Alton Towers

[Glpblondie]

Im going to alton towers on friday and just wondered if you have to pay for the car park or if it is free. Cant seem to find any info on their website. Does anybody know at all? thanx in advance.

[getrichy247]

the car park is free but you can pay a small fee to park closer to the main entrance........ we never did this when we went as it was only a minute or so's walk and even if you are in the furthest car park away from the entrance there is a free monorail service which takes you to the main entrance.

[vehelpfulguy]

You sound as thought you may not have been there before so some advice.

The car parks are HUGE, so make a note of where you are so you can find the car at the end of the day.

Take your lunch with you, dont leave it in the car to come back and pick it up later, you wont feel like the long trip back to the car just for lunch.

There is a monorail that takes you from the car park to the main park, and back again at the end. There can be big queues for the monorail but you can walk to the main park in about ten minutes, just follow the crowds.

There can be HUGE queues to buy tickets when you get there (I had to queue for about 30 minutes to buy a ticket last year before I could get in). Consider buying your tickets in advance and just picking them up on the day.

Once inside the park it is huge. The different "lands" are quite a way from each others and you can spend most of the day walking from one "land" to another.

Look at the map, and plan your day carefully so you dont spend all day walking around.

In the past I have visited Alton Towers and felt I have spent the whole day either walking around, or in queues, and about 15 minutes on rides.

Try to stay till the end of the day. Many people leave before the end of the day and the queues become so short you can just walk straight on some rides.

Also note that Alton Towers is in the middle of nowhere (worst place to build a theme park really) so follow the signs and be prepared for some narrow winding roads as you get near the park.

And dont leave valuables on display in your car, lock them in the boot. Some people do go round looking to break into cars.

Have a great day.

[twaflooers]

Hi Glpblondie

We were at Alton Towers just a couple of weeks ago and unfortunately the car parks are NO LONGER FREE!

There is an "Express Car Park" which is just a few minutes walk from the entrance to the park but it will cost you �10.
The other car parks range from quite near to bl**dy far away from the entrance but will still cost you �4 for the privilage.

We got there early but still ended up having to queue to get parked and then again for a good while just to enter the place so be prepared for a long day. At the risk of putting you off even more also be prepared for the little 'extras' that you may be charged for i.e. they sell queue buster tickets so that you don't have to wait in the ordinary queues but they do cost an extra �7 and only apply to certain rides.

Also if you wish to purchase any photographs of yourself on the ride then that'll cost you �6 per photo. I am by no means a cheapskate and we did have a great couple of days there but it does make for a very expensive trip.

Have a fantastic time blondie, let us know how it was and may I recommend Oblivion, Nemisis and particularly Ripsaw. ;0)

twaflooers

[vehelpfulguy]

If you live south of Alton Towers (Birmingham etc) then I think you can have a pretty good day at Drayton Manor instead.

Not as large as Alton Towers, not as many white knuckle rides, but advantages are:

It is not in the middle of nowhere so easier to get to.

The park is not so large so you dont spend all day walking round the park.

Queues not so big.

Not as far to walk from the car park to the main park.

You can leave your lunch in the car and go back and pick it up at lunchtime without a 5 mile walk.

It is also more "family friendly" if you have young children or older family members. There are a few family rides, plus a zoo, which makes it more suitable for all the family.

Must admit though that Alton Towers is best if you mainly want white knuckle rides.

[nat1204]

hi, i wouldnt bother with the express parking, we parked for free just a few minutes away and it wasnt long walk, just remeber where you have parked!!

[beverleymot]

parking is �4 once you leave the park- and make sure you leave in plenty of time friday as there is an event at doddington race track ( same junction as alton towers and east midlands airport) and last time i went alton towers on a race weekend it took us just over an hour to get off the motorway and up to the roundabout at the top ( prob a quarter of a mile) have fun!!