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2020: General Discussion

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Reading the guidelines they could open as normal in tier 1 and 2, but tier three they can only open outdoor areas, not sure if rides would be able to open. But the hotels would certainly have to close, along with indoor rides which would be duel, hex and sea life. Which is half the rides expected to open.

plus all theme park guests for Christmas have a hotel and park package, so would be a nightmare to sort out as the hotel would not be allowed to open.

The gardens would be able to open, so I think if we go to tier 3 they will keep the gardens open, and I guess advertise it as a Christmas thing, as they’ll have it set up for Christmas, and I guess hotel guests will get a refund or offer to move it.
 
AstroDan said:
The losses at ATR if they cannot do Santa Sleepover events will be profound.

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Are the events really that popular? I’d have thought that the off-season would be a quieter time for the Resort, what with the park being closed.
 
Matt N said:
Are the events really that popular? I’d have thought that the off-season would be a quieter time for the Resort, what with the park being closed.
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There's no day visitors, but Santa's Sleepovers are usually a money spinner for the resort. You've got families who inherently spend more, they're staying for two nights and so they're going to be buying at least 2 lots of lunch and dinner on top of drinks and snacks. The pricing for the stays has increased quite substantially over the years too, yet they're still incredibly popular.
 
If Alton Towers is covered by tier 3 lockdown they have no choice but to shut the hotel so it’s definitely not possible to have the Santa sleepovers.
 
Staffordshire as a whole is confirmed on the Government website (when it works) to be in tier 3.

So nothing indoors*, no hotels, and potential for outdoor shows to not be allowed (wording unclear on if there is a size allowance).

Edit: * except toilets, shop, and throughways.
 
Swarm Chris said:
Staffordshire as a whole is confirmed on the Government website (when it works) to be in tier 3.

So nothing indoors*, no hotels, and potential for outdoor shows to not be allowed (wording unclear on if there is a size allowance).

Edit: * except toilets, shop, and throughways.
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That means Sharkbait Reef won't be able to open either, and the Santa's Grotto would have to be outdoors.
 
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ringo said:
At least Towers should have planned for this situation.
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I'm guessing the plan is to do gardens only. But that won't make any money really.

Might as well keep the hotels closed through to half term or even the theme park season now.
 
skyscraper said:
That means Sharkbait Reef won't be able to open either, and the Santa's Grotto would have to be outdoors.
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Would they have had Santa's grotto anyway? I'm fairly sure Legoland were cutting that from their Christmas offering, as a socially-distanced and Covid-secure Father Christmas meet and greet isn't exactly something that will be full of festive cheer...
 
Islander said:
Would they have had Santa's grotto anyway? I'm fairly sure Legoland were cutting that from their Christmas offering, as a socially-distanced and Covid-secure Father Christmas meet and greet isn't exactly something that will be full of festive cheer...
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It is listed as included https://www.altontowers.com/explore/events/christmas/

  • A unique visit to Santa's Grotto (with a delightful gift for each child)

I agree though that trying to keep kids distanced from Santa would be hard!
 
Islander said:
Would they have had Santa's grotto anyway? I'm fairly sure Legoland were cutting that from their Christmas offering, as a socially-distanced and Covid-secure Father Christmas meet and greet isn't exactly something that will be full of festive cheer...
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Chessington are still planning a Santa’s grotto, although I’m not sure if being in tier 2 would affect this.

What I will say though, is that I personally think a Santa’s grotto taking place during a pandemic is completely absurd. Children social distancing from Santa, never going to happen. Just feel sorry for whoever has to be dressed up in the suit.
 
TPJames said:
Chessington are still planning a Santa’s grotto, although I’m not sure if being in tier 2 would affect this.

What I will say though, is that I personally think a Santa’s grotto taking place during a pandemic is completely absurd. Children social distancing from Santa, never going to happen. Just feel sorry for whoever has to be dressed up in the suit.
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Put Santa in a perpex box, its the North Pole Post Office!

:D
 
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