Alton Towers 15 & 16 May - Review

[JSMarsden]

So, I took the other half for a surprise visit to AT on the 15 & 16 May, with a night in the Enchanted Village.

Enchanted Village: 9/10.

Signed in at 9am (check in after 3pm) and was greeted very well, with great directions to the Tree Top Quest.

Checked in fully around 5:30ish, got a little lodge opposite the Crooked Spoon which was great (as we decided to walk from the AT Entrance, all the way to the Enchanted Village Via the car for the bags - didn't want much more waking!!). First signs of the room were great, however there was a beer glass left on our front porch (on a bench). My guess was that it was the neighbours and had put it there after the room had been cleaned - so no fault of the staff.

Got in to a nice clean, well laid out and presented room, the other half loved it! Very quirky and nice - only 1 point I would pick up on. The floor could have done with a touch better cleaning, either a hoover or a mop? (Unsure what they would do on the floor) - we both picked up that it was a touch dirty after walking around for a bit.

However - everything else was perfect, and a great stay. Breakfast was also nice in the morning with a large choice between continental and full English. 9/10

Tree Top Quest 8/10.

Greeted well again and were the first guests, arrived at 8:45 so had to wait a touch before they were ready for us! This was really good, however I was petrified (no centre of balance due to my height, the other half loved it and flew through) however I was a bit uneasy going at the start! (seems a lot higher up once you're up there)! - Also the 2nd obstacle was probably the hardest! (Along with the long rope bridge which got a bit swingy in the middle!) By no means did we fly through, and I took it quite slow due to my nature to not trust a rope from me falling 25/30ft, however we still completed it in about 30mins. The website says an hour including introduction, which i suppose would be about right if you were part of a larger group. I would give it a 10, however I would like to see a few more Zip lines, plus a little something else in the for the price - just to make it a bit longer. However, we both thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it!

Alton Towers:

Sunday: Biggest queues were 35-40mins for Galactica, Smiler peaked about 25mins throughout the day. Our longest queue was Spinball when it stopped whilst we were queuing (probably 3rd ride of day!), apart from this was perfect.

Galactica was decent, however my headset broke on the first ride (got a free fast pass, however we didn't require this over the 2 days.....)

Monday: We had to leave around 3pm on this day, which I was a little worried about on during the weeks heading upto it, incase I felt I wanted to stay longer. However its safe to say, come 12:00 we were quite bored of riding on rides, we even went for a walk through the gardens on both days! We had an hour to kill eventually, but I suppose its probably becuse the rides were dead. Literally walked onto the smiler a few times on Monday.

Over the 2 days:

Oblivion: 8
Smiler: 6
Rita: 2
Thirteen: 3
Galactica: 4
Nemesis: 4
Spinball: 5
Duel: 1

We probably went on a few things a little more to be fair (more rides) however I can't think how many times we rode things. Also, have blisters on my feet as she was adamant not to use the Skyride - but to be fair it wasn't needed since we had extra time on our hands to stroll through the park on nice days!

Roller Coaster Restaurant: Already left a review on this on the forum somewhere, but overall 7/10.

Overall experience was great, my favorite part however was knowing I would be staying over in the Enchanted village, and vising the bar and staying in the little lodge on Sunday evening. Very nice stay, and felt welcome.

Couldn't really go back now to AT for another year, did it 3 times last year I believe, twice the year before that, and 2 days on a row this year - nothing really thrills me much more but I think I have just overdone it! Can't complain about the weather or the queues! Just wish AT had a few flat rides where possible (since Ripsaw and Submission have both gone) - just to break things up a little!

 

[Chris Brown]

How could you forget the runaway mine train in your count of re rides? Surely you didn't skip it! Sounds like it's getting gradually busier. Starting to think all of the ride closures were a good idea, would only make the place feel even more empty.

 

[Pink Cadillac]

Nice report! I never use the skyride either. It's more because I don't want to be in a gondola alone with another group of people, but its also seems such a shame with park and gardens as lovely as they are!

 

[JSMarsden]

How could you forget the runaway mine train in your count of re rides? Surely you didn't skip it! Sounds like it's getting gradually busier. Starting to think all of the ride closures were a good idea, would only make the place feel even more empty.

We didn't do the RMT or the Rapids - I honestly don't know why! I think what put us off was that there was always a gathering of kids/small people around the ride entrance screaming/shouting about going on it - wasn't really up for getting a headache from RMT
.

Nice report! I never use the skyride either. It's more because I don't want to be in a gondola alone with another group of people, but its also seems such a shame with park and gardens as lovely as they are!

