We as a group chosen Alton Towers for many reasons, but mainly because it has many fantastic rides that will take your breath away, in addition to the fantastic scenery. We had heard from other friends that it's an adventure for children and adults alike. We wanted to go somewhere that we would have a fantastic time and also be able to get some memorable pictures and stories
Getting There
We driven from Scotland (Edinburgh) - It taken approximately 5hrs to drive there, that was leaving at 2am and getting to Stoke at 7am. Alton Towers theme park is a 20 min drive from Stoke. Travelling from the North you need to take Junction 15 off the M6, when travelling on the M6 be aware there are many average speed cameras, so set your car to cruise control and sit back and don't get the urge to hammer it down the motorway.
Travelling from the south you need to take Junction 16 off the M6, No direct buses run from Scotland too Alton, so if you need to get there my other methods you can either
Fly in to Manchester, Birmingham or Sheffield. Now these airports are not that close however if air travel is the only option then they will need to do.
Please be advised if using sat nav to get to the park, your sat nav will take you through the town of Alton. Watch out for information signs as at one point a sign clearly tells you not to follow sat nav. I ignored that sign on day one and went the sat nav route only to be taken on too long, narrow, country roads. This was not ideal for someone who has not driven on them before.
Parking
Alton Towers has a very large car park available for customers use, and obviously they do charge for this privilege. Your charge £4 per car and you MUST buy the token before you leave the theme park. If not you will have to walk all the way back to get one. Now you can pay £10 for priority parking which will
allow you to park nearer to the park and not have to queue as much to park. We used the main £4 car park, you're instructed by car park staff as to which car park you need to park in, I advise all visitors to take note of the car park letter. There are huge signs with the letter, ie A B C. This will make it so much easier to find your car on leaving the park. Once you have parked, simply make your way to the theme park. Don't worry just follow the huge line of people making towards the park. Beware it's a long walk back to the park. I reckon it taken us approximately 20mins to walk back to the park.
Note there is no CCTV in the car park, so make sure you remove all valuables that includes your satellite navigation. I would suggest placing them all in the boot.
Admission
Wow you have made it this far now time to get the ticket. On entering the park you will see several booths that all sell you tickets. Prices will shock you so sit back and take it all in. Adult online £29 saves you 20% against gate price Child online £22 saves you 20% against gate price. Group booking of 10 or more receives a discount - £22.50 per adult and £15.30 per child.
Now these are just your standard prices, these tickets give you unlimited access to all the rides within the theme park. But you do have additional options available.
One thing to look out for is companies running promotions on tickets' to Alton Towers such as Kellogg's, Tesco and others. They often offer Buy one get one free.
Depending on when you arrive at the park you are likely to have long delays at the booth's, from my experience we had to wait approximately 30mins to buy our tickets, then we had to queue another 10mins to get in to the main park.
In the main park
As soon as you're inside the main gates you given a map of the park which just looks like a colourful sheet of paper with the odd ride stuck in the middle. I strongly suggest that you allow one person to navigate the park using the free map. When you get to term with the map is very easy to use and follow.
Within minutes of entering the park you're greeted by stunning scenery, lovely greenery, gorgeous flowers and not a piece of litter to be seen. It's hard to believe at this stage you're in the biggest theme park in the UK. There is nothing to suggest that from initially scanning the park.
The park is laid out very well and there are sign posts all over the park too, set in to approximately 10/11 sections it makes it easier to locate your favourite ride. UG Land, Cred Street, The Towers, X-Sector, Merrie England, Forbidden Valley, Katanga Canyon, Gloomy Wood,Old McDonalds Farmyard, Adventure Land is the name of all the sections, clearly marked on your map and clearly sign posted for all over the park.
For adults and kids alike, Cable cars go from each named section. Simply using your map and going to the cable station, you can jump on and off as you please. Not only does this give you wee legs from pain but it also allows you to see the park from a good height. This is a perfect opportunity for pictures.
The Rides
The part I have been waiting for, here is my personal opinion and some facts about many of Alton Towers rides.
Name :Nemesis Queue Time: 45 Minutes - Mixture of indoor and outdoor queuing. Positive: Sheer dropped involved Negative: The technical fault which delayed us in the station Location: Forbidden Valley Max Speed: 50MPH
Operating since 1994 and at a cost of 10million this is my favourite ride, sitting alongside 3 other friends. The buzzer goes and you're out of the station, a steady climb to the top of the track before you are fired down the drop with tilts in slightly (speed here is 50mph) for that split second your heart is wanting it to be over. But for the next 1min and 20second you're on this ride and the only way is forward. A few more twists and several more loop the loop turns and your back at station. Personally I loved this ride; the first drop does it for me each and every time. There is a height restriction of 1.4mtrs so if short you're unable to travel. Rating 10/10
Name: Air Queue Time: 115 Minutes - All outdoor until just before you board Positive: Speed Negative: Just the queue Location: Forbidden Valley Max Speed: 46.6MPH
I believe I can fly! Is what you will think the second you get off this ride, once again sitting in with your friends you're titled down to face the floor and then catapulted along the track at 46MPH, the screams of fear can be heard each and every time the ride starts? Your adrenaline is pumping so fast, you're not sure whether to close your eyes or not. The ride takes you around many nasty bends and then back to the station some 1.40secs later. At a cost of 12million it's well worth every penny. When I got off the ride my legs were like jelly and I had to have a wee seat for a few minutes just to reflect what I and put myself through. Height restriction is like many others at 1.4meters. Rating 9/10 *Sorry for low rating here- I was a little sore when I came off
Name: Rita Queue Time: 70 Minutes - all outdoor Positive: Speed Negative: Just the queue Location: Forbidden Valley Max Speed: 61MPH
Officially known as Rita Queen of Speed, she defiantly lives up to her name here, after
Pictures of Alton Towers (England)
Enter if you dare!
