Full Information to Visiting Alton Towers

When you’re pondering of visiting Alton Towers, you’re in the appropriate place. We’ve put collectively this detailed information that will help you plan your go to to one of many UK’s best-known theme parks.

Alton Towers is situated in Staffordshire England and is at present the most important and most visited theme park within the UK, that includes all kinds of rides and sights from kids’s rides to thrilling curler coasters. This information goes to cowl rather a lot, and is predicated on our private experiences visiting Alton Towers.

We’ve visited Alton Towers various occasions, my first experiences have been as a teen and twenty-something outdated.  Most just lately I visited with Jess and with buddies who on the time of our go to had a three-year-old and a six-year-old.

My buddies have additionally visited Alton Towers a number of occasions, and we’re going to be incorporating their experiences and ideas of visiting Alton Towers into this information. So hopefully we can provide you some ideas from the views of younger single folks, a married couple of their 30s and 40s, and of a household with younger children.

We’re going to undergo every part it’s good to know to have an superior time at Alton Towers. Whereas most of you studying are most likely residing within the UK, a visit to Alton Towers may also be a enjoyable expertise for worldwide guests as effectively!

We’ll cowl all of the rides and what to anticipate from each, tips about learn how to take advantage of your time and get probably the most time truly using somewhat than queuing, share our ideas on the Alton Towers lodging and eating, and hundreds extra.

Whether or not you might be visiting as a household, a pair, with buddies, or by yourself, this information goes to provide you every part it’s good to know in your Alton Towers go to. Let’s get began.

Alton Towers Overview & Historical past

Alton Towers (technically known as Alton Towers Resort) is the most-visited amusement park within the UK. It’s additionally greater than a theme park, because it additionally has a collection of inns, a water park, a spa, and a mini-golf course.

The theme park is discovered on a big property which was as soon as the house of the Earls of Shrewsbury and was owned by the Talbot household from 1412 till 1924. In addition they owned the close by Alton Castle which dates again to the eleventh century.

The mansion home on the Alton Property, which largely dates to the 18th century, continues to be there, though it’s in a ruined situation. There’s additionally a big lake and landscaped gardens on website.

Alton Towers has been open to the general public not directly because the nineteenth century, when guests have been capable of pay to tour the gardens. Sights have been added all through the twentieth century together with a boating lake, mannequin railway, and chairlift. My mom remembers visiting Alton Towers throughout her childhood within the Nineteen Sixties and having a stunning time out.

So when you find yourself visiting right here you might be on the grounds of what was for hundreds of years the massive property and residential of the Earls of Shrewsbury. The magnificent ruins of the house and a number of the outbuildings and follies, in addition to the landscaped backyard are nonetheless there. You’ll be able to nonetheless stroll by elements of the gardens.

In some locations you’ll don’t know you might be in the course of an amusement park because it seems like you might be in a park or forest. A really distinctive and British setting for a theme park!

The theme park as it’s recognized as we speak, with thrill rides and everlasting sights, actually began in 1973. At present, Alton Towers is operated by the Tussauds Group, who additionally function places together with Thorpe Park, Madame Tussauds London, and the London Eye.

At present, the theme park is among the most well-known and common theme parks within the UK, with one thing to supply everybody from children to adults alike.

It has had various spectacular experience accomplishments, together with the world’s first dive coaster, the world’s first “flying” rollercoaster, the curler coaster with probably the most inversions on the earth, and Europe’s first inverted rollercoaster.

There’s an enormous quantity to see and do at Alton Towers, greater than sufficient to fill two or three days even. That stated, you may undoubtedly do rather a lot with simply in the future at Alton Towers if you happen to plan correctly.

 

How you can Get to Alton Towers

Alton Towers is within the county of Staffordshire close to the village of Alton in England. The tackle is Farley Ln, Alton, Stoke-on-Trent ST10 4DB.

It’s primarily between Manchester (44 miles drive to the north) and Birmingham (47 miles drive south).

Listed here are the primary choices for attending to Alton Towers:

 

Driving to and Parking at Alton Towers

The best approach to get to Alton Towers is certainly to drive. It’s pretty near each the M1 and the M6 motorways, though the final stretch is on smaller roads.

When driving, after leaving the motorway we advocate following the brown “Alton Towers” indicators somewhat than your sat-nav or GPS.

It’s because the agricultural location of the park signifies that there are a number of small nation lanes across the park. The brown indicators will hold you on the bigger roads which can normally be faster.

 

Parking at Alton Towers

There’s a number of on-site parking obtainable, and stewards will normally direct you to the closest automotive park as you arrive. This does depend upon how busy the day is and what time you arrive.

There’s a payment to park at Alton Towers, relying on the place you park, which is as follows:

• £7 for a day in the usual parking, 15-25 minutes’ stroll from the primary entrance
• £19 for a day in categorical parking, 1-3 minutes away from the primary entrance

There are additionally methods you may get free parking at Alton Towers.

• Resort visitors staying in a single day within the resort can park within the designated lodge carpark, after which both enter the park from the lodge visitor entrance (close to the Galactica experience and Rollercoaster Restaurant) or take the monorail to the park entrance.
• Company staying at CBeebies lodge can park without spending a dime within the Categorical Parking zone
• Holders of Gold, Platinum or Premium Merlin passes can park without spending a dime in customary parking. They will improve to Categorical parking for £12.

Parking might be booked online in advance here. That is obligatory for Categorical Parking, except CBeebies visitors, who should present lodge affirmation on arrival.

You can too usually add automotive parking to your buy when shopping for your theme park entry tickets.

 

Public Transport to Alton Towers

Alton Towers is in a comparatively rural location, so while it’s potential to achieve the resort by public transport it should contain some good planning.

The closest prepare station is in Uttoxeter, which is 10 miles from the station. From right here you may take a bus to Alton Towers. The X41, operated by D&G Bus, runs from Uttoxeter to Alton Towers Resort. You’ll be able to see the schedule here.

You can too take a taxi from Uttoxeter prepare station, which is a couple of 20-minute drive from Alton Towers.

Different comparatively shut prepare stations are Stoke on Trent (15 miles from Alton Towers) and Derby (25 miles from Alton Towers). Nonetheless, you have to to take a taxi from each of those places to achieve the resort.

You’ll be able to ebook taxis on-line upfront here.

If you’re counting on public transit, you would possibly need to take into account developing the night time earlier than and taking the D*G bus or a taxi from a close-by prepare or bus station to an Alton Towers Resort lodge.

Then you may stroll from any of the resort’s inns to the park within the morning (or take the Monorail) without having to depend on a taxi or public transit to get round.

 

Alton Towers Opening Dates and Occasions

Alton Towers is open seasonally in addition to for sure holidays and college breaks. It’s usually open from March by to November. Exterior of this time the resort has particular themed opening occasions, usually for the Christmas interval and likewise for varsity half phrases.

By way of opening hours, the park usually has the next opening hours:

• Theme Park opens at 9am (rides open at 10am).
• Theme Park closes at 6pm throughout peak occasions and on weekends, and at 4pm on off-peak days.

It’s vital to notice that the closing time is the time that the experience queues shut. You probably have joined a queue earlier than theme park closing time, it is possible for you to to complete queuing and full your experience even after closing time.

You’ll be able to examine the most recent opening dates and hours for Alton Towers online here.

For particular occasions park hours do change so it is very important examine what they’re earlier than visiting. Additionally through the vacation and particular opening durations, some sections of the park might not be totally open so you’ll want to examine which rides and sights are open.

Observe that the Alton Towers Waterpark and Extraordinary Golf mini golf are subsequent to however separate from the park and function with completely different hours.

The Alton Towers Waterpark (situated within the Splash Landings lodge) is open nearly all of the yr.

The Extraordinary Golf course (subsequent to the Splash Landings lodge) can be open nearly all of the yr, and is usually open fairly late into the night. Resort visitors usually obtain a complimentary spherical of mini-golf as a part of their keep.

Observe that each the above sights might be visited individually from the theme park and also you don’t want a theme half ticket for these sights, that are charged individually.

 

How you can Get Round Alton Towers

The primary means most individuals get round at Alton Towers is on foot. The park is pretty unfold out, however there are footpaths in all places.

One factor to concentrate on is that there will not be a number of indicators or maps across the park, and so they additionally now not provide paper park maps. As an alternative, you might be anticipated to make use of the mobile app.

That is truly a fairly respectable cell app, and the map a part of it has in-built navigation. It even enables you to keep away from steps. Nonetheless, it may be a battery drain, so we’d recommend bringing a USB battery pack like this to keep away from working out of juice midway by the day.

Observe that these visiting in wheelchairs and people with mobility points ought to try the accessibility information for the park here.

There are two extra choices for getting round Alton Towers. These are the Monorail and the Skyride.

 

Alton Towers Monorail

The Alton Towers Monorail runs from the primary park entrance to the resort space. It’s additionally near a number of the automotive parks. This solely has two stops, one close to the inns and extra distant parking tons, and one on the essential entrance to the theme park.

Use of the Monorail is free for all park visitors. It might probably undoubtedly be a fast approach to get from the resort and a number of the automotive parks to the primary theme park entrance, nevertheless there are some caveats.

On busy days, and particularly within the mornings and evenings, the monorail will get very busy. Queuing occasions can exceed 40 minutes. On condition that it’s a couple of 15 – 20 minute stroll from the Monorail station to the primary theme park entrance, whether it is notably busy it’s usually faster to simply stroll.

Moreover, Alton Tower Resort lodge visitors are eligible to enter the park from a park entrance close to the inns. That is simply previous the Monorail station, and brings you into the park subsequent to Galactica.

We might undoubtedly advocate lodge visitors who have already got their park tickets think about using this entrance somewhat than take the Monorail if there’s a lengthy wait.

 

Alton Towers Skyride

The Alton Towers Skyride is a gondola model cable automotive experience which gives transport across the park.

There are three stations, one close to the primary park entrance on Towers Road, one close to the Blade experience within the Forbidden Valley, and one within the Darkish Forest close to Rita.

The Skyride is certainly helpful for getting throughout the Gardens when travelling between the Forbidden Valley and the Darkish Forest as in any other case there are numerous steps up and down if you happen to take probably the most direct route.

The Skyride is free to all park visitors. Nonetheless, in our expertise it tends to be closed for upkeep pretty usually and in reality the Skyride is closed for the rest of 2023.

 

Alton Towers Map

This can be a photograph of the map in Alton Towers in 2023. Nonetheless, we’d advocate utilizing the map within the Alton Towers app.

Confusingly, the map within the app is inverted in comparison with the bodily maps on indicators within the park. On the bodily maps, the doorway is on the backside, within the app it’s on the high (as it’s geographically).

So simply hold this in thoughts if cross referencing between the maps within the park and the map within the app, because it’s simple to get confused (as we all know from private expertise)!

 

Alton Towers Ticket Data

We’ll now undergo the primary ticket varieties obtainable for Alton Towers in addition to how a lot they price and the place to purchase them.

Pricing data is appropriate as of August 2023, however costs can differ so do examine the most recent costs online here.

 

How A lot Are Alton Towers Tickets?

Alton Towers ticket pricing varies relying on whether or not you buy upfront or on the day.

Pricing additionally varies relying on the date, with peak dates usually costing a bit extra. Peak dates are usually throughout vacation durations in addition to at weekends.

Presently, pricing is as follows:

• £34 – £39 for a 1-day pass for ages 3 and up (£68 on the day)
• £46 – £51 for a 2-day pass for ages 3 and up (£80 on the day)
• £29 for a parent and toddler pass. Toddlers are outlined as being underneath 5, and an extra underneath 5 might be added for £5. This cross is simply obtainable on weekdays outdoors of vacation durations.
• Free for these underneath 3 and carers

There are additionally occasional promotional costs and gross sales on the web site, which you can see here.

The pricing for in-person purchases might be twice as costly as shopping for on-line, so we extremely advocate buying online to save cash!

 

Low cost Alton Towers Tickets

There will not be that some ways to get discounted tickets for Alton Towers, though some choices do exist.

When you don’t qualify for a reduction, then one of the best ways to save cash on Alton Towers is to buy tickets in advance from the official web site as this can be a lot cheaper than shopping for tickets on the day.

You can too save by visiting on a weekday outdoors of vacation durations as these have a tendency to supply the bottom costs.

 

The place to Purchase Alton Towers Tickets

The 2 essential choices for buying Alton Towers tickets are both online on the official website here or in-person on the resort.

We might extremely advocate shopping for on-line as the costs are considerably decrease and you then additionally don’t want to attend within the ticket strains.

