Anybody been to PortAventura?

Had a staycation in 2009 but as god is my witness we're taking our children on a foreign holiday this year. We want to get on a plane, we want sunshine guaranteed and we're really very keen on rollercoasters.

Went to Disneyland a couple of years ago and everybody loved it, but it was badly deficient in the waterslide department and there was no respite from the leg work. Seems to me that PortAventura might have a bit more lazing about beside the pool going for it.

So, anybody been? Ideally in August, flying from Glasgow, with two children, aged 5 and 10 and on a budget, but all experiences gratefully received.

yes - and i'm the biggest kid going except when I'm on the front seats of the front car on Dragon Khan then i'm very very scared

don't stop in Salou though its very like blackpool with sun tacky cheapy and full of the english!!

have a secret hidey hole i you want to know - La Pineda - Estival Park hotel complex of your not doing the hotels in the park (£££)

can show you the photos on Monday if you want

Buy the tickets here and the water park is great - we went in May and it was well hot enough!

[Taipan]

Yes went a few years ago. We were lucky as it wasn't peak season. If you go in peak season expect huge queues! Not a bad place actually. Nice open train that goes round the perimiter.

Quedos is right too. La Pineda is nice. Good water park there too called Aquapolis. I'd also avoid Salou although its better now that it used to be. Cambrils is nicer.

Tarragona is a great city with an old walled part and impressive cathedral. Has a casino and "La Rambla" too although nowhere near as exciting as Barcelona’s. Train runs up the coast if you wanted to visit Barcelona though.

If you like seafood go to Tarragona port. There is a restaurant on the quayside which serves superb food for no money. It’s nestled between some other restaurants but has the most outside seats. The adjoining restaurants will be empty by comparison and you will have to queue for a table. Worth it though.

I went to Portaventura 2 years ago, found nothing wrong with our hotel which was in Salou. Buses run regularly to the park and tbh its within walking distance which is what we did when it wasnt too hot out.

We bought a 7 day pass online before we went and worked it that we did the park in the morning getting there for opening time, this allows you to get on the rides, even Dragon Khan which had 5 hour queues later in the day, before any queues form, then when the park starts to get busy you go spend the rest of the day relaxing round the pool or whatever. This also has the advantage that you dont get fed up of all the walking round the park.

There is also a very good water park opposite which is more than worth a visit if you have kids!

[Bibio]

no, but if you could squeeze me into a suitcase please.

Going this year and staying at the Golden Port hotel in Salou, but reading above maybe I shouldn't be !!

[Stingo]

hmm...the great org costa dorada extravaganza. We're staying at the calypso later this year. It has mixed reviews on trip advisor.

Originally Posted by Quedos

can show you the photos on Monday if you want

Yes please.

Originally Posted by Taipan

If you go in peak season expect huge queues!

Right. I get handed my holidays, no discussion - middle two weeks of August this year...

Originally Posted by Gabriel2k

we did the park in the morning getting there for opening time

That sounds like a Fast Pass to the divorce court, my beautiful family is more of a late brunch gang.

Hmm, lot's to think about. I like the sound of an off resort hotel and then just park/water park/laze as the mood takes us, which is the opposite of how we did Disneyland.

[Stingo]

The top tip that we've got is to go to the water park around five-ish as many people will be leaving after a hard day's splashing about. So as lots of peeps are coming out, there's a smaller crowd entering...

[Taipan]

Originally Posted by Well Oiled

Going this year and staying at the Golden Port hotel in Salou, but reading above maybe I shouldn't be !!

Its not that bad, in fact I'd say its better than some of the resorts on the costas. Its just full of cheap restaraunts, "English" pubs and shops selling football shirts and BB guns!