Alton Towers Resort Reviews

Okay if you look at the title, I am reviewing Alton Towers as compared to the other Merlin owned park in my area which is Thorpe. You will see from my review of Thorpe that I was appalled that such a place is allowed to trade. I see that some people have had bad experiences at Alton, but a lot refer to the hotels which I haven't tried.

I visited Alton Towers in the October Half-term for the Scarefest event, so social distancing measures were in place. I last visited Alton Towers in 1998, so a lot of changes, but remember it as being quite a good attraction. I purchased the expensive parking option, and it was well worth it, just outside the entrance. Due to Covid I believe the transport to the distanced car-parks was not running, so a long walk. For us to get there was about a 3 hour drive, so an early start, but we were there for 09.45. Entrance was easy, temperature checks being completed, no overcrowding, and polite staff. Already 1,000% better than Thorpe Park under the same conditions, they didn't complete any temperature checks or anything. My daughter has wanted to go on the Smiler for a long time, so we headed straight there, and only had about a 20-30 minute wait. Good news, I fitted on the ride, and what a ride... I am 55, but loved it. We went from the Smiler, straight to Oblivion opposite, 5-10 minute wait, and another ride I could fit on, though in the big boys seat. I will say staff were helpful, polite, and nothing was too much. We then went for drinks, buy a certain type of cup for £10, and it is free soft drinks all day from the machines dotted round the park. Considering a bottle of Coke or similar is £2.60 from the kiosks and machines, the cup is good value, and I would think important on a hot day.

We then took a walk across the park to Wicker Man, and it is a walk, and a half round the grounds of the park. So make sure you have comfortable footwear, the grounds are pleasing to the eye, again unlike Thorpe, which is purely designed for the ride attractions, and not for viewing. Wicker Man was our longest wait, about an hour and a half, partially due to the fact that they stopped the ride for cleaning purposes. The ride itself is amazing, theme is fantastic, and worth the wait. We wanted to do it again at night, but no chance, as everyone else wanted that, and the queue was closed due to reaching capacity, maybe next year. After Wicker Man we had lunch, pricing very good for a family of 4 (£32.00 ish), and burgers very tasty, and good quality.
We then headed to Duel, which is a Ghost Train with a difference, as you get to shoot the ghosts and ghouls, kids loved it, even though 18, and 16 years old. The wait was about 15 minutes if that, so very good. We then decided to head back across the park as we had a Scare Maze booked for 4.30p.m., so took a different route through the gardens. We were still early, so decided to queue for Hex, which according to times was a 15 minute wait, this was the only hiccup in the day, as obviously we found after 15 minutes, there was no way we would make the ride/attraction, and our maze. So we left the queue, and went to our first Scare Maze, which was very good, but as still slightly light, you could see some of the characters who were there to surprise you, but still good. We went from the Maze, back to Hex, which was then showing the correct wait time of 45 minutes, again a wait well worth it. It is not a ride as such, though movement is involved, very clever attraction using optical effects that confuse the mind. We left Hex, and went straight round the corner to our next Scare Maze, which was absolutely fantastic, you know it is going to be good when you see a teenage girl coming out in tears. It didn't disappoint, almost had my daughter in tears, the introduction by one of the characters built it up nicely, and the event itself very good.

From the Maze, back across the park to Nemesis, almost a walk on, literally less than 5 minutes wait. I knew that I would fit on the ride, as the only ride I fitted on at Thorpe was the sister ride to this one. I knew to ask for the big boy seat, and staff very helpful in sorting this straight away. Ride fantastic, and actually better than the Nemesis Inferno ride at Thorpe, and this was the opinion of all of us, having completed the ride at Thorpe.

This was where our day ended as my feet had given up, as had my daughters who suffers with a medical condition. We took a slow walk back to the car, stopping off in the main shop on the way out. Exit was easy, and car literally within a 100 yards of the entrance.

Total Distance Walked: 11.75 Miles (Samsung Gear Recorded)

Overall I wondered how Merlin can have a joke of an attraction in Thorpe Park, and then have Alton Towers which is absolutely fantastic.

We have decided the extra 1.5 hours travel each way is worth doing, even if just to avoid Thorpe.

Only gripe - Not enough seating, though could be Covid.