2020: General Discussion

[Mr Pearse]

Given what they have lost over the past 4 months I think £12 is reasonable if it means the place stays open so we can all visit again properly in the future and keep the staff in jobs

no matter what happens to merlin these places will always be open. Someone will always come along and take over the parks.

 

[Spookle15]

This is fantastic.Take away the usual parking fees, it's just £4 for the gardens.

Love the gardens, would pay more than £12 to go there now. Definitely something to think about.

 

[Skyscraper]

This is fantastic.Take away the usual parking fees, it's just £4 for the gardens.

Love the gardens, would pay more than £12 to go there now. Definitely something to think about.

Remember that you have to book online and there will be limited spaces.

 

[Log Flume's Dennis]

if you read the small print, each guest has a mandatory photo taken when they enter the gardens and it costs £499.

In addition to this, several trees now have fast track.

 

[Ethan]

I think it'd just be nice for enthusiasts to actually be at towers again. I don't mind not riding anything, just being there is satisfying enough. I mean people say towers has lost its magic but I don't know how as there's just something about the place

 

[imanautie]

if you read the small print, each guest has a mandatory photo taken when they enter the gardens and it costs £499.

In addition to this, several trees now have fast track.

I see they got a new photo provider in.

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

 

[Ethan]

I see they got a new photo provider in.

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But yet the photo prices will be ludicrous still. £5 for a photo is steep enough let alone £10

 

[Mikw]

Given what they have lost over the past 4 months I think £12 is reasonable if it means the place stays open so we can all visit again properly in the future and keep the staff in jobs

Agreed, and with National Trust gardens opening up again there's no real reason why Alton Towers can't open it's gardens, and it's not a bad price either.

 

[Error]

Have these gardens been spruced up on the closed day? Last time I heard it was in a right state.

 

[AT86]

Have these gardens been spruced up on the closed day? Last time I heard it was in a right state.

Some pictures I took from around May last year. I was pleasantly surprised.

 

[SuperMuscleMan]

I can't wait to see all your photos of the gardens. Rumor has is that hot running water can be found in the hidden forgotten loos which remain in the gardens.

 

[AT86]

Officially planning to re-open 4th July.

[Thursday 4th June, 12pm]

We’re getting ready…

In line with current Government guidance, we expect to be able to reopen Alton Towers Resort on the 4th July 2020. We can’t wait to welcome you back!

The health and safety of our guests and staff is always our number one priority and to keep everyone safe, we’ll be introducing a number of additional hygiene and safety measures which you’ll see in place when you next visit.

Look out in the weeks ahead for further information and updates on our reopening times, as well as our latest FAQs on our new operations and safety measures.

Edit: above is from the Towers website.
https://www.altontowers.com/plan-your-visit/coronavirus/

 

[Pleasure Beach Valhalla]

Officially planning to re-open 4th July.

Who confirmed this?

 

[Matt N]

It would seem Alton themselves did, as I think @AT86 quoted a sample from the coronavirus info page.

 

[AT86]

Who confirmed this?

That quote is taken from the Alton Towers website. Will update my post with the link.

 

[Pleasure Beach Valhalla]

That quote is taken from the Alton Towers website. Will update my post with the link.

Sorry if it seemed a bit rude but I just don't want any false hope. That is good news though!

 

[Pleasure Beach Valhalla]

https://www.altontowers.com/plan-your-visit/coronavirus/

 

[ringo]

Interesting that they aren’t going to restrict the amount of visits you can do, so it appears those who wish to block book can do as long as you pay the £1 per day...

They must be confident that all the precautions and contact tracing will be efficient.

At this time, in order to comply with government regulations and Merlin Health & Safety standards, we need to manage our capacity to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable visit.

We have brought in this temporary measure so that as many people as possible can experience the magic at our attractions as it will reduce the number of slots that are taken up by individuals who then do not show up.

Unlike some other companies, we have decided not to limit the number of times you can visit each of our attractions.

To account for the months we have been closed, as well as to acknowledge the requirement to pre-book as we reopen, we will be adding a 5-month extension onto all original expiry dates for Merlin Annual Passes that expire after 18thMarch 2020.

Effectively, the 5-month pass extension covers the period from 18th of March to 18th of August

https://www.altontowers.com/plan-your-visit/coronavirus/#why-do-i-have-to-pay-a-1-booking-fee

 

[D4n]

I realise that there are bigger things to worry about, but this £1 booking fee per visit seems extremely cheeky and must surely breach the annual pass T&Cs.

For some (somewhat overly enthusiastic) people this could ultimately represent an extra £40-50 on top of the cost of an annual pass if it's kept indefinitely. Not insignificant.

 

[Islander]

Very brave/foolish of them to go full-out publicising a 4th July re-opening. There's no reason to assume that the government won't do what they did with non-essential shops: lead them to believe the restriction will be relaxed 1st June, then with less than a week's notice go "oh, actually, 15th June"...

For some (somewhat overly enthusiastic) people this could ultimately represent an extra £40-50 on top of the cost of an annual pass if it's kept indefinitely. Not insignificant.

Is there any indication it'll be kept indefinitely though? Everything seems to point towards it being a temporary measure whilst attendance restrictions are in place, and pre-booking is necessary. Of course I realise this is Merlin, so anything is possible...