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.

It’s all open right now @Ninerainbows

If you were skipping school and taking kids on a weekday in March and lots of rides were closed, I'd expect. Easter holiday and they should have most rides open. Yanbu.

We went to Alton Towers yesterday, stayed in the hotel and visited again this morning.
The only rides closed were the water rides (which don't open until May, I think this is normal practice), Runaway train and Oblivion. A couple of rides went down for short periods during the day but this was all visible on the app. Skyride and monorail aren't running but I wouldn't count these as rides.

We are having a fantastic time!

current queue times

I’m looking to go at some point soon with my annual pass, but tbh i still wouldn’t visit with those wait times.

Outrageous. Merlin are shit. I expect them to go u see when the universal park opens in 8/10 years

I went to AT 18 months ago. Several rides closed for periods throughout the day, some even after we'd been queueing for over an hour. Either their ride maintenance is shocking or they've become overzealous about things since the Smiler litigation. Possibly both. I mean, obviously I'd rather they keep people as safe as possible, but we were literally dodging ride closures all day in a way I haven't experienced at other theme parks.

Merlin don't cover themselves in glory in the headlines, that's for sure (see also Ride Access Pass).

Wait times look ok for the day before Easter weekend tbh. The Merlin pass is an absolute bargain if you use it right.

Then you have a small claims (MCOL) case if nothing else! I'd actually like to know who refused you a refund - I suspect this was refused verbally by a 17 year old moron, or equivalent, and you would get more success by writing in. And if you don't, use MCOL!

(And let us know what happens)

I recall DD worked there when that was on. I picked her up from work. Eye opening is probably the best comment I can make.

So sorry this happened to you, it must be a very big disappointment for you and your children.

Oh no! We are going on the 13th but one day water park too.
My daughters fav is the Smiler. She won't be happy if lots are closed. Ridiculous not getting ur money back

It's really common knowledge that the monorail (replacement bus available), Skyride, rapids and Runaway train are closed for maintenance and this is available to see on the website prior to visiting. Oblivion was down for a few days then reopened but presumably whatever they did was a short term fix if it's back down again.
When you say 50% of the tides were unavailable you are being pretty disengenuinous as there was decent ride availability.
Try being there when the weather system picks up a storm in a 50 mile radius, they close ALL outdoor rides which is hilarious, not.

Totally agree with this. Everything and everywhere you book is over commercialised, corporate and shit. Especially theme parks, gigs, etc. I’ve been so shocked at eg Eurostar prices for what has become a terrible service and the recent news about ticket prices for the World Cup this year.

I’ve got to the point where I only enjoy small independent local museums and free things.

OP Yanbu.

I was small so I can't remember how a separate price worked. I do remember going with my grandparents and they just spent all day in the gardens.

It wasn't 50% of the rides that were closed, just 1 ride and the monorail and cable car. The OP was being a bit disingenuous 🤣

All open today no issues and day before

We had a similar experience back in the early 1980s. Back then getting money back was almost impossible. Never went back.

So over 40 years ago? 😆

I was there today - most rides open most the day (smiler and Rita a bit off and on) but queues were not too bad. Apart from the Bluey coaster, which was over an hour for the whole day 😆

The monorail is merely the way you get in the park- not a ride, although it s a nuisance when it’s not running.

The water rides were open this time last year

We've only done Efteling in Europe but that was fantastic, loved the theming and it was the very definition of magical. We're off to Alton Towers tomorrow, disappointed the Runaway Mine Train will be shut, that's a family favourite with us (Choo Choooo!)

Breach of contract? Whit? 🙄