Alton Towers, worth it when its sunny! (Alton Towers (Staffordshire))

Member Name: kirstenc

Product:	Alton Towers (Staffordshire)
Date:	16/10/09 (41 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Loads to do, suitable for all

Disadvantages: Not so much to do when its wet

I have been to Alton Towers twice now with my other half, as part of a coach tour from Dundee.

I will be reviewing the full experience of the theme park, and will review the other aspects of the package seperately.

Now we paid £100 each for this trip, 2 days tickets, travel, and one night in a hotel in Derby, therefore, the price was not too bad if you divide it all up.

The first time we visited last year, it rained all day on the saturday, and I mean rained. Everyone was walking round like gigantic blueberries in those ponchos that you get. I was wearing jeans that first time, and I would not recommend it, espescially if it ends up raining. The second time we went, I wore lightweight cargo trousers, so that they would dry off quicker. Theres nothing worse than sitting on a coach for 8 hours with wet jeans on!!

The main negative thing I have to say about this park is that there isnt much to do if it is raining. There are a couple of arcades, but they are pretty small, and theres nowhere indoors to sit unless you are going to be spending money on food. No indoor rides or kids play areas or the like, and I think that this would be a great addition to the park when they are considering how to improve. Due to the parks location, and the fact that once you are in, thats you for the day, I feel that there needs to be more in the way of indoor entertainment, or even just improved arcades etc. We spent 2 thirds of our day in a kids time machine show (which was great fun actually) as it was the only place we could find that wasn't wet, and the other third waiting for it to stop raining enough for a ride to open up!

On the other hand, when it isnt raining, as we experienced the second time we visited, the park is definately suitable for all. We thrill seeked to the point of near death, and I loved every second of it!

There were no children on our visits, but as the mother to a 6 year old boy, I couldnt help but notice the things that make this a real family place to be. Each white knuckle ride is in a slightly different area to the others, allowing younger children the pleasure of the smaller rides while parents can decide if they want to risk the embarrasment of THAT photo mid air upside down and screaming like a banshee!!

The Pirate show in Mutiny Bay is fabulous, we ended up watching it twice, the kids get a splashing, and the effects are pretty cool. It only lasts about 10-15 minutes, so theres no chance of boredom kicking in with the youngsters. I would certainly recommend this show, and even though it is outdoors, the seating area is in a huge tent structure, complete with heaters, get a table near to one of these on a cold october day and you will be very very happy!!

There are enough rides in this place to please thrill seekers of all types, and I am proud to say I did them all, except Oblivion, which is a 90 degree drop into the earth, and I think that I probably will never do it, main reason being not the drop itself but the fact that you are falling into a hole in the ground, past a bunch of sadistic spectators who are laughing and pointing, eating hotdogs while you are tying to remember if you finished the will you had been intending to draft. Its the not knowing of it for me, all the other rides, I can see how they end up, but this one goes into nothingness...what happens in that pit of doom?? Reports have told me that its not much, and that there really isnt anything to tell other than the 90 degree drop, but unfortunatley I wimped out, Oh well theres always next year!

I did experience AIR, which is a unique rollercoaster in the way that you are actually lying on your front, almost flying rather than being in a standard seated position. This makes it actually one of the most pleasant while knuckle rides that I have been on. I felt more secure on this one, as my legs were also held in place (dont you sometimes feel that you will be the one person who ends up kicking a tree, or that your shoe will fall off and hit someone in the head with your legs flailing around on some of the other rides?) I actually kept my eyes open the whole time, and thoroughly enjoyed myself, it really is an experience that cannot be described, more of an experience than some of the others, as it is so unique.

Nemesis is one of the leg flailing ones...and I have to say, not saying that the ride is bad cos its ace, but this is one queue I loved being in (half an hour at the most too, much better than I thought, and I have been on it 5 times) You are literally underneath, or right next to the track at all times, and the scene has been set as a tropical forrest type thing. Little streams and waterfalls etc But wait, is that water RED?? is that blood? has there been a terrible accident?? Why is the track all stained??
Its a great mental game that they play with you, and believe me, it works!! I was so nervous the first time that I nearly turned around and left!! It was worth it though, I even went to the front seat the second time!

Now after all these thrills (theres more, but I wont detail them all, I am already approaching 1000 words) you may not want to eat anything, and when you see the prices, this feeling may be reinforced...like I said previously, once you are in there is nowhere else to go...therefore they can charge what they would like and you have no option but to pay for it. We even ventured into the Burger King, as we thought that it would be better value, but the cost of the meals was doubled, as this was the Burger King in Alton Towers, not the High Street in Dundee!!
Next time we go, we will be taking packed lunches, crisps, sandwiches etc, and will be hoping that it is sunny enough to sit at one of the picnic benches rather than spending so much money on food that I cant get any souvineers!! I think that, espescially if you are driving yourself, or staying in acommodation, this would be a highly recommended thing to do, a nice picnic, and extra money to spend on 'real stuff'

One great deal is the unlimited drinks refil..If you but one of the plastic cups, with neck strap and straw (very fashionable...ish) for, I believe approximately £5.99, you get unlimited drinks refils throughout the day. At £3 a drink anyway, it pays for itself, and of course, you can share!! so £5.99 effectively for a family of 3 or for to have as many soft drinks as they wish, plus you get to keep the cup!! BARGAIN!

All in all, it is definately a recommended trip, one day may do it for many people, but if you live quite a distance away I would recommend 2, you get offers when your in which mean that you can come again the next day for a very good price, and they of course have the water park and hotels (which I have not visited so cannot really comment on)

Summary: Everyone should go at least once, take a picnic!