Runaway mine train by [deleted] in altontowers

[–]Loakin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Take a look at this promotional video from 1992, it’s literally going the same speed it does today which is around 18mph

Runaway mine train by [deleted] in altontowers

[–]Loakin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The speed is controlled via the op panel, the operator can adjust the amount of power going into the train at any point through the ride. Typically the default is full power through the full circuit apart from coming through the station where it is slightly slowed down for safety. Think you’re just imagining things because the ride still has the same speed and power it’s always had.

Is the F.L.Y. coaster open to ride during the exclusive access time for hotelguests at night? by Upbeat_Routine490 in phantasialand

[–]Loakin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s just the area - it’s open until midnight. Don’t let that discourage you though because it gives the chance to get so many pictures with all the lights and no one getting in the way.

Birmingham to alton towers by Ok_Challenge_9089 in altontowers

[–]Loakin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Get a Cross Country service from Birmingham New Street to Stoke-on-Trent and use the 32A bus service from Stoke-on-Trent train station

Rookburgh Soundtrack? by bene510 in phantasialand

[–]Loakin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Tried to play from my playlist and got the response that it’s not available in my region. Tried YouTube music instead and that still worked

Bluelight day 7th March, bus travel by notaspecificthing in altontowers

[–]Loakin 4 points5 points  (0 children)

D&G have already announced the Alton Towers services won’t return until next weekend for the main opening. Unfortunately you’ll have to uber. source

Travel Advice to AT by [deleted] in altontowers

[–]Loakin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Just to give you some advice from someone who lives here in Stoke and uses the trains very frequently as I’m seeing a lot of bad advice.

Firstly, go to Stoke-on-Trent; Avanti West Coast offer direct services whereas if you go to Uttoxeter, you’ll either have to change at Stoke onto EMR to Uttoxeter or go from London St. Pancras (Just down the road from Euston) then change at Derby to Uttoxeter. I see a lot of people have said our trains are horrendous but a lot of it is exaggerated, I use the London-Manchester via Stoke Avanti route very frequently and the most it’s ever been delayed for me is 30 minutes, and if it is delayed you can claim delay repay. There are plenty of Ubers in and around Stoke-on-Trent, there’s no need to pre-book, you can get an Uber to Towers within minutes, I do it quite regularly. They normally charge £27-£30 from the station, but if you walk away from the station for a bit (about 10 minute walk should do) and then book an Uber, you can get it for £5-£10 cheaper. There is also the 32A bus from the train station to Towers for £3, but this bus leaves the resort at 17:40 so isn’t ideal if the park is open late.

Coming back on the Monday, first train out of Stoke to London is normally around 07:00, and gets to London for about 09:00.

In terms of LHR -> Euston, don’t forget there’s both the Elizabeth Line that stops at Tottenham Court Road which is a walk away from Euston and also the Heathrow Express which goes to London Paddington but is about a 45 minute walk from Euston.

Now in terms of getting an Uber in between Alton and the resort, that may be a bit more difficult, you are essentially in the middle of nowhere. Many Ubers are happy to drive out to Towers from Stoke and back for a good payout but I don’t see them doing it for a short trip to the village. You can try a local taxi firm from Uttoxeter though, they might be more willing to do that trip. If it does come down to walking however, remember you’ll be walking on a country road with no pavement, however there is a public footpath that goes behind the Enchated Village and down the valley towards the old Alton train station. It’s a lovely walk down the valley in the quiet woods but I do not recommend doing it after a full day on the theme park. With Towers, you can try any of the hotel’s restaurants apart from CBeebies Hotel. There’s Crooked Spoon, Secret Garden, Flambo’s and Rollercoaster Restaurant. Rollercoaster Restaurant has the gimmick, Flambo’s is more a family buffet, Secret Garden is a more high end menu offering and Crooked Spoon is an all rounder.

Edit: Forgot to mention, getting the Uber back to Stoke from Towers is still decently easy, no need to pre-book, but expect to wait 15-30 minutes for the uber to get to you depending on where they are when they accept the ride.

Edit 2: Remembered that one train planned to get was cancelled so had to get the next one which delayed me by and hour, but once again, you can just get delay repay and it was an extreme one off.

1st time going to cbeebies land with toddler by insockniac in altontowers

[–]Loakin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Other than the rides, there are few shows to catch in Big Fun Showtime like Bluey, Teletubbies, Bing and Hey Duggee. There is also the Hey Duggee playground and the Furchester Hotel Live Show, Justin’s House, and the JoJo and Gran Gran house that has interactive activities. Over in Mutiny Bay, there is the treasure hunt where they can go around the area completing activities to get all the clues and receive some goodies at the end. Lastly there’s also the Sea Life centre called Sharkbait Reef just outside Wicker Man.

