| Alton Towers is Not Just a Vacation Destination, | | | | School, the kids will travel through traffic lights, |
| It’s an Experience for the Entire Family | | | | roundabouts and other wonders of the road. If this |
| Finding a vacation destination geared toward the entire | | | | park sounds like a world all of its own, that’s |
| family can be challenging, to say the least. In a typical | | | | because it is exactly that. As if a driving school isn’t |
| family, the age differences between siblings makes | | | | enough, you can also take your youngster down Cred |
| choosing entertainment tricky; meanwhile, many family | | | | Street, an area of the park with tons of attractions |
| vacation spots cater so much to children that parents | | | | and rides all of its own. And, they’re all geared |
| feel like they need a get-away of their own. | | | | toward the littlest (but not least) of your group. |
| Fortunately, there are a select few places where | | | | Soak up the Fun |
| everyone in the family has something special to enjoy. | | | | At first glance, Alton Towers may seem like just |
| Alton Towers, Great Britain’s most famous theme | | | | another theme park. For many travelers, learning about |
| park is one of those places. | | | | all the different rides and how they cater to the whole |
| The Most Invigorating Rides in the World | | | | family is amazing. Add to that the news that |
| Among the many attractions at Alton Towers, the | | | | there’s a waterpark in addition to the theme park |
| most notable ones are the high-trill rides found in the | | | | and vacationers can’t seem to stay away. Once |
| theme park. One of the most popular of these is Air, a | | | | again, this portion of Alton Towers is dedicated to |
| rollercoaster that truly defies gravity. This innovative | | | | making sure that everyone in the family has a blast - |
| ride features and overhead track, allowing your legs to | | | | of water. |
| dangle as you soar weightless and high above the | | | | The attractions range from the Master Blaster, |
| park. You even have a chance to be part of history | | | | featuring three twisting slides with separate pools, the |
| as you ride through the Air, which is the world’s | | | | Wacky Waterworks Treehouse with 70 play features |
| first flying rollercoaster. | | | | and the Little Leak pool where sliding and |
| Of course, Air is not the only “first” featured at | | | | splish-splashing are practically required. Even babies |
| Alton Towers. Nemesis, the world’s first inverted | | | | and toddlers have the chance to splash and play |
| rollercoaster, is guaranteed to blow you away with G | | | | during designated sessions set aside just for children |
| forces greater than those of a space shuttle take off. | | | | up to age six. And, for added convenience, you’ll |
| This ride is appropriately named because conquering it | | | | find baby and toddler friendly changing stations, a |
| is certainly a testament to overcoming your fear. If | | | | feeding room just for tots and even a place to |
| speed is what gets your heart racing, Rita Queen of | | | | purchase disposable swim diapers. |
| Speed is a must-ride. This rollercoaster reaches 60 | | | | Nonetheless, age range is not the only attribute making |
| miles per hour in just 2.5 seconds and has more lift | | | | Alton Towers one of the most diverse parks in the |
| than an airplane. | | | | world. The vast waterpark also features a warm |
| Nevertheless, not only does Alton Towers offer some | | | | water section where you’ll find the Lagoona Bay |
| of the world’s most invigorating rollercoasters, there | | | | waterfalls and Bubbly Wubbly pool. Here’s your |
| are plenty of other attractions to keep the adrenaline | | | | opportunity to take a breather after a full day of cool |
| pumping. For instance, the Oblivion will test even the | | | | rides. |
| toughest, most experienced thrill seekers. You’ll | | | | Fun is Only Half the Story |
| plummet into a pitch black abyss that’s a | | | | What’s really interesting about Alton Towers is that |
| jaw-dropping 200 feet underground. What’s more, | | | | any family could easily center an entire vacation on it. |
| this drop is steeper than any you’ll ever experience, | | | | There’s a great deal of terrific theme parks |
| even if you go skydiving. And, as you may have | | | | scattered throughout the world but very few can truly |
