Alton towers trip advice please

[Dedodedo]

Hi all, im looking to book a short stay for me and 13 year old son to visit alton towers in the easter holidays,were on quite a tight budget but id like to take him,he loves theme parks! And it would just be nice to have a 1 or 2 night break together as hes turning into typical teenager not wanting to do much etc but hed definately be up for this! I dont drive and coming from south west london, ive been looking at the trains from waterloo to uttoexter, from what ive seen we wont make the bus from uttoexeter to alton towers as only runs twice a day? So we would get a taxi/cab from uttoexter to alton, is it easy to be able to get a cab and rough price and also on the way back to the station too as wouldnt want to miss our return train? Is there anything like restaurants/food places within walking distance from alton towers to go to in the evening once we leave the park at 6? Would you do 1 night and 2 days, we wont get there the first day until around 11.30/12 , stay over, then leave the next night after park closes, or would you stay an extra night and travel back the next morning? Anyone been recently is it good? I normally take him thorpe park as we dont live too far which he likes but weve been a lot now so would like to take him here, what are the food options and prices like inside the park? Thanks for any advice

Lol 😂

You're laughing but trust us. There's none of that snakey little airport queuing you get at Thorpe Park! It's an actual mission at Alton Towers.

If you're making the trek to get there just do 3 nights! (Or go to Gardaland cause it's better 🤣)

I live up the road. It's a nightmare at the best of times.
The evening Christmas market last year was absolutely an episode of Who Dares Wins, even though it wasn't busy they sent everyone to the far reaches of the car park, turned off the monorail so we had a long long walk to the main entrance, had zero lighting on the very muddy path down and it was raining sideways. They did put a bus on between, it ran about once an hour and the queue was horrendous. It was grim.

I'm probably not the best person when it comes to AT though, I truly hate the place. DD worked there for a while, as did half the family on and off over the years. High turnover of young student staff, middle of nowhere, closes stupidly early to me (compared to the likes of Disney etc) and food expensive since they closed the McDonalds. The only bonus being I've never actually paid to get in.

It’s a mission but well worth it. Much better than thorpe park. If you’re on a budget for dinner, then there are a couple of takeaways that will deliver to the hotel on just eat. We’ve been several times and do this for dinner every time.

Cannot agree with this more. As a local (ish, 20 mins) you're wasting your day getting there at 11:30. By the time you've checked in, dumped your bags, got the monorail to the actual park gate you're looking at past lunch time. You'll be on one or two rides at the most.
If you're going to do it, come the night before and do two full days. It's not unheard of (with queues) to only go on 2-4 rides in a full day. It'll be an expensive trip for a maximum of 6 rides over 1.5 days.

The highlight of my youngest child’s day was sitting near the exit of The Smiler watching someone throw up as they
came off the ride. That’s how bad Alton Towes is 😂

Never saw the appeal of the smiler. It had the same effect as the old corkscrew on me. I came off it with my head bleeding from the studs in my ears hitting the skin, it just throws you about.

The new ride appears to be a rip off of Disneys Haunted Mansion as well. Three hour queues for that last weekend.

I did see something in the local papers about trying to get planning to open all year round though which would be good for the local economy.

If you can drive then the only logical answer is surely to hire a car. I'd arrive the night before so you don't have a long journey first thing in the morning then have two full days in the park and drive home when it closes.

We went 9 months ago and loved it. Stayed at the on site hotel. You can eat in the hotel restaurant or other onsite restaurants. They weren't THAT expensive. Overpriced yes and not the best food, but as you'd expect really.

But you must BOOK the restaurants now. They book up fast.. especially the roller coaster restaurant.

In the theme park are lots of food outlets so you'll be OK.

You might want a few hours in the water park too?

Your son will love it!

What about chessington, Lego land or Drayton manor instead?

My theme park mad DCs prefer these to AT.

Oh I feel like a bit of a pro with this topic.

We stay at the premier inn (rugely or uttoxeter) - get up there late Friday night then get in early Saturday morning.

I sometimes steal from the breakfast buffet get a meal deal on the way in. Stay until the bitter end then drive home (near London)

I wouldn't try public transport.

I take a refillable collapsible water cup now too.

We were there for opening weekend and using the app for queue times and single rider queues was great.

I think if you're a theme park fan then you won't be convinced otherwise

I'd stay 2 nights if you want to do all the big coasters, unless you can afford a fast track pass for you both (which maybe cheaper than staying extra night?)

Food options are pretty generic, burgers, chicken hut, pizzas, rollercoaster restaurant etc.

If your doing a couple of days I'd suggest getting one of the big reusable drinks bottles which are pricey but you can keep and refill as you like for free at machines throughout the park!

Not sure on travel details as I usually travel from Lancashire but sounds like there's some good info here!

I live Alton towers, have a great time!

None of those places are any good if you like rollercoasters

There used to be train packages via Derby don't know if they still exist (train + coach).
The restaurants on site are nice and fun. There is the rollercoaster restaurant where food comes out over your head - it's between the park and the hotels so but of a walk. The the Secret Garden is in the main hotel and is v nice. If you are booking online with them they will allow you to book restaurants at the same time. Book early as they get full. There is often entertainment on in the main hotel bar area too.

Can you let me know how you got on?

Also a non driver here ! Just on our way back from a break with legoland it was so simple being a non driver but my son wants to go somewhere more thrilling next time so be interested to know if it worked for you or not.

Can I tag onto this chat please?

We are a group of mums and sons - the boys are going to do Alton Towers, we mums want a nice hotel with a pool and spa.

We'll be driving - can anyone recommend a really nice hotel within, say, a 30 mile radius with a pool, spa etc?