La Pinada, Salou, Spain 2018 Day 2 - PortAventura

Our first full day in Spain turned out to be a very full on day and completely unplanned. Whilst we were chilling at the pool on our first day another family had spotted that we were a family of 5 (as they were). It turned out they had bought a 2 day pass to the big PortAventura theme park but got to go on everything they wanted with minimal queuing and subsequently didn't want the second day return. So rather than waste it they were trying to sell it on to anyone else who needed it, the only catch was it had to be used today.

 

Initially we didn't plan on going to PortAventura in week 1 as it was half term week and we figured the queues would be worse. So we were originally planning visiting in our second week and buying a family ticket for €155. However this family were selling their second day pass for just €50 which was such a huge saving I couldn't turn them down.

 

PortAventura is an amazing theme park and far exceeds many of the big UK theme parks. The place is absolutely immaculate in terms of layout, cleanliness, décor etc. We had the most amazing day at the theme park and got to go on just about every ride that we wanted too. Brandon was now over 1.4m and could go on most of the thrill rides. However Holly was still too small for the big rides and about the only major attraction she could go on was the log flume. Needless to say we had to divide in to two groups for most of the day with one of us taking Holly off on the smaller rides and the other going with the boys on the bigger rides. Roll on the day when we can all go on a ride.

 

Initially we headed straight to the far end of the park and had a longest queues of the day for 40 mins to an hour to get on the new Shambhala coaster and the Dragon Khan. Shambhala was just awesome and is classed as a hyper coaster as it is one of the longest and tallest in Europe. When we came off the ride the boys looked at me and asked if it was OK to swear! I think the words they used to describe it were, "Holy Crap". Whilst we were on these big coasters Holly was spending time in Sesame Land where there are tonnes of kids rides.

 

Probably our family favourite ride was the log flume which all 5 of us could ride in one log. Best of all there was absolutely no queues so we circled back around 4 or 5 times getting absolutely soaked in the process. The benefit of this was that we had multiple attempts to nail the perfect picture with us all looking at the camera on the drop. The log flume was not the ride that got us the wettest though, this went to the amazing Tutuki Splash which some how Tina managed to dodge and I went on with the boys. The 20-30ft high bow wave that it generates ensures everyone gets a good drenching!

 

The only disappointment of the day was that the measuring scale for the Furious coaster set wrong and they wouldn't let Brandon on. It was supposed to be a 1.4m ride which he easily exceeds and had been on about 4 other 1.4m rides that day. The poor lad was devastated to miss Furious as it is one of the fastest coasters hitting 135kmh in just 3 seconds.

Considering we got to the theme park early doors we didn't leave until late evening when the rides were all starting to close down. So we grabbed a quick taxi back to the hotel and then freshened up for dinner before heading down to the bar to watch Liverpool take on Real Madrid in the Champions League final. It was a great atmosphere even if there was more supporters for the Spanish rivals than there were the mighty reds. Unfortunately it was not to be for Liverpool as Real Madrid won 3-1 with bloody Gareth Bale scoring 2 of the goals from the sub bench!

The golden Woody to welcome you to PortAventura.

All the kids outside the entrance to Sesame Land.

Joshua and Brandon have pretty much outgrown the rides in Sesame Land and needed the big boy coasters.

A bit of team work from Joshua and Brandon.

The large coasters in the background are Shambhala and Dragon Khan which was calling out for me and the  boys.

Tina on the pedal gliders with Holly.

Up, up and away.

Can you spot a little Holly up in the Sesame tree?

The one ride the boys did enjoy in Sesame Land was the Magic Fish.

Its a bit like the jet ski drifting type ride that they have in Lego Land.

Me and the kids having survived the Shambhala.

Me and Holly exploring the park whilst Tina queued on Dragon Khan with the boys.

Me and Holly on a horsey ride.

Quick selfie as me and Holly enjoy some rides whilst the others split off.

Thankfully I didn't have to accompany Holly on this little Aardvark ride!

Holly loved it though and had a few goes.

Holly waiting outside Dragon Khan for Tina and the boys.

Me and Brandon on the old wooden Tomahawk coaster.

Joshua was riding solo a little further back on the train.

From the top of Tomahawk we spotted the log flume which we wanted to head to next.

I seem to recall taking pictures like this 7 years ago when there was just the two boys.

The Wild West land where the log flume is located is very impressive and really captures the Western vibe.

The kids having a ride on a big carriage.

Finally we found the log flume and I sneaked my camera on to get some pictures.

It all starts very calm and everyone is nice and dry.



A very rare moment when all 5 of us are on a ride together.

The first little drop and we are about to get wet.

Looking pretty soaked but all smiling and having fun.

 

After 3 attempts I think we nailed the family picture on the log flume with everyone looking at the camera.

 

Me and the boys went on the Grand Canyon Rapids which were a little disappointing as we expected more of a soaking.

Unfortunately Holly wasn't big enough to ride on Grand Canyon which was a shame.

Me and Holly on the Crazy Barrels in the Wild West. Holly didn't stop chuckling away throughout the entire ride.

Joshua now old enough and tall enough to ride the bumper cars on his own.

Me and the boys on the Tutuki Splash which by far got us the wettest out of all the rides.

Brandon's hair and my shirt are absolutely dripping.

This could take us a while to dry out.

I remember the boys riding on these little canoes in the Polynesian world 7 years ago.

Holly really enjoyed these and went on them 2 or 3 times.

We managed to catch a glimpse of one of the shoes in the Polynesian World.

Towards the end of the day we headed back to Sesame World as Holly missed a few of the rides in here earlier in the day.

Tina and Holly on the Sesame tractor ride.

Holly has seen something that has caught her interest.

Somewhere on there is Holly and Tina on the little kiddie coaster.

Sesame World is certainly very colourful.

One of the planes flying around Sesame World.

I was hoping for a Titanic moment picture with Holly as she loves the song Havana, but they were all too busy playing with the rudder.

The end of a fab day at PortAventura and its time to finish off with a few more Woody pictures.

Holly decided that she wanted her own Woody teddy after such an amazing day.

All five of us at the fountains outside PortAventura.

Another family picture.

Time to say farewell to Woody.

After dinner we sat down to watch the football and the long day finally caught up with Holly as she fell asleep on my lap.

The Estival Park Hotel lights of a night time.