UK Theme Park Awards has announced its nominees for the UK Theme Park Awards 2024.
The awards are organised by ThemeParks-UK.com, an independent consumer guide to UK theme parks.
The awards will be presented in association with AttractionTickets.com and the public will be able to vote for their favourite UK theme parks recognising the best rides and attractions, entertainment and events.
There are 22 categories this year, including Theme Park of the Year, Best Customer Service and Best Value. The new categories include Best Ride Storytelling, Best New Food or Retail Outlet, Best Theme Park Lodges or Glamping, Most Missed Attraction From The Past, Best Accessibility Initiative and Best Sustainability Initiative.
UK Theme Parks confirmed that a shortlist has been compiled using public nominations and with the help of a panel of expert judges including Paul Kelly (Chief Executive of the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions) and Andy Hine MBE (Chairman – Roller Coaster Club of Great Britain). 28,652 nominations were received, with a total of 38 theme parks nominated for awards in 2024.
Major contenders for the awards include Alton Towers and Drayton Manor in Staffordshire, Blackpool Pleasure Beach in Lancashire, Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures in Surrey, LEGOLAND Windsor in Berkshire and Paultons Park in Hampshire.
Two of the categories of awards presented include Theme Park of the Year, presented by ADIPS. The parks nominated in this category include Alton Towers, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Chessington World of Adventures, Drayton Manor, Fantasy Island, Gulliver’s Theme Parks, LEGOLAND Windsor, Paultons Park, Thorpe Park and West Midlands Safari Park.
Meanwhile in the Best New Attraction category, presented by LEAPS, the following nominees include Ghost Ship (Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach), Gold Rush (Drayton Manor), Hyperia (Thorpe Park), Jeep Safari (Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park), Jolly Jockeys (Wicksteed Park), Jungle Jeeps (West Midlands Safari Park), Minifigure Speedway (LEGOLAND Windsor), Space (Ocean Beach Pleasure Park), Splash Lagoon (Paultons Park) and Vertigo (Adventure Island)
The rest of the categories can be found on the UK Theme Park website of ukthemeparkawards.com/nominees
The public vote will take place from 22 July until 1 September. These votes will be combined with those of the Expert Judges to generate the final results, which will be announced at this year’s awards event on 19 September.
Image: UK Theme Park Awards
