Alton Towers Resort Reviews 1,032

Currently sat in Alton towers at 3.45 in the afternoon. My kids have managed 1 ride so far spending 3 hours in a queue for smiler and now no ride is less than 45 minute wait . Total waste of money and not a good value family day out at all .

Went here yesterday as we have done for many many years on this occasion a family of four so you can imagine wasn't a cheap day out. The day was overcast with some light showers at first so we persevered but on getting to the first ride we chose go stand in a queue for well over 2hrs in what then became very heavy rain only to then go to our second ride and have the exact same issue. We are then told by the attendant at second ride the reason for the now very long waits is due to alton towers reducing how many people can ride each time due to weather restrictions. We had no choice but to go to a very small amount of indoor attractions they had which again due to so many others having same issue these were packed and again very long waits. After only around four and half hours we had no choice but to call it a day as we were passed the point of drowned and unable to continue. We even tried to find rain macs but these were few and far between and when finding a place that sild them was told they sold out. On the way out we popped into the office to speak to a kind younge lady who advised if we full in this online form we would have someone send us a email with a resolution when the ride availability had been checked. At which point I did advise her and the form that the availability wasn't the biggest issue it was the reduction in amount of people on each ride at a time causing the huge wait times. So onto today I recieved a email stating there availability was fine and nothing can be done of which I contested the availability yet again wasn't the issue and the way it had been reduced was but again recieved the very same rewritten spill with no regards at all. 1000% this will be the last year we visit here after years of attending every event from Halloween to Christmas etc. Never have I ever had such poor service fron here and feel it has sadly gone down the pan big time over the last couple years.

Anything done or said by another guest has no repercussions, including the use of racial slurs, homophobic comments and bullying. Merlin will state that this behaviour is not tolerated and guests will be removed from the park however this is not true and nothing at all will be done apart from the nice staff may say ‘ oh sorry about that’ these incidents will be brushed off as guest on guest issues therefore nothing can be done. When I reported the incident on four separate occasions including a QR report in the queue then twice to separate staff members and then to get services no reparations were done nobody got kicked out of the park absolutely nothing at all. Also following up on my complaint, absolutely no care from the after-care customer support team and this was after harassment and homophobic comments from a group of seven individuals that we had to stay in a queue for nearly 2 hours for.

I genuinely thought the online ordering process is a little more difficult than expected especially when it comes to using a ride access pass support inside was relatively great.
There was an incident on site a lady dragged me out of the food queue infront of my son. I was grabbed pushed shoved before I got angry I told the first kiosk that wasn't as busy as the rest and they told me where there was radio to contact security I got really upset but im thankful alton towers security and staff helped make a bad day better this was on the 18th of October 2025 the review was originally made at point of tickets purchase.

Alton towers is still a fun day out, but it’s definitely not what it used to be. The ticket prices are really high now, and once you’re in the queue times are horrendous. We spent most of the day standing in line and hardly got to go on anything, which was really disappointing given the cost. The rides themselves are great when you finally get on but overall experience just doesn’t feel worth the money anymore.

We had been looking forward to our visit, but unfortunately it was a very disappointing experience. Several rides broke down while we were waiting in line, and the queue times were extreme! Our elder son only managed to go on two rides the whole day before the park closed, due to the constant waiting and breakdowns

I contacted guest services afterwards and explained the situation. Although the support team was friendly, the response was also very slow! In the end, I only received an offer for discounted return tickets, which felt quite unfair considering the problems we had on the day. Based on this experience, we’ll not be visiting again.

Dilapidated Hotel (Splash Landings), dirty, rundown, tatty, just a skincrawler place to stay. Food is cheap and nasty across all the hotels and park but the prices charged are ridiculous. There are some staff throughout the park who do a good job and are friendly, polite and will help where they can, unfortunately they are few and far between. Majority are rude, uninterested, pushy and show no customer service skills. Speaking of customer service, there is none, and I mean none! If you have a complaint or something isn't right, they just don't care, they have your money and you are getting nothing back from them, basically tough is what I was told. The parks only focus is to rip as much money from people as possible. The last thing on their list of priorities is providing a good quality service. If you are foolish enough to stay in one of the hotels, there is basically nothing to do from 4 pm when the park closes. You would have thought that guests would get some sort of extra time or late use of rides, nope, that would mean someone thinking about good customer service. Then theres the issue with ride availability, on some days there is more not working than working, bit pointless for a theme park, but dont expect any apologies or offer of something to compensate, again, that would be good customer service, not something you'll find here sir! The place is dying a slow, painful death. I note with amusement, Alton Towers "Customer Service" don't seem to reply to any negative reviews...I wonder why? Merlin must know it so are trying to cream as much money out of the mugs (you and I) until Universal open when hopefully, Alton Towers switches off the lights.

