I'm worried...

[Bones]

I’m genuinely worried about Alton Towers.

I went this year for the first time since 2019 and it honestly made me a bit sad. This park used to feel magical to me. Every visit felt special! The atmosphere, the music, the excitement walking down Towers Street. But this year… it just didn’t feel the same.

In six years, all we’ve really had is the Nemesis re-track and “Ripsaw 2.0”. As great as it is to see Nemesis back, it’s not exactly something new. The rest of the park feels stuck in time and not in a good way.

So many rides are way past their best now:
Rita really needs replacing
Oblivion, as iconic as it is, feels tired - Needs replacing
The Smiler is rough as hell these days
Even Galactica has lost that spark - Could argue also needs replacing

It breaks my heart to say it, but without major investment from Merlin, I’m really worried about where the park is heading. Alton Towers used to be the jewel of UK theme parks! The one that felt different, immersive, alive. Now it just feels neglected

I honestly don’t think I’ll go back until there’s a big new attraction to get excited about again! Does anyone else feel the same way? Or am I just holding on to how good it used to be?

 

[Hid]

Rita really needs replacing
Oblivion, as iconic as it is, feels tired - Needs replacing
The Smiler is rough as hell these days
Even Galactica has lost that spark - Could argue also needs replacing

I disagree with all of these Rita is reallyy fun great launch, Oblivion is the 3rd best Dive Coaster I have done, Smiler is not as rough as people claim only the 12th and 13th inversion and Galactica one of the most unique Flying Coasters in terms of layout.

No Alton Towers is still magical a place to escape in 6 years we have had Gangsta Granny the Ride, Curse at Alton Manor, Nemesis Reborn, Toxicator, Refurbishment of Skyride and Refurbishment of Hex.

Its going through a rough patch at the moment but is still a great park

 

[GooseOnTheLoose]

I’m genuinely worried about Alton Towers.

I went this year for the first time since 2019 and it honestly made me a bit sad. This park used to feel magical to me. Every visit felt special! The atmosphere, the music, the excitement walking down Towers Street. But this year… it just didn’t feel the same.

In six years, all we’ve really had is the Nemesis re-track and “Ripsaw 2.0”. As great as it is to see Nemesis back, it’s not exactly something new. The rest of the park feels stuck in time and not in a good way.

So many rides are way past their best now:
Rita really needs replacing
Oblivion, as iconic as it is, feels tired - Needs replacing
The Smiler is rough as hell these days
Even Galactica has lost that spark - Could argue also needs replacing

It breaks my heart to say it, but without major investment from Merlin, I’m really worried about where the park is heading. Alton Towers used to be the jewel of UK theme parks! The one that felt different, immersive, alive. Now it just feels neglected

I honestly don’t think I’ll go back until there’s a big new attraction to get excited about again! Does anyone else feel the same way? Or am I just holding on to how good it used to be?

I have to respectfully disagree with the entire premise that the park is neglected. It's an emotional assessment that ignores the financial reality.

The park has seen massive, essential, multi-million-pound investment over the last three years. The work on Nemesis wasn't just "a new colour"; it was a colossal engineering project to secure the future of the park's most famous asset for another 30 years. The Curse at Alton Manor was a complete gutting and reimagining of another core, high-capacity dark ride. An additional few million was also spent on the refurbishments of Hex, Nemesis: Sub-Terra and the Sky Ride. Further millions have been spent on Toxicator and the Bluey coaster.

This isn't neglect. It's the literal opposite of neglect. It's just not the type of new-in-a-box expansionary investment that enthusiasts find exciting.

Your list of rides that "need replacing" (Rita, Oblivion, Smiler, Galactica) is essentially the park's entire headline coaster lineup. Asking for them all to be replaced isn't a realistic critique; it's a fantasy park wish list. A ride's icon status isn't diminished just because it's 25 years old.

This isn't the 90s, where Tussauds was in an arms race and could drop a new major attraction every two years. Merlin is operating in a high-inflation, post-Covid world. Their strategy is clearly to secure and refurbish their core, high-value assets first, before committing to a single, massive new-build.

This isn't sad. It's a sensible, long-term business plan. The magic you're nostalgic for was funded by a completely different, and far less challenging, economic reality.

 

[Matt N]

I have to respectfully disagree with the entire premise that the park is neglected. It's an emotional assessment that ignores the financial reality.

The park has seen massive, essential, multi-million-pound investment over the last three years. The work on Nemesis wasn't just "a new colour"; it was a colossal engineering project to secure the future of the park's most famous asset for another 30 years. The Curse at Alton Manor was a complete gutting and reimagining of another core, high-capacity dark ride. An additional few million was also spent on the refurbishments of Hex, Nemesis: Sub-Terra and the Sky Ride. Further millions have been spent on Toxicator and the Bluey coaster.