Thanks - Will upload some pics if I have any! (not many of park, everyones seen it before!) But yes, didn't use skyride because Sunday it had large ish queues (as many people in the skyride queue at DF as there was in the queue for oblivion....) so we decided to walk everywhere.

Managed to find the path opposite mutiny bay, that passes the abandoned cottage, via a nice Lake and upto FV - Never knew this existed and was usually weary of travelling into the Gardens (I have always walked through Katanga to get to FV from Mutiny Bay :x )

 

[zazobo]

The ducks were on top form last weekend. Many many mega ducks.

 

[Crazycoaster]

I think one of the main problems with Merlin's parks becoming "Resorts" as they like to call them, is that there just isn't enough to do on a second day. One day of riding the rides is enough because the parks don't offer anything else. It's a shame they have never truely invested properly in shows for the parks, I think it's something they need to warrant a second day tbh.

How was the enchanted village? I've not been since it was built, but it seems a bit 'holiday camp on an open field'

 

[JSMarsden]

I think one of the main problems with Merlin's parks becoming "Resorts" as they like to call them, is that there just isn't enough to do on a second day. One day of riding the rides is enough because the parks don't offer anything else. It's a shame they have never truely invested properly in shows for the parks, I think it's something they need to warrant a second day tbh.

How was the enchanted village? I've not been since it was built, but it seems a bit 'holiday camp on an open field'

The Enchanted Village in my opinion was great, and would be good midweek, summer (outside half term, less kids etc). The Village was one of the best parts of the trip - and even though there were limited things to do there (/Splash landings had some entertainment on in the evening - but it was full of kids running around and dancing - as expected) so we went for a few drinks in the hotel bar after the RC restaurant which was decent.

Could easily take a few drinks with you and sit out on the porch on a summers day though and relax. The tree houses look amazing too. I would preferably stay in the lodges as opposed to the Hotel, they just had something to them - a touch more personal.

If you wanted to go for a 2 day trip, I would highly recommend it - however I agree with yourself, some shows to see (like USA have) in the day time, or other activities would be great. They have the Tree Top Quest and Mini Golf etc, but both are quick activities.

The pictures on their website are pretty much identical to how you find the room!

 

[Ireeb]

I'm hearing so many different things about the Smiler. I was thinking about a trip to the UK and visiting Alton Towers, also because that ride looks so cool, I'd like to hear what you think about it and if it's worth to make a short trip to the UK mainly to visit Alton Towers (and probably other stuff in the region).

 

[Hutch]

You rode Smiler 6 times and Oblivion 8 times…? Why get a bunch of rides on those when you could've/should've whored the **** out of Nemesis? (Seriously, is 6 rides on Smiler necessary ) Even when you run out of stuff to do that's when you go ride Nemesis for the rest of the day.

 

[owentaylor121]

Re: Alton Towers 15 & 16 May - Review

You rode Smiler 6 times and Oblivion 8 times…? Why get a bunch of rides on those when you could've/should've whored the **** out of Nemesis? (Seriously, is 6 rides on Smiler necessary ) Even when you run out of stuff to do that's when you go ride Nemesis for the rest of the day.

I rode the Smiler 7 times on a trip last week and Nemesis 4!
Nemesis really isn't that good that it deserves to be ridden constantly. Also the queue line is an absolute pain for re-rides! I do agree however, 8 times on Oblivion is crazy! You spend more time on the brake run!

 

[DelPiero]

Nemesis really isn't that good that it deserves to be ridden constantly. Also the queue line is an absolute pain for re-rides!

I respectfully disagree. There is nothing else even remotely as good in the UK, and is worth whoring for an hour on a quiet day.
I haven't been since they got rid of single rider, which was awesome. But even then, it's hardly a huge queue.

I'm hearing so many different things about the Smiler. I was thinking about a trip to the UK and visiting Alton Towers, also because that ride looks so cool, I'd like to hear what you think about it and if it's worth to make a short trip to the UK mainly to visit Alton Towers (and probably other stuff in the region).

AT as a whole is worth a trip, but with a lot of attractions closed this year I wouldn't suggest a visit until they reopen at least Hex, hopefully the others.
I would probably suggest to wait until SW8 in 2018, as you could focus on the North of England, AT, Blackpool(with new Mack), Lightwater and Mingoland. Then return a few years later to do the south, Thorpe, Chessington and Paultons. Paultons have just opened their new area but Thorpe/Chessington should have some new stuff within 5 years.

 

[owentaylor121]

^I'm not on about the actually length of the queue time, I'm on about how much you need to walk in between re-rides, it becomes a pain, most of the coasters at towers have the same problem.