🎃 Alton Towers Scarefest 2025 – A Full Day of Frights, Fun & Fantastic Atmosphere!

Visited on Saturday 11th October 2025, and once again Scarefest proved why it’s one of the highlights of the UK theme park calendar. Even with around 20,000 visitors, the park didn’t feel overly crowded — especially compared to the chaos closer to Halloween. The weather was mild, the atmosphere electric, and the park looked incredible with glowing pumpkins, fog effects, and haunting music echoing through the trees.

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🕙 Getting There & Beating the Crowds

Rides open at 10am, but the park opens a little earlier — and it’s absolutely worth being through the gates early. That first hour is the sweet spot before queues explode. We only queued 20 minutes for Wicker Man and 25 for Th13teen, both of which hit over an hour later in the day.

If you want to make the most of your visit, go straight to your top ride. Don’t get distracted by shops or snacks — just go! If you’re young, run; if you’re older, you’ll get pulled and pushed along! The crisp morning ride on Wicker Man was the perfect start to the day.

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👻 Scare Mazes – The Heart of Scarefest

We opted for the Thrills Combi – Early ticket, giving access to all three mazes once. Totally worth it if you want to experience everything without waiting until nightfall when the queues extend.

🌲 Edge of the Forest (NEW for 2025) – Misty, eerie, and beautifully themed. Great for beginners or those easing into the scares. Full of jumps with a few twists along the way. See the photos after to see if people were as brave as they said they were!
⏱ Wait: 10–15 mins | ⭐ 7/10

⛏️ Altonville Mine Tours – A classic that never fails. Tight, dark tunnels, flickering lights, and phenomenal atmosphere. Huge credit to the staff who helped my daughter when she had a panic attack — calm, professional, and kind. They made a frightening moment safe and positive, without disrupting anyone else’s experience.
⏱ Wait: <5 mins | ⭐ 8/10 (maze), 10/10 (staff)

🧪 Compound – Pure chaos and adrenaline. Over 35 routes to the exit, disorienting lights and sirens. No two runs are the same! YOU WILL BE SPLIT UP…. No you really will. No hanging on will save you, it’s part of the scare embrace it! Fasttrack is available but I feel that seeing people exit the maze while queuing in a confused, disorganised and often terrified state adds to the experience. If you have time queue.
⏱ Wait: ~20 mins | ⭐ 8/10

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💀 Scare Zones – Free, Fun, and Atmospheric

Two free zones this year — Dark Hollow and Burial Grounds. Both are included in your park ticket and best experienced after dark when the fog and lighting really kick in. During the day they’re more family-friendly, but by night they’re deliciously creepy. A few more actors would be good and add to experience.
⭐ 7/10 – Great atmosphere, though actor numbers vary.

💡 Suggestion: Alton Towers should add more free scare zones — they make quieter areas of the park come alive.

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🎢 Rides After Dark – A Must-Do

If you’ve never ridden at Alton Towers after dark, you’re missing out. Fog, lights, and music transform the park into a totally different world. Wicker Man, Th13teen, and Nemesis Reborn are especially thrilling at night.

Be prepared for queues (often 80+ minutes), but as long as you’re in line before park close, you’ll get to ride. Fasttrack helps if you can stretch your budget.

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💃 Shows & Entertainment

Performances in Mutiny Bay Courtyard are full of energy and Halloween spirit, but space is tight. A real shame when there are other areas in the park that would be perfect. Arrive early or catch the Ancestors performing on Towers Street or in Dark Forest where there’s more room to watch.
⭐ 4/10 – Fantastic performers, poor viewing area.

