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.
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.
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.
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 apply@attractiontickets.com.
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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Pep Guardiola hints at when Manchester City fans can expect to see their latest arrival
Danny Jones
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has given supporters a rough timeline as to when they can expect to see their new signing, or at least their latest arrival, make his first appearance.
The Blues wrapped up the January transfer window with four major signings: their new attacking number seven, Omar Marmoush (who has already bagged a hattrick on his home debut) promising defensive duo, Abdukodir Khusanov and Brazilian Vitor Reis, as well as their ‘mini-Rodri’, Nico Gonzalez.
However, the club has had another late arrival who was technically signed back at the start of last year but who has spent for the last 12 months or so loaned back to his previous parent club, River Plate in Argentina, waiting to make the move over to the Etihad Stadium – and now he’s here in Manchester.
Speaking on his touchdown in 0161, Pep said Claudio Echeverri won’t be thrown into first-team action straight away but did give a rough estimate as to when City fans could expect him to get involved. You can see him discussing the integration plan in his post-match press conference following the Spurs win.
The mention was only brief but there’s still plenty of reason for Man City fans to be excited by the late January signing.
“Yeah, he [Claudio Echeverri] is going to start to train and mainly will be for the end of the season, maybe the [Club] World Cup and as soon as possible [that] he arrives he can adapt quick for the future.”
As mentioned, the 19-year-old Argentinian attacking midfielder from Resistencia officially put pen to paper with CFG back in January 2024 and was quickly dubbed ‘the next Messi’.
Now, although the football world is often quick to jump the gun with these things and he isn’t the first and certainly won’t be last to be slapped with this premature title, he’s done more to back up these claims since then than he has rubbish them.
Starring at the 2025 Under-20 South American Championships, netting six goals in nine games to finish the tournament as the second highest scorer thanks to notable braces against Brazil and Uruguay as the young Argentine’s finished as runners up.
He also notched 48 senior appearances for River Plate thus far, netting four goals and grabbing eight assists in that time, not to mention having already captained his national team at the 2023 Under 17s World Cup, where he scored another five.
Safe to say there’s plenty of talent to be tapped in this lad.
Once again, Echeverri won’t go straight into the senior set-up for a little while yet, barring a major injury crisis, but he’ll be a more than exciting addition to the City Football Academy and for future first-team lineups for years to come.
Who knows, maybe he’ll be included in an FA Cup matchday squad? Nevertheless, you can expect him to not just come of the bench but hopefully show what he can do at the Club World Cup this summer.
City‘s first fixture as reigning champions of the competition will be against Moroccan side Wydad AC on 18 June 2025.
You can watch Echeverri’s first full interview as a Man City player down below:
The new Man City signing is excited to be finally be part of the club 13 months on from agreeing his contract.
Rochdale has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2025
Emily Sergeant
Rochdale has officially been named Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2025.
Taking over the reins from Bolton – which held the title in 2024 – and following in the footsteps of Stockport before that, which held the title in 2023, and even hosted a massive ‘Town of Culture Weekender’ festival with 50+ free events to celebrate and bring its title year to a close, it’s now the turn of the north-eastern Greater Manchester borough of Rochdale.
Rochdale’s year will build on the town’s already-rich cultural history and international reputation as the home of the co-operative movement.
More than 35 arts organisations will be bringing together an ambitious programme of festivals, exhibitions, events, and performances throughout the year.
Unfamiliar with what the ‘Greater Manchester Town of Culture’ title is all about? It’s an accolade that’s handed out every year to different boroughs across the region.
Bury was the inaugural title-holder 2020 and held onto it in 2021 too due to the COVID pandemic, before being followed by Stalybridge in 2022, Stockport in 2023, and of course, Bolton in the year just gone.
The title celebrates Greater Manchester’s culture and heritage.
As well as getting a new title to shout about, it also sees the towns given a grant from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) culture fund to help develop a programme of cultural events and activities throughout the year.
Rochdale has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2025 / Credit: The Manc Group | Rochdale Council
In Rochdale’s case, you can expect the ‘very best local talent’, as this year is promising to put ‘people power’ centre stage, with residents helping to plan, develop, and deliver a lineup of creative activities, alongside a number of major events.
This includes the popular free days out for families, an exciting new urban arts festival, two different food and drink festivals, a lantern parade, the Ignite Fire Festival, a Pride parade, and so much more.
You can also expect live music performances, a new people’s gallery, and even some major international collaborations that are yet to be announced.
Rochdale is taking over the reins from Bolton, which held the title in 2024 / Credit: Rochdale Council
“Rochdale is a place with a rich cultural history, so it is great to name it Greater Manchester’s town of culture as it’s town hall and town centre enter a new era,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham as the borough was crowned this week.
“Rochdale submitted a fantastic bid for this which, was incredibly exciting and ambitious, while being firmly rooted in its local talent and deep history.
Danny Jones -
28th October 2024 