 

Passes Which Embrace Alton Towers

There are two essential passes which embody entry to Alton Towers. These are finest if you happen to both plan on visiting Alton Towers a number of occasions a yr, or if you happen to plan on visiting the opposite included sights. The passes are as follows:

• Alton Towers Annual Pass. This presents yearlong entry to Alton Towers (with some peak date exclusions) in addition to reductions on food and drinks and different advantages. Obtainable from £99 for a yr.
• Merlin Annual Pass. This cross presents entry to all the primary Merlin sights within the UK, together with Alton Towers, The London Eye, SEA LIFE centres, Chessington World of Adventures and extra. Begins from £99.

The Alton Towers cross can undoubtedly be value it if you happen to plan on visiting Alton Towers a number of occasions in a yr (at the least three I might recommend), though you’ll want to examine which dates are excluded earlier than buying.

The Merlin Annual cross is sensible if you happen to stay within the UK and plan on spending your yr visiting the Merlin sights across the UK. There are a number of these (see full checklist here), however you’ll undoubtedly need to examine which days you may go to prior to buying.

If you’re solely planning on visiting Alton Towers as soon as or possibly twice in a yr, then a regular ticket will probably provide the most effective worth.

 

Alton Towers Fastrack Passes

One approach to probably improve your Alton Towers expertise is to put money into a Fastrack pass.

A Fastrack cross provides you entry to a particular Fastrack line for a lot of rides which has precedence boarding, and which may considerably reduce your queuing time.

In our expertise, on a really busy day the place customary experience queue occasions might be 1 – 2 hours, the Fastrack line shall be between 3 and half-hour.

It will after all depend upon what number of Fastrack passes have been offered and the way busy the park is, however in our expertise on a busy day a Fastrack cross can considerably reduce queue occasions and allow you to spend extra time using and fewer time queuing.

 

Fastrack Move Variations at Alton Towers

There are completely different variations of the Fastrack passes, as follows:

• Particular person Fastrack tickets for particular rides. These might be purchased on the day by the Alton Towers app.
• Fastrack Bronze Pass – means that you can be a part of the Fastrack line as soon as for 4 rides: Congo River Rapids​, The Curse at Alton Manor​, Runaway Mine Prepare, and Spinball Whizzer
• Fastrack Silver Pass – means that you can be a part of the Fastrack line as soon as for six rides: Wicker Man​, Oblivion, Rita, TH13TEEN​, The Smiler, and Galactica
• Fastrack Gold Pass – means that you can be a part of the Fastrack line as soon as for fourteen rides: Wicker Man​, Oblivion​, Rita, TH13TEEN​, The Smiler, Galactica, Spinball​ Whizzer, Gangsta Granny,​ The Curse at Alton Manor, Hex,​ Marauders Mayhem​, Battle Galleons​, Rapids​ and Runaway Mine Prepare
• Fastrack Platinum Pass – means that you can be a part of the Fastrack line as many occasions as you want for the next rides: Wicker Man, Oblivion, Rita, TH13TEEN​, The Smiler​, Galactica​, Spinball​ Whizzer, Gangsta Granny​, The Curse at Alton Manor, HEX​, Marauders Mayhem​, Battle Galleons​, Rapids​ and Runaway Mine Prepare

Apart from the person Fasttrack tickets, all the opposite passes might be purchased upfront on-line, in particular person on the park from the customer support workplace, or by the Alton Towers app.

Observe that Fastrack Passes can promote out, so if that is one thing you might be certain you need to put money into in your go to, we advocate shopping for them on-line upfront of your go to on the official site here.

 

Fastrack Move Pricing at Alton Towers

The pricing for the passes is as follows. Observe that this doesn’t embody park entry, so you’ll nonetheless want a park entry ticket to entry the park.

Fastrack is legitimate for a particular day, so if you’re visiting Alton Towers throughout a number of days and need Fastrack on all of them, you have to to purchase a cross for every day you go to.

 

How Fastrack Works at Alton Towers

With all of the Fastrack passes the method is sort of easy. When you could have a Fastrack cross, no matter sort it’s, as an alternative of becoming a member of the common line, be a part of the Fastrack line. This shall be clearly signposted. Observe it isn’t the identical because the Experience Entry line (that is for holders of Ride Access Pass tickets solely).

Relying on the experience, somebody will examine your Fastrack ticket whenever you enter the queue or whenever you get to the experience boarding space, so have it prepared. They are going to usually scan the barcode on the cross to validate it.

Relying on the cross you could have, the way it works will differ barely.

With the person Fastrack cross, purchased on a per-ride foundation, that is solely good for one experience on one attraction.

With the Bronze, Silver and Gold passes these entitle you to 1 Fastrack per attraction. So you may experience all of the rides included on the cross utilizing the Fastrack as soon as. If you wish to experience a experience once more, you’ll have to be a part of the common queue or purchase a person Fastrack ticket for that experience.

You’ll be able to share these passes in a gaggle, so if one particular person needs to do one experience and one other particular person needs to do a special experience, this could be a good possibility.

For the platinum cross, this can be utilized for as many Fastrack rides as you need on the included rides, however it will probably solely be utilized by one particular person.

On a latest go to to Alton Towers on a really busy college journey day in July we invested in 4 Gold Passes. This undoubtedly saved us a number of time, and meant that we have been all capable of experience all 13 rides working that day (Hex was closed).

On condition that queue occasions for the preferred rides have been over 2 hours at some factors on the day we visited, that will undoubtedly not have been potential with out the Fastrack. For us, queue occasions on the day diverse between 1 minute and half-hour with our Fastrack.

When you’re questioning if Fastrack passes are value it in your go to, see the incessantly requested questions part on the finish of this information the place we go into our ideas on Fastrack in additional element.

 

Rides at Alton Towers

We’ll now undergo all of the rides at Alton Towers and what you may count on from every experience. There are a number of various kinds of experience at Alton Towers.

Everybody likes various kinds of experience. For instance, I desire rides with a drop and am much less eager on being spun round. Jess loves being spun round however doesn’t like being dropped! On our latest go to, one of many children hated scary rides, while the opposite child was usually advantageous with them.

On this part we’ll define the primary options of every experience. I’ll additionally embody an thought of how scary the experience is and the way thrilling the experience is.

For the scare issue, this refers as to if the experience has components which may make you bounce or which may be much less appropriate for youthful riders. In fact, this can differ by particular person.

For the joys issue, this refers to how thrilling the experience is. So if the experience spins you round, drops you, or inverts you, I’m going to provide {that a} increased thrill issue than a extra sedate experience expertise. Once more, these scores are very subjective as everybody finds various things thrilling.

This could provide help to determine which rides to go for and which rides you would possibly need to keep away from, relying on the kind of experience you want. We’ll additionally present our ideas on the experience expertise.

Observe that this part might comprise experience spoilers so if you wish to be stunned on the rides you would possibly need to skip it.

For this part the rides are grouped collectively by which space of the park they’re in. See extra in regards to the areas of the park within the part of this information on park areas, which works into extra element on theming.

 

Forbidden Valley Rides

A post-apocalyptic themed space with a mixture of household pleasant and high-end thrill rides. Rides are as follows:

 

Galactica

Galactica is a flying rollercoaster which debuted at Alton Towers in 2002, though again then it was known as Air. It was rebranded to Galactica in 2016, though the experience expertise stays the identical.

Galactica is certainly a enjoyable thrill curler coaster. After you board, the seats truly rotate 90 levels so you might be primarily dangling underneath the coaster rail, trying down on the ground. This allows you to do your finest flying impression, therefore the title flying rollercoaster.

The experience itself is sort of high-octane as you whizz across the monitor, experiencing as much as 3.5G. It additionally inverts you twice, and might be pretty disorienting, though nothing to check to Smiler.

Personally I do get pleasure from Galactica though I’m not an enormous fan of being inverted and spun round so it’s not my favorite experience at Alton Towers. It’s undoubtedly thrilling although, and beneficial for these of you who like high-speed coasters.

One tip – if you’re staying within the inns on-site, there’s an unique lodge visitor entrance which brings you in proper subsequent to Galactica. So if this experience is a precedence, you may get right here earlier than nearly all of different riders arrive and get on shortly, even and not using a Fastrack cross.

Included on Fastrack: Sure, Silver, Gold & Platinum
Scare issue: 0/5
Thrill issue: 5/5
Experience sort: Flying Rollercoaster
Experience size: 1 minute 40 seconds
Experience peak restriction: 1.4m

 

Nemesis Sub-Terra

To not be confused with the at present closed Nemesis experience, Nemesis Sub-Terra is a darkish drop experience themed across the mysterious Phalanx and Nemesis Creature. It initially opened in 2012, however closed in 2015, and reopened in 2023.

The experience has you coming into a darkened space with a small group the place you might be given some backstory and directions from a Phalanx operative.

After a brief video, you enter an elevator and are transported right down to a room the place everyone seems to be strapped into chairs round a central podium containing a mysterious alien egg.

As soon as everyone seems to be secured, the expertise continues. There’s enjoyable lighting and results, as inevitably the alien breaks free and “assaults” the viewers. There’s an incredible drop (sure, I screamed), and enjoyable results all through together with water, prodding ,and leg tickling.

After the drop, you must “escape” the experience by a scary elevate and a small maze earlier than bursting again out into the true world.

General, it’s a enjoyable experience expertise with a couple of completely different elements which is a bit completely different to many of the different rides. When you don’t just like the considered a scary experience, being trapped in a elevate, or are claustrophobic, it may be one to skip.

Included on Fastrack: No Fastrack obtainable
Scare issue: 5/5
Thrill issue: 3/5
Experience sort: Darkish experience / walk-through / drop
Experience size: 8- 10 minutes
Experience peak restriction: 1.4m
Different Notes: Because of the drop chairs, this experience has fairly restrictive measurement necessities.

 

The Blade

Discovered close to Galactica and Nemesis within the Forbidden Valley, The Blade is the oldest experience at Alton Towers, relationship from 1980.

Regardless of its age, that is nonetheless a extremely popular and actually enjoyable experience for these of you who like airtime in a experience. It’s additionally one of many extra thrilling rides for youthful guests as the peak restrict is comparatively low in comparison with different rides.

The Blade is principally an enormous seated swing that appears like a ship, which is why this type of experience is named a Pirate Ship. Passengers sit in rows of 5 going through the centre, and the experience swings backwards and forwards, getting increased and better because it goes.

On the very peak of the experience, if you happen to sit on the very ends of the ship, it nearly feels vertical (okay, it’s truly 75 levels, however whenever you’re on the experience you’re unlikely to be measuring angles).

There’s an incredible sensation of airtime on this experience, and it’s undoubtedly not for these of you who don’t like that dropping sensation! Nonetheless, it’s a good experience if you happen to don’t like spinning as there’s no spinning or inversion. Even Jess was capable of get pleasure from this one.

On a latest go to to Alton Towers we rode the Blade 4 occasions simply because the park was opening. We had stayed within the lodge the night time earlier than and got here right here simply because it opened. Regardless of it being a busy day, the primary half hour or so had only a few riders, and at one level there have been solely 8 folks on the entire experience.

It was an actual hit with the youthful members of our group and it was one of many extra thrilling rides that we might all do collectively. Together with the Runaway Mine Prepare, this was the favorite household pleasant thrill experience we did in Alton Towers.

Included on Fastrack: No
Scare issue: 0/5
Thrill issue: 3/5
Experience sort: Pirate Ship
Experience size: 1 minute 30 seconds
Experience peak restriction:1m (1.3m should experience with an grownup)

 

X-Sector Rides

House to a number of the most excessive rides within the park, all with a 1.4m peak restriction. Themed like a secret authorities check facility.

This accommodates two everlasting rides, Smilar and Oblivion, in addition to two carnival model rides, Spinjam and Twistatron. I’m simply going to cowl the everlasting rides on this part.

 

The Smiler

Opened in 2013, at time of writing The Smiler holds the world report for probably the most inversions (basicaly what number of occasions you might be the other way up) on a curler coaster at fourteen.

The Smiler is certainly one of the thrilling rides at Alton Towers, and likewise one of many extra common rides. At any time when we go to, it all the time appears to have a number of the longest queue occasions.

The experience itself is sort of a marvel of development. It takes up a comparatively tiny footprint, with each stretch of monitor seemingly involving a twist, a flip, or a drop.

By way of the expertise, this experience undoubtedly delivers. It’s quick, thrilling, and it spins you round rather a lot. I’m not an enormous fan of rides that invert me, however I did get a thrill from this experience, even when my head was spinning for some time afterwards!

