Alton Towers - Single Rider Queue?

Devizeslass

We are going to Alton Towers for the first time at half term. This is mainly a treat for my 14 year old daughter, who loves thrill rides. Sadly, DH, DS(7) and I are not so keen:eek: . I'm sure I read somewhere that Alton Towers has singer rider queues (ie, to slot people in to fill up the spaces) for some of its rides, which would be ideal for us, but I can't find any information about it.

Did I just dream this? I hope someone can help!

Bunnie1982

Single rider queues operate on:

AIR - To the right of the normal entrance (look for Fastrack entrance and use the gate to the right)

Nemesis - Head to the deepest part of the nemesis pit and follow signs. (Use steps to station)

Oblivion - Situated to the left of the main entrance (clearly signposted)

RITA - Opposite to the main entrance (clearly signposted)

Spinball Whizzer - Clearly signposted dedicated queue line to the right of the main entrance

Single rider queues can still get very busy, I've not used the ones at Alton Towers but I have at Thorpe Park

I think you can still get fast track tickets too, which give you a specific time to queue and you go to the fast track entrance and get on the ride quicker

PS. Car parking has gone up from £3 to £4 this year so remember to keep some loose change

PPS. If you want a park for all ages try Drayton Manor Park, I believe it has been voted the best family park several years running - got a good mix of family rides and thrill rides

Devizeslass

Thank you, Bunnie1982. That is enormously helpful - I will print off your directions and take them with me.

Drayton Manor Park does sound good, but unfortunately DD is desparate to go to Alton Towers!

Jem8472

one of the best websites for AT info is

http://www.towerstimes.co.uk/index.php

The info on the single riders looks all good. But be warned sometimes the SRQ can be very long due to large groups of ppl that go in them just because they think it will be quicker.

bylromarha

Best thing to do IMO is borrow a friends baby for the day, gives the parents a day to themselves...baby gets free entry and gets to have a little bit of fun in Old McDonald land etc and you get a parent/guardian pass from guest services and you get a pass to walk straight on and off the busy rides when riding alone.

Went with my 8 month old last year and started in the single rider queue, but it was going really slowly, even though we went off peak. Got to the front of the first SRQ, showed my parent pass and she told me I'd gone in the wrong way, directed me to the disabled exit "for the next queue".

The next ride I went on, I was on and off the ride in 5 minutes! Was fantastic!!!!

Devizeslass

ROFL, bylromarha, I don't know if I'd be entirely happy at the idea of my 14 year old daughter passing herself off as a teenage mum in order to get on the rides!!!!!

Thanks for the idea, though!

bylromarha

Devizeslass wrote:

ROFL, bylromarha, I don't know if I'd be entirely happy at the idea of my 14 year old daughter passing herself off as a teenage mum in order to get on the rides!!!!!

Thanks for the idea, though!

The idea with the pass is that you get on and off the rides quickly so you aren't waiting around with a bored baby in a buggy. i don't think it matters if it's the adult who uses the pass or not, it's just Alton towers way of keeping the family happy. The pass gets marked for every ride it is used on, to ensure you don't take advantage.

Worth giving alton towers a ring to find out, if you do have access to a baby for the day!

have a great time either way.

buxtonrabbitgreen

Devizeslass wrote:

We are going to Alton Towers for the first time at half term. This is mainly a treat for my 14 year old daughter, who loves thrill rides. Sadly, DH, DS(7) and I are not so keen:eek: . I'm sure I read somewhere that Alton Towers has singer rider queues (ie, to slot people in to fill up the spaces) for some of its rides, which would be ideal for us, but I can't find any information about it.

Did I just dream this? I hope someone can help!

We went yesterday. We did not know about the single rider queue until my thrill seeking 12 year old had queued for an hour for nemisis, but after we discovered it she and her brother got on all the big rides really quickly using this, and mostly sitting together, which they didnt care about anyway. The only one where they didnot seem to be letting single riders on was Rita although there was a single rider queue.

Devizeslass

Thank you, buxtonrabbitgreen - that is encouraging.

Less than a week to go now. DD is getting very excited:j