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2025: General Discussion

Really good day at Towers today for Alton After Dark, first time visiting in 4 years. Somehow managed to dodge all the massive queues and the longest I waited was half an hour for The Smiler. Got night rides on Wicker Man, Galactica and Nemesis Reborn.

Had the chicken tandoori skewers on a stick in The Oak in Chains, bit pricey and ordering was a bit weird but food was really good, I think my opinion on the outsourcing is changing if that’s the quality they’re doing going forwards.

Severe lack of Entertainment apart from Alton Bear at 10:30ish and even then the character assistants didn’t sound enthusiastic when speaking to guests, hope whatever outsourcing happens there comes soon so we can get Entertainment back.

Staff were pretty good across the board, really friendly chat with a guy on Gangsta Granny as the ride was basically walk-on.

World of David Walliams is so dead without Flávio’s and the Beefeaters, it was awful. Former Cloud Cuckoo Land needs an overhaul badly.

Curse was pretty good, I was impressed with the number of practical stuff within the ride, all major effects were working on both run throughs, I noticed that design style was very similar to Sparks designs from the original Haunted House, felt very 80/90s with modern tech! Charming.

Forbidden Valley is even more ace now and I love what they've done with the area, it feels so kinetic, I really hope this is the standard for the rest of the park now. Galactica weirdly didn’t really feel like it stuck out that badly. Although bizarrely there was no Eve in the station today.

Sea Life was a bit odd as a few tanks were just empty. Mutiny Bay somehow has yet another new soundtrack, it’s okay but didn’t need fixing anyways. Wicker Man is so good, good to see the preshow again and I love the shade they’ve added at the merge points.

Smiler was pretty good, noticeable rattle throughout but didn’t bother me although the guests I was sitting next to complained a lot about it. There was a blue screen of death outside the optical room with a bouncing ‘no signal’ sign which was pretty funny and provided some entertainment as I was waiting for it to hit the corner. Oblivion was down all-day as well as Sub Terra but I wasn’t really bothered. Smiler as the only ride in X-Sector is a bit naff as it’s a fair trek just for one ride. The restraints smelt awful and are in serious need of the foam being replaced. But otherwise the best ride I’ve ever had on it.

I totalled 24,000 steps without the Skyride, which was testing throughout the day. Not too fussed about Rapids, Hex and that being shut as I only paid £21 for entry on an 8pm close.

Operations across the park were stellar and a train was always being dispatched after the other was hitting the brakes on every ride, with baggage holds where possible. Staff deserve a lot more praise for their performance during the uncertainty with Merlin. Well done all around.

Lighting across the park was probably some of the best I’ve seen across the whole park overall, surprised they put in that much effort for late opening on six nights. Let’s hope they keep it, most lighting was simple but effective. I know this was planned by the Ents AV Team before they were made redundant and executed by the maintenance team.

I really like the direction the park is going in with both the small and big changes. I think Alton Towers is settling into a new role in my life as a central location for me to keep engaged with old friends and family members as I move into the next stage of my life. Just the way I want it!
 
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Still not
Bert2theSpark said:
Really good day at Towers today Alton After Dark, first time visiting in 4 years. Somehow managed to dodge all the massive queues and the longest I waited was half an hour for The Smiler. Got night rides on Wicker Man, Galactica and Nemesis Reborn.

Had the chicken tandoori skewers on a stick in The Oak in Chains, bit pricey and ordering was a bit weird but food was really good, I think my opinion on the outsourcing is changing if that’s the quality they’re doing going forwards.

Severe lack of Entertainment apart from Alton Bear at 10:30ish and even then the character assistants didn’t sound enthusiastic when speaking to guests, hope whatever outsourcing happens there comes soon so we can get Entertainment back.

Staff were pretty good across the board, really friendly chat with a guy on Gangsta Granny as the ride was basically walk-on.

World of David Walliams is so dead without Flávio’s and the Beefeaters, it was awful. Former Cloud Cuckoo Land needs an overhaul badly.

Curse was pretty good, I was impressed with the number of practical stuff within the ride, all major effects were working on both run throughs, I noticed that design style was very similar to Sparks designs from the original Haunted House, felt very 80/90s with modern tech! Charming.

Forbidden Valley is even more ace now and I love what they've done with the area, it feels so kinetic, I really hope this is the standard for the rest of the park now. Galactica weirdly didn’t really feel like it stuck out that badly. Although bizarrely there was no Eve in the station today.

Sea Life was a bit odd as a few tanks were just empty. Mutiny Bay somehow has yet another new soundtrack, it’s okay but didn’t need fixing anyways. Wicker Man is so good, good to see the preshow again and I love the shade they’ve added at the merge points.

