The ONLY Problem With Alton Towers

A few weeks ago, I visited Alton Towers for the first time. And while I had a great time and thought it was a fantastic park, there was one major issue holding it back in my opinion. Watch the video to find out what that is and what could be done to improve it!
Discord server: / discord
Video Credit:
The Saints: / @carlsaint6101
Alton Towers: / @officialaltontowers
PlanIt Park: / @planitpark
Attraction Source: / @attractionsource
TowersTimes: www.towerstimes.co.uk
lancehutch: / @lancehutch
Xtremecoastersnet: / @xtremecoastersnetwork
Silver Dollar City Attractions: / @silverdollarcityattr
Roller Coaster TV: / @rollercoastertv
T5 The Traveler: / @t5thetraveler
Theme Park Realm: / @themeparkrealm
Adventureteer: / @adventureteer_real
ukridesinfo: / @ukridesinfo
Coaster Touring: / @marcusgainescoasterto...
Coaster Clips: / @coasterclips
LiTo Coaster Couple: / @litocoastercouple
JackPearce: / @jack0pearce
kirmesfanmopohl: / @kirmesfanmopohl
kittikoko: / @kittikokothemeparks
JB Coaster: / @jbcoaster
Theme Park Worldwide: / @themeparkworldwide
Audio Credit:
Intro: I Just Wanna Be Great (Instrumental) - NEFFEX: • I Just Wanna Be Great ...
Background: Stellar Wind - Unicorn Heads: • Stellar Wind
URL Melt - Unicorn Heads: • URL Melt
Outro: Ice & Fire - King Canyon: • Ice & Fire
subscribe

[@Coaster_Critic]

I’ve seen a lot of people in the comments saying that Nemesis is their standout coaster. While Nemesis looks fantastic and a top 100 coaster worldwide, my main point is that Alton Towers needs something that’s a step up from even that quality-wise. A 90s B&M Invert has a limit to how good it can be, so what I was saying is that they need something modern that will allow Nemesis to function as an elite supporting coaster (due to the fact that Alton Towers has a ton of potential overall and with a new flagship ride as well as a few more improvements, can become one of the world’s best parks).

[@Crimsrn]

replacing the blade is a bad idea since it's been there since the park opened in 1980, but maybe something next to it would work

[@katelyng1019]

It may be *their* standout coaster, but it’s not much of a standout coaster otherwise in my opinion because it’s just a B&M invert which at this point is nothing special since they’re so common these days. I agree that this park needs something modern and unique, and a B&M invert is obviously neither of those things despite how beloved they are among enthusiasts.

[@Airtime_Adds]

They could add a Mack extreme spinning coaster with three launches, a drop track element, very unique and weird elements similar to what can be found at Project Exodus from Thorpe Park and some ejector and floaty air time as this can be such an standout for Alton Towers. However, if they would want to build that, I couldn’t care less if Rita gets removed and for TH13TEEN, well it would be upsetting because the drop can be unexpected for people who didn’t ride this one hell of a coaster before. But at the end of the day, some enthusiasts may find it underwhelming simply because this is a family coaster after all. Don’t get me wrong, I do love TH13TEEN mainly because of the people’s reaction first time they ride it and it’s quite an enjoyable coaster I mean the only thing I don’t really like is the marketing back in 2009-2010.

[@Leftpeg8379]

RITA OVER SMILER!!!!! WTF!!!! I think the only problem with Alton Towers is the lack of flats & water rides.

[@chrisogrady28]

The park has no airtime

[@the_stiffest_of_towels]

@@chrisogrady28erm… akshually, the shmiler has some ejector airtime👆🤓

[@chrisogrady28]

@@the_stiffest_of_towels the smiler has 2 airtime hills, one of which is mild ejector after the sea serpent roll and it is my favourite moment of the ride. Wicker Man in back row has a few floater moments, amd back row oblivion has good floater. But all of that is negligible. There isn't a single airtime centric ride.

