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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Alton Towers

62 replies

elodie2000 · 05/04/2017 08:05

DD and friends want to go but I'm trying to put them off. Will they end up queuing for hours & end up on only 3 rides all day? Have any of you been recently?
I just think it will be a waste of a day. AIBU?

OP posts:

JustMumNowNotMe · 05/04/2017 08:07

It's probably 4 years since I last went, but down rides had a 90 min plus wait, it was crap. It might have got better now though so I'll be watching as my lot want to go too!

Applebite · 05/04/2017 08:07

If it's school holidays it will be busy yep - but they can spend a bit more for fast track tickets for the big rides if they want, and they can also queue in the single rider lane to make it easier if they're not too fussed about sitting together.

How old is she? If they're teenagers going together, I doubt it'll bother them all that much as they'll just have a laugh. Some of my best school days were spent at AT! If she's younger and going with a friend/parents, they might be disappointed by long queues.

Applebite · 05/04/2017 08:09

Last couple of times I've been as an adult, we've bought the platinum wristbands - it's a fast track for all the rides, all day. It was about £80 I think, so not a good solution if you're paying for a big group! But if you have the cash, it does make a huge difference to how many rides you get on.

we could tell that they don't sell too many of them because none of the staff knew where they were kept.

contractor6 · 05/04/2017 08:10

Dependent on ages its not to bad. DH went on 5 rides me on one, we have a toddler so can't go together and she went on a couple on cbeebies.
If they are happy to ride as singles then will get on more.
I'd also recommend a picnic as there are lots of open spaces and food isn't very varied.

sniffle12 · 05/04/2017 08:10

I'd avoid school holidays and go on a 'normal' weekend and get a fast pass if they can. Even if it's just the cheapest one that gets them fast tracked onto their top three rides or something.

There are 2 for 1 entry deals all over the place usually - on the Internet, was on cereal packets but not sure anymore? So if they can get 2 for 1 and a fast pass hopefully the cost will still be alright.

bookworm80 · 05/04/2017 08:10

we went on a sunday last may and it was really quiet. queue times weren't bad at all. we got there as soon as it opened and it was definitely better in the morning.

Applebite · 05/04/2017 08:11

www.altontowers.com/theme-park/extras/fastrack/

Original poster

elodie2000 · 05/04/2017 08:11

They're 14/13.
I've done both myself- I remember the days of staying on the ride for a second go or 10 min queues at AT. I've also queued for hours.
You're right, teens don't care as much...
Waiting for an hour nowadays would just not happen for me! (Old)

OP posts:

Fauchelevent · 05/04/2017 08:12

If you can, go outside of the holidays and away from the time schools will be taking trips.

Original poster

elodie2000 · 05/04/2017 08:14

Thanks for all the Fast track tips. I'll have a look!

OP posts:

Joolsy · 05/04/2017 08:14

I'd go on a weekend outside of school hols if I were you, and this time of year shouldn't be too busy

Only1scoop · 05/04/2017 08:16

We are going today before other schools break up. Will let you know.

ginforall · 05/04/2017 08:18

I went yesterday. It was not busy. The longest que time I sawas on the board was 30 mins for smiler. Everything else was much less. DH and DSS went on a couple of big rides (Rita and glaticia (though the vr wasn't working so really air)) with 10 mins ques. Then we spent quite a while in cbeebies as we also have a 4 year old DS. This week Derbyshire and a couple of other areas near by are still at school so guessing that is one of the reasons it was quieter. Though we have been during easter holidays the last couple of years and not had to que much at all. Think it may be different in the middle of the summer holidays.

Trifleorbust · 05/04/2017 08:21

They'll love it.

MiaowTheCat · 05/04/2017 08:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

unicornsIlovethem · 05/04/2017 08:28

There are also fast pass stands in a number of places so you can queue for a good ride, buy s fast pass within 15 minutes and be on again within 25 if you really want to.

Winetemptress · 05/04/2017 08:33

Funny me dd and her bf are going tomorrow to celebrate their 18 th birthdays. and stopping at the hotel. She doesn't know but we have brought them the platinum fast passes as a surprise.

Teens don't mind queuing. They went last year and loved it. Me and dh can't stand up in a pub so not for us oldies

Don't put her off she will love it.

Applebite · 05/04/2017 08:35

Omg now I want to go. Lovely clear sunny day at AT... instead I have a long day at a sweaty desk dealing with dickheads!!

SellFridges · 05/04/2017 08:38

We went last summer, an August weekend. We didn't queue more than 15m for any of the big rides - longest queue all day was the Octonauts roller coaster in CBeebies Land!

We literally walked straight on to Nemesis, which took away some of the magic for me tbh. I like a bit of anticipation. And I remember when it first opened and it was a three hour queue every time. Perhaps I was a bit bitter!

Capricorn76 · 05/04/2017 08:42

Just read an article in the Guardian where the head of Merlin Entertanments said he wants to get rid of 'red tape' following Brexit. Looks like more people will be losing their legs then. Avoid.

bignamechangeroonie · 05/04/2017 08:55

I suspect it's really quiet because of that horrific accident a couple of years ago where people lost legs and were trapped in machinery for hours.

I think they're down over 60% since then.

MiaowTheCat · 05/04/2017 09:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Applebite · 05/04/2017 09:22

There are many thousands of rollercoaster trips at AT in a year. over the last 30 years or more it must be millions.

There's been one serious accident. Caused by human error and they now have different protocols in place.

There's far more risk in crossing the road (esp with the way most drivers seem to think zebra crossings don't count for them!) or driving your car.

With those odds, you'd be daft not to go because of one accident, however tragic. If 60% of people have really stopped going, well, more rides for everyone else!

booitsme · 05/04/2017 09:25

We went on the opening weekend 2 weeks ago for 2 days and were surprised how much better it was for queuing than Thorpe park. I can only comment on that time but it was well worth it. We had Merlin passes and they let people in with them an hour before park opened and kids loved it as went on oblivion 3 times in a row with no queues.

Winetemptress · 05/04/2017 09:31

I think people mentioning the accident is ridiculous and extremely distasteful actually.

Do you send your kids on school trips? Yes? So did i and dd was badly injured when the coach fatally crashed. These things happen. I wouldn't dream of telling other parents to not go on trips and dd has been on one since.

Disgraceful scare lingering

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