Paultons Park & Peppa Pig World: Our Day of Bravery and High Scores! (Day 4 - Part 1)

Paultons Park & Peppa Pig World: Our Day of Bravery and High Scores! (Day 4)

Introduction: The Calm Before the Awesome

Thursday morning arrived with the quiet dignity of a day that knows it’s about to be epic. After the marathon trek around Marwell Zoo, I was definitely feeling it. My body, specifically my coccyx, was staging a silent, throbbing protest. Waking up tired, knowing another huge park awaited, felt like preparing for a battle you’ve already half-lost. But here's the thing about being a parent: your own aches take a backseat to the sheer, unadulterated excitement radiating from your children. And today, the excitement was for Paultons Park. The promise of rollercoasters, the vibrant chaos of Peppa Pig World, and a full day of theme park fun was a powerful motivator. I was ready. We were all set for a day that, as it turned out, would be filled with unexpected bravery, some serious high-score hunting, and a few core family memories.

The Mission Briefing & Journey

The drive to Paultons Park was another one of those longer, hot journeys. The car's air conditioning remained stubbornly on its own separate holiday, so our climate control consisted of all four windows down, letting the warm Hampshire air blast through in a symphony of wind noise. But with a solid Spotify playlist providing the soundtrack, the atmosphere was great.

This wasn't just a casual visit; we'd been before. This time, we had a mission. As we drove, we finalised our game plan. This trip was all about our eldest being tall enough for some of the bigger rides. Our strategy was tactical, a three-pronged attack designed for maximum fun and minimum queuing:

1. Objective Alpha: Hit the new Ghostly Manor ride first, before the main crowds descended.
2. Objective Bravo: Head straight over to the dinosaur-themed Lost Kingdom to conquer the thrill rides.
3. Extraction Point: Save Peppa Pig World for the end of the day, banking on it being quieter as the toddler contingent tired out.

With our strategy set and the children's excitement reaching a palpable, fizzing crescendo, we pulled into the car park. Game on.

Ghostly Manor: The High-Score Gamble

Our plan started perfectly. While huge queues formed for the main park entrance, we strode purposefully towards Ghostly Manor. The queue for the ride itself was short, and the immersive, visual storytelling in the queue line kept the children happily entertained. Then, a little drama: a staff member announced the ride was temporarily broken. Some families bailed. We held our nerve. A five-minute gamble that paid off beautifully, as the ride whirred back into life and we were ushered right to the front.

The ride is brilliant – a clever, twisting, immersive ghost-hunting game. And the result? A triumphant high score for me on our first go! I saw my name flirting with the 'all-time best' leaderboard. A proper dad-achievement unlocked. High on victory, we headed for the dinosaurs.

Conquering the Lost Kingdom

The theming in the Lost Kingdom is fantastic. You really feel like you've stepped into a prehistoric world. We all braved The Velociraptor together – a fantastic boomerang coaster that launches you forwards and then backwards. Hearing our youngest screaming with pure joy was just the best sound ever. Our eldest and I then faced our fears on the Cyclonator in Tornado Springs – a giant swinging disc that goes high enough to make you question your life choices. We both got on it for each other, a classic moment of mutual parental sacrifice, but halfway through we realised... we LOVED it. It was pure, belly-laughing, "WE'RE FLYING" energy.

Peppa Pig World: The Grand Finale

As planned, we saved Peppa Pig World for last. The children were tired and a bit argumentative by this point, as you'd expect after a day of sensory overload, but their faces still lit up as they enjoyed Grampy Rabbit's Sailing Club and driving Daddy Pig's car. It was the perfect, gentle end to an action-packed day.

A Well-Earned Dinner on the Way Home

After a fantastic, full day, it was time to head home. Our youngest, predictably, fell asleep almost instantly, completely worn out. Our eldest, however, was still buzzing, reeling off a full list of her favourite moments. We were all starting to get hungry, so we made a tactical stop at the Roadchef services on the M27, and then treated ourselves to a McDonald's at Hedge End Retail Park. Sometimes, after a long theme park day, it's just what you need!

Conclusion: A Day of Core Memories

Back at the caravan, it was the usual routine: get the children ready for bed, and then my fiancée and I collapsed on the sofa to continue our journey through the latest series of Doctor Who. Day 4 was a huge success. It was a day of facing fears, making tactical decisions, and enjoying every moment of family fun. It was tiring, my coccyx was still in agony, but it was completely and utterly worth it.

For a much more detailed, ride-by-ride breakdown and our top tips for visiting, you can read my in-depth, standalone review of Paultons Park right here!

What's your favourite 'big' ride to go on with your family? Let me know in the comments!