I additionally favored all of the theming all through, with a repetitive sound monitor that will get in your head and many flashing lights and colours. It’s all designed to disorient, and it undoubtedly succeeds.

The one draw back of the rollercoaster is that as a consequence of its significantly advanced design, it does appear to close down fairly usually. This may be very irritating, particularly if you happen to’ve spent a number of time queuing just for it to shut with no warning.

Included on Fastrack: Sure, Silver, Gold & Platinum
Scare issue: 1/5
Thrill issue: 5/5
Experience sort: Curler coaster
Experience size: ~ 3 minutes
Experience peak restriction: 1.4m
Different Notes: Experience early or late within the day to skip the lengthy queues or take into account Fastrack. That is additionally one of many solely rides to have a single-rider lane which could be a lot sooner.

 

Oblivion

Oblivion was the world’s first dive rollercoaster when it opened in 1998. This design of rollercoaster presents principally a 90-degree drop from a big peak, providing a sensation of free fall.

The experience expertise is sort of easy. The vehicles are fairly broad however solely two rows deep. You get taken to the highest of the monitor and pause for an exhilarating second over the drop.

You then freefall down 55 metres (180 ft), with the joys being heightened because the automotive plunges right into a darkish tunnel underneath the bottom. It then swoops round and is over.

Personally, I’m a giant fan of drops so it shouldn’t come as a shock that that is certainly one of my favorite rides in Alton Towers, regardless of the comparatively quick experience time. Jess, who doesn’t like drops, is certainly much less satisfied by Oblivion and skipped it!

This can be a nice rollercoaster if you happen to don’t like being inverted or thrown round an excessive amount of. It’s not an incredible possibility if you happen to’re notably afraid of heights or hate the feeling of free fall.

Included on Fastrack: Sure, Silver, Gold & Platinum
Scare issue: 0/5
Thrill issue: 5/5
Experience sort: Dive Rollercoaster
Experience size: 1 minute 15 seconds
Experience peak restriction: 1.4 m

 

Darkish Forest Rides

Themed as a haunted woodland, this space of the park is residence to 2 thrill rides that are:

 

Rita

When you love pace and g-force, then Rita is probably going the curler coaster for you. Launched in 2005, this curler coaster is the quickest experience within the park, topping out at 61.1 miles per hour.

It’s additionally the one with the best G-forces, which go as much as 4.7G.

The primary thrill of Rita is the launch. The experience is themed like a drag racer, with barely panicked voice over offering an air of anticipation as you get able to go.

Then, like a drag racer does, you speed up in a short time in a straight line. How shortly? Nicely, you get to the utmost pace of 61.1 mph in round 2.5 seconds, which actually feels very fast whenever you launch!

After the preliminary thrill of the launch, the experience then banks round some pretty sharp corners and likewise provides you a sense of weightlessness as you crest a few hills.

This experience is certainly going to be good for these of you who don’t like being fully inverted as there aren’t any inversions.

Nonetheless the pace of the experience signifies that the g-forces are fairly excessive at 4.7G, so you’ll want to hold your head firmly braced again towards the headrest as in any other case it will probably really feel like fairly a tough experience!

The opposite draw back to this experience is that it’s one of many shortest rides within the park, lasting round 25 seconds. So if there’s a very lengthy queue and also you don’t have a Fastrack cross you then would possibly need to return when it isn’t so busy.

Included on Fastrack: Sure, Silver, Gold & Platinum
Scare issue: 1/5
Thrill issue: 4/5
Experience sort: Accelerator Rollercoaster
Experience size: 25 seconds
Experience peak restriction: 1.4m

 

TH13TEEN

TH13TEEN (or 13, for simpler spelling and studying) was one other world-first rollercoaster when it debuted at Alton Towers in 2010.

When you’ve not performed this experience earlier than and don’t know something about it, the twist is sort of fascinating and price maintaining as a shock. Nonetheless, if you happen to don’t like surprises and need to know what lies in retailer, learn on.

13 is discovered within the Darkish Forest space of Alton Towers, and is themed to be a little bit of a spooky experience. The experience itself is what’s often known as a drop rollercoaster.

The experience begins with you stepping into customary curler coaster carts that are just like the Runaway Mine prepare. Passengers sit two by two. 

The prepare units off and drops a bit of round a curve earlier than climbing the primary elevate hill. From right here there are fairly a couple of enjoyable airtime hills and banked turns, which make for a very gratifying experience. It’s notably enjoyable if you happen to don’t like an excessive amount of spinning round like me, however do like the feeling of airtime.

About half means by the experience the prepare out of the blue enters a darkish tunnel and the doorways shut behind you. That is the place the shock takes place. Ghosts mild up and air blows at you, and the prepare and monitor actually drop out from beneath you.

Then the prepare takes off backwards and also you full nearly all of the remainder of the monitor in reverse.

That is certainly one of my favorite rides at Alton Towers, particularly the primary time I rode it after I had no thought what was going to occur.

The experience itself shouldn’t be vastly scary by way of darkish components, though when it enters the “crypt” and the drop occurs there are some spooky components to concentrate on. That is over fairly shortly although, so it’s not precisely a full haunted home expertise! But when your children don’t like haunted homes, this half may be scary.

Included on Fastrack: Sure, included on Silver, Gold and Platinum
Scare issue: 3/5
Thrill issue: 4/5
Experience sort: Rollercoaster
Experience size: 1 minute 40 seconds
Experience peak restriction: 1.2m

 

The Towers Rides

This a part of the park covers all of the rides discovered within the space of the unique home at Alton Towers. It’s a bit unfold out with no actual theme. Rides are as follows:

 

Spinball Whizzer

Spinball Whizzer is a rollercoaster which is designed to provide the expertise of being a pinball inside a pinball machine.

It’s primarily a rollercoaster with the twist that the four-person carriage spins freely round because it races across the monitor, so each experience is completely different.

It’s a reasonably thrilling experience with vertical sections of monitor and many dips and dives, however there aren’t any inversions. Regardless of not likely having fun with spinning rides I did truly fairly get pleasure from Spinball Whizzer.

It’s a comparatively clean experience (besides on the finish the place there could be a little bit of a janky second when the cart is aligned to face ahead once more for loading and unloading).

Spinball Whizzer was an actual hit with the six-year-old we visited Alton Towers with just lately, in addition to with the adults within the group. The comparatively low experience peak requirement makes for a pleasant family-friendly rollercoaster for youths trying to department out into the larger thrill rides.

It’s technically a part of “The Towers” space, however is definitely situated very near CBeebies Land.

Included on Fastrack: Sure, Bronze, Gold and Platinum
Scare issue: 0/5
Thrill issue: 3/5
Experience sort: Spinning Rollercoaster
Experience size: 1 minute 15 seconds
Experience peak restriction: 1.2 m

 

Hex

Hex is a darkish theme experience primarily based on an precise native legend involving a chained up Oak tree, which is definitely a location not too removed from the park itself.

On condition that it’s primarily based on the proprietor of the unique Alton Towers property, it’s acceptable that the experience is discovered throughout the ruins of Alton Towers.

Like the opposite darkish rides, Hex is certainly a experience that’s finest skilled as a shock. So if you wish to expertise it with no spoilers, now could be the time to skip to the following experience.

The primary factor to concentrate on is that the experience might be disorienting, so if you’re vulnerable to movement illness it’s one to watch out of.

Nonetheless there’s no drop, inversions or actual spinning. The primary a part of the experience has you progressing on foot between rooms, watching an immersive story with varied lighting, sounds and results.

The latter a part of the experience is seated with lapbars. You’ll transfer and tilt, with the impact enormously heightened by the intelligent design of the room and what’s primarily an enormous optical phantasm. So it seems like you might be transferring and tilting much more than you truly are.

Hex is a enjoyable expertise however it’s a bit divisive in that folks both appear to adore it or hate it. We expect it’s completely different sufficient from the opposite rides to make it value visiting, and if you happen to don’t really feel nice you may all the time shut your eyes.

Observe that Hex is closed for the remainder of 2023.

Included on Fastrack: Sure, Gold and Platinum
Scare issue: 5/5
Thrill issue: 2/5
Experience sort: Walkthrough darkish experience
Experience size: 5 minutes 25 seconds
Experience peak restriction: 0.9m (1.2m should experience with an grownup)

 

Cuckoo Vehicles Driving College

Discovered subsequent to the David Walliams space of the park, Cuckoo Vehicles Driving College provides children the chance to be taught to drive their very personal Cuckoo Automotive.

A enjoyable monitor is ready up with a spread of visitors options, together with pedestrian crossings, visitors indicators and even a bubble automotive wash. The vehicles are electrical, and the youngsters can steer them and make them cease or go together with a pedal.

The vehicles will not be on any sort of monitor, so the youngsters can select the place to drive them, similar to in an actual automotive. They’re fairly small and solely go 4km/h, and there are additionally marshals throughout the monitor to maintain everybody protected and get the youngsters again on monitor ought to they veer off target at any level (there’s no reverse on the vehicles).

Cuckoo Vehicles was an enormous hit with the youngsters we just lately visited Alton Towers with. They’d actually end and run again spherical to affix the experience queue once more! So that is undoubtedly a child pleasant experience, so long as they meet the experience necessities.

The experience necessities for Cuckoo Vehicles are pretty particular, the youngsters have to be at the least 1 metre tall, 4 years or older, and underneath 1.4 metres.

So adults can’t take part on this one as that is for youthful children solely. However there may be loads of viewing house so you may hold an in depth eye on your loved ones members as they be taught to drive.

Included on Fastrack: No
Scare issue: 0/5
Thrill issue: 1/5
Experience sort: Children Driving Experience
Experience size: 4 minutes
Experience peak restriction: 1m minimal. Moreover, most of 1.4m and minimal of 4 years outdated.

 

Mutiny Bay Rides

A pirate themed a part of the park with primarily household pleasant rides, as follows:

 

Wicker Man

Opened in 2018, Wicker Man is among the latest rides at Alton Towers. When it opened it was notable as being the primary new wood rollercoaster to be opened within the UK for 22 years.

Because the title suggests, the Wicker Man is themed across the Wicker Man movie, a horror film which dates from the Nineteen Seventies and which includes a big woven effigy of a person constituted of wooden which is ready fireplace to.

The rollercoaster can be constituted of wooden, and there’s a big effigy of a person that the experience passes by. There are additionally flame lighting and smoke results all through the experience which add to the themed expertise.

Talking of expertise, the experience begins with a preshow that features some video, mild, and smoke results. This does have a little bit of a scare issue so is one thing to bear in mind if using with youthful kids. You then board the prepare, and from this level it’s a wood rollercoaster experience.

The experience expertise is sort of just like the Runaway Predominant prepare or 13, with dips, hills, and twists. There aren’t any inversions or loops or something like that, and the experience peak restriction of 1.2m makes it a household possibility for a lot of children as effectively.

Wicker Man is discovered proper subsequent to Mutiny Bay, though it doesn’t observe the pirate theming.

Included on Fastrack: Sure, Silver, Gold and Platinum
Scare issue: 2/5
Thrill issue: 4/5
Experience sort: Rollercoaster
Experience size: 1 minute 50 seconds
Experience peak restriction: 1.2m

 

Marauders Mayhem

Proper within the coronary heart of Pirate Bay is the Marauders Mayhem experience, which is principally a basic spinning tea cups experience.

This experience initially launched in 1987 as a tea cup experience, and was relaunched in 2008 with a pirate theme. So as an alternative of sitting in teacups you sit in barrels.

Apart from the theme, the experience expertise is similar as a typical teacups experience. As much as 6 folks can sit in every barrel, with 4 units of three barrels organized across the experience. Every set rotates, the entire experience rotates, and every barrel may also be made to rotate.

I feel it’s honest to say that the Marauders Mayhem experience shouldn’t be superb if you happen to don’t like spinning rides. However if you happen to do like spinning rides, that is undoubtedly one to go for. It’s a enjoyable household experience with a reasonably low peak restriction.

Included on Fastrack: Sure, Gold and Platinum
Scare issue: 0/5
Thrill issue: 3/5
Experience sort: Spinning teacups
Experience size: 2 minutes
Experience peak restriction: 1.1m (1.3 m should experience with an grownup)

 

Battle Galleons

When you like rides the place there’s a really stable probability of getting soaking moist, you’ll undoubtedly need to head to the Battle Galleons experience at Alton Towers.

