When you’re pondering of visiting Alton Towers, you’re in the correct 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 positioned in Staffordshire England and is presently the biggest 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 lots, and relies on our private experiences visiting Alton Towers.
We’ve visited Alton Towers quite a lot of instances, my first experiences had been as a young person and twenty-something previous. Most 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 instances, 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 essential know to have an superior time at Alton Towers. Whereas most of you studying are in all probability residing within the UK, a visit to Alton Towers can be a enjoyable expertise for worldwide guests as effectively!
We’ll cowl all of the rides and what to anticipate from each, tips about take advantage of your time and get probably the most time truly using relatively than queuing, share our ideas on the Alton Towers lodging and eating, and masses extra.
Whether or not you’re visiting as a household, a pair, with buddies, or by yourself, this information goes to provide you every part it’s essential know on your Alton Towers go to. Let’s get began.
Alton Towers Overview & Historical past
Alton Towers (technically referred to 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 sequence of accommodations, 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. Additionally they owned the close by Alton Fort which dates again to the eleventh century.
The mansion home on the Alton Property, which largely dates to the 18th century, remains to be there, though it’s in a ruined situation. There’s additionally a big lake and landscaped gardens on web site.
Alton Towers has been open to the general public ultimately for the reason that nineteenth century, when guests had been in a position to pay to tour the gardens. Points of interest had 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 Sixties and having a stunning time out.
So when you find yourself visiting right here you’re on the grounds of what was for hundreds of years the big 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 may nonetheless stroll by elements of the gardens.
In some locations you’d do not know you’re in the course of an amusement park because it appears like you’re in a park or forest. A really distinctive and British setting for a theme park!
The theme park as it’s recognized right now, with thrill rides and everlasting sights, actually began in 1973. At the moment, Alton Towers is operated by the Tussauds Group, who additionally function places together with Thorpe Park, Madame Tussauds London, and the London Eye.
At the moment, the theme park is without doubt one of the most well-known and widespread theme parks within the UK, with one thing to supply everybody from children to adults alike.
It has had quite a lot of spectacular journey 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 mentioned, you may undoubtedly do lots with simply at some point at Alton Towers should you plan correctly.
Get to Alton Towers
Alton Towers is within the county of Staffordshire close to the village of Alton in England. The deal with 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 simplest solution to get to Alton Towers is unquestionably 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 relatively than your sat-nav or GPS.
It’s because the agricultural location of the park signifies that there are a whole lot of small nation lanes across the park. The brown indicators will hold you on the bigger roads which is able to normally be faster.
Parking at Alton Towers
There may be a whole lot of on-site parking out there, and stewards will normally direct you to the closest automobile park as you arrive. This does rely 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 specific parking, 1-3 minutes away from the primary entrance
There are additionally methods you may get free parking at Alton Towers.
- Lodge 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 journey and Rollercoaster Restaurant) or take the monorail to the park entrance.
- Visitors staying at CBeebies lodge can park at no cost within the Categorical Parking zone
- Holders of Gold, Platinum or Premium Merlin passes can park at no cost in commonplace parking. They will improve to Categorical parking for £12.
Parking will be booked on-line prematurely right here. That is necessary for Categorical Parking, excluding CBeebies visitors, who should present lodge affirmation on arrival.
You can even usually add automobile 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 succeed in the resort by public transport it can contain some good planning.
The closest practice 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 may see the schedule right here.
You can even take a taxi from Uttoxeter practice station, which is a couple of 20-minute drive from Alton Towers.
Different comparatively shut practice stations are Stoke on Trent (15 miles from Alton Towers) and Derby (25 miles from Alton Towers). Nonetheless, you will have to take a taxi from each of those places to succeed in the resort.
You may guide taxis on-line prematurely right here.
In case you are counting on public transit, you may need to contemplate developing the evening earlier than and taking the D*G bus or a taxi from a close-by practice or bus station to an Alton Towers Resort lodge.
Then you may stroll from any of the resort’s accommodations to the park within the morning (or take the Monorail) while not having to depend on a taxi or public transit to get round.
Alton Towers Opening Dates and Instances
Alton Towers is open seasonally in addition to for sure holidays and faculty breaks. It’s usually open from March by to November. Exterior of this time the resort has particular themed opening instances, usually for the Christmas interval and likewise for college 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 instances and on weekends, and at 4pm on off-peak days.
It’s necessary to notice that the closing time is the time that the journey queues shut. When you have joined a queue earlier than theme park closing time, it is possible for you to to complete queuing and full your journey even after closing time.
You may examine the most recent opening dates and hours for Alton Towers on-line right here.
For particular occasions park hours do change so you will need to examine what they’re earlier than visiting. Additionally in the course of the vacation and particular opening intervals, some sections of the park will not be absolutely open so you’ll want to examine which rides and sights are open.
Word 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 (positioned 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. Lodge visitors usually obtain a complimentary spherical of mini-golf as a part of their keep.
Word that each the above sights will be visited individually from the theme park and also you don’t want a theme half ticket for these sights, that are charged individually.
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 every single place.
One factor to pay attention to is that there aren’t a whole lot of indicators or maps across the park, they usually additionally now not provide paper park maps. As an alternative, you’re anticipated to make use of the cell app.
That is truly a reasonably respectable cell app, and the map a part of it has inbuilt navigation. It even allows you to keep away from steps. Nonetheless, it may be a battery drain, so we’d counsel bringing a USB battery pack like this to keep away from operating out of juice midway by the day.
Word that these visiting in wheelchairs and people with mobility points ought to try the accessibility data for the park right 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 automobile parks. This solely has two stops, one close to the accommodations and extra distant parking tons, and one on the foremost entrance to the theme park.
Use of the Monorail is free for all park visitors. It will possibly undoubtedly be a fast solution to get from the resort and a number of the automobile 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 instances can exceed 40 minutes. Provided that it’s a couple of 15 – 20 minute stroll from the Monorail station to the primary theme park entrance, whether it is significantly 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 accommodations. 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 relatively than take the Monorail if there’s a lengthy wait.
Alton Towers Skyride
The Alton Towers Skyride is a gondola type cable automobile journey which offers transport across the park.
There are three stations, one close to the primary park entrance on Towers Avenue, one close to the Blade journey within the Forbidden Valley, and one within the Darkish Forest close to Rita.
The Skyride is unquestionably 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 should you 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 recurrently and in reality the Skyride is closed for the rest of 2023.
Alton Towers Map
It is 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 straightforward to get confused (as we all know from private expertise)!
Alton Towers Ticket Data
We’ll now undergo the primary ticket varieties out there for Alton Towers in addition to how a lot they value 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 on-line right here.
How A lot Are Alton Towers Tickets?
Alton Towers ticket pricing varies relying on whether or not you buy prematurely 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 intervals in addition to at weekends.
At present, pricing is as follows:
- £34 – £39 for a 1-day move for ages 3 and up (£68 on the day)
- £46 – £51 for a 2-day move for ages 3 and up (£80 on the day)
- £29 for a mum or dad and toddler move. Toddlers are outlined as being beneath 5, and a further beneath 5 will be added for £5. This move is simply out there on weekdays exterior of vacation intervals.
- Free for these beneath 3 and carers
There are additionally occasional promotional costs and gross sales on the web site, which you’ll see right here.
The pricing for in-person purchases will be twice as costly as shopping for on-line, so we extremely advocate shopping for on-line to save cash!
Low cost Alton Towers Tickets
There aren’t 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 purchase tickets prematurely from the official web site as this can be a lot cheaper than shopping for tickets on the day.
You can even save by visiting on a weekday exterior of vacation intervals as these have a tendency to supply the bottom costs.
The place to Purchase Alton Towers Tickets
The 2 foremost choices for buying Alton Towers tickets are both on-line on the official web site right 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 traces.
Passes Which Embrace Alton Towers
There are two foremost passes which embody entry to Alton Towers. These are finest should you both plan on visiting Alton Towers a number of instances a yr, or should you plan on visiting the opposite included sights. The passes are as follows:
- Alton Towers Annual Move. 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 Move. This move 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 move can undoubtedly be value it should you plan on visiting Alton Towers a number of instances in a yr (no less than three I might counsel), though you’ll want to examine which dates are excluded earlier than buying.
The Merlin Annual move is smart should you stay within the UK and plan on spending your yr visiting the Merlin sights across the UK. There are a whole lot of these (see full checklist right here), however you’ll undoubtedly need to examine which days you may go to prior to buying.
In case you are solely planning on visiting Alton Towers as soon as or possibly twice in a yr, then a daily ticket will seemingly provide the most effective worth.
Alton Towers Fastrack Passes
One solution to doubtlessly improve your Alton Towers expertise is to put money into a Fastrack move.
A Fastrack move provides you entry to a particular Fastrack line for a lot of rides which has precedence boarding, and which may considerably minimize your queuing time.
In our expertise, on a really busy day the place commonplace journey queue instances will be 1 – 2 hours, the Fastrack line will probably be between 3 and half-hour.
This can in fact rely upon what number of Fastrack passes have been bought and the way busy the park is, however in our expertise on a busy day a Fastrack move can considerably minimize queue instances 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 will be purchased on the day by the Alton Towers app.
- Fastrack Bronze Move – means that you can be part of the Fastrack line as soon as for 4 rides: Congo River Rapids, The Curse at Alton Manor, Runaway Mine Practice, and Spinball Whizzer
- Fastrack Silver Move – means that you can be part of the Fastrack line as soon as for six rides: Wicker Man, Oblivion, Rita, TH13TEEN, The Smiler, and Galactica
- Fastrack Gold Move – means that you can be 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 Practice
- Fastrack Platinum Move – means that you can be part of the Fastrack line as many instances 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 Practice
Apart from the person Fasttrack tickets, all the opposite passes will be purchased prematurely on-line, in particular person on the park from the customer support workplace, or by the Alton Towers app.
Word that Fastrack Passes can promote out, so if that is one thing you’re certain you need to put money into on your go to, we advocate shopping for them on-line prematurely of your go to on the official web site right here.
Fastrack Move Pricing at Alton Towers
The pricing for the passes is as follows. Word 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 selected day, so if you’re visiting Alton Towers throughout a number of days and wish Fastrack on all of them, you will have to purchase a move for every day you go to.
How Fastrack Works at Alton Towers
With all of the Fastrack passes the method is kind of easy. When you’ve a Fastrack move, no matter sort it’s, as an alternative of becoming a member of the common line, be part of the Fastrack line. This will probably be clearly signposted. Word it isn’t the identical because the Experience Entry line (that is for holders of Experience Entry Move tickets solely).
Relying on the journey, somebody will examine your Fastrack ticket if you enter the queue or if you get to the journey boarding space, so have it prepared. They’ll usually scan the barcode on the move to validate it.
Relying on the move you’ve, the way it works will differ barely.
With the person Fastrack move, purchased on a per-ride foundation, that is solely good for one journey on one attraction.
With the Bronze, Silver and Gold passes these entitle you to 1 Fastrack per attraction. So you may journey all of the rides included on the move utilizing the Fastrack as soon as. If you wish to journey a journey once more, you’ll have to be part of the common queue or purchase a person Fastrack ticket for that journey.
You may share these passes in a gaggle, so if one particular person desires to do one journey and one other particular person desires to do a unique journey, this is usually a good possibility.
For the platinum move, this can be utilized for as many Fastrack rides as you need on the included rides, however it may possibly solely be utilized by one particular person.
On a current 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 whole lot of time, and meant that we had been all in a position to journey all 13 rides working that day (Hex was closed).
Provided that queue instances for the most well-liked rides had 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 instances on the day different between 1 minute and half-hour with our Fastrack.
When you’re questioning if Fastrack passes are value it on 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 journey. There are a whole lot of various kinds of journey at Alton Towers.
Everybody likes various kinds of journey. For instance, I favor 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 current go to, one of many children hated scary rides, while the opposite child was usually tremendous with them.
On this part we’ll define the primary options of every journey. I’ll additionally embody an concept of how scary the journey is and the way thrilling the journey is.
For the scare issue, this refers as to whether the journey has components that may make you bounce or which is perhaps much less appropriate for youthful riders. After all, this may differ by particular person.
For the joys issue, this refers to how thrilling the journey is. So if the journey spins you round, drops you, or inverts you, I’m going to provide {that a} increased thrill issue than a extra sedate journey expertise. Once more, these scores are very subjective as everybody finds various things thrilling.
This could enable you to determine which rides to go for and which rides you may need to keep away from, relying on the kind of journey you want. We’ll additionally present our ideas on the journey expertise.
Word that this part might comprise journey spoilers so if you wish to be shocked on the rides you may need to skip it.
For this part the rides are grouped collectively by which space of the park they’re in. See extra concerning the areas of the park within the part of this information on park areas, which fits 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 referred to as Air. It was rebranded to Galactica in 2016, though the journey expertise stays the identical.
Galactica is unquestionably a enjoyable thrill curler coaster. After you board, the seats truly rotate 90 levels so you’re primarily dangling beneath the coaster rail, trying down on the flooring. This allows you to do your finest flying impression, therefore the title flying rollercoaster.
The journey itself is kind of high-octane as you whizz across the observe, experiencing as much as 3.5G. It additionally inverts you twice, and will be pretty disorienting, though nothing to match 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 journey at Alton Towers. It’s undoubtedly thrilling although, and really helpful for these of you who like high-speed coasters.
One tip – if you’re staying within the accommodations on-site, there’s an unique lodge visitor entrance which brings you in proper subsequent to Galactica. So if this journey 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 move.
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 top restriction: 1.4m
Nemesis Sub-Terra
To not be confused with the presently closed Nemesis journey, Nemesis Sub-Terra is a darkish drop journey themed across the mysterious Phalanx and Nemesis Creature. It initially opened in 2012, however closed in 2015, and reopened in 2023.
The journey has you coming into a darkened space with a small group the place you’re 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 important drop (sure, I screamed), and enjoyable results all through together with water, prodding ,and leg tickling.
After the drop, it’s important to “escape” the journey by a scary elevate and a small maze earlier than bursting again out into the true world.
General, it’s a enjoyable journey expertise with a number of completely different parts which is a bit completely different to many of the different rides. When you don’t just like the considered a scary journey, being trapped in a elevate, or are claustrophobic, it is perhaps one to skip.
Included on Fastrack: No Fastrack out there
Scare issue: 5/5
Thrill issue: 3/5
Experience sort: Darkish journey / walk-through / drop
Experience size: 8- 10 minutes
Experience top restriction: 1.4m
Different Notes: Because of the drop chairs, this journey has fairly restrictive dimension necessities.
The Blade
Discovered close to Galactica and Nemesis within the Forbidden Valley, The Blade is the oldest journey at Alton Towers, courting from 1980.
Regardless of its age, that is nonetheless a very talked-about and actually enjoyable journey for these of you who like airtime in a journey. 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 sort of journey is named a Pirate Ship. Passengers sit in rows of 5 going through the centre, and the journey swings backwards and forwards, getting increased and better because it goes.
On the very peak of the journey, should you sit on the very ends of the ship, it virtually feels vertical (okay, it’s truly 75 levels, however if you’re on the journey you’re unlikely to be measuring angles).
There’s an important sensation of airtime on this journey, and it’s undoubtedly not for these of you who don’t like that dropping sensation! Nonetheless, it’s a good journey should you don’t like spinning as there’s no spinning or inversion. Even Jess was in a position to get pleasure from this one.
On a current go to to Alton Towers we rode the Blade 4 instances simply because the park was opening. We had stayed within the lodge the evening 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 journey.
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 Practice, this was the favorite household pleasant thrill journey 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 top restriction:1m (1.3m should journey with an grownup)
X-Sector Rides
Residence to a number of the most excessive rides within the park, all with a 1.4m top restriction. Themed like a secret authorities check facility.
This comprises two everlasting rides, Smilar and Oblivion, in addition to two carnival type 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 file for probably the most inversions (basicaly what number of instances you’re the other way up) on a curler coaster at fourteen.
The Smiler is unquestionably one of the vital thrilling rides at Alton Towers, and likewise one of many extra widespread rides. Each time we go to, it all the time appears to have a number of the longest queue instances.
The journey itself is kind of a marvel of building. It takes up a comparatively tiny footprint, with each stretch of observe seemingly involving a twist, a flip, or a drop.
By way of the expertise, this journey undoubtedly delivers. It’s quick, thrilling, and it spins you round lots. I’m not an enormous fan of rides that invert me, however I did get a thrill from this journey, even when my head was spinning for some time afterwards!
I additionally preferred all of the theming all through, with a repetitive sound observe 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 result of its severely complicated design, it does appear to close down fairly recurrently. This may be very irritating, particularly should you’ve spent a whole lot 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 top restriction: 1.4m
Different Notes: Experience early or late within the day to skip the lengthy queues or contemplate Fastrack. That is additionally one of many solely rides to have a single-rider lane which is usually 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 top, providing a sensation of free fall.
The journey expertise is kind of simple. The vehicles are fairly huge however solely two rows deep. You get taken to the highest of the observe and pause for an exciting second over the drop.
You then freefall down 55 metres (180 ft), with the joys being heightened because the automobile plunges right into a darkish tunnel beneath 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 brief journey time. Jess, who doesn’t like drops, is unquestionably much less satisfied by Oblivion and skipped it!
It is a nice rollercoaster should you don’t like being inverted or thrown round an excessive amount of. It’s not an important possibility should you’re significantly 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 top restriction: 1.4 m
Darkish Forest Rides
Themed as a haunted woodland, this space of the park is dwelling 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 journey 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 journey 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 if you launch!
After the preliminary thrill of the launch, the journey then banks round some pretty sharp corners and likewise provides you a sense of weightlessness as you crest a few hills.
This journey is unquestionably going to be good for these of you who don’t like being utterly inverted as there are not any inversions.
Nonetheless the pace of the journey signifies that the g-forces are fairly excessive at 4.7G, so you’ll want to hold your head firmly braced again in opposition to the headrest as in any other case it may possibly really feel like fairly a tough journey!
The opposite draw back to this journey 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 move you then may 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 top 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 completed this journey earlier than and don’t know something about it, the twist is kind of fascinating and price retaining as a shock. Nonetheless, should you 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 journey. The journey itself is what’s generally known as a drop rollercoaster.
The journey begins with you moving into commonplace curler coaster carts that are just like the Runaway Mine practice. Passengers sit two by two.
The practice units off and drops a bit round a curve earlier than climbing the primary elevate hill. From right here there are fairly a number of enjoyable airtime hills and banked turns, which make for a very pleasurable journey. It’s significantly enjoyable should you don’t like an excessive amount of spinning round like me, however do like the feeling of airtime.
About half means by the journey the practice immediately 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 practice and observe actually drop out from beneath you.
Then the practice takes off backwards and also you full nearly all of the remainder of the observe in reverse.
That is certainly one of my favorite rides at Alton Towers, particularly the primary time I rode it after I had no concept what was going to occur.
The journey itself will not be massively scary by way of darkish components, though when it enters the “crypt” and the drop occurs there are some spooky components to pay attention to. 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 is perhaps 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 top 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 observe, so each journey is completely different.
It’s a reasonably thrilling journey with vertical sections of observe and many dips and dives, however there are not any inversions. Regardless of probably not having fun with spinning rides I did truly fairly get pleasure from Spinball Whizzer.
It’s a comparatively clean journey (besides on the finish the place there is usually 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 lately, in addition to with the adults within the group. The comparatively low journey top requirement makes for a pleasant family-friendly rollercoaster for youths seeking to department out into the larger thrill rides.
It’s technically a part of “The Towers” space, however is definitely positioned 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 top restriction: 1.2 m
Hex
Hex is a darkish theme journey 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.
Provided that it’s primarily based on the proprietor of the unique Alton Towers property, it’s acceptable that the journey is discovered inside the ruins of Alton Towers.
Like the opposite darkish rides, Hex is unquestionably a journey that’s finest skilled as a shock. So if you wish to expertise it with no spoilers, now’s the time to skip to the following journey.
The primary factor to pay attention to is that the journey will 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 journey has you progressing on foot between rooms, watching an immersive story with numerous lighting, sounds and results.
The latter a part of the journey is seated with lapbars. You’ll transfer and tilt, with the impact tremendously heightened by the intelligent design of the room and what’s primarily an enormous optical phantasm. So it appears like you’re shifting 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 should you don’t really feel nice you may all the time shut your eyes.
Word 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 journey
Experience size: 5 minutes 25 seconds
Experience top restriction: 0.9m (1.2m should journey with an grownup)
Cuckoo Automobiles Driving College
Discovered subsequent to the David Walliams space of the park, Cuckoo Automobiles Driving College provides children the chance to study to drive their very personal Cuckoo Automobile.
A enjoyable observe is about up with a variety of visitors options, together with pedestrian crossings, visitors alerts and even a bubble automobile wash. The vehicles are electrical, and the children can steer them and make them cease or go together with a pedal.
The vehicles aren’t on any type of observe, so the children can select the place to drive them, identical to in an actual automobile. They’re fairly small and solely go 4km/h, and there are additionally marshals throughout the observe to maintain everybody protected and get the children again on observe ought to they veer off track at any level (there’s no reverse on the vehicles).
Cuckoo Automobiles was an enormous hit with the children we lately visited Alton Towers with. They’d actually end and run again spherical to affix the journey queue once more! So that is undoubtedly a child pleasant journey, so long as they meet the journey necessities.
The journey necessities for Cuckoo Automobiles are pretty particular, the children have to be no less than 1 metre tall, 4 years or older, and beneath 1.4 metres.
So adults can’t take part on this one as that is for youthful children solely. However there’s loads of viewing house so you may hold a detailed eye on your loved ones members as they study to drive.
Included on Fastrack: No
Scare issue: 0/5
Thrill issue: 1/5
Experience sort: Youngsters Driving Experience
Experience size: 4 minutes
Experience top restriction: 1m minimal. Moreover, most of 1.4m and minimal of 4 years previous.
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 without doubt one of 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 film, a horror film which dates from the Seventies and which entails a big woven effigy of a person constituted of wooden which is about hearth to.
The rollercoaster can be constituted of wooden, and there’s a big effigy of a person that the journey passes by. There are additionally flame lighting and smoke results all through the journey which add to the themed expertise.
Talking of expertise, the journey 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 remember if using with youthful kids. You then board the practice, and from this level it’s a wood rollercoaster journey.
The journey expertise is kind of just like the Runaway Important practice or 13, with dips, hills, and twists. There are not any inversions or loops or something like that, and the journey top 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 top restriction: 1.2m
Marauders Mayhem
Proper within the coronary heart of Pirate Bay is the Marauders Mayhem journey, which is principally a traditional spinning tea cups journey.
This journey initially launched in 1987 as a tea cup journey, 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 journey expertise is similar as a typical teacups journey. As much as 6 folks can sit in every barrel, with 4 units of three barrels organized across the journey. Every set rotates, the entire journey rotates, and every barrel can be made to rotate.
I believe it’s honest to say that the Marauders Mayhem journey will not be ideally suited should you don’t like spinning rides. However should you do like spinning rides, that is undoubtedly one to go for. It’s a enjoyable household journey with a reasonably low top 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 top restriction: 1.1m (1.3 m should journey with an grownup)
Battle Galleons
When you like rides the place there’s a really strong likelihood of getting soaking moist, you’ll undoubtedly need to head to the Battle Galleons journey at Alton Towers.
This journey 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 hearth at different vessels, in addition to at anybody standing on the shore the place your boats move.
These water cannons are hand operated – you spin a wheel to make the water circulation.
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 once we visited.
This journey was widespread with each adults and children in our group however in all probability not a very good one for anybody not desirous to get moist.
Assuming there are different folks collaborating within the journey, there’s a really excessive likelihood you’ll get fairly moist on this journey. 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 massively efficient in our expertise so in all probability 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 top restriction: 0.9m (1.1 should journey with an grownup)
Heave Ho
When you or your children like the thought of the Blade however all of the dropping and top looks as if a bit a lot, then you must undoubtedly try Heave Ho.
This pirate ship themed journey is discovered, as you may guess, within the Mutiny Bay a part of Alton Towers.
The journey idea is principally a pirate ship which rocks backwards and forwards on rails, however which additionally spins because it goes. The spinning will not be super-fast however it may be a bit disorienting, so should you aren’t a fan of rides which spin you may need to watch it first earlier than boarding.
This was a very widespread journey with our household group on a current go to. The youngsters actually liked it, and it’s additionally a very good journey for viewers to look at from the sidelines and get good photographs.
