Has anyone stayed overnight at Alton Towers?

[ILikePaperHats]

Just wanted some advice really. Hoping to go at beginning of summer holidays (kids have got 2 inset days so hoping it won't be mad busy). There will be 2 adults and 2 kids (aged 5 and 11). Looked at the pods that are new for 2019 but they looked too cramped so either want to get a woodland lodge or stay at the Splash Landings hotel. How far are these from the actual park? And as checking in is not til 3, do you leave bags in the car and then check in after you've been to the park? Grateful for any tips x

I wouldn’t recommend staying in a woodland lodge, the one I stayed in was tatty. The monorail is close by to the hotels and lodges but it was broken both days we went so had to walk 20 mins to the park.

We have stayed at splash landing hotel but it was some time ago. there is a gate right next to the hotel where you can go through to the theme park. I think we went to the splash landings park on the day we got there and then the crazy golf and then did the theme park the second day. we ate at the buffet restaurant in the hotel complex. if I remember rightly there is somewhere you can leave luggage.

I prefer the lodge to the hotel. You have much more space/privacy. Definitely book a meal in one of the restaurants. The buffet wasn't great.

We've stayed at splash landings and CBeebies hotels.
I certainly wouldn't recommend splash landings unless you get an amazingly cheap deal, it's very tired and basic.
CBeebies was better but we did stay in a suite. They are close to the parks and you get to go in an hour before opening time which is pretty good.
We left our bags in the car but you can check in when you get there and just pick up your keys when the rooms ready.
We were told there was no drinking water in the rooms so take plenty of bottled water as it costs loads in the park/hotel shop.
Roller coaster restaurant is an absolute rip off and the food was inedible although the kids loved the novelty factor.
Eastern Express in the park does lovely curries and chicken tikka wraps.
Breakfast in both hotels was pretty good, lots of choice.

They are all about a 20 minute walk,or you can take the monorail. We walked the next morning as it was ridiculously busy. The cottages would be the furthest away. We stayed at the main hotel not the splash landing ones,but loved it. Make sure you book your breakfast and dinner slot in days in advance as they fill up really quick. What I did notice about the Splash Landings hotel was that the communal areas smelled quite strongly of chlorine.

We’ve stayed in both hotels a couple of times. Splash Landings is more basic but we had a family room that sleep 5 last time and it was absolutely fine. The other one is a bit plusher but didn’t have air conditioning in the rooms and we stayed on a really hot weekend and absolutely boiled. All adds to the fun though, we usually do a night in a hotel so we have the early hour then a second night in a premier inn about 20 mins away.

We stayed at splash landings last summer. They had entertainment for the kids which was great. Not too far from the theme park.

We stayed in a lodge in october and it was great. The breakfast was also brilliant, loads to choose from for both our boys (age 11 and 1). When you arrive you can check in from 11 and they will take your bags and put them in the lodge ready for when you get back that night. You can also leave your bags the next day before you check out. It was roughly a 5 minute walk to the monorail.

We stayed at Splash Landings a few years ago and it was very very shabby . It’s by the monorail so you either use that to get to the park or it’s a 15/20 minute walk , we’ve been since but stayed at a premier inn as frankly the rooms are better and it’s considerably cheaper .