Alton Towers - Any good?

Is the park good? I really like parks that keep the atmosphere of a park, but with the added effect of scenery, and theming. From the pictures I see, Alton looks to do a great job at this.

Can you compare it to any park in the states? - Kinda self explanitory.

Is it be worth the trouble and money to plan a trip there if it is possible?

I'm seriously considering planning a future trip, probably not next year, but maybe '07. Any help is really appreciated.

- Josh

There, I did the hard work for you.

I wouldn't say Alton alone is worth the trip all the way from the States, but you could easily combine it with Pleasure Beach Blackpool, Drayton Manor (both within approx 1 hour drive) and Thorpe Park (2 hours more from Drayton, located near London). You could do Chessington which is very close to Thorpe, or even do Oakwood, but that's well out of the way.

In my opinion, a few of Alton's latest rides haven't really kept with the 'tradition', or helped retain the atmosphere, but they're still good rides. However, Alton's setting is certainly one of the best in the world; you have a beautiful forest, a lake, a gothic manor...

In terms of coasters, Alton has a great line-up. Nemesis is the best B&M Inverted coaster in the world. Then there's Oblivion, Air, Rita, all good rides. Spinball Whizzer is a fun family spinning coaster. Then there's a few family coasters and 'credits'. Alton doesn't have too many decent flat rides, but there's a few water rides, Duel and Hex (which is a standard ride with an awesome setting in the Towers and a great atmospheric storyline).

What US park would I compare it to? Well, that's tricky... it's pretty different to most US parks... Maybe Busch Gardens Williamsburg, with less elaborate theming, but more (and better) rides? I dunno...

Put it this way, if I was planning a trip to the UK, Alton would definitely be on my list of must-dos. It's one of the best theme parks in the world, and certainly the best in the UK (although Thorpe is on its tail!). I wouldn't come to the UK SOLELY for Alton, but if you're planning a visit to England, whether it be a coaster-trip or just a vacation, you should hit Alton!

Anymore questions on Alton/UK parks, just ask :)