This experience has you boarding a pirate ship which “sails” round part of the Alton Towers lake. The enjoyable half is that there are water cannons on board, which you’ll be able to fireplace at different vessels, in addition to at anybody standing on the shore the place your boats cross.

These water cannons are hand operated – you spin a wheel to make the water stream.

You don’t must really feel too sorry for the parents on the shore although, as a result of they’ve entry to their very own watercannons. There are two variations on the shore – free ones the place you may spin a wheel, and paid cannons. The paid cannons are undoubtedly extra highly effective, with 10 “pictures” per £1 after we visited.

This experience was common with each adults and children in our group however most likely not an excellent one for anybody not eager to get moist.

Assuming there are different folks collaborating within the experience, there’s a really excessive probability you’ll get fairly moist on this experience. There are some drying rooms close by the place you may pay round £5 to have some air blown at you, however this isn’t vastly efficient in our expertise so most likely not definitely worth the cash.

Included on Fastrack: Sure, Gold and Platinum
Scare issue: 0/5
Thrill issue: 1/5
Experience sort: Splash Battle
Experience size: 3 minutes
Experience peak restriction: 0.9m (1.1 should experience with an grownup)

 

Heave Ho

When you or your children like the thought of the Blade however all of the dropping and peak looks as if a bit a lot, then you need to undoubtedly try Heave Ho.

This pirate ship themed experience is discovered, as you would possibly guess, within the Mutiny Bay a part of Alton Towers.

The experience idea is principally a pirate ship which rocks backwards and forwards on rails, however which additionally spins because it goes. The spinning shouldn’t be super-fast however it may be a bit disorienting, so if you happen to aren’t a fan of rides which spin you would possibly need to watch it first earlier than boarding.

This was a very common experience with our household group on a latest go to. The youngsters actually beloved it, and it’s additionally an excellent experience for viewers to observe from the sidelines and get good pictures.

Included on Fastrack: No
Scare issue: o/5
Thrill issue: 2/5
Experience sort: Rocking Tug
Experience size: 3 minutes
Experience peak restriction: 0.9m (1.1m should experience with an grownup)

 

Katanga Canyon Rides

Themed as an African village, this space of the park is residence to the next two rides:

 

Congo River Rapids

The Alton Towers theme park doesn’t have a number of water rides, however there are a few choices, certainly one of which is Congo River Rapids.

This has been getting park guests moist since 1986, and stays a preferred and comparatively household pleasant attraction to today.

The experience consists of enormous round rafts which seat round seven folks. You begin the experience going up a shallow elevate, and you then float across the river rapids, elements of which have sections of uneven water.

There’s an inexpensive probability you’ll get moist on this experience, though it’s usually simply splashes of water somewhat than a full-on dunking. So simply hold that in thoughts.

One very nice factor about this experience is that it’s comparatively lengthy by theme park requirements, at 6 minutes. With a minimal peak of 1.1m it’s additionally an excellent household pleasant possibility for a lot of households.

Included on Fastrack: Sure, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum
Scare issue: 0/5
Thrill issue: 2/5
Experience sort: River Rapids
Experience size: 6 minutes
Experience peak restriction: 1.1m (1.3 m should experience with an grownup)
Different Notes: Simply bear in mind that you simply would possibly get moist

 

Runaway Mine Prepare

Runaway Mine Prepare is certainly one of my favorite family-friendly rollercoasters at Alton Towers. Jess isn’t an enormous fan of massive rollercoasters, however she actually likes Runaway Mine Prepare.

Because the title suggests, the theme is a mine prepare which has, effectively, runaway. Riders board carriages seated in pairs, and the prepare has some fairly good drops and twists because it goes, even pulling a good bit of g-force. It additionally does the monitor twice, which makes for a pleasant lengthy feeling experience.

There aren’t any inversions or something like that, however it’s undoubtedly a fairly thrilling experience, and one of the thrilling rides on the park with a low peak requirement.

We went on it with a 3 yr outdated and a six yr outdated and so they completely beloved it. Simply be ready to affix the queue once more whenever you end if your loved ones likes it as a lot as ours did! We rode this one a number of occasions over two days.

Included on Fastrack: Sure, Bronze, Gold and Platinum.
Scare issue: 0/5
Thrill issue: 3/5
Experience sort: Rollercoaster
Experience size: 1 minute 50 seconds
Experience peak restriction: 0.9m (1.1m should experience with an grownup)

 

Gloomy Wooden Rides

Gloomy Wooden is themed, because the title suggests, round a darkish, probably haunted, forest. It has one experience:

 

The Curse at Alton Manor

The Curse at Alton Manor opened in 2023, making it one of many latest rides in Alton Towers. Nonetheless, it builds on a protracted custom of haunted home rides, with the unique incarnation of this experience opened in the identical location all the way in which again in 1992.

The experience tells the story of the long-deceased Emily Alton, who Alton Towers followers will acknowledge from earlier rides on this location. The story goes that Emily was by no means invited to the events her dad and mom held, and this aggravated her a lot that evil possessed her, cursing the home and all its occupants.

I assume the ethical of the story right here is to ask your children to your events infrequently.

Anyway, the experience itself has a couple of elements. The queue is the place the story begins, winding by the woodland, with varied graves and spooky sculptures.

You then enter the home, and stroll previous varied set items with lights and sound results. Lastly, there’s a six-minute experience which takes you thru the considerably darkish and twisted world of Emily.

The experience is certainly darkish, and if you happen to like darkish rides and haunted home model rides you’ll probably get pleasure from it. When you desire rollercoaster thrills and spins , this most likely gained’t be the experience for you as there aren’t any drops, inversions, or twists.

By way of being child pleasant, the experience is fairly scary with numerous darkish themes of loss of life and revenge. So while the experience peak restriction is pretty low, some children would possibly discover the content material somewhat terrifying. The youngsters we have been with (age 3 and 6) hated this experience and located it too scary. The three-year-old wouldn’t get on the experience in any respect.

General, one to take a look at if you happen to like darkish, haunted home sort rides. Personally, Jess and I didn’t actually prefer it as we by no means actually obtained the complete story for the experience and it isn’t a thrill experience.

Included on Fastrack: Sure, Bronze, Gold and Platinum
Scare issue: 4/5
Thrill issue: 1/5
Experience sort: Darkish experience / haunted home
Experience size: 6 minutes 15 seconds
Experience peak restriction: 0.9m (1.1m should experience with an grownup)

 

The World of David Walliams Rides

This a part of the park focuses on the world created by the writer David Walliams. It’s a really family-friendly a part of the park, and many of the rides have low peak necessities. Rides are as follows:

 

Gangsta Granny the Experience

Opened in 2021, Gangsta Ganny the Experience is among the essential rides within the space of the park dedicated to the world created by author David Walliams.

The experience is principally a carriage-based darkish experience with a number of particular results that has you serving to the primary characters try and steal the Crown Jewels from Buckingham Palace.

Everybody in our group on a latest journey to Alton Towers loved this experience. The story is fascinating and interesting for youths particularly, and the expertise is enjoyable for adults as effectively. There’s additionally fairly a little bit of humour all through the experience which ought to convey a smile to your face.

It’s neither an exhilarating curler coaster nor a scary experience, however we expect it’s effectively value doing, even if you happen to aren’t in any respect aware of the characters within the books. All of us loved it.

One factor to notice is that the theme of the experience does have characters stealing and committing a criminal offense which could not sit proper with all dad and mom with youthful kids.

Included on Fastrack: Sure, Gold and Platinum
Scare issue: 1/5
Thrill issue: 1/5
Experience sort: Darkish experience
Experience size: 4 minutes
Experience peak restriction: 0.9m (underneath 1.2m should experience with an grownup)
Different Notes: This experience has a reasonably low most rider per hour restrict, so queue occasions might be longer than you would possibly count on

 

Raj’s Bouncy Backside Burp

Discovered within the David Walliams space of Alton Towers, Raj’s Bouncy Backside Burp is a bouncing drop experience designed for younger children. It’s just like the CBeebies Peter Rabbit Experience however the drops are a bit extra pronounced, making it a bit extra thrilling.

The drops are additionally accompanied by a fart primarily based soundtrack, and actually, what child doesn’t discover bathroom humor hilarious? So this experience is certainly common amongst children visiting the park.

The drop shouldn’t be so terrifying (it’s extra of a bounce actually), and Jess who doesn’t actually like drop rides didn’t thoughts this. Though accompanying a 3-year-old in hysterics on the sound results most likely helped!

Included on Fastrack: No
Scare issue: 0/5
Thrill issue: 1/5
Experience sort: Bouncy drop
Experience size: 1 minute 45 seconds
Experience peak restriction: 0.9m (underneath 1.1m should experience with an grownup)

 

Royal Carousel

Have you ever even been to a theme park if you happen to haven’t ridden the carousel? Jess will surely argue no. It’s all the time a experience that we like to experience at the least as soon as at any theme park, honest, or carnival because it’s such a basic.

The Royal Carousel in Alton Towers is discovered within the David Walliams a part of the park, and options various horses and carriages. Among the horses go up and down (these with poles to the roof) and a few are static.

It has a royal theme, with a crown on high and a voiceover soundtrack to match. Certain, it’s not probably the most thrilling experience within the park, however it’s enjoyable for youths and adults who love a little bit of theme park nostalgia.

Included on Fastrack: No
Scare issue: 0/5
Thrill issue: 1/5
Experience sort: Carousel
Experience size: 2 minutes
Experience peak restriction: no peak restriction however these underneath 1.3m should experience with an grownup

 

Flavio’s Fabulous Fandango

This carnival model tornado experience discovered within the David Walliam’s part of the park is nice for these of you who love being spun round. It’s truly certainly one of Jess’s favorite rides at Alton Towers as a result of she loves being spun round however doesn’t like being dropped.

The experience consists of twelve units of chairs that are in teams of 4. The teams of 4 spin collectively, after which all of the teams additionally spin round a central level. This ends in numerous spinning, which at factors can appear fairly quick as you whiz previous gondolas coming the other way.

It’s undoubtedly a number of enjoyable. Simply bear in mind that the minimal experience peak of 1.2m is a bit increased than many of the different rides on this space. I’d additionally add that that is technically a short lived carnival model experience, however we’re included it because it’s themed and appears prone to keep.

Included on Fastrack: No
Scare issue: 0/5
Thrill issue: 2/5
Experience sort: Tornado
Experience size: ~2 minutes
Experience peak restriction: 1.2m

 

CBeebies Land Rides

CBeebies Land is a very household pleasant a part of Alton Towers with rides, exhibits and actions designed to entertain youthful guests to the park. It has an enormous quantity of rides and actions. The primary rides are as follows:

 

Peter Rabbit Hippity Hop

Peter Rabbit Hippity Hop is a delicate drop model experience designed for youthful riders. The experience is themed round Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit character, with enjoyable sound results and music.

This experience is certainly not a loopy drop experience, it’s extra of a delicate drop and bounce. So even adults who don’t like drop rides will get pleasure from using this one with their children.

It’s most likely not a experience that thrill seekers are going to be heading for, however if you’re in Alton Towers with youthful members of the family you’ll undoubtedly need to examine this one out.

Included on Fastrack: No
Scare issue: 0/5
Thrill issue: 1/5
Experience sort: Drop
Experience size: ~ 90 seconds
Experience peak restriction: 0.9m (underneath 1.1m should experience with an grownup)

 

Go Jetters Vroomster Zoom Experience

The Go Jetters Vroomster experience is one other enjoyable household experience. This one is themed across the Go Jetters, with experience members boarding their very personal Vroomster.

A Vroomster, for these of you not acquainted, is principally a jet powered flying automotive. And the Alton Tower reproduction is fairly correct!

The experience consists of various Vroomster vehicles, which may seat as much as 4 folks, which rotate round a central pod. The vehicles are connected to the pod by a yellow arm, and the riders can management the peak of the automotive with a lever contained in the automotive. This provides the riders the impression of controlling their very personal flying automotive, which is fairly cool.

The experience shouldn’t be notably quick, so while it does go spherical in circles, it’s about the identical pace as a carousel so it shoudln’t make you dizzy. The up and down movement can be fairly light, so all in all it’s a fairly relaxed experience.

Included on Fastrack: No
Scare issue: 0/5
Thrill issue: 1/5
Experience sort: Aerial Roundabout
Experience size: 2 minutes
Experience peak restriction: 0.9m (underneath 1.25m should experience with grownup)

 

Octonauts Rollercoaster Journey

Octonauts is a household centered rollercoaster which is prone to be one of many first rollercoasters youthful guests to Alton Towers are going to expertise.

