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Easter Sunday - How busy and how bad are the travellers?

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Donkey

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Hi,

Thinking of going to Alton Towers on Sunday. Haven't been for about 4 years and would quite like to ride Smiler.

Been checking the AT ride times thing today and the queues seem pretty reasonably for a bank holiday (Smiler peaked at 50 minutes but now everything is down to 5 minutes apart from Spinball and Rita). Is Easter Sunday likely to be much busier?

Also I've heard that Easter Sunday is 'traditionally' when the travelling community 'take over' Alton Towers and AT have to lay on additional security to deal with problems. Is it really that bad or is it overhyped?

Sorry if this is in the wrong section, this part of the board just seems busier than the your visit section.
 
Personally I've found it a mix with travellers on park. Generally it's no where near as bad as people make out. Although if you're unlucky and end up in the wrong place at the wrong time it only takes witnessing one incident that puts a damper on your day.

Worst thing I've seen on a traveller day is a group of guys threatening to beat up a member of staff because they refused them entry onto the Skyride because of queue jumping. But even that didn't escalate any further than being verbal.

I'd recommend you go another day although if you do go it's not all that bad. You just see some strange sights and if you're unlucky you'll see or be stuck in the middle of a disruptive/rowdy group of travellers.
 
This is a hugely controversial issue. Ultimately they are a group of people that have chosen a different way of life to most. However the reality is that the way of life is often intimidating and at the very least bemusing to behold. These people often have limited social skills or even antisocial tendencies on occasion. Obviously no group should be entirely stereotyped, but it is a fact that a significant number of travellers display these character traits.

They far from take over, but as has been said, it is possible to come across groups of travellers that are disruptive and/or abusive in queue lines etc. I would never say be a slave to fear, but do you have to go on Sunday?
 
To be fair, I would just go on a different day if the itinerant community cause you any worries. It's surprising that no TV company has created 'My Big Fat Gypsy Theme Park Trip' to be honest. I want royalties if this happens. Where's Crofty??
 
If you haven't been for years and don't go often I would suggest any other day, Monday will probably be fairly quiet even though it is Easter Monday!
 
Towers themselves are 'subtly' encouraging people to avoid going tomorrow.

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Not that I'm aware of, surely they'd want to be encouraging people to visit (and part with their wallets)?

Either that, or this is purely coincidental.
 
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They always try and put people off going on Easter Sunday and first Sunday of scarefest. It's not worth the complaints!

I thought that was the intent of this - just hadn't seen them discourage before.
 
I think it is called active management of guest numbers, as they know there is going to be a approximate amount of Guests due to easter weekend horse racing near by.
 
Definitely go on a different day..... I made the mistake of going last year and it was horrendous. I am 37 and felt completely intimidated especially after myself and my partner where verbally abused by a group of them. The guest services person was amazing about it and subtly agreed with us without actually saying it. The police presence on the park was also massive and it just made you feel unsafe and ruined the atmosphere. I actually left the place early which is something I have never done before,
 
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