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🍔 Food & Drink

Like most theme parks, food is decent but pricey. We spent £51.50 on three hot dogs and drinks, and another £24.75 later on chips and more drinks. For better quality, try the Pizza & Pasta Buffet or Rollercoaster Restaurant — worth the wait.
⭐ 6/10

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💸 The Cost (1 Adult + 2 Teens)
• 3 x Day Tickets – £126.00
• 2 x Thrills Combi – Early – £76.00
• Parking – £12.00
• Food & Drinks – £88.25
• One Shot Compound + Fasttrack – £19.00
• 4 x Energy Drinks – £12.00
Total: £321.25

Bring snacks and drinks to cut the costs!!

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🎭 Final Thoughts

Scarefest 2025 proves again why Alton Towers is the UK’s Halloween capital. Amazing staff, creative mazes, and an unbeatable atmosphere make it a must-visit event. Yes, it’s busy and expensive, but it delivers thrills, scares, and smiles all day (and night) long.

⭐ Overall: 8.5/10 – Pricey, busy, but absolutely worth it.

Special thanks to the Altonville Mine Tours team — your kindness and professionalism were outstanding. You turned a stressful moment into a lasting positive memory.

We’ll definitely be back for Scarefest 2026 — because no Halloween feels complete without it! 🎢👻👏

Criminally over priced at every step. 70 per person to get in. £15 to park. Food and drink prices are borderline a criminal offence.

Over 500 quid for a family of 5 all in. For one day.

Awful experience to try arrange queue jump for my son who is registered disabled, apparently not disabled enough to qualify.

Wouldn't recommend anyone going here until they sort their prices out.

Queued 2.5hrs today for Rita to completely break. Same yesterday queued for it to break. Customer services offered zero resolution, the only ask was 1 fast track for another ride to be told it’s not possible. Absolute joke Alton Towers don’t waste your money on unreliable rides and zero customer support when things go wrong. Spent a lot of money on a short break to enjoy the park been plagued by multiple rides breaking down across the two days. Won’t be returning

Dont waster your time with the SplashLandings water park you only get a 2.5hr Session, The opening hours are a joke. 10-4/5 and outside area is only open for a portion of that time if your lucky as its closed completely during the week! I cant belive there is no evening swim sessions for people staying on the resort. Surley thats the whole point of this hotel, waterpark?!. All the play interactive water features are broken and covered in black tape too.Having been to europa Park this year and visited Rulantica save your money and dont bother they have a long way to go to compete with other parks

I go to Alton towers any chance I get since I have a Merlin pass! I love it.
I honestly don’t get why people bother going to Alton towers if it’s gonna be expensive.
I was reading the reviews and people had put it to 1 star just because food was expensive? It’s a them park what do you expect? Without the money you guys spend there you be no rides probably.
And okay 12 may be expensive for a hot day but I think it’s worth it. They are like a foot long and they are located near the wickerman.
And some people are saying the staff may be rude. In all of my 8 trips to Alton this year so far have I ever seen or heard about a rude worker. Yes okay they might have gone through a lot that day from operating rides, standing up the whole time, checking people’s safety but are you sure YOUR being kind enough? It’s probably tiring for them and they are expected to work. I think some people should be a bit patient.
Queues. If the weathers horrible people may be like “ omg it’s the UK they should work” no. They won’t in the pouring rain. And I’ve been on the smiler and it randomly started heavily raining and it HURT. The raindrops felt like a slap to my face? But Alton towers can’t control the weather. Again going back to the topic of queues, if a queue is long, don’t go on it unless if you’re willing to wait that time. Try socialize with others in the queue because lots of people in the park seem really antisocial. Or maybe download games and bring a portable charger Definately.
I have a top tip on leaving your phone being able to last a whole day.
Try charge it up to 100%,
Put it on low power mode and keep it on that day
And in queues SOCIALISE!!
Anyway sorry you probably have to read all of this but Alton towers feels like my 2nd home at this point. Byeee!

I was there the night that 13 went down for 10 to 15 minutes and thier was nothing polite about how a guest spoke to the staff. It was disgusting. Shouting over him "WHAT ARE YOU UP TOO" ( we were stood just behind this guest) honestly id rather wait in line for any repairs or checks because people like that are the first to sue if something went wrong. (Just see past reviews, it will tell you what you need to know!)

Visited Alton Towers today 4th October something which myself, my 14yr old daughter and 9yr old son were looking forward to as we always visit during scarefest. Now I understand that the resort cannot control the weather but my god, rides down and out of action all day and then rides breaking down leaving guests with no options but to stand around and wait in the wind and rain. We live in the UK surely these rides should he able to run in the conditions as expected? 

