Alton Towers... what's it like?

[Westcot]

I live in the USA and have recently become fascinated of Alton Towers. Though I've never been there, I've seen a lot of photos and whatnot. I'd like to take a trip there sometime, although it probably won't happen for a long time. Is there anyone on here that lives in the UK (or someone that's been there) that could tell me if it's good or bad? Is it kept up well and are the overgrown brush that I've seen in the pictures just to keep the park natural-looking? What are the best rides there?

Thanks,
Westcot

[elljhitch]

Well to start with... I think it is a very good park!
The best rides there are Nemesis Air Oblivion Rita!
Thats all i can help you with!:downcast:

[dementedbear]

It's pretty crap. The best thing there, are all the nice, helpful ride attendants.

[Real-Nemesis]

To sum up Alton Towers (sometimes just called AT) in one word would be...... magical!

Alton Towers IS UK's best theme park... if u ever here Drayton Manor being voted at UK's number one theme park, it is all lies. AT is truely inspirational an in my opinion on of Tussaud's best theme parks ever. The over-grown plantlife and whatnot is there to make the park feel natural yes, but also to give it just a magical feel.

Now, the rides! My favourite part of Alton Towers. I for one have not yet been to Alton Towers myself but i still know lots about it (weird isn't it?!) The rides are purely amazing... I for one do truely love the USA roller coasters better than UK (probably only because they go much faster and higher, take Kingda Ka for example) but at AT the rides are placed and designed in such a way, that it gives of a natural vibe about them. They may not be fast or tall (only because AT has a height restriction on the roller coasters and rides and such) but they still pack a few punches.....

Take Oblivion for example, the worlds first Dive Machine...... AIR was the world's first TRUE flying roller coaster (what I mean by true is NOT like Borg Assimillator for example which is where the station is NOT inverted)

That sums up AT pretty much but there is tons more info than what I have told you... dont forget to check out the official website for more and do a google search for Alton Towers to get more info.

Hope you enjoy your visit if you ever do go.

[Westcot]

Thanks to everyone that's posted so far!

I really find it interesting (and I guess it's what caught my attention to the park) that they have the height ordinance. I really like the idea of it... it makes the park looks like it has a very nice atmosphere. The entire X-Sector and Air area really looks cool to me, too. I'm actually planning a park based around it from what I've seen (see sig). I've really been doing a lot of research on Alton Towers as well to see what rides and stuff they've had in the past, too. Very interesting place!

[Real-Nemesis]

It's really great that more and more people from over the ocean are started to become interested in UK / EU parks in the last few years. I think it is really special when someone not familiar with this kingdom's herritage becomes interested. You made a very wise move selecting Alton Towers to study also, as to be frank, the others in the UK are no where near as good.

And I'm glad to see someone fully expressing their religious side. God bless dude! (I for one believe in God, but not Jesus)

[Hemmy]

To me Alton Towers is a very good looking park, landscaping wise.

When I was there the only thing spectacular was Nemesis in my opinion but everything else about the park was just "fun"

Had a great time, better than Thorpe and Blackpool PB IMO as well.

[sykesie-92]

id love to go 2 america 4 the hieght nd speed but Alton Towers does give a magical feeling, the height restrictions makes it interesting, my adrenaline was going before i got in the park- being able to hear screams of excitement without being able to see anything but trees gave it a magical feeling for me, but what made it best for me was nemesis, the best coaster ive been on, the major difference was due to the height restrictions, much of the ride was designed to go below ground level, giving it a special quality, how close you seem to come to the walls and floor of the rides, and the intensity of it all- it doesn't seem to stop accelerating till the final turnaround.. magic
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee49/sykesie-92/p16729-1.jpg

[-Nuclear Fish-]

Yeah, Nemesis is by farr the best coaster there. AT is VERY different from USA parks and rides (although I've never been to the USA), cause as Real-Nemesis said, the rides aren't really the biggest or fastest, but they just work really well. The rides are fun, which is what counts, and the park has a really great magical atmosphere.

In reality though, the queues are too long and the rides break down way too frequently. Depends what time of year you go though. But it is indeed the best pakr in the UK.

[Westcot]

Thanks again, everyone!

Man, hearing all of that really makes me want an Alton Towers in the USA! Don't get me wrong, I enjoy US theme parks, but they get boring after a while. They're kind of flat, not much mountainous terrain, although Disney does and excellent job with their parks on themeing and Busch parks have great rollercoasters.

[TheFreshEffect]

It's a nice park, but I wouldn't give it all the praise that others do. It's also ruined by the premature closing time, it should stay open till at least 8 or so.

[nickdaegg]

It's wonderful.

:heart:

But I hate turning my back on the towers and walking the wrong way through the turnstiles at the end of the day. :(

And then the monorail over quite a bit of the park just rubs it in unnecessarily. :mad:

[fathorse]

It's a nice park, but I wouldn't give it all the praise that others do. It's also ruined by the premature closing time, it should stay open till at least 8 or so.

What time does it close? Do you ever get to ride the rides at night?

[nickdaegg]

Yes, there are various "Adrenaline weeks" throughout the year. ScareFest this year and possibly fireworks other years also have late openings.

Special events also kick queue close back. :)

[Westcot]

What time does it close? Do you ever get to ride the rides at night?

It says it closes at 6PM on their website. Seems kind of early to me...

[nickdaegg]

Well, they've trialled later openings, people didn't seem to take them up. There are few sit down evening meal type restaurants on park, and the roads are truly, truly awful leading to the place - you wouldn't want to navigate them very late or when it's dark. You'd be on the correct side of the road for once, too. The shock might be too much to handle! ;)

Plus you've gotta drive through the local's villages, and they aren't happy about that.

[woodmchelancote]

Alton Towers is the UK's best theme.