• ℹ️ Heads up...

    This is a popular topic that is fast moving Guest - before posting, please ensure that you check out the first post in the topic for a quick reminder of guidelines, and importantly a summary of the known facts and information so far. Thanks.

Services Day

pluk

TS Member
Although I've been in my job for years it's the first time I've been aware of this existing. Through work I am able to book to visit on 'services day', which appears to be a day for emergency services personnel only and because of the timing of it shortly before the season begins I presume is used as a bit of a staff training day. I won't post the details of it here as I suppose it is not supposed to be widely advertised, but it looks like a decent deal.

I was just wondering if anyone knew if this is something that happens every year or something new? If anyone knows what rides will actually be open? This is not detailed anywhere on the literature I've seen (just gives park opening times) and wouldn't be surprised if not everything was available following the maintenance period. Is it just emergency services, or is that how it's marketed to us and is marketed to other groups in other ways?

Sounds good, but I'd have to take a day off to attend and don't want to do that if it's not all it seems to be.
 
So they get all the emergency services on site for an opening day before they've finished their maintenance fully?

:D
 
I don't know if the emergancy services have hired the park out before. However in the last few years John Lewis have hired the park out on the Sunday (I think) before opening. Most rides should be open.

:)
 
I know the Army have hired out the park for a day sometime before opening, not sure if this is the same thing though.
 
Yeah, that's the same day; army, police, fire and NHS.

Sounds pretty good then, think I'll try and get it off work.
 
John Lewis usually hire the park out the Saturday before opening, which if they do again this year it will be the 14th March. Last year all rides and attractions were open on that day. Its a bit of a training day for all the staff really!
 
What would happen if 'a friend' happened to turn up on the day to renew their annual pass? Do you think they would let them down Towers Street to renew it? This 'friend' may then accidentally get carried away by the crowds into the theme park area totally against their will maybe?
 
And that's why I didn't put the details on here!
It's pre book only with no ap access, so good luck!
 
It will be a private event, so anyone who hasn't got a valid ticket to the event wouldn't be allowed in. If an organisation has decided to hire out the park (and spent a considerable amount of money doing so) they would be a bit annoyed if anyone could turn up and gain access.

This event hasn't happened in recent years, but if a group has hired the park like others have done in the past, all rides would be likely to be available (Obviously excluding any of the usual unexpected technical issues).
 
They'll siphon off the army to Sub Terra, the nurses to The Smiler, the psychiatrists to whoever built Charlie, the police to CBeebies (may as well), life guards to The Rapids, Fire Department to the Towers, and they'll have all next years press releases, and a whole load of new photos citing all the wonderful new "theme and characters" they've employed on park!

:D
 
I don't think we've hired it as such, I think Alton offered it to us on a discount basis to have a day to train their staff up with very limited numbers (of exceptionally nice people!) on park. It apparently is in 'celebration' of the work we do, which is nice.

I wonder if this offer is open to st john?

It's run through Blue Light Card. If you can prove to them you are one of the following you can get the card benefits (for free) which I think would include this Alton offer, although it does specifically state 'emergency services, NHS or armed forces' on the email I've been sent so this one might have some restrictions and not be for all.

Who is eligible:
-4x4 Response -Ambulance Service -Army -Blood Bikes -Cave Rescue -Emergency Response Unit -Fire Service -First Responders -Highways Agency -HM Coastguard -HM Prison Service -Independent Lifeboats -Lowland Search and Rescue -Lowland Search and Rescue -Marines -MOD Civil Servant -MOD Fire Service -MOD Police -Mountain Rescue -Navy -NHS -Police -RAF -Red Cross -RNLI -Search and Rescue -Second Line Responders -St Andrews Ambulance -St John Ambulance -UK Border Agency -Veterans
 
Who is eligible:
...HM Prison Service...

Someone I work with is an ex-screw. Supposedly the rest of the services hate them (along with the MOD Police).
I have heard some entertaining stories about the epic mass-punch-ups that took place between HMPS and the rest at similar "services only" events in the past. :p
 
They'll siphon off the army to Sub Terra, the nurses to The Smiler, the psychiatrists to whoever built Charlie, the police to CBeebies (may as well), life guards to The Rapids, Fire Department to the Towers, and they'll have all next years press releases, and a whole load of new photos citing all the wonderful new "theme and characters" they've employed on park!

:D

Because we all socialise in our uniforms.....
 
This event has sold out before I could get the day off work confirmed. Damn. Would be interesting to see how busy they've allowed it to be, is anyone here going? Hope it works out well enough for another one next year.
 
Based on the list you posted it's not all that 'exclusive' since 'NHS' presumably includes everyone from brain surgeons to office administrators - a lot of people work for all those organisations xD. Would assume that quite a large number of tickets were made available (though obviously less than a normal day).
 
I suppose its up to the people who have hired the park as to how many tickets they have sold. I guess Alton would have given them some guidance. I have no idea how many tickets John Lewis give away, but the park wasn't that busy last year when they hired the park out.
 
Top