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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Is Alton Towers suitable for 3-7 yr olds?

21 replies

WeAreEternal · 01/10/2013 17:24

SIL has just called and suggested that we take my DS (7) and her two DCs (3 & 5) to Alton Towers next weekend.

I love Alton Towers but have never even considered taking DS before because I think he is too young.

I know there are some small rides that are child friendly, or directly aimed at young children, but the park is mostly rollercoasters for adults and not suitable for children.

SIL thinks they will love it, but it's a long way to travel for a few rides.

So AIBU? Will they love it?

Maybe I'm just being selfish, and thinking that there isn't much point in going all that way and not being able to go on any of the rides because we will have to supervise our DCs.

OP posts:

MrsMongoose · 01/10/2013 17:26

Yes! Plenty for young kids to do! Great rides - I love the Willy Wonka one and I'm a grown up! Ooh and the pirate pay!

FantasticBaby · 01/10/2013 17:28

We've been a few times and our kids (7yo and twin 4yos) absolutely loved it! Even my DH loved it, big kid haha.

CocacolaMum · 01/10/2013 17:34

Yes for sure.. happily OP, YABVU!

The sea life centre is great on its own and the you have the driving school, the willy wonka ride, the old macdonald part of the park and then also some little rides for the kids

Lj8893 · 01/10/2013 17:35

The first time I went to Alton towers I was 6, and it was one of the best weekends of my life!!! Plenty to do for all ages.

MrsLouisTheroux · 01/10/2013 17:38

Yes, there is a lot to do for little ones! Look on the park map. I can think of 3 big areas that cater for that age range. Use 2 for one vouchers to get in though. It's so expensive.

Mistyshore · 01/10/2013 17:38

How about Thomas Land? Alton Towers is fab but there's a lot of it you wouldn't be able to all go on. There's also lots of walking to get between the bits you can all enjoy.

busybob · 01/10/2013 17:46

i would say its not worth it for the price you pay as my 5year old who's 108 cm was to small for all but a a few small rides.Most of the bigger rides have height limits of 110,120,or 140cm.
Lego land, Gulliver's world and Drayton manor are all better value for money with younger children

HarrietSchulenberg · 01/10/2013 17:51

I don't think it's worth the money for children that age, TBH. I went when ds1 and 2 were 5 and 3 (won tickets on Mumsnet ) and there were only about 5 rides they could go on.

Went recently now that they're 12 and 10 and with their 6 year old brother. Elder two had lots of choice and had a great day but ds3 was a bit stuck, although TBH he would have spent the entire day on the pirate galleons given half a chance.

Willy Wonka ride is rubbish, even ds3 was bored. Runaway Mine Train is OK and the river rapids and pirate galleons were good fun. Squirrel Nutty ride is good and there's some other children's rides in that area but I think to get your money's worth you need to be able to take advantage of the bigger rides, otherwise you might just as well go to a good funfair.

Pataloco · 01/10/2013 18:10

Went to alton towers last year with DD1 who was 6 then we loved it but felt there were lots of walking around and DD1 was just tall enough to get on most rides (she is tall!) but some were too scary for both of us! loved runaway train. we don't live afar so had been there loads as a kid myself always had a great time.
Recently this summer we tried Drayton Manor Park with both DDs - DD2 was 3.5 and quite small enough. Wasn't sure if they would like it as they're not fans of Thomas trains but they loved it plenty of rides my DD2 could get on, compact to walk around on little legs but yet exciting enough for DD1 (nearly 8). The zoo & massive outdoor wooden playground were a nice bonus so I think Drayton Manor would be better for yr children.

Daddypigsgusset · 01/10/2013 18:37

Not been for years so can't help there but be sure to get a couple of merlin two for one vouchers from cereals/washing powder/ebay etc.

monicalewinski · 01/10/2013 18:42

Paulton Park (with 'Peppa Pig' world in it) is v good for under 10s too, the rides are all designed with children in mind so your 7 yr old would be able to get on all of the "big" rides!

bearleftmonkeyright · 01/10/2013 18:43

There is a lot they can do, but also a lot they can't. I also think Drayton Manor is a better option for younger children otherwise you are not getting your.moneys worth.

GlitterFingers · 01/10/2013 18:45

Go to Drayton manor/thomas land they will enjoy it so much more and its cheaper. Plus the indoor play area means you can sit down for 20 minutes whilst they play

Silverlace · 01/10/2013 18:48

They will love it although there is a fair bit of walking. Try and plan it so you use the Skyride to get across the park to save some walking. I think they do a parent swap so one of you can queue for a ride while the other looks after the children then when you come off the other can go straight on so you can have some fun too. They also have single rider queues which are usually shorter.

My DC love going there and have a great time.

NameyMcChanger · 01/10/2013 18:49

Used to love Drayton manor........however those animals pacing the one time we ventured into that thing they call a zoo(( we'd never bothered the other times we'd been )) haunted me and the dcs for a long time, i'll never go back to the place.

LeonieDeSainteVire · 01/10/2013 18:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CloverkissSparklecheeks · 01/10/2013 20:08

Definitely good for that age, we spent two days there. We live a long way away and were going with a big group of adults also but I am not sure I would do it just for kids, Drayton Manor is better for that I think.

theoriginalandbestrookie · 01/10/2013 20:24

Yes - we went when DS was 4 and there was loads for him to do, also very short queues for the younger childrens rides as it's not that popular for younger children. Queue waits for all rides means that you can cut down on queueing as well.

I was very impressed with Alton Towers, the food concessions are really good and there is the park in the middle if it all gets too much.

I remember we went back to the place we were staying, some older girls asked DS what his scariest ride was he said, fully of pride "Squirrel Nutty" - nb not at all scary, barely moving !

We also went to Drayton Manor - that was horrible, very poor queue management, all the rides were overrun, DS hated it.

TheCountessOlenska · 01/10/2013 20:26

Leonie I had the same experience with my 3 year old DD - she absolutely loved it

I wouldn't have gone just as a day out for her though, we went with another family and the adults took turns to go on the big rides.

TheGinLushMinion · 01/10/2013 21:34

We were there yesterday & both me & DH agreed it would be a fair few years before we took DC's-2 & 4 (we go every year on The Sun freebie tickets cos we're big kids )

There are a few rides for younger kids but I think it's really geared up for older ones & it is very expensive.

dontblameme · 01/10/2013 22:06

Alton Towers is awesome but I swore I would never go back on a weekend, the queues were ridiculous (start of October). But that was the adult rides, so maybe not so bad for kiddie rides.

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