Big fun in Port Aventura on a budget
It’s hardly surprising that Port Aventura, Spain’s all-singing all dancing theme park on the Costa Dorada has proven such an enduring hit with British and Irish families. In addition to first-class rides and attractions, this Spanish land of fun guarantees far better weather than Disneyland Paris and comes in far cheaper than a long haul pilgrimage to meet Mickey Mouse and his pals in Florida or Orlando.
Yet, as every parent knows, a day out, let alone a week’s holiday in a theme park resort can, when you tot up all the meals and treats, add up to a hefty sum, and the current Euro exchange rate will put an extra squeeze on your budget this summer.
But the good news is that but there’s no need to forego your family holiday in Spain if you follow our handy hints for a fabulous trip to Port Aventura on a budget…
Stay off-site
While, there are now three full-service hotels in the theme park, it’s far cheaper to swap a package deal for a self-catering apartment and book your own cheap flights to Spain. Book a self-catering apartment close to the park and you’ll enjoy all the resort’s attractions while keeping costs down by preparing your own meals. Do a big supermarket shop as soon as you arrive so you can enjoy breakfast and dinner in the privacy of your apartment and prepare yummy packed lunches to take with you to the park.
Cheap tickets
Even better, for customers who stay off-site, Port Aventura offers exclusive ticket deals to visitors from the UK and Ireland, which are cheaper than buying at the gate. Booking in advance will save you 50% on child tickets, and 20% on adult tickets. These tickets are available through all major tour-operators or bookable direct.
The star attractions
Located in the heart of Costa Dorada between the coastal towns of Salou and Vila-seca, just 100 kilometers from Barcelona, Port Aventura is the most complete vacation destination on the Mediterranean. It has two parks: the Port Aventura theme park and the Caribe Aquatic Park water park.
The Port Aventura theme park covers 117 hectares laid out in five themed areas: Mediterranea, Polynesia, China, Mexico and the Far West. The park offers more than 30 attractions, 100 daily live shows, 75 snackbars and restaurants, 28 stores with exclusive products and 10 game areas for the whole family.
White knuckle rides
Adrenalin junkies should make a beeline for the biggest and scariest ride in the park - Furius Baco. This rollercoaster ride is all about speed and takes off at135kph in 3.5 seconds. That’s faster acceleration than a Formula 1 car.
Test your courage on Dragon Khan, which takes you on a stomach-churning whirl with eight inverted loops before braving Hurakan Condor - a ride that lifts you to twice the height of Nelson’s Column, and then drops you to the ground catching you at the bottom with magnetic brakes.
Thrills for little ones
For young children, there’s a wide choice of charming children’s rides, including a baby rollercoaster and log flume, as well as plenty of play areas around the park with ball ponds, slides and swings. And for older children and nervous adults who prefer gentler alternatives to the big ‘coasters, there’s Tutuki Splash - a giant log flume -, the swings, the teacups, the runaway train, and the Grand Canyon
Showtime hits
Port Aventura Park also puts on more than 100 performances per day of incredible shows - all included within your Park ticket. The must-see entertainments include the hula girls and Polynesian hunks in the Polynesian show, the French Can Can show, the acrobatics in the China Town show and the award-winning firework spectacular on the lake.
Waterbabies
The Caribe Aquatic Park, a Caribbean-themed water park comprises 34,262 square meters of fun laid out in two zones: one indoors and other open-air. It includes indoor and outdoor attractions, game areas, restaurants and spectacular swimming pools.
Beach fun
The Beach Club is a new area within a superb setting, right on Salou’s Playa Larga beach. Its location brings visitors closer to the sea and nature. The Beach Club is divided into seven different aquatic areas where the entire family can relax and enjoy sports activities. Its location also offers direct access to the beach and wide variety of delicious restaurants when you want to eat out for a treat.
Grab a bite
One of the biggest expenses of a theme-park holiday, after forking out for tickets, is feeding your brood. Our tip is to pack a light picnic to enjoy on many of the quiet green spaces around the park, and let the kids choose pieces of fruit, and juices themselves from the many self-service stalls and carts which are scattered around.
If you’ve too many kids to manage another bag during your visit, we’d recommend you visit either Chicken Stampedia on site, which plenty of pasta dishes for adults, and fun American-style meals for the kiddies. For those with older children, Jeremia’s Food serves a wide range of pizza and pasta dishes.
Where to stay
P&V has a special offer for its Pierre & Vacanaces Residence Cala Cristal, Miami Platja, Costa Dorada this summer. Seven nights start from £427 (previously £535) for a one-bedroom apartment sleeping up to four people.
Miami Platja is located 130km south of Barcelona and just 25km from the Port Aventura theme park, making this residence a perfect location for a fun-filled family break. The property benefits from direct access to the long sandy beach of Platja Cristal, a snack bar with a terrace and a swimming pool overlooking the sea. For more information, please visit www.pv-holidays.com.
Getting there
By plane: Port Aventura is just an hour from Barcelona airport and 15 minutes from Reus airport.
By car: From Barcelona, one hour by the AP7 Freeway (La Jonquera-Valencia). Take the direct exit to the park (exit 35). Alternatively, you can take highway N-340 (Barcelona-Valencia), N-420 (Tarragona-Teruel) and N-240 (Tarragona-Lleida).
By train: Port Aventura has its own station.