Latest news with #Smiler


North Wales Live
23-06-2025
- North Wales Live
Alton Towers offers budget-friendly season pass for less than a day trip
Theme park enthusiasts can anticipate a summer of excitement at a reduced cost with the new Alton Towers Resort Seasonal Pass. The £59 three-month seasonal pass is a bargain compared to the walk-up price of £68 for a single-day pass, even if you only visit once. The pass offers unlimited access throughout the summer, making it an attractive choice for those planning summer holiday outings. For adrenaline junkies, this could be the opportunity to enjoy rides like the Smiler and Oblivion all summer long. It's important to note that there are certain dates when the seasonal pass is not valid, such as the August Bank Holiday weekend and several dates in October leading up to Halloween. All passes, including the £139 Annual Gold Pass, are unavailable on these dates. One of the most sought-after passes on offer is the Merlin Annual Pass, granting entry to their theme parks, including Thorpe Park and Alton Towers, as well as Legoland, the Dungeons, Madame Tussauds and even Cadbury World. The basic package costs £99 per year, with more premium packages offering monthly payment plans. For those interested in a single theme park break, Wowcher's Attraction Breaks might be a better option. They offer a Gulliver's Valley Resort Stay and Theme Park Entry package from £139, with availability during school holidays for families of four seeking a fun escape, reports the Mirror. Reviews on Trustpilot are showering praises on Alton Towers, with one guest describing it as 'magical', expressing: "A great family day out. Service from the staff is always so friendly. A magical place." One visitor was particularly thrilled about the minimal wait times for attractions, noting: "Magnificent time at Alton Towers. All the rides were below an hour queue. Went as a group of 5 and we completed smiler and oblivion in the first 20 minutes." They continued to share their experience: "We then went on another 11 rides whilst doing Smiler, Oblivion, Rita, Thirteen and Nemesis twice. Our longest wait time was 50 minutes." There were also some tips for future visitors: "Arriving early is key as they let people in before 10 to start queuing for The Smiler early. Had a wonderful time and was worth every penny. Amazing theme park. Workers were very nice and were always happy to help." However, not all feedback was glowing; one felt changes could improve the experience, pointing out: "As expected, when you go to a theme park there are very long queues. What you don't expect is no seating on a two-hour queue." The critique continued: "Waiting is not a problem, standing for two hours for one ride with no chance to sit down and rest your legs and back, really is!". When it comes to catering for different age groups, many parents have applauded the park: "Amazing couple of days with my family. So much for all ages to do, and the entertainment on the field was a welcome rest for my three-year-old when the older members of our party wanted to go on the thrill rides." For those looking to make frequent visits, the Alton Towers Resort Seasonal Pass can be snapped up for £59 right now.


Wales Online
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Alton Towers offers budget-friendly season pass for less than a day trip
Alton Towers offers budget-friendly season pass for less than a day trip Alton Towers has launched a new Resort Seasonal Pass, allowing thrill-seekers to enjoy unlimited access to the theme park for a three month period in the summer Alton Towers have some amazing deals on offer ahead of the summer holidays (Image: Bloomberg, Bloomberg via Getty Images ) Theme park enthusiasts can anticipate a summer of excitement at a reduced cost with the new Alton Towers Resort Seasonal Pass. The £59 three-month seasonal pass is a bargain compared to the walk-up price of £68 for a single-day pass, even if you only visit once. The pass offers unlimited access throughout the summer, making it an attractive choice for those planning summer holiday outings. For adrenaline junkies, this could be the opportunity to enjoy rides like the Smiler and Oblivion all summer long. It's important to note that there are certain dates when the seasonal pass is not valid, such as the August Bank Holiday weekend and several dates in October leading up to Halloween. All passes, including the £139 Annual Gold Pass, are unavailable on these dates. One of the most sought-after passes on offer is the Merlin Annual Pass, granting entry to their theme parks, including Thorpe Park and Alton Towers, as well as Legoland, the Dungeons, Madame Tussauds and even Cadbury World. The basic package costs £99 per year, with more premium packages offering monthly payment plans. For those interested in a single theme park break, Wowcher's Attraction Breaks might be a better option. They offer a Gulliver's Valley Resort Stay and Theme Park Entry package from £139, with availability during school holidays for families of four seeking a fun escape, reports the Mirror. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here Reviews on Trustpilot are showering praises on Alton Towers, with one guest describing it as 'magical', expressing: "A great family day out. Service from the staff is always so friendly. A magical place." One visitor was particularly thrilled about the minimal wait times for attractions, noting: "Magnificent time at Alton Towers. All the rides were below an hour queue. Went as a group of 5 and we completed smiler and oblivion in the first 20 minutes." They continued to share their experience: "We then went on another 11 rides whilst doing Smiler, Oblivion, Rita, Thirteen and Nemesis twice. Our longest wait time was 50 minutes." There were also some tips for future visitors: "Arriving early is key as they let people in before 10 to start queuing for The Smiler early. Had a wonderful time and was worth every penny. Amazing theme park. Workers were very nice and were always happy to help." However, not all feedback was glowing; one felt changes could improve the experience, pointing out: "As expected, when you go to a theme park there are very long queues. What you don't expect is no seating on a two-hour queue." The critique continued: "Waiting is not a problem, standing for two hours for one ride with no chance to sit down and rest your legs and back, really is!". When it comes to catering for different age groups, many parents have applauded the park: "Amazing couple of days with my family. So much for all ages to do, and the entertainment on the field was a welcome rest for my three-year-old when the older members of our party wanted to go on the thrill rides." Article continues below For those looking to make frequent visits, the Alton Towers Resort Seasonal Pass can be snapped up for £59 right now.