This isn't neglect. It's the literal opposite of neglect. It's just not the type of new-in-a-box expansionary investment that enthusiasts find exciting.

Your list of rides that "need replacing" (Rita, Oblivion, Smiler, Galactica) is essentially the park's entire headline coaster lineup. Asking for them all to be replaced isn't a realistic critique; it's a fantasy park wish list. A ride's icon status isn't diminished just because it's 25 years old.

This isn't the 90s, where Tussauds was in an arms race and could drop a new major attraction every two years. Merlin is operating in a high-inflation, post-Covid world. Their strategy is clearly to secure and refurbish their core, high-value assets first, before committing to a single, massive new-build.

This isn't sad. It's a sensible, long-term business plan. The magic you're nostalgic for was funded by a completely different, and far less challenging, economic reality.

I’d argue, however, that public perception is important. And I’d argue that as things stand, the public perception is that Alton Towers has stood still during the 2020s.

Nobody is denying that considerable millions have been spent across the decade so far. I’m not denying that the refurbishments have been of good quality. But to the casual visitor, are the recent investments grabbing the general populace’s attention and offering a compelling reason to return like the major additions of previous decades? I’d argue they aren’t.

As much as it cost a lot of money, Nemesis Reborn is effectively the same 30 year old ride in a new colour to the casual visitor. As much as it cost a lot of money, Curse at Alton Manor is effectively another haunted house in a slightly different colour to the casual visitor. As much as it cost a lot of money and is new ride hardware, Toxicator is effectively Ripsaw in a different colour to the casual visitor. And that’s the actual marketed spend; the casual visitor won’t care less that millions were spent on Skyride, Hex and Sub-Terra, as they have no way of knowing that without visiting the park.

I admit Bluey will be a new ride, but from a park known for its big, trailblazing headline rides, it is feeling like a long time since we’ve seen a legitimately new and exciting major ride, and surely that must be trickling down into the wider public perception of the park? As much as the park is spending money, is the wider populace outside of enthusiast circles really going to be interested in that spending when they’re effectively spending that money on keeping what they have now and/or reviving the past and bringing little that’s meaningfully new to the table? No matter how good the refurbishments were, or how necessary they were, my concern is that the nature of recent investments gives off a perception that the park is stood still, stuck in the past and devoid of new ideas.

I do think the decline of the place is often vastly overstated on here, and in that sense, I somewhat agree with your stance. But I do think the amount of time since a new major ride is a valid debate point, and I fear it will be lessening public interest in the park in the long run. Parks need major new things on a semi-regular basis to maintain public interest and stay relevant, and despite the cost of the revamps, I’d argue they don’t generate nearly as much interest outside of enthusiast circles.

 

[Slugjc]

Its 30 years since I first went to towers. I was about to start high school, an experience that wasn't nice. Something about the place hooked into something in my soul that will never leave. From the first ride on the monorail, that glimpse of nemesis for the first time and the sight of the house itself will never leave. Even before I went, my brother bringing home Nemesis merch from his school trip was enough. That's the magic for me. Towers was a comfort blanket of a time when I was comfy in my own skin.

The towers have good and bad memories for me. Laughs with old school friends who I no longer speak to. Trip with and old girlfriend, in which I rode Air for the first time. When it hailed. The first trip with the wife to the towers hotel, paid for with compensation after being jumped on a night out plus others. Did the magic fade for me. Nope.

Of course it's sad seeing new and shiny rides look their age. That's a part of it. I am yet to experience Curse, the new nemesis and Toxicator. My nostalgic head won't be happy with the changes, but it will except that it's good for place. Won't diminish my enjoyment in anyway. Rides like Rita, Thirteen and air look way overdue the bulldozer. You will.miss them when they are gone. The corkscrew was a dog of a ride. I would like another ride on it. As I would energiser.

Put it this way. As an enthusiast, you will see the faults. Remember, today, someone is experiencing the place for the first time. The magic may not be ours anymore, but it's now theirs to take on. That's the real magic

 

[rob666]

You are getting older mate, sorry.
It becomes difficult to beat old memories.
The new generation still love the place.

 

[GooseOnTheLoose]

I’d argue, however, that public perception is important. And I’d argue that as things stand, the public perception is that Alton Towers has stood still during the 2020s.

Nobody is denying that considerable millions have been spent across the decade so far. I’m not denying that the refurbishments have been of good quality. But to the casual visitor, are the recent investments grabbing the general populace’s attention and offering a compelling reason to return like the major additions of previous decades? I’d argue they aren’t.

