Yes, I'd imagine that there are more BOGOFs, special offers and Merlin/Alton Annual passes. Yes I see the need for Merlin to make money. Yes I understand the idea of inflation, but a walk up family price of £198 is beyond a joke.
Looking locally to me, Twinlakes Family Theme Park is better suited to young children than Alton Towers. Yes it is on a much much smaller scale, and there aren't world class leading attractions, but a family ticket for a day out at Twinlakes is £61. Yes, that's £61. I don't think that's too unreasonable as a comparison, because yes it is a smaller park with less attractions, and 'worse' attractions, but I think personally it's a more rounded day out for young families. I'd argue that it was a far better value day out than Alton Towers.
Okay, you'd say that's not a fair comparison, a Theme Park and a Farm Park isn't fair. Okay, let's go down the road to Drayton Manor, where a family day out will cost £108. Still £90 less than Alton Towers. Drayton Manor, I would argue is better suited to families with younger children, because of big IPs such as Thomas the Tank Engine and Ben 10. Car Parking is also a lot cheaper. I understand that there aren't as many big rides at Drayton Manor (2) and that the park is a tad rough around the edges, but for a family quite simply Drayton Manor is better value. There's a zoo, there's big thrill rides and ones for kids as well. There is something for everyone, even those who don't like rides, and because of the size of the park as well you don't feel as segregated.
Alton Towers has the best mix for people with 13 year old's in their party. They need the thrills of Nemesis, but they're still able to enjoy Ice Age or Blade. I'd argue that what makes Alton Towers a good value day out is the unique ride hardware, such as the UK's only flying coaster, the UK's only £18 million pound white elephant, the UK's only freefall drop rollercoaster. I'd argue that if done properly, with BOGOF's (£99) a family day out at Alton Towers can be good value for money. It all depends on the people in your party, the day you choose to go on and how you choose to spend whilst you're on your day out.
Would I argue that Alton Towers is good money for me personally? Yes, because I have an annual pass, and 'abuse' it as members do on this site. I get my money's worth out of it! If you buy during the January sale you get even better value for money.
One of the things that always irks me about people who say 'THEME PARKS ARE A RIP OFF', is that they never look at other comparative leisure activities. Alton Towers is a whole day affair: to do all the rides and attractions you need at least a day (Before anyone argues that you can do it in half a day, sure, you can if it's dead. But to me where's the rush.. other than 108 miles down the M1/M25?
). With over 50 rides and attractions to enjoy, why not take a stay in the Alton Towers Resort Hotel?
I thought I'd have a quick glance at some other leisure activities to see what's what, all of these figures were generated quickly using Google and a hypothetical 2 adults and 2 'children'.
Despicable Me 2, at the Odeon Cinema: £28.40 for 2 hours entertainment
Nottingham Ice Arena, family skating ticket: £25 for 2 hours entertainment
Legoland Discovery Centre, family ticket: £48 for 2 hours entertainment
Twycross Zoo, family ticket: £49 for 6ish hours entertainment
Drayton Manor, family ticket: £108 for 8 hours entertainment
Twinlakes Family Theme Park, family ticket: £61 for 7 hours entertainment
Alton Towers Resort, family ticket: £108 for 8 hours entertainment
And so on and so on. What I'm trying to say here, is that leisure attractions such as Alton Towers, Twycross Zoo and Drayton Manor offer the best value per person, per hour compared to other activities. Theme Parks are not cheap, but they can be. Worth baring in mind all of these prices are without discounts and coupons, which will alter the balance towards places which frequently use these as marketing for the park.
The Mail article fails to consider this, and for me that's what makes it flawed. It'd be like me saying Ford Ka's have gone up in price. Yes, they have, but once you apply special offers and plan and consider like you would a day out, the price falls.
I apologise if this post seems messy, but I get ever so slightly annoyed with all the negativity. Theme Parks are meant to be places to escape, what companies like Alton Towers need to realise is that for the price they're charging they are a premium product. Run down rides, mess, litter, dirt, broken effects really matter for a £198 day out.
Mind you it could be worse, it could be Legoland WaterPark