Alton Towers - help!

[Queenie]

We're going to Alton Towers on Sunday with my sister and her family. I've never been and Scott hasn't been for about 15 years! Please could someone who knows the rides there compare them to WDW/US/IOA rides for us so we can do some planning and know what we're likely to want to ride?

I've heard that the new Charlie & the Chocolate Factory Glass Elevator ride is like a scaled down Tower of Terror? Any truth in that?

Thanks!

 

[ely3857]

I havent been since Rita & Charlie opened but NONE of the rides compare to any at Disney or US!

There is a Runaway Moutain Train & some Rapids which are good, the Log Flume is fun.

Air is very very very good & a little bit weird! Nemises makes me feel ill, I suppose you would compare with Duelling dragons.

Nothing here will give you the 'Disney' feeling but if you lgo in just looking for a good time then you should have a good day.

Have fun!



Jodie

 

[Disney owl]

On our last visit didn't go on Rita but my DD did. She said it was fast but banged her head around but she is small for her age (15). She enjoyed it but said it wasn't as good as Hulk.

We always enjoy Oblivion & Nemisis and the new ride air is worth riding a couple of times.

Don't really know what the charlie & choc factory ride involves but it is aimed at children.

Not sure if any of the above helps. Have a great day.

 

[DavidUK]

hello!
charlie and the chocolate factory is a boat ride like pirates or small world and the elevator is a simulation - not like ToT - it works a little bit like the streching rooms and startours combined!! if you can imagine!

rita is like RnRC but with out the good stuff after the launch!

the park is really badly set out but the busiest area is Forbidden Valley - that's where Nemisis, air and ripsaw are

then they get spread out - very difficult to plan a day in alton towers - one reccomendation is to eat lunch v.early or late -there are not many restaurants and it gets mucho crowded - the bast place to eat is in merrie england as there aren't many rides there so it is v.quiet (comaparatively!)

the park is very very spread out - it is much bigger than the magic kingdom! the rides are good but watch the queue boards - the forbidden valley is where everyone heads at 'rope drop'!! (or gates open AT doesn't have the magic!!)

anyway hope this rambling answers some questions - feel free to ask any more!

Dx

 

[Floridadreamlel]

We were there yesterday and queued well over 3/4 of an hour for Charlie & the Choc. factory and it was NOT worth it. It is nothing like TOT. You get on a small boat (a bit like Pirates only smaller) and ride through various scenes, not over impressive, then....you get off again and get into a room that represents the glass elevator. This is a simulator and is quite good as you feel like you are moving but it doesn't last very long.
As for the other rides I don't think any can compare to Disney. Nemesis is a bit like 'Duelling Dragons' but with only one track (if you know what I mean) 'cos your feet are dangling! The Runaway Mine Train is like Thunder Mountain but smaller scale, but still good, my 6 year old went on that and he thought it was 'awesome' (his words not mine). Spinball wizz is another good one. Didn't go on 'Rita' as the queue was 1 hour long! Oblivion is good, too, and Air. Like Disney though 1 day isn't long enough.
Hope this helps and hope you have fun.

 

[Queenie]

Sorry I think some people have misread me! We know there's gonna be no magic there, hence why we don't go most of the time. However my sis and her family can't afford to do Disney (or think they can't), they live near AT so we're going along just to spend time with them (and because we're getting free/cheap tickets!) We just wanted ride comparisons like "the mine train is a similar coaster to BTMR" so we know what to expect from each ride.

 

[DavidUK]

well in that case...

Duel - haunted mansion crossed with Bizz lightyear
Runaway Mine train - BTMR
Katanga Canyon rapids - Kali River
RITA queen of speed - RnRC
Spinball Whizzer - Primevil Whirl
Charlie and the chocolate factory - Pirates ish!!
then there are the coasters!

hope it helps a little!

 

[florida sun]

Sophie

I havent been for quite a while now, but my daughter is going on Saturday with some mates, have a great time, I love Nemisis

 

[mark&sue]

Queenie

I love a day out wherever it is and I love Alton Towers. We try to go every few years and have stayed at the hotel on site three times and have stayed in the village of Alton a couple of times.

My favorite ride is HEX which I think has a fairly magical quality to it. Please try it and let me know what you think. You will need an open mind.

The themeing is quite good and UG land is fun.

The park itself and the grounds are really nice too.

I am sure you will have a great time.



Susan

 

[Minniespal]

Sophie ~

We went recently and enjoyed it. My favourite rides are Nemesis and Air.

Hope you all have a fantastic time

 

[fizz13]

Hi Sophie,

I actually just got back a couple of hours ago from Alton Towers and waited
1 & 1/2 hours for Chocolate factory. I would do it again if there is no wait but didn't think it lived up to the hype. the boat ride through was confusing at times for DS4 and the narration was not clear at all, making it impossible to listen. the galss elevator was a very clever simulator and I did like the effect, but this is the only redeeming part of the ride. Worst of all, DS says he didn't like Willy Wonka because his nose was scary and pointy.

Othere than that, rides were basically a walk on and me and DS had a fantastic time. Hope you do too,

Claire xx