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

[JSMarsden]

I'm hearing so many different things about the Smiler. I was thinking about a trip to the UK and visiting Alton Towers, also because that ride looks so cool, I'd like to hear what you think about it and if it's worth to make a short trip to the UK mainly to visit Alton Towers (and probably other stuff in the region).

Well I was with the Girlfriend - Nemesis is probably one of the best rides in the park granted, but it was rather warm and I was shattered come the 2nd day, so walking across the garden/full length of the park to get to 2 rides (Galactica and Nemesis) is sometimes hard to judge when your tired - especially since Ripsaw (RIP) has gone.

Also, the other half was just at the correct height, that her ears banged on the side of the restraints (whereas they;re near my neck) so every turn, roll, etc, her ears smashed against the harness, so felt a bit hard keep dragging her on it .

You rode Smiler 6 times and Oblivion 8 times…? Why get a bunch of rides on those when you could've/should've whored the **** out of Nemesis? (Seriously, is 6 rides on Smiler necessary ) Even when you run out of stuff to do that's when you go ride Nemesis for the rest of the day.

We had ERT which included Sonic and Oblivion, on the Monday we did oblivion 2 times on ERT, and another 3 times during the day (other 3 times on Sunday). Mainly due to the fact that it was pretty much walk ons, its a little bit of a thrill with your hands up at the top of the hill (especially on front row) - and your still getting ride time on the break run? :roll:

Agreed, I said it a few times that we were on the break run, waiting for half empty trains to be unloaded but it was still fun, and near 3/4 other big rides, so its just hard not to hit when theres no queue - little bit of a rush. Also, I liked to annoy the other half,and everytime "Welcome......to oblivion" came on, I just had to mimmic it, which in hindsight I can see how it got annoying over the 2 days! :angel:

 

[JSMarsden]

^I'm not on about the actually length of the queue time, I'm on about how much you need to walk in between re-rides, it becomes a pain, most of the coasters at towers have the same problem.

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Agreed with you there, however the queueline is probably one of the shortest now at AT. They weren't TOO bad actually, but Nemesis just does seem to be a pain with the steps and walking around the photo booth etc to get back in - think it looks longer than it is.

(although I just put above my main reason for not constantly re-riding)

 

[DelPiero]

^I'm not on about the actually length of the queue time, I'm on about how much you need to walk in between re-rides, it becomes a pain, most of the coasters at towers have the same problem.

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Agreed with you there, however the queueline is probably one of the shortest now at AT. They weren't TOO bad actually, but Nemesis just does seem to be a pain with the steps and walking around the photo booth etc to get back in - think it looks longer than it is.

(although I just put above my main reason for not constantly re-riding)

Yeah, 90% of the rides around the world require walking a reasonable distance from the Exit back to the Entrance, so it's not just a Towers problem. Oblivion and Smiler's queue lines/walking distance for example are definitely longer than Nemesis'.

My wife has the same issue as yours, she likes inverts but the restraints cause her headbashing so she usually sits out after one run. One of the many reasons why she likes Flyers and Wing Riders is the restraint not bashing her.

 

[JSMarsden]

^I'm not on about the actually length of the queue time, I'm on about how much you need to walk in between re-rides, it becomes a pain, most of the coasters at towers have the same problem.

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Agreed with you there, however the queueline is probably one of the shortest now at AT. They weren't TOO bad actually, but Nemesis just does seem to be a pain with the steps and walking around the photo booth etc to get back in - think it looks longer than it is.

(although I just put above my main reason for not constantly re-riding)

Yeah, 90% of the rides around the world require walking a reasonable distance from the Exit back to the Entrance, so it's not just a Towers problem. Oblivion and Smiler's queue lines/walking distance for example are definitely longer than Nemesis'.

My wife has the same issue as yours, she likes inverts but the restraints cause her headbashing so she usually sits out after one run. One of the many reasons why she likes Flyers and Wing Riders is the restraint not bashing her.

Exactly the same, she loved Galactica and said it felt comfortable and also loves stealth, and even though I don't get head banging on Nemesis but I suppose even if you bang your head/ear on the B&M harness', they aren't the most forgiving.
I think Nemesis and Smiler threw her around a bit much, and to be fair, since we were there for 2 days I didn't see the need to go and re-ride on my own and leave her standing there. I just got on with it - think she loved Oblivion simply because it didn't bash her head! To be fair, she did very well for the amount she got thrown about, didn't back out of anything!

