It was definitely on 3 most of yesterday - I rode it first thing at 11 and then again around 7pm and it was on 3 for both of those!
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It was definitely on 3 most of yesterday - I rode it first thing at 11 and then again around 7pm and it was on 3 for both of those!
Skyscraper
TS Member
It's very possible that the ride's computer could have flagged an issue with one of the trains (the trains are monitored constantly by the computer, as well as the track hardware), resulting in said train being taken off the circuit.
Pretty grim outlook this morning when I looked at the queue times at 10:45. I am guessing the cold temperatures haven't helped when only Forbidden Valley rides are open... Galactica & Nemmy Reborn on 50 minutes queues. Everyone all in one place.
On a "quiet day" as well... Not a good start.
On a "quiet day" as well... Not a good start.
Bowser
TS Member
Up to 75 minutes now.
How are there even enough people to generate these queues on a midweek school day in March?
Make it 80 now. 90 on Rita... Maybe everyone is off or something because these are insane times for a midweek school day. You'd expect these sort of queues next week when Easter half term starts?
Or school trip invasion perhaps?
Skyscraper
TS Member
It's possible that some areas are already off for the Easter hols.
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Secret Weapon
TS Member
Wasn't half-term in February?
But you're right that perhaps the school trips have already started for some schools (I think the holidays begin next week).
Skyscraper
TS Member
Sorry I meant the Easter hols (I forget they're separate).
Thameslink Rail
TS Member
If there was ever a day that needs an extension, it's today. They can't have 90 minute queues and only give people six hours in park!
Secret Weapon
TS Member
I agree. Surely AT must know in advance when school trips are booked, and so they should know which days require longer opening times?
Although school children probably still need to get back at a relatively early time.
P.S. I never went on a single theme park trip when I was at school. The few trips that we did have were boring, and any fun was sucked out of them with 'clipboards', anyway.
There are many millions of workers in this great nation of ours who work, amazingly, at a weekend.
Because of this, they often get weekdays off in lieu.
There are a whole new generation of cheap annual passholders out there, determined to get value for money from their pass, away from weekends and school holidays, especially at the start of the season...no coasters for most for four months.
Today is a well forecast dry day in a changeable week, weather wise.
The park is not yet running at capacity, because it is low season outside the holidays.
All reasons for poop queues, and another big tick for me avoiding a cheap Merlin pass.
Still no monorail or skyride for basic transport, anyone any idea when?
Because of this, they often get weekdays off in lieu.
There are a whole new generation of cheap annual passholders out there, determined to get value for money from their pass, away from weekends and school holidays, especially at the start of the season...no coasters for most for four months.
Today is a well forecast dry day in a changeable week, weather wise.
The park is not yet running at capacity, because it is low season outside the holidays.
All reasons for poop queues, and another big tick for me avoiding a cheap Merlin pass.
Still no monorail or skyride for basic transport, anyone any idea when?
Bowser
TS Member
And yet these queue times aren’t reflected at any of the other UK parks open today.
Will add to my bulging portfolio of “Alton Towers has the worst queues” files.
GooseOnTheLoose
TS Member
Considering we don't have live and reliable attendance data for any of the parks, including Alton Towers, this is entirely without context.
Dave
TS Founding Member
As Goose says this suggests Towers actually has people visiting off peak which is curious. I’m sure 8 years ago the would have reduced those queues by a third with better ops/ availability but ultimately if they have queues when other parks don’t then that means they have people wanting to visit when others don’t.
Merlin take note!
DavidRock
TS Member
Yup yesterday was mental. Got to park opening and the coach park was rammed.
Got held at the plaza as it was full of school groups back to the car park.
Also scattered opening is still in effect so only 3 rides open til 11am. Got on Wickerman at 11:15am once it opened.
Busy for a Off Peak Day
Got held at the plaza as it was full of school groups back to the car park.
Also scattered opening is still in effect so only 3 rides open til 11am. Got on Wickerman at 11:15am once it opened.
Busy for a Off Peak Day
BarryZola
TS Member
Yeah, it can be a lottery nowadays. I have no proof at all of this but I reckon they got a savvy new manager in the marketing and promotions dept (do they even have that?) several years ago who has identified the traditionally quiet periods and has been reaching out to educational establishments across the land and offering deals to them. Just a trend I sort of noticed of these quiet days suddenly attracting more coach loads of kids. Of course there could be another reason why this started happening, but this is what I like to tell myself anyway
The enthusiast mindset is one of wanting the park to be dead when they visit so they can get all the rides and re-rides that they could possibly desire, but not so consistently dead that they need to make cutbacks. Unfortunately Towers seems to regularly have the worst of both worlds, busy but still cutting back.
The Beach has had special offer days for schools for years, and they plan staffing around those days.Yeah, it can be a lottery nowadays. I have no proof at all of this but I reckon they got a savvy new manager in the marketing and promotions dept (do they even have that?) several years ago who has identified the traditionally quiet periods and has been reaching out to educational establishments across the land and offering deals to them. Just a trend I sort of noticed of these quiet days suddenly attracting more coach loads of kids. Of course there could be another reason why this started happening, but this is what I like to tell myself anyway
I have known days in early June when the Big One has been on two trains all day, running well with no queue at all...because that is what they promised all the end of term older students, and a special discount for school trips, in the planning to ease the crazy crush in early July.
Such days were easy to spot by the sudden arrival of the sweetie giant laces market stalls.
Big money, lots of discounted speedypass sales as well!
The swines!