The rollercoaster, which is themed after The Octonauts present, presents most likely the gentlest rollercoaster expertise at Alton Towers. It’s a good place to begin for youths who meet the peak restrictions and need to attempt a rollercoaster.

In the event that they adore it, the Runaway Mine prepare has comparable experience necessities and is a little more thrilling, with a sooner experience and far better drops and pace.

Nonetheless, Octonauts is certainly an excellent starter coaster, with no inversions or notably steep drops or curves.

Included on Fastrack: No
Scare issue: 0/5
Thrill issue: 1/5
Experience sort: Rollercoaster
Experience size: 2 minutes 30 seconds
Experience peak restriction: 0.9m (underneath 1.1m should experience with an grownup)

 

Get Set Go Treetop Journey

This experience in CBeebies Land takes you excessive above the bushes (okay, 12 ft) in your very personal bug formed automotive. It’s a enjoyable experience for youthful children for certain and provides good views of CBeebies land.

It’s additionally good and enjoyable for adults if you happen to’re searching for a soothing experience with no loopy thrills or scares.

One factor to concentrate on is that this experience is sort of common and because it’s pretty gradual transferring the queue can get fairly lengthy. In truth, of all of the rides on the park, this was the one the place we had the longest wait on a latest go to!

So attempt to time your go to for very first thing within the morning or in a while within the day. There are actions within the queue to maintain children busy, however they’ll solely go to date.

Included on Fastrack: No
Scare issue: o/5
Thrill issue: 1/5
Experience sort: Flat monitor
Experience size: 4 minutes
Experience peak restriction: No minimal however underneath 1.1m should experience with an grownup.

 

Within the Evening Backyard Magical Boat Experience

This can be a common water experience in CBeebies Land which has you boarding a ship for a magical tour across the Evening Backyard. The boat floats peacefully round a river, and while it’s a water experience you might be not possible to get moist.

This experience has you passing by most of the characters and scenes from the “Within the Evening Backyard” TV collection, together with the Tombliboos, Upsy Daisy and Iggle Piggle.

It’s a pleasant enjoyable experience which ought to amuse youthful guests and be good and enjoyable for adults. It’s additionally a comparatively lengthy experience at 6 minutes.

ncluded on Fastrack: No
Scare issue: 0/5
Thrill issue: 0/5
Experience sort: Boat experience
Experience size: 6 minutes
Experience peak restriction: No peak restriction however these underneath 1m should experience with an grownup

 

Postman Pat Parcel Publish

Postman Pat has been a stalwart determine on kids’s tv because the Nineteen Eighties. I keep in mind watching him delivering mail across the Yorkshire Dales together with his trusty helper Jess the cat as a toddler, and children as we speak nonetheless get to observe Pat on CBeebies.

Now, you can also expertise the lifetime of Pat on the Alton Towers Postman Pat Parcel Publish experience in CBeebies Land. This can be a flat experience on rails which has you boarding Pat’s signature crimson publish van and go trundling round a course.

The van has varied buttons on the dashboard, which you’ll be able to press to make sure you ship the appropriate parcel to the appropriate particular person, giving it an excellent component of interactivity. There are additionally lights and a horn you can management.

General this can be a enjoyable household expertise for youthful guests and particularly followers of Postman Pat. It’s not at all a thrill experience, however not every part needs to be!

Included on Fastrack: No
Scare issue: 0/5
Thrill issue: 0/5
Experience sort: Monitor Experience
Experience size: 2 minutes 45 seconds
Experience peak restriction: No peak restriction however these underneath 1.1m should experience with an grownup

 

 

Thrill Rides at Alton Towers

Now that we’ve coated all of the rides by space, we’ll checklist the rides divided into varied classes. Beginning with thrill rides.

When you’re searching for an inventory of the joys rides at Alton Towers, I’d recommend the next all classify:

• The Smiler
• Oblivion
• Galactica
• Rita
• TH13TEEN
• Wicker Man
• Spinball Whizzer
• Runaway Mine Prepare
• Marauders Mayhem
• The Blade

In fact, how thrilling you discover a experience shall be private choice, however we expect most individuals would discover the above rides pretty thrilling!

 

Rides for Toddlers and Children at Alton Towers

When you’re visiting Alton Towers with youthful members of the family, you may be questioning what the most effective rides for them are going to be.

For the overwhelming majority of rides, the primary factor shouldn’t be going to be the age of your little one, however somewhat their peak. That is undoubtedly one thing to concentrate on you probably have kids of differing heights, as a few of them might be able to expertise rides that the others might not. This may result in difficult conditions, as nobody likes to be neglected!

It’s due to this fact a good suggestion to have an thought of which rides on the park are going to be appropriate for which members of your group and which aren’t. That means you can also make a plan for which rides to take who to. The Alton Towers app and web site has a filter system so you may present solely these rides that are going to be appropriate.

The final time we visited Alton Towers we had 4 adults, a 3-year outdated who was 1.1m and a 6-year outdated who was 1.25m. So this meant they couldn’t experience each experience collectively.

We dealt with this by sharing duties between the adults, and splitting the rides we rode collectively. This was made rather a lot simpler with the Fastrack passes we had because it meant we weren’t away for very lengthy.

The excellent news is that there are additionally a lot of nice rides which can be appropriate for all ages and heights. We’d particularly advocate the next:

• Gangsta Granny the Experience
• Get Set Go Tree High Journey
• Peter Rabbit Hippity Hop
• Octonauts Rollercoaster Journey
• Postman Pat Parcel Publish
• Battle Galleons
• Cuckoo Vehicles Driving College

For barely taller and extra adventurous children, the next are sure to get their pulses going a bit extra:

• Blade (1m)
• Wicker Man (1.2m)
• Spinball Whizzer (1.2m)
• TH13TEEN (1.2m)
• Marauders Mayhem (1.1m)
• Congo River Rapids (1.1m)
• Heave Ho  (0.9m)
• Runaway Mine Prepare (0.9m)

The 2 extra scary rides (haunted home model) may additionally be appropriate for youths however actually that is going to be a private determination as a father or mother relying on the child. These are:

• Hex (0.9m)
• The Curse at Alton Manor (0.9m)

Once we visited with a 3-year outdated and a 6-year outdated their experience highlights have been Runaway Mine Prepare, Blade, Octonauts, Get Set Go Tree High Journey, Cuckoo Vehicles Driving College, and Heave Ho. The 6-year-old additionally actually favored Spinball Whizzer, Marauders Mayhem, and Wicker Man.

In addition they actually beloved the interactive exhibits and experiences in CBeebies Land, in addition to enjoying the video games the place you may win a toy like Hook-a-Duck.

Simply bear in mind that the Hook-a-Duck and comparable video games will not be free. The temptation of an enormous toy is difficult to withstand although.

 

Experience Peak Necessities at Alton Towers

Right here’s a fast checklist of all of the rides at Alton Towers with their minimal experience heights, ordered from excessive to low.

Some rides even have a special minimal peak if using with out an grownup, which is indicated in brackets if relevant.

The vast majority of rides with peak restrictions have a measurement stick subsequent to the experience entrance so you may confirm riders’ heights. If you get to the experience, employees will normally examine heights if they’re not sure, so that you’ll need to be certain everyone seems to be the appropriate peak to keep away from disappointment.

You can too get a bracelet which has the rider’s peak on it at a number of the rides to avoid wasting having to be measured a number of occasions.

Right here’s an inventory of all of the rides which have a restriction, ordered from highest to lowest.

• Nemesis Sub-Terra – 1.4m
• The Smiler – 1.4m
• Oblivion – 1.4m
• Galactica – 1.4m
• Rita – 1.4m
• Spinball Whizzer – 1.2m
• TH13TEEN – 1.2m (most 1.96m)
• Wicker Man – 1.2m
• Marauders Mayhem – 1.1m (1.3m should experience with an grownup)
• Congo River Rapids – 1.1m (1.3m should experience with an grownup)
• The Blade – 1m (1.3m should experience with an grownup)
• Hex – 0.9m (1.2m should experience with an grownup)
• The Curse at Alton Manor – 0.9m (1.1m should experience with an grownup)
• Gangsta Granny The Experience – 0.9m (1.2m should experience with an grownup)
• Peter Rabbit Hippity Hop – 0.9m (1.1m should experience with an grownup)
• Battle Galleons – 0.9m (1.1m should experience with an grownup)
• Go Jetters Vroomster Zoom Experience – 0.9m (1.25m should experience with an grownup)
• Octonauts Rollercoaster Journey – 0.9m (1.1m should experience with an grownup)
• Heave Ho – 0.9m (1.1m should experience with an grownup)
• Runaway Mine Prepare – 0.9m (1.1m should experience with an grownup)
• Raj’s Bouncy Backside Burp – 0.9m (1.1m should experience with an grownup)
• Royal Carousel – no peak restriction however these underneath 1.3m should experience with an grownup
• Postman Pat Parcel Publish – no peak restriction however these underneath 1.1m should experience with an grownup
• Within the Evening Backyard Magical Boat Experience – no peak restriction however these underneath 1m should experience with an grownup
• Cuckoo Vehicles – 1m. Moreover, most of 1.4m and minimal of 4 years outdated.

 

Areas at Alton Towers

Alton Towers is split into 11 areas. Every space is themed otherwise, with some areas extra centered on high-octane thrill rides (like X-Sector) while others are extra aimed toward youthful households (similar to CBeebies Land).

Right here’s an inventory of all of the areas at Alton Towers and the rides they comprise. When planning your day, it’s a good suggestion to attempt to do all of the rides you have an interest in in every space, to keep away from spending a number of time strolling between places.

 

X-Sector

This part of the park accommodates a number of the extra excessive rides within the park, all of which have a minimal peak restriction of 1.4m. The rides are:

• Oblivion
• The Smiler
• Spinjam (non permanent carnival model experience)
• Twistatron (non permanent carnival model experience)

X-Sector is themed like a secret authorities testing facility, so count on a lot of steel fencing and concrete.

 

Darkish Forest

This part of the park is residence to 2 rides, each of which provide fast-paced thrills. These are:

The Darkish Forest space is themed as a kind of haunted woodland. The thought is you may solely escape by using the deserted drag racer Rita. I’m not fairly certain the way you get out if you happen to’re underneath the 1.4m peak restriction for Rita.

 

Forbidden Valley

This space of the park has various completely different rides which embody some rides appropriate for smaller visitors. That is the world of the park you enter if you happen to come within the lodge visitor entrance.

Forbidden valley is the place you’ll discover the Blade, which is the oldest experience in Alton Towers, initially opening in 1980!

The rides in Forbidden Valley are:

• The Blade
• Galactica
• Nemesis Sub-Terra
• Funk n’Fly (non permanent carnival model experience)

Forbidden Valley has a post-apocalyptic theme, with hints of alien infestation all through linked to the Nemesis creature. Nemesis was a experience at Alton Towers till 2022, when it closed for refurbishment. It’s as a consequence of relaunch with a big overhaul in 2024.

 

Gloomy Wooden

Discovered between Katanga Canyon and Forbidden Valley, Gloomy Wooden solely accommodates one experience:

Nonetheless it does have a walkthrough themed footpath which is residence to numerous statues, gravestones and different installations, titled Haunted Hole. A few of these make noises, together with telling jokes.

As you’ll guess from the title, the theme of the world is a haunted woodland.

 

Katanga Canyon

Katanga Canyon is the place you’ll discover the park’s oldest rollercoaster in addition to a water experience. Each these rides are a number of enjoyable, with the rollercoaster appropriate for a lot of youthful guests as effectively.

• Runaway Mine Prepare
• Congo River Rapids

Katanga Canyon is themed as an African village. The Runaway Mine experience has one of many lowest peak necessities of any rollercoaster within the park (the identical as Octonauts), and could be very common with households.

 

CBeebies Land

CBeebies Land is among the most household pleasant areas in Alton Towers, with rides, exhibits and actions centered round entertaining youthful guests.

Truthfully, if you’re visiting with toddlers and younger guests there’s just about sufficient to do right here to fill a day. It’s a very enjoyable space and you may inform a number of thought has gone into creating an immersive world. As you may see there’s rather a lot to do right here:

• Within the Evening Backyard Magical Boat Experience
• Postman Pat’s Parcel Publish
• Get Set Go Treetop Journey
• One thing Particular Sensory Backyard
• Bugbie Go Spherical
• Octonauts Curler Coaster Journey
• Justin’s Home: Pie-O-Matic Manufacturing facility
• Go Jetters Vroomster Zoom Experience
• Huge Enjoyable Showtime
• CBeebies Photograph Studio
• JoJo & Gran Gran at House
• Andy’s Adventures Dinosaur Dig
• Hey Duggee’s Reside

If we needed to criticize CBeebies Land for something, it’s that queue occasions for a number of the rides could be a bit lengthy on busy days.

