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Trip to Europe in May 2013

I think most people would agree that Alton is preferable to Thorpe. As has been said, Thorpe is very much like a Six Flags park, while Alton would be better for your whole family and give you more of a flavor of the UK (old buildings, good quality theming) and has Nemesis. However, it's a bitch to get to, especially if you don't have a car. Personally I would think it's worth the effort.

Asterix is a great little park as well though. It might be a good choice for you as it's family-friendly (has great shows and kiddie areas), plus it's very traditional French, so educational/cultural too!
 
Ignore Sue. Alton's not nearly as difficult to get to on public transport as most people like to think, especially if you're used to public transport in the USA. From London, it's one train and a shuttle bus, which will get you to the park for just after opening. It'll be an early start though, granted.

Or, if you've got a hire car, it's roughly a three-hour drive. **** all when you think about the distances people drive in the USA.
 
OK, but if you get public transport, you can't actually get to Alton for opening can you? I've never actually done it myself.

Thorpe from London, by comparison, is a walk in the park.
 
^You can get there for about half ten if I remember rightly, so it's only half an hour after opening. You could always go up the night before though if you didn't want to wake up stupidly early and/or wanted to make opening time. Buses from Stoke run to Alton Towers until about 8pm.

It's the same difficulty level as getting to Thorpe - one train and one bus - it just takes a lot longer and costs more obviously.
 
just looked at the alton website and they really have cut down on their bus options

http://www.altontowers.com/useful-info/how-to-find-us/

one that gets in at half six, and the next one just after opening times (why make such a big thing advertising ert if their buses don't allow you to make use of it)

Oh and one in between those 2 but only on a sunday??

and going back, there's one at 5pm (bang on low season closing time), and one at 7:15pm..

Compared to previous years, that's pathetic! the first 32a is a preferable option! (although don't even think of trying to get to uttoxeter on a sunday morning)

so - if you want to get there in time for your ERT you'll be waiting outside for an hour or two whether you travel from stoke or uttoxeter
 
To tell you the truth Sue, I think Alton looks very easy to get to. I've mapped it out and it looks fine. I have ridden longer distances on the subway (no lie). I might get a fastrack (sure it's selfish, but I'm only there once). They are very cheap (compared to the outrageous prices here in America). So thanks for all the help! I am wondering though, While Thorpe is out of the picture, I might go to Parc Asterix. It is very easy to get to. Considering distances, Alton Towers or Parc Asterix?
 
^Considering distances from where?

I don't see how there's a choice to be made between those two, especially since you're going to both London and Paris.

If you are visiting London, then go to Alton Towers; Asterix is a stupid idea.
If you are visiting Paris, then go to Asterix; Alton Towers is a stupid idea.

You're visiting both though, right?
 
I am going to both, butI am going with my family who only want to go to one park. I am saying Alton from London or Asterix from Paris. I will go to both cities not just for theme parks but for other reasons. I really think Alton almost 100%, but Asterix is just stuck in my mind. Here's a better question, How is Asterix? I have heard lots about Alton, but not much opinions on Asterix.
 
So here's my two cents to the debate:

If I would choose only one park to go to I would choose Europa Park or Phantasialand (haven't been to Asterix though). Why? Booth are amazing parks with great theming and they got plenty of rides as well. Europa got 11 roller coasters while Phantasialand "only" got 4, but the quality of the rides at Phantasialand are all world class! (Black Mamba <3)

I've done Alton in a day from London. It's doable but not recomended. We got up 5am in the morning, took the subway at 6, then Virgin trains. Waited for an hour in Stoke for connecting bus to Alton. Arrived at the park 11:30am. Left the park one hour early. Got back to the hotel at 12pm in the evening, very exhausted... We bought fastracks which was very much needed! 1hour+ queues on all major attractions in august, don't know how the situation is in may. But even though we had fastracks I wished we could've stayed longer because it all felt like a rush running from one side of the park to another (huge park) just to be sure to get in all the re-rides we wanted!

I personally, as probably the only person on this forum, think that Thorpe is a better park then Alton. It could be that the brits get tired of the sparse theming at Thorpe after many visits. But only being there one day I thought it was a very good park! Nice location on an island and many good rides cramped in a small area! Stealth is an awesome ride better then anything at Alton imo and the best launcher I've been on (better then Ka, Storm Runner etc). And with the addition of Swarm there's even more goodies in the park!

That's my personal opinion, don't think many will agree though! :P (especiall with the Alton part)
 
Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Parc Asterix, Europa Park, Phantasialand, Toverland, and Holiday Park are all possible and Holiday Park is really just for Expedition GeForce, which is a great coaster from reviews.
 
I am going to really either Alton, Parc Asterix, or Thorpe.

If someone is willing, could you say opinions on their coasters? Mainly Nemesis, Oz'Iris, Saw, Tonnere De Zeus, Stealth, Colossus, Oblivion, Nemesis Inferno, and Swarm.

