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Food & Beverage 2021

Alton is dire for meat eaters - let alone veggies or anybody with any dietary needs. It needs work across the board. Crap burgers, fried chicken and pizza - the world has moved on but ATR is generally stuck in the 90s. It's the same with the draught beer in the place... nothing aside from a couple of basic lagers served in plastic tumblers.
 
It’s remarkable to think that merchandise, which used to be light years ahead of the likes of Pleasure Beach, has declined so dramatically to the point that Pleasure Beach has now arguably overtaken it.

I think it’s a similar tale with F&B, although perhaps not as stark. There was such hope when the franchises were booted for in-house units, but there has again been a steady decline ever since - both in terms of quality and variety.

It no longer really forms part of the day for us - it’s so bad and the queues normally so long, it’s not worth the aggro. If they sorted out their offering though and opened enough units to avoid masssive waits, we’d be the first to spend money on a long lunch and a few beers. The conscious decision to reduce quality and options has got to have cost them revenue.
 
We started using express parking and taking a posh picnic about a decade ago because the food has gone crap, and it has got even worse since?!
Only used Eastern Express for the last few years.
 
Sorry if this has been posted somewhere already, but Alton Towers have stopped giving Merlin Annual Pass discount for the Coca Cola Freestyle refills *cries*
 
Thought the Steak Ciabatta in Woodcutters on Thursday was very nice, chips nice and crispy as well.

Glad we went for lunch just before 12 though as by the time we finished there was a sizable queue everywhere for food.
 
Thought the Steak Ciabatta in Woodcutters on Thursday was very nice, chips nice and crispy as well.

Glad we went for lunch just before 12 though as by the time we finished there was a sizable queue everywhere for food.

Was surprised by Woodcutters myself, went yesterday. The past few years, the food was grim for the price, but I really enjoyed it. Still spent £40 on two people, which is extortionate.
 
Does anybody have the annual pass discount code for Woodcutters this year?

Or is it proper table service now? (in which case it wouldn't matter)
 
There's a discount code if you order on your phone, just ask a member of staff and they can let you know. I did see them taking orders for some people too, perhaps those without a phone or with a flat battery.
 
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I have to say that the food in Woodcutters was good yesterday. The steak is pretty good all things considered, and it's nice to see a return of the Chicken & Ribs combo.

That said, a garnish wouldn't go amiss. Bit of a beige banquet. Also a lack of a salad and/or really "healthy" option on the menu at the moment. Woodcutters salads were always good!

Also - lack of draught beer choice, Stella seems to be unavailable even though the bars on park were busy all day.
 
I think healthy options in general are quite hard to find at British theme parks, Alton Towers has Eastern Express, Thorpe Park has Peckish but both are relatively small places compared to the big fast food outlets. I think it would look good on the park if they put in more healthy options and advertised them to children better.
Edit: after posting this I remembered an article I read on this subject a few years ago
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7483197.stm
It certainly makes you think what we are putting in our children's stomachs!
 
For most people a day out at a theme park is a treat and they want to eat food that feels like a treat too I guess.
I agree with AstroDan though that at least a garnish or even better a side salad should be included in woodcutters and similar table service meals.
 
I’ve had better burgers at a car boot sale than at Burger Kitchen. The lack of quality is quite frustrating when you don’t want a sit down meal. Sometimes you just want a takeaway to sit on a rock for 15 minutes to stop the belly rumbles.
 
I prefer to sit on a rock under the big chestnut tree in express parking with a decent picnic...roughly the same cost as on park overall, but far better quality and quantity, with zero queue.
 
That actually sounds pretty decent!

Does anyone know if you’re allowed to take hot food into the park? I know you can take sandwiches/crisps etc. I’m tempted to buy one of those flask type things for hot food so I can knock up some chilli con carne to keep me going.
 
That actually sounds pretty decent!

Does anyone know if you’re allowed to take hot food into the park? I know you can take sandwiches/crisps etc. I’m tempted to buy one of those flask type things for hot food so I can knock up some chilli con carne to keep me going.

As long as it isn't in a glass bottle I don't think there is anything in their terms to stop you bringing anything in. Weapons, knives, glass and alcohol are the only real things they stop.
 
That actually sounds pretty decent!

Does anyone know if you’re allowed to take hot food into the park? I know you can take sandwiches/crisps etc. I’m tempted to buy one of those flask type things for hot food so I can knock up some chilli con carne to keep me going.

Get a guerilla chilli stall set up in Express and spread the word on park. Might up their game if they saw guests wandering in and out with delicious steaming chilli con carne, whilst those not "ITK" walk around with their soggy cold burgers. *I in no way endorse actually doing this* ;)
 
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