In truth, the longest queue we had on a latest go to to Alton Towers was for Get Set Go Tree High Journey.

Apart from that although, this park, which is themed round a complete vary of CBeebies packages, is a very enjoyable spot for households visiting Alton Towers providing every part from rides to stay exhibits to enjoyable photograph alternatives.

 

The Towers

The Towers are literally the ruins of the unique home at Alton Towers, and is the place the park will get its title from. It’s residence to various rides, that are discovered round the primary constructing.

The Towers space is a bit unfold out, with a part of it proper subsequent to CBeebies Land and the remainder near the World of David Walliams. Rides are as follows:

• Hex – The Legend of the Towers
• Cuckoo Vehicles Driving College
• Spinball Whizzer

There’s no specific theming across the rides to be sincere, they simply occur to be within the space of the unique home.

This space can be the place you will discover the Alton Towers Dungeon. This can be a separate attraction which requires its personal ticket, which you should purchase here. This can be a stroll by attraction with costumed actors.

We haven’t visited the Alton Towers Dungeon however we have now visited the dungeon in Edinburgh, London and San Francisco, which provide the same expertise.

It’s enjoyable, nevertheless there may be already quite a bit to do at Alton Towers so we wouldn’t say it was a must-see attraction. That stated, it’s a good worth particularly if you happen to ebook upfront and it’s a enjoyable expertise.

 

The World of David Walliams

Discovered simply past The Towers, the World of David Walliams presents a spread of rides that are primarily aimed toward main college aged children.

In our expertise although youthful children additionally get pleasure from nearly all of the rides right here as they don’t seem to be notably excessive and the experience heights will not be overly restrictive. The rides listed here are:

• Gangsta Granny: The Experience
• Raj’s Bouncy Backside Burp
• Royal Carousel
• Flavio’s Fabulous Fandango

This space is themed world wide and characters created by David Walliams and is one other great place for households visiting Alton Towers.

 

Mutiny Bay

Discovered close to the primary park entrance, Mutiny Bay is residence to a number of family-friendly rides in addition to various paid fairground model video games like Hook-a-Duck and toss the ball sort of video games. The rides are:

• Battle Galleons
• Heave-Ho
• Marauders Mayhem
• Wicker Man

Apart from Wicker Man, all of the rides right here have a nautical / pirate theme, and that is one other nice location within the park for households as the bulk rides have low peak restrictions and the queues will not be usually too lengthy (apart from Wicker Man).

That is additionally the place you’ll discover Sharkbait Reef by Sea Life Aquarium, an aquarium you may go to which is included as a part of your ticket. That is a wholly indoor attraction so is an effective possibility whether it is raining.

Lastly, there’s additionally a bar serving drinks in addition to a seating space at Mutiny Bay.

 

Towers Road

If you enter the park by the primary entrance you’ll arrive onto Towers Road. This space is themed like a city excessive road and is residence to numerous providers and services, together with meals and drinks retailers and customer support.

There’s a Skyride station right here, however no precise rides. From this space you may see throughout the lake to the Towers. To your left as you face away from the doorway is Mutiny Bay, and in your proper is CBeebies Land.

So if you’re visiting with children you don’t should go far to search out your first rides.

 

The Gardens

One of many oldest areas at Alton Towers, and one which has been drawing guests for years, are the gardens. These take up a big space of the park between Mutiny Bay and the Darkish Forest.

Many guests solely expertise the gardens from above, because the Skyride passes over them, however it’s value taking a while to discover them as they’re fairly beautiful and make for a pleasant spot for a break.

You’ll discover all kinds of options, from neatly trimmed topiary hedges, fountains, outdated bushes, greenhouses, and follies.

Simply bear in mind that the gardens are set throughout a valley, and there might be fairly a couple of steps to navigate. So that is value taking into account you probably have restricted mobility or are navigating a kids’s buggy.

 

Accessibility at Alton Towers

Alton Towers gives a number of data and choices for folks with varied incapacity and mobility wants, and this data is roofed intimately on the page dedicated to accessibility on the Alton Towers website.

The accessibility method at Alton Towers is designed to help anybody with accessibility wants have a protected and gratifying go to to the park, and the location has data that will help you plan your go to in addition to what to anticipate on website.

Usually, the park and the resort lodging choices cater effectively for accessibility necessities. All of the bogs have accessible wheelchair options in addition to accessible altering rooms. Wheelchairs can be found without spending a dime, and mobility scooters might be employed for the day. The latter might be booked online in advance here.

Alton Towers additionally presents a Ride Access Pass, which is designed for guests who discover it tough to face for extended durations of time. This provides entry to a separate line and a digital queuing system.

Experience Entry Move holders don’t get to skip the road per se, however they don’t have to face in a line for a chronic interval. This course of is defined here.

For Experience Entry cross entry this must be booked upfront of your go to as functions are authorised by a third-party who assesses guests’ wants on a person foundation.

 

Pictures at Alton Towers

Images is usually allowed at Alton Towers, nevertheless for probably the most half images shouldn’t be allowed on the rides (with some exceptions).

So if you wish to get pictures of your self and your loved ones having fun with the rides, you’ll want to contemplate investing in a photograph bundle.

On a latest journey to Alton Towers we purchased the digital photo pass for each of the times we have been there. This was £20, and we thought it was fairly superb.

The best way it really works is as follows. As you end a experience, all of the experience pictures are displayed on a display with a quantity. Utilizing the Alton Towers app, you may sort in that quantity, and the photograph will seem within the app in your system.

You can too decide up a QR code that hyperlinks to your account and have the photograph attendant scan it for computerized supply to your app.

When you haven’t purchased the digital photograph cross, the photograph seems within the app with a giant watermark and you may’t obtain it. Nonetheless, whenever you pay for the photograph cross (both in app on in particular person), the pictures all turn into obtainable with out watermark, and you may obtain them to your cellphone for sharing.

The great factor about this technique is that even with six of us, we nonetheless solely wanted to purchase one photograph cross. I simply had all of the pictures delivered to my cellphone after which shared them. Over the 2 days we have been there we had round 80 pictures, a lot of which you’ll be able to see on this information.

It’s additionally value noting that there are extra photograph alternatives than simply experience pictures. One good instance is the The CBeebies Land photograph cease. This can be a actually enjoyable expertise, the place a inexperienced display is used so as to add you and your group to many CBeebies Land scenes.

In addition to digital pictures, you may also pay for printouts of experience pictures, though this can be a separate payment.

You should purchase the digital photograph cross on-line upfront of your go to here. You can too purchase it on website in particular person, or by the app. The fee is similar.

Truthfully, whereas it’s handy to purchase it upfront, you would possibly need to wait till the tip of the day so you may overview the images within the app after which determine if you wish to purchase them.

I consider the images can be found for buy for as much as 90 days within the app, and as soon as bought they are often downloaded from the app for as much as a yr from after they have been taken.

 

Eating places at Alton Towers

Alton Towers has fairly a large alternative of eating choices throughout the park. There are eating places within the theme park space itself, in addition to eating places on the lodge resorts which serve breakfast and dinner.

There are additionally picnic areas and various locations promoting snacks which might be discovered throughout the park.

The primary eating choices are as follows.

 

Eating places within the Theme Park

• Woodcutter’s Bar and Grill (close to Darkish Forest / Towers)- focuses on grilled meals
• Rollercoaster Restaurant (Forbidden Valley) – has quite a lot of choices, with the twist that every one the meals is delivered by way of a mini rollercoaster.
• Explorers Pizza Pasta (Katanga Canyon) – buffet restaurant with a spread of pizza, pasta and a salad bar
• The Burger Kitchen (close to David Walliams space & Alton Towers Dungeon, additionally Mutiny Bay) – Primarily burgers, as you’ll think about
• Simply Rooster (X-Sector) – Primarily focuses on fried hen
• Nook Espresso (Towers Road) – In addition to espresso it additionally has sandwiches, pastries, and muffins

 

 

 

 

 

Eating places within the Resort Space

Observe these usually solely serve breakfast and dinner. It’s additionally good to know that the Rollercoaster Restaurant can be open after the theme park closes, though reservations are required.

Secret Backyard Restaurant Meals

Secret Backyard Restaurant Meals

 

Lodging at Alton Towers

For an prolonged Alton Towers expertise, you may truly keep on website at one of many resort lodging choices. There are six completely different lodging choices at Alton Towers throughout a spread of various value factors.

We expect staying on website could make sense, particularly if you’re visiting with children because the on-site lodging is actually arrange in direction of enhancing their expertise with extra actions and themed rooms.

Nonetheless if you wish to keep someplace a bit quieter with extra flexibility in alternative by way of value, eating choices and so forth, then try the part on close by lodging additional on on this information.

All of the lodging is discovered to the east of the primary park. Relying on which possibility you select, the lodging is a couple of 5-10 minute stroll from the monorail, which can whisk you to the primary park entrance in a couple of minutes.

You can too stroll to the primary park entrance in 20 – half-hour, or to the unique lodge visitor entrance which is about 5 – 10 minutes’ stroll from many of the inns.

Right here’s a rundown of all of the lodging choices at Alton Towers to provide you an thought of what to anticipate.

 

Alton Towers Resort

Alton Towers Resort was the primary lodge to be constructed on the park, opening in 1996. It’s a 4* lodge with a big restaurant, bar and nearly 200 rooms.

The lodge is themed after the fictional character Sir Algenon Alton, a famed explorer and inventor. Totally different areas of the lodge are themed to match his completely different exploits, together with a hot-air balloon pirate ship within the bar space which doubles as a stage.

Numerous room varieties can be found. On our latest go to we stayed in an Arctic Explorer room which was very comfy and fairly giant, particularly for 2 of us. It had an en-suite rest room with bathtub, air-conditioning, a small fridge and tea/espresso making services.

Many of the rooms can sleep as much as 4 folks – two adults and two children. They’re pretty giant rooms and although we visited when it was busy the rooms have been quiet.

We actually favored the theming within the rooms, which has a number of considerate particulars all through, from the carpet to the large stuffed polar bear on the mattress. Totally different rooms have completely different themes, in addition to completely different facilities.

Air con for instance shouldn’t be obtainable in all of the room, so do examine if that’s vital to you.

You’ll be able to see all of the room varieties and their facilities here– there are a number of choices to select from!

 

Splash Landings Resort

Opened in 2003, Splash Landings Resort can be a 4* lodge. It’s the closest lodge to the Monorail station and lodge visitor theme park entrance. It’s additionally the place you’ll discover the Alton Towers Waterpark.

Splash Landings is themed, as you may think, round water, with a sunny Carribean theme working all through. There are water options and themed installations, and the rooms are additionally themed alongside varied nautical kinds.

On website there’s an all you may eat restaurant, Flambo’s Jambo, which has a Carribean theme. There’s additionally a Caribbean themed bar on website, in addition to common leisure.

Splash Landings is certainly an excellent possibility, particularly with children. The one factor to concentrate on is that it will probably get fairly heat within the lodge because the waterpark is on website, and the rooms don’t have air-con. So the rooms might be fairly heat, even within the cooler months of the yr.

You’ll be able to see all of the room varieties and their facilities at Splash Landings Resort here.

 

CBeebies Land Resort

CBeebies Land Resort is the latest lodge at Alton Towers Resort, opening in 2017. On a latest go to to Alton Towers with buddies they stayed right here with their two children ages 3 and 6 years outdated.

CBeebies Land is firmly aimed toward youthful guests to the park and is themed across the characters present in CBeebies exhibits. This theming extends all through, from the rooms to the restaurant and reception.

There are additionally many CBeebies exhibits and leisure experiences which occur right here that are included for visitors. There’s additionally a restaurant and bar on website.

There’s a spread of rooms obtainable, our buddies stayed within the Swashbuckle themed pirate room which slept as much as 5 and had two TVs in addition to pirate theming all through.

The outline for CBeebies Land Resort means that it’s best for guests with children aged as much as round three. Nonetheless, we’d say that this very a lot depends upon your children and what they’re into, and children as much as 9 or 10 will most likely adore it.

Our buddies’ children actually thought the lodge was superb. They beloved just about every part about it. Their dad and mom notably appreciated the room format which had the youngsters in their very own alcove in bunk beds, that means they felt nearly like they’d their very own room while nonetheless being in the identical room.