As much as it cost a lot of money, Nemesis Reborn is effectively the same 30 year old ride in a new colour to the casual visitor. As much as it cost a lot of money, Curse at Alton Manor is effectively another haunted house in a slightly different colour to the casual visitor. As much as it cost a lot of money and is new ride hardware, Toxicator is effectively Ripsaw in a different colour to the casual visitor. And that’s the actual marketed spend; the casual visitor won’t care less that millions were spent on Skyride, Hex and Sub-Terra, as they have no way of knowing that without visiting the park.

I admit Bluey will be a new ride, but from a park known for its big, trailblazing headline rides, it is feeling like a long time since we’ve seen a legitimately new and exciting major ride, and surely that must be trickling down into the wider public perception of the park? As much as the park is spending money, is the wider populace outside of enthusiast circles really going to be interested in that spending when they’re effectively spending that money on keeping what they have now and/or reviving the past and bringing little that’s meaningfully new to the table? No matter how good the refurbishments were, or how necessary they were, my concern is that the nature of recent investments gives off a perception that the park is stood still, stuck in the past and devoid of new ideas.

I do think the decline of the place is often vastly overstated on here, and in that sense, I somewhat agree with your stance. But I do think the amount of time since a new major ride is a valid debate point, and I fear it will be lessening public interest in the park in the long run. Parks need major new things on a semi-regular basis to maintain public interest and stay relevant, and despite the cost of the revamps, I’d argue they don’t generate nearly as much interest outside of enthusiast circles.

Whilst I appreciate that a new major ride is a valid debate point, it's not particularly relevant to this discussion.

The premise was that the park is being neglected, which is demonstrably false at the present. It has been neglected in the past, which is why so much time, effort and money is now being spent to get it back up to scratch.

 

[Matt N]

Whilst I appreciate that a new major ride is a valid debate point, it's not particularly relevant to this discussion.

The premise was that the park is being neglected, which is demonstrably false at the present. It has been neglected in the past, which is why so much time, effort and money is now being spent to get it back up to scratch.

Ah right… in that case, I agree that the park isn’t “neglected”.

“Neglected” to me gives off Oakwood VIBES, whereas the refurbishments, while not the most exciting spend, are at least spend.

 

[rob666]

If you do not keep up with what you have got, you end up losing half of it.
...Like the Beach.

 

[venny]

Neglect is not a binary thing. It’s not neglected to the level Oakwood was, but that’s a low bar to set for whether something is neglected. Equally, just because some attractions have been maintained or refreshed in recent years doesn’t mean there’s been no neglect elsewhere.

Tell a visitor who sits in a filthy monorail carriage to the park entrance, sees the Ug Land decoration through the peeling paint of Dark Forest, walks past the closed Dungeons, the removed Fandango, through the overgrown (and frankly embarrassing) Gardens, that the park isn’t neglected.

 

[Maelstrom]

At the same time currently guest numbers are fairly stable and have been for a number of years post covid. Not saying it will stay like that without a major new ride in next few years but currently guests numbers are not declining and that despite the tough economic climate of recent times.

I am sure a major investment project will happen and likely be 2028. But I also agree with what’s been mentioned that the park has been receiving large amounts of capital investment but it’s been spent on many other projects rather than just a major headline ride.

 

[Slugjc]

Just a point that needs adding to my post.

Queue lines. When a SW opens, a massive queue line does it need. I always felt a little sad that when queuing for a ride later on in it's life, and seeing old parts of the queue line Overgrown and neglected.

When queuing for ye olde nemesis and looking up at the old line, did make you feel a tingle of sadness. Whilst feeling happy that you weren't up there for a few hours looking down on it. Even air, first time I went you got a nice view of the car park. Now, you are diverted off seeing a weed covered path down to the car park.

 

[pluk]

My daughter has just turned 7, the last 5 years or so should have been prime visiting window for us. We've been once.

While we didn't have a bad time, I found nearly everything about the trip frustrating and disappointing. I came away with similar feelings to OP, with a real concern for the future of the place, but for me this was not centred around the hardware, more what they do with it. I still believe there is the bones of a decent day out there, but with the hours, the service, the operations, the presentation, the catering, the accomodation? It simply isn't good enough to deserve my repeat custom.

There was a period of time, post Smilar and post Covid, that I believe they could have spent their way out of this, provided a real quality experience and moved themselves up to where something new and shiny is not essential to draw people back. An actual investment in the future that could be returned with higher prices for a more premium product.

But now they have neither; nothing new and no meaningful steps to turn around the overall experience, and now no money to do either. I struggle to see their way out.

 

[Mick]

I think that when you look at Towers, you see so much potential there and it’s very frustrating and disheartening for those who care deeply about the place to not see it maximise its potential.

