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Theme Parks / Amusement Parks / Google / Roller Coasters / British Travel / → All Tags

Even Google Maps Street View Loves Riding Roller Coasters

Just in time for the summer theme park season, Google has added Street View maps to many of the amusement parks within the United Kingdom. If the budget is tight this year, you can always virtually walk past your favorite roller coaster to pass the time, or you could plan out the most efficient way to minimize the time stuck waiting in those pesky queues.

Alton Towers is someplace we’ve always wanted to experience, but when in Europe we usually focus on more of the historical and cultural attractions. Now we can at least dream about sweaty roller coaster rides from the comfort of our seats back in the United States; it's armchair traveling at its finest. Although Alton Towers is the biggest and baddest theme park in the UK, there’s also Street View images for Legoland, Chessington World of Adventures, Thorpe Park, and Sea Life.

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Airport News / London Travel / London / British Travel / Airports / LGW / → All Tags

How Much Would You Pay For One Of London's Airports?

The UK's second busiest airport— and a perennial frustration for delayed London travelers having to fly in and out on its single runway—Gatwick Airport is about to come under new management. BAA, which owns six British airports and is in turn owned by the Spanish firm Ferrovial, has sold the facility to Global Infrastructure Partners. Final price: a lot:

BAA has agreed to sell its 100% interest in Gatwick Airport Limited to an entity controlled by Global Infrastructure Partners for £1.51 billion. Of the sale price, £55 million is conditional on future traffic performance and the buyer's future capital structure... Colin Matthews, BAA's Chief Executive, said... 'BAA is changing and today's announcement marks a new beginning for both Gatwick and BAA. We wish Gatwick well for the future and are confident that the airport will flourish under new ownership.'

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Smelly Travel / Theme Parks / Roller Coasters / Amusement Parks / British Travel / → All Tags

Smells, Speedos, And Sweat Banned At Theme Parks Across The Pond

The rules at British theme parks are starting to get pretty stern. No longer can you assume that it’s fine to just wake up and head out to ride roller coasters without ensuring you are neatly and freshly groomed, especially now that Rihanna might be your seatmate. Officials want to make sure everyone is comfortable, so they are cracking down on the less enjoyable aspects of the amusement park experience.

At Thorpe Park signs are going up to remind visitors to keep their arms down on the rides. In case people don’t quite grasp what they are referencing, the text of the signs makes it pretty clear—“Say No To BO.” Temperatures have been warm lately and they just don’t want smelly pits to make the park’s roller coasters unpleasant. This is no joke either; those who don’t follow the new smell prevention mandate will be escorted from the park.

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