Spent a fortune on Alton Towers and nearly everything was closed

[Foxy200]

Warning to anyone thinking of taking the kids to Alton Towers this Easter, AVOID it unless you have checked exactly what is open.

We drove all the way up yesterday, paid for a hotel last night and again for tonight, and arrived to find that nearly everything is shut. Only a handful of rides are actually open.

It is absolutely disgraceful to be charging full ticket prices when so much of the park is closed. After just an hour of walking around and seeing the reality of it, we asked for a refund and were told no.

The disappointment for the children has been awful, and to say I am angry is an understatement. We have spent a huge amount on tickets, travel and hotels for what has turned into a complete waste of money.

Families deserve to know before making the trip, this has completely ruined what was meant to be an Easter treat.

I'm really surprised they didn't give you a come back voucher, they usually dole them out to anyone who complains (as they know that most people won't bother as it's too far!)

I'm not convinced that Merlin will last 10 more years so they don't need to worry about competition with Universal.

How could she check before booking hotels and tickets in advance?

True.
Although I have to say Adventure Island in Southend is fabulous.
Wouldn’t dream of going to the other ride places in the country as have no intention of waiting in long queues for a ride.
Haven’t been for a few years mind.

I don't think AT will last much longer. I took my DC there this time last year. The previous year we went to Efteling in the Netherlands. The difference was striking. AT was really long queues for just a few big rollercoasters. It already cost a fortune to get in but if you didn't then spend a huge amount of money on fast pass queues then you spent most of the time lining up. Very limited and expensive eating options. No theming to speak of, just seemed to be endless concrete paths with the garden area in the middle. If you don't enjoy big coasters but are too old for cbeebies land there is almost nothing to do. I'm on a FB group for theme parks and AT gets nothing but criticism.

Efteling was spotlessly clean, beautifully laid out with lots of theming and characters. There aren't loads of big rollercoasters but enough to keep the thrillseekers satisfied and there was also a range of different rides for those who don't enjoy rollercoasters. Even though it was school holiday time the maximum time we queued for anything was 25 minutes - there are no fast passes so everyone queues in the same line and it moves more quickly. There were lots of different food options at different prices.

Theme parks in the UK just don't seem to be an enjoyable experience. I now take the DC to a seaside adventure place rather than a theme park. The rides are smaller but it's much cheaper- if you don't ride, like me, you don't have to pay anything.

I think the OP has a very valid complaint. Had she just decided to go on a whim and hadn't checked then more fool her. But she bought the tickets and paid for hotels in advance and its unreasonable to expect her to be psychic. at the very least the venue should have offered tickets for another day although she would still be out of pocket for the hotels etc.

I would write to the CEO of Merlin (parent company) and complain- you may get a free pass or two, worst that can happen is they don't respond.

There we are then

y reasonable person is expected to buy tickets knowing that rides can't be guaranteed. Closures that can be foreseen, and those not opening until certain dates are advertised clearly on the website yes. Anything else is effectively the same as buyer beware, they will do their best to have things running and anything requiring time and maintenance has to he done for obvious reasons.

Alton Towers used to be an awesome day out! Unfortunately now it's become just like everything else - a total rip off. It's really a shame. When I last went I think even the car park was expensive, I mean you'd think it would just be free?!

It's £13! Robbery.

Of course YANBU Op!

Honestly some of the prize arseholes posters on here would argue that black is white.

I stopped going to merlin attractions when an employee said ‘we are merlin- w will have the shirt off your back” when I asked if I could fill a water bottle at a sinks outlet. Plus, the smiler accident.

From the t&cs section when you book tickets.
Our commitment to provide a service:
Merlin will endeavour to ensure that as many rides and attractions as possible are available for use by guests at the Attraction. However, we reserve the right, without prior notice, to close and change the programme of rides and attractions and/or the Attraction's operating hours. Merlin in its absolute discretion reserves the right to close the whole or any part of the Attraction at any time or to restrict the number of persons having access to the Attraction. The reason for any closure or restriction provided by this condition may include technical or operational reasons, capacity, inclement weather, special events or to ensure the safety and security of guests or if Merlin reasonably considers the circumstances so require. For tickets purchased in advance, if the whole Attraction is closed for any of the reasons set out above, Merlin may offer replacement Tickets for admission to the Attraction on an alternative date in substitution for any other form of redress.

but I totally agree that it’s bad so many were closed ho far in advance did you book?

I've not been since I was a kid, but it sounds shite.

The whole bloody point of a place like AT is to be FUN and SAFE and OPEN. A whole lot of closed rides doesn't spell any of those, frankly.

Thanks for the heads-up OP

If you really want to go, then I do recommend the half marathon and the shorter races if that's not your thing. From memory the parking was free and as it was an event the whole park was booked out. Beautiful sunny day as well. Only problem after I've run for more than 2 hours is I couldn't be arsed to hang around. The actual ticket for the race was probably cheaper than a day entry ticket especially as I got it on early bird pricing. The pain was free!

Also re waterpark - we had a day there some time ago and it was awful - so crowded and noisy, it was a relief to leave (we didn't stay long).
We couldn't even get a meal as the restaurant was closed - tried to get something at the bar but it took ages and when it came was the worst kind of junk food. Apparently they were short staffed.
Clearly management are just milking it for all the money they can get and don't care what it is like for the people going (or staff). It would not be surprising if it was the same at the theme park.

But surely the company should not be charging full priced tickets in the first place if half the rides are closed? 🤦‍♀️ It’s not just the entry fees families are paying an arm and a leg for - it’s the travel and most often accommodation. They could have travelled up the night before and stayed in a hotel. Most tickets are pre booked too!

I don't understand why OP has said 50% of the rides were closed, that list shows
2 methods of transport
2 closed rides due to maintenance
2 closed rides which are always closed this time of year and it's on the website.

That's not 50% of the rides.

Ive just been checking the website and every ride i have checked seems to be open. What exactly is shut?

nearly everything closed”

really? Current closures on the website listed as

Skyride
Monorail
Runaway Mine Train
Oblivion
Congo River Rapids
Battle Galleons

YANBU I’d be furious if this happened! I hope you get your money back- ridiculously unfair.

That’s not half the rides at all. Sky ride never open (it’s just a cable car not a ride). Monorail- there’s a replacement bus if you don’t want to walk, hotel guests can use the nearby galactica entrance anyway so you don’t need the monorail). Rapids open closer to summer.

runaway line train is closed, yes, but oblivion has been open the last few days. It opened back up on Saturday evening after essential maintenance and then high winds. We went there and stayed in the hotel Friday and Saturday and all rides were open bar mine train and oblivion so loads were open and running fine. On Saturday, smiler went down due to the high winds but that’s to be expected in over 30mph gusts

What's unfair, 2 rides area closed and I believe Oblivion opened this afternoon