Alton Towers PTR 8-10 April

[slappy mcguire]

Part 1 of 3...

In a slightly rearranged order, for simplicity sake, will pepper in the remaining bits over the week, rather than just chucking loads of piccies together at once...

Arrived on Thursday at Alton, chuffed at finding out exactly what the Merlin Annual Pass gets, then went about snapping the prettiness. New home for the Corky Corkscrew looking good, place is generally in better condition than last year; frogs still as ever a mile off however. C'mon guys it's your thirtieth - sort 'em out, they stand out like a sore thumb now, gebbing on each other.

While the wife and kids went on Squirrel Nutty, I went meeting up with relatives, snapping the snazzy new colours of Sonic Spinball as I went. Shame the track will be pink next year.

And unexpectedly the wife fancied a go on the spinny bugger. Still no Crush's Coaster though.

As the babysitter for the day, I missed Hex, and sadly still this is as close as I've got to it.

In a desperate push for some kind of adrenalin, I took in Twirling Toadstool with my brother-in-law. In a word - Metroland. But more mushroomy at least... God I miss that indoor nuthouse.

Queued for an hour and a half for Th13teen, which was decent enough, but as my 7 year old will contest, absolutely just a family coaster. In fact I think I felt more uneasy on Corky...

It did however have some decent queue line theming, if a little sporadic. Mystery element needs a little more hiding away, as you can see it doing it's thang in the last 20 minutes of the queue.

You do however get some fantastic views of Rita, and the new theming is possibly better than on Th13teen itself. Especially as many have said, on the control tower and tyre.

Back of Th13teen, as viewable from Rita itself, again a little sparse. Ride area inside quite decent though. I was unfortunately stuck in front of some French tourists who insisted on screaming in the dark though. Super super Fun. Slightly disappointed with the drop though.

Special mention should go to the stilt-walkers who succeeded in scaring the Bejasus out of punters all day - more so than the Wraiths which because they are beige - just look lost and confused. You kinda just wanted to give them a reassuring cuddle. Can you hug a hoodie?


More tomorrow or Wednesday...

[slappy mcguire]

Can't be bothered to do a full second part today, so here is part 1.5, assorted chaff.

Thirteen's 'we've got the men in' approach to theming. Beware of strong magnets, apparently.

Chocolate and the Charlie Factory was as dreadful as ever. Shame the kids insist on it.

While I like the Dark Forest theme, still not sold on the vomiting Wraiths though...

First go on Rita was a hoot, albeit not one without pain. 1-0 Velocity.

Apparently, according to my son, Skyride was a washing line for colourful Tardises. (Tardi?)

[Nathan]

Ouch, I feel your pain queueing that long for Charlie.

Were the glass elevators working? They didn't move when we went.

Shame you are yet to experience Hex. The ride may not be much but it's got some fantastic and seemingly authentic theming, and a terrific atmosphere to boot.

[slappy mcguire]

It's ironic isn't it. Dark ride obsessive hasn't ridden the UK's premier dark ride. Hmm. Lightwater Valley, I demand you bring us Horrible Histories: The Ride to placate me.

Charlie was even more schizophrenic than usual, with the tepid water section more monotonous than ever, the TV screens all slightly buggered, but yes, the lift was working (one of them), if not a little more rough than normal. Fortunately we did not have to queue, although the ride was constantly busy, what do we know...

[slappy mcguire]

Part the second.

Day 2 was the day that the kids had to accept second best - the rides will out!

The wife tried this tame looking ride for the first time; Nemesis 1, all other coasters, 0.

Obligatory loop shot. Guy in the front seat appears to be a millipede.

Waterfall barbecue? Words fail me. Comedy olds however at front. Water? What Water?

Duel - The Haunted House Limps Back. Again, babysitting so fortunately missed the pleasure.

Choaw Chaow. I'm not sure if it's my imagination, but this seemed quicker than 13...

Wraiths at play. Just like the escaped ones on the map... except not beige.

Again, far more fun than should really be possible, although it's no coincidence that it is double the time spent on it rather than queuing than pretty much any other Alton coaster...


Last part tomorrow, should you still be awake...

[slappy mcguire]

Final bit...

Yet another ride I've still never got around to riding, even with three consecutive days in the park.

We graced Nemesis's more graceful sibling... with my wife declaring 'is that it...I haven't screamed yet.'

Finally got on Blivvy. Short as an Oompa Loompa...

But still as secretly enjoyable. Starting to look unloved though.

Went into Alton's unexpected triumph, some of the fish reminded me of a night in Newcastle.

The word of the day for Saturday was...WET!

Piratey spinny bugger. Heave ho ho ho.

I needed counselling after trying The Flume for the first time, as opposed to Th13teen. *rocks* Ducky is coming, Ducky is coming.

More Tardis's on a washing line.

Bye, Corky!

[Nathan]

That duck is horrible, I hate it!

Scares the crap out of me every time!

[slappy mcguire]

I didn't know anything about the dark bit of The Flume; the mad squarkings are bad enough, but then when the yellow birdstard leaps out, I swear I nearly laid an egg! Far better a ride than I ever gave credit for, and regret avoiding it for so many years...