Attraction Source Forum

What are your favourite years or decades of Alton Towers? Personally for me it's the 90s. Never been in the 90s as I was a baby, but from pictures and videos etc it looked really good!    \:D/

1980 -1987 it was magical 

1991 to 1994 just wonderful and magical.

I felt like in the early 90s you got your money's worth and a good ride count. As there was a lot more filler rides.

2013

For me its got to be 95-98...as a kid it really did feel magical

Without question 1992 to 1999.

I would have said 1994 to 1999 but I remember they used to have Disney style parades in the early 90's which I think was a fantastic thing to do!  The Haunted House and Runaway Mine Train for me were really the start of the magic also.

Once Pearson sold Tussauds in 1999, that's when things started to slowly go downhill for me.  I've got some amazing memories from 2000 to 2003 but by 2004 that was it. The park took a turn for the worst.

the period that stands out for me would be 1989 - 1998 good times.

Was a bit disappointed when certain changes are made (the swans going) to make way for the abysmal Splash Karts. In my opinion this is when the "Magic" starts to drift away.

Low points I'd say Swans going as mentioned above - I know they never got ridden but me and my previous partner used to relax on them, plus they were the icon Alton Towers

Toyland Tours being removed - This theme tune is an all time CLASSIC as many a fan will hum the tune now reading this 

Clicky goodness below   

http://old.towerstimes.co.uk/downloads/toylandtours.mp3

The Black Hole Closure - I know maintenance costs were high but this ride was a classic.... Still happy with what's replacing it though

The first proper trip I had was the year before the Swan Boats got removed, that was my personal favourite year for the magic

PeteB wrote: Without question 1992 to 1999.

I would have said 1994 to 1999 but I remember they used to have Disney style parades in the early 90's which I think was a fantastic thing to do!  The Haunted House and Runaway Mine Train for me were really the start of the magic also.

Once Pearson sold Tussauds in 1999, that's when things started to slowly go downhill for me.  I've got some amazing memories from 2000 to 2003 but by 2004 that was it. The park took a turn for the worst.

2004 was alright as a kid spinball whizzer was a great ride at the time but I even thought then that it stood out too much like it didnt fit in with towers. Then 2005 did it for me D: black hole closes with me on a 0 ride count D: *blame my height*

Yes I agree that Spinball was the only decent thing to come out of the dark era. It still had a lot of budget cuts though.

They did a good job with Splash Landings in 2003 as well, although that had been on the drawing board for a number of years. I believe there was also some small budget cuts but I don't think they would have made much difference.

early 90's school trips.

1984. I remember arriving at the park with my parents, hoping there would be a new ride, opening the map, and finding they'd installed at least 6!

Yep, 1984 was remarkable.  And then to add Mississippi Showboat and 1001 Nights as well, half way through the season...

Imagine if The Smiler had been accompanied by another half dozen new flat rides too, this year!  That was the same excitement 1984 gave.

1998, 2013 and 1994, just look at my favourite rides!

I have only been to Alton Towers twice, once in 2012 and once in 2013.

I'm going to go for 2012, as much quieter (summer of 2013 was busy for obvious reasons), meaning a much more enjoyable experience, getting everything done was easier in 2012, and I also find that it's much more enjoyable and magical when it's not overcrowded and busy.

I also think 2012, because I had the "first visit to Towers" moment, where you just get really over excited and want to do everything.

2013 was an amazing year as I was there the day the Smiler opened so that was brilliant. There was an amazing vibe on park and everyone seemed to be happy, and the weather was brill.

However my first visit in 2010 was magical. I think most will agree with me that there's no time like your first. Also th13teen opened. However being quite young I was too scared to do be my and blivvy, all the rest I done
So 2011 was pretty special to as they were my first rides on blivvy and nemmy.
2012 I didn't go as we went thorpe.

So All of my visits have been favourites for different reasons

If I could I'd love to go back in time to the opening of the RMT and Haunted House, then forward in time to the start of the 1994 season for Nemesis and forward again to 1998 for the opening of Oblivion. Looking back, it's incredible how much has changed. I think seeing all the clothes and styles we wore in the 90's would be just as fun as the rides!

2004 and 2009 were my favourite years... They just seemed special on those visits and more enjoyable! Although to be far, 2013 was a blummin awesome year, thank you very much TowersTimes Events!

I'd have to say in terms of park atmosphere and such thing, like scarefest and all, 2010 was my fave year as it felt right and was the first year I felt the magic, however if I'm talking of pure enjoyment from the park it'd have to be 2013
-Towerstimes events,highlight was summersizzler! Still best trip and anyone who was there would know
-scarefest was amazing for me! Not the best but I enjoyed it
-Being first on the smiler will never forget that day!
But most importantly the people I shared my trips with in this year, the same people I'll be going and seeing this year you guys are awesome
-me and Harry and Tom on ripsaw when I got dan to put her on extreme and get us absolutely soaked at Summersizzler