Daily Record
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Thrillseekers can get Alton Towers three-month pass for less than price of day ticket
Alton Towers has unveiled a new summer pass that gives three months' access to the theme park. Thrillseekers can ready themselves for a summer of excitement at a reduced cost with the new Alton Towers Resort Seasonal Pass. The incredible offer means punters can enjoy three months of fun days out at the theme park for less than the cost of a day pass. The £59 three-month seasonal pass is cheaper than the walk-up price of £68 for a single-day ticket. So even if you only visit once during the season, you're still saving money. The pass offers unlimited access throughout the summer, making it an ideal choice for those planning days out during the summer holidays. For adrenaline junkies, this could be the perfect opportunity to ride the Smiler and Oblivion all summer long. It's important to note that there are certain dates when the seasonal pass cannot be used, such as the August Bank Holiday weekend and several October dates leading up to Halloween. None of the passes, including the £139 Annual Gold Pass, are valid on these dates, reports the Mirror. One of the most sought-after passes on the market is the Merlin Annual Pass, which provides entry to their theme parks from £99. This includes Thorpe Park and Alton Towers, as well as Legoland, the Dungeons, Madame Tussauds and even Cadbury World. The basic package costs £99 per year, although more premium packages also offer monthly payment plans. For those who only want one theme park break, Wowcher's Attraction Breaks might be a better fit. They offer a Gulliver's Valley Resort Stay and Theme Park Entry package from £139, with availability during school holidays for families of four seeking a fun getaway Over on Trustpilot, Alton Towers has been hailed as "magical", with one visitor commenting: "A great family day out. Service from the staff is always so friendly. A magical place." Another guest was thrilled with the queue times for the attractions, writing: "Magnificent time at Alton Towers. All the rides were below an hour queue. "Went as a group of 5 and we completed Smiler and Oblivion in the first 20 minutes. We then went on another 11 rides whilst doing Smiler, Oblivion, Rita, Thirteen and Nemesis twice. Our longest wait time was 50 minutes." They further added: "Arriving early is key as they let people in before 10 to start queuing for The Smiler early. "Had a wonderful time and was worth every penny. Amazing theme park. Workers were very nice and were always happy to help." However, not every review was glowing, with one visitor revealing, unlike the person above, they did have some long waits. They suggested that seating should be provided in such circumstances. They said: "As expected, when you go to a theme park there are very long queues. What you don't expect is no seating on a two-hour queue. Waiting is not a problem, standing for two hours for one ride with no chance to sit down and rest your legs and back, really is!" Mums and dads have expressed satisfaction with how the park caters to varied age groups, with one parent remarking: "Amazing couple of days with my family. "So much for all ages to do, and the entertainment on the field was a welcome rest for my three-year-old when the older members of our party wanted to go on the thrill rides." To pick up the Alton Towers Seasonal Pass for £59, click HERE. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.


