Are YOU experiencing JOLA? Over half of Britons are revelling in the ‘joy of looking ahead’

Are YOU experiencing JOLA? Over half of Britons are revelling in the ‘joy of looking ahead’ following the Government’s roadmap unveiling

  • Britons are fantasising about the very first thing they will do with their new-found freedom post-lockdown 
  • Almost one in three say the mundanity of lockdown has yielded a yearning to try more thrill-seeking activities 
  • ‘JOLA’ has allowed millions to remain optimistic and focus on the light at the end of the tunnel, a study said

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Forget FOMO (fear of missing out). Britons are now experiencing JOLA – the joy of looking ahead, according to a study

Forget FOMO (fear of missing out). Britons are now experiencing JOLA – the joy of looking ahead.

According to a study, this trend has been sweeping the nation since the Prime Minister unveiled the roadmap out of lockdown on February 22, with Britons anticipating and fantasising about the very first thing they will do with their new-found freedom post-lockdown.

The survey revealed that in fact, over half of the population (52 per cent) are experiencing JOLA.

This feeling has been born out of lockdown and is allowing millions to remain optimistic and focus on the light at the end of the tunnel, the study said.

The research, by Chessington World of Adventures Resort, also revealed that Britons are keen to swap home comforts for new excitements, with almost one in three (30 per cent) of the 2,000 people polled admitting the mundanity of lockdown has yielded a yearning to try more thrill-seeking activities as soon as they’re able to.

These are glad tidings for Chessington World of Adventures Resort, in Greater London, and so is the revelation from the survey that two million Britons want to make a theme park visit the priority trip when lockdown eases.

Chessington said its website traffic trebled in the immediate days after No10 issued the roadmap.

The resort is planning on reopening on April 12 and visitors will be able to experience the first new ride there since 2013 – a drop tower called the Croc Drop.

Snap happy: New for 2021 at Chessington World of Adventures Resort is Croc Drop (pictured)

Snap happy: New for 2021 at Chessington World of Adventures Resort is Croc Drop (pictured)

Chessington World of Adventures Resort is planning to reopen on Monday April 12, with tickets starting from £32

Chessington World of Adventures Resort is planning to reopen on Monday April 12, with tickets starting from £32

The resort’s website says: ‘Set to “drop” in spring, those daring will plunge 25m [82ft] into the giant jaws of a crocodile, Sobek, the ancient Egyptian Crocodile God and protector of the Nile, who has been possessed by evil spirits, transforming him into a cruel deity.’

Tim Harrison-Jones, Divisional Director at Chessington World of Adventures Resort, commented: ‘After an incredibly difficult year, it’s important that we all have something to look forward to with optimism and excitement, which is why we coined this feeling JOLA. Whilst the smallest joys continue to bring us pleasure, such as a dinner with friends and popping to the shops, I’m also extremely reassured to see that the nation hasn’t lost its sense of adventure and we can’t wait to reopen our gates to guests and see them “drop” on our new ride.’

A statement from the resort added: ‘In line with the Government response to Covid-19 and its four-step plan, Chessington World of Adventures Resort is planned to reopen on Monday April 12 with tickets starting from £32 at Chessington.com, where short breaks can also be booked with Chessington’s Book with Confidence Guarantee.’

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk