Alton Towers...just amazing (Alton Towers (Staffordshire))

Member Name: jazzy_jade

Product:	Alton Towers (Staffordshire)
Date:	04/07/06 (1264 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great White Knuckle Thrills

Disadvantages: Long Queues

Alton Towers is known for being an outstanding theme park. With its great food, beautiful gardens and of course the absolutely amazing rides, this theme park is not to be missed.

So what's actually at Alton Towers?

Many people that haven't been find it a theme park for adults, and when i first went as a young child, i thought it would be like that. However, my day was jam packed full of amazing rides and i loved it compleatly.

The park is great for all ages, and has rides for all. There are family things, and the scary rollercoasters that you scream so much on.

Entering the park via the monorail is the first amazing thing that happens to you on your journey of adventure. You walk into towers street which is rather boring, and you can't see many rides. The surprise is just waiting round the corner though, as you enter Merrie England, and see some gentle rides that can get you started.

This is an account of my usual route around the park, which works quite well:

You will firstly see the skyride, which is nice and relaxing, and most people go onto first. This will take you to Nemesis and Air, rides that will get busy quickly, so you should really go on first.

The skyride goes over the flume, so you can see what a cool ride it is. Also it takes you over merrie england.

Getting off the sky ride you will be able to see Forbidden Valley, home to both Nemesis and Air. Also there are a load of ultra cool rides that really get you into the theme park spirit.

Nemesis is an excellent ride, that does a zero G barrel roll at the begginning, which is just fantastic for all of you thrill seekers. The ride is actually the first inverted coaster, which means you hang under the track. This has an amazing effect on your ride, and you feel as though you could fall any minute.

Air is the next ride, which is such a unique ride. I didn't like the look of it at first, and thought it a little boring. It then proved me wrong as you really get that flying feeling. The best part of it was when you fly on your back, which really took me by surprise. An excellent ride to do, and it's suitable for all kinds of people.

Usually the next ride is the blade, which is in the centre of the Forbidden Valley. I didn't realise at the time how scary this pirate ship was. It's a cracking ride, and must be ridden at least once, whatever you think about it.

Ripsaw is the final ride in forbidden valley. You spin over and over and round and round continuously. it's really good, and there's a twist, you will get wet! Water jets shoot up from below you, and soak you in water.

Going out of the exit to Forbidden Valley you go into a dark and mysterious place. The Gloomy Wood. This area of the park has only one ride, but what a ride it is.

'Duel' is a haunted house with a difference. You are placed in a wagon and you have to shoot the ghools and ghosts before they shoot you. A great family ride, and the queue's aren't usually too long.

Moving on you come to Katanga Canyon. This section has the rapids and the mine train, two great family rides.

The River Rapids are very impressive. There are waterfalls, and you usually get quite wet. Fantastically designed and a must ride.

The Runaway mine train looks quite childish, and you would get that kind of view naturally. I moaned when we had to go on this and not Oblivion a second time. I soon shut up once we set off. The speed is immence, and the roughness and freedom of this ride is incredible. One of my favourite rides...definatly.

After that exciting section of Alton Towers, I would move to Merrie England, a place that i have been before. Here there are the tea cups which are most enjoyable.

Walking ahead, you will go out of merrie england. Now you are in the centre of the park, where there is a lake and various acitvites and attractions to enjoy.

Walking to the towers, you may enjoy a ride on Hex, one that i have not been on. Apparently it's worth going on, but not a ride to have seconds at the end of the day.

Turning left you will come to UG Land, a fantastically themed section of Alton Towers everyone enjoys. Here there is the awsome thrill ride that everyone wants to go on...Rita. From a lauch of 100mph to fantastic turns and whirls this ride is not to be missed. Incredibly fast and exciting, Rita is everyone's favourite ride.

Also there is Corkscrew, one of...if not the first ride in Alton Towers. It;s very rickerty, but worth going on. I found that when i was very small i bashed my head a lot on the ride, so make sure you're careful if you're small. Corkscrew has at least one loop, and is not to be missed.

A final ride that i must mention here is the UG Swinger. This ride is excellent, and i really like it. It's so fun, and a great family ride that everyone enjoys. really great and is themed well.

Moving on into cred street, your first idea will probably be to go on Charlie and the Chocolate factory. I have yet to go on that, but from the clips on the internet, the ride seems to have many great effects and is quite fantastic.

In cred street there are also many other rides like the Carrosel and the Frog Hopper that are great for the very young.

Turning right you will come to the most terrifying ride...

Oblivion...

Heading towards the X-Sector your legs may fail you. This is not a section for the faint hearted. Your first site will be the terrifying drop of oblivion. This ride exerts more than 4.5 G on your body, and can leave a headache. It's just that dangerous. The vidios you see in the queue are not jsut to freak you out. They are real life dangers that could easily happen. The overall ride is very short, but it is a good one. Hanging over the edge you see word on the floor only the riders can see.

DON'T LOOK DOWN

When reading the word down, you are shot down into Oblivion! There is more decent underground than overground. It's amazing that the drop is actually 180ft!!!!

There are other rides in the X-Sector that must be ridden. Subbmision is a new ride and it's quite a good one. You spin over and over, a bit like ripsaw but there are two carriages and you don't get wet. It's not the best ride i've been on, but i recommend you go on it.

The final ride in X-Sector is Enterprise, which works entirely on the influence of G-Force. You go upside down...but there is nothing more than flimsy seatbelt to hold you into your seat. A must ride, at least once.

Finally, you exit the X-sector and head down to Adventure Land. This has the ever popular ride Spinball Whizzer, a ride that is quite new. It;s a rollercoaster, but the carriages spin round and round faster and faster. Very exciting, and one of my favourites.

Also in Adventure Land there is a lot of small rides for young children like the squirrel nutty ride.

The final section is Old MacDonalds farm yard, home to some great rides for youngesters and some relaxing boat trips.

These include:

Riverbank Eyespy,
Doodle Doo Derby,
Old MacDonalds Tractor Ride,
Old MacDonalds Singing barn,
Skyride,

All of these great attractions add up to one great day and an excellent experience not to be missed. Make sure you find time to eat somewhere, there are pleanty of places in all sections of the park. Have a good time.

(Sorry if it's a little long)

Jade x

Summary: Ride orders and what to do when can be found in this review.