2025: General Discussion

[djtruefitt]

A few years back they refurbished most of the park toilets, but it really was done on the cheap. Yes they replaced all the toilets and cubicles with the cheapest they could find, they covered up the old floor tiles with Lino and covered up the tiles on the walls with plastic sheeting.

And yeah was basically the refurbishment.

Meanwhile the toilets at Thorpe have been refurbished 2 times since.

What they need to do is rip the whole lot out (including the floor and tiles) and start again, but don’t just buy it cheap this time, get some nicer toilets, sinks, etc. if Thorpe, Lego and chessie can do it, there’s no reason why towers can’t.

You could even try theme them, but that might be pushing it to far, think the best theming we’ll get at towers is a leek signs vinyl on the wall.

 

[jon81uk]

Has anyone ever used an app like this? For example, if you noticed that a toilet had run out of toilet paper would you report it on the app, or would you just use a different toilet and get on with your day?

I have at my place of work and at some restaurants. Found another cubicle and got on with it but still reported the lack of paper in the other cubicle so they can fix it for other people.

 

[Bowser]

They’re something every single person is going to use at least once throughout the day. It’s the easiest way to make an impact even if it is something as basic as a sparkly new loo.

My son is so terrified of the toilets at AT he will now make it through the day without going once.

 

[Steve74]

The entrance toilets never seem to have working hand dryers.

I agree they're cold and I find them generally uninviting. Shame they can't add some personality to them and play the odd fart noise through some overhead speakers to lighten the mood without smelling extra guff.

They used to in the entrance/turnstile toilets once years ago. I remember going in there and hearing fart noises, grunts and sounds of relief coming from the cubicles. For the first few moments I genuinely thought they were real - others did too judging by their faces - but after a while it became clear they were sound effects

 

[venny]

I’ve rarely found the toilets to be filthy, although there have been a couple of occasions those were the exception. However, they do look tired, cheap and although they seem to be reasonably regularly mopped there is a horrendous level of ingrained filth which is very poor. You could say that level of ingrained filth is not acceptable, but I’d also accept the argument that they are overall borderline acceptable, but only just.

As has been said, they very much require a total overhaul. Not one that involves the cheapest possible solution, but a strip back to bare bones and a full rebuild with good quality fittings and finishing. A thoughtful, good quality design will also allow the staff to more easily keep them clean and mitigate the buildup of dirt and smells.

 

[Steve74]

I’ve rarely found the toilets to be filthy, although there have been a couple of occasions those were the exception. However, they do look tired, cheap and although they seem to be reasonably regularly mopped there is a horrendous level of ingrained filth which is very poor. You could say that level of ingrained filth is not acceptable, but I’d also accept the argument that they are overall borderline acceptable, but only just.

As has been said, they very much require a total overhaul. Not one that involves the cheapest possible solution, but a strip back to bare bones and a full rebuild with good quality fittings and finishing. A thoughtful, good quality design will also allow the staff to more easily keep them clean and mitigate the buildup of dirt and smells.

One thing that doesn't help the build up of grime is the hand dryers; I'm all for the high speed dryers but most places that have them don't allow for the water that gets blown off hands at high speed, splattering the walls and floor. More expensive most Dysons mitigate this to an extent by having the trough design where you "dip" your hands into it going through the jets of air as you do so and this trough generally catches most of the water. Although looking at their range, they don't make them any more, just ones that blow the water everywhere.

The best dryers I saw once were integrated taps and dryers (co-incidentally Dyson) but at £1500 a tap, I can't see Towers installing them!

 

[tayspru]

If they could be refurbished in line with Thorpe’s Dome toilets that would make a huge difference

That being said, Phantasialand has some of the best toilets of any Theme Park in their new themed areas

 

[Benzin]

I've found the baby changing is actually quite decent.

Actual toilets are cold and functional.

 

[jon81uk]

More expensive most Dysons mitigate this to an extent by having the trough design where you "dip" your hands into it going through the jets of air as you do so and this trough generally catches most of the water.

It doesn't, it just drips down the side of the dryer and on to the wall and floor. Mtsubishi and others make dryers (that don't work as a air-based squeegee blade like Dyson) with recepticles to catch the water, but Dyson have never been designed to.

My other huge pet hate with public toilets is when there isn't enough dryers. Why have six sinks but only one dryer!

 

[GaryH]

I think respectfully some are missing the point here. They are just toilets. It’s a theme park with millions of visitors a year through all weathers. The facilities need to withstand the hot summers and cold winters while also be as vandalism proof as possible from some of the guests.

In general the toilets do what they are supposed to do. If you want to see disgusting toilets go to Oakwood.

Personally I think there are far better things Alton could spend money on than refurbishing toilets which do what they are supposed to do!

 

[Danscott22]

Toilets have always been fine when I've been. If they'd have been bad/in a bad state I'd have noticed.

 

[Matt N]

I’ve never really had an issue with the Alton Towers toilets.

They’re clean, they’re functional; what else do you really need?

 

[Bert2theSpark]

Can we tick off ‘toilet discussion’ on our off-season bingo cards now?

 

[Funcone]

I once saw a dirty toilet, but I never managed to get to the bottom of the problem.

 

[GaryH]

So anyway, moving on….

Any guesses on prices this year for pizza pasta and the other food outlets. Big rises in cost again perhaps?

 

[MellowPasta]

They’re clean, they’re functional; what else do you really need?

A bidet would be nice, even as an up charge.

 

[dave___]

So anyway, moving on….

Any guesses on prices this year for pizza pasta and the other food outlets. Big rises in cost again perhaps?

£25 for the buffet I reckon.

Not sure how the rollover hotdog stands could get any more expensive though in all honesty, now that they are surpassing premier league football ground prices.

 

[jon81uk]

So anyway, moving on….

Any guesses on prices this year for pizza pasta and the other food outlets. Big rises in cost again perhaps?

Pizza Hut near me is £19.99 for the buffet all-in package at the weekend, which gives drinks and ice cream with the buffet. I therefore would expect £19.99 for adults at AT too.

 

[James]

Pizza Pasta was £21 each when we went during Scarefest last year. I'm not sure how much more they can push it given the lack of options. My bets is £23 at the start of the season, pushed to £25 by Scarefest.

For food across the rest of the park, I would expect the usual £1+ price increase.

 

[djtruefitt]

One thing to note from the Feb half term event, some side dishes were available at Burger Kitchen in mutiny bay, such as chips, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, etc. These were all previously removed as side options last year.