Daily Mirror
22-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Alton Towers launches summer pass for less than a day ticket price
A day pass to Alton Towers costs £68 at the gate but there's a way to get a full summer's worth at the theme park for a lot less Theme park fans can look forward to a summer of fun at a fraction of the price when buying the new Alton Towers Resort Seasonal Pass. With a walk-up price of £68 for a single-day pass, the £59 three-month seasonal pass works out cheaper even with just one visit. The pass gives unlimited access for the summer, making it a good option for those looking for days out in the summer holidays. For thrill seekers, this could be the time to ride the Smiler and Oblivion all summer long. It is worth noting that there are a few days that the seasonal pass cannot be used, such as the August Bank Holiday weekend and a few October dates in the run-up to Halloween. None of the passes are available to use on these dates, including the £139 Annual Gold Pass. Arguably one of the most popular passes on the market is the Merlin Annual Pass, which gives access to their theme parks, including Thorpe Park and Alton Towers, as well as Legoland, the Dungeons, Madame Tussauds and even Cadbury World. For a basic package, it's £99 a year, although the more premium packages do also offer monthly payment plans. For those who only want one theme park break, perhaps Wowcher's Attraction Breaks are a better fit. There is a Gulliver's Valley Resort Stay & Theme Park Entry package from £139 with school holiday availability for families of four looking for a fun getaway. Over on Trustpilot, Alton Towers has been dubbed 'magical' with one guest writing: "A great family day out. Service from the staff is always so friendly. A magical place." Another was impressed with the wait time for the rides, penning: "Magnificent time at Alton Towers. All the rides were below an hour queue. Went as a group of 5 and we completed smiler and oblivion in the first 20 minutes. "We then went on another 11 rides whilst doing Smiler, Oblivion, Rita, Thirteen and Nemesis twice. Our longest wait time was 50 minutes. "Arriving early is key as they let people in before 10 to start queuing for The Smiler early. Had a wonderful time and was worth every penny. Amazing theme park. Workers were very nice and were always happy to help." Not everyone was so impressed with the wait time, one customer suggested seating needs to be introduced. They said: "As expected, when you go to a theme park they are very long queues. What you don't expect is no seating on a two hour queue. "Waiting is not a problem, standing for two hours for one ride with no chance to sit down and rest your legs and back, really is!" Parents appear impressed with the park's ability to cater for all ages, one said: "Amazing couple of days with my family. So much for all ages to do, and the entertainment on the field was a welcome rest for my three-year-old when the older members of our party wanted to go on the thrill rides."


ITV News
02-06-2025
- ITV News
Rollercoaster crash like 'hitting a car at 90mph': 10 years on from Alton Towers Smiler injuries
Ten years after they suffered life-changing injuries on a rollercoaster at Alton Towers, Leah Washington-Pugh and Joe Pugh reflect on how far they have come. Leah and Joe, from South Yorkshire, were just 17 and 18-years-old and on a date when the carriage they were riding on the Smiler ride crashed into the empty carriage ahead. The pair were left serious injuries with Joe suffering two shattered kneecaps and damage to his hands and Leah having damage to her legs and a fractured hand. She went on to have her left leg amputated above the knee. The crash, on 2 June 2015, led to operator Merlin being fined £5m, with compensation paid to the 16 victims. Speaking through representatives at the legal firm Stewarts, the pair described how having each other got them through their recovery. Joe said: 'We had to learn not only how to walk again, but how to build a relationship with each other again.' 'Looking back now, me and Joe sticking together, we were such a good support for each other. Yes, our injuries were there and everything else around us was going off, but we still had that relationship and friendship and that got us through everything,' Leah added. The Smiler was the couple's first ride of the day after entering the park. "I think if I remember rightly if you compare it to a car accident it was the equivalent of driving into a car at 90 miles an hour. It was pretty severe," added Joe. "I looked down at my legs and realised that something wasn't right," said Leah. "I looked at Joe and Joe's little finger was hanging off." It took a number of hours for them to be rescued from the ride in a complex operation which involved the Air Ambulance flying in blood for Leah. "If it wasn't for the air ambulance and other services on the day I know I wouldn't be here today." Leah spent five days in intensive care and was in hospital for eight weeks in total. Partner at Stewarts, Anna Wiseman acted for Leah and Joe in their case. She said: 'Leah was young when I first met her, she was only 17. For her to go through that process and be injured in the way that she was, was quite terrifying for her.' Merlin Attractions Operations Ltd admitted breaches of the Health and Safety Act in what bosses called "the most serious incident" in Alton Towers' history. Reflecting on a decade since the crash, the couple, who recently got married say the incident has brought them closer together. "You've always got to find the positive in the negative and just got to grab life, because it's so precious, and make the most of it" added Leah. The couple are using the anniversary to host a ball to support the Midlands Air Ambulance, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the LimbBo Foundation, a charity which supports limb-different children.