Alton Towers Discussion Thread

[cmpunk771Macaroni and Donkey]

So more Alton towers PR Rubbish just at an attempt of capitalizing on recent news, well whats next stopping AIR from running becuase of the Volcano ash!

[EdTHE BOY]

As if seeing David Cameron's giant forehead on billboards every day wasn't bad enough.. "PR.... I PR things, places, concepts, LULU), as Edina Monsoon rightly said.

[BudtheWeiserI'm a know-it-all about donkeys!]

Mate of mine spent a couple of days at Alton Towers last week Thirteen broke down about 4 times on Friday and is almost going down about twice a day at the moment spoke to one of the ride ops and Apparently they're having weight issues with the lift hill and drop section. As a result they have to run the train less than full capacity as the hydraulics cant handle it full looks like they need to sort this out before peak season kicks in.

[hoost2I Guess Donkeys Are Okay]

Went to Alton Towers yesterday
It was surprisingly busy for midweek. However the waiting times were not too bad other than on 13.
13 was the worst line of the day 1 hour 30 min wait (even in single rider Line). Too be honest the wait is not worth it. I dont want to put anyone off but I thought it was a pretty dull ride and over way too soon.
I spoke with one of the operators as they are still running the ride at reduced capacity. 4 Empty seats at the back of every train as the cars cannot take the weight. Doesnt look like that will change until the end of the season. They spent £15 million of this and didnt get it right!!
Advise you go very early or leave it until later on in the day. I passed the ride at about 2pm and the wait was 200 minutes!!!
13 is not a touch on Nemesis, Air and Rita. Nemesis is still the best ride in the park.

Rita was having problems all day which I believe is a major problem all of the time.

Still have a go on 13 of course but think Alton Towers have tried to create something less extreme and more family orientated.

[ScottBrownProctoligist of Scooby Doo]

Here is my take on 13, due to the strict zoning laws Alton Towers must abide by they will never be able to have a true drop ride and they had to get a bit creative to manage to get a similar experience in the park somehow, Alton Towers isn't about intense rides as much as creative ways to get around the Zoning laws and bitchy neighbors which in some cases by accident result in some true world class coasters like Nemesis and in other cases result in cool concepts like Oblivion and 13

[themeparkologistSpills and Fails, daily.]

This may be stupid but, Why does Alton have zoning laws? I know it's the treeline but why would it be that?

[hoost2I Guess Donkeys Are Okay]

I agreed with you scott and dont get me wrong 13 is a good addition. I think it was just a let down after all the hype surrounding it and such a long wait. Its such a shame about the laws in the area and they cant build anything big. They are always going to have that problem. I remember the good old days of the thunderlooper before the laws came into affect.

[ScottBrownProctoligist of Scooby Doo]

Well a long wait for a new coaster is to be expected how long did the lines for x get opening year, I agree they did overhype it just a bit and it is not x by a long shot but it is a pretty cool idea and has taken Roller Coasters to a completely new place and I cant wait to see where other parks take it in the years to come look what Oblivion and AIR eventually led to. Its not that they cant build anything big it just takes a lot more planning and creativity to do so I would not call Nemesis small by any means

[ScottBrownProctoligist of Scooby Doo]

This may be stupid but, Why does Alton have zoning laws? I know it's the treeline but why would it be that?

As far as I know the smart people that bought homes next to the park knowing that it was there started complaining about it, anyone have a better explanation ? My opinion is simple if you don't want to deal with the sights and sounds of an Amusement Park don't buy the house next to one

[hoost2I Guess Donkeys Are Okay]

Agreed