Must-Do Alton Towers Features?

There are a lot of comprehensive lists on the Internet surrounding 'must do' and 'must see' attractions and features when visiting the Disney parks. Obviously they are well known for 'easter egg' type features, on both rides and films, so this makes sense.

I was wondering about what must do/see features you guys think the Alton Towers resort has. I'm going for 2 days over 6th & 7th October (that's 2 full days in the park/resort and a 1 night stay in ATH) and I'm taking my partner who has never been before. Obviously we're going to do Nemmy/Blivvy/Air/Smiler etc., but my issue is that although I've been to the park a lot I've:

a. Never stayed in the actual resort due to money issues and;

b. Only ever had 1 day in the park, which means the 7 hours are spent trying to do all the rides I love and possibly missing other fun stuff.

Do you guys have any suggestions of wacky and zany things I should see during my elongated stay in the resort? I've already been advised to check out the toilets in the gardens by @Danny, and the magic mirror in ATH (although apparently he's very temperamental) by @Tom.B. I think we're also going to play golf, because I've never done that before.

Also, as a side note, which restaurants in the resort would you guys recommend? In the hotels, not the park stuff.

 

It isn't during ScareFest! I know this because I wanted to go during this and couldn't get the time off work. ScareFest is 18th October - 2nd November. UNLESS you know something I don't?! The reason we picked these days was the quietness to do stuff (and the time off situation).

Thanks for the scavenger hunt! I love it, I'm gonna have a go (although there's just 4 of us) and get pictures where appropriate/available. Would you accept a plush bear as not worthless tat?

It's alright about the hotels/restaurants because I think we're just gonna wing it anyway, but I figured I'd add it to the end just in case.

(P.S. Ripsaw the cat...?)

 

I figured that's what had happened, and even though I knew in my heart it wasn't true I excitedley looked up the ScareFest dates to check. Alas, I must go another year without it, which is upsetting because I really want to have fun with rides at night/zombies/Sanctuary.

I'm going with my partner, and my mum and dad. They will all be up for photo-scavengering, but since my dad has stopped going on rides due to motion sickness, no splitting up is likely to happen. However, I am absolutely going to try and get pictures of all of these, and I am absolutely going to PM you all of the photos. It'll be even more fun with an audience/judge!

I literally have no idea who or what Ripsaw the Cat is, but I'm going to find him and I hope he can cut it.

 

Absolutely this. I'll trial it on 6th and 7th Oct and PM you after, we can see how it goes!

 

we need another forum based hunt

 

I sincerely hope he's doing better than when I last saw him, consuming vomit off the floor from near The Blade. On the subject of cats, I bumped into an adorable little kitten in X Sector in July, so keep your eyes on the lookout for this shy little cute fluffball.

 

Too drunk.... didn't read (I skimmed though)

It's definately worth having a scout round The Towers if you haven't done so before. Even the most hardcore thrill geek like me can apriciate that! There's a lot to be said for The Gardens as well.

(dispite my hatred for Merlin, There's no denying the heritage of the site )

 

One of the less exciting things on the resort, and the most obvious... the big chair in ATH. It's on the floor where the games room/toilets are, you can't miss it! The big beach deck chair in Splash Landings is pretty cool too.

 

The Towers are definitely worth a wander around in a future visit, but will be closed when you're there for Scarefest maze prep.

 

If you go to Alton Towers Hotel, ride in the lift at least once!

 

Yep. Are closed, have been closed and will be closed.

 

Oi! You're forgetting me!

 

Towers themselves are open March - early August pretty much every year.

There's loads of stuff to do, just have a wander. It's always nice to spend some time just walking through areas!

 

I'm sure that every time I've been there (which is almost every year at around June/Julyish) I've never been able to get in The Towers, but maybe I'm remembering wrong. I've walked through The Gardens before but not had time to just have a wander around, and I'm pretty interested in seeing them this year since I just finished reading Tales from the Towers.

Edit: Thanks for your suggestions guys, I'm gonna check them all out