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Park Hours: Updates and Discussion

Alphe86 said:
There was a lot of negative press on the usual places about weather and long queues. Like the typical punter expected it to be a dead day with walk on night rides
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Jeez, complaining about the weather in March?!! What were people expecting?!! Must remember to put an official complaint into Towers if it's bad weather for the fireworks...
 
Dave said:
Historically they have had the buyout days, this gave them a weekend of operation then a week closed to iron out any issues. This seaaon they didn’t have that and they went from closed to full operation. I wonder if this isn’t actually designed to give them a slow ramp up into full operation to avoid major issues.
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You could possibly be right there with the lack of buyout days. I would imagine most of the people visiting on these first few days will be Thoosies and pass holders anyway.
 
Steve74 said:
Jeez, complaining about the weather in March?!! What were people expecting?!! Must remember to put an official complaint into Towers if it's bad weather for the fireworks...
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I visited on the same fateful Alton After Dark day as @Bowser. The weather was bad enough that every single coaster had significant down time, causing Alton Towers to activate Visit Again For Free for the first time (a revised version of the rainy day guarantee).

We arrived at 0930 and had three rides in total, leaving at 1700 and not staying later on account of the weather, queues and need for a pint. Spending all day in queues for them to get evacuated, then repeating the process wasn't fun.

I also feel as though complaints about the weather are completely valid, considering the lack of enclosed spaces for shelter at the park. Clearly someone at Towers management also feels the same way, as exposed ride platforms are now getting shelter for staff members.

Also, we're British. Since when do we need a valid reason to complain about the weather, regardless of the month or season? Be more patriotic damnit! 😉
 
gclough79 said:
Im in the park this morning, its absolutely dead, every ride has been a walk on so far even the queue for Smiler is about 5 minutes.
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Yeah it appeared similar yesterday too. Is the full Oktoberfest lineup still going ahead on these dead days? I fear they may look at attendance figures and think it isn’t worth the additional expense on these days 🤔.

I’m sure Oktoberfest last year saw much bigger attendances, even on weekdays. The queues on Sunday even didn’t seem to go much beyond 30 minutes.
 
Tom said:
To give herself a rest from the drama. She will be back to bask in the huge influencer interest from park reopening and a regurgitated flat ride in spring.
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For a rest you just hit the Log Out button, not the Serve Notice button.
 
Waterpark hours for the first half of 2025 are now on the website.

Sadly the cut back hours that were introduced half way through 2024 seem to persist into 2025.

4pm close off peak weekdays, 5pm close weekends and school holidays.

Disappointed, but not surprised.
 
AT86 said:
Waterpark hours for the first half of 2025 are now on the website.

Sadly the cut back hours that were introduced half way through 2024 seem to persist into 2025.

4pm close off peak weekdays, 5pm close weekends and school holidays.

Disappointed, but not surprised.
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What’s always baffled me is if they have to have naff opening hours why are they not displaced later in the day. 10-4 excludes people staying over and visiting the theme park. Just do 12-6 or 1-7 if you have to be so stingy.
 
Dave said:
What’s always baffled me is if they have to have naff opening hours why are they not displaced later in the day. 10-4 excludes people staying over and visiting the theme park. Just do 12-6 or 1-7 if you have to be so stingy.
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If you’ve done the theme park on the first day, stayed over and then do the water park after breakfast then 10am makes sense. The longer hours are only for those who want to do both same day and I doubt there are many doing that. Although I guess some might choose water park day one and theme park day too, but I’d rather drive home after the water park as it’s less walking!
 
What doesn't make sense is staying over for the night and getting kicked out to return to your accomodation at 4pm.

On sunny days, it makes you feel like you've been sent to bed early without any tea for mouthing off your mum. Hours of daylight left and the park is closed!

Should be 10:30-17:30 minimum off peak. If they can't offer 7 hours, then there's something drastically wrong with the business model. But we already know that.
 
Matt.GC said:
What doesn't make sense is staying over for the night and getting kicked out to return to your accomodation at 4pm.
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That definitely applies more to the theme park, that does feel like being kicked out early. At least water park you could do second day after staying one night.

I would guess a lot of people with children do arrive 10am, do 10-6 in the theme park (when possible), then dinner and relax or put the kids to bed. Second day breakfast at 8.30 and water park 10am to 3pm before the drive home, to get home in time for dinner.
 
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