Splash landings and Alton Towers- hints and tips please

[BuzzLightyearsHoneyBun]

We are going to Alton Towers soon, myself, DH and our 2 toddlers.
Staying in splash Landings hotel. We have entry at splash landings Saturday and Sunday and the theme park Sunday and Monday.
I have been told not to eat the buffet at Splash Landings- any other recommendations?
Any tips for evening entertainment that would suit toddlers?
Would you go straight to CBeebies land on the Sunday?
We have a 4 hr drive so will probably arrive mid day on the Saturday and go to the pool after a light lunch/look around.
Any ideas/hints/tips would be much appreciated.

[IslaSinga]

Definitely head straight to CBeebies land on Sunday - it gets very busy and ride queue times can become long. Cloud cuckoo land is also decent for little ones and can be reached by the cable car with lovely views! Have fun!

[BuzzLightyearsHoneyBun]

Brilliant, thank you. I think they will enjoy the cable car, though it stresses me out a little!

[IslaSinga]

Yes and me!!!

[Groovee]

We liked the buffet at splash landings. I was on a restricted diet at the time. I'd definitely try to use the early entry.

[SavoyCabbage]

We went to the Royal Oak in Alton village here for dinner. We had made a reservation for the buffet but it wasn't till seven and we came out of the water park at five. There was not much to do and the kids were starving so we cancelled and booked at the pub. We were there five minutes after we called them!

It worked out cheaper and the food was really good. We had squads of dc with us and we felt really welcome at the pub. When we went back to splash landings and saw a singing pirate and heard the noise of the kids we were really glad we hadn't stayed. Especially as the water park is so noisy all day long it was nice to escape it. Our dc were all exhausted after the water park. I don't think they would have managed a singing pirate over dinner.

My other tips are
Take food in to the pool area. It says you can't but everyone was doing it. Loads of Dec with their lunch boxes.

Don't be late to breakfast. The queues were astronomical.

Don't take a big bag into the pool area. The lockers are small. I can't remember what coin you need. You get it back.

The rooms were basic but clean.

[FeralBeryl]

Oh and take some pound coins for the giant dryer! Fabulous with toddlers who are tired, cold and on the edge after a day's swimming

[BuzzLightyearsHoneyBun]

Brilliant tips, thank you. I always fancy a pub dinner!