A thrill-seeker has voiced his frustration after admitting he “felt so disappointed” following a visit to one of Europe’s most renowned theme parks.

Orson Bourne journeyed to Italy and made his way to Gardaland – a resort in Verona operated by Merlin Entertainments, which also runs Alton Towers, Legoland and dozens of other attractions and venues. The destination features countless rides and themed ‘lands’ devoted to various beloved franchises, including Jumanji, Peppa Pig and Peter Pan – yet Orson was evidently underwhelmed as he disclosed in a scathing review posted on TikTok.

“Gardaland takes the biscuit, it’s the worst theme park I’ve ever been to,” he declared in a video. Orson revealed he had to “penetrate a wall of Italian policing” before gaining entry, such is the stringent security measures implemented by Gardaland’s operators.

He went on to complain, alleging that ropes had “cut off” half of the park upon his arrival due to their delayed opening hours. Orson’s first stop off point was the Jumanji attraction, though he was evidently far from impressed. “All it was screens, pitch-black corridors and emergency exit signs,” he remarked.

Following this was the rollercoaster, Sharman, which similarly failed to meet expectations, according to Orson. “I spent 20 minutes queuing up, but found it actually opens at 12 – not 11, or at 10 when the park actually opened,” he cursed.

Orson proceeded to the recently renovated Dragon Empire only to find the China-themed section was likewise shut until 12pm.

Similar to its British counterpart, Alton Towers, meanwhile, Gardaland also boasts an Oblivion attraction, which sends riders plummeting vertically through a black hole beneath ground level. “Only a 40-minute queue to get into the queue – where you have to then queue for another 80 minutes,” Orson claimed of the ride, noting that the park’s app only displayed a 60-minute wait time.

He remarked that while it is lengthier than the Oblivion back home, the Italian ride “lacked any forces”.

Orson then decided to skip another roller coaster – Blue Tornado – owing to its 120-minute waiting period, before criticising the park’s beverage policy – claiming staff stopped him from refilling his bottle with water. “Coffee machines at other kiosks we broken so I gave up and bought a Coke instead,” he remarked.

Seeking to cool down on a water attraction, Orson was once more deterred by a “two-hour queue” for the Fuga da Atlantide log flume, before his second bid to experience Sharman proved unsuccessful as the ride malfunctioned an hour after he joined the line.

Orson proceeded, turning his attention to the ‘wing coaster’, Raptor. “I waited 20 minutes in the single-rider line and it’s advertised at 80 [minutes],” he explained. “It’s only one train though. It’s diabolical… one train for your main coaster.”

He concluded: “I hate to be a grouch, but I think I’m going to leave. The park’s getting busier and it’s open until nine and I’m just not having fun, so what’s the point?” Orson couldn’t resist the temptation of the steel rollercoaster, Mammut, on his way out – a decision that left him pleasantly surprised. “Credit where it’s due,” he commended. “A fantastic family coaster, though not so fantastic with the operations – I was told ‘no single riders’, but luckily I was able to squeeze on.”

Orson summarised the day with a caption: “Never has a park been so disappointing. Jumanji was so high on my bucket list for dark rides but the ride just wasn’t in a good state, it felt old and uncared for, 0 immersion and broke down frequently. As did most of the park, It’s a shame as the park has the infrastructure to be an amazing place. I struggle to find a positive.”

Others, however, responded with their positive experiences of Gardaland. “Love Gardaland, I live close by and go there each summer with the ticket from 6pm,” one person shared. “Last time I did 11 rides (Shaman twice, Raptor, Oblivion, Jungle Rapids, Prezzemolo Magic House). I think parks in US are better, but for Italy it’s fine.”

A second person pointed out: “You were just unlucky to go on a crowded day. I’ve always gone in October during the week and the longest I’ve waited for any attraction has been 10 minutes. I love Gardaland, but you have to go when you know that children are at school and many are working.”

While a third TikTok user added: “I went to Gardaland multiple times. You went on a busy day without express so that explains the queues. In my later visits the operation were awesome and they were running all trains and everything was good. Raptor is pretty forceful in my opinion.”

One individual who concurred with Orson though, criticised: “Happens when there is no alternative. There are only 2-3 big theme parks in the whole country with actual coasters, all of them are always so busy at the point that it isn’t possible to have fun.”

Merlin Entertainments has been approached to comment.