For the thrillseekers amongst you or those who simply love theme parks, you can now land a dream job as a professional ride tester – and we’re not just talking about a domestic fairground…
Don’t get us wrong, Alton Towers and Thorpe Park are great, but how do you fancy an all-expenses paid trip to Florida?
As too good to be true as it might sound, we’re not having you on with this one: the role of ‘Professional Theme Park Tester’ is currently up for grabs and, if successful, it’ll see you flown out to Orlando to try Universal’s newest addition, the upcoming ‘Epic Universe Park’ (EUP).
Being offered by theme park specialists and package retailer, Attraction Tickets, this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will see you spend a full week at the world-famous resort and essentially cram in as many rides and amusements as possible. So what’s the deal?
What does the role of an official theme park tester entail?
Well, for starters, you’ll be spending plenty of time on every ride there is to try at the soon-to-open Universal Epic Universe, and indeed all the other attractions at the wider Universal Orlando Resort.
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As well as reviewing each ride and getting lots of pictures and videos for social media whilst sampling the amusements, you’ll also be tasked with rating the best snacks, the best places for a photo op and the very best of the other entertainment offerings around the parks.
Oh, and if you’re wondering how much all of this will cost and whether you can afford it, don’t spare another thought: the company will not only be paying for your flights and transfers, as well as stay at the onsite hotel, but they’ll also be giving you a tasty £1,000 spending money during your time in Florida.
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Literally sounds like the perfect week if you ask us.
What are the requirements?
Now, to be shortlisted for the chance to become a theme park tester for a week, you’ll need to demonstrate that you’re willing to try all the rides and give detailed reviews of each, be camera-ready and get plenty of footage that may be used on Attraction Tickets’ social media channels and the website.
Oh, and you’ll also obviously need to be willing to fly – to Florida, specifically, meaning you’ll also need to take time off work to spend the full week in Orlando; have an up-to-date passport, ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization – essential for US travel) and valid travel insurance valid for 2025.
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Basically, so long as you’re eligible to fly to America and are willing to fully immerse yourself in the experience, you stand as good a chance as anyone else.
The ‘Dark Universe’ is part of the resort’s new EUPUniversal Helios Grand HotelCredit: Supplied (via Attraction Tickets/Loews Hotels)
What is the application process?
To apply for this role, all you need to do is film a short video (no longer than three minutes) explaining why you think you’d be a great Theme Park Tester. Send it via email to [email protected].
Please note: applications will close on Friday, 15 November 2024 and anyone applying after this date will not be considered, so don’t miss out on this golden opportunity.
Applications will be reviewed by a panel of internal experts at Attraction Tickets, who will then decide who will be chosen as a professional Theme Park Tester by Friday, 10 January 2025.
You can begin your application process and find the full terms and conditions HERE.
Featured Images — Drew Hastings (via Unsplash)/Supplied
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Neighbourhood Festival’s return to the city centre is looking great with after revealing second wave
Danny Jones
Neighbourhood Festival’s city centre all-dayer is returning to Manchester for 2026 after a year off, and with the second wave of the lineup having just dropped, it’s looking very promising.
Following teasers over the past month or so, it didn’t take long for us to figure out that NBHD Festival was coming back, especially with the Weekender in Warrington having taken a similar hiatus in 2024.
However, when festivals like these take time out, it can be easy to worry whether or not they’ll lose momentum or come back stronger.
Judging by this follow-up batch of acts alone, there’s no doubt NBHD Fest ’26 will be another cracker.
As you can see, as well as the fast-rising grungey alternative and garage rock quartet, KEO, being announced as one of the first big hitters on the list, there are some other familiar names on the lineup.
Especially for us Mancs.
With both Bolton and Altrincham youngsters, Florentenes and The Guest List, both joining the roster, as well as the likes of Bury-born ‘rockabilly’ revivalist Elliot James Reay also featuring on there, there’s a good deal of local talent to be enjoyed as always.
That goes for the regional delegation in general, too, with the likes of Jos River heading back up this way from her base in London, and Leeds’ fittingly named indie four-piece, The North, also booking a slot.
We’ll admit there are plenty of bands and artists coming up from the capital for the all-day festival, but at least they know where the UK’s real home of music is.
For instance, we’re buzzing to see the Red Rum Club boys returning to the NBHD stage once again – they never disappoint, and there are so many other guaranteed top performers on the bill. And that was just this year’s Weekener…
It’s worth reminding, once again, that since its inception in 2016 (yes, it really has been a decade now), Neighbourhood Fest has continued to serve as a proper launchpad for the next wave of superstars, not just here in the North West but across the country.
We still remember seeing the likes of Sam Fender, Holly Humberstone, Declan McKenna, Mahalia, The Lathums and more – some for the very first time – on these city centre stages, and it’s crazy to see how big some of them have gone on to become.
Set to take over some of Manchester’s most iconic venues along the Oxford Road Corridor once again, this is, without a doubt, one of the best dates for independents on the annual live music calendar.
Hosting a total of 11 stages on Saturday, 17 October, for a full day of live music, tickets for this year’s Neighbourhood Festival are on sale now right HERE.
And if you’ve already sorted yours, why not read our review of NBHD Weekender ’26 down below to get you in the mood for the next two editions.
Major DJ forced to pull out of Parklife festival on doctor’s orders
Thomas Melia
A well-known techno and trance DJ will no longer be playing at Parklife this weekend, he’s announced, with just one day to go until his major set.
Anyone heading to Heaton Park over the weekend for Manchester-based festival, Parklife, may notice the lineup looks a little different after one distinctive DJ has pulled out due to doctor’s orders.
Marlon Hoffstadt, who also goes by the moniker ‘DJ Daddy Trance’, was expected to play out on the Matinée stage on Saturday 20 June from 6.30pm – 8pm.
The Germany-based act was taking to the decks right before Manchester’s own Morgan Seatree, who has become recognised for his material which is an ode to house music and is likely to be one of the busiest sets of the weekend.
Hoffstadt had two gigs this weekend; the first being Parklife in Manchester and the second Fête de la Musique in Paris, both of which he has since pulled out of in a newly-published social media announcement.
The Berlin-born music maker has reluctantly called off these upcoming appearances and justified his decision by saying: “As much as I hate missing shows, I need to put my recovery first”.
To much dismay, Hoffstadt received doctor’s advice who deemed him ‘currently not fit to fly’ following surgery, urging him to rest and recover.
Marlon posted today: “I’m so sad to have to share this, but unfortunately I won’t be able to play Parklife in Manchester and Fête de la Musique in Paris this weekend.
“I recently had a surgery and, following my doctor’s advice, I’m currently not fit to fly and need rest and recover.
“I know many of you made plans and were looking forward to it, and I’m so sorry to let you down.
“As much as I hate missing shows, I need to put my recovery first so I can get back to doing what I love as soon as possible.”
As much as the presence of this world-class performer will be missed, there’s still plenty of notable names set to make their mark on Parklife including Zara Larsson, Calvin Harris, Skepta and more.
The outdoor big music weekender has established itself as a rave haven with mainly dance artists and DJs making up its lineup through a variety of curated b2b sets and live performances.
If you’re after immersing yourself in some jungle music, Bradford-native Nia Archives will have you transfixed over at The Valley with her jungle-heavy tunes from 6.30pm – 7.30pm or there’s three more stages to take your pick from.
We’re sure that anyone eager to see the ‘Hands Up In The Sky’ producer live may be frustrated by this brand-new social media announcement however as Hoffstadt mentions it’s so he can “Get back to doing what I love as soon as possible”.
Danny Jones -
28th October 2024 
