2020: General Discussion

[AT86]

I certainly don’t disagree with the sentiment that the map design is more style over substance when it comes to actually helping guests navigate the park.

However it is worth noting that it is 2020 now, not 2008 and the park strongly encourages people download the app which will literally step by step guide you to any ride/shop/food outlet etc which is probably more user friendly than any previous park map

Edit: also looking at the 2020 map, it appears Blade lives on for yet another season.

 

[adamw]

Here’s a better quality version of the map photo from yesterday. Thought it would be useful here.


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[RoyJess]

I just wish the attractions on the maps looked somewhat like what they represented.

I like the way that the maps are designed, it helps in assisting getting the GP lost which means less less people in the queuelines and more re-rides for me

 

[Ethan]

I like the way that the maps are designed, it helps in assisting getting the GP lost which means less less people in the queuelines and more re-rides for me

Well if you're a nemmy lover you won't have to worry about queues anyway

 

[siralgenon]

In addition to my earlier rant about the map, I've just noticed the map is missing the name tags for the carousel and frog hopper! (I've forgot their new names), and Pizza and Pasta in Katanga Canyon still has the old name.

 

[AT86]

Here’s a better quality version of the map photo from yesterday. Thought it would be useful here.


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I love how they couldn’t be bothered to amend the ‘you are here’ maps around the park so they still say ‘turn over for more info’

 

[monkeyboy]

Looking on the AT website, I can’t seem to find where you book a £1 Pre book for your annual pass.
I can only seem to book full price days!
Help


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[Skyscraper]

Looking on the AT website, I can’t seem to find where you book a £1 Pre book for your annual pass.
I can only seem to book full price days!
Help


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Option on the right at the bottom of this page;

https://www.altontowers.com/tickets-passes/alton-towers-gardens/

 

[monkeyboy]

Option on the right at the bottom of this page;

https://www.altontowers.com/tickets-passes/alton-towers-gardens/

Cheers but that’s just for garden entry not anything from 4th July for full entry


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[imanautie]

Cheers but that’s just for garden entry not anything from 4th July for full entry


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I'm guessing the full entry prebooks won't be on the site until at most 7 days before, they did say they will be operating with a rolling 7 day pre-book system.

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[monkeyboy]

Which is annoying as you can currently Pre book full price tickets for 4th July now. Nice


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[imanautie]

Which is annoying as you can currently Pre book full price tickets for 4th July now. Nice


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They have still got the capacity at 30k for those dates!

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[Danny]

Just got back from a wander around the Gardens; weather pretty miserable so wasn't able to fully enjoy. The Pagoda fountain fully operational and looks superb.

In terms of preparations made for an opening in a post-covid 19 world, they've done a vastly superior job compared to Efteling. No obtrusive fences other than in the plaza, staff in masks, bag check conducted outside the park entrance along with temperature check. Only toilets open are the disabled ones outside the entrance (not inside) and the ones in Mutiny Bay. These have 2m distance markers on the floor.

Most people congregated on the spaced-out tables in the Courtyard compared to the Gardens, Music on throughout the park, new bunting on Towers Street, and senior management present and welcoming at the park entrance. Generally, quite clean overall with new bins present also.

Will probably nip back for a proper relaxation if the weather improves in the coming weeks. A shame the Towers aren't open, however, as that would aid more in justifying the £12 entry fee for those without annual passes.

 

[siralgenon]

Just got back from a wander around the Gardens; weather pretty miserable so wasn't able to fully enjoy. The Pagoda fountain fully operational and looks superb.

In terms of preparations made for an opening in a post-covid 19 world, they've done a vastly superior job compared to Efteling. No obtrusive fences other than in the plaza, staff in masks, bag check conducted outside the park entrance along with temperature check. Only toilets open are the disabled ones outside the entrance (not inside) and the ones in Mutiny Bay. These have 2m distance markers on the floor.

Most people congregated on the spaced-out tables in the Courtyard compared to the Gardens, Music on throughout the park, new bunting on Towers Street, and senior management present and welcoming at the park entrance. Generally, quite clean overall with new bins present also.