Contrary to other opinions, I actually think their recent investment decisions around Nemsis (and the wider Forbidden Valley revamp), Hex, The Curse, Toxicator, Bluey and Skyride have all been sound decisions that were required. However, it’s also entirely correct to say that for the most part they weren’t exactly headline making decisions and I believe the park needs something like a Project Horizon to elevate it a level.

At the moment it’s still my favourite UK park, it’s still one of the best in the country (imo, don’t shoot me!), but despite that there’s so much you could do to improve it with regards replacing tired areas, tired rides, entertainment, food and beverage, transport, the list goes on…

With unlimited investment the place could be sensational, but unlimited investment doesn’t exist. I still look forward to every trip there and for the most part always make the most of my days.

 

[GooseOnTheLoose]

Neglect is not a binary thing. It’s not neglected to the level Oakwood was, but that’s a low bar to set for whether something is neglected. Equally, just because some attractions have been maintained or refreshed in recent years doesn’t mean there’s been no neglect elsewhere.

Tell a visitor who sits in a filthy monorail carriage to the park entrance, sees the Ug Land decoration through the peeling paint of Dark Forest, walks past the closed Dungeons, the removed Fandango, through the overgrown (and frankly embarrassing) Gardens, that the park isn’t neglected.

There are two different conversations happening here.

Merlin Entertainments aren't neglecting Alton Towers. The continued level of significant investment demonstrates this.

Basic cleanliness, general upkeep and maintenance of attractions are park level operations. The park decides where it spends it's operational expenditure budget.

The signs of neglect that you highlight are all Alton Towers' direct responsibility and within their remit. The neglect isn't at the corporate level, it's at the park level.

 

[shakey]

I agree with the original post. The park needs investment. It feels like they are just treading water to stay afloat. Nothing really to get excited about since wicker man in 2018. And they have a few coasters that are showing their age.

I haven't visited for three years and I doubt i will be back in 2026 either.

 

[venny]

There are two different conversations happening here.

Merlin Entertainments aren't neglecting Alton Towers. The continued level of significant investment demonstrates this.

Basic cleanliness, general upkeep and maintenance of attractions are park level operations. The park decides where it spends it's operational expenditure budget.

The signs of neglect that you highlight are all Alton Towers' direct responsibility and within their remit. The neglect isn't at the corporate level, it's at the park level.

So we’re agreed there’s neglect, but I’m not sure I follow the point.

Firstly, from a guest perspective, it doesn’t matter what the source of the neglect is. If somewhere is neglected, nobody’s walking around thinking those overgrown Listed gardens are in an appalling state, but it’s okay because that’s a park-level decision.

But also, I’m not sure that those decisions are solely park driven. Granted, someone should be able to get a member of staff in the monorail to give it a clean, but other areas must be influenced at a group level. If Merlin provided the budget to employ more gardeners, then wouldn’t the park employ more gardeners? Is it really the park who made a unilateral decision to remove Fandango, or is it the result of not having the budget to retain it? Have the park really just decided on their own that they’re going to stop any progress with Project Horizon?

I’m quite sure there is significant Merlin influence on the majority of the decisions leading to these areas of neglect.

 

[GooseOnTheLoose]

So we’re agreed there’s neglect, but I’m not sure I follow the point.

Firstly, from a guest perspective, it doesn’t matter what the source of the neglect is. If somewhere is neglected, nobody’s walking around thinking those overgrown Listed gardens are in an appalling state, but it’s okay because that’s a park-level decision.

But also, I’m not sure that those decisions are solely park driven. Granted, someone should be able to get a member of staff in the monorail to give it a clean, but other areas must be influenced at a group level. If Merlin provided the budget to employ more gardeners, then wouldn’t the park employ more gardeners? Is it really the park who made a unilateral decision to remove Fandango, or is it the result of not having the budget to retain it? Have the park really just decided on their own that they’re going to stop any progress with Project Horizon?

I’m quite sure there is significant Merlin influence on the majority of the decisions leading to these areas of neglect.

OP stated that the park needed major investment from Merlin, which it has had, and hinted that the neglect stems from that.

Merlin have demonstrably consistently invested in the property "post,-COVID". There may have been past neglect, but there isn't any now at the corporate level at least.

The neglect which you highlighted is within the control and parameters of the park. If my local cinema screen is a tip it is not the fault of head office, although my complaint may end up with them, it is down to the individual cinema.

Alton Towers are given an operational budget based on their previous year's results. This is reviewed at the halfway point. It is up to them how they spend it. The other parks manage quite well.

 

[venny]

So Merlin don’t provide the park a large enough budget to keep attractions open or maintain the Gardens, but that’s entirely the park’s responsibility, not Merlin’s…

We’ll agree to disagree.

 

[Hid]

maintain the Gardens,

The Gardens are maintained they just finished refurbing a bridge and did several projects on pagoda and conservatories