Family holiday review: Alton Towers Resort

In a nutshell

High-energy entertainment for the whole family to enjoy, with rides that’ll make you laugh, scream, and probably make dad cry, too!

Age suitability

From toddlers, teenagers, to dare-devil parents, Alton Towers will suit the whole family, irrespective of age. Some of the more thrilling rides are aimed predominately at an older age group, but there’s still plenty for little ones.

Best for… little swimmers

If your nipper is a water babe, he or she will absolutely love the Alton Towers Water Park. Situated in the Splash Landings hotel, this tropical haven, with multiple pools, waterfalls, slides, waves and more, is fantastic fun. But parents beware – there are lots of water guns for a soaking, and it won’t be just your kids shooting! Large lockers are situated next to the pools and only cost £1. Opening hours are subject to the time of year you’re visiting.

Best bits for under 4’s

Located in Cloud Cuckoo Land, Ice Age The 4D Experience combines 3D footage with physical effects such as wind blasts, bubbles and snow, giving kids an ultra-cool movie experience. If you want a more gentle experience, than the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ride is a must. It’ll take your clan on a journey to an eye-catching world and, not wanting to be a spoilsport, but it has an amazing surprise ending. If you have a mini adventurer on your hands, then notorious Mutiny Bay is the place to be. With cool rides, an aquarium and water-cannon powered pirate ships to soak their enemies with, it’s real treasure for any tot.

Animal-loving toddlers will jump for joy when they see Old MacDonald’s Farmyard. With games, rides and a petting area for hands-on fun, you’d be quackers not to take your nipper there. Plus, the Squirrel Nutty ride is a gentle rollercoaster for anyone stepping up to a big-boy ride for the first time. Before you leave, make sure you hop aboard the Runaway Mine Train for some amazing twisty-turning fun.

Best bits for older children

If you have kids who are thrill-seekers, Alton Towers has lots on offer to wow them. With some of the hottest rides in the country, the term ‘hold on tight’ certainly springs to mind. If you’re brave enough to embrace the darkness of the rollercoaster Thirteen, than you’re in for a treat. With a steep drop that throws you into blacked-out tunnels, not only will you be screaming at what you can’t see, but also at the unexpected movements of the coaster carriage.

New for 2012, Nemesis Sub Terra is an attraction that takes you into the terror lurking in the Forbidden Valley. We don’t want to give too much away about this hotly-anticipated ride, but keep in mind the film Alien when you're boarding. Float, swoop, soar and dive like Superman on the Air rollercoaster and, if you’re really brave, stick your arms out for a cool, comical photo. If your family likes heights, than Oblivion is the ride for you all. After climbing 60 metres, you're held at the peek of a colossal vertical drop where you’re advised not to look down. But the minute curiosity gets the better of you and you open your peepers, you’re plunged down into a steam-filled tunnel. A scary, but thrilling experience!

Finally, hold onto your eyeballs as you’re catapulted from 0 to 100kmph in 2.5 seconds on Rita the Queen of Speed. The sound alone as she pulls off is enough to make your teeth chatter. Before you jump on, make sure your kids don't have anything too valuable in their pockets. There are lockers available at the ride if you need to stash anything away beforehand, phew!

Other popular rides to check out are The Blade Boat, Ripsaw water ride and G-force coaster Nemesis. Even though the rides are judged by height suitability, it’s your decision whether you think your kids have got the stomach for some of the bigger rides.

Spend money on…

Capture those special family moments with one of the many ride photos available at the park. With one picture costing £8, why not get four snaps for £20, saving you a massive £12!

Don’t spend money on…

Alton Towers is a big park and all the walking around is bound to make your little one thirsty. Instead of constantly forking out for bottled drinks, invest in the penny-saving Cruncher. You buy the cup for £5, but then your tot can then fill it up for free all day with soft drinks from the shops. A fab idea and cool gift to take home!

Best place for food…

The park is full of restaurants that will appeal to the fussiest eater, but for a truly filling meal, take the family to Explorers Pizza & Pasta Buffet in Katanga Canyon. With a variety of pasta, pizza and salad on offer, you and your hungry brood can eat and drink as much as you like at £8.99 per adult and £4.75 per child. Yum yum!

Hotel wow factor…

If you want to make your break extra special, treat your clan to one of the amazing themed rooms on offer in the hotels. With Ice Age, Sonic the Hedgehog, Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny, Arabian nights and chocolate-inspired suites, there’s a room for everyone to enjoy! Hotel guests even get two days theme and water park tickets for the price of one, so it’s great value for money, too. If you want some holiday luxury, don’t forget to visit the Emperor Grill restaurant. A specialist steak arena serving New York strips, T-bones, gourmet burgers and fresh fish, it really is the place to go for a meal to remember. The staff work above and beyond to meet your needs, and highchairs are available if you need them.

Each night there’s an array of shows to watch from live bands to pirates fighting over the giant ship located in the reception of the hotel. It’s great action to get stuck into and suitable for the whole family. But if that doesn’t float your boat, there’s a beautiful garden outside where you can stroll, enjoy the wildlife and take in the magnificent waterfall view. The next morning, refresh yourself with a free breakfast at the buffet-style Secret Garden restaurant. From continental dishes, fruit platters, cereal to a good old-fashioned fry-up, there’s such a variety to choose from that even the fussiest eater will be happy. And don’t forget to have your camera ready, as the hotel is full of potential Kodak moments from Alice in Wonderland-style giant chairs, book seats and animal-themed statues, there are lots of picture perfect moments to be had.

Mum & dad me-time

After hitting the rides with the kids, there’s no better way to relax than booking into the resort spa. Situated in the Alton Towers Hotel, it’s a gorgeous hidden treat that includes a hot tub, steam room, swimming pool, meditation area, sauna and multi-sensory showers to help any parent recharge their batteries. With treatments starting from just £35, it really is a must-have!

When to go

Insiders suggest avoiding the end of the summer holidays, so March to the end of July would be the best time to book a visit. If you want to make it a stay to remember, take the nippers away on one of the parks exclusive breaks. Enjoy an unforgettable firework show on the 4th November, enjoy an action-packed time ovwe February half-term, be scared out of your wits on the Halloween-themed Fright Nights, or celebrate Christmas with an amazing trip to winter wonderland.

Insider tips for the hotel

Guests staying at either the Alton Towers or Splash Landings hotels get to enjoy the theme park an hour before everyone else with an exclusive early-ride time. Get to the park for 9am and your little ones can enjoy their favourite rides without having to queue. Plus, there’s a five-minute monorail that takes you directly from your hotel to the park, brilliant!

Insider tip for the park

If you own a smart phone, be tech-savvy and download the free Alton Towers Resort app. It gives you live waiting times for every ride as well as an interactive map, so you can make the most out of your stay.

Don’t forget to…

Between the unpredictable weather and the splashtastic rides, take plastic macs to stop your brood from getting too wet.

Baby/Family Facilities…

There are seven baby-changing facilities in the park and baby supplies are available from the Towers Trading Store. Guest services hire out pushchairs at £7 for a single pram and £10 for a double, with an additional £10 deposit that you get back at the end of the day. Family facility rooms in the hotel include a fridge, microwave, washing machine, iron and ironing board and cots are available from reception.

Cost

Hotel stays start from £24.75 per person per night based on four sharing on a B&B basis when booked online. Theme park tickets are £31.50 per adult and £25.20 per child. Fasttrack tickets start from £5 or you can buy the Ultimate that gets you fast passes on every ride for £45. Spa sessions are £15 each for a three-hour session. For the best deals and information log on to Alton Towers website or call 0871 222 9901.

Essential info

Address:

Alton Towers Resort

Alton,

Staffordshire,

ST10 4DB

Park opening times:

24th March – 4th November (Hotels and the spa are open all year round).