History and Background
Alton Towers is a theme park located in Staffordshire, England. It opened its doors in 1980 and has since become one of the most popular attractions in the UK.
The park is set in the grounds of a former stately home, and its history dates back to the 19th century. Thorpe Park, on the other hand, is located in Surrey, England. It opened in 1979 and has a more modern and contemporary feel.
Both theme parks have a rich history and have undergone numerous expansions and additions over the years. Alton Towers is known for its iconic towers and stunning gardens, while Thorpe Park is famous for its thrilling roller coasters and water rides.
Attractions and Thrill Rides
When it comes to attractions and thrill rides, both Alton Towers and Thorpe Park offer an impressive selection.
Alton Towers boasts a wide variety of rides, including some of the most thrilling roller coasters in the UK. The park is home to iconic rides such as Nemesis Reborn, Oblivion, and The Smiler, which are sure to get your adrenaline pumping.
Thorpe Park, on the other hand, is known for its intense and exhilarating roller coasters.
The park is home to Stealth, the fastest roller coaster in the UK, as well as other thrilling rides such as Saw – The Ride and The Swarm.
If you’re a thrill-seeker, Thorpe Park is definitely the place to be.
Dining Options and Restaurants
When it comes to dining options, both Alton Towers and Thorpe Park have a range of restaurants and food outlets to choose from.
Alton Towers offers a variety of cuisines, from fast food to fine dining. Whether you’re craving a burger and fries or a gourmet meal, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your taste buds at Alton Towers.
Similarly, Thorpe Park offers a range of dining options to suit every palate. From pizza and pasta to Asian cuisine and BBQ, there’s something for everyone at Thorpe Park.
Whether you’re looking for a quick snack or a sit-down meal, you won’t be disappointed with the dining options available.
Overall Experience and Verdict
Both Alton Towers and Thorpe Park offer unique and thrilling experiences for visitors. Alton Towers is known for its stunning grounds and iconic towers, while Thorpe Park offers a more modern and intense atmosphere. The choice between the two ultimately depends on your personal preferences.
If you’re a fan of thrilling roller coasters and intense rides, Thorpe Park is the clear winner. The park is home to some of the most exhilarating rides in the UK, guaranteed to give you an adrenaline rush.
However, if you prefer a mix of thrilling rides, beautiful scenery, and a more family-friendly atmosphere, Alton Towers is the park for you.
In the end, both Alton Towers and Thorpe Park are fantastic theme parks that offer something for everyone. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or looking for a fun day out with the family, you can’t go wrong with either choice.
It’s all about personal preference and what kind of experience you’re looking for.
Got an opinion? Share your thoughts with us over on our Facebook page @UKThemeParkSpy or comment below — your voice matters in the theme park community!
Thorpe is easier to do in a day, Alton Towers we walked 12.5 miles back and forward on opening day without the Sky Ride.
Both are amazing parks though 🙂
Considering Alton Towers has so many more restrictions regarding height and sound I think it makes them try harder and they have a better overall park that offers more with better quality
Both are in transitional periods coming off of a long period of consistent underfunding. They simply don’t compare to European theme parks at the moment unfortunately in terms of presentation and overall customer experience but I feel the past year or two, Merlin are heading in the right direction with their whole group and hopefully within the next decade they will be where they should be
Jack Rowbotham This.
People rave over them here purely because standards are so low here.
Aidan Hancock It doesn’t help that they told a monopoly on the UK theme park industry so there aren’t any other competitors with the same financial backing
Jack Rowbotham Yeah for sure. And then there’s people saying they should take over Blackpool Pleasure Beach etc as if its a good thing we have 1 company running most of our parks!
Aidan Hancock all I can say is EnergyLandia . Blows AT and TP out of the water.
Stephen Pickaver wasn’t energylandia funded by the Polish government! Having an unlimited pot of money helps.
Lee Hunter might have been. But it still seriously blows them out the water
Stephen Pickaver that’s good to hear, we are heading there in August. And doing 2 parks in Spain in May, Portaventura and Werner Park, or whatever they’re called, I’m terrible for names 😂
Dal Still you ever been before?
