Alton Towers for dummies - how does it work?

[UnquietDad]

I have never in my life been to a theme park, unless you count that Sunnyland place near Lincoln, and have possibly less than zero desire ever to set foot anywhere near one. The places sound the most barfingly horrendous experience for a day out.

But DD and DS have started to ask about Alton Towers, thanks to DS's mate H (thanks H ) who has given him a leaflet.

First dim question. Do you pay at the door to cover everything or is each ride charged separately?

Wondering if I can get out of going... maybe DW and H's mum will take them all...

pay at the door to cover everything. you need to be a certain height to go on a lot of the rides - the big exciting ones, iirc your children aren't much older thank mine, nad would get more form Alton towers imo when they are teenagers.

I on the other hand went last Sept for a friend's 30th, and had a whale of a time as we wnet midweek in schooltime, so just walked straight on to all of the rides.

you can often get vouchers for buy one get one in free which makes it a cheaper experience.

I wouldn't want to go on a regular basis, but really enjoyed the scary rides as a one off without my children

Thanks Panda. Any other tips for an AT Virgin?

Great rides. Shit British-style customer service.

David Brent was asked his biggest disappointment: 'Alton Towers'.

Take a picnic!

ds and I had a fantastic day at AT last year, we got tickets off lastminute.com and both of us got in for £22.
Ds is a ride-freak, and so am I (unless they spin and then we go green!) so we went early, picked the ride we most wanted to go on and went there first and then worked our way round the rest of the park. Went on Oblivion 3 times, it's fab, then went in the gift shop at the end of the day for ds to buy a memento to take home to show dh who was working (and was pleased to because he hates rides with a passion!) and the memento was.....a mug that said "I went down on Oblivion" on it!!! How charming, and how impossible to explain to an 11 year old why it's unsuitable. In the end I let him have it and dh laughed his arse off
Lesson - avoid the gift shop!

That was £22 for both of us, not £22 each!

I absolutely love AT and last year (and in other years) we spent a night at the AT hotel to get the most out of our trip - means you can get an early start before the crowds get in. The hotel is fun and pleasant - though overpriced - look for discount packages online - but you do get unlimited access to the park during a stay and a magnificent breakfast.

I don't agree AT is a disappointment - we've been going there for about 25 years - and I've been with every possible combination of family members, everyone from toddlers to my 85 year old Nan who loved sitting in the the very beautiful, and often overlooked grounds (well worth a wander if you get time) - there are areas for all ages, from small pleasant rides for children and parents, watery rides, and of course the big scary ones (which we tend to avoid.)

It's very well worth planning your day in advance, looking at the map (can get it off the AT site) and 'theming ' your day by area - otherwise you can spend ages just inefficiently getting round the place - it's big.

Rita's Chicken and Ribs was about the nicest place we found to eat on the park.

Oh and try to go on a day that's not too busy. Easier said than done I know Towards the end of the summer term you get lots of school trips - avoid at all costs. The day before the state schools return in Sept might be a good choice for a quietish day.

There is a useful (unofficial) AT site and forum here well worth a look at for AT news and reviews.

Go during school days, when there's few queues. Or at least arrive early/leave late.

Don't get pressured into ride after ride after ride ONLY, but carve out some civilised time for yourself (and them?). Coffee, newpapers, no junk food.

Best chance for this is the wonderful gardens (and stately home?), where people are not.

Get there early and go to the back of the park and work your way back to the front. Do not go on the cable cars, I am pretty sure that they are going to plunge someone to their death soon enough. Though I have been saying that for the last 10 years and no sign yet

Have a brief mourn for me while you are there in loss of the Thunderlooper, I loved that ride.

You can use Tesco clubcard vouchers for tickets. Fairly soon I'm sure Tesco will start giving vouchers away at the checkout where you get 2for1 entry - they do most years in about April time.

You may get wet on the log flume. Food is expensive and not very good.