Included on Fastrack: No
Scare issue: o/5
Thrill issue: 2/5
Experience sort: Rocking Tug
Experience size: 3 minutes
Experience top restriction: 0.9m (1.1m should journey with an grownup)
Katanga Canyon Rides
Themed as an African village, this space of the park is dwelling to the next two rides:
Congo River Rapids
The Alton Towers theme park doesn’t have a whole lot 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 journey consists of huge round rafts which seat round seven folks. You begin the journey 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 likelihood you’ll get moist on this journey, though it’s usually simply splashes of water relatively than a full-on dunking. So simply hold that in thoughts.
One very nice factor about this journey is that it’s comparatively lengthy by theme park requirements, at 6 minutes. With a minimal top of 1.1m it’s additionally a very good 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 top restriction: 1.1m (1.3 m should journey with an grownup)
Different Notes: Simply bear in mind that you just may get moist
Runaway Mine Practice
Runaway Mine Practice 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 Practice.
Because the title suggests, the theme is a mine practice which has, effectively, runaway. Riders board carriages seated in pairs, and the practice has some fairly good drops and twists because it goes, even pulling a good bit of g-force. It additionally does the observe twice, which makes for a pleasant lengthy feeling journey.
There are not any inversions or something like that, however it’s undoubtedly a reasonably thrilling journey, and one of the vital thrilling rides on the park with a low top requirement.
We went on it with a 3 yr previous and a six yr previous they usually completely liked it. Simply be ready to affix the queue once more if you end if your loved ones likes it as a lot as ours did! We rode this one a number of instances 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 top restriction: 0.9m (1.1m should journey with an grownup)
Gloomy Wooden Rides
Gloomy Wooden is themed, because the title suggests, round a darkish, seemingly haunted, forest. It has one journey:
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 an extended custom of haunted home rides, with the unique incarnation of this journey opened in the identical location all the way in which again in 1992.
The journey 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 mother and father held, and this aggravated her a lot that evil possessed her, cursing the home and all its occupants.
I suppose the ethical of the story right here is to ask your children to your events infrequently.
Anyway, the journey itself has a number of parts. The queue is the place the story begins, winding by the woodland, with numerous graves and spooky sculptures.
You then enter the home, and stroll previous numerous set items with lights and sound results. Lastly, there’s a six-minute journey which takes you thru the considerably darkish and twisted world of Emily.
The journey is unquestionably darkish, and should you like darkish rides and haunted home type rides you’ll seemingly get pleasure from it. When you favor rollercoaster thrills and spins , this in all probability gained’t be the journey for you as there aren’t any drops, inversions, or twists.
By way of being child pleasant, the journey is fairly scary with numerous darkish themes of loss of life and revenge. So while the journey top restriction is pretty low, some children may discover the content material relatively terrifying. The youngsters we had been with (age 3 and 6) hated this journey and located it too scary. The three-year-old wouldn’t get on the journey in any respect.
General, one to take a look at should you like darkish, haunted home sort rides. Personally, Jess and I didn’t actually prefer it as we by no means actually bought the total story for the journey and it isn’t a thrill journey.
Included on Fastrack: Sure, Bronze, Gold and Platinum
Scare issue: 4/5
Thrill issue: 1/5
Experience sort: Darkish journey / haunted home
Experience size: 6 minutes 15 seconds
Experience top restriction: 0.9m (1.1m should journey with an grownup)
The World of David Walliams Rides
This a part of the park focuses on the world created by the creator David Walliams. It’s a really family-friendly a part of the park, and many of the rides have low top necessities. Rides are as follows:
Gangsta Granny the Experience
Opened in 2021, Gangsta Ganny the Experience is without doubt one of the foremost rides within the space of the park dedicated to the world created by author David Walliams.
The journey is principally a carriage-based darkish journey with a whole lot of particular results that has you serving to the primary characters try to steal the Crown Jewels from Buckingham Palace.
Everybody in our group on a current journey to Alton Towers loved this journey. The story is fascinating and fascinating for youths particularly, and the expertise is enjoyable for adults as effectively. There’s additionally fairly a little bit of humour all through the journey which ought to convey a smile to your face.
It’s neither an exciting curler coaster nor a scary journey, however we expect it’s effectively value doing, even should you aren’t in any respect accustomed to the characters within the books. All of us loved it.
One factor to notice is that the theme of the journey does have characters stealing and committing a criminal offense which could not sit proper with all mother and father with youthful kids.
Included on Fastrack: Sure, Gold and Platinum
Scare issue: 1/5
Thrill issue: 1/5
Experience sort: Darkish journey
Experience size: 4 minutes
Experience top restriction: 0.9m (beneath 1.2m should journey with an grownup)
Different Notes: This journey has a reasonably low most rider per hour restrict, so queue instances will be longer than you may 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 journey 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 truthfully, what child doesn’t discover rest room humor hilarious? So this journey is unquestionably widespread amongst children visiting the park.
The drop will not 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 in all probability helped!
Included on Fastrack: No
Scare issue: 0/5
Thrill issue: 1/5
Experience sort: Bouncy drop
Experience size: 1 minute 45 seconds
Experience top restriction: 0.9m (beneath 1.1m should journey with an grownup)
Royal Carousel
Have you ever even been to a theme park should you haven’t ridden the carousel? Jess would definitely argue no. It’s all the time a journey that we like to journey no less than as soon as at any theme park, honest, or carnival because it’s such a traditional.
The Royal Carousel in Alton Towers is discovered within the David Walliams a part of the park, and options quite a lot of horses and carriages. A number of 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 journey 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 top restriction: no top restriction however these beneath 1.3m should journey with an grownup
Flavio’s Fabulous Fandango
This carnival type tornado journey 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 journey 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 leads to numerous spinning, which at factors can appear fairly quick as you whiz previous gondolas coming the other way.
It’s undoubtedly a whole lot of enjoyable. Simply bear in mind that the minimal journey top 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 brief carnival type journey, however we’re included it because it’s themed and appears more likely to keep.
Included on Fastrack: No
Scare issue: 0/5
Thrill issue: 2/5
Experience sort: Tornado
Experience size: ~2 minutes
Experience top 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 type journey designed for youthful riders. The journey is themed round Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit character, with enjoyable sound results and music.
This journey is unquestionably not a loopy drop journey, 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 in all probability not a journey 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 top restriction: 0.9m (beneath 1.1m should journey with an grownup)
Go Jetters Vroomster Zoom Experience
The Go Jetters Vroomster journey is one other enjoyable household journey. This one is themed across the Go Jetters, with journey contributors boarding their very personal Vroomster.
A Vroomster, for these of you not acquainted, is principally a jet powered flying automobile. And the Alton Tower duplicate is fairly correct!
The journey consists of quite a lot of Vroomster vehicles, which may seat as much as 4 folks, which rotate round a central pod. The vehicles are hooked up to the pod by a yellow arm, and the riders can management the peak of the automobile with a lever contained in the automobile. This offers the riders the impression of controlling their very personal flying automobile, which is fairly cool.
The journey will not be significantly 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 reasonably relaxed journey.
Included on Fastrack: No
Scare issue: 0/5
Thrill issue: 1/5
Experience sort: Aerial Roundabout
Experience size: 2 minutes
Experience top restriction: 0.9m (beneath 1.25m should journey with grownup)
Octonauts Rollercoaster Journey
Octonauts is a household centered rollercoaster which is more likely 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 in all probability the gentlest rollercoaster expertise at Alton Towers. It’s a good place to begin for youths who meet the peak restrictions and need to strive a rollercoaster.
In the event that they adore it, the Runaway Mine practice has related journey necessities and is a little more thrilling, with a sooner journey and far higher drops and pace.
Nonetheless, Octonauts is unquestionably a very good starter coaster, with no inversions or significantly 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 top restriction: 0.9m (beneath 1.1m should journey with an grownup)
Get Set Go Treetop Journey
This journey in CBeebies Land takes you excessive above the timber (okay, 12 ft) in your very personal bug formed automobile. It’s a enjoyable journey for youthful children for certain and provides good views of CBeebies land.
It’s additionally good and stress-free for adults should you’re searching for a soothing journey with no loopy thrills or scares.
One factor to pay attention to is that this journey is kind of widespread and because it’s pretty gradual shifting the queue can get fairly lengthy. Actually, of all of the rides on the park, this was the one the place we had the longest wait on a current 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 observe
Experience size: 4 minutes
Experience top restriction: No minimal however beneath 1.1m should journey with an grownup.
