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2026: General Discussion

jon81uk said:
Park is closed, so doubt anyone will be able to just walk through the gates. Maybe yes could go to the hotel and send a drone but would be spotted.



Overall though for those who would like to have the claim and knowledge for themselves that they painted a bit of old rollercoaster, this does seem a good thing.
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If the gates are open for hotel guests people will just park nearby and walk through the gates and to the entrance plaza. There are also places to fly a drone from outside the park. These people have nothing else real to vlog and they need to feed the algo. Don't underestimate them haha.
 
Certainly didn’t have Merlin doing a competition to watch people paint a bit of rusty old metal on my closed season bingo card.
Carters painters and decorators have been posting pictures of painting bits of Alton Towers for years on Facebook , and don’t get me started on Leek signs social media.

Next thing you know it they’ll be a competition to see Barry the plumber install a new limited edition bog in the sky ride loos. With an NDA on a piece of loo roll.
 
VerticalLoop123 said:
Certainly didn’t have Merlin doing a competition to watch people paint a bit of rusty old metal on my closed season bingo card.
Carters painters and decorators have been posting pictures of painting bits of Alton Towers for years on Facebook , and don’t get me started on Leek signs social media.

Next thing you know it they’ll be a competition to see Barry the plumber install a new limited edition bog in the sky ride loos. With an NDA on a piece of loo roll.
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The competition is to “get involved” in the painting, not to watch it. I expect the attendees will do some of the painting.
 
Alton Towers has finally lost its magic… for me.

I’ve been going since 2013 — those free Sun tickets were what first introduced me to Alton! Since then, I’ve gone almost every year, sometimes twice, and I’ve genuinely loved it. I live in South West Wales, so it’s not exactly a quick trip — it’s a real commitment.

Every year I’ve obsessed over these forums in the run-up to opening day. My excitement for Nemesis Reborn in 2024 was on another level — the hype genuinely drove me insane in the best way.

Even last year still felt exciting with the opening of Toxicator.

But 2026? It feels different.

I have a short break booked for Alton After Dark and, for the first time ever, I booked it with protection — and tomorrow I’m calling to cancel the whole thing.

Normally by now I’d have breakfast booked. It’s only just been added, and I actually had to contact them to check because it was unusually late. I can’t book Roller Coaster Restaurant for opening night or even the night before (I know March can be hit-and-miss and often walk-in only, but still).

And I still can’t book Fast Track — don’t hate me! It’s the distance that pushes me to buy it. If I’m driving nearly five hours, I want to guarantee a good day.

This year just feels sluggish and messy. The pirate takeover backlash (looking at you, Spinball!), no new ride, prices creeping up, difficulty booking what’s included, and being unable to secure the extras that actually make the trip feel worthwhile… it’s all added up.

Usually I’d be checking daily for reservations. This year? I’m not excited — I’m irritated that I even have to keep checking.

Is anyone else feeling like this? The excitement has gone for me, and weirdly, I feel okay about not going this year. Normally, this close to opening weekend and Alton After Dark, I’d be completely obsessed.

But not this time.
 
dpj74 said:
This year just feels sluggish and messy. The pirate takeover backlash (looking at you, Spinball!), no new ride, prices creeping up, difficulty booking what’s included, and being unable to secure the extras that actually make the trip feel worthwhile… it’s all added up.
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I understand what you mean, but I think it is because the stuff they are doing isn't focused on us (interms of demographic) in previous years there was stuff to watch, and get excited about (nemesis reborn, toxicator construction, hex reopening, TCAAM, sky ride, etc) and it felt like the park was making progress, but this year there isn't much, especially compared to chessington / legoland which has / is having massive investments.

the messy part, has always happened there has always been controversies, and influences overblowing some incidents this isn't new look at the past fourms and you will see many controversies (e.g paying for tours round the towers), in this case half term was much colder than normal meaning spin ball probably couldn't open for safety reasons, to solve it they opened another coaster

the no new rides is just wrong, bluey is a ride that is being built, whilst it isn't for most of us, it still will be a large (multi million £) investment into AT, and project horizon seems to have started having some progress (with planning permission requirements being worked on).

I do understand what you mean though and I think it is mainly because in the past few years we had rides most of us were probably excited for, tying to stories / theming we were intrested in and thus the speculation over what toxicator would be, nemesis reborn theming, etc were huge, but this year there isn't as much of that as we know that it is a kiddy coaster and it isn't that interesting as it isn't an AT IP, nor is it anything most of us will probably ride for enjoyment, and thus the main sentiment you see is the negetive messy stuff.
 
Nerdsticks said:
Not gonna lie this seems like quite a drastic change of heart..

