Alton Towers

We got up early on Friday morning and headed over to the Alton Towers theme park on the monorail. Gates opened for hotel guests at 9am so it was nice to have a look at a few things without too many people around. Alton Towers has been a leisure site since the 1830's and has quite an extensive history. The house is still here and the theme park has been built up in the large estate around it. The grounds are huge, and it took quite a bit of walking to get from one area to the other. We wanted to get back and have a look through the house, but we ran out of time. This magnificent house (and the gardens surrounding it) is a sight all on its own.

The grounds at Alton Towers were first opened to the public in 1860 (1830 - 1860 was invited guests only). By 1890 Alton Towers was attracting crowds of 30,000 to watch acrobats, lion tamers, elephants, bands and fireworks. People also came just to enjoy the gardens. Alton Towers remained open to the public until the war broke out, when it was then used as an Officer Cadet Training Camp. It was finally returned to the owners in the 1950's and by the 60's and 70's it was a well know tourist attraction again. It wasn't until 1980 that it became known as a Theme Park - when they created the revolutionary Corkscrew roller-coaster, and it has been growing ever since with new rides and attractions being added all the time.

Our first ride for the day was on Rita - The Queen of Speed. Although I thought it was a little too soon after breakfast to be jumping on something like this, we took the chance while there weren't many people around - I went first and then Mick had a go. Leilani & Emily watched as we zipped by in 2 seconds from 0 to 100kmph!! What a thrill at 9.15 in the morning!

We then headed over to Cloud Cuckoo Land, we pretty much had all the kids rides and activities to ourselves as it was a Friday and school had only just gone back - so it was great.

Leilani loved the driving school and looked so grown up heading out there on her own to pick a car! She took it all quite seriously and when we came back later for another go she said 'This time I'm going to try really hard not to bump into anything!!' Emily was under the height restriction, and I'm not sure she would have been able to drive the cars anyway, but she wanted to have a go so badly, she mentioned a couple of times during the day 'can we find me some cars like Lani's to go on' the poor little girl!

{A massive jumping castle}

{Definition of Queue Jumping}

{A ride through Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and up the 'simulated' glass elevator}

{The estate was huge, there were gardens, bush and lakes everywhere}

{Walking from one area to another}

There was an Old MacDonald's Farm area - which Emily just loved (this is her favourite song!) and was so excited about. In the barn you could push buttons and hear all the different animals singing Old Macdonald and they got to try out nearly all the animals on the farm merry go round - because no one else was waiting!!

{Driving Mum & Dad around in the tractor!}

{Playing eye spy on the riverbank}

{Waiting while Mum & Dad take turns on the Spinball Whizzer}

{Spinball Whizzer}

{Up goes Daddy}

Emily loved this little play thing - you spin yourself around on it - she sat here for ages in a bit of a dreamland - all of her own! And later when she got off and came back, and saw some big kids on it - she gave them a big death stare, as if to say 'Hey, that's mine!"

Leilani is a bit of a thrill-seeker and loved this fast-paced kiddies coaster - she was putting on a real scream and laughing her head off. She was so excited saying 'I'm going to go on this again and again!'

We took a fair bit of video at Alton Towers and therefore not so many photos. Mick and I went on quite a few thrill rides and found the 'single riders lane' quite quick - so it worked out not so bad going alone because you didn't have to wait so long. It was the best theme park we have been to (not including Disneyland) and we all just really enjoyed the day. The crowds were pretty low which made it a little more relaxing. The weather was on the cool side, but the sun was out so it wasn't too bad. There were loads of things we didn't do - but isn't that always the way at a theme park!! I have video footage of some of the thrill rides Mick and I went on but our internet connection is not good enough to upload them, so we need to find another way. But I went on the scariest ride I have ever been on (much worse then the Giant Drop) it was called Oblivion and I don't think I would ever go on it again!! It was kind of like the Giant Drop at Dream World but you are looking straight down and you go down underground through darkness and mists of water!!!! bbrrrr.... still gives me the shivers! (Mick went on it too!)