After 15 years away, I've been back to Alton Towers twice last year and again on Monday and I am hooked. I enjoyed *all* the rollercoasters but have been thinking carefully about how I would rank them and after some difficulty, have drawn my conclusions:
8. Th13teen. My first ride was a nice surprise I guess, but I really don't find it has that much to offer on consecutive rides. The theming is so vague and confusing. I actually have no idea what the story is meant to be. Why is it called th13teen? Why is there a bolt of electricity in the queue? I have no clue. I wish they would incorporate the backstory (I presume it does have one) more. Wicker Man does this so much better. The ride itself feels really short and uninspired. It seems like it was only done for the novelty of the "surprise". The first drop in the woods is fun though. Actually the whole woods section is decent enough.
7. Galactica. I remember me and my whole family really loving Air when it first opened, but now I struggle to remember why. It feels like a bit of a novelty now and doesn't provide much adrenaline/ excitement. I would describe it mainly as "nice", and seeing as it often seems to have long queue times, I'll probably give it a miss next time.
6. Runaway Mine Train. I always make sure I go on this at least once as it's so much fun. The staff are probably the biggest contributer to that but also I actually find the drop into the tunnel quite a rush and it's fun waving at the people on the rapids.
5. The Smiler. Maybe this would be higher, except on my first ride I was really knocked about and it hurt quite a bit. About 3/4 of the way through seemed the worst. This was on an outside seat and for my 2nd ride I was on an inner one and it was much better and more enjoyable. I then found the whole ride quite a lot of fun, and a nice length. However for me I didn't find it anywhere near as intense and adrenaline-filled as some of the other coasters and so was a bit disappointed. Especially as Monday was my first chance to ride it ever after the closure last year. I had been hyping it up in my head too long.
4. Rita. I've read others say it is rough but I've never found that. The initial acceleration always feels amazing and the corners at speed are great fun. I miss the old theming, now it is really confused.
3. Nemesis. The ride for me that has the longest sustained intense feel and feels really great still after all these years. I have always loved the theming (the music!!!), but am sad to see it looking a little tired now and I miss the blood/ red water.
2. Wicker Man. I was really surprised by how intense this was and love the theming. It does always seem to break down just as I get to the front of the queue though!
1. Oblivion. Somehow, after many many rides, still the ride that scares/ excites me the most. The slow shuffle forward after the hill climb when you know what is coming always gets my heart racing and I love/ hate the drop feeling every time.
(I haven't ridden Octonauts and I can't remember riding Spinball, but probably did do once.)