But anyway the worst part of our day today was experienced over on Thirteen where we waited in line and as we were literally about to step onto the train we got told to take two steps back. The staff then proceeded to empty all of the trains but other than an automated message being played there was no explanation as to what was happening. For about 10 to 15mins we were all left stood there for whilst the ride hosts stood there or walked up and down the platform talking on those headsets that they are all now wearing laughing and joking whilst the op was sat there head in her hands until the two guys from the tech services arrived. At this point I asked the male host what was happening as we hadn't been spoken to but rather all guests in the station completely ignored. He replied stating "someone has reported something on the tracks so we are just checking it out". This was fine but then a first 15mins later and the techs had left and they had sent three empty trains and yet still no update. So I politely asked the same ride host what was happening now to which he proceeded to shout at me in front of all the other guests "iv told you we are doing tests! Iv already told you this!". Myself and all other guests were shocked by his appalling attitude and how a simple question gained such an appalling attitude from the host. This really scared my 9 yr old son who is autistic to the point where he was crying. How is this right or fair? How is it even thought to be acceptable to speak to a guest who has paid a lot of money to come to the resort for what should be a special day in such a horrendous attitude? I didnt see his name badge but another guest told me his name was 'Joe'. 

I did then ask the other ride host on the loading platform for the loading hosts name but he said "i dont have to give you his name". I gave up at this point, im appalled by the very low level of customer service skills of these hosts and the fact they feel it acceptable to speak to guests in this way is mental! I also noticed that at no time did any manager of the area attend the ride so it was as if the staff can do as they please. 

Alton Towers you have ruined our day in particular Joe from Thirteen, the ride op of Thirteen and the other hosts who didnt challenge his behaviour nor did they apologise for the behaviours clearly seen by everyone. No doubt Alton Towers won't listen to this feedback and no doubt the customer service will continue to get worse. Its been clear throughout this season that the engagement between staff and guests is no longer important even more so since they brought in these stupid headsets that they wear and talk to each other. Absolutely appalling visit and absolutely helped me to decide that we will NOT be buying any season passes from Alton Towers in the near future. 

Joe if you do read this, maybe consider yourself in my position and how your response made me feel and my children feel and your team well they should be ashamed for allowing the behaviour to be unchallenged! 

Some really amazing staff that still stayed kind, and funny, even when some other guests were being rude. The staff are always what makes the day for me at any attraction, and because of how nice everyone was I had a lot of fun.

All of the staff were really friendly, and we went on a great day so we got to do most of the rides numerous times. We did get stuck on nemesis reborn due to a security issue, however the staff were polite and tried to get it over quickly, I would of loved to go on it another time but it was in a awkward place comparatively to other coasters and quite a steep walk! The staff at thirteen let us stay on the ride and go again just as Alton towers was about to close which was also great fun :) we got to go on Thirteen 4 times, Rita 3 times, Wickerman 2 times, Nemesis reborn 2 times, Spinball Whizzer 2 times and Runaway minetrain 2 times.

In terms of theming my favourite was Wickerman by far, it was an overall very unique experience and very stylised. In terms of the ride, Nemesis reborn was my favourite, it was very smooth and it was set up on some really cool terrain, followed by obviously Wickerman and Thirteen due to how fun the theming was, when I went on the first time I had no idea what to expect and the drops caught me off guard. Rita somehow felt different everytime I went on the coaster, it’s definitely rougher towards the back, but it’s great fun and very quick so you can hop on multiple times. Spinball whizzer was also surprisingly a great ride that you can quickly get on many times as well, I wish I had done it more!

The only disappointment was Nemesis Subterra, I had no idea what it was nor what to expect, people around me were telling me it was gonna have a huge drop and spin, and turns out hardly anything happened and it is mostly a visual experience. This wouldn’t necessarily been so disappointing if it wasn’t the longest queue and waittime in the whole park, and when we were on it they were unfortunately having technical difficulties with the restraints so we were sat there for like 10 minutes. :c I wouldn’t bother with this ride again even though the theming was cool, I feel like similar to Wickerman it would of been better not as a unique ride but as a presentation before you go on Nemesis Reborn and I’d rather spend my time on other rides.