[@rideexpedition]

As a local at Towerss, Nemesis is by far the stand out coaster. This year just feels odd without it Oh and Smiler is running with square wheels this year, what the hell the maintenance team have done with it, i have zero clue

[@notinsideyourwalls]

I haven’t been this year, and I haven’t heard a word about The Smiler having square wheels now, which is odd

[@GenixYT]

Yeah, it’s gone quite rough now (hence the metaphor square wheels). I was not too enthused when I rode it last week to say the least.

[@rideexpedition]

@@GenixYT it's definitely gotten considerably worse since it opened (and it still wasn't glass smooth then to be honest)

[@chrisogrady28]

Nemesis is pretty good but it's not world class. No b&m invert is, but even in that space nemesis is a kids ride compared to oziris. The helix into zero G roll is fantastic, but that's not enough to carry the ride.

[@LLLLLLLLLucas]

AT needs an RMC....there I said it. Nemesis is currently their flagship coaster. Its officially ranked as 52nd best coaster on earth.

[@lemonamon]

thing is i dont really see them doing an rmc, at least for a while. their last major ride was wickerman, which is a woodie, and while i know rmc hybrids arent wooden rollercoasters, the gp sees them as such and so that's how the marketing team is forced to view them. i give them another one or two major installations until we have a chance at getting an rmc at towers

[@Airtime_Adds]

Thorpe Park has a reclaimed land next to The Swarm so after Project Exodus is built, potentially Thorpe Park might consider investing an RMC T Rex, I can’t see Alton Towers installing an RMC as they can’t build very tall even if they dig underground.

[@massivepoohead]

​@@lemonamon I would say towers get rid of spinball and put mack extreme spinner there

[@massivepoohead]

​@@Airtime_Adds thorpe defo need a family coaster after exodus tho like a intamin family luanch coaster maybe?

[@massivepoohead]

​@Paige nemesis is more of an icon then smiler

[@CoasterFriendsYT]

Awesome video! Nemesis is by far the standout ride at Alton Towers and it is definitely one of the best rides in the UK as a whole! You should definitely visit again in the future to experience it as it is a truly world class ride! An X-treme Spinner or RMC ground-up would be the perfect fit for the park as it would offer something very unique, a new water ride is also definitely needed as there are only 2 of them and they get enormous queues in the Summer! 7:21 - The Retrosquad: they were only intended for the 2021 season to spread out crowds as the indoor rides were shut due to COVID, they were brought back in 2022 and that is when it became noticeably out of place and unnecessary with them there. When the 2023 line-up was announced with them in, that's when it became unacceptable in my opinion - permanent flat rides a 100% needed to get the park up to Thorpe Park's standards.

[@cwehden]

A Taron clone to replace Rita would also work in terms of height restrictions, they need something because after riding Zadra and Hyperion over the spring they make Towers feel desperately lacking. The best real solution would be to have one ride go above the tree line, a really dumb idea to have a theme park with height restrictions, it's like having a Ferrari that is restricted to 30mph, and digging giant holes in the ground to mitigate some of the limitations costs an absolute fortune..

[@Coaster_Critic]

Unfortunately Alton Towers can’t do anything about the height restriction, it’s enforced by the city or area they’re in. Something like Taron could work really well though!

[@chrisogrady28]

They need to plant some red woods 😂

[@chrisogrady28]

Hilariously, the world's tallest tree is called Hyperion, and it's 380ft so if towers planted a circle of redwoods we could have a giga

[@TheOfficialSmudgy]

As a local, Smiler is a real magnet for the GO and everyone is always going on about it and ‘how brave they were’ going on it. In reality the Smiler is a bit overrated because no of the inversions are really forceful and its not that intense. I think in reality Nemy is the standout and always has been. I don’t agree with more water rides though, but I would like to see and extreme spinner (as long as spinball moved to another park and didn’t get scrapped)

[@j.ott_coasters]

Why wasn´t I surprised about the Mack Spinning Coaster? It is definetly a great model, but it´s also pretty expensive. I like how you explained the problem with AT and wish you the best for your next amusement Park trip

[@Coaster_Critic]

Thanks so much man!