queuing for 70mins your boarding. Fastened in and double checked you're ready to be "Fired" along the track at speeds up to 61mph, and within 2.5secs you're travelling at 61MPH. That it's self is enough too many anyone throw up. My heart was pumping and my face was pure white, I did try and scream a little once or twice but due to the force I was unable too. Lasting only 25secs makes this ride the shortest ride in Alton Towers, Staff at Alton Towers claim this reaches speed up to and including 100MPH. After doing some research for this review I have failed to confirm this. Rating 5/10 - Too short for my liking. Name: Oblivion Queue Time: 70 Minutes - all outdoor Positive: Speed Negative: Nothing Location: X Sector Max Speed: 68MPH
The ride of a life! Fantastic! Terrifying but excellent in all ways. After a huge queue in the sun you're finally getting on to the beast, Oblivion has been in Alton Towers since 1998 and attracts more riders than any others. As the ride starts your climbing up to the sky, well that's what it feels like. That's just before you are fired down the track at 68MPH, Totally petrified I hold on for god dear life and just pray that this ride is over quickly, But to my horror I have a total of 1.15secs on this ride, being fired around its 373meters of track, As you get off you will be surprised to see many riders being sick. It's a fantastic ride but not for the faint hearted. Rating 10/10
Now I have covered what is my opinion the best rides at Alton Towers in more details, as most will be aware there are many other rides for kids and rides which do not go upside down. I will list a few more below with a brief explanation. If I continued to write as much as I have above this review would never end
RIPSAW- Built in 1997 ripsaw is an ace ride which sees you spun around in the air at high speeds, it lowers you to the ground, face down and yeah you guessed it you get soaked in the face... Avoid this right after lunch. Rating 10/10
THE FLUME- Found in the Merrie England section part of the park, this is one for all the family. Jumping in to the bath tub and being taken around the water ways. I was pleasantly surprised who long it lasted. Oh you may get a little wet! Rating 10/10
SPINBALL WIZZER- Hated it! In the park since early 2004, you're strapped in to a seat and flung around the track like a ball! I know it's called Spinball, but it's not the smoothest ride. Rating 1/10
THE CORKSCREW- an older ride that is not as good as the others, but still good enough to have a go on. Find it in the Ug Land area of the park. This ride does have a few double loops during this ride, and you do go upside down. When I was watching it before I went on it, I never thought for a second it went upside down. Rating 8/10
Children don't worry there is plenty for you too, Mini Rollercoaster's, Crazy Golf and Tea Cups. I am sorry I can't add more to this section, but as I had no children with me I really failed to notice.
Eating @ Alton Towers
Why is it always so expensive to eat when you're in a theme park, well there is no difference here at all. There is a wide range of places to eat including your favourite McD, Pizza Hut and KFC. All have sitting areas within the restaurants and a large area outside too. We all had McD but had to queue for over 1 hr to buy our food. I have to comment that the food was freshly made and very hot. Defiantly worth the inflated price.
Memories
Each of the main attractions has it very own shop for you to buy your souvenirs after you have been on it, so expect to see your terrified face plastered all the monitors. You have the option to buy Key Rings, T Shirts, Coasters, etc. All at fairly good prices and if you're buying a few then mind and haggle with the vendor too. We did and got a good deal.
When it's time for you to leave I shall recommend you pop in to the wee shop on the right hand side just before the main exit. There are many fantastic bargains in there. I bought by daughter a 6 pack of little figures (rides) and it was only £2.50.
Anything else
This review has covered most of what I done at Alton Towers, but please visit there website for more information with regards to the magical Hotel available on site and also the water park side of things. As I did not stay at the hotel or use the water park I feel it inappropriate for me to comment.
Oh! Before I forget there are plenty of toilet facilities around the park and all the ones I used where very clean. Any staff I dealt with where very professional and always willing to assist in any way possible.
For all that are unfit like me, there are plenty of areas where you can stop to get a seat and rest your little over worked legs.
Conclusion
Well what can I say! Its miles away from my home in Edinburgh and cost a bloody fortune but it's worth every single penny. I think it's great that you pay one fee and that's you in to all the big rides. I definitely think its worth while paying for the fast track passes as it saves you queuing for so long. If the weather is good you and your family will have a fantastic day. Just remember and put some comfortable footwear on. I would recommend you take plenty of cash with you and let the kids and yourself have all the add ons you like such as every key ring and T shirt. It's so good to look back several months later.
For more information on Alton Towers: http://www.altontowers.com/ebook/ http://www.altontowers.com/
More information on rides : http://www.rcdb.com/
I have several video clips available if anyone wishes to see them, just leave me a message in my GB
I hope you found my review interesting and will consider a visit to this phenomenal theme park
Marcellep2 Ciao Jan 2009
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