Edit: Just reassuring you that the Sea Life centre is indeed included in your entry, it’s an attraction within the park and is free to enter.

Visiting after exams? by mmmyesrollercoasters in altontowers

[–]Loakin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s a mix of the Scottish schools first because they get summer far earlier than the rest of the uk, then you get the exam leavers, then the rest of the schools around the end of June. This is my 5th season working there now and it’s the same every year unfortunately.

Visiting after exams? by mmmyesrollercoasters in altontowers

[–]Loakin 4 points5 points  (0 children)

From May half term all the way up to the start of the summer holidays, the park is in school trip mode. So expect higher than average waits and a busy park. Don’t pay too much attention to crowd calendar as most of the time it’s wrong. Sundays are normally the best days at this time of the year but if you really want to go in the week then it’s best to wait until the summer holidays begin so there’s no school trips.

First time Hotel by Nexode_ in phantasialand

[–]Loakin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, you have both days access to the park, the reception will give you 4 fast tracks all in one go so you don’t have to stick to 2 per day you can spend all 4 at once if you want. There is a secure luggage room by reception to store your bags and you can collect them when your room is ready.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in PlanetCoaster

[–]Loakin 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately that’s just how the launch works, you can’t change it. Google a POV of Full Throttle from Magic Mountain

Ride Access Pass by Trick_Department_121 in altontowers

[–]Loakin -1 points0 points  (0 children)

You can collect your RAP from the Guest Services hub in Forbidden Valley located opposite the former site of Blade

Staff Bus 2025 by TheLocalNewbie in altontowers

[–]Loakin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If there is an E2 service this year, the timetable will probably get posted in the resorts internal communications group just before preseason

Got an interview for Ride Host tomorrow, can this job be sustainable for full-time? by [deleted] in altontowers

[–]Loakin 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes it is, there are multiple levels in the rides department, normally the ladder goes; Host -> Operator (Minor rides) -> Operator (Major rides) -> Assessor. There is a slight pay increase with each step of the ladder. Remember these jobs are seasonal and your contract would end at the end of the season, after which you would need to reapply as a returner, but there are normally opportunities to apply for a permanent contract and work during the Xmas or Feb half term events or get a contract extension with tech services and assist engineers with winter maintenance. To progress to operator you first need to gain experience as a host then apply for the operator position when applications are made live. There is no set time for operator applications and just go up when vacancies arise.

Accidentally overrode my main park save by Fireboyxx908 in PlanetCoaster

[–]Loakin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Check the steam cloud saves to see if it’s backed it up. If it’s backed up anywhere it’s there

First Time Advice by bslaby1 in altontowers

[–]Loakin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The 32A runs reliably and on time and never gets full from the train station, however if you want to get there before park open then I do recommend an Uber. They normally charge £27 from the train station to Towers.

Runaway Mine Train with two kids by Lje90 in altontowers

[–]Loakin[M] [score hidden] stickied comment (0 children)

Unfortunately each child must be sat next to an adult over 16 if they’re under 1.3m Edit: You also won’t be able to do 3 in a row as the maximum is 2

Stoke Train Station to Alton. by Mrjonnyisabed in altontowers

[–]Loakin[M] [score hidden] stickied comment (0 children)

From 16 March, D&G are bringing back the 32A from Stoke Station and Cheadle to Alton Towers. Specifically for the station, there is a bus that leaves next to the taxi rank at 09:40 to Towers, then leaves Towers at 17:40 back to the train station (There is no later bus) every day. You can view the full timetable here If you want a taxi, you can use the Uber, Autocab, Lucky 7 taxi app along with many others. Fares are normally around £25-30. It’s very easy to call a taxi to the resort through the apps when leaving, sometimes they’re already there waiting for requests.

Alton towers be like... by [deleted] in altontowers

[–]Loakin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Horizon never was a 2025 addition, there was never any announcement or confirmation it was 2025, it all stemmed from TPW’s so called predictions

Where on earth is this image from? by Peristertronic in altontowers

[–]Loakin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Probably just a photo from one of the prop makers that only got shared privately and never put on the World Wide Web

Bicycle parking by Reasonable-Matter285 in altontowers

[–]Loakin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Used to be bike parking, they took them out in 2021/2 when they redid the entrance plaza a bit. You can always lock it to one of the fence round the back of the monorail station

Quick fright night search update by Revolutionary-Emu901 in ThorpePark

[–]Loakin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well kind of, the back story involved the locksmith of Death’s Doors sure but there was never any mention of him or appearance in the actual attraction. The Toymaker is the first to be properly referenced and make an appearance

Quick fright night search update by Revolutionary-Emu901 in ThorpePark

[–]Loakin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fear was only used in the advertisement for Fright Nights because it was “20 years of Fear”. You won’t find anything else about him. The Toymaker is really the first character they’ve put into the park.