[@garylock9596]

A shame you missed nemesis, the best ride in the park. As someone who loves AT , your video was spot on… we needed Wodan instead of Wickerman.. or a taron/ helix style ride in the woods.. hopefully project horizon will be good although I am expecting an Arthur style coaster..

[@rollercoasterman8114]

I'm not gonna lie this year is a terrible time to visit AT, ever since covid the park has been on a bit of a downward spiral and this year seems to be the bottom, lot's of ride closures, literal mold growing in the smiler's station, tacky fairground rides and of course Nemesis being closed. If you had gone a couple years ago i think your impression of the park would be completely different but i do agree with your criticisms of AT the rides are feeling quite tired and outdated which is sad because i've grown up going to AT and the state it's in now is miserable compared to 10-20 years ago, the lack of flat rides has been a problem for at least a decade and they are trying to treat the problem with tacky fairground rides instead of proper flats that are themed to their area's, i'm genuinely losing interest in AT because it's just in constant decline Thorpe Park is my new favorite park because they actually seem to care about the issues the park have and are actively fixing them.

[@jacobN1993]

Come back and ride nemesis. It’s the best ride by far

[@nero457]

I am so happy this video popped up, I live in the UK and I’ve been an enthusiast for a while and I’m really glad someone shares this opinion. Towers has a collection of good rides, but nothing spectacular, and their trend of adding ‘prototype’ coasters tends to make them age pretty poorly. Just take Galactica and compare it to the superman clones that were built less than a year later and yet are far superior layout-wise

[@danielward4868]

Nemesis is my favourite coaster in the UK, but I prefer the major coasters at Thorpe Park over everything else at the park. I agree that they need a standout like how exodus is for Thorpe Park

[@jaxgurnz]

AT are getting a new Indoor Rollercoaster for the 2025 season, unknown what it is but its intriguing Also i understand about how the coasters have beter models worldwide but in fairness, when put in the context of Worlds First Coasters they are amazing, its incredible to think how Oblivion was made in 1998 and doesnt have any new dive coaster features like spring loaded wheels, if oblivion did then it would be able to provide more. That 70mph, 180ft vertical drop into nothing still packs a punch.

[@joecoasters]

Nice drone shot

[@TheResortExplorer]

By the way, Smiler at the front is way less rattly and jolty so you would enjoy it alot more, hopefully putting it above Rita 😅.

[@Coaster_Critic]

That’s what I’ve heard, but unfortunately I was never allowed to wait for the front.

[@AdamCHowell]

A long time since I’ve been but nemesis was the clear stand out so a shame you never got to try it.

[@chrisogrady28]

The UK in general doesn't have any world class coasters, Icon is the closest, and finally with Hyperia we have a proper one, but still nothing anywhere near at AT. It's my home park and I have an annual pass, but all their rides are just pretty good, there's nothing I want to marathon. I rode Nemesis reborn as a walk on three times in a row (plus the stupid 10 minute hike back to the station every time) and it just wasn't good enough to motivate me to walk back to the station for a 4th go. It's way too short for the faff of loading and loft hill etc. The faff to fun ratio is way too low, and the restraints bang your head. An old school B&M invert can never be world leading, and even then this is nothing compared to Oziris. Smiler used to be my favourite ride but it's running ROUGH at the moment. Wicker Man is only good in the back row, but once again, too short for the faff. If I could ERT anything in the park it would be wicker man back row though. What they need is either a 100ft RMC, ideally with 2 lift hills like smiler, and an airtime filled layout like untamed. This park needs airtime! If they were allowed to build there, the ideal would be an extreme spinner over the water just like at plopsa

[@Coaster_Critic]

Thanks for the input, I completely agree!

