Willt7
TS Member
Earlier this year, Towers announced that V.I.P track walk experiences would be available throughout the season for a seemingly extortionate price. Who on earth would pay £80pp to walk up some stairs? Enthusiasts. Someone at Towers evidently realised that no matter the price, theme park nerds will come. Being one of said enthusiasts, I booked me and my mate onto the Oblivion track walk, partially due to the irresistible grip my fear of missing out had on me.
So, the big question… Was the experience worth the price, or would my wonga have been better spent on an overpriced nemesis hoodie?
We were dropped off at the park midday, unfortunately resulting in our complimentary express parking not being put to use. Picking ourselves back up after such a disappointment (I’d longed to park like royalty in express parking for years), we strolled to the entrance, bypassed the incredibly tight security and rotated the turnstiles to enter the park. With it being our second visit in the space of a fortnight, we were already to prepared to find the frogs looking as if they were ready to attend a cosplay convention as we walked down Towers Street. A quick check of the app informed us that that Wicker Man was on just a 25 minute wait, so we broke into an impressively fast walk to go and be sacrificed to start our day.
I‘m very aware that you are only reading this to find out about the track walk, not my bog standard day at Towers, so I will provide you with a complimentary ride count summary:
Wicker Man x2
Curse x1
Nemesis x1
Shed Terra x1
Th13teen x1
Oblivion x2
Smiler x1
3:58pm: We slumped down onto a bench in front of the arcade in a depression, we hadn’t had the opportunity to utilise our oblivion fastracks due to the ride being walk on all day. We had contemplated the idea of just using them despite them not being needed but couldn’t face the shame; fearing being taunted by guests in the main queue with names such as “entitled” or “fast pass wan***s“.
4:20pm: Slowly recovering from non-complimentary-fastpass-usage-symptoms, we were pleasantly greeted by a bubbly lady who introduced herself and checked that we were doing the track walk. After making polite conversation for a while and taking shelter under the arcade, the rest of the 8 person group turned up. We then were told what we were doing by a couple of guys in pointy shoes which led me to assume they were senior members of staff. Another couple of members of staff then arrived and took 4 of us under a canopy to get kitted up and have a safety briefing. However, before the briefing could commence, we had the pleasure of watching the staff slide the tables and chairs out of the way to make room for us. The staff then formally introduced themselves and assisted us in putting on our harnesses while the workers in Just Chicken stared out of the window in amusement. After informing us of all the safety shenanigans and figuring out why the go pro wouldn’t work before taking a group photo of us, the staff led us up the Oblivion exit and into the station. In there we locked off the op panel and found our helmet and complimentary water in the baggage hold. I noticed a custom sign was screwed on above the baggage hold which said “VIP Oblivion Track Walk” or something like that (a leek signs special?). After chatting to the very friendly staff for a short while longer, we began our ascent.
We were guided up to the stairs by a member of the team, and had a chance to take pictures at the top and halfway up the lift hill. The view from the top was nice, as our group was on the side of the catwalk closest to the x-sector entrance. Chatting to the staff member, we were shown the long distance view of big bob and the Wicker Man lift hill. Although the large crane next to the skyride was interesting me far more. I queried about it however I got an “I’m not sure” response; my BS detector didn’t tingle so one can only assume he was being truthful.
After around 20 mins stood in the cold and wind, the staff decided they had had enough and said it was about time we headed back. A little more chat and a few steps later, we were back at the station ready for some photo ops and to be told we were VIPs a few more times. I also had to opportunity to press the ‘queue evac’ PA announcement (other announcement options available) which was a lot cooler than it sounds. The staff were really accommodating and let us stay in there as long as we wished.
After taking our harnesses off and aggressively stuffing them back into their little bags, we were given a final monologue and asked if we had any final questions. My mate asked when Hex would reopen to which the member of staff responded that his lips were tightly sealed (which was factually incorrect as he was moving his lips fine before and after he stated that).
We were then escorted back to the entrance and all collectively attempted to squeeze some scarefest information out of the staff member who knew no more than us. Rotating the turnstiles once again, we exited the park and flicked through some extremely unflattering photos of ourselves to end our day.
What did I think?
It was pretty decent. The staff were incredibly friendly and the lift hill was was a unique experience. Being in the park out of hours with all the audio off was an interesting atmosphere too in the best way possible.
