Spent a fortune on Alton Towers and nearly everything was closed

There’s a great thing nowadays called the internet and google!

I’m old enough to remember going there as a kid and it was gardens with a couple of fairground type rides on the lawn outside the towers, along with rowing boats on the lake and ice cream stalls.

I don’t specifically remember how just the gardens entry worked later on, perhaps other poster can answer that one.

Notoriously bad customer service. A few years ago we’d booked a weekend package and couldn’t go as youngest child came down with a sickness bug on the day we were meant to travel. I totally understood that I wouldn’t get the money back for the hotel but they were so difficult about swapping the park tickets to another day. What possible difference does it make to them to say ok we will exchange your tickets for another day in the next 6 months? In the end I left a bad tripadvisor review and off the back of that they got in touch with me. I would say they are very inflexible with their terms and conditions and it’s put me off going again. And before anyone says anything about insurance, their cancellation policy only covers you up until 3 days before you travel so if something comes up last minute (which is surely the whole point of insurance) you are also screwed. They are hardly a small business I don’t know why they have to be so difficult.

Rip off bastards hope everybody posts a trip advisor review

My favourite!

How did that work? Did you get wristbands depending on what you paid?

Haha I did miss the choo choo when I went last week!

Some.of the theme parks in Europe absolutely put Merlin to shame. Reasonable prices, the rides downtown break down, efficient loading of rides, beautiful theming and upkeep and lots of great food options that don't break the bank. Rides are amazing! In particular Europa Park, Hansa Park and Phantasialand in Germany. We had 2 days at peak season in Europa park in August , and the longest queue was 40 minutes. It was hot but there were lots ice cream stands around the park ..3 euros for a cone and scoops of really good ice cream. Makes me frustrated to compare and see what Alton Towers could have been.

Runaway Mine Train is amazing though... "Choo choo!"

Not really. The 2 water rides open in may- says on the website and app. (Although battle galleons is not really a ride). The cable car is never open and not a ride. Run away mine train is not a big ride

Years ago, you used to get reduced entry if you just wanted to explore the gardens and not go on rides.

It’s terrible. Alton Towers’ days are numbered, it’s clear they’re massively struggling financially, as is the whole Merlin group. I know the Smiler accident was a huge financial and reputational blow but it’s really not on.

What was actually closed?

I went years ago. I loved the sky train/ cable car, made the park different. Alton Towed is much more country park than others. If a big ride and no water rides are open then it really is poor compared to the experience later in the season.

When I checked times all day yesterday almost everything was open so this is Strange

Oh no, I’m a bit gutted to read this. I am bringing my daughter during the Easter holiday, on a coach trip from Scotland. It will be so disappointing to come all that way and to have spent all that money, if half the park is closed!

I used to go there a lot, and Hex was always closed. Always struck me as odd as it was a small and enclosed ride.

I am not sure how they can tell you when you book what rides wont be open. Some break down during the day. And considering how many rides there are there, I seriously doubt nearly everything was closed at all.

What was closed? Oblivion, and only briefly? YABU

2 water rides that don’t open till summer aren’t really something you can complain about. It’s clear they aren’t opening till may on the website and app.

monorail had a replacement bus which hotel guests didn’t need anyway because they’re allowed to enter the park by the hotel.

sky ride is a cable car not a ride

It was 2 rides on the list the OP put. The 2 water rides are always closed until later in the year and that's clear on the website. The other 2 are the monorail and cable car which are forms of transport. 2 rides is not exactly tonnes.
Editing to say Oblivion also opened later today

that i had paid all that money out and tonnes of the rides were out of action -
what did you think I meant?

the tickets are expensive and with travel and hotels too - id be asking for at least free tickets to return when it’s all up and running again.

Complaining about what?

I mean I’ve always thought that Alton towers is a total rip off anyway that’s with everything open never mind all those rides being closed!

id be writing to them complaining definately!!

i went last weekend and every ride was open bar runaway mine train. Think Op is exaggerating a fair bit to say nearly everything was closed.

however, don’t go Easter weekend . And if you can, use the buy one get one free offers they do or use club card vouchers. I never pay full price to go.

I would avoid Alton towers at Easter weekend it's very busy and travellers day on Easter Sunday