Smiler was pretty good, noticeable rattle throughout but didn’t bother me although the guests I was sitting next to complained a lot about it. There was a blue screen of death outside the optical room with a bouncing ‘no signal’ sign which was pretty funny and provided some entertainment as I was waiting for it to hit the corner. Oblivion was down all-day as well as Sub Terra but I wasn’t really bothered. Smiler as the only ride in X-Sector is a bit naff as it’s a fair trek just for one ride. The restraints smelt awful and are in serious need of the foam being replaced. But otherwise the best ride I’ve ever had on it.

I totalled 24,000 steps without the Skyride, which was testing throughout the day. Not too fussed about Rapids, Hex and that being shut as I only paid £21 for entry on an 8pm close.

Operations across the park were stellar and a train was always being dispatched after the other was hitting the brakes on every ride, with baggage holds where possible. Staff deserve a lot more praise for their performance during the uncertainty with Merlin. Well done all around.

Lighting across the park was probably some of the best I’ve seen across the whole park overall, surprised they put in that much effort for late opening on six nights. Let’s hope they keep it, most lighting was simple but effective. I know this was planned by the Ents AV Team before they were made redundant and executed by the maintenance team.

I really like the direction the park is going in with both the small and big changes. I think Alton Towers is settling into a new role in my life as a central location for me to keep engaged with old friends and family members as I move into the next stage of my life. Just the way I want it!
Click to expand...
I was on park too, Oblivion did open in the early afternoon but then shut and stayed shut, Sub-Terra opened at 6:30 because I was right next to it when it did
 
Bert2theSpark said:
Really good day at Towers today Alton After Dark, first time visiting in 4 years. Somehow managed to dodge all the massive queues and the longest I waited was half an hour for The Smiler. Got night rides on Wicker Man, Galactica and Nemesis Reborn.

Had the chicken tandoori skewers on a stick in The Oak in Chains, bit pricey and ordering was a bit weird but food was really good, I think my opinion on the outsourcing is changing if that’s the quality they’re doing going forwards.

Severe lack of Entertainment apart from Alton Bear at 10:30ish and even then the character assistants didn’t sound enthusiastic when speaking to guests, hope whatever outsourcing happens there comes soon so we can get Entertainment back.

Staff were pretty good across the board, really friendly chat with a guy on Gangsta Granny as the ride was basically walk-on.

World of David Walliams is so dead without Flávio’s and the Beefeaters, it was awful. Former Cloud Cuckoo Land needs an overhaul badly.

Curse was pretty good, I was impressed with the number of practical stuff within the ride, all major effects were working on both run throughs, I noticed that design style was very similar to Sparks designs from the original Haunted House, felt very 80/90s with modern tech! Charming.

Forbidden Valley is even more ace now and I love what they've done with the area, it feels so kinetic, I really hope this is the standard for the rest of the park now. Galactica weirdly didn’t really feel like it stuck out that badly. Although bizarrely there was no Eve in the station today.

Sea Life was a bit odd as a few tanks were just empty. Mutiny Bay somehow has yet another new soundtrack, it’s okay but didn’t need fixing anyways. Wicker Man is so good, good to see the preshow again and I love the shade they’ve added at the merge points.

Smiler was pretty good, noticeable rattle throughout but didn’t bother me although the guests I was sitting next to complained a lot about it. There was a blue screen of death outside the optical room with a bouncing ‘no signal’ sign which was pretty funny and provided some entertainment as I was waiting for it to hit the corner. Oblivion was down all-day as well as Sub Terra but I wasn’t really bothered. Smiler as the only ride in X-Sector is a bit naff as it’s a fair trek just for one ride. The restraints smelt awful and are in serious need of the foam being replaced. But otherwise the best ride I’ve ever had on it.

I totalled 24,000 steps without the Skyride, which was testing throughout the day. Not too fussed about Rapids, Hex and that being shut as I only paid £21 for entry on an 8pm close.

Operations across the park were stellar and a train was always being dispatched after the other was hitting the brakes on every ride, with baggage holds where possible. Staff deserve a lot more praise for their performance during the uncertainty with Merlin. Well done all around.

Lighting across the park was probably some of the best I’ve seen across the whole park overall, surprised they put in that much effort for late opening on six nights. Let’s hope they keep it, most lighting was simple but effective. I know this was planned by the Ents AV Team before they were made redundant and executed by the maintenance team.

I really like the direction the park is going in with both the small and big changes. I think Alton Towers is settling into a new role in my life as a central location for me to keep engaged with old friends and family members as I move into the next stage of my life. Just the way I want it!
Click to expand...
I had a similar experience on Sunday. So many people here expect a perfect day one. If your easily offended by day one issues the simple answers is wait a week.