I can’t think of too many negatives, just mainly the price point which in my opinion is too high. I would recommend it though, if you can spare the cash.
To answer my question I posed earlier:
No, probably not, but do it anyway.
So, the big question… Was the experience worth the price, or would my wonga have been better spent on an overpriced nemesis hoodie?
We were dropped off at the park midday, unfortunately resulting in our complimentary express parking not being put to use. Picking ourselves back up after such a disappointment (I’d longed to park like royalty in express parking for years), we strolled to the entrance, bypassed the incredibly tight security and rotated the turnstiles to enter the park. With it being our second visit in the space of a fortnight, we were already to prepared to find the frogs looking as if they were ready to attend a cosplay convention as we walked down Towers Street. A quick check of the app informed us that that Wicker Man was on just a 25 minute wait, so we broke into an impressively fast walk to go and be sacrificed to start our day.
I‘m very aware that you are only reading this to find out about the track walk, not my bog standard day at Towers, so I will provide you with a complimentary ride count summary:
Wicker Man x2
Curse x1
Nemesis x1
Shed Terra x1
Th13teen x1
Oblivion x2
Smiler x1
3:58pm: We slumped down onto a bench in front of the arcade in a depression, we hadn’t had the opportunity to utilise our oblivion fastracks due to the ride being walk on all day. We had contemplated the idea of just using them despite them not being needed but couldn’t face the shame; fearing being taunted by guests in the main queue with names such as “entitled” or “fast pass wan***s“.
4:20pm: Slowly recovering from non-complimentary-fastpass-usage-symptoms, we were pleasantly greeted by a bubbly lady who introduced herself and checked that we were doing the track walk. After making polite conversation for a while and taking shelter under the arcade, the rest of the 8 person group turned up. We then were told what we were doing by a couple of guys in pointy shoes which led me to assume they were senior members of staff. Another couple of members of staff then arrived and took 4 of us under a canopy to get kitted up and have a safety briefing. However, before the briefing could commence, we had the pleasure of watching the staff slide the tables and chairs out of the way to make room for us. The staff then formally introduced themselves and assisted us in putting on our harnesses while the workers in Just Chicken stared out of the window in amusement. After informing us of all the safety shenanigans and figuring out why the go pro wouldn’t work before taking a group photo of us, the staff led us up the Oblivion exit and into the station. In there we locked off the op panel and found our helmet and complimentary water in the baggage hold. I noticed a custom sign was screwed on above the baggage hold which said “VIP Oblivion Track Walk” or something like that (a leek signs special?). After chatting to the very friendly staff for a short while longer, we began our ascent.
We were guided up to the stairs by a member of the team, and had a chance to take pictures at the top and halfway up the lift hill. The view from the top was nice, as our group was on the side of the catwalk closest to the x-sector entrance. Chatting to the staff member, we were shown the long distance view of big bob and the Wicker Man lift hill. Although the large crane next to the skyride was interesting me far more. I queried about it however I got an “I’m not sure” response; my BS detector didn’t tingle so one can only assume he was being truthful.
After around 20 mins stood in the cold and wind, the staff decided they had had enough and said it was about time we headed back. A little more chat and a few steps later, we were back at the station ready for some photo ops and to be told we were VIPs a few more times. I also had to opportunity to press the ‘queue evac’ PA announcement (other announcement options available) which was a lot cooler than it sounds. The staff were really accommodating and let us stay in there as long as we wished.
After taking our harnesses off and aggressively stuffing them back into their little bags, we were given a final monologue and asked if we had any final questions. My mate asked when Hex would reopen to which the member of staff responded that his lips were tightly sealed (which was factually incorrect as he was moving his lips fine before and after he stated that).
We were then escorted back to the entrance and all collectively attempted to squeeze some scarefest information out of the staff member who knew no more than us. Rotating the turnstiles once again, we exited the park and flicked through some extremely unflattering photos of ourselves to end our day.
What did I think?
It was pretty decent. The staff were incredibly friendly and the lift hill was was a unique experience. Being in the park out of hours with all the audio off was an interesting atmosphere too in the best way possible.
I can’t think of too many negatives, just mainly the price point which in my opinion is too high. I would recommend it though, if you can spare the cash.
To answer my question I posed earlier:
No, probably not, but do it anyway.