With regards to the Smiler queue, I don't actually think it was that bad. They had cut off most of the queue on the Monday, so you simply walked around a few snake bits, and then straight into the indoor area (Which on both occasions on monday we walked straight through - they didn't even bother with the projectors....). I don't think AT has THAT bad of queues compared to other places, however once you have been walking for miles across the 2 days, walking that extra few hundred meters for a 6th re-ride etc, when you already feel satisfied, just doesn't seem worth it! Thrope may seem better, but thats because you don't walk as much between rides etc so don't feel tired etc. They should install travelators for the quiet days! :--D

 

[zazobo]

I'm hearing so many different things about the Smiler. I was thinking about a trip to the UK and visiting Alton Towers, also because that ride looks so cool, I'd like to hear what you think about it and if it's worth to make a short trip to the UK mainly to visit Alton Towers (and probably other stuff in the region).

AT as a whole is worth a trip, but with a lot of attractions closed this year I wouldn't suggest a visit until they reopen at least Hex, hopefully the others.

I would probably suggest to wait until SW8 in 2018, as you could focus on the North of England, AT, Blackpool(with new Mack), Lightwater and Mingoland. Then return a few years later to do the south, Thorpe, Chessington and Paultons. Paultons have just opened their new area but Thorpe/Chessington should have some new stuff within 5 years.[/quote]

Good call. While I love AT it's only a three hour car journey for me. I think if if coming from abroad you'd be best to wait until 2018 with the two new coasters coming. I expect the new Blackpool coaster may be the best thing we've seen for a while..

 

[Ireeb]

AT as a whole is worth a trip, but with a lot of attractions closed this year I wouldn't suggest a visit until they reopen at least Hex, hopefully the others.
I would probably suggest to wait until SW8 in 2018, as you could focus on the North of England, AT, Blackpool(with new Mack), Lightwater and Mingoland. Then return a few years later to do the south, Thorpe, Chessington and Paultons. Paultons have just opened their new area but Thorpe/Chessington should have some new stuff within 5 years.

Sounds like a good idea, even though I'm not that hyped about SW8 since it is supposed to be a wooden coaster, and I don't really like wooden coasters, they are usually to rough for my taste (Wodan (GCI) gave me a slight headache, even though I loved the layout). That's why I love Mack, they are just so goddamn smooth. This again speaks for Blackpool though.
Why exactly did they close Hex and other rides? Didn't hear about that yet.

Also, the other half was just at the correct height, that her ears banged on the side of the restraints (whereas they;re near my neck) so every turn, roll, etc, her ears smashed against the harness, so felt a bit hard keep dragging her on it .

How tall are you? ^^

 

[JSMarsden]

AT as a whole is worth a trip, but with a lot of attractions closed this year I wouldn't suggest a visit until they reopen at least Hex, hopefully the others.
I would probably suggest to wait until SW8 in 2018, as you could focus on the North of England, AT, Blackpool(with new Mack), Lightwater and Mingoland. Then return a few years later to do the south, Thorpe, Chessington and Paultons. Paultons have just opened their new area but Thorpe/Chessington should have some new stuff within 5 years.

Sounds like a good idea, even though I'm not that hyped about SW8 since it is supposed to be a wooden coaster, and I don't really like wooden coasters, they are usually to rough for my taste (Wodan (GCI) gave me a slight headache, even though I loved the layout). That's why I love Mack, they are just so goddamn smooth. This again speaks for Blackpool though.
Why exactly did they close Hex and other rides? Didn't hear about that yet.

Also, the other half was just at the correct height, that her ears banged on the side of the restraints (whereas they;re near my neck) so every turn, roll, etc, her ears smashed against the harness, so felt a bit hard keep dragging her on it .

How tall are you? ^^

6ft 3ish, so when I'm sat down, the bits that come over your shoulders, are around the middle of my neck. (On Nemesis, Oblivion and Smiler, there is no gap between my shoulders and the restraint unless I slouch ) Its good in 1 way, that I don't get thrown about and don't smash my head around, but then my shoulders are sore after 2 days

 

[DelPiero]

Why exactly did they close Hex and other rides? Didn't hear about that yet.

Multiple reasons, AT are trotting out the "Towers Loving Care" spiel, but in reality;
Hex is closed due to parking the ride issues, which Vekoma have had trouble fixing.
Flume has closed permanently for SW8
Ripsaw has been removed permanently
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory's IP has run out so closed until they either renew or retheme.
Nemesis Sub-Terra is closed for the season, no official explanation but thought to be staffing costs related
Driving School is closed for some reason, not sure why (doesn't really affect you though)

Basically this year's had 6 attractions go down for the whole season with no replacements apart from a new, expensive, restaurant and a rubbish VR retheme.
SW8 and hopefully a new flat along with Hex's reopening would be better than coming this season is all.