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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To expect the rides at Alton Towers to all be open when I'm paying £50 for a ticket?!

21 replies

lollydollydrop · 05/06/2013 23:31

The new ride Smiler, Air, and Oblivion were all shut yesterday when my brother went- so annoyed for him! Its a bit of a joke when they charge the prices they do for tickets, and I'm unsure of the reason for closing..

My OH is planning on taking me tomorrow for our 4 year anniversary, and now I'm worried half the thrill rides will be closed. I haven't been for about 6 years so I'm very excited!!!

There doesn't seem to be any info on the AT website about which rides are open/closed which I think is a bit cheeky as we will have a 4 hour round journey for the day, can't afford a day like this very often and if half the rides are closed I would rather wait for another day!

AIBU to expect they should at least let customers know somehow?

OP posts:

LastTangoInDevonshire · 05/06/2013 23:36

My son and gf went 10 days ago. They only found out when they got there that The Smiler was not working. Then they found out, after they'd left, that people were being offered free tickets to get back in when it WAS working. They were a tad annoyed!

Original poster

lollydollydrop · 05/06/2013 23:44

Omg, could he write to them or phone up? He he has proof of purchase he should do that, I would be annoyed too! Makes me nervous when they say rides aren't 'working' and then miraculously they are! eeeeeek!!

OP posts:

mrsballack · 05/06/2013 23:56

Yeah the smiler's been having all kinds of problems. Unfortunately when it stalls (as it did yesterday I believe) they have to get a crane in to fix it and so have to close the whole of x sector for health and safety reasons. Air breaks down all the time. They are validating tickets so you can return for free. It would be nice to know in advance I agree but most of the time the rides break down during testing or after the park has opened so they can't really give out the information much earlier. Yes it's a pain, but if they give em a free return visit I'm happy, what else can they do when a machine breaks?

maddening · 06/06/2013 03:45

Don't pay full price - there are lots of buy one get one free offers for AT - don't know exact ones myself but a quick google might reveal them.

Can you phone tbem en route?

If you get there and they are working then male that section your first stop.

TiffanyAtBreakfast · 06/06/2013 11:25

Rides breaking down obviously isn't pre-planned, and can't be helped. It is annoying though and you definitely deserve a ticket to go back when the rides are open. I like 'maddening's idea of calling ahead.

LongTimeLurking · 06/06/2013 15:32

"LastTangoInDevonshire Wed 05-Jun-13 23:36:36
My son and gf went 10 days ago. They only found out when they got there that The Smiler was not working. Then they found out, after they'd left, that people were being offered free tickets to get back in when it WAS working. They were a tad annoyed!"

Tell them to write an email/letter of complaint. If AT have half decent customer service they will send out some free tickets or at least offer a discount on a return visit.

plainjaney · 06/06/2013 16:45

The smilers issues stem from a Health & Safety problem whereby until some minor fabrications were done over the bank holiday weekend you could get your legs out of the ride and stood a chance of serious injury. That is why it didn't open on time

AT don't close rides for the hell of it, they do it for safety so in that respect yes YABU. Its a chance you take when you go to any theme park. Personally I'd rather a ride was closed than left running with a chance of failure.

chirpchirp · 06/06/2013 18:29

This is when Facebook does come in handy. Post on their wall asking if the rides are operational again. Also get your brother to post about how disappointed he was so many rides were closed. They are usually very quick to reply.

Hulababy · 06/06/2013 18:39

The Smiler hasn't actually opened at all yet. It says so on their website - or did last week anyway. They also have announced it on their FB and Twitter a few times. So, I don't think they can claim anything for that now - first day was different as no prior notice.

Shame the Air and Oblivion were closed though. How come they were closed all day? Did they not have a sign up explaining? They normally do.

I think it is understandable to have one ride shut at times, as things will always go wrong. Air often has issues and has to shut temporarily throughout the day most days I think! Two rides is a pain but I really doubt they will refund.

Hulababy · 06/06/2013 18:40

Oh, has it nor opened at least some time? It wasn't open last week at all or when I checked since we went.

Hulababy · 06/06/2013 18:42

BTW - they can get a cheap ticket to return at any time anyway - well, you can on the day. £15 I think it is for the second visit. Less than £5 iirr for next day. No idea if can do it after you're home though.

I'm afraid with theme parks it is always a chance you take. Any theme park you visit it is the same risk - sometimes for routine maintenance, refurbs or temporary H&S issues.

CocacolaMum · 06/06/2013 19:09

Go on the facebook page, that will have the most up to date info.

never ever ever ever pay full price for alton towers!!

plainjaney · 06/06/2013 19:12

hulababy not sure of the status of Smiler today, but it certainly has been open to the public this week, I live by AT and they were celebrating the first 'public' ride this week.

Hulababy · 06/06/2013 21:35

It finally opened then! There were lots of signs up when we went last Wednesday informing people about it not yet being open. Was on website too. Wasn't an issue for us really as DD had not been on any of the rides before, and it had been many years since me and DH had been - so had plenty to do without. Would have ridden if open and queues wasn't horrendous, but now have a reason to return, lol! Looked good.

BrandiBroke · 06/06/2013 21:54

I complained to Alton Towers a few years ago. To be fair they did respond to all the points on my long rambling letter and sent me 4 free tickets. But part of the problem was that I'd hurt my arm on some random metal sticking out where it shouldn't have been so they might have feared a lawsuit!

LollipopViolet · 06/06/2013 22:06

It's an unfortunate fact that rides will have breakdowns - and brand new rides often have teething problems in the first year of opening.

Do get your brother to write in, they're usually quite good when it comes to things like that.

It's just unfortunate that Air and Oblivion broke down at the same time - Oblivion is usually pretty reliable, but Air...

Well, I worked at the park (not on rides) for 2 years - I won't tell you how one ride host described Air's operation the previous day... Suffice to say, it wasn't flawless. The ride was a world's first, and has a lot of technology inside, which even now still has its moments and causes a breakdown.

Also found out that only around 16% of guests pay the full admission price - so definitely get a voucher!

I'm going on Monday with some friends (live locally) and really hope the Smiler keeps working - it looks immense!

Hulababy · 06/06/2013 22:12

Air broke down when I was on it on a special February opening - one of those days when it is only £10 but not much open - Air was only big one.
Anyway - persuaded friend to go on with me. She hates coasters. Oh dear! It got stuck near the end - but whilst we were still facing downwards. 15-20 minutes we were stuck like that! Felt very odd when finally got off.

LollipopViolet · 06/06/2013 22:14

Air is my favourite ride - I've had the odd lift-stop where you wait a few seconds for the train in front to clear the section of track, and a few times when idiots have snuck cameras on and staff have to come and take them off them. But not a proper breakdown.

ivykaty44 · 06/06/2013 22:17

You should get cornflakes as they have half price deals on the back of the boxes - yabu to pay full price when you can get in half price

plainjaney · 07/06/2013 12:12

The best time to go to AT is always towards the end of September, usually a weekend. Most people go weekdays and half terms so late season weekends are unusually quiet, even more so if you dont mind the rain

Youcanringmybell · 07/06/2013 14:38

I do not think I would want to go back anywhere that the rides are so frequently breaking down

But then I am a wuss

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