u/Coaster_Queen_2090

Just had an impromptu visit to Alton Towers. the last time I went was opening day 2025 with intoxicator shutting because of the sewage issues 🤢. I remember going on 3 rides all day.

But today, I was pleasantly shocked. Single rider on oblivion and smiler was so quick, I was on my own and got there at 11. I waited no more than 30 minutes per ride and managed to do all the big coasters apart from galactica.

The park was clean and tidy, monorail and sky ride all working.

However… Rita ride ops were terrible. half an hour queue turned into 1hr 5 minutes. loading batching was terribly slow, Thorpe park are so quick with stealth. I get maybe they were short staffed because smiler operatives were helping out at rita?? but come on… Disappointing.

Also, I bought some merch in the smiler gift shop and despite having a gold Merlin pass, they didn’t apply the correct discount and I had to ask twice which is rather naughty and embarrassing.

A lot of breakdowns around the park too but nowhere near as many as usual. And me worrying about all the school coaches. I needn’t have worried, the park wasn’t too busy at all.

so overall a good day, the best I’ve had since 2022.

Yesterday I rode Hyperia 6 times back to back - no queues what so ever. But something felt different. was it the fact that the shaky train is back? was it that there was no queuing which lost the build up and anticipation to riding? was it because I’m getting older and my interests are changing? or was it that stealth was closed yesterday afternoon and I was simply missing it? Thorpe park doesn’t feel the same without stealth. So after two years I’ve simply fallen out of love with hyperia. Am I the only one?