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2026: General Discussion
Secret Weapon
TS Member
The truth is probably somewhere in the middle; Alton Towers has some problems, but probably not as bad as many people are saying
Dave
TS Founding Member
I haven’t but vloggers may have spotted the high view counts some early videos got and jumping on the band wagon.
Vlogging is rarely so dynamic as to be a reaction to Towers itself, they are reacting to the algorithm, trouble is negative videos get a double wammy as you get the people who agree with it but also all the people defending it in the comments inadvertently push the reach.
It’s one reason why the smiler crash became click bait for years as it showed high social media reach which was mostly geeks rage defending the place ironically enough, making the posts even more common.
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Secret Weapon
TS Member
Responding to my own suggestion (quoted above): Dean on YouTube has just posted an Alton Towers vlog, and I noticed at the 11:49 mark that there are now exercise markers along the path which inform riders of the amount of walking that they have done (see link below).
Does anybody know whether these markers were already installed in the park before my post on the 4th April (in which case, it was simply a case of great minds thinking alike*!), or whether somebody from Alton Towers has read my post and copied the idea??
(*Either that, or I saw Alton Towers do it and pretended it was my idea !)
I don't remember seeing them there when I last went to Alton Towers in 2025...
From: https://youtu.be/k9gdCUjPLh0?t=709
GooseOnTheLoose
TS Member
Yes, they were.
I would certainly hope that the park isn't that desperate.
Dave
TS Founding Member
I don’t know how true this is, and I can only find proof on the resort side but apparently there was some significant electrical upgrades on the resort over the closed season that caused a number of periods of no or limited electrical supply. Might explain some of the delays in getting train maintenance completed.
Bit of evidence I can find is linked to the waterpark but it’s possible to complete that the sites power had to be interrupted, or the project was wider.
www.centricabusinesssolutions.com
Bit of evidence I can find is linked to the waterpark but it’s possible to complete that the sites power had to be interrupted, or the project was wider.
Alton Towers minimizes its energy risks and cuts annual costs by 12%
With two million visitors a year and complex energy requirements the resort selected a state-of-the art CHP unit generating 850kWh and energy efficiency of 80%.
Steve74
TS Member
They were putting them up on Friday 20th March - I visited on that day and arrived mid-afternoon and there were 2 members of staff putting up the sign that is next to where the path starts out of the main car park near Nemesis. I never noticed any others on the walk to the entrance so I guess they all got put up that afternoon.
If that's the case that this delayed winter maintenance by some degree, in my opinion, Towers have shot themselves in the foot - this could've been a golden opportunity to say how they're investing to save energy for the future and they could've then mitigated all the negative social media posts about the park not being ready for opening by stating that this installation had caused some minor delays. Of course people would still not be happy but at least there would be an official reason for things not being ready instead of the rumour mill going into overdrive!I don’t know how true this is, and I can only find proof on the resort side but apparently there was some significant electrical upgrades on the resort over the closed season that caused a number of periods of no or limited electrical supply. Might explain some of the delays in getting train maintenance completed.
Bit of evidence I can find is linked to the waterpark but it’s possible to complete that the sites power had to be interrupted, or the project was wider.
Alton Towers minimizes its energy risks and cuts annual costs by 12%
With two million visitors a year and complex energy requirements the resort selected a state-of-the art CHP unit generating 850kWh and energy efficiency of 80%.
Secret Weapon
TS Member
Just a quick question: does anybody know whether any flat rides have ever featured on-ride photography? Or was it only ever rollercoasters?
If it's only coasters, then what was the reason? Is it because coasters generally only pass each point once (except for the Runaway Mine Train, which has two laps of the same circuit*), whereas flat rides repeatedly traverse the same circuit and thus it's unclear which cycle the photograph should be taken in? Is it because it's harder to take people's photographs on a flat ride due to the wider seating arrangements?
(*I can't remember whether the Runaway Mine Train takes a photograph of each lap, or only one of the two laps)
EDIT / UPDATE: I think Apocalypse at Drayton Manor might have had on-ride photography, but this was a slightly different ride from most flat rides as (A) it came to a complete stop at the top; (B) it only dropped once; and (C) it was probably easier to physically position the camera close to the riders, as the ride only moved in a linear position (not rotary or swinging)
If it's only coasters, then what was the reason? Is it because coasters generally only pass each point once (except for the Runaway Mine Train, which has two laps of the same circuit*), whereas flat rides repeatedly traverse the same circuit and thus it's unclear which cycle the photograph should be taken in? Is it because it's harder to take people's photographs on a flat ride due to the wider seating arrangements?
