Alton Towers (England)

ALTON TOWERS

Every year I visit the Alton Towers Theme Park with a bunch of friends, and every year I really enjoy it.
It has everything you need for a fun day out. All the rides, lots of places to eat, walks around the gardens, live shows for both children and adults, and the list goes on.
Last time I visited the Park was late October 2005, for the 'Terror Of The Towers' themed weekend, this of course being a weekend where you not only get the usual rides and other pleasures of the theme park, but also a lot of people get dressed up in their Halloween gear, and Alton Towers opens that little later for a scarier feel, and also puts on a fantastic firework display.

But first of all, lets split this review into sections, and before I tell you about my experiences of the rides (which you're bound to tease me about forever!) lets take a little look into the history of Alton Towers, and then go onto the rides and other amenities.

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Alton Towers - THE HISTORY OF THE PARK
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Dating back to the 8th Century, Alton Towers was once a big fortress site held by King of Mercia, Ceolred. Not much is known about the fortress back then, but there was said to be a big battle where the Tower gardens now stand between King Ceolred and the King Ine of Wessex.
Later on in time, the estate was passed on to the Talbot family who inherited the property when the first Earl, John Talbot died. The estate was then passed through the family until the 15th Earl of Shrewsbury, Charles, decided to make big changes to both the tower and the gardens. He wanted to make the grounds one of the best gardens in Britain, creating huge lakes and pools on the huge premises.
After big alterations to both tower and gardens in 1811, the name of the grounds was changed to Alton Abbey.
Charles died in 1827, but nephew John Talbot (yes another John) carried on his work, however, after his death the fate of the towers seemed doomed as a huge legal battle arose between the families of the Earls claiming the grounds. After many years Henry Talbot one the battle, but at a huge cost, forcing him to open the grounds to the public for the first time in 1860 to raise money for the maintenance of it.

In 1924 Alton Towers was sold to a business man of local origin. He auctioned off all the contents of the house and opened a few shops and restaurants as there were still a growing number of visitors. This soon became the initial start of the tourist attraction today.

Once the Second World War was upon Britain Alton Towers was used by the Army as an officer-training.
Again, this caused massive upset to the grounds and more repair work was needed, as the grounds wore tired.
1951 finally saw that the grounds were finally handed back to the Alton Towers company.

Dennis Bagshaw became the new owner in the 1970's adding attractions such as boat rides and cable cars, then once The Alton Towers company was passed onto John Broome, son -in-law to the owner, Alton Towers was finally restored and visitors came in their thousands every year. The money earned from visitors was concentrated on new projects - thrill rides, and by 1980 the park was pretty much shaped into what we see today, with its first instalment of a major roller coaster, 'The Corkscrew', a double looping 'coaster which was the UK's first, following a pirate ship, (which today we call 'the Blade') and many more rides. As time went on through the 80's, bigger and better rides were set up on the grounds, with such likes as the log flumes, and the black hole (which is sadly gone now). The park has been extended time after time to incorporate its many rides over the years. And now today, it's the UK's leading Theme Park attraction.

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Alton Towers - THE RIDES
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Alton Towers constantly incorporate new thrill rides. Half of them I'm petrified of because of the heights and speed; however I still get managed to be persuaded to go on them. So which ride can I start with……..

AIR -

Now I know I am not Superman, BUT MY LORD I FLIED! Never in all of my born days have I ever experienced such a thrill and yet absolutely petrified at the same time. This 'thing' whizzes you in the air, faster than a speeding bullet, around many ungodly bends while you're flat facing the floor! OH YES YOUR FACING THE FLOOR! This roller coaster is not like your average day ones, it lies you down whilst your going around the track and full pelt, to give you that flying experience. With the adrenaline rush I felt from that, once I got off I could hardly walk, but yet strangely enough I rather enjoyed it, although I did not pluck up the courage to go on it a second time.
The ride was installed in 2002, and is in the 'Forbidden Valley' area of the park. The ride cost £12 million, and has speeds up to 47 mph, on a track length of 140 metres.
You can normally expect a queue time of two hours for this ride in peak season without a fast track ticket. It has an additional shop at the side of the ride called…yes you guessed it.. 'The Air Shop', where you can purchase personalised items of the ride including your ride photos.
A height restriction applies of 1.4 metres for anyone to be able to ride this attraction.
All in all, I would give this ride 7 out of 10, even more if you're a complete thrill seeker!

