It’s a massive perk of the premium MAP. I’m amazed it’s still there
So much so that I really can’t see the point in a standard MAP, would be interesting to know the difference in sales @Rick ? I don’t recall seeing many people with standard Map
With regards to BPPB and GYPB, if I don't like the charges, I can always go and park up the road for free and get a bit of exercise in the process. The main problem with Alton, is you can't simply park up the road and walk to the theme park. It's in the middle of nowhere. With poor public transport in the area, which means you can't get to the park before the turnstiles open or leave after ride closure time, there is not really much of any other viable options.
It's because they can. I'm not sure how much 'high quality' discussion you could get out of that.
If you have to pay to park...and let's face it, getting to the Towers by public transport is simply not an option for many, then the roads to the car park should be of a decent quality, without dangerous sharp bends that could easily be smoothed out with a bit of expenditure.
The number of times I have nearly had a head on leaving early, meeting a late arrival on the way in.
Also no pavement so very dangerous to walk up. I wouldn't mind the parking charges if there were viable public transport options. I'm all for pushing people towards ditching their car. But as it is now it's ridiculous (though not quite as bad ad the parking charges in Florida).Agree with these. Because they can, and because they know its not exactly easily to park in nearby streets. Can you even park on them? I guess there are double yellows on most of them, never really looked. On 'because they can', its like posh golf clubs charging a 4-figure joining fee (not to mention annual fees), whenever I've heard such fees discussed, the answer inevitably comes back "Because they can", as somebody will be more than happy to pay £3,000 before they have even sliced a golf ball into thick gorse. Fair enough, these are the type of clubs that have disappeared up their own arses, blow their noses onto £50 notes, want to know what car you drive, see your private number plate and give you an interview before they let you loose onto their precious course to hit a ball with a metal stick into a hole in the ground, but you get the point. I digress, Merlin charge punters to park at Towers because they can.
Yes, lets face it, for an attraction so big and popular, the roads to it are pretty appalling. A long time ago my friend's wing mirror was ripped clean off as he swerved left to avoid a large, wide vehicle coming towards him, from memory over a stone wall bridge.
There used to be a rail link to Alton Towers.Some of the comments in this thread absolutely baffle me.
Given Alton's location and the access routes to it, there is never going to be a viable and thriving public transport network that serves the park. You'd need a massively complicated hub and spoke style system that would require large numbers of operators or separate ticketing.
Plus, the hugely varying capacity requirements mean that road transport would be extremely painful to deliver in an effective way and you'd have too much or not enough capacity when you needed it.
Additionally, I don't understand why going to a theme park is different than going to any other leisure facility where you wouldn't think twice about paying for parking.
Think about per cap spending rather than parking, admissions, F&B etc. There is an overall cost associated with visiting the park and they divide it across revenue streams which aids a number of business functions. Plus, if there is a cost of something you can reduce it or make it free for a subset of your guests.
There is an argument that you could remove the parking charge and write off that revenue (not a small amount) or you could pull that revenue from other streams (higher admissions etc etc).
Indeed there did, but the function of the site was entirely different and motor car ownership was vastly different:There used to be a rail link to Alton Towers.
You're right, we disagree fundamentally.It sounds like you and me disagree fundamentally about how public transport in general should work. IMO transport should be subsidised, nationalised and there for the people who need it . The UKs largest theme park warrants good public transport, and it would reduce the traffic in the area too.
While that is true, railway ridership is increasing, and we have to reduce our reliance on cars for the environment and our own health. Plus, rail transport is much safer and more accessible for the disabled. Same goes for busses.Indeed there did, but the function of the site was entirely different and motor car ownership was vastly different:
You're right, we disagree fundamentally.
I don't disagree but I think that there are far more practical journeys to target with the infrastructure already in place.While that is true, railway ridership is increasing, and we have to reduce our reliance on cars for the environment and our own health. Plus, rail transport is much safer and more accessible for the disabled. Same goes for busses.
While that is true, railway ridership is increasing, and we have to reduce our reliance on cars for the environment and our own health. Plus, rail transport is much safer and more accessible for the disabled. Same goes for busses.
Plus, rail transport is much safer and more accessible for the disabled. Same goes for busses.
Much more accessible than not being able to get anywhere in the first place. Yes the companies are screwing wheelchair users over, but for people that can't drive it's much better. The guard that asked her to move the mobility scooter was in the wrong, and it shows the companies that have been allowed to run our transport are doing a bad job, not that transport itself is inaccessible. The platforms at wrong heights, no disabled toilets etc is again the rail companies and the government not willing to spend the money to make it more accessible.???????
Try saying that to wheelchair users
You only have to look at recent head lines to see what difficulties that disable people face on public transport, from not being able to have access to toilets on the trains to being told to move their mobility scooter on a train so that a pram can use the space. Not all train stations have level access either. We could not certainly get Jess's chair on any public transport either. Plus you can only fit so many wheelchairs on a bus or train, so if all the wheelchair spaces are taken up, then the wheelchair user will have to wait for the next bus or train, not great if its the last bus or train of the day.
I think most people would expect only low parking charges at local leisure facilities. Many in my region also refund the parking charge (including major in-town shopping centres) when you buy items/ buy a ticket inside. Nobody expects to visit an average leisure attraction and spend £6 on parking paired with £30+ ticket each. It's not as if parking space is limited either or any alternative available.Additionally, I don't understand why going to a theme park is different than going to any other leisure facility where you wouldn't think twice about paying for parking.
Whatever Alton Towers charge for car parking, it's nowhere near as disgusting as hospitals charging for it, but that's another discussion..
I think it does rub salt into the wounds to charge you for leaving when people have possibly spent a small fortune on the entrance fee, food, drink, Fasttrack etc...
They know travelling by car is the only realistic option for many people and they exploit that fact.
It's as simple as that really.