In addition they loved the meals, the leisure, and the theming all through.

One vital factor to concentrate on with this lodge and its services is that it’s only open to visitors staying within the lodge itself.

So if you’re visiting the park as a gaggle and a few of you might be staying in CBeebies Resort and a few of you might be in different lodging, that is one thing to bear in mind if you happen to plan on eating collectively or watching leisure.

Company of the opposite lodging choices can’t go to CBeebies Land Resort or use its services.

We obtained round this by having our meals on the Alton Towers Resort on a latest go to, however the children did nonetheless get to have their breakfast in CBeebies and likewise they took half in a number of the actions just like the night Stargazing.

General, if you’re visiting Alton Towers with a youthful household the CBeebies Land Resort could be my primary decide if it’s obtainable. You’ll be able to see all of the room varieties here.

 

Stargazing Pods

The remaining three lodging choices at Alton Towers fall into the Enchanted Village space of the park, which presents a spread of much less conventional lodging choices.

The primary of those we are going to cowl are the Stargazing pods, which opened to the general public in 2019. When you’ve ever been glamping, then these pods shall be fairly acquainted.

They’re principally small wood buildings that provide an expertise just like tenting however with the good thing about actual beds, lighting and heating. Every pod can sleep as much as 4, with one double mattress and two single beds. Linen is supplied.

There aren’t any bogs, showers or different washing services within the pods themselves, these are all centrally situated at a separate block which presents bogs, showers and child change areas.

There’s additionally no cooking or refrigeration services, you have to to dine at one of many eating places (except you convey your individual picnic model meals).

Stargazing pods are undoubtedly probably the most primary lodging possibility which may make for a very funds pleasant camping-like expertise at Alton Towers.

They’re usually the bottom price lodging possibility at Alton Towers Resort, and so they additionally are inclined to have the most effective availability each time we’ve seemed for final minute lodging.

 

Woodland Lodges

The unique lodging possibility within the Enchanted Village have been the Woodland Lodges, which opened in 2015.

The Woodland Lodges are styled as log cabins, every of which may sleep as much as 5 folks. There’s a essential room for adults, and a separate children sleeping space with bunk beds and a truckle mattress.

All of the rooms have en-suite bogs, flat display TVs and free WiFi. For eating, breakfast is offered on the Crooked Spoon restaurant within the Enchanted Village, and visitors may also have their night meal right here or at one of many different eating places.

We haven’t personally stayed on the Woodland Lodges however we have now buddies who stayed right here with their children and so they loved it.

These are typically amongst the extra common choices for lodging at Alton Towers Resort, and may promote out shortly.

 

Luxurious Treehouses

Probably the most unique lodging possibility within the Enchanted Village space are the Luxurious Treehouses, that are present in a secluded a part of the Enchanted Village.

There are 5 luxurious treehouses, and so they can all sleep as much as eight folks in 4 bedrooms. The luxurious treehouses all include a kitchenette, which features a fridge, kettle, toaster, microwave and dishwasher. So these are at present the one lodging possibility at Alton Towers the place you could possibly put together your individual meals.

Different luxuries embody a 50″ TV with video games console, personal sizzling tub and deck, and using an unique takeaway service for meal supply.

In fact, all this luxurious and facilities does imply that the treehouses are the costliest possibility at Alton Towers. Nonetheless if you’re visiting the resort with a gaggle or simply need one thing additional particular, then they’re undoubtedly value testing.

 

Lodging Close to Alton Towers

While there are many lodging choices at Alton Towers, it’s not the one possibility in your go to.

We do just like the on-site lodging however if you’re not visiting with children or would similar to a little bit of selection by way of eating choices, then there are many close by options throughout a variety of budgets.

These could make an excellent location for staying the night time earlier than Alton Towers, or for additional exploration within the space as a part of an extended journey.

Listed here are some to contemplate, ordered by driving distance from Alton Towers.

• The White Hart – a preferred inn within the village of Alton, providing a spread of en-suite rooms. 7 minutes’ drive from Alton Towers
• The Laurel’s B&B – This can be a well-rated B&B which serves breakfast. Rooms are en-suite with tea/espresso making services. 8 minutes’ drive from Alton Towers
• The Bay Tree – a really well-reviewed B&B with en-suite lodging and breakfast obtainable. 8 minutes’ drive from Alton Towers
• Peakstones Inn – This 3* lodge presents a spread of en-suite rooms and there’s an on-site restaurant and bar. Breakfast is offered. 10 minutes’ drive from Alton Towers.
• Heywood Hall – This property presents various self-contained residences, every with a small kitchen an en-suite rest room. There’s additionally a sizzling tub and backyard for visitors use. 12 minutes’ drive from Alton Towers.
• Whiston Hall – An exquisite nineteenth century lodge with its personal golf course and landscaped backyard. A spread of en-suite rooms can be found and breakfast is obtainable. 13minutes’ drivee from Alton Towers.
• The Duncombe Arms – This pub/lodge is present in Ellastone and presents air-conditioned rooms with espresso machines and en-suite services. Breakfast is offered and there’s a restaurant and bar for different meals. 13 minutes drive from Alton Towers
• The Royal Oak – This inn presents a spread of comfy rooms within the city of Ashbourne. There’s a restaurant and bar on website with meals obtainable. 19 minutes’ drive from Alton Towers.
• YHA Ilam Hall – This youth hostel is present in a gothic corridor set in 84 acres of parkland. There’s an on-site breakfast, kitchen for self-catering, and a alternative of shared or personal lodging. 22 minutes’ drive from Alton Towers.

In fact, there are tons extra choices to contemplate. You’ll be able to see a full vary of lodging choices close to Alton Towers on Booking.com here, which incorporates various vacation leases as effectively.

 

Different Actions at Alton Towers

In addition to the theme park, there are a variety of different actions on the Alton Towers resort you can get pleasure from. These are as follows.

 

Waterpark

Discovered contained in the Splash Landings Resort, the Alton Towers Waterpark is open nearly all of the yr.

There are a selection of swimming pools, each inside and out of doors, in addition to varied water slides. It’s a number of enjoyable and effectively value together with as a part of your go to. You’ll be able to book tickets online here.

 

Extraordinary Golf

Proper subsequent to the Splash Landings lodge is an 18-hole miniature golf course which is themed round the primary rides at Alton Towers.

That is truly a very enjoyable mini-golf course which we had a number of enjoyable enjoying. The holes are very distinctive, and it’s a pleasant approach to spend an hour or two.

A complimentary spherical of 9 holes is generally included for resort visitors, and we extremely advocate benefiting from this. We did it on the day we left, earlier than visiting the waterpark. It’s additionally open comparatively late, so you probably have the stamina you could possibly do it after a day on the theme park!

Discover out extra and book tickets online here.

 

Spa

Alton Towers could be very a lot designed to be enjoyable for the entire household, and adults will certainly need to take into account a soothing journey to the Alton Towers Spa as a part of their go to!

The Spa is present in Alton Towers Resort, and is open year-round to everybody, together with non-residents of the lodge and people with out theme park tickets.

A spread of remedies can be found and reserving is suggested. Discover out extra on the website here.

 

Alton Towers Dungeon

The Alton Towers Dungeon is definitely discovered contained in the Theme Park, so that you do want theme park tickets to go to. Nonetheless, it’s an extra cost to go to, so I assumed I must also embody it on this a part of the information.

The Dungeon is a walk-through expertise with costumed actors, and is just like different Dungeon experiences together with the London Dungeon.

We expect it’s pretty priced, nevertheless given how a lot there already is to do at Alton Towers it isn’t a must-see attraction.

Discover out extra and book tickets here.

 

Suggestions for Visiting Alton Towers

We’ve visited Alton Towers various occasions, and primarily based on our experiences we wished to share some ideas that will help you get probably the most out of your day on the theme park.

 

Make a Plan

If you wish to take advantage of out of your day at Alton Towers, we extremely advocate placing a plan collectively. This could at the least cowl which rides you and your group are most excited about using.

As soon as you already know which rides you need to do, you may then plan a route across the park. We’d recommend heading for the rides that are prone to have the longest queues first (normally the extra excessive thrill rides), and tackling all of the rides in the identical space collectively to minimise strolling occasions.

If you’re visiting with children who don’t meet the experience peak necessities for all of the rides, or of us who aren’t excited about particular rides, you’ll additionally need to plan for learn how to deal with splitting your group up if vital so everybody can have the expertise they need. This would possibly require some compromises, so is finest dealt with upfront.

You can too keep away from the drama of children discovering they aren’t the appropriate peak to participate in a experience by measuring them upfront, and planning your route in order that they don’t really feel they’re lacking out on something. For instance, you could possibly take them to CBeebies Land or Mutiny Bay after which members of the group might pop off for different rides.

We’d additionally advocate enthusiastic about the place you need to eat and when. You’ll be able to both convey your individual picnic or eat at one of many on-site eating places. These clearly get very busy round lunch time on busier days, and reservations will not be potential, so that you would possibly need to eat earlier or later within the day.

 

Convey a Smartphone Charger

The probabilities are that you’re going to be utilizing your cellphone rather a lot at Alton Towers. From taking pictures to speaking with buddies to utilizing the app to vary experience occasions and discover your means round, it’s going for use rather a lot.

Having your cellphone go flat partway by the day, particularly if you happen to’re counting on it to seize reminiscences, discover your means round, or show a Fastrack cross, isn’t going to be superb.

For that reason we advocate bringing a USB charger in your cellphone. There are tons obtainable, we at present use one like this which labored effectively to cost our cellphone and our buddies’ telephones on our final go to to Alton Towers.

 

Obtain the Alton Towers App

Within the days of yore, Alton Towers had a paper map that you could possibly use to search out your means across the park. When you wished to know the way lengthy a experience queue was, you needed to both bodily go to the experience itself, or attempt to discover one of many elusive boards displaying experience queue occasions and statuses throughout the park.

These days, just about every part is dealt with by way of the Alton Towers App, which is definitely surprisingly good. Though it does require you to have a smartphone after all.

The App enables you to do rather a lot, together with:

• Navigate across the park, with instructions, estimated strolling occasions and routing obtainable. It might probably additionally recommend routes with fewer steps.
• Discover rides primarily based on quite a lot of standards, from experience sort by to experience peak restrictions
• Show stay experience queue occasions and open statuses (solely works on website)
• E book and use Fastrack passes
• Save and show your Alton Towers ticket
• Discover bogs, eating places, present occasions, buggy parks, water refill stations and much extra
• Get digital previews of your experience pictures which you should purchase in-app
• Add any lodge bookings
• Get details about heritage places within the gardens
• Discover out about parking, attending to the park and accessibility

And much extra! Truthfully, the app is a must have when visiting Alton Towers, and it’s value downloading upfront of your go to so you might be totally ready. You’ll find download links for it here on the official website.

 

E book Your Meals if Staying In a single day

If you’re staying in a single day at one of many on-site lodging choices, it’s actually vital that you simply ebook your meals upfront. You want to ebook a timeslot in your breakfast and night meals.

Usually, your breakfast meal shall be on the lodge the place you might be staying. Even when it’s included, it’s good to make a reservation for a timeslot. These do replenish, so the additional upfront you ebook the higher the possibility of getting an excellent time.

To your night meal you may select any of the eating places, together with Rollercoaster Restaurant. Nonetheless, relying on the restaurant you should still must ebook.

Eating places the place bookings are beneficial for dinner are the Secret Backyard Restaurant, Rollercoaster Restaurant and Windmill Restaurant.

Flambo’s Jambo and the Crooked Spoon solely require reservations for breakfast.

The Rollercoaster Restaurant is normally the preferred and has the least seating, so can ebook out weeks upfront for dinner.

Observe that solely visitors staying within the CBeebies Resort are capable of dine on the Windmill Restaurant. Reserving hyperlinks for all of the eating places are as follows:

Reserving a reservation is free and solely takes a few minutes. Observe {that a} day or so earlier than your reservation you’ll usually be contacted by e-mail to substantiate your reservation, which simply requires clicking a hyperlink within the e-mail.

 

Go to Splash Landings if Staying A number of Days

If you’re staying in a single day at Alton Towers, think about using a few of your time while you might be on website to go to Splash Landings, the on-site waterpark.

For instance, we just lately spent two nights at Alton Towers. We visited the park on the primary two days, and on the day we departed we spent the morning at Splash Landings. It was a stunning approach to finish our journey and meant even on the day we have been leaving we nonetheless had a number of enjoyable.