Within the Evening Backyard Magical Boat Experience
It is a widespread water journey 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 journey you’re most unlikely to get moist.
This journey has you passing by lots of the characters and scenes from the “Within the Evening Backyard” TV sequence, together with the Tombliboos, Upsy Daisy and Iggle Piggle.
It’s a pleasant stress-free journey which ought to amuse youthful guests and be good and stress-free for adults. It’s additionally a comparatively lengthy journey at 6 minutes.
ncluded on Fastrack: No
Scare issue: 0/5
Thrill issue: 0/5
Experience sort: Boat journey
Experience size: 6 minutes
Experience top restriction: No top restriction however these beneath 1m should journey with an grownup
Postman Pat Parcel Submit
Postman Pat has been a stalwart determine on kids’s tv for the reason that 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 right now nonetheless get to look at Pat on CBeebies.
Now, you can also expertise the lifetime of Pat on the Alton Towers Postman Pat Parcel Submit journey in CBeebies Land. It is a flat journey on rails which has you boarding Pat’s signature purple publish van and go trundling round a course.
The van has numerous buttons on the dashboard, which you’ll press to make sure you ship the correct parcel to the correct particular person, giving it a very good 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 certainly not a thrill journey, however not every part must be!
Included on Fastrack: No
Scare issue: 0/5
Thrill issue: 0/5
Experience sort: Observe Experience
Experience size: 2 minutes 45 seconds
Experience top restriction: No top restriction however these beneath 1.1m should journey with an grownup
Thrill Rides at Alton Towers
Now that we’ve lined all of the rides by space, we’ll checklist the rides divided into numerous classes. Beginning with thrill rides.
When you’re searching for an inventory of the joys rides at Alton Towers, I’d counsel the next all classify:
- The Smiler
- Oblivion
- Galactica
- Rita
- TH13TEEN
- Wicker Man
- Spinball Whizzer
- Runaway Mine Practice
- Marauders Mayhem
- The Blade
After all, how thrilling you discover a journey will probably be private desire, however we expect most individuals would discover the above rides pretty thrilling!
Rides for Toddlers and Youngsters at Alton Towers
When you’re visiting Alton Towers with youthful members of the family, you is perhaps questioning what the most effective rides for them are going to be.
For the overwhelming majority of rides, the primary factor will not be going to be the age of your baby, however relatively their top. That is undoubtedly one thing to pay attention to you probably have kids of differing heights, as a few of them could possibly expertise rides that the others might not. This will result in difficult conditions, as nobody likes to be overlooked!
It’s due to this fact a good suggestion to have an concept 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 previous who was 1.1m and a 6-year previous who was 1.25m. So this meant they couldn’t journey each journey collectively.
We dealt with this by sharing duties between the adults, and splitting the rides we rode collectively. This was made lots 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 plenty of nice rides which are 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 Submit
- Battle Galleons
- Cuckoo Automobiles 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 Practice (0.9m)
The 2 extra scary rides (haunted home type) may additionally be appropriate for youths however truthfully that is going to be a private choice as a mum or dad relying on the child. These are:
- Hex (0.9m)
- The Curse at Alton Manor (0.9m)
Once we visited with a 3-year previous and a 6-year previous their journey highlights had been Runaway Mine Practice, Blade, Octonauts, Get Set Go Tree High Journey, Cuckoo Automobiles Driving College, and Heave Ho. The 6-year-old additionally actually preferred Spinball Whizzer, Marauders Mayhem, and Wicker Man.
Additionally they actually liked the interactive exhibits and experiences in CBeebies Land, in addition to taking part in the video games the place you may win a toy like Hook-a-Duck.
Simply bear in mind that the Hook-a-Duck and related video games aren’t free. The temptation of an enormous toy is tough 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 journey heights, ordered from excessive to low.
Some rides even have a unique minimal top if using with out an grownup, which is indicated in brackets if relevant.
The vast majority of rides with top restrictions have a measurement stick subsequent to the journey entrance so you may confirm riders’ heights. If you get to the journey, workers will normally examine heights if they’re not sure, so that you’ll need to ensure everyone seems to be the correct top to keep away from disappointment.
You can even get a bracelet which has the rider’s top on it at a number of the rides to avoid wasting having to be measured a number of instances.
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 journey with an grownup)
- Congo River Rapids – 1.1m (1.3m should journey with an grownup)
- The Blade – 1m (1.3m should journey with an grownup)
- Hex – 0.9m (1.2m should journey with an grownup)
- The Curse at Alton Manor – 0.9m (1.1m should journey with an grownup)
- Gangsta Granny The Experience – 0.9m (1.2m should journey with an grownup)
- Peter Rabbit Hippity Hop – 0.9m (1.1m should journey with an grownup)
- Battle Galleons – 0.9m (1.1m should journey with an grownup)
- Go Jetters Vroomster Zoom Experience – 0.9m (1.25m should journey with an grownup)
- Octonauts Rollercoaster Journey – 0.9m (1.1m should journey with an grownup)
- Heave Ho – 0.9m (1.1m should journey with an grownup)
- Runaway Mine Practice – 0.9m (1.1m should journey with an grownup)
- Raj’s Bouncy Backside Burp – 0.9m (1.1m should journey with an grownup)
- Royal Carousel – no top restriction however these beneath 1.3m should journey with an grownup
- Postman Pat Parcel Submit – no top restriction however these beneath 1.1m should journey with an grownup
- Within the Evening Backyard Magical Boat Experience – no top restriction however these beneath 1m should journey with an grownup
- Cuckoo Automobiles – 1m. Moreover, most of 1.4m and minimal of 4 years previous.
Areas at Alton Towers
Alton Towers is split into 11 areas. Every space is themed in another way, with some areas extra centered on high-octane thrill rides (like X-Sector) while others are extra aimed toward youthful households (corresponding 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 try to do all of the rides you have an interest in in every space, to keep away from spending a whole lot of time strolling between places.
X-Sector
This part of the park comprises a number of the extra excessive rides within the park, all of which have a minimal top restriction of 1.4m. The rides are:
- Oblivion
- The Smiler
- Spinjam (momentary carnival type journey)
- Twistatron (momentary carnival type journey)
X-Sector is themed like a secret authorities testing facility, so count on plenty of steel fencing and concrete.
Darkish Forest
This part of the park is dwelling to 2 rides, each of which provide fast-paced thrills. These are:
The Darkish Forest space is themed as a type of haunted woodland. The concept is you may solely escape by using the deserted drag racer Rita. I’m not fairly certain the way you get out should you’re beneath the 1.4m top restriction for Rita.
Forbidden Valley
This space of the park has quite a lot of completely different rides which embody some rides appropriate for smaller visitors. That is the world of the park you enter should you come within the lodge visitor entrance.
Forbidden valley is the place you’ll discover the Blade, which is the oldest journey in Alton Towers, initially opening in 1980!
The rides in Forbidden Valley are:
- The Blade
- Galactica
- Nemesis Sub-Terra
- Funk n’Fly (momentary carnival type journey)
Forbidden Valley has a post-apocalyptic theme, with hints of alien infestation all through linked to the Nemesis creature. Nemesis was a journey at Alton Towers till 2022, when it closed for refurbishment. It’s as a result of relaunch with a big overhaul in 2024.
Gloomy Wooden
Discovered between Katanga Canyon and Forbidden Valley, Gloomy Wooden solely comprises one journey:
Nonetheless it does have a walkthrough themed footpath which is dwelling to varied statues, gravestones and different installations, titled Haunted Hole. A few of these make noises, together with telling jokes.
As you’d 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 journey. Each these rides are a whole lot of enjoyable, with the rollercoaster appropriate for a lot of youthful guests as effectively.
- Runaway Mine Practice
- Congo River Rapids
Katanga Canyon is themed as an African village. The Runaway Mine journey has one of many lowest top necessities of any rollercoaster within the park (the identical as Octonauts), and may be very widespread with households.
CBeebies Land
CBeebies Land is without doubt one of the most household pleasant areas in Alton Towers, with rides, exhibits and actions centered round entertaining youthful guests.
Actually, 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’ll inform a whole lot of thought has gone into creating an immersive world. As you may see there’s lots to do right here:
- Within the Evening Backyard Magical Boat Experience
- Postman Pat’s Parcel Submit
- 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
- Massive Enjoyable Showtime
- CBeebies Picture Studio
- JoJo & Gran Gran at Residence
- Andy’s Adventures Dinosaur Dig
- Hey Duggee’s Dwell
If we needed to criticize CBeebies Land for something, it’s that queue instances for a number of the rides is usually a bit lengthy on busy days.
