Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

Original poster

Drayton Manor or Alton Towers?

20 replies

MsMiaWallace · 01/02/2022 21:36

Planning a trip out around Easter.
Have x3 kids (10,7 & 1)

10 year old loves all the rides but he's short so won't be tall enough for Oblivion/Nemesis.

Not been to Drayton Manor before so can't compare. Anyone that's been would you recommend?

OP posts:

Floralnomad · 01/02/2022 21:40

At those ages Drayton Manor .

brightgreenapple · 01/02/2022 21:43

Agree with previous poster, drayton manor for those ages 100%

RelentlessForwardProgress · 01/02/2022 21:45

Given the 10 year olds height, you'd be better off at Drayton, I would say. AT is great for younger kids with cbeebies land, but in the 5-10 age range there isn't as much. You have the rapids and the runaway mine train that are a bit more grown up, and the gangster granny ride (which is a bit meh) and a few bits like the pirate ships that spray water and the the enterprise but thats about it.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

10 year olds Days out

stressedout2021 · 01/02/2022 21:46

I would definitely say Drayton Manor. I've not been there for a few years, but we used to go there regularly when the kids were younger. We've been to Alton towers too, but prefer Drayton Manor

Whenwilligrowup · 01/02/2022 21:56

Sorry but have to disagree with pp, I would go for Alton Towers despite your dc not being tall enough for the biggest rides, I still think it holds more appeal than Drayton Manor . Your ten year old and 7 year old will still be big enough for Wickerman, 13 and Spinball Whizzer and then you've got Hex, Duel , Runaway Mine train , Pirate Ship etc .

RelentlessForwardProgress · 01/02/2022 21:59

My seven year old isn't tall enough for Wickerman or 13 or Spinball Whizzer. And I wouldn't take a seven year old into Hex, either.

(I have however, spent DAYS in duel )

ComDummings · 01/02/2022 22:00

Drayton Manor at 10 & under

pumpkinpie01 · 01/02/2022 22:03

Drayton Manor , everything is much closer together but still a full day out . You have the zoo as well and Thomas Land for the little one . Way too much walking at Alton Towers with not enough rides they would be big enough for

Im2022 · 01/02/2022 22:04

Depends. Are you planning a weekend trip or just 1 day?
Drayton manor is small, but there’s a zoo, but that isn’t very big now. Thomas tank Engine land isn’t very big either. I’d go there for and day. I don’t think a weekend trip is worth it.

Alton towers has a lot more going on for families. Don’t go for 1 day. Book a 2 day trip and you’ll get time to explore and visit all the kiddy rides. Hotels have good events running in the evening or indoor splash park.

ZenNudist · 01/02/2022 22:06

My 7yo loves AT: Hex, gangster granny and all that area, runaway train, the water ride, he found the queue for thirteen scary but he went on it and loved the ride.

Took a 9yo with us and she went on wickerman and loved it.

The water park is worth adding on to AT. Stay overnight in travel Lodge Stoke if necessary if you don't want to pay extortionate prices at the AT hotels.

My kids love AT. I could do without galactica (scary) but otherwise it's good.

RubertRoo · 01/02/2022 22:08

Drayton Manor.
Alton Towers is just so big if you don't know it well - you'll spend all day finding everything. I live about 20 mins away from it so go there a lot but it is a lot of walking.
Drayton Manor might not have the biggest of rides but everything is so much closer together so you'll have more chance to go on more.

RubertRoo · 01/02/2022 22:10

Sorry, I misread and thought you hadn't been to Alton Towers either. I would still say Drayton Manor for those ages

converseandjeans · 01/02/2022 22:13

RupertRoo what are queues like at DM?

pinkkoala · 01/02/2022 22:22

I would go with alton towers as more rides, other than those already mentioned there is the teacups and the boat ride where you fire water canyons(take a change of clothes), there is duel, and hex would be fine for the older ones.
We visit several times as we hsve merlin passes.
I thought Drayton manor was very tired and rundown last time we went,

Vanillaradio · 01/02/2022 22:37

I have an 8 year old who adores both.
Drayton Manor is smaller and more family orientated. Smaller queues. You can do it easily in a day.Not much in the way of thrill rides but there are a couple. ds still likes the bigger Thomas Land rides like Troublesome Trucks, your 1 year old could even do a few rides there then in the main park ds likes Accelerator (rollercoaster)and Adventure Cove which is the newly done up bit with a couple of water rides although you have to be 1.3m for the log flume. He also loves the Drunken Barrels which is right at the back of the park.
Alton Towers is much bigger- I would say you need 2 days. Disagree there isn't much for 5-10 year olds, ds found loads- he loved the new David Walliams stuff, the rapids, Runaway Mine Train, Battle Galleons, pirate ship etc.
Personally I would always choose Alton Towers but that may be because I only live 10 mins away from Drayton Manor so have been there a lot.

RubertRoo · 01/02/2022 23:24

@converseandjeans

RupertRoo what are queues like at DM?

Not too bad really. I went twice over Christmas and every ride was a walk on but not all were open during Christmas just Thomas Land. The summer holidays aren't usually too bad. Thomas land most things are 30 mins and some of the bigger rides like Accelerater are up to 45 mins. But that was during school holidays as well in comparison to AT where I had to stand with a 3 year old waiting for 2 hours for Runaway Mine Train!

WhatisanODP · 02/02/2022 01:36

@RelentlessForwardProgress

My seven year old isn't tall enough for Wickerman or 13 or Spinball Whizzer. And I wouldn't take a seven year old into Hex, either.

(I have however, spent DAYS in duel )

Omg I LOVE Duel!!

Original poster

MsMiaWallace · 02/02/2022 09:33

We're planning on a day trip.
Been to AT loadsa times but not for a while.

Is DM a bit dated & small?

OP posts:

Jmaho · 02/02/2022 09:45

I have a 12, 10, 8 and 4 year old and would deffo say Drayton Manor. We go a lot. There is something for all of them. Even the older ones still enjoy the little roller coaster ride in Thomas Land. Plus there are loads of other rides they can go on aside from the really big ones
We have done alton towers a few times but lots of walking as it's so big and last time we went we were there for 7 hours and only managed 4 rides outside the cbeebies part. Kids didn't enjoy it much as the queues are just crazy

Im2022 · 02/02/2022 10:23

Have a look at the heights needed for rides. We’ve been going to Drayton Manor almost every year for a few years and kids have had enough now. Last year, ds was 9 and was tall enough for Mael strom, accelerator and shockwave. Dd has been going on accelerator since she was 6 years old.

The bull rollercoaster always has a massive queue because it’s the only coaster for nearly all ages. Accelerator is always busy too.

They have an indoor 4D cinema based on Thomas (last year it was anyway) and we all enjoyed that.

There’s a train going around the park too. The new tyre rapids ride was fun for everyone.

DM is a bit dated but it feels quite homely. Loads of families of children just there to have fun.

Flip