Theme Park Tips

feival

Need some quick advice. Have an annual pass that expires at the end of July. We will be going up to Alton Towers and staying overnight on a Sunday night for either June or July. One question is that before the schools break up does it get very busy because of school parties or is that nothing compared to school holidays or a Saturday? Thanks.

FatVonD

I've not read the whole thread (but thank you Petree for the original post!) so forgive me if someone has said this already but I always find inset days are a good time to go as, unlike school holidays, there's some variation from school to school so it's still a school day for a good proportion of other families.

moneypooh

Most school have an inset day in June; and this can be great as alot of school trips happen in July as it's nearer the end of term. Saying that though they tend to be Mondays and Fridays which doesn't always make them quiet. We went to Thorpe Park last June and it was very busy as it was a Friday.

mr.brightside87

Off to Alton Towers a week on Tuesday. Using the coke-zone BOGOF vouchers. 4 of us going so 2 "separate" lots of 2 (although we are going as 4 adults) for £19 each. Not a bad idea if you ask me.

Just worried that, due to it being a school holiday, it's going to be packed but I may get fast track tickets for the coasters and queue for others.

Just hope the weather holds out now!

balletshoes

I've just spent the day at Alton Towers, and have to say, they really do seem to have pulled out all the stops for this their 30th birthday year. I don't live too far away from the park, but was never that keen as it all seemed a bit sterile and lacking in any character.
Today though, I have to say I was very impressed. Lots of characters around (Sonic, Alton Bear, Shark etc) street entertainers, street photographers, the park was clean, and every ride seemed to be in full working order. What has changed the most, in my opinion, is that all the customer-facing staff there have obviously had training in interacting with their customers - every single one of them, from the kiosk staff, the shop staff, restaurant staff, ride staff, skytrain etc etc were very pleasant, chatty and friendly.
I didn't think we'd get much done, with it being school holidays, and yes, we didn't get on the river rapids or the flume, as they were both just too long with their queues. But we did do everything else we wanted to do (the adventure rides, some of the Mutiny Bay stuff, sea life centre etc), 2 or 3 times. We also had time to relax near the lake in the beautiful sunshine.

Ride times posted around the parks today from 11ish through to 3ish were -
Air 50 mins, Charlie 30 - 40 mins, Rita 50 mins.

Thumbs up for me for Alton Towers .

M_A_R_I_E

Totally agree with ballet shoes. We had a fantastic day out there today. Staff were extremely helpful - offering to take family photos with our camera, giving directions etc. Queues for the rides we wanted were great - flumes, rapids, choc factory (with a 4 year old). Only about 20 mins in total. This was on a boiling hot saturday!!

Big thumsbs up from me too Alton Towers - Thank you for a great day! Will def be back!!!

x5buddy

@ Petree

Thnak you so much x

chair_covers

yayy- i want to go to alton towers
these tips will most definently come in handy
woo hoo

Trixie102

Just come back from visit to Legoland and thought would offer a few tips that may help.

Car Park
There is a preferred car park which is very very close to the gates but costs £6 to get in, the other car park costs £1. We did pick the preferred car park as knew son would be very tired after walking about (hot day) and was worth the extra to just stop the moaning!

Drinks
Like the other theme parks they offer a refillable drinks bottle for £6. We filled ours up loads and three of us used it. Wish had know first thing in morning as saved the extra drinks we brought with us! (There is a date sticker underneath the bottle so can only be used on that day).

Entry
If paying costs £38 for adults and £28 for kids!! Use any means to get free entry or half price entry. We used Tesco clubcard vouchers and well worth it. Also you could use your ticket to up-grade to an annual pass if you think you will be going back in the next 12 months (states on web-site you can't do this but ticket says you can!!)

Food
Its expensive!! We took a picnic (from local Tesco store) with us and glad we did. Lots of places to eat and sure one of them may have been value for money- but hot dogs at about £4, maybe not!

Plan visit
The site is massive and quite complicated to work out. I suggest you get your map then work out as soon as you get in which rides you really want to go on. My son really wanted the viking water ride but it was broken down when we got to it, when we went back later massive queue. Go to these rides first thing in morning. Don't worry about getting wet as family walk in dryer close by to dry off in! For a rest try the 4-D cinema, very good and cool in the hotter weather. It suggests you get there about 20 mintues before the show time and you get let in about 10 mins before show time too. You can not take food or drink into the show though (unless hidden I guess!!)

