Controversial Alton Towers Opinions

[Matt N]

With the park reopening today and staying open until late, I have a potentially unpopular Alton Towers view; I think the late openings in March are a bad idea.

I’m not opposed to the principle of late openings by any stretch (I love a night ride as much as the next person!), but in March, I think Alton After Dark just pulls people to the park when it’s not really ready for high crowds. There are always teething problems in the initial days; this doesn’t matter so much if it’s just a regular weekend, but on the Alton After Dark days, people come to the park in large numbers, which magnifies the issues.

My visit to Alton After Dark last year was, without a shadow of a doubt, the worst day I’ve ever had at Alton Towers. This was admittedly caused in large part by poor weather, but ride availability was poor and some of the usual early season reduced capacity shenanigans were out in force. I feel this might have been less of an issue had it not been a “special” marketed late opening day.

If the park wants to do late openings, I feel that they should maybe do them later in the year once things have settled down a bit. Or perhaps do late openings more often so that the ones in March aren’t such a big “event”?

 

[AT86]

With the park reopening today and staying open until late, I have a potentially unpopular Alton Towers view; I think the late openings in March are a bad idea.

I’m not opposed to the principle of late openings by any stretch (I love a night ride as much as the next person!), but in March, I think Alton After Dark just pulls people to the park when it’s not really ready for high crowds. There are always teething problems in the initial days; this doesn’t matter so much if it’s just a regular weekend, but on the Alton After Dark days, people come to the park in large numbers, which magnifies the issues.

My visit to Alton After Dark last year was, without a shadow of a doubt, the worst day I’ve ever had at Alton Towers. This was admittedly caused in large part by poor weather, but ride availability was poor and some of the usual early season reduced capacity shenanigans were out in force. I feel this might have been less of an issue had it not been a “special” marketed late opening day.

If the park wants to do late openings, I feel that they should maybe do them later in the year once things have settled down a bit. Or perhaps do late openings more often so that the ones in March aren’t such a big “event”?

They are only really economically viable before the clocks go forward. Beyond that sunset is so late it will mean the park would need to open much later.

 

[rob666]

It will also help to spread the early crowds, some turn up later for the dark rides...as some young families clear off early.
But first days are for the unwise...
Too many silly queues, vloggers, inexperienced staff and reliability issues.
Things are often so much better after a week or two.

 

[Danscott22]

Yeah otherwise it'd have to be called "Alton but not in the Dark" outside of March (and Scarefest obviously). Doesn't have the same ring to it

 

[Matt N]

I know it wouldn’t be dark at certain times of year, but couldn’t they just market it as “late” riding or similar? The likes of Blackpool do this successfully.

 

[AT86]

Historically that hasn’t really worked at Towers. Folks clear off early - I think it’s the ‘rides in the dark’ bit that keeps the crowds staying late.