jon81uk
TS Member
The usual location at the back of CBeebies Land is quite well hidden though?
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The usual location at the back of CBeebies Land is quite well hidden though?
Steve74
TS Member
I can understand why they might not want the public visiting Santa - firstly, Covid and crowds (who knows where we'll be come November!) and secondly, I guess they're treading carefully - this is the first time in recent years there has been a Christmas event open to the public and they obviously don't want to spend thousands of pounds putting on activities in this event if it ends up being a flop (which I'm sure it won't be!). If it's a success and it is on and expanded next year then I wouldn't be surprised if a Santa visit becomes an attraction - unless of course their aim is to keep it exclusive to hotel guests to get people to book stays!
jon81uk
TS Member
Yes, Chessington had some of their Christmas weekends flop becuase the Sant visit was open to everyone including annual passholders, this resulted in waits of several hours and a lot of unhappy guests.
Better to say hotel guests only for now and then if they decide to add capacity it could even just be available to book on the day for day guests for an extra few pounds.
swalesuk01
TS Member
Last year they also had it in the courtyard of mutiny Bay as well which was there for all to see. You could make it a pre book addition to the tickets that way they can gauge how busy it will be.
My fear is that it may put families off returning if all day they keep getting asked why they can't see santa but other children are. Like I say that was the main part our family was looking forward to doing at AT this Christmas.
We did the sleepover my my oldest first Christmas because I managed to get a good deal after that the price skyrocketed for when we went and can't justify the price.
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My fear is that it may put families off returning if all day they keep getting asked why they can't see santa but other children are. Like I say that was the main part our family was looking forward to doing at AT this Christmas.
We did the sleepover my my oldest first Christmas because I managed to get a good deal after that the price skyrocketed for when we went and can't justify the price.
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tayspru
TS Member
The courtyard is plenty big enough to have multiple meeting areas (Santa is magic and can be in more than one place at a time, if you catch my drift) - it would just need to be designed in a way that a child wouldn’t notice the other routes to the other grottos. Disney manage this wonderfully with their Princess Fairytale Hall.
Personally I agree with you @tayspru and I think Drayton must do something similar in there Christmas event. I believe they let you pay a little extra (presumably less sold than day tickets) and then I think a timeslot. This could work easily at Towers without much trouble for them at all. I think they are doing it this way to really push for people to book accommodation which I think probably won't work. People will only book accommodation if they are coming from a long way away not just to see santa with there kids which they can probably do in there local shopping centre. Also couldn't they use the Towers, lots more space and even more magical!
jon81uk
TS Member
Pretty certain that there are several magical log cabins at the rear of CBeebies land that Santa meets in too.
I would expect if it is hotel guests only they wouldn’t use the courtyard location, but it’s likely they wouldn’t think that through. In previous years they’ve used the area in the park for ATH guests and the tent (currently the bar for Stargazing sheds) for Splash guests to meet Santa.
swalesuk01
TS Member
There was at least 2 in the courtyard last year as that was where we visited him. I sure if they wanted to and the uptake was there this year they could find other areas to nestle a couple of meeting points into.
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Ben
TS Founding Member
- Favourite Ride
- Your Dad
Im assuming they will go back to the 3 Santas in CBeebies Land, which actually works really well. The rooms are great.
Put the fixed 3 for hotel guests, bit longer experience, proper photos etc.
Day guests pop another few Santas in either the towers / courtyard / anywhere, there's no reason they couldn't have 20 Santas if they wanted. It would be short sighted to not have enough Santas to meet everyone and claim some cash.
Put the fixed 3 for hotel guests, bit longer experience, proper photos etc.
Day guests pop another few Santas in either the towers / courtyard / anywhere, there's no reason they couldn't have 20 Santas if they wanted. It would be short sighted to not have enough Santas to meet everyone and claim some cash.
jon81uk
TS Member
I would say almost certainly yes.
The Santa Sleepover events have always been very popular and likely a big money earner. Day guests likely won’t bring as much money, hence the new light show that can have a high price attached to it. Also no mention of annual passholders who wouldn’t actually generate any new money by going to the Christmas event.
pluk
TS Member
Against my better judgement I'm considering Santa Sleepover, it's probably just too perfect for my three year old this year.
Having never visited at Christmas, what rides have been open in previous years? No clear indication on AT website as far as I can see. I'd be expecting Ceebeebies, dry mutiny bay and the ghost of cred street. Would that be about right?
Having never visited at Christmas, what rides have been open in previous years? No clear indication on AT website as far as I can see. I'd be expecting Ceebeebies, dry mutiny bay and the ghost of cred street. Would that be about right?
AT86
TS Member
Yep, and Spinball.
pluk
TS Member
Ta. Was hoping for more but expecting less.
jon81uk
TS Member
Gangsta Granny, Bottom Burp, Carousel and CBeebies are the only rides clearly mentioned on the website.
Family Christmas Days Out | Alton Towers Resort
But I would expect Muntiny Bay including Sea Life too.
Maybe Hex.
Also given they are opening to day guests as well as the sleepovers they might add some coasters?
Danscott22
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- The Smiler
December is usually a warmer month than people anticipate now as well, so I don't see why a couple of the coasters couldn't open. I'm sure they could add Galactica, Nemesis, Oblivion and Spinball Whizzer. Unlikely, but they could.
jon81uk
TS Member
based on previous events I expect Spinball and Oblivion are most likely.
AstroDan
TS Team
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- Steel Vengeance, Cedar Point
I fully expect it to be most of Walliams World, Spinball Whizzer, most of CBeebies Land, Heave Ho and Marauders Mayhem. Hex is a possibility. Come 2022, once they test the waters, I expect they could add 2 or 3 more rides including RMT and possibly even Wicker Man eventually.
To be honest, last year with the Christmas stuff there was plenty to entertain for several hours. In fact it was a delight.
Santa Sleepovers always get excellent reviews to be fair to ATR.
To be honest, last year with the Christmas stuff there was plenty to entertain for several hours. In fact it was a delight.
Santa Sleepovers always get excellent reviews to be fair to ATR.
Skyscraper
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Nemesis
I would expect Duel to be included as well. Haven't they alternated between it and Hex in previous years?