or a later descendant is debated, but its historical significance is undeniable. Our visit and the accompanying video briefly touches on the history, but isn’t intended as a deep dive. There is far more detailed information available elsewhere for those who wish to explore it further. For us, the experience was about the atmosphere and the sense of standing in a place connected to centuries of human history.
It was a short but sweet visit, and a quiet, memorable moment during our time on Kos.
January 2026
Great Orme - Llandudno
Our Visit to the Bronze Age Copper Mines
We visited the Bronze Age copper mines on the Great Orme, one of the oldest known mining sites in the world, dating back over 4,000 years. Our visit focused on the mines themselves and the remarkable scale of Bronze Age engineering beneath the surface. The video briefly touches on the history rather than going into detail, as there’s plenty more information available for those who want to explore further. We’re very grateful to the team at the Great Orme copper mines for their hospitality, for allowing us free entry to film, and for their ongoing efforts to maintain and preserve this incredible site.