NEMESIS-

Ok, onto the next monster. The Nemesis was installed in 1994, again located in the 'Forbidden Valley' of the park, and I am starting to understand why they call that part of the park this, as it should be bloody forbidden especially if you have a heart condition!
The speed of this ride is approx 50mph, over a track length of 716 metres. It has many twists and turns, and a loop from hell, as well as one or two very steep drops. Queue time in peak season can be an hour & a half, and a height restriction of 1.4 metres applies. I would give this the same rating as I did for the Air ride as it is just as thrilling yet just as scary.

CONGO RAPIDS-

This ride was previously known as the Grand Canyon Rapids, but since had a name change. The ride was installed in 1986 and is placed in the Katanga Canyon area of the park. This is one of the parks more enjoyable rides, and of course having a laugh at someone else's expense at getting soaked! You will no doubt get wet on this ride, it has many bends with rushing water ready to lap the sides of your 'dingy' around the rapids, and also has lots of water fountains and squirters that aim water straight at you….how nice. Height restriction is 0.9 metres, and this ride gets a rating of 9/10 for me, I found it completely enjoyable even if I did look like I had been swimming.

RITA-

Well if looks can deceive! I thought this roller coaster looked a little friendlier than that of the Nemesis and Air, plus the fact it is actually named after a girl. Well, one question……..Does anyone reading this fancy a face lift! This 'mother' of a ride shocks you as it pulls off at a speed of 100mph in just three seconds, if you could have seen my face at the start I looked like shrek! And yes I was green!
It really is like being in a rocket (not that I have ever been in a rocket, but I can imagine). I have never experienced such a speed so quickly; it was a complete adrenaline rush and a shocking surprise. It did not scare me; just the shock of the speed makes the ride what it is. I completely loved it, it was fantastic. It carries on the 100mph speed around a track that's 650 meters long, and the ride has been nicknames 'Queen of Speed', and I can certainly see why. This ride was installed in 2005, and I was really glad to experience it. It has a height restriction of 1.4 metres, and my overall rating would be 10/10 for a complete thrill.

OBLIVION-

I was warned, I had been told, I watched the ride umpteen times before deciding weather I should or shouldn't. I had missed out on this ride the year before for being too scared to go on it, and this time I was determined to conquer my fear.
Into the 2 hour long queue I go, shaking, sweating, biting my nails, smoking ten to the dozen. I am getting closer and closer to the point of no return, and a stupid automated voice is played in the background saying 'prepare for embarkation'! Amongst other sounds telling us that we are actually mad to think of riding the thing! I would have turned back if I didn't have to pass the mile long queue of teeny boppers who look over amused of having the chance to ride the attraction for the third time, and I towered over them.
Onto the ride I go, strapped in, sweating to death, with my friends laughing at me, and the ride attendant loving every moment. The ride starts, we proceed to go up a hill that I swear looks like its going to hit a cloud, we level off, go around the bend, and if life isn't bad enough at this point we are dangled over the edge of a huge drop! Once again, the annoying voice makes a re-appearance, 'DON'T LOOK DOWN'!, what do I do? I look, I scream, it drops, my stomach has gone, we level off once again, the ride stops AND I PUKE!
As you may have gathered, the experience of this ride is forever in-bedded in my mind. I was scared to death, completely did not enjoy it, however I conquered the ride.
The ride was installed in 1998, the track length is 373 metres. It cost 312 million and is one of the parks most popular rides. Height restrictions again apply at 1.4 metres.
I am not going to rate this ride as it would be unfair to the ride itself as I was a complete baby, but for those who dare, you can find it in the 'X-SECTOR' of the park and you have my up-most respect, (you fools).

RIPSAW-

This ride was installed in 1997. You sit on a long seating pad, with dozens of other people, which then proceeds to spin you in the air, and sometimes spinning you 50 metres high at some points of the rides sequence. But if that's not enough pleasure, the dam thing sprays you too.
The ride is placed in the Forbidden Valley of the park, (of course it would be), and it has a height restriction of 1.4 metres long. Ride rating from me would be 6/10

THE FLUME-

Again one of the more enjoyable rides, although you get wet. It is also one of the parks oldest, dating back to 1981, but has scene a recent makeover since sponsored by Imperial Leather, making it seem like your stepping into a bath tub about to take a wash.
It is surprisingly long especially as you can't see it from where your queuing for the ride. It has several drops, but none that are high enough too scare many. The ride gets a fat 8/10 from me, and can be found in the 'Merrie England' part of the park.