Actually, the longest queue we had on a current 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 applications, 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 dwelling to quite a lot of 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 Automobiles Driving College
- Spinball Whizzer
There’s no specific theming across the rides to be trustworthy, they only occur to be within the space of the unique home.
This space can be the place you can see the Alton Towers Dungeon. It is a separate attraction which requires its personal ticket, which you should buy right here. It is a stroll by attraction with costumed actors.
We haven’t visited the Alton Towers Dungeon however we now have visited the dungeon in Edinburgh, London and San Francisco, which provide an analogous expertise.
It’s enjoyable, nevertheless there’s already quite a bit to do at Alton Towers so we wouldn’t say it was a must-see attraction. That mentioned, it’s a good worth particularly should you guide prematurely and it’s a enjoyable expertise.
The World of David Walliams
Discovered simply past The Towers, the World of David Walliams presents a variety of rides that are primarily aimed toward major 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 significantly excessive and the journey heights aren’t overly restrictive. The rides listed below 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 dwelling to a whole lot of family-friendly rides in addition to quite a lot of paid fairground type 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 top restrictions and the queues aren’t 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 efficient possibility whether it is raining.
Lastly, there’s additionally a bar serving drinks in addition to a seating space at Mutiny Bay.
Towers Avenue
If you enter the park by the primary entrance you’ll arrive onto Towers Avenue. This space is themed like a city excessive avenue and is dwelling to varied providers and amenities, together with meals and drinks shops 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 need to 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 pretty and make for a pleasant spot for a break.
You’ll discover all kinds of options, from neatly trimmed topiary hedges, fountains, previous timber, greenhouses, and follies.
Simply bear in mind that the gardens are set throughout a valley, and there will be fairly a number of steps to navigate. So that is value taking into consideration you probably have restricted mobility or are navigating a kids’s buggy.
Accessibility at Alton Towers
Alton Towers offers a whole lot of data and choices for folks with numerous incapacity and mobility wants, and this data is roofed intimately on the web page devoted to accessibility on the Alton Towers web site.
The accessibility strategy at Alton Towers is designed to help anybody with accessibility wants have a protected and pleasurable 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 web site.
Basically, 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 at no cost, and mobility scooters will be employed for the day. The latter will be booked on-line prematurely right here.
Alton Towers additionally presents a Experience Entry Move, which is designed for guests who discover it troublesome to face for extended intervals of time. This offers 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 right here.
For Experience Entry move entry this must be booked prematurely of your go to as purposes are accredited by a third-party who assesses guests’ wants on a person foundation.
Images at Alton Towers
Images is mostly allowed at Alton Towers, nevertheless for probably the most half pictures will not be allowed on the rides (with some exceptions).
So if you wish to get photographs of your self and your loved ones having fun with the rides, you’ll want to contemplate investing in a photograph package deal.
On a current journey to Alton Towers we purchased the digital photograph move for each of the times we had been there. This was £20, and we thought it was fairly wonderful.
The way in which it really works is as follows. As you end a journey, all of the journey photographs 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 machine.
You can even choose 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 move, the photograph seems within the app with a giant watermark and you’ll’t obtain it. Nonetheless, if you pay for the photograph move (both in app on in particular person), the photographs all develop into out there with out watermark, and you’ll obtain them to your telephone for sharing.
The great factor about this technique is that even with six of us, we nonetheless solely wanted to purchase one photograph move. I simply had all of the photographs delivered to my telephone after which shared them. Over the 2 days we had been there we had round 80 photographs, lots of which you’ll see on this information.
It’s additionally value noting that there are extra photograph alternatives than simply journey photographs. One good instance is the The CBeebies Land photograph cease. It is 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 photographs, you can even pay for printouts of journey photographs, though this can be a separate payment.
You should buy the digital photograph move on-line prematurely of your go to right here. You can even purchase it on web site in particular person, or by the app. The associated fee is similar.
Actually, whereas it’s handy to purchase it prematurely, you may need to wait till the top of the day so you may assessment the images within the app after which determine if you wish to purchase them.
I imagine 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 once they had 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 quite a lot of locations promoting snacks which will 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 a wide range of choices, with the twist that each one the meals is delivered through a mini rollercoaster.
- Explorers Pizza Pasta (Katanga Canyon) – buffet restaurant with a variety 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’d think about
- Simply Rooster (X-Sector) – Primarily focuses on fried hen
- Nook Espresso (Towers Avenue) – In addition to espresso it additionally has sandwiches, pastries, and muffins





Eating places within the Resort Space
Word 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.
Lodging at Alton Towers
For an prolonged Alton Towers expertise, you may truly keep on web site at one of many resort lodging choices. There are six completely different lodging choices at Alton Towers throughout a variety of various worth factors.
We expect staying on web site could make sense, particularly if you’re visiting with children because the on-site lodging is actually arrange in the 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 worth, 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 is able to whisk you to the primary park entrance in a couple of minutes.
You can even 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 accommodations.
Right here’s a rundown of all of the lodging choices at Alton Towers to provide you an concept of what to anticipate.
Alton Towers Lodge
Alton Towers Lodge was the primary lodge to be constructed on the park, opening in 1996. It’s a 4* lodge with a big restaurant, bar and virtually 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.
Varied room varieties can be found. On our current go to we stayed in an Arctic Explorer room which was very snug and fairly massive, particularly for 2 of us. It had an en-suite toilet with bathtub, air-conditioning, a small fridge and tea/espresso making amenities.
A lot of the rooms can sleep as much as 4 folks – two adults and two children. They’re pretty massive rooms and regardless that we visited when it was busy the rooms had been quiet.
We actually preferred the theming within the rooms, which has a whole lot of considerate particulars all through, from the carpet to the huge stuffed polar bear on the mattress. Totally different rooms have completely different themes, in addition to completely different facilities.
Air con for instance will not be out there in all of the room, so do examine if that’s necessary to you.
You may see all of the room varieties and their facilities right here– there are a whole lot of choices to select from!
Splash Landings Resort
Opened in 2003, Splash Landings Lodge 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 operating all through. There are water options and themed installations, and the rooms are additionally themed alongside numerous nautical types.
On web site there’s an all you may eat restaurant, Flambo’s Jambo, which has a Carribean theme. There’s additionally a Caribbean themed bar on web site, in addition to common leisure.
Splash Landings is unquestionably a very good possibility, particularly with children. The one factor to pay attention to is that it may possibly get fairly heat within the lodge because the waterpark is on web site, and the rooms don’t have air-con. So the rooms will be fairly heat, even within the cooler months of the yr.
You may see all of the room varieties and their facilities at Splash Landings Resort right here.
CBeebies Land Lodge
CBeebies Land Lodge is the latest lodge at Alton Towers Resort, opening in 2017. On a current go to to Alton Towers with buddies they stayed right here with their two children ages 3 and 6 years previous.
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 web site.
There’s a variety of rooms out there, 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 Lodge means that it’s best for guests with children aged as much as round three. Nonetheless, we’d say that this very a lot is determined by your children and what they’re into, and children as much as 9 or 10 will in all probability adore it.
Our buddies’ children truthfully thought the lodge was wonderful. They liked just about every part about it. Their mother and father significantly appreciated the room format which had the children in their very own alcove in bunk beds, which means they felt virtually like that they had their very own room while nonetheless being in the identical room.
Additionally they loved the meals, the leisure, and the theming all through.
One necessary factor to pay attention to with this lodge and its amenities is that it is just open to visitors staying within the lodge itself.
So if you’re visiting the park as a gaggle and a few of you’re staying in CBeebies Lodge and a few of you’re in different lodging, that is one thing to remember should you plan on eating collectively or watching leisure.
Visitors of the opposite lodging choices can’t go to CBeebies Land Lodge or use its amenities.
We bought round this by having our meals on the Alton Towers Lodge on a current 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 Lodge can be my primary choose if it’s out there. You may see all of the room varieties right here.
Stargazing Pods
The remaining three lodging choices at Alton Towers fall into the Enchanted Village space of the park, which presents a variety 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 will probably be fairly acquainted.
