My rating system: 1 smile=worst, 5 smiles=best.
Getting to this park is an amazing feat. From London, we boarded Virgin Trains for the two hour long ride to Stoke-On-Trent. Then we took a 30 minute cab ride through Staffordshire, and finally to Alto towers. The road to get there is literally as wide as some bike paths. The area is extremely beautiful, but it sure seems like you are in the middle of nowhere.
As we entered the park, I wanted to go to Nemesis first, but we ended up in UgLand. Our first ride was Corkscrew.
Corkscrew (1 lap):
Positive:Decent themeing, funny music in line, neat looking trains.
Negative:Rough, needs a paint job in the worst way, very slow.
Bottom Line:Very uninteresting ride. :) :)
We took Skyride over to Forbidden Valley. It gives a great view of these mysterious gardens. The gardens are huge.
Nemesis (2 laps):
Positive:Extremely good themeing (yes blood red water), many footchoppers, great first corkscrew, hugs ground, extremely tight twists and turns, pits and tunnels.
Negative:Very dirty queue line.
Bottom Line:Thrilling B&M inverted that constantly dives into tunnels. Very unique ride. :) :) :) :) :)
After Nemesis we watched Ripsaw’s riders get soaked. Good fun. Then we walked down to Katanga Canyon.
Runaway Mine Train (2 laps):
Positive:Surprising tunnel, two times around (!), wave to people on Congo River Rapids!
Negative:Can’t complain too much.
Bottom Line:Good Mine Train. :) :)
Next we took a long walk over to X-Sector.
Oblivion (1 lap):
Positive:Steep lift hill, loved the slow first turn (can you say anticipation?), freefall-type drop, misty tunnel, throw your gum into Oblivion!
Negative:Way, way, way too short, needs more elements.
Bottom Line:The drop is great, but that’s it. :) :) :)
Black Hole (1 lap):
Positive:Unique train design, good laterals, long curved lift hill, dark.
Negative:Wouldn’t hurt to be a little longer.
Bottom Line:Reminds me of space mountain(Magic Kingdom). :) :) :)
Overall, Alton Towers is an extremely unique park. It is the most beautiful park I have ever been to. BGW does an amazing job at recreating Europe, but this is the real thing! I didn’t have time to go to the castle (yes, there is a castle in the middle of the park), so I was wondering what was in there. Anyone know? Oh, and what is Hex? Anyway, Alton Towers is a great park. Don’t miss it.
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Parks for 2001: SFEG, Lakeside,Funtown USA, Palace Playland, HP,BGW,PKD,Alton Towers.