Stephen Pickaver No mate, have done a few US ones though, which really show our UK ones up 😭
Dal Still Energylandia is absolutely bonkers. Nothing in this country even comes close. Zadra is mental.
Stephen Pickaver I’ve been watching all the YouTube videos and can’t wait for it!!
Dal Still yeah it’s a bit good. You will enjoy it. We are going in December
Stephen Pickaver My main worry is August being hot, I’m a bald ginger who hates any kind of sun 😂
Dal Still ha ha ha. Wear a hat and plenty of sunscreen. Drink plenty of water. It’s a huge place.
Stephen Pickaver I live in a hat, vest and factor 50 soon as it gets close to 25°c. And hide indoors sitting next to the air con unit when not at work 😂
Dal Still 🤣🤣🤣🤣. Nah I’m like strip off down to the shorts. Where is the sun at. Lol
Jack Rowbotham Totally agree they’ve lost their magic of 15-20 years ago, but I’m not so sure about Merlin turning them around. I still believe they’re more money-focused than customer-focused and while that’s the case, I can’t see them putting in the necessary investment to build a world class product.
Both are overrated. But I think Thorpe has the edge with hyperia. The only legitimate coaster from either park. The rest are pretty mid… Including nemesis and smiler which are wildly overrated coasters
Steven Scott Ohlson Wickerman?
UK Theme Park Spy I think wickerman is overrated too. I think it’s because it’s the only woodie around other than megaphobia which is far superior.. with the height restriction I think a ride like big bear mountain would really benefit Alton towers.
Steven Scott Ohlson overrated compared to what? Obviously compared to many different parks around the world then AT & and Thorpe are minnows but in the UK?
Paul Wood oh no I would say it’s easily the top two parks in the UK. I just think restrictions and weather make it hard for UK parks to have something world class. Then you have parks like blackpool who hold themselves back for nostalgia purposes. Also I think the horror theme is a bit played out.
Steven Scott Ohlson yeah I tend to agree about the horror theme but if I had an annoyance with AT it’s the “world’s first thing” – wickerman was embarrassingly billed as the first coaster to combine wood and fire, I mean come on that’s just stupid.
Paul Wood I agree with wicker man very over rated in my eyes
Steven Scott Ohlson agree European parks are so much better , best uk have is Paultons Park for presentation and and how to run a park
Steven Scott Ohlson how can Thorpe have the edge with a coaster that no one has ridden yet? 😂 yes it’ll probably be amazing but that isn’t a guarantee yet… also Alton towers hands down wins with emersion and thememing 😀 wickerman is my top rated woody 😀 just love the theme and the backrow airtime! 😀
Graham Logan I’m just saying as an enthusiast there’s no reason to go to UK parks unless you want the inversion record.
Graham Logan the first drop back row! 😮💨
Graham Logan
Your top rated woody? Have you ridden any other woody?
I know it’s subjective, but I haven’t been on another woody that wasn’t better than Wickerman 🤣
Steven Scott Ohlson we are in the UK not Europe. And I think Nemesis is the best ride at AT – always has been. And stealth at TP….
Fiona Gladman the uk is still in Europe!
Tom Burton yeah but I can’t go to one of those theme parks for the day….
Tom Burton that also means better coasters are nearby
Steven Scott Ohlson they’re just a Ryanair flight away 🙂
Steven Scott Ohlson you do realise Alton Towers got height restriction to build roller coaster. Rides like Hyperia or Bear mountain would never happen. What do you mean a legitimate roller coaster 😅 so I put what ride is nemesis or the smiler in google. I’m sure it will come up has a roller coaster.
Steven Scott Ohlson deluded….
Fiona Gladman i much prefer saw to stealth at thrope park tbh with you if i was going for top ride there!
Ride reliability at Alton Towers in recent seasons has been shockingly bad. Not world class at all.
Gary Gardner Thorpe Park for the win?
Gary Gardner looks like TP weren’t any better on their opening day 😅