2026: General Discussion

[Dave]

In fact, I remember hearing that the shape of the pit was at least partially designed for the original Arrow pipeline coaster (not the B&M invert that ended up going there instead), which proves the point that rides had to be adapted to fit in there.

This is why I am sceptical that the new Universal GB theme park will achieve the huge visitor numbers they have predicted - but they will hopefully prove me wrong!

The pit was designed for Nemesis, SW2 was also in a pit but not the same one. The pit wasn’t dug until Nemesis had been commissioned so the pit was dug around the design for the invert not the pipeline coaster.

 

[AT86]

Standard car parking has increased £3 to £15 for 2026. Reduced to £13 if you book in advance.

Express Parking has increased to £25 midweek and £30 weekends and school holidays. Previously it was a flat £20 charge.

Car Parking Prices and Information | Alton Towers Resort

Enjoy easy, practical parking at Alton Towers. See more about car parking fees & express time-saving options. Alton Towers Parking is free for hotel guests.

www.altontowers.com

 

[Bert2theSpark]

Standard car parking has increased £3 to £15 for 2026. Reduced to £13 if you book in advance.

Express Parking has increased to £25 midweek and £30 weekends and school holidays. Previously it was a flat £20 charge.

Car Parking Prices and Information | Alton Towers Resort

Enjoy easy, practical parking at Alton Towers. See more about car parking fees & express time-saving options. Alton Towers Parking is free for hotel guests.

www.altontowers.com

Well they’ve obviously timed that so they don’t get bad publicity over FHT. Considering the original justification was to pay for road infrastructure around the park, the intention of the charge has since been lost for a convenient revenue source.

They’d be better off having free parking and putting that revenue onto the ticket price, same revenue overall but the value perception changes and the optics aren’t suddenly about extra up-charges everywhere. People aren’t likely to return if they feel their wallets are constantly being drained, it’ll be more tolerable just to swallow it all upfront.

 

[Bowser]

Well they’ve obviously timed that so they don’t get bad publicity over FHT. Considering the original justification was to pay for road infrastructure around the park, the intention of the charge has since been lost for a convenient revenue source.

They’d be better off having free parking and putting that revenue onto the ticket price, same revenue overall but the value perception changes and the optics aren’t suddenly about extra up-charges everywhere. People are likely to return if they feel their wallets are constantly being drained, it’ll be more tolerable just to swallow it all upfront.

Notably the other Merlin parks have not increased parking costs (yet).

If you added the parking cost onto the ticket price, you'd have on the day tickets exceeding £80. It would be a sizeable revenue boost for AT as the majority of people who visit by car share a vehicle and thus the cost, whereas adding it to the ticket price would impose it on everyone individually plus even those who don't travel by car (though presumably the vast majority at AT do).

I suppose they could average it out by estimating previous parking revenue and modifying ticket prices accordingly within the dynamic pricing system but it's still going to change the revenue stream and likely to put tickets at £70+ which isn't palatable imo.

Do agree on the optics though, seems to work for Paulton's.

 

[MrTowers]

Standard car parking has increased £3 to £15 for 2026. Reduced to £13 if you book in advance.

Express Parking has increased to £25 midweek and £30 weekends and school holidays. Previously it was a flat £20 charge.

Car Parking Prices and Information | Alton Towers Resort

Enjoy easy, practical parking at Alton Towers. See more about car parking fees & express time-saving options. Alton Towers Parking is free for hotel guests.

www.altontowers.com

I think this was expected with the "cheap" essentials passes being given out. I'm sure fast track will be increased as well and we have already seen food prices go up. Obviously there is a belief that hooking guests in with cheap entry prices or annual passes is the key to running a theme park business. The profit will come from all the "added extras" that most guests won't realise they are signing up to until they have already gained entry.

It's a clever business model and I'm sure they have plenty of data to show it works. Ultimately if you don't have guests in your parks you aren't making money which is what has happened to places like Oakwood despite the belief from most enthusiasts that higher prices and better experience is what is needed.

Most of your costs for running rides are fixed as they all need to be open, this doesn't change if you have 5,000 people in the park or 10,000. All that changes is more parking revenue and sales of food and merchandise with the added disgruntled guest willing to fork out £100+ for fast track that wouldn't if the park was empty. You also have your annual pass visitors who will just see it as a poor day but know they can come back and try again as it feels like it's a free visit anyway.