Will probably nip back for a proper relaxation if the weather improves in the coming weeks. A shame the Towers aren't open, however, as that would aid more in justifying the £12 entry fee for those without annual passes.

@Danny what food / drink outlets are open if any?

 

[Danny]

@Danny what food / drink outlets are open if any?

The Mutiny Bay kiosk; that's virtually it. I would recommend anyone visiting and wanting to eat bring their own food.

 

[siralgenon]

The Mutiny Bay kiosk; that's virtually it. I would recommend anyone visiting and wanting to eat bring their own food.

That's a shame, I'd have thought they'd have Burger Kitchen in Mutiny Bay open now that drive thru's and takeaways have opened up. Hopefully they'll gradually expand the offering over the coming weeks.

 

[adamw]

Perspex was in place at the Mutiny Bay Burger Kitchen so I imagine it’s in the pipe line.


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[pluk]

The white tent is where temperature checks will take place.

40th Birthday bunting.

Updated info screens.

Floor markings for rides have been installed.

Food and beverage units have received floor makings and perspex.

Toilets have also had floor markings installed.

Towers Trading is also having work done, suggesting it will eventually open.

Vending machines are now accepting card payments only.

Signage is still advertising 2020 events.

2020 park map.

Coca-Cola Freestyle selling/refilling stations.

New benches, complete with park branding.

It'd be hard to find a selection of photo's which encapsulate the phrase 'That'll do" more concisely than this.

- Do they really not own a branded gazebo? What a magical start to the day that is. Even with limited capacity they'll still be funnelling thousands through that tiny space. 2 queues max? Sounds like fun.

- Teacups, stand 2m from the group in front. Ride will be much less than 2m to your right.

- Queue into the toilets, stand 2m from the group in front. The opposite sex will be queuing approximately 1 ft to your side.

- 2 m markings through the middle of the toilets. Why? As if people are passing through an exhibit. I know they are light on entertainment but that is taking the piss!

- Urinals next to each other not out of service. Queue apart on way in, touch shoulders while pissing?

- Queue to treats. Why is it out in the pathway? It should obviously be along the path edge with a barrier against passing people and the claw machines out of use.

I presume then that they have a local stain of the virus which will only travel forwards, not side to side? An extreme example of paying lip service to safety measures, an unusual choice for a company with such a high profile and corporately damaging safety failure relatively recently.

Aside from that, doesn't everything look crap? A few string of (undersized for the space) bunting. Wow! happy 40th birthday! Nice crazy tarmac outside refresh and refill. Looks like they've had Virgin media installed. Nice new sign, on pole with horribly rusted half painted ball detail on top. What attention to detail. The turn over message on the map is actually hilarious.

 

[Islander]

It'd be hard to find a selection of photo's which encapsulate the phrase 'That'll do" more concisely than this.

- Do they really not own a branded gazebo? What a magical start to the day that is. Even with limited capacity they'll still be funnelling thousands through that tiny space. 2 queues max? Sounds like fun.

- Teacups, stand 2m from the group in front. Ride will be much less than 2m to your right.

- Queue into the toilets, stand 2m from the group in front. The opposite sex will be queuing approximately 1 ft to your side.

- 2 m markings through the middle of the toilets. Why? As if people are passing through an exhibit. I know they are light on entertainment but that is taking the ****!

- Urinals next to each other not out of service. Queue apart on way in, touch shoulders while ****ing?

- Queue to treats. Why is it out in the pathway? It should obviously be along the path edge with a barrier against passing people and the claw machines out of use.

I presume then that they have a local stain of the virus which will only travel forwards, not side to side? An extreme example of paying lip service to safety measures, an unusual choice for a company with such a high profile and corporately damaging safety failure relatively recently.

With regards to the social distancing measures, and not the aesthetics of various things, I'm reminded strongly of this:

 

[pluk]

With regards to the social distancing measures, and not the aesthetics of various things, I'm reminded strongly of this:

I completely get that with small local business, especially ones which have remained open so have had to deal with the initial restrictions and subsequent changes on the hoof. Not so much a massive multinational with weeks / months to plan for the obvious restrictions that would be required when they could reopen. It all looks so thoughtless.