The idea of opening a few weekends before is great to iron out the issues. I haven't been in 5 years and we had a great day out with minimal ques. The longest was 60 minutes. The smiler went down and that was it.

I think people are becoming too demanding for opening weekends and should enjoy it for what it is. I'd prefer this night time experience and the possibility of a few issues over no event at all.

Like you said £21 for 10 hours of rides!
We did as a group:
Nemesis 2x
Smiler 2x
Oblivion
13
Galactica
TCOAM
Wickerman
Nemesis ST
Teacups

Less than £2 a ride!

That is crazy good value, we didn't rush and we arrived at the park at 1pm (so 7 hours for us as a group,)

I think from a non regular guest pov it is as a massive success and I wouldn't expect many non Merlin pass holders to visit on day 1 of the season. Day 4 the park operations seemed to run brilliantly.
 
Popped along yesterday (29/3) for last After Dark opening, arriving just after 10.

Some pretty long queue times as expected. The park was busy though, which was good to see.

In terms of ride operations. Around 6pm there was a glut of rides closed briefly, with I think Wickerman & Th13teen being the only rides showing as open. Other than that seemed OK.

Joined Toxicator queue showing a time of 55 mins. It did break down, and was down for about 30 mins, and waited just over an hour in the end including the 30 minute breakdown.

Wickerman showing 55, waited about 80 but queue did move quick and no breakdowns in that time. Nemesis at end of night showing 50, waited 30, again quick moving queue. Didn't bother with Smiler, queue was massive and the Single Rider/Fast track/Rap queue looked a nightmare, spilling out of entrance towards Oblivion. Did Th13teen via SRQ, with main showing 60, SRQ was 0.

Not sure what was going on the Mine Train early on, but a 1/2 full queue took over 50 minutes. The batcher, after batching a group, would close the chain, walk down the platform to check how many empty bays, come back, batch next group and do the same again. Rinse and repeat. From train stopping to next despatch was pushing nearly 10 minutes. When we finally got off the queue was spilling out the entrance and around the corner heading up to Gloomy Wood and showing 60 on Queue Times. Given we waited 50 with a 1/2 full queue I would hazard a guess that that was an under estimate unless they changed batchers.

Ate again at Not Woodcutters. Had chicken burger, which was decent and not a donut in sight. Service was pretty good and was served food within 10 minutes. Still a bit inconsistent though. When seated, I was told how to enter the AP discount code and what it was, but it was done that quick I didn't actually get to see what it was. This was applied before I ordered and was shown as included when I came to pay. Had to ask another server to apply again as Dave was making a separate order, only to be told that it couldn't be applied until after the order had been placed and needed to take tablet up to bar to get some one to add it for you.

Note that at other outlets with touch screen ordering you can add AP discount, but you have to type in your pass number. A scanner would be more useful?

Skyride was testing throughout the day.

One bugbear, seemingly lack of places to sit indoors to just have a beverage of any kind with having to queue up to wait to be seated. Especially given there was a fairly cold breeze.

Popped in to ATH before home. Short wait at bar with a few serving which was good to see. Oddly though, it seemed fairly quiet, especially for a Saturday night. We arrived around 8:45pm and plenty of empty seats, and still same when we left just before 10, similar in Splash too. The Hotel car parks didn't seem overly busy either.

Good day overall. Good to see the parks busy, though some wildly busy queue times, with Smiler, Wickerman and even Galactica at one point being over 100 minutes. Everything on full capacity (Not sure about Galactica as didn't hang around long enough to see after clocking the 90 on the queue board). Forbidden Valley looks great at night. Dark Forest and X Sector and depressing cess pits regardless of time of day.
 
I’ve just spotted a particularly depressing post in the AT discussion group on Facebook, and it appears that Little Explorers Lunch Box in CBeebies (home of the grab and go sandwich amongst other things) has now converted to a not-Woodcutters style table service offering, complete with tablet based ordering, stressful discount procedure, and another new menu that not one person asked for.

RIP our two go-to eateries. If we bother visiting at all this year we’ll be taking our own lunch.
 
Yeah also visited yesterday. Smiler queue was awful, advertised at 70 and waited about 2hrs30. A lot of people leaving the queue, and the area is a bad state.
Must say operations were very odd, Smiler was sending round empty trains as well Wicker Man. Still on 2 trains.
13 and Nemesis were both good though, good to see 13 on 3 trains, chucking them out.
Hopefully it's just a start of the Season thing.
But it is clear the see the park is lacking capacity badly, need filler rides asap.
If you don't want to do a coaster, the only thrilling rides you can do is toxicator and NST!
 
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