I would love to know what people’s scariest rides are because I didn’t have the confidence to get on the smiler and oblivion, I’ll have to do it next time if I can muster the courage lol

Dreadful, filthy, untrained staff ( kids) over priced to the point of extortion. No chips at the Chip shack? Wow! Coffee small flat Costa £5.60. Pizza £17 in the filthy hotel bar. Rude staff . Rides not working. Hot dog £12? Miserable staff. I asked one staff member their name as they were so so rude! She refused.. forgot she was wearing a name badge? Never ever believe the hype of Magical.. hype of this resort. It has sold out to corporations. It will bite them back the lack of service and overpriced food and beverages. The cost of living will surly force wonderful folks to create a picnic and enjoy parks and woods and play together for Free! No one needs to be made to feel they have been absolutely ripped off… very poor very sad.

Don’t bother,
We went yesterday for my sons birthday,
The queue time for the monorail was 1 hour and 30 mins!

90 minutes plus for every ride!
We managed 4 rides!
Total waste of money and time!
They are letting far too many people into the park!
We most definitely will not be going back!

A completely rubbish day for my son and I.

There were so many rides going offline and whilst I appreciate some precautionary weather delays due to possible electrical storms, the number of times rides went down, everyone seemed to pretty much try and aim for the rides that were running and you guessed it, longer queues and the opposite side of the park!!! I emailed in the following day to provide negative feedback and see what they could do, but the response was 'oh sorry for this and by the way, the email address you sent this from isn't the booking email address' A week later from replying back from the correct email address and still nothing. Their way of holding out I suspect till the park closes for the season.

Other gripe was the absolute crazy food costs. 2 donuts and a coffee, £21 and two chicken meals £34.

Needless to say, driving home in the peak district was better than the 4 rides we got to go on.

We booked a short break at Alton Towers for 29–30 October, spending over £500. This was not just any trip – it was the only chance we had to see our grandchildren before next summer, as we live and work overseas. We have not seen them since Easter, and this was meant to be a very special occasion.

Our autistic grandson, who holds both a Merlin Pass and a Ride Access Pass, chose Scarefest as his “special place.” Because of his condition, he is medically unable to queue. Standing in long lines could cause him to collapse. This is exactly why he was granted an Access Pass in the first place. Last year, with the pass, everything worked brilliantly – it allowed him to enjoy the park safely and without distress.

This year, however, we were told that no Ride Access Passes were available for our dates. The result? He is effectively excluded from the park entirely. Without the pass, he cannot go on the rides, cannot take part, and cannot experience the special day he has been excited about for weeks.

What makes this even more outrageous is that while disabled guests were being told “no,” Fast Track tickets were still available for purchase. In other words, paying guests were prioritised while a disabled child was denied access. This is indefensible. It is not only deeply unfair – it is blatant disability discrimination.

We contacted Merlin and Alton Towers directly, hoping for compassion, understanding, or at the very least a reasonable adjustment. Instead, we were met with a flat refusal to help. There was no flexibility, no willingness to make accommodations, and no recognition of the impact this decision had on a disabled child and his family.

The consequences of this are devastating. We now face the heartbreaking task of telling our grandson that the trip he has looked forward to for months is not possible. He will not understand why. He will only feel disappointment and exclusion – something no child should have to endure, and certainly not at the hands of a company that claims to welcome families and prides itself on accessibility.

Let me be clear: to issue an Access Pass but then refuse to honour it when needed, while simultaneously selling Fast Track tickets, is not just poor customer service – it is a systemic failure and a discriminatory practice. It undermines the very purpose of disability access schemes and highlights that revenue is being placed above inclusion.

We will be escalating this further through the Equality and Human Rights Commission and through disability advocacy groups, as well as seeking legal advice under the Equality Act 2010, which clearly states that service providers must make reasonable adjustments for disabled guests. What Merlin and Alton Towers have done here is the opposite – they have made active choices that place disabled guests at a substantial disadvantage.

I am writing this review not just out of personal frustration, but as a warning to other families of disabled guests. Do not assume that because your child has an Access Pass, they will be accommodated. As our family has learned in the most painful way, Merlin and Alton Towers may refuse to honour it, regardless of the consequences for your child.

For us, a long-awaited, once-in-a-year family reunion has been overshadowed by disappointment, exclusion, and discrimination. Merlin have not only ruined our holiday – they have broken a little boy’s heart.

Highly uninclusive for disabled visitors.
Trip cost in excess of £600 with a stay overnight. All external rides closed for 2 hours.