THE CORKSCREW-

One of the parks first rides, The Corkscrew. Double looping roller coaster, not a patch on some of the roller coasters they have there now, but never the less still a good old runner. Located in the UG Land area of the park, a height restriction of 1.4 metres applies, the track length is 750 metres long and goes to speeds of 65mph. My rating for this ride is 6/10.

THE DUEL-

This has been known as the Haunted House, but they have revamped it with laser guns that you can now actually shoot the ghosts with. It seems like a glorified ghost train. It is quite fun, some younger ones might be a little scared of it, but obviously that is for you to judge. But is a family ride, and it's a worthwhile attraction to the park, 8/10 would be my rating.

THE ENTERPRISE-

Opposite the Oblivion in the X-Factor zone of the park, the enterprise is a wheel with more than two dozen carriages. The ride starts spinning round and round before actually tilting on a vertical upright position. It has hardly any restraints as the gravity force holds you in. It is quite fun, but made me feel a little sick, must be my week stomach perhaps?

SPINBALL WIZZER-

Another fairly new attraction being installed in 2004. I loved this ride. It really does shake you about like a pinball on a track. It does not go that high, although maybe unsuitable for some youngsters. I really liked it, and would rate it 8/10.
The track is themed as a giant pinball game, that hold four people per car.

HEX, THE LEGEND OF THE TOWERS-

This ride really themes the whole park, and it more of a tour of the tower itself. It was installed in the parks season of 2000, and the tour tells you of the 'curse f the towers', before taking you on a ride in which the room revolves. It is quite interesting, and another worthwhile experience for the whole of your family to enjoy. My rating for this ride would be 9/10 as it would suit everyone.

THE BLADE-

Not really that much to say about this ride, it is quite simply a pirate ship. So 6/10 would be my rating.

THE RUNAWAY MINE TRAIN-

This is just a roller coaster that goes round a lot of bends. No loops are on this, and it is pretty much aimed as a family roller coaster. Installed in 1992, with speeds up to 40mph over a 456 metre long track. I rate this 7/10 for it being a family ride.

THE SUBMISSION-

This to me was a glorified pirate ship, which instead of making you sway quite steeply from side to side, it goes up and over too. So you may be glad to know it has more restraints than that of a pirate ship ride. My rating would be 7/10 for the thrill factor.

OK THEN………so far I have told you about mainly adult rides, but there are children's as well.

THE TEACUPS - pretty much self explanatory.

UG SWINGER- This is the old fairground type ride, with lots of swings that spins around for about 5 minutes, perfect for the younger side of your family, I would rate this 7/10 for the children.

THE BEASTIE- This is a junior roller coaster which quite simply goes round a figure 8 type track, another young child pleaser. 5/5 would be my rating.

SQUIRELL NUTTY RIDE- One of the better rides for the children, themed as a kind of outdoor nature flat roller coaster, telling a short story to the children on its journey around the track. 10/10 for the kids enjoyment.

They also have a huge Ball house for the younger ones called the Ribena Berry Bish Bash, and also a Doodle Doo Derby which is a roundabout ride aimed at young children, which consists of different animals on which children can sit on while the ride spins slowly around the central pivot.

Well that's most, if not all the rides out of the way, so what else does this park have to offer its visitors?

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Alton Towers- 'LAID BACK DAY'
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Well like I have stated in the history of Alton Towers, it weren't always about the rides before the Tuassaurds Group brought it. The Gardens and its walks have always been an attraction for most of its visitors. You could take a good hour walk if not longer around the gardens that surround the park, or take the cable cars for a birds eye view. Also you can row a boat along the lake that they have there, both activities being a more relaxing part to the Alton Towers experience.
Also the park offers children's shows like the tweenies so that you can give yourself a rest whilst they amuse your children. A few sporting challenges are around the park, like a football shootout which I noticed last time I was there to test your skills. If rides are not your bag, there are plenty more activities that the park has to offer.

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Alton Towers- PLACES TO EAT
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There are so many fast food restaurants and bars, you won't be stuck for something to eat.

Fast food outlets include McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee. There is also a family restaurant and a pub in the medieval-themed section. Healthy food is a bit hard to find however.
Most of the time it is best to take along a packed lunch as they have a nice picnic greenery and many people do this. You have lockers near the main entrance should you want to leave anything in them instead of carrying them round, such as packed lunches.

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Alton Towers- GETTING AROUND THE PARK
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The park has been set out in sections as you might have guessed from the ride locations. You are given a map when you arrive onto the park and the sections do make it easier to plan your route, so I would strongly advise you to make sure you read through it.

