Alton Towers or Drayton Manor?

Greymarl

Hi there,

I'm indecisive. I'm going with a friend and her 2 children to a theme park on August 11th (I know, it will be heaving at that time as it's the school hols, right?:() but we can't decide which one. Prices come out about the same, so that's not an issue, though Drayton Manor is closer to home. We will have one fairly brave and adventurous, tall for his age, 10 year old, and one similar 7 year old.

Will Alton Towers have too many grown up rides do you think? But will Drayton Manor be too busy, as I've read the queues can be long. With AT you can do the fasttrack at least if it's busy, but Drayton Manor has animals also to occupy the kids if they aren't able to go on too many rides.

I also want it to be a nice day out for my friend. Does each have a picnic area/good selection of food places?

Would you mind sharing your thoughts on each? I've not been to DM and AT I went to a long time ago and have no kids, so wasn't paying any attention to the smaller rides.

Many thanks!

Alye16

I would say at the age of the children going above go to Drayton Manor, probably more rides suitable for the ages and the rides are closer together.My 14 year old is just getting into Alton Towers but his younger brother (11) finds there is not so much for him to do, rides are very big and scary(for me too), its a big park and you spend a lot of time walking between the rides from one side of the park to the other and back again.

carolpinkdreamer

I'd agree with Alye16 too. Drayton Manor is better for their ages. Lovely picnic areas, cable cars, zoo and rides for all ages. I've had many great days there. Alton Towers is possibly better for older teens. Queues can be long but they do move quite quickly. If you make a full day of it you should manage to go on everything you wish to despite queues.

pk1970

i also agree with the other posters and so does my husband ..lol ~ he sais alton towers is mopre expensive and you have to get a train to get to the park so have to carry picnic around with you...
better at drayton manor with the age range...and if you have tesco clubcard voucher ~ change them for days out vouchers then its a bargain.
you dont park too far to get into drayton manor and we always take a picnic and come back to sit by the car to eat it ~ saves lugging it about..
we always have fun at dm .
x

markpersad

We just came back from Alton Towers today and in our group there were lots of different aged children. We found something for all of them and were able to split up then meet for lunch and breaks. They have great gardens for picnics as well as a wide range of restaurants. My sons are 3 & 6, they had a great time. We also had a 7 & 11 year old with us and they too found lots to do. Alton has my vote.

Greymarl

Many, many thanks

I was all up for Drayton Manor until the last post I think I'll maybe suggest DM as it's a bit nearer to home, we use Sainsbury's (Nectar) so don't really have enough Tesco clubcard vouchers but I think the prices work out the same in any case. I have been wondering if it might be nice to combine the animals element too as they've not been to the zoo in ages either...

Thanks for all your help folks :T

Simac

Sounds like you have made your mind up, but for what it's worth I would have said Drayton Manor too. I've taken our 7 year old son to both and DM was his favourite by a mile.

tessie_bear

id go for alton towers...much more there and if they do fast pass that would really help with queue...i think d m is mostly dated....thomas land is lovely but apart from that it appears to be on its last legs...the catering is dire as well

davetrousers

There are loads of 2 for 1 vouchers for Alton Towers. Not sure that there are many offers for Drayton Manor, does anyone know of any?

tessie_bear

davetrousers wrote: »

There are loads of 2 for 1 vouchers for Alton Towers. Not sure that there are many offers for Drayton Manor, does anyone know of any?

sometimes our local paper has offers like £3 off but that isnt much use if u live further afield....that is the only offers i have ever seen for dm

Greymarl

Mr Trousers :DOther than Nectar points, are there any vouchers for Alton Towers that I can get codes for online? I had a search but couldn't find any... Many thanks.