I know it's a lot but it would help me very much, thanks! :--D
 
Everyone has their own opinion (just look at the varying opinions in the Opinion poll topics). Consider the fact that most of those coasters are B&Ms, you can't really go wrong with a B&M. You should go by what you want to ride, what appeals to you the most out of those 3 parks? All three parks offer different experiences so it totally depends on what you're after.
 
Opinions are asked for, opinions are delivered!

Colossus: A very bland coaster. I had been riding Dragon Khan merely weeks before and was expecting something similar, but no! A bit shakey, uncomfortable trains and non-existing pacing (what, 5 barrel rolls in a row??)
Nemesis: Intense, great setting and overall very good ride! Not a top 10 contender though. It lacks a bit in pacing (very slow in the beginning and has a "stall"-turn half way through), is very short and the incommodious theming with a plastic alien station and purple water detracts a bit from the experience imo.
Nemesis Inferno: One of the few rides in the world that makes me feel ill. The abundance of right-hand turns (5 in a row) can even make the most hardened coaster enthusiast dizzy!
Oblivion: Amazing ride! Best dive machine imo. The drop seems never to end and continoues a good far bit underground!
Saw: A pretty fun coaster that generally gets a lot more negative criticism then it deserves! The drop was a bit dissapointing (especiall compared to Oblivion) but the outdoor section is decent enough and the indoor bit is brilliant imo!
Stealth: Best of the bunch! Incredible adrenaline rush!! One of the best launches I've been on, smooth and great top hat!

Other notable mentions are Rita, AIR and Spinball at Alton. Oblivion is the obvious stand-out ride for me while all of the other coasters where equally fun (including Nemesis) :)
 
peep said:
Everyone has their own opinion (just look at the varying opinions in the Opinion poll topics). Consider the fact that most of those coasters are B&Ms, you can't really go wrong with a B&M. You should go by what you want to ride, what appeals to you the most out of those 3 parks? All three parks offer different experiences so it totally depends on what you're after.
Click to expand...

Mainly Nemesis and Tonnerre, Oz'Iris does too. I am really leaning toward Parc Asterix, but Nemesis looks great! I don't know. Better find out!!!

How is Tonnerre? Is it "that" good?
 
I did not rate it, but quite a few do. I do not really like Asterix tbh, thought all the rides were lame and the park really dated.
 
Always so much hate for Asterix Marc, lol.
My opinions for what they're worth:

Asterix
A great little park with real effort to the theming, three solid coasters and a good range of other shows, kiddy creds and flats for the family (including an epic mad house, a brilliant magic carpet and a decent spin and spew in hydra). As for the creds:
Goudrix has a unique layout and is very forceful albeit spine-crunching.
O'ziris is a pretty ride - smooth and fun but nothing fantastic (although plenty of cfers have put it in their top 10, I don't understand this)
For me though, Zeus is by far the stand out ride at the park - oddles of airtime and fantastic pacing - in my top 10

Thorpe
No one could call it a pretty or family-friendly park - the six flags of the UK really sums it up. An ok amount of theming, especially from The Swarm. Five stand-out coasters and the slammer being a flat ride that you won't find anywhere else (people either love it or hate it)
Saw It hurts, the first inside drop is quite good...moving on...
Nemesis Inferno the worst B&M invert I've ever been on. Still, it's a B&M invert which makes it worth the trip anyway
Colossus a solid ride and really fun, but no actual wow factor for most people. I like it, but many find it's heartline roles a pointless gimmick
Swarm great because its still new and Merlin haven't let it rot yet. Impressive, thrilling and smooth, if a little short. Great view, near misses, theming, fire, a great soundtrack - what's not to like?
Stealth Although Swarm is my favorite ride in the park, I'd have to say that Stealth is technically the best ride here - the best launch I've been on hands down (whips KK, Rita, i-Speed) and never fails to get my adrenaline going, but it's far too damn short and a bit of a one trick pony

Alton
Beautiful park, gorgeous countryside (plus you get to see the 'real' UK), oddles and oddles of theming and actual history. You could spend all day here without actually going on a ride. Five stand-put coasters plus 13, Spinball and the mine train which are all brilliant family rides. Plus you have Hex - probably my favorite flat ride in the world, Duel - a really fab ghost train and the Sanctuary - a maze inside the castle building. Plus the family can enjoy views from the cable car, looking round the castle/gardens and number of other rides
Rita Decent launch but doesn't really go anywhere, still fun and re-rideable
Air This cred gets a lot of stick, but I really like it - it's not intense but it's a beautiful experience and the closest thing to actual flying you'll ever experience
Smiler Obviously not ridden it yet but it looks pretty damn intense..but then it's a Gerst. so I'll hold my breath
Oblivion Cracking dive machine, the first and arguably the best in terms of drop. A bit short though
Nemesis My number one coaster - it's worth going to Alton just for this. make sure you ride at the end of the day and make your own mind up as to what the fuss is about

So yeah, my choice would be Alton based on rides alone, but it is still miles from London
 
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