They’re principally small wood constructions that supply an expertise just like tenting however with the advantage of 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 are not any bogs, showers or different washing amenities within the pods themselves, these are all centrally positioned at a separate block which presents bogs, showers and child change areas.
There’s additionally no cooking or refrigeration amenities, you will have to dine at one of many eating places (except you convey your personal picnic type meals).
Stargazing pods are undoubtedly probably the most primary lodging possibility which may make for a very price range pleasant camping-like expertise at Alton Towers.
They’re usually the bottom value lodging possibility at Alton Towers Resort, they usually additionally are inclined to have the most effective availability each time we’ve appeared for final minute lodging.
Woodland Lodges
The unique lodging possibility within the Enchanted Village had 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 foremost room for adults, and a separate children sleeping space with bunk beds and a truckle mattress.
All of the rooms have en-suite loos, flat display TVs and free WiFi. For eating, breakfast is out there 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 now have buddies who stayed right here with their children they usually loved it.
These are typically amongst the extra widespread 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, they usually 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 presently the one lodging possibility at Alton Towers the place you can put together your personal meals.
Different luxuries embody a 50″ TV with video games console, personal sizzling tub and deck, and the usage of an unique takeaway service for meal supply.
After all, 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 further particular, then they’re undoubtedly value trying out.
Lodging Close to Alton Towers
While there are many lodging choices at Alton Towers, it’s not the one possibility on your go to.
We do just like the on-site lodging however if you’re not visiting with children or would identical 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 a very good location for staying the evening 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 variety of en-suite rooms. 7 minutes’ drive from Alton Towers
- The Laurel’s B&B – It is a well-rated B&B which serves breakfast. Rooms are en-suite with tea/espresso making amenities. 8 minutes’ drive from Alton Towers
- The Bay Tree – a really well-reviewed B&B with en-suite lodging and breakfast out there. 8 minutes’ drive from Alton Towers
- Peakstones Inn – This 3* lodge presents a variety of en-suite rooms and there’s an on-site restaurant and bar. Breakfast is out there. 10 minutes’ drive from Alton Towers.
- Heywood Corridor – This property presents quite a lot of self-contained flats, every with a small kitchen an en-suite toilet. There’s additionally a sizzling tub and backyard for visitors use. 12 minutes’ drive from Alton Towers.
- Whiston Corridor – 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 amenities. Breakfast is out there and there’s a restaurant and bar for different meals. 13 minutes drive from Alton Towers
- The Royal Oak – This inn presents a variety of snug rooms within the city of Ashbourne. There’s a restaurant and bar on web site with meals out there. 19 minutes’ drive from Alton Towers.
- YHA Ilam Corridor – 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.
After all, there are tons extra choices to contemplate. You may see a full vary of lodging choices close to Alton Towers on Reserving.com right here, which incorporates quite a lot of 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 Lodge, the Alton Towers Waterpark is open nearly all of the yr.
There are a variety of swimming pools, each inside and outdoors, in addition to numerous water slides. It’s a whole lot of enjoyable and effectively value together with as a part of your go to. You may guide tickets on-line right 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 whole lot of enjoyable taking part in. The holes are very distinctive, and it’s a pleasant solution to spend an hour or two.
A complimentary spherical of 9 holes is generally included for resort visitors, and we extremely advocate making the most of 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 can do it after a day on the theme park!
Discover out extra and guide tickets on-line right here.
Spa
Alton Towers may be very a lot designed to be enjoyable for the entire household, and adults will certainly need to contemplate a soothing journey to the Alton Towers Spa as a part of their go to!
The Spa is present in Alton Towers Lodge, 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 web site right 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 a further cost to go to, so I believed 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 guide tickets right here.
Ideas for Visiting Alton Towers
We’ve visited Alton Towers quite a lot of instances, and primarily based on our experiences we needed 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 no less than cowl which rides you and your group are most occupied with using.
As soon as you recognize which rides you need to do, you may then plan a route across the park. We’d counsel heading for the rides that are more likely 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 instances.
In case you are visiting with children who don’t meet the journey top necessities for all of the rides, or people who aren’t occupied with particular rides, you’ll additionally need to plan for deal with splitting your group up if essential so everybody can have the expertise they need. This may require some compromises, so is finest dealt with prematurely.
You can even keep away from the drama of youngsters discovering they aren’t the correct top to participate in a journey by measuring them prematurely, and planning your route so that they don’t really feel they’re lacking out on something. For instance, you can take them to CBeebies Land or Mutiny Bay after which members of the group might pop off for different rides.
We’d additionally advocate excited about the place you need to eat and when. You may both convey your personal picnic or eat at one of many on-site eating places. These clearly get very busy round lunch time on busier days, and reservations aren’t potential, so that you may need to eat earlier or later within the day.
Carry a Smartphone Charger
The possibilities are that you’re going to be utilizing your telephone lots at Alton Towers. From taking photographs to speaking with buddies to utilizing the app to alter journey instances and discover your means round, it’s going for use lots.
Having your telephone go flat partway by the day, particularly should you’re counting on it to seize reminiscences, discover your means round, or show a Fastrack move, isn’t going to be ideally suited.
For that reason we advocate bringing a USB charger on your telephone. There are tons out there, we presently use one like this which labored effectively to cost our telephone 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 can use to search out your means across the park. When you needed to understand how lengthy a journey queue was, you needed to both bodily go to the journey itself, or try to discover one of many elusive boards displaying journey queue instances and statuses throughout the park.
These days, just about every part is dealt with through the Alton Towers App, which is definitely surprisingly good. Though it does require you to have a smartphone in fact.
The App allows you to do lots, together with:
- Navigate across the park, with instructions, estimated strolling instances and routing out there. It will possibly additionally counsel routes with fewer steps.
- Discover rides primarily based on a wide range of standards, from journey sort by to journey top restrictions
- Show stay journey queue instances and open statuses (solely works on web site)
- E book and use Fastrack passes
- Save and show your Alton Towers ticket
- Discover bogs, eating places, present instances, buggy parks, water refill stations and much extra
- Get digital previews of your journey photographs which you should buy 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! Actually, the app is a must have when visiting Alton Towers, and it’s value downloading prematurely of your go to so you’re absolutely ready. Yow will discover obtain hyperlinks for it right here on the official web site.

E book Your Meals if Staying In a single day
In case you are staying in a single day at one of many on-site lodging choices, it’s actually necessary that you just guide your meals prematurely. That you must guide a timeslot on your breakfast and night meals.
Usually, your breakfast meal will probably be on the lodge the place you’re staying. Even when it’s included, it’s essential make a reservation for a timeslot. These do refill, so the additional prematurely you guide the higher the possibility of getting a very good time.
In your night meal you may select any of the eating places, together with Rollercoaster Restaurant. Nonetheless, relying on the restaurant you should still must guide.
Eating places the place bookings are really helpful 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 most well-liked and has the least seating, so can guide out weeks prematurely for dinner.
Word that solely visitors staying within the CBeebies Lodge are in a position to 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. Word {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
In case you are staying in a single day at Alton Towers, think about using a few of your time while you’re on web site to go to Splash Landings, the on-site waterpark.
For instance, we 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 solution to finish our journey and meant even on the day we had been leaving we nonetheless had a whole lot of enjoyable.
Splash Landings tickets are finest bought prematurely, which you are able to do on-line right here. At busier instances of yr it’s essential choose a timeslot on your go to, so it’s undoubtedly finest to do that prematurely to make sure you may go to at a time that fits you.
Arrive Early and Go away Late
There’s a big 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 making an attempt 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 journey you actually need to do. This manner you’ll have the ability to 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 recommend ready proper till closing time to go away so you may maximise your using instances. Queues undoubtedly get shorter because the day involves an finish, so that you’ll have the ability to squeeze a number of extra rides in.
Options to Alton Towers
You is perhaps 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 biggest space. Nonetheless, listed below are some options to contemplate:
- Thorpe Park
- Blackpool Pleasure Seaside
- Chessington World of Adventures
- LEGOLAND Windsor Resort
- Drayton Manor Park
Alton Towers Regularly Requested Questions
We’re now going to undergo some generally requested questions on Alton Towers.
Are Alton Towers Fastrack Passes Value It?
You is perhaps questioning should you ought to put money into an Alton Towers Fastrack Move. We’ve visited Alton Towers each with and and not using a Fastrack Move, and had a very good expertise each instances.