(*I can't remember whether the Runaway Mine Train takes a photograph of each lap, or only one of the two laps)
EDIT / UPDATE: I think Apocalypse at Drayton Manor might have had on-ride photography, but this was a slightly different ride from most flat rides as (A) it came to a complete stop at the top; (B) it only dropped once; and (C) it was probably easier to physically position the camera close to the riders, as the ride only moved in a linear position (not rotary or swinging)
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Dave
TS Founding Member
Ripsaw did for a bit, it was pretty naff, it just took a picture at the end of the cycle.
Most flat rides have an erratic motion that a camera can’t predict, coasters have a fixed motion in most cases (spinning coasters are harder to do).
flyingguitar
TS Member
As you mention Drop towers have them pretty often, (stuff like on tower of terror)
it can be difficult to get a good photo of one set of seats and isolate it, often cameras are a set and forget system where they tune the camera and timings to be perfect, then leave it, on some rides the angle of the seats can vary wildly depending on the rider (such as tea cups)
the number of circuits isn't really that important as these rides opperate on a cycle and it can be done anywhere during that cycle (such as when you get splashed on toxicator)
Alot of modern flat rides have computer controled systems, where they opperate on a cycle and know the position so they could have a part where it takes a picture, or where the seats are more predictable however this depends on the ride a break dance may be far more variable compared to a swinging ship
there is also a couple more reasons:
depending on the ride spinning even if predictable can cause vastly differnt speeds between seats (such as on a tea cups ride) meaning getting settings (such as shutter speed) would be difficult to impossible for a stationary camera
All of these technical issues could be over come (such as having cameras on the ride vehicle), but I think the main reason: who would want a photo from a flat ride, drop towers can be quite scary but often flat rides are filler rides and not the main attraction, whilst you may get a lot of people wanting a photo for Nemesis I ccan't imagine that number is high enough to justify the cost and maitanence required for photos.
mo237
TS Member
I didn't go to Towers last year (first time since 2012 I skipped a year), but I broke the hiatus last weekend and actually had a pretty good time.
It's still tired, there's discrepancies, but there's still plenty of fun to be had. My girlfriend hadn't been prior so I suppose a lot of my enjoyment was from showing her somewhere so special to myself - I'd nagged her ear off about the parks varied issues plenty of times but she too had a good weekend.
I think the biggest issue - unsurprisingly - is the lack of Skyride, which I actually cannot fathom considering it's lengthy refurbishment. We popped back in for a couple rides before the drive home and wanted to do Rita, but didn't want to walk 20mins or so, then queue another 20mins for one ride - but if the Skyride was available we'd have probably done it.
It's still tired, there's discrepancies, but there's still plenty of fun to be had. My girlfriend hadn't been prior so I suppose a lot of my enjoyment was from showing her somewhere so special to myself - I'd nagged her ear off about the parks varied issues plenty of times but she too had a good weekend.
I think the biggest issue - unsurprisingly - is the lack of Skyride, which I actually cannot fathom considering it's lengthy refurbishment. We popped back in for a couple rides before the drive home and wanted to do Rita, but didn't want to walk 20mins or so, then queue another 20mins for one ride - but if the Skyride was available we'd have probably done it.
Guest Services have "reached out to the teams involved", as they do, and still have no news regarding the opening of the two main transport systems in the park.
Lousy when the park has already been open for over a month.
Very poor show from a company that sees itself as "championing access" to its attractions.
But no surprise at all following recent seasons.
Lousy when the park has already been open for over a month.
Very poor show from a company that sees itself as "championing access" to its attractions.
But no surprise at all following recent seasons.
Secret Weapon
TS Member
I have a quick question: I often hear people say that Alton Towers is going downhill because it appears to be untidy (e.g. paint peeling off, and rides needing cleaning, et cetera)
However: am I correct in thinking that perhaps Alton Towers was ALWAYS ‘dirty’, but nobody noticed back then because rides were being replaced so often that the shiny new hardware automatically appeared as if it had been freshly cleaned?
Or am I wrong, and was there in fact previously a dedicated cleaning and repainting regime that no longer exists anymore?
However: am I correct in thinking that perhaps Alton Towers was ALWAYS ‘dirty’, but nobody noticed back then because rides were being replaced so often that the shiny new hardware automatically appeared as if it had been freshly cleaned?
Or am I wrong, and was there in fact previously a dedicated cleaning and repainting regime that no longer exists anymore?
The park used to be much brighter and fresher than it is now.
The gutters didn't leak on to you when you made purchases at the kiosks, the monorail moved rapidly and frequently, as did the skyride.
Graffiti was rarely seen and removed quickly, though the chewing gum wall did become an issue all those years ago.
