TOP TIPS FOR A FAB VISIT
Try and avoid peak times, in particular the first three weeks in August.
A “Pass Premium” at 15€/person gives you priority to all the simulators in the park plus a discount in all the shops. If you’ve only got one day (there is a hotel if you want to stay), it’s well worth it. Apart from feeling extremely important, you save time on queuing and can squeeze more in!
Get a map with a timetable on it available in English at the gate. Some of the big attractions have a last show at 4pm and you don’t want to miss them.
The English headset is free with the ticket and worth-while. Bring your own headphones or pay 1€ per pair.
Some rides have minimum height restrictions although I saw what looked like very young children on quite bumpy rides.
The late night spectacular is fantastic but beware getting stuck in the car park with the crowds. Get your seats early at the top of the auditorium, close to the exit and leave 5 minutes before the end. You'll get a unique viewof the finale firework display and you drive straight out of a still deserted car park. At 10pm or later and with a long drive home, that makes all the difference.
The worry with some theme parks is that eating there will leave you close to financially destitute but actually we had an evening meal for 4 at just over 43€. My kids had burger in a pancake followed by chocolate in a pancake and couldn’t have been happier. And for the grown-ups, carafes and half carafes of rosé are available too.
Directions and prices
There's an English language website: Futuroscope.com with a map of the park and directions. it’s well sign posted for miles around. Parking is easy but paid and there’s also a TGV train station.
Book on line or buy at tickets at the gate. Prices vary and also include “breaks” for 2 or 3 nights. A basic family ticket for 4 for one day, booked up to 7 days in advance is 34€/person (check to verify prices in case of change.
It’s one of those places that if you’re in the area or anywhere close (I was nearly a 2 hour drive away but it was still well worth it), a visit is a must. Like I said, stomach churning at times for the wimps amongst you, funny, odd, exciting, peculiar, surprising, informative and a totally bonkers way to spend a day. I’m already planning my next trip back and the kids are still buzzing!