Aton/Thorpe trip 8/1-8/15/2012

[sfgam33I Guess Donkeys Are Okay]

It is my dream to visit Alton & Thorpe(its literally on my bucket list to do before Im 24) & at 23 years old, never have left the US, I am doin all I can to make it there this August 1st!! I will be "leisuring" in London with friends for 2weeks, but the parks are my focal points, soo...

Would you happen to know what finances I would need total to be there?? (not including passport cause I've got the papers for that 2weeks ago) I was interested in gettin their annual Merlin pass but does it work at both parks?? Because I will be at each park for 2days.

Also, I will be stayin with friends MOST THE TIME except for the days at Alton/Thorpe so lodging is not an issue the entire trip, just the 4park days & food costs will be minimal due to home cooking most the time, so my friend says He says Ill need about $1600 after flight & Ill be set if I dont go crazy on souvs haha....

Im hoping these parks are everything I've dreamt to be...god Im like a little kid, sorry! Im just really anxious & nervous about $$$ PLEASE give whatever advice you can about the park, $$, etc.

[nemesis-stormDonkeys are my way of life!]

Yes the Merlin annual pass is valid at both Alton Towers & Thorpe Park
Other benefits include Chessington & the London Eye
Official site for the pass is here

[robinschroderWhen I grow up, I want to breed donkeys!]

You'll be able to reach Thorpe Park easily from London (as well as Chessington if you wanted) - there's an easy train / shuttle bus combo from London Waterloo (or Clapham Junction) to Staines and then on to the park for Thorpe Park, and you can similarly travel from London Waterloo (or Clapham Junction) to Chessington South which is a short walk away from Chessington.

For Alton Towers, take a look at the details here (and possibly also dotted around in other places on the forum) : TPR Thread

[RollerCoasterSmiDumbTums]

It is considerably cheaper just to do it by two day tickets. It would cost £87.50 (including parking) to do it by pre booked two day tickets against the cost of a premium pass which is £192. I don't think you would need two days at Thorpe Park though.

[andyuk200523This donkey is a Know-it-All]

If you goto Thorpe on a Weekday, you can almost get it done in half a day (I usually end up spending the afternoon at Chessington as it is just round the corner (well 20mins).

If memory serves me correct, you can also pay about £12 when you are in the park for a return ticket for the following day (It has been a long time since I actually did this, so it may be no longer valid) So you will save a fortune if you do this rather than go for an Annual Pass.

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

Alton Towers is in the middle of nowhere
I would advise you to rent a car (Like me and my mother did last autumn). For example directly from the airport to your loft or hotel in london, and you can get easily to the parks !

[sfgam33I Guess Donkeys Are Okay]

Thanks guys so much!! Im stuck on what to do, cause I do wanna do the eye too. So youre talkin about itd be less expensive to do 2day tix at EACH park(4tix) over a pass?? Just wanted some clarity is all, sorry

[RollerCoasterSmiDumbTums]

^ The Eye costs from £17 - £30 depending on what option you go for. The two day tickets and standard tickets with a trip on the eye would therefore coast about £110, which is a considerable saving on the £192 Premium Pass and the £156 Standard Pass (which doesn't include parking).