The gutters didn't leak on to you when you made purchases at the kiosks, the monorail moved rapidly and frequently, as did the skyride.
Graffiti was rarely seen and removed quickly, though the chewing gum wall did become an issue all those years ago.
Secret Weapon
TS Member
I've heard some people say that the giant concrete platform for Toxicator may have been a mistake, as it invites graffiti - both from bored guests inside the queue-line, and people hanging around the underpass as well.
Never thought of Alton as dirty and I still don’t. But what it lacks now compared to the past is a genuine feeling of a magical day out where you didn’t feel totally ripped off at the end of it.
Staying in the hotels was truely a magical experience with a warm welcome from reception as you arrived. The exclusive path along the woodland walk behind ATH to forbidden valley first thing in the morning for your hours ERT. The book of vouchers you used to get for staying the hotel and exclusive use of the hotel pool/waterpark.
The park would frequently be open later, with the skyride running pretty much all year along with the monorail. Shows on during the day if you wanted a break from the rides. Break downs were minimal. Queues were still generally quite big for the main rides ( always recall the long queues for Black Hole ) but because there was no fast pass or RAP then it didn’t bother you so much. The whole park would usually be open from the opening time set in the morning with no staggered openings.
Food and drink was better and more reasonable in price especially by the main outlets were there. Pizza pasta was really good too in be first few years after opening.
Going back to the hotel after a fun day in the park to freshen up, order your wine from outside the secret garden restaurant before dinner and then be escorted in to your table with your drinks and to have a nice meal.
Afterwards sitting in the atrium where staff would serve you drinks at your tables while you watched the awesome band and hotel entertainment. Every level of the atrium would be packed with guests clapping, singing and laughing. It was quite an atmosphere.
Entertainment went on until late and usually we’d stay up later sitting the bar having a drink before a good sleep, a good breakfast the next day and do it all over again the n next day.
So no I don’t think it’s dirty even now, more poorly managed, operating on a strict budget and where draining the guests of every penny is more important than the guest experience. Sadly.
Dare I also say society has changed a lot too. People used to like staying up later with the entertainment. People i believe used have more sense of humour. Some of the acts and jokes wouldn’t go down well now. There wasn’t so much complaining about everything as there is now. So while the hotel entertainment experience is partly due to budget cuts, changing times are also a big part of the shift to today’s more drab, early finishing, quieter offerings!
Staying in the hotels was truely a magical experience with a warm welcome from reception as you arrived. The exclusive path along the woodland walk behind ATH to forbidden valley first thing in the morning for your hours ERT. The book of vouchers you used to get for staying the hotel and exclusive use of the hotel pool/waterpark.
The park would frequently be open later, with the skyride running pretty much all year along with the monorail. Shows on during the day if you wanted a break from the rides. Break downs were minimal. Queues were still generally quite big for the main rides ( always recall the long queues for Black Hole ) but because there was no fast pass or RAP then it didn’t bother you so much. The whole park would usually be open from the opening time set in the morning with no staggered openings.
Food and drink was better and more reasonable in price especially by the main outlets were there. Pizza pasta was really good too in be first few years after opening.
Going back to the hotel after a fun day in the park to freshen up, order your wine from outside the secret garden restaurant before dinner and then be escorted in to your table with your drinks and to have a nice meal.
Afterwards sitting in the atrium where staff would serve you drinks at your tables while you watched the awesome band and hotel entertainment. Every level of the atrium would be packed with guests clapping, singing and laughing. It was quite an atmosphere.
Entertainment went on until late and usually we’d stay up later sitting the bar having a drink before a good sleep, a good breakfast the next day and do it all over again the n next day.
So no I don’t think it’s dirty even now, more poorly managed, operating on a strict budget and where draining the guests of every penny is more important than the guest experience. Sadly.
Dare I also say society has changed a lot too. People used to like staying up later with the entertainment. People i believe used have more sense of humour. Some of the acts and jokes wouldn’t go down well now. There wasn’t so much complaining about everything as there is now. So while the hotel entertainment experience is partly due to budget cuts, changing times are also a big part of the shift to today’s more drab, early finishing, quieter offerings!
Bowser
TS Member
I agree with pretty much everything you said prior to this but i'm not convinced this last bit is true.
Not quite the same but the After Dark offerings show there is a big demand for late night entertainment and the popularity of the Halloween events at various parks illustrates that people are keen to stay up and take part in events that aren't just rides.
The bigger (and better) parks across Europe offer various forms of evening entertainment that also seem to be popular. Has the UK culture really deviated so much in that regard? I think it's purely a matter of economics and no doubt Universal will both deliver and excel in terms of providing evening entertainment.