Back in 2014 we took 2 year old Adam to the then named Dinosaur Adventure Park. Although we enjoyed the day we felt that the park didn’t offer great value for money. At the time many activities required additional payment. When Tesco vouchers were no longer accepted we stopped going. However, the park has been transformed over the past few years with new attractions added which do now makes the park good value for money for a full day family outing.
We were asked to review RoaRR Dinosaur Adventure over the Feburary Half Term holiday as part of their ‘Fantasy February’ incentive. Children were half price if they came dressed up and there were additional workshops (£1 per child) and storytelling sessions laid on by the Fairyland Trust as well as themed challenges and photo opportunities around the park. We visited with Adam (6), Willow (11 months), my niece (6), nephew (12) and Nana and Grandad – our visit coincided with Grandad’s birthday.
As you first enter the park there is a huge outside adventure playground. The kids could have easily spent the whole day on the outside adventure playground. The large Climb-a-saurus is always a favourite, along with the assault courses and climbing frames.
The fossil excavation has been moved to a better location and been extended. The three eldest kids enjoyed being archaeologists to discover dinosaur bones.
After eventually pulling the kids away from the playground, we went on the dinosaur trail. Despite seeing the huge Brachiosaurus several times, I am still amazed at its size.
There are plenty of photo opportunities to get up close to the dinosaurs and it seemed that more of the dinosaurs made noises compared to previous visits.
Although the dinosaur trail is down a steep incline (well steep for Norfolk) the path is accessible for pushchairs and 11 month old Willow was able to walk the majority of it.
As always, the children enjoyed collecting stamps along the route and across the park in order to exchange their completed sheet for a dinosaur medal.
At the end of the dinosaur trail there is a large picnic area along with toilets and refreshments. We loved the addition of a free water bottle refilling station.
After lunch and walking back up the hill through the Neanderthal Walk, the kids spent ages on the pedal go-karts. This was Adam’s faviourite activity of the day. There are a range of vehicles for adults and children to use.
This was the first visit where we have been on the Crazy Golf. This is a free activity and the equipment is located just inside the Crazy Golf entrance. There is a score card on the leaflet you receive when you first enter the park. Adam and Beth loved that they could repeat the course several times.
The Dinomite Indoor Play Area is always a huge hit with Adam. He loves the slides – epscially the one that ends in the ball pool. Children need to have their arms and legs covered, as well as wear socks, and the slides are closely monitored so it is vital to bring additional long sleeved clothes in the summer.
This was the first time the children tried the indoor electric go karts within the Stone Age Road Race. This was the only time throughout the day that an activity required queing. The carts do go slowly so it is an ideal activity for younger children.
We managed to spend 6 hours at the park and still didn’t go on the
Pterodactyl Treehouse or fully explore the ‘assault-o-saurus’ course. It was an action packed day yet we ran out of time to experience any of the Februrary half term additions. These included Fairyland workshops (for an additional fee of £1 per child) or the storytelling. There are also several animal encounters throughout the day but we only had time to visit the guinea pigs.
On top of this, from Easter the two additional main attractions will re-open. Dippys Splash Park transformed our experience of the dinosaur park. Adam could easily spend all day in this section alone. Willow was only 4 months old and too small to enjoy it last year so I am looking forward to seeing her reaction to the water when we return.
The latest attraction and a firm favourite of Adam’s is the Predator High Ropes. Last summer Adam fell in love with the world’s first parallel sky rails and he can’t wait to go on it again.
RoaRR Dinosaur Park certainly kept all four children across a 12 year age range occupied all day. We all left wanting to return again – this is always the sign of a great day out.
Disclaimer: We were given tickets to visit RoaRR Dinosaur Adventure to review. All thoughts and opinions are our own.
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