| guessed, Oblivion is the world’s first vertical drop. | | | | offer variety like that found at Alton Towers. One |
| Just for the Tweens | | | | could easily compare it to Disneyland or Disney World. |
| Though Alton Towers has an abundance of | | | | Places like these are far more than just parks. They |
| entertainment designed for adults and older kids, it has | | | | are vacations in and of themselves. |
| just as many exhilarating attractions for those “in | | | | At Alton Towers, there are hotels available for guests |
| between.” In addition to rollercoasters like Runaway | | | | who are ready to truly immerse themselves in all it has |
| Train, Spinball Whizzer and Corkscrew, you’ll find | | | | to offer. The first of two hotels onsight, the Alton |
| entertainment in places like the Haunted House. Your | | | | Towers Hotel, is inspired by the travels of Sir Algenon |
| kids may have seen a dozen haunted houses up to | | | | Alton. There, you have the opportunity to stay in its |
| this point but have they ever dueled ghosts? After | | | | Discovery Bedrooms, which are perfect for four to |
| “fighting” your way through the spooky house, | | | | five guests, children and adults. Or, if you prefer, you |
| visit the Hex and you’re sure to leave spellbound. | | | | can book on of the hotel’s elaborate suites. These |
| This spine-tingling room is an optical illusion that will | | | | rooms are decorated literally from floor to ceiling, |
| have you wondering if the room is moving or if | | | | include VIP parking and even special access to theme |
| you’re eyes are playing tricks on you. | | | | park rides. |
| If you’re looking for a wet ride but aren’t ready | | | | The second hotel, aptly named the Splash Landings |
| for the waterpark, just take the family onboard the | | | | Hotel, is located near the waterpark. Its relaxed tropical |
| Congo River Rapids. If you’re really up for a | | | | atmosphere is fun for everyone in the family and ideal |
| watery adventure, you’ll love The Flumes. The best | | | | for groups with small children. In fact, this particular hotel |
| way to describe this attraction is to dub it as the super | | | | was voted the best family friendly hotel by readers in |
| soaker of Alton Towers theme park. You and the | | | | Mother & Baby Magazine. And, like the waterpark, |
| family will load up into a giant bathtub and plunge down | | | | it’s available year-round. |
| the rapids. There, you encounter enormous rubber | | | | Furthermore, hotels aren’t the only places to relax |
| ducks and whirlpool plugs. | | | | at Alton Towers. Just as there are rides and |
| Littlest but not Least | | | | attractions suited for kids of all ages, there are also |
| How will you know when it’s time for your littlest | | | | places set aside just for you, the grown-up. For |
| child’s first rollercoaster ride? It might be the day | | | | example, Alton Towers is well-known for having the |
| you take the family to Alton Towers. The Beastie, a | | | | some of the most capacious gardens in Great Britain. |
| rollercoaster made just for the youngsters dips and | | | | What else can you expect from a place that sets |
| winds just enough to bring out your little one’s smile. | | | | records and makes history time and time again? |
| And, the Beastie is a good training tool for someone | | | | If you enjoy a good game of golf, you’ll appreciate |
| who will ride the big rollercoasters next time you visit. | | | | Extraordinary Golf, an 18-hole course that’s fun for |
| Moreover, if your child has ever dreamt of riding a | | | | the whole family but still offers adults a chance to |
| glass elevator like the one in Charlie and the Chocolate | | | | enjoy their own adventures. Let’s say a full day at |
| Factory, you have the opportunity to bring the dream | | | | the golf course leaves you a little on the sore side. In |
| to life. This particular journey recreates cherished | | | | this case, feel free to get up the next day and head |
| scenes from the film and ends with a fantastic | | | | for the spa. For only £18.50, you can enjoy five |
| elevator ride into the clouds. | | | | pampered hours in an Aqua Relaxation Room. This |
| Once your little one learns how much fun there is to | | | | includes a hydro pool, hot tub, crystal steam room and |
| have being a passenger, it’s time to get a driving | | | | sauna. |
| license - Alton Towers style. At Peugeot Driving | | | | |