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2025 General Discussion

Danscott22 said:
Gutted about Oktoberfest. The August 7pms are good, and the extra dates of Scarefest. Oktoberfest will be a massive miss imo
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Me too, I think they've made a big mistake there; it was becoming very popular, certainly on weekends. I'd far rather have Oktoberfest and a weekend less of Scarefest than what we have. For me - maybe it's my age - the appeal of Halloween events overall has just faded over the last few years. Personally I think there are too many events and the whole scare attraction "industry" is becoming saturated with every farmer and his mum seemingly running an event.
 
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Steve74 said:
Me too, I think they've made a big mistake there; it was becoming very popular, certainly on weekends. I'd far rather have Oktoberfest and a weekend less of Scarefest than what we have. For me - maybe it's my age - the appeal of Halloween events overall has just faded over the last few years. Personally I think there are too may events and the whole scare attraction "industry" is becoming saturated with every farmer and his mum seemingly running an event.
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That's basically the modern farmer, isn't it. If they're not whinging about how much tax they have to pay, they're putting on another scare event. I don't want to sound like I'm being rude, but can't they just get back to shovelling poo?
 
I don't think we can rule out Oktoberfest completely yet.

The Events page only has dates for February Half Term and Alton After Dark listed.

There's mention of Oktoberfest, Scarefest, Fireworks and Christmas in the usual blurb, but no confirmed dates yet. Clearly these event dates are still in flux and are yet to be fully confirmed.

Our Special Theme Park Events | Alton Towers Resort

Alton Towers Resort hosts unmissable Theme Park Events all year round! See our full calendar of special events, including Scarefest and Fireworks Spectacular.
www.altontowers.com www.altontowers.com
 
GooseOnTheLoose said:
I don't think we can rule out Oktoberfest completely yet.

The Events page only has dates for February Half Term and Alton After Dark listed.

There's mention of Oktoberfest, Scarefest, Fireworks and Christmas in the usual blurb, but no confirmed dates yet. Clearly these event dates are still in flux and are yet to be fully confirmed.

Our Special Theme Park Events | Alton Towers Resort

Alton Towers Resort hosts unmissable Theme Park Events all year round! See our full calendar of special events, including Scarefest and Fireworks Spectacular.
www.altontowers.com www.altontowers.com
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I wouldn't trust them to have updated that blurb text in coordination with releasing the calendars though!

Let's wait and see I guess, but I'm not hopeful. Scarefest being brought forward suggests no dedicated event in September, they'd need a very quick turnaround.
 
NuttySquirrel said:
I wouldn't trust them to have updated that blurb text in coordination with releasing the calendars though!

Let's wait and see I guess, but I'm not hopeful. Scarefest being brought forward suggests no dedicated event in September, they'd need a very quick turnaround.
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Neither would I, but the omission of Scarefest and Fireworks on the main body is a sign that more is yet to come...

Unless they've scrapped Scarefest and Fireworks too.

Doomed, I tell ya!
 
Oktoberfest would still be running on September 27th, so I really don't see it returning. I think it's always been on until early October. I visit on September 27th last year and Oktoberfest was definitely running then
 
Oktoberfest was a great event for enthusiasts, but likely never made a huge impact on attendance in those quieter months. The huge outlay must have been hard to justify, the same as Mardi Gras.

It isn’t in their interests to run events that lose money, no ifs and no buts
 
tayspru said:
Oktoberfest was a great event for enthusiasts, but likely never made a huge impact on attendance in those quieter months. The huge outlay must have been hard to justify, the same as Mardi Gras.

It isn’t in their interests to run events that lose money, no ifs and no buts
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If entertainment is being outsourced, it's also likely that they haven't tendered out the contracts yet and confirmed what the offering is going to be.
 
GooseOnTheLoose said:
If entertainment is being outsourced, it's also likely that they haven't tendered out the contracts yet and confirmed what the offering is going to be.
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Another point to add to that, we’re not going to find out *any* more information now until Merlin are ready to share it. After our friend from LEGOLAND, I’m sure it’s been made *VERY* clear for any other parties to remain quiet

To add to this, the stage shows have always been way below standard compared to the walk around entertainments - specifically talented entertainers let down by poor writing, direction and sound quality. With theatre being increasingly accessible they won’t get away with that going forward
 
GooseOnTheLoose said:
Neither would I, but the omission of Scarefest and Fireworks on the main body is a sign that more is yet to come...

Unless they've scrapped Scarefest and Fireworks too.

Doomed, I tell ya!
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Scarefest and Fireworks dates are written on the calendars though. Nothing to suggest that anything is happening in September. Opening times are not really indicative of any special events either.

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Quite significant cut backs by the looks of things. Dare I say it but no doubt we can expect the offerings and standards to drop even further in the hotels too (if that’s possible).

Is this just due to guests spending less /visiting less or could the recent budget be having an impact on staffing costs to the extent they have to cutback like this?

Either way can’t see me visiting much this year. Anyone want to guess how much Flambos and Pizza pasta will be this year? We may even see the announcement of the £10 rollover hot dog!
 
With the cutbacks we’ve seen so far, it’s clear that budgets are very tight at the resort. I do agree that there is potential for things to change as the season progresses depending on revenue and we may see a third fireworks date crop up again, or Oktoberfest.

That said, it’s not a great advertisement for the park to have so much cut back before March has even come around. I can’t make it for opening meet, and to be honest I’m not going to bother renewing my pass on expiry in March. Maybe if things change as the season progresses I’ll change my mind, but as it stands I see little point. I’m sure there’s plenty others in the same boat at the moment, and when your most loyal fans are bowing out (and I’m certainly not alone looking at others I know), there’s not a lot of hope for that extra revenue rolling in to allow cutbacks to be restored.

Such a shame :(
 
rob666 said:
Or is it more to do with cheap season passes still kicking round at ninety quid a year???
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I’m sure there’s an element of that. But then again on the MAP side they more than made a profit from my Platinum Pass last year on account on barely bothering going since it was so ”meh” last season.

But then if you’re going to flog cheap passes, perhaps more should’ve been done to encourage people to spend more when they’re on resort by not charging a tenner for a hot dog or £360+ for a Travelodge standard hotel stay….
 
Agreed. A cheap pass usually makes its money by guests spending on the high profit items in the park, namely food and drink. Since Aramark came in I expect the spend on these items has considerably decreased if the numbers I see sat on the picnic tables eating their own food is anything to go by.
 
I've just looked and it seems only the theme park has had its hours stated for all season today.

Waterpark and golf yet to confirm.

I knew something was coming with the email i got this morning.. now we are debating changing from a Thursday sleep to the Friday sleep to do fireworks, this will cost more obviously
 
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