Shops
Check out the smaller shops scattered around the park. We found offers on in them which were not available in the big store near the exit. Also the big shop was packed at the end of the day and you couldn't really see anything without being pushed about. You can purchase lego items during the day and they will be taken up to the shop at the exit for you to collect at the end of the day- much easier than carrying them around or rushing at the end of the day. There is also a discount shop if you follow the path to the right of the main entrance, not much in when we went but worth a look.

Travel
It was a nightmare to get in and out of the park. We arrived at about half an hour after opening and still really busy (on a Monday in school time too, so will be much worse when schools off). We had stayed local the day before as live quite a way from Legoland. Would def advise this and would also suggest if possible stay over that night too. If took us nearly an hour to get onto the main road from Legoland then about another 45 mins to get to the M25. Lots of cheap hotels nearby (we used Slough as only about 15 mins away).

Age range
I would say up to about 10-11 year olds will enjoy this park. Rides are aimed at younger kids and older one may find it too boring. For younger kids you can hire pushchairs for use in the park and I would suggest this is a good idea if not taking your own. As said large site and mini train doesn't take you that far into the park.

Hope this helps someone and don't expect to do it all in one day. Little one is already planning next trip!!

frisbee

Trixie102 wrote: »

Just come back from visit to Legoland and thought would offer a few tips that may help.

Car Park
There is a preferred car park which is very very close to the gates but costs £6 to get in, the other car park costs £1. We did pick the preferred car park as knew son would be very tired after walking about (hot day) and was worth the extra to just stop the moaning!

Drinks
Like the other theme parks they offer a refillable drinks bottle for £6. We filled ours up loads and three of us used it. Wish had know first thing in morning as saved the extra drinks we brought with us! (There is a date sticker underneath the bottle so can only be used on that day).

Entry
If paying costs £38 for adults and £28 for kids!! Use any means to get free entry or half price entry. We used Tesco clubcard vouchers and well worth it. Also you could use your ticket to up-grade to an annual pass if you think you will be going back in the next 12 months (states on web-site you can't do this but ticket says you can!!)

Food
Its expensive!! We took a picnic (from local Tesco store) with us and glad we did. Lots of places to eat and sure one of them may have been value for money- but hot dogs at about £4, maybe not!

Plan visit
The site is massive and quite complicated to work out. I suggest you get your map then work out as soon as you get in which rides you really want to go on. My son really wanted the viking water ride but it was broken down when we got to it, when we went back later massive queue. Go to these rides first thing in morning. Don't worry about getting wet as family walk in dryer close by to dry off in! For a rest try the 4-D cinema, very good and cool in the hotter weather. It suggests you get there about 20 mintues before the show time and you get let in about 10 mins before show time too. You can not take food or drink into the show though (unless hidden I guess!!)

Shops
Check out the smaller shops scattered around the park. We found offers on in them which were not available in the big store near the exit. Also the big shop was packed at the end of the day and you couldn't really see anything without being pushed about. You can purchase lego items during the day and they will be taken up to the shop at the exit for you to collect at the end of the day- much easier than carrying them around or rushing at the end of the day. There is also a discount shop if you follow the path to the right of the main entrance, not much in when we went but worth a look.

Travel
It was a nightmare to get in and out of the park. We arrived at about half an hour after opening and still really busy (on a Monday in school time too, so will be much worse when schools off). We had stayed local the day before as live quite a way from Legoland. Would def advise this and would also suggest if possible stay over that night too. If took us nearly an hour to get onto the main road from Legoland then about another 45 mins to get to the M25. Lots of cheap hotels nearby (we used Slough as only about 15 mins away).

Age range
I would say up to about 10-11 year olds will enjoy this park. Rides are aimed at younger kids and older one may find it too boring. For younger kids you can hire pushchairs for use in the park and I would suggest this is a good idea if not taking your own. As said large site and mini train doesn't take you that far into the park.

Hope this helps someone and don't expect to do it all in one day. Little one is already planning next trip!!

Hi, where did you stay in slough, we are staying at the holiday inn express on the first and second of august and will be going to legoland by bus, just wondered if there is anywhere to eat near the hotel and what else is close by eg shops.