All the magic gone for you because you are unable to book food reservations and Fastrack?
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I don't know why though but this year just seems off. My post wasnt meant to be a poor me i can't book fasttrack etc... i want to be excited about coming back but I can't seem to find it...
 
It’s gets to around this time of the year and I’m always very much looking forward to that first trip of the season back into the park. It might be mostly samey this time around but just getting back on some of the favourites, and just the little things like the atmosphere and the music, even the less glamorous things such as traipsing back and forth across the park and laughing at the extortionate food prices!

The place may not be perfect, far from it in fact, but it still feels very homely.
 
I feel the same way I’ve been visiting since 1993 and it has always been a magical trip for me every single time. The past few years that has started to disappear while the feeling of being ripped off for a sub standard experience has increased.

Staying in the hotels used to be the icing on the cake of any visit to Alton but I’ve not stayed in the hotels now for over 6 years. It’s not the price that puts me off, it’s the poor quality I know I would receive. The poor expensive food, the service, the poor quality room, poor entertainment. So I don’t other anymore and stay in a B&B.

This year I probably will visit but just the once. In the past I would visit 7-8 times a year, which when driving from just outside Cardiff was a significant journey and cost.

But yeah I agree with your comments and sentiment.
 
dpj74 said:
I don't know why though but this year just seems off. My post wasnt meant to be a poor me i can't book fasttrack etc... i want to be excited about coming back but I can't seem to find it...
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Sounds like it is time to find a new/different hobby mate.

No shame at all in finding "better" ways to fill your time.

There are thousands of other entertaining ways of throwing your money at meaningless pursuits you know!

As the gambling adverts say...When the fun stops, stop.
 
dpj74 said:
Is anyone else feeling like this? The excitement has gone for me, and weirdly, I feel okay about not going this year. Normally, this close to opening weekend and Alton After Dark, I’d be completely obsessed.
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I've felt like this since last year. It's specifically directed towards AT rather than theme parks in general and it's a result of actual bad experiences as opposed to reading anything online. Hence we haven't been since i believe October 2024.

We'll go back when my son is over 1.4m but that won't be till at least 2027, possibly 2028. The height restriction is the biggest issue because the ride offerings below that are too few, too busy and too unreliable (combined with the RAP issues which are hopefully much improved this year).

The irony is we still go up to visit the water park which my son adores! It's a 5/6 hour round trip just to do that and it does feel sad to drive to the park without going in as i still think it's an amazing place in its way.
 
Bowser said:
I've felt like this since last year. It's specifically directed towards AT rather than theme parks in general and it's a result of actual bad experiences...
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Good point sir.
May be not change hobbies, just change parks.

I had great fun in my youth ticking off the local parks, then trying to visit them all each season.

Compare and contrast, and all of a sudden, you are a thoosie.

I'm looking forward to a pass free season this year...going back to that youth plan half a century later...while I can.
 
Some changes to Fastrack structure and pricing for this year - three tiers with higher prices at busier times:

  • Bronze: £45-£75 - use 5 times on any fastrackable ride except Smiler and Wicker Man (not clear if it can be used multiple times on the same ride)
  • Silver: £65-£95 - once on all 17 rides with Fastrack
  • Gold: £95-£175 - unlimited use on all 17 rides with Fastrack
Looks like the rumour of Fastrack coming to CBeebies Land was indeed false.
 
DanJB said:
Some changes to Fastrack structure and pricing for this year - three tiers with higher prices at busier times:

  • Bronze: £45-£75 - use 5 times on any fastrackable ride except Smiler and Wicker Man (not clear if it can be used multiple times on the same ride)
  • Silver: £65-£95 - once on all 17 rides with Fastrack
  • Gold: £95-£175 - unlimited use on all 17 rides with Fastrack
Looks like the rumour of Fastrack coming to CBeebies Land was indeed false.
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Apparently platinum is still a thing but not available yet, priced at £135 (I assume that's the off-peak rate).
 
DanJB said:
Some changes to Fastrack structure and pricing for this year - three tiers with higher prices at busier times:

  • Bronze: £45-£75 - use 5 times on any fastrackable ride except Smiler and Wicker Man (not clear if it can be used multiple times on the same ride)
  • Silver: £65-£95 - once on all 17 rides with Fastrack
  • Gold: £95-£175 - unlimited use on all 17 rides with Fastrack
Looks like the rumour of Fastrack coming to CBeebies Land was indeed false.
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Increase the gate price
Restrict MAP
Invest in more high throughput rides
Improve the experience for everyone and reduce queue times

Incentives deliver specific results…
 
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