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Ride Availability 2017

Just a note re: RideTimes, both Rita and Th13teen are down and this hasn't been reflected on the site.

Edit - Th13teen has reopened
 
Disregard what I said earlier in the week, today is an utter shambles. Th13teen closed as we were queuing so we wandered round to Rita which also closed as we waited.

Heading to Hex - all good.

Over to Smiler - closed. Took a look at Oblivion, single station ops. At least an hour wait but had 45 mins posted.

Video Air closed all day, as discussed previously.

Awful day. They need to sort it out.
 
The park is indeed shambolic today.

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Thirteen broke down towards the end of the day yesterday, and did not re-open.
Also, what was the Skyride like today? I got stuck on it yesterday! :eek::oops:
 
We're supposed to be heading up next weekend as we have friends over from the states, but based on recent poor operations I might take them to Paultons instead...

I can't believe standards seem to be slipping so dramatically, Alton used to be so good with throughputs and ride availability.
 
Skyride seemed to be fairly hit and miss but no massively lengthy stoppages from what I saw.
 
We're supposed to be heading up next weekend as we have friends over from the states, but based on recent poor operations I might take them to Paultons instead...

I can't believe standards seem to be slipping so dramatically, Alton used to be so good with throughputs and ride availability.

Drive the extra hour and a bit to BPB, great park, cheap entry, low queues, better opening hours and minimal downtime usually.
 
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I was under the impression most Americans think BPB is the only UK park worth looking at.
 
I was under the impression most Americans think BPB is the only UK park worth looking at.
In my experience, most American enthusiasts perhaps have a higher opinion of the Pleasure Beach because of the collection of wood coasters and the various (somewhat depleated) collection of other historic rides.

When Oblvion opened - that was a big deal because there was a B&M ride at Alton without an equivalent in the US (and there wasn't until Sheikra). Along with Nemesis being so unusual to the other B&M inverteds, it did generate some interest in Alton and I think it's fair to say that has continued to a degree.

With the Six Flags and Cedar Fair splurge of new coasters in the early 2000s I think interest may have subsided a little stateside.

Can't beat a good ride on Grand National, in the UK at least.
I quite agree ... but that feels like it was a while ago. Ouch!
 
I enjoy Blackpool but it has to have one of the most mediocre lineups I've seen. Only the Wild Mouse, Valhalla, and the Grand National (on a good day) are genuinely good IMO. Icon is exactly what Blackpool needs :)
 
I also enjoy Blackpool, but once a year is fine for me. Agree about Wild Mouse, Valhalla and Grand National, though also like the scaryness of Steeplechase, and still get a buzz from the Pepsi Max though the rest of the ride is as dull as dishwater.

I wonder though - if Alton didnt have the gardens, and the Towers, would we like it so much? Are the rides really that much better at Alton???
 
I've got a pass for both Alton & BPB. I've been to Alton twice this year and BPB 5 times. That's my opinion of the rides at both parks anyway.....

I mean, at AT the only good thrill coasters are Nemesis, Oblivion & The Smiler.
 
It does imo, but that's a debate for another day.

Can't beat a good ride on Grand National, in the UK at least.

Don't get me wrong I love my yearly visit and it is my nostalgia park as I grew up living behind the place as a kid and no doubt Icon will make it a more viable park to visit often, I may even purchase a season pass this year if they're £99 again. There's just no coaster there that offers the same thrill as Alton's major coasters for me.
 
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