The passes can undoubtedly be value it, however lots will rely upon how busy the park is in addition to what number of rides (and which rides) you truly plan to journey.
In case you are visiting at a quieter time of yr, you then may discover {that a} Fastrack Move will not be essential as queue instances may not be so lengthy.
In case you are visiting at a busy time of yr, corresponding 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 move is perhaps a very good funding.
We’ve visited throughout a busy time at Alton Towers, when traces for the most well-liked rides had been in extra of two hours. With the Fastrack, traces had been between 5 minutes and 25 minutes. The latter was extra uncommon and normally solely occurred if the journey had paused for a technical cause, inflicting the queue to construct up.
With out the Fastrack, we in all probability would have struggled to journey greater than 3 or 4 rides within the day, and most of our time would have been spent in queues. As we had 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 journey a bigger journey, and be gone and again in round half-hour. We had been additionally in a position to journey many rides, I personally did no less than 15 rides in at some point. So for our go to the Fastrack Move was completely value it.
When you do determine to get the Fastrack, you additionally need to determine which one to get. This can rely tremendously on which rides you need to journey Personally I’d advocate the Silver or Gold passes, as these embody the rides which are inclined to have the longest traces.
While these two passes are solely legitimate for one journey on every attraction, should you handle your time effectively on the park you may usually slot in no less than one non Fastrack journey firstly and finish of the day when the park is quieter should you did need to journey something a number of instances. You can even purchase one-off Fastrack passes on a per attraction foundation.
The platinum Fastrack move is finest for these of you who actually need to journey a number of rides a number of instances, through which case it may possibly make sense.
You should buy Fastrack passes prematurely of your go to right here, on web site at buyer providers, or on-site by the app.
The worth is similar, nevertheless Fastrack passes do promote out, particularly at busier instances of yr.
In case you are visiting at a busier time of yr and need to purchase a Fastrack, it’s extremely really helpful you achieve this prematurely on the web site right here.
In case you are visiting at a quieter time of yr you could favor to buy in particular person if you arrive after you’ve 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 may as effectively get your cash’s value.
For an much more complete expertise, you can even 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 may usually get a second day entry ticket at a cheaper price when buying your authentic ticket, making this a very good worth possibility.
There may be undoubtedly greater than sufficient to do at Alton Towers to fill two full days.
Are the Alton Towers Inns Any Good?
We had been truly very impressed with the Alton Towers accommodations. On our current go to we stayed on the Alton Towers Lodge, while our buddies with their youthful children stayed at CBeebies Land Lodge.
We thought every part was effectively completed, the theme all through, the seamless check-in course of, the attentive workers, the night leisure and the meals had been all wonderful.
It actually added to the general expertise and felt like an extension of the theme park. The youngsters particularly liked 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 accommodations. This bought us near Galactica and The Blade at entry time, which means we had been amongst the primary riders on board.
The one draw back for our keep was that we needed to guide timeslots for all our meals prematurely.
We had been staying for 2 nights so needed to guide breakfast and dinner slots. As we booked final minute there wasn’t a whole lot of availability, and it additionally meant we couldn’t be versatile with our plans.
All of it labored out ultimately and the meals on the eating places we ate at was truly superb. Simply bear in mind that you just do must plan and guide prematurely.
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 in fact.
We’ve visited Alton Towers at numerous instances of yr, together with throughout July college journey time. It can actually be busier, and you could need to put money into a Fastrack ticket on busier days.
Is Alton Towers Good for Households?
Sure, Alton Towers is a improbable time out for households. There may be such a large alternative of rides, sights and actions that everybody within the household will have the ability to have an important time out.
Is Images Allowed at Alton Towers?
Sure, pictures is allowed at Alton Towers.
There are some exceptions. You aren’t allowed to take photographs or movies throughout rides as a result of security, and this will probably be clearly said when queuing for and boarding the journey. Utilizing your telephone or digital camera on rides can get you ejected from the park and should shut down the journey briefly. Maintain your self, your telephone, and different passengers protected by stowing your telephone and cameras earlier than every journey.
If you wish to get photographs of you and your family and friends having fun with the rides, then we advocate trying out the digital photograph move, which covers many of the rides. We all liked that and bought plenty of photographs that means on the rides of all of us. You should buy this on-line prematurely right here or in particular person on web site.
As well as, pictures and videography is closely restricted at Splash Landings, for apparent causes. In case you are inside Splash Landings when it’s open you may usually take restricted photographs of your personal family and friends, however that’s about it. You aren’t allowed to take photographs of different visitors. Finest to go away your telephone or digital camera within the locker except you really want it.
When Splash Landings is closed and empty, you may take photographs of the world.
Can I Take My Personal Meals and Drink to Alton Towers?
Sure, you may take your personal food and drinks to Alton Towers, and there are picnic benches throughout the park the place you may devour your personal food and drinks.
The one actual restriction to this rule is you can’t convey alcohol into the park, though it’s served on web site.
You can also’t take your personal food and drinks into venues the place they serve food and drinks, because the tables are just for paying prospects solely.
There are a number of picnic areas positioned 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 Avenue, and subsequent to Hex.
Are there Ingesting 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 personal 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 without doubt one of the most enjoyable eating experiences at Alton Towers, and children particularly love watching the meals fly across the numerous tracks earlier than arriving at your desk. Actually, adults adore it too!
Sadly, this does imply that the restaurant can be widespread 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 prematurely.
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 aren’t 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 lately on a really busy day at Alton Towers and had no drawback getting a desk at round 11.20am. Nonetheless we weren’t in a position to guide for dinner because it was absolutely booked out for the entire month.
How Lengthy Are the Queues at Alton Towers?
Queue instances at Alton Towers differ massively, from a couple of minutes to over two hours.
There may be big variability in queue time which is determined by how busy the park is, the time of day, the variety of Fastrack Move holders and so forth.
Typically should you go to in off-peak instances (principally in the course of the week exterior of faculty holidays) the queue instances will probably be shorter.
Moreover, usually within the mornings earlier than round 11am and within the afternoons after 3pm most queue instances will begin to cut back.
Is There Wi-Fi at Alton Towers?
Sure, there’s 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 lots higher when you find yourself related to the Wi-Fi community, and utilizing Wi-Fi tends to empty your telephone battery slower than utilizing your cell information.
Does Alton Towers Have Tall Rollercoasters?
One factor you’ll discover if you go to Alton Towers is that it doesn’t have very tall rollercoasters corresponding to you may discover at different theme parks world wide.
The rationale for that is that Alton Towers will not be allowed to construct any journey that goes above tree top. Because of this many rides are cleverly constructed in sunken areas or to even go under 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 will not be essentially recognized for year-round wonderful climate, so that you is perhaps questioning how rain and wind can have an effect on the rides at Alton Towers.
The excellent news is that almost all rides will usually run within the rain, except it is extremely heavy rain. If there’s thunder or lightning this could additionally influence rides. Excessive wind may also result in journey closures.
In any other case although, visiting on a moist day can truly be helpful in some regards as there’ll usually be fewer guests and shorter queues.
Lastly, Alton Towers presents a rainy-day assure. Which means that if the climate leads to journey closures to the purpose that Alton Towers deems it a “Wet Day”, then it is possible for you to to return on a unique day at no cost.
If this occurs throughout your go to, as an alternative of writing off the day, contemplate visiting the Waterpark. There’s a payment to take action however as you’re already on web site it’d flip the day round. You’ll simply want to recollect to convey your swimwear.
You may learn extra concerning the Wet Day assure and what it covers right here.
Additional Studying
That’s it for our information to visiting Alton Towers! We hope you discovered it helpful.
Earlier than you go, we needed to share a number of of our different guides that you just may discover helpful.
- For wider UK journey planning, we now have urged one week and two week UK itineraries
- We’ve guides to many different cities in England. See our information to issues to do in Manchester, issues to do in Stratford upon Avon, issues to do in Bristol, issues to do in Portsmouth, tips about a weekend in York, tips about Visiting Oxford on a Day Journey, and issues 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 finest day journeys from Glasgow, our information to issues to do in Edinburgh, our itinerary for Skye and the Highlands, our information to the finest day journeys from Aberdeen, and our information to the most effective day journeys from Edinburgh to get you began. We even have a information to getting from London to Edinburgh.
- We’ve a information to 10 of the most effective Stately Properties 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’ve something you’d add to the above, or a query about an upcoming go to? Simply tell us within the feedback under!