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Alton Towers Enthusiasts on social media

M

MellowPasta

TS Member
Favourite Ride
Nemesis
Hi all,

Like many, I’ve been a fan of Towers since the late 90’s, and used to go as much as I could, until I lost interest around 2006. The last year, for some reason I got that interest back.

One observation I have is how cult like it has become on certain social media platforms (not forums) and it’s creeped me out to be honest.

When did it not become ok to have a negative opinion on a certain aspect of park? God forbid you say anything not in favour of it.

I’ve seen people verbally attacked & ganged you on for voicing their honest opinions and I’m just over it. Maybe I’m just too old and maybe I’m not much of an enthusiast for not worshipping the place.

Anyway, I will continue to visit for my love of Nemmy but the social media side, too many die hard crazies. I wonder if anyone else has witnessed this?
 
If your feeling in a playful mood go onto the merlin passholders page and then be critical about something. You’ll have tons of negative messages in no time. In all seriousness tho the passholders group is the worst for this type of behaviour you don’t criticise merlin or risk the wrath of its followers.
 
I’m a member of a group on Facebook called Alton Towers Past and it’s almost the opposite. Lots of discussion today in how money oriented the current park is. Although the group is mainly about the park of the past I suppose and rose tinted glasses always make things look better in the old days.
 
I have never dared venture into the Merlin Annual Passholder page and imagine it is hell on earth.

The topic of enthusiasts becoming a big cult and the negative stuff that results in is something Ive watched grow for years and spoken out against, which hasnt done me much favour, but actually youd be surprised how many people agree. Dont lose all hope. It just seems worse online ..hopefully. I think most fans I know in real life are just as enthusiastic and share a sense of community but they dont go along with the cliquiness and the cultishness
 
OilyWater said:
I have never dared venture into the Merlin Annual Passholder page and imagine it is hell on earth.

The topic of enthusiasts becoming a big cult and the negative stuff that results in is something Ive watched grow for years and spoken out against, which hasnt done me much favour, but actually youd be surprised how many people agree. Dont lose all hope. It just seems worse online ..hopefully. I think most fans I know in real life are just as enthusiastic and share a sense of community but they dont go along with the cliquiness and the cultishness
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So is it a negative to hold a pass then?


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John said:
I used to be in the MAP Facebook group. It was absolutely dreadful, so I left.

I'd like to think that group is not representative of pass holders as a whole.
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I would too.
Just cause I bought a ticket to get in doesn’t make me special!

Although I am wearing a landyard


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Because it gives them something to moan about.
Never be a member of a group that would accept you as a member.
 
Rick said:
If you wear your pass on a lanyard like you're entering a government facility, you deserve to get it caught in something.
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If it comes with a lanyard, then I’d argue that it’s a more useful way of keeping it about your person for checking at the turnstiles, personally. My Premium MAP came with a lanyard, and I think it’s far easier for each person in a group to have their pass round their neck at the turnstiles than have to rifle through a bag and find everyone’s passes, so I’ll probably take mine.
 
Matt N said:
If it comes with a lanyard, then I’d argue that it’s a more useful way of keeping it about your person for checking at the turnstiles, personally. My Premium MAP came with a lanyard, and I think it’s far easier for each person in a group to have their pass round their neck at the turnstiles than have to rifle through a bag and find everyone’s passes, so I’ll probably take mine.
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Each to their own when it comes to lanyards, when mine come I chucked it straight in the bin and put the card in my wallet. Certain people I’ve seen wear these passes on the lanyards and act likely are merlin royalty because they have a premium pass. Obviously it’s not a high number of people but still isn’t right and unfortunately you see a lot of these people on the passholders group.
 
Mr Pearse said:
Each to their own when it comes to lanyards, when mine come I chucked it straight in the bin and put the card in my wallet. Certain people I’ve seen wear these passes on the lanyards and act likely are merlin royalty because they have a premium pass. Obviously it’s not a high number of people but still isn’t right and unfortunately you see a lot of these people on the passholders group.
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As you say, each to their own, but I see quite a few people out and about at parks with the lanyards, and they seem perfectly fine to me. I’m not sure whether to wear mine or not, but it certainly wouldn’t make me think I was above other people. I wear a lanyard at school because I’m in Sixth Form, and it doesn’t make me feel any more entitled over the younger year groups.

I can’t speak for the passholder group, as I’ve never gone on there, but all of the MAP holders with lanyards seem like perfectly nice, respectful people when I’ve seen them around parks, and I’ve seen a fair few!
 
Matt N said:
If it comes with a lanyard, then I’d argue that it’s a more useful way of keeping it about your person for checking at the turnstiles, personally. My Premium MAP came with a lanyard, and I think it’s far easier for each person in a group to have their pass round their neck at the turnstiles than have to rifle through a bag and find everyone’s passes, so I’ll probably take mine.
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But you only need to get it out once at the turnstiles.
It’s not like Disney where you need tickets to enter the fast pass queue.
 
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