Splash Landings tickets are finest bought upfront, which you are able to do online here. At busier occasions of yr it’s good to decide a timeslot in your go to, so it’s undoubtedly finest to do that upfront to make certain you may go to at a time that fits you.

 

Arrive Early and Depart Late

There’s a enormous quantity to do at Alton Towers, and your ticket provides you entry for the entire day. So we extremely advocate taking full benefit of that, and attempting to be on the park from opening time to closing.

Usually, the park opens round an hour earlier than the rides begin working. We undoubtedly advocate getting right here at opening time so you may head to a preferred experience you actually need to do. This manner you’ll be capable of get within the queue earlier than they get too lengthy.

It’s additionally value staying as near closing time as potential. Because the day progresses folks begin to go away, and you probably have the stamina for it, we advise ready proper till closing time to go away so you may maximise your using occasions. Queues undoubtedly get shorter because the day involves an finish, so that you’ll be capable of squeeze a couple of extra rides in.

 

Options to Alton Towers

You may be questioning if there are any options to Alton Towers within the UK. The reply is sure, there are actually different theme parks within the UK.

Nonetheless, Alton Towers usually has the widest alternative of rides unfold out throughout the most important space. Nonetheless, listed here are some options to contemplate:

• Thorpe Park
• Blackpool Pleasure Seashore
• Chessington World of Adventures
• LEGOLAND Windsor Resort
• Drayton Manor Park

 

Alton Towers Often Requested Questions

We’re now going to undergo some generally requested questions on Alton Towers.

 

Are Alton Towers Fastrack Passes Value It?

You may be questioning if you happen to ought to put money into an Alton Towers Fastrack Pass. We now have visited Alton Towers each with and and not using a Fastrack Move, and had an excellent expertise each occasions.

The passes can undoubtedly be value it, however rather a lot will depend upon how busy the park is in addition to what number of rides (and which rides) you truly plan to experience.

If you’re visiting at a quieter time of yr, you then would possibly discover {that a} Fastrack Move shouldn’t be vital as queue occasions won’t be so lengthy.

If you’re visiting at a busy time of yr, similar to throughout college holidays, on a weekend, or throughout a time when many college journeys are visiting (usually across the final week of faculty), then a Fastrack cross may be an excellent funding.

We now have visited throughout a busy time at Alton Towers, when strains for the preferred rides have been in extra of two hours. With the Fastrack, strains have been between 5 minutes and 25 minutes. The latter was extra uncommon and normally solely occurred if the experience had paused for a technical cause, inflicting the queue to construct up.

With out the Fastrack, we most likely would have struggled to experience greater than 3 or 4 rides within the day, and most of our time would have been spent in queues. As we have been visiting in a gaggle and taking turns to take care of the youthful members of our group, this wouldn’t have labored out so effectively.

Because it was, members of the group might pop off and experience a bigger experience, and be gone and again in round half-hour. We have been additionally capable of experience many rides, I personally did at the least 15 rides in in the future. So for our go to the Fastrack Move was completely value it.

When you do determine to get the Fastrack, you additionally should determine which one to get. It will rely enormously on which rides you need to experience Personally I’d advocate the Silver or Gold passes, as these embody the rides which are inclined to have the longest strains.

While these two passes are solely legitimate for one experience on every attraction, if you happen to handle your time effectively on the park you may usually slot in at the least one non Fastrack experience at the beginning and finish of the day when the park is quieter if you happen to did need to experience something a number of occasions. You can too purchase one-off Fastrack passes on a per attraction foundation.

The platinum Fastrack cross is finest for these of you who actually need to experience a number of rides a number of occasions, during which case it will probably make sense.

You should purchase Fastrack passes upfront of your go to here, on website at buyer providers, or on-site by the app.

The worth is similar, nevertheless Fastrack passes do promote out, particularly at busier occasions of yr.

If you’re visiting at a busier time of yr and need to purchase a Fastrack, it’s extremely beneficial you accomplish that upfront on the website here.

If you’re visiting at a quieter time of yr you might desire to buy in particular person whenever you arrive after you could have seen how busy the park is. Simply keep in mind that passes can promote out.

 

How Lengthy Do You Want at Alton Towers?

I might advocate spending the entire day at Alton Towers, from the time the gates open to the time it closes. It’s a comparatively costly time out, so that you would possibly as effectively get your cash’s value.

For an much more complete expertise, you may also plan to remain in a single day on the resort or at a close-by lodge, after which go to for a second day.

You’ll be able to usually get a second day entry ticket at a cheaper price when buying your unique ticket, making this an excellent worth possibility.

There’s undoubtedly greater than sufficient to do at Alton Towers to fill two full days.

 

Are the Alton Towers Motels Any Good?

We have been truly very impressed with the Alton Towers inns. On our latest go to we stayed on the Alton Towers Resort, while our buddies with their youthful children stayed at CBeebies Land Resort.

We thought every part was effectively performed, the theme all through, the seamless check-in course of, the attentive employees, the night leisure and the meals have been all wonderful.

It actually added to the general expertise and felt like an extension of the theme park. The youngsters specifically beloved CBeebies Land, which we will advocate for households with children as much as round 9 or 10.

We additionally appreciated that staying on the lodge meant that our parking was included, and that there was a lodge visitors solely entrance just some minutes’ stroll from the inns. This obtained us near Galactica and The Blade at entry time, that means we have been amongst the primary riders on board.

The one draw back for our keep was that we needed to ebook timeslots for all our meals upfront.

We have been staying for 2 nights so needed to ebook breakfast and dinner slots. As we booked final minute there wasn’t a number of availability, and it additionally meant we couldn’t be versatile with our plans.

All of it labored out in the long run and the meals on the eating places we ate at was truly excellent. Simply bear in mind that you simply do must plan and ebook upfront.

 

When is Alton Towers Busiest?

Alton Towers is normally busiest on the weekends and through college holidays.

There are additionally usually college journeys to Alton Towers within the final couple of weeks of the college time period in July, though college journeys can go to at any time after all.

We now have visited Alton Towers at varied occasions of yr, together with throughout July college journey time. It’ll actually be busier, and you might need to put money into a Fastrack ticket on busier days.

 

Is Alton Towers Good for Households?

Sure, Alton Towers is a incredible time out for households. There’s such a large alternative of rides, sights and actions that everybody within the household will be capable of have an incredible time out.

 

Is Images Allowed at Alton Towers?

Sure, images is allowed at Alton Towers.

There are some exceptions. You aren’t allowed to take pictures or movies throughout rides as a consequence of security, and this shall be clearly said when queuing for and boarding the experience. Utilizing your cellphone or digicam on rides can get you ejected from the park and will shut down the experience briefly. Maintain your self, your cellphone, and different passengers protected by stowing your cellphone and cameras earlier than every experience.

If you wish to get pictures of you and your family and friends having fun with the rides, then we advocate testing the digital photograph cross, which covers many of the rides. We all beloved that and obtained a lot of pictures that means on the rides of all of us. You should purchase this online in advance here or in particular person on website.

As well as, images and videography is closely restricted at Splash Landings, for apparent causes. If you’re inside Splash Landings when it’s open you may usually take restricted pictures of your individual family and friends, however that’s about it. You aren’t allowed to take pictures of different visitors. Greatest to go away your cellphone or digicam within the locker except you really want it.

When Splash Landings is closed and empty, you may take pictures of the world.

 

Can I Take My Personal Meals and Drink to Alton Towers?

Sure, you may take your individual food and drinks to Alton Towers, and there are picnic benches throughout the park the place you may eat your individual food and drinks.

The one actual restriction to this rule is you can’t convey alcohol into the park, though it’s served on website.

You can also’t take your individual food and drinks into venues the place they serve food and drinks, because the tables are just for paying clients solely.

There are a couple of picnic areas situated right here and there with picnic benches you can sit and use, together with on the primary grassy space by the lake in entrance of Towers Road, and subsequent to Hex.

 

Are there Consuming Fountains at Alton Towers?

There are many water refill stations across the park the place you may refill a water bottle. We’d undoubtedly advocate bringing your individual refillable water bottle to Alton Towers so you may keep hydrated as you go.

Water refill stations are marked on the map within the Alton Towers app.

 

How do I Eat on the Rollercoaster Restaurant?

The Rollercoaster restaurant is among the most enjoyable eating experiences at Alton Towers, and children specifically love watching the meals fly across the varied tracks earlier than arriving at your desk. Truthfully, adults adore it too!

Sadly, this does imply that the restaurant can be common and may get booked up.

For lodge visitors, it’s potential to dine on the Rollercoaster Restaurant within the evenings. This requires a reservation, and these can promote out months upfront.

The excellent news is you can nonetheless get the rollercoaster eating expertise. The key is simply to go throughout park opening hours. Throughout this time reservations will not be potential, and eating is first come first serve.

When you flip up at near opening time (round 11am), and don’t thoughts having an early lunch, you then shouldn’t have any drawback getting a desk.

We did this just lately on a really busy day at Alton Towers and had no drawback getting a desk at round 11.20am. Nonetheless we weren’t capable of ebook for dinner because it was totally booked out for the entire month.

 

How Lengthy Are the Queues at Alton Towers?

Queue occasions at Alton Towers differ vastly, from a couple of minutes to over two hours.

There’s enormous variability in queue time which depends upon how busy the park is, the time of day, the variety of Fastrack Move holders and so forth.

Usually if you happen to go to in off-peak occasions (principally through the week outdoors of faculty holidays) the queue occasions shall be shorter.

Moreover, usually within the mornings earlier than round 11am and within the afternoons after 3pm most queue occasions will begin to cut back.

 

Is There Wi-Fi at Alton Towers?

Sure, there may be free Wi-Fi all through the resort together with on the theme park and in all of the lodging choices.

You simply have to enroll to entry it. We advocate doing so as a result of the Alton Towers app works rather a lot higher when you find yourself related to the Wi-Fi community, and utilizing Wi-Fi tends to empty your cellphone battery slower than utilizing your cell information.

 

Does Alton Towers Have Tall Rollercoasters?

One factor you’ll discover whenever you go to Alton Towers is that it doesn’t have very tall rollercoasters similar to you would possibly discover at different theme parks world wide.

The rationale for that is that Alton Towers shouldn’t be allowed to construct any experience that goes above tree peak. Because of this many rides are cleverly constructed in sunken areas or to even go beneath floor. So there are nonetheless a number of thrilling rollercoasters right here!

 

Does the Climate Have an effect on Rides at Alton Towers?

The UK shouldn’t be essentially recognized for year-round wonderful climate, so that you may be questioning how rain and wind can have an effect on the rides at Alton Towers.

The excellent news is that the majority rides will usually run within the rain, except it is extremely heavy rain. If there may be thunder or lightning this may additionally impression rides. Excessive wind may also result in experience closures.

In any other case although, visiting on a moist day can truly be useful in some regards as there’ll usually be fewer guests and shorter queues.

Lastly, Alton Towers presents a rainy-day assure. Which means if the climate ends in experience closures to the purpose that Alton Towers deems it a “Wet Day”, then it is possible for you to to return on a special day without spending a dime.

If this occurs throughout your go to, as an alternative of writing off the day, take into account visiting the Waterpark. There’s a payment to take action however as you might be already on website it would flip the day round. You’ll simply want to recollect to convey your swimwear.

You’ll be able to learn extra in regards to the Rainy Day guarantee and what it covers here.

 

Additional Studying

That’s it for our information to visiting Alton Towers! We hope you discovered it helpful.

Earlier than you go, we wished to share a couple of of our different guides that you simply would possibly discover helpful.

• For wider UK journey planning, we have now recommended one week and two week UK itineraries
• We now have guides to many different cities in England. See our information to things to do in Manchester,  things to do in Stratford upon Avon,  things to do in Bristol,  things to do in Portsmouth, tips about a weekend in York, tips about Visiting Oxford on a Day Trip, and things to do in Cambridge
• When you’re heading to Scotland, try our 2 day Edinburgh itinerary, our Glasgow and Loch Lomond itinerary, our information to the best day trips from Glasgow, our information to things to do in Edinburgh, our itinerary for Skye and the Highlands, our information to the best day trips from Aberdeen, and our information to the most effective day trips from Edinburgh to get you began. We even have a information to getting from London to Edinburgh.
• We now have a information to 10 of the best Stately Homes in England, a few of which aren’t that removed from Alton Towers

And that’s it! Have you ever ever visited Alton Towers? Do you could have something you’d add to the above, or a query about an upcoming go to? Simply tell us within the feedback beneath!