[@adakalyoncu1913]

8:49 I think if smiler gets worse over time, a mack extreme spinning coaster with same or more inversions could be the perfect model to both theme it to the Smiler franchise and to give a disorienting ride experience

[@Coaster_Critic]

a mack extreme spinner with 14+ inversions sounds like nausea: the ride

[@adakalyoncu1913]

@@Coaster_Critic which is, what exactly is smiler meant to be

[@Sonderax]

Wouldnt fit, Smiler has incredibly tight clearances, some parts of the ride are just a few inches outside the clearance envelope. A Mack Spinner needs roughly 2-3x the clearance

[@FlameFlare]

It would be sad to see Spinball Whizzer go, a Mack extreme spinner to replace it is a crazy good idea. The closest we have to an extreme spinner is Enso, the upcharge spinning back seat on Icon at Blackpool and admittedly, that one is pretty great I would say that Nemesis is the best roller coaster in the country until Hyperia opens next year, you need to ride it to believe in how good it is I guess. It has extremely good forces pretty much the entire way through and kinda just lacks any semblance of a dull element apart from maybe the big over bank turn. This is all despite it's age, discounting its quality due to it being a 90's B&M invert just feels really wrong, especially when you haven't ridden it haha Also Rita over Smiler is CRAZY, I get that hydraulic launches can never be bad but really? Those big turns beat out the inversions on Smiler?

[@Coaster_Critic]

I get a lot of hate for it, but yeah, I really do believe Rita to be better than Smiler. As for Nemesis, I understand it's a great invert and one of the best coasters in the UK, but when I think about it, the UK in general really does not have a single world class coaster (at least until Hyperia opens).

[@batshtcrazy5293]

Me being an inversion freak, Smiler is one of my ultimate . I dont even care how rough it is. It's kinda one of my dream coasters. As for Alton Towers being able to have some sort of big coaster, they have height restrictions and such, so they'll probably never have anything on the size or intensity of Steel Vengeance or even X2. I love thier line up, though. They could definitely improve.

[@Coaster_Critic]

Definitely! Like I mentioned, though, I do think there’s several models they could go with even considering the height restrictions.

[@Airtime_Adds]

Looking back at this video made me realise that Alton Towers need a stand out coaster that will make GPs and enthusiasts come back to the park and also high quality flat rides for the family thrill-seekers. This is because most of the layouts are alright at best even though they have their tree line limit but they could do something more ambitious and creative with their tree line rule. The only coasters that have really good layouts are The Smiler because it’s crazy as hell, Wickerman because of the air time moments and Nemesis thanks to its intesity. I want to see a really insane Mack Multi Launch (preferably with spinning cars) with 3 launches and a drop track as I can see this as a world class ride and also on board audio. For Flat Rides, basically any flat rides themed to the area, not some cheap-ass funfair rides as if they are trying to present themselves as a world class theme park, they wouldn’t have these in the first place.

[@Coaster_Critic]

Absolutely!

[@beann1]

Was the issue the lack of a B&M invert?

[@Coaster_Critic]

“wildfire is a stand-up”

[@beann1]

@@Coaster_Critic you say that like you’ve never misspoke in a video before you absolute red light runner.

[@cosmicle8417]

With project horizon AT probably won't get a major coaster until 2030. Hopefully by that time they'll be room as there's not much atm

[@TravisScottlover911.]

Project Horizon won’t be that long away, it’ll probably be 2025-2026 time

[@Sonderax]

@@TravisScottlover911. Thats 2025, but i think they mean wont get a major thrill coaster. Horizon is looking like a family thrill ride like Guardians

[@clubstep8244]

Phantasialand deals with identical issues, but they have even less space. And still they managed to fit in a 117km/h Multilaunch coaster - while Taron also has its flaws a ride like this could be cool at Alton Towers. Im hyped for my First visit next week :D

[@Coaster_Critic]

Have fun!

[@the_stiffest_of_towels]

Its short because it was a prototype im pretty sure, they wouldnt go all out if they didnt know if iit would work or not

[@cg_plays]

Bro was on crack making that