Inside theme park that's cheaper than Disney - and has Europe's fastest ride

12 February 2023 , 12:48

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The theme park is by the beach and perfect for families

You'd be forgiven for thinking you've just looked at a photo of Walt Disney World, but you would be wrong.

PortAventura World is the Spanish theme park said to rival Disney - one that's sure to delight thrill-seekers and holidaymakers alike.

Along with 5km of rollercoasters and 40 attractions, the park boasts the fastest ride in Europe and one of the five fastest in the world. If the six different worlds aren't good enough for you, there's also Ferrari Land and a sprawling waterpark, perfect for visitors looking to cool off on account of the Spanish sunshine.

Just over an hour from Barcelona and a few hours' plane ride away from the UK, the impressive attraction is found in the popular Costa Daurada.

There's a theme park and a huge water park

What's more, the Express Passes come in at around £36 each time, as the Sun discovered when a reporter enjoyed a trip to the 'beautiful, incredibly spacious and well-designed' main theme park.

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With two teenage adrenaline junkies in tow, Caron Curnow took on the challenge of riding every rollercoaster in one day - before sharing the dizzying results. And it sounds like the family had a blast.

They hurtled through the air at 135km per hour on the Furious Baco, before braving Hurakan Condor's 100m vertical drop. Elsewhere, the group enjoyed looping eight times in 69 seconds on Dragon Kahn, but the parents sat out when it came to Shambhala, deciding the long drop on the park's tallest hypercoaster, which measures a staggering 76 metres, was best left to the teens.

Red Force zooms from 0 to 180 km/h in only 5 seconds (AFP/Getty Images)

But the fun didn't end there, as the group also enjoyed a stay at one of the seven 4* and 5* onsite hotels, which entitled them to unlimited access to the park and a day at Ferrari Land.

Caron says Ferrari Land is a 'must see for petrolheads', on account of the Red Force ride that rockets from 0 to 180km per hour in just five seconds, but adds there's plenty of options for younger visitors too, though some include an extra charge.

Summing up the family's stay, Caron concluded: "While it may never beat the magic of Walt Disney World, a family break at PortAventura guarantees high-octane thrills and fun under the glorious Spanish sun, without breaking the bank."

Amber O'Connor