The park and it amenities are set out in ten sections, which are:
UG Land, Cred Street, The Towers,
X-Sector, Merrie England, Forbidden Valley,
Katanga Canyon, Gloomy Wood,
Old McDonalds Farmyard, Adventure Land.

Cable cars go to each part of the named sections. The sections are categorised and themed around the rides. For example, you're likely to find the scariest rides in the 'Forbidden Valley', but in 'UG Land' your likely to find children's amenities.

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Alton Towers - HOTELS
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If you are wanting more than a day at the park, then stopping in one of their hotels is the best bet for you.

There are two hotels. The original Alton Towers hotel, and the Splash Landings hotel.

The Alton Towers Hotel

I stayed here last year and really enjoyed it. You can pick from themed rooms, which most of the hotel is throughout. The staff are very helpful and friendly, and the restaurants and bars serve good food and have a pleasant atmosphere.
We went in the peak of the summer season, and the weekend cost us £189.99 for two adults, which included a full breakfast, and passes onto the theme park.
You can find details on the hotel at Alton Towers official website, and even book online at www.alton-towers.co.uk .

The Splash Landings Hotel

This somewhat new hotel is a very beech themed oasis. I have not personally stayed in this one, but looks fantastic, with its hotel set out like a Caribbean Village. Again, details and booking information can be found on the official website.

But to sum up the hotels, if you wanted to go for more than a day, your hotel price normally includes your pass onto the park. And it certainly is a more relaxing way to enjoy the entire park.

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Alton Towers - NEW FOR 2006
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Every year they try to incorporate something new to the park, to keep visitors to returning.
This year they are doing a kind of Willy Wonker and The Chocolate Factory theme.
In the park, from the 8th to 23rd April they are having a chocolate volcano which will erupt twice a day with loads of chocolate treats flowing out of it.
Hotel guests can get great value theme park tickets, so you can enjoy the chocolate fest too. The whole park and its hotels will be transformed into a chocolate theme, which should be great fun for the kids.

This themed event is no doubt aimed at launching their new attraction, The Charlie and The Chocolate Factory ride, aimed for children, with glass elevators, all of which trying to bring the actual movie to life.

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Alton Towers- PRICES
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Alton Towers opens this year on the 19th March 2006, apart from the hotels which are open all year round. The season ends on the 29th of October. They will start by just opening for weekends, and half terms, until the main season kicks in.

Prices for the park are as follows:

Adults 12 years and over - £29.50
Children 4 - 11 years - £19.00
Children under 4 years - Free
Disabled visitors - £14.75
Seniors - £14.75
Family Ticket (2 adults & 2 children) - £72.00

There are also special internet rates for the park, these are £23 for adults, and £16.00 for children.

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Alton Towers- LOCATION AND CONTACT DETAILS
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You can view more information and book online at www.alton-towers.co.uk

For park enquires, tel: 08705 20 40 60
Hotel bookings, tel: 0870 458 5195

Alton Towers is in Alton, Staffordshire between Uttoxeter and Stoke. The website offers a map of how you can get there from whatever direction you maybe travelling in.

Address:

Alton Towers
Alton
Staffordshire
ST10 4DB
England

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Alton Towers - My Conclusion
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Although Alton Towers theme park is mainly enjoyed by grown ups for their fantastic thrill seeking rides, they also have a lot to offer children and other members of the family.
The price may seem high, but it is a full day out, and in my opinion, completely worth it.
As for the hotel prices, I normally stay away from the peek season times as I find it a little expensive.
I don't think anyone would be stuck for things to do, whatever the weather will be on the day of your visit. I think it's one of the best days out in Britain which suits many people. The queues can sometimes be long and annoying, but then again, at least your stomach has time to settle down. Also you are able to get 'fast-passes' which allow you to go on a ride at a certain time with hardly any queue.
Alton Towers do have theme weekends which pop up on their website every now and again, to which they will send you a free brochure if required. The best theme weekend I have attended is the last weekend their park is open, which is normally called 'The Terror Of The Towers', which have a fantastic firework display at the end of the day. Also a lot of youngsters and adults for that matter dress up in Halloween gear for the occasion.
I rate the park 9/10 for a good, fun exciting day out.

Thanks for reading my review, Dempsey

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Alton Towers - Did You Know?
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I don't normally include a 'did you know' section in my reviews, but being a frequent visitor to Alton Towers I found this information quite interesting -

Most Roller coaster rides at Alton Towers need to be built in a huge dug out pit as they are not allowed to build roller coasters above tree level.

How true that is I don't know, but interesting never the less.