Our Stay at CBeebies Land Hotel with a 1-Year-Old and a 9-Year-Old

In May 2026, I took my daughters, Lilly-Mae (9) and Aria (18 months), for an overnight stay at CBeebies Land Hotel and two days at Alton Towers Resort.

Travelling from Swansea meant around a 3-hour journey, so I was a little unsure whether it would be worth the drive, especially with such a big age gap between the girls. Thankfully, it ended up being one of our favourite family breaks and one we’d happily do again.

First Impressions

From the moment we arrived, it felt like stepping into the world of CBeebies. Everywhere we looked there were bright colours, familiar characters and little details designed especially for young children.

The excitement on Aria’s face when she spotted the characters was priceless. At 18 months old, she was at that lovely age where she recognised songs, colours and familiar faces, and she spent most of the trip pointing excitedly at everything around her.

Even checking in was part of the fun. The reception area featured giant LEGO-style figures of Bluey and Bingo, which immediately caught the girls’ attention, as well as Bluey-themed ride-on cars. It immediately felt like a hotel designed with children at the heart of it.

The Hotel Room

We stayed in a Bugbies room, which the girls absolutely loved. The themed décor made the whole experience feel extra special, and the bunk beds were an instant hit with Lilly-Mae.

One of the things that surprised us most was that the excitement started before we even reached our room. The hotel lift lit up and played music, turning a simple ride upstairs into an attraction in itself. It sounds like such a small detail, but it was one of those little touches that made the girls smile every single time we used it.

As a parent, I appreciated how family-friendly everything felt. It wasn’t just a standard hotel room with a cartoon picture on the wall – it genuinely felt designed for little ones.

Meeting the Characters

One of the highlights of our stay was seeing the CBeebies characters.

Watching Aria’s reactions was my favourite part of the trip. She absolutely loved the music, dancing and atmosphere, and seeing her little face light up made every second worthwhile.

Even though Lilly-Mae is 9, she still enjoyed the character experiences and loved helping her little sister join in. One of my favourite memories from the trip was watching them experience it together despite their age gap.

Exploring CBeebies Land

The rides were perfect for younger children and there was plenty for Aria to enjoy.

Some of our favourites included:

Bluey the Ride: Here Come the Grannies!
Get Set Go Tree Top Adventure
In the Night Garden Magical Boat Ride
Octonauts Rollercoaster Adventure

The whole area felt safe, colourful and easy to navigate with a toddler. There were plenty of places to stop for snacks, take a break and simply enjoy the atmosphere.

Because we had children of different ages, it was nice that there were also plenty of attractions elsewhere in Alton Towers for Lilly-Mae to enjoy too.

Food & Dining

We ate in the on-site Windmill Restaurant and were really impressed with how family-friendly it was.

There were options for everyone, from a fresh salad bar and lighter choices to children’s meals and options suitable for older children too. Dining out with a toddler can sometimes feel stressful, but the relaxed family atmosphere made it easy.

Breakfast was served buffet style and there was a huge range available. From a full cooked breakfast to pastries, fruit, cereal and lighter options, there was something for everyone. It was the perfect way to fuel up before another busy day in the park.

Was It Worth It?

Absolutely.

As a mum of children with a large age gap, I sometimes worry about finding places that genuinely suit everyone. CBeebies Land managed exactly that.

Aria loved the rides, music, characters and sensory experiences, while Lilly-Mae loved seeing her little sister’s excitement and making memories together.

We stayed for one night and spent two half-days in the park. While this worked well, I would actually recommend allowing two full days if possible. We managed to fit plenty in, but there was still more we would have liked to do, especially when travelling at toddler pace with snack stops and little breaks throughout the day.

Would We Return?

Definitely.

The 3-hour drive from Swansea was completely worth it, and we’d happily make the journey again.

If you have a toddler or preschool-aged child, I would highly recommend a stay at CBeebies Land Hotel. The whole experience is designed around young children and creates memories that stay with you long after you’ve returned home.

For me, the best part wasn’t the hotel or the rides. It was seeing Aria’s face light up with excitement and watching Lilly-Mae share those moments with her little sister.

Those are the memories I’ll treasure most.