Alton Towers - Visitor Tips and Opening Times
Make the most out of your visit! You want your day to be memorable for all the right reasons, here your will find everything you need to know from getting to the park to beating the queue hints.
Open 7 days a week from 09:30 with rides commencing at 10:00. Park closing times vary throughout the year from 17:00 onwards.
Alton Towers Theme Park is now open for 2008!
Alton Towers is open come rain or shine and unfortunately no refunds will be given due to the unpredictable British weather. Fortunately the queues are shorter if it rains!
Parking at the park will cost £4.00 for all day visitors, excluding people with a disability. You will need to purchase a token from one of the machines located around the park, before you leave.
Guest Services
Here, you will find all day lockers to leave any loose items or items that you don't want to carry around all day. Guest Services provide free ID Bracelets for children, that you can put your mobile number on in case a child becomes lost. Push chairs are also available here for a fee.
Eateries
There are many places to eat around the park that cover a variety of tastes, needs and budgets. These range from hot dogs, fish and chips, McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut, jacket potatoes, doughnuts, sweets, Towers Family Restaurant and the Courtyard Tavern.
Skyride Stations
Alton Towers is a big place, why not save your legs (especially if you have children with you) and use the Skyride stations which are located between Towers Street and Merrie England, between the Gloomy Wood and Forbidden Valley and between Cred Street and Ug Land.
Please Note: Maintenance will be carried out on the skyride stations whilst the theme park is closed this Winter, to make repairs to the station caused by fire damage. Pleaae check back for updates.
Other Park Facilities
There are cash machines, toilets, and baby changing facilities at various places around the park. These are shown on the park map or ask a member of staff for the nearest facilities.
Queue Beating Tips
-School holidays are always busier times of the year, if you can visit the park out of these times, queue times will be shorter.
-Mornings are usually quietest, head for Oblivion and Submission or one of the water rides.
-Check out the information boards for estimated queue times and visit your preferred rides accordingly. If rides are particularly busy you may want to buy a Fastrack pass
to make sure you don't miss out.
-Leave the busiest ride till last, as long as you are in the queue at the end of the day you are guaranteed a ride.
How to get there, directions etc,
Alton Towers is clearly signposted from the following motorways:
Travelling North M1 Junction 23a/24, M6 Junction 15
Travelling South M1 Junction 28, M6 Junction 16
Approximate travelling times, by car
London 3 hours - 150 miles
Nottingham 1 hour - 40 miles
Manchester 1.5 hours - 50 miles
Sheffield 1.5 hours - 45 miles
Glasgow 5 hours - 270 miles
Information for people with a disability
Alton Towers offer discounted park tickets for guests who are able to provide proof of disability, this is valid for themselves and up to two helpers. At least one helper must be aged 14 or over if physical assistance is required.
Several of the ticket booths and Guest services contain induction loops.
Guests in wheelchairs should use the gates adjacent to the turnstiles, when entering the park. Preferential ride access wristbands are given to those who can provide documentary proof that due to the nature of their disability they are
unable to use the standard queue line. Helpers are also allowed preferential ride access when accompanying a guest with a disability.
Assistance/guide dogs are welcome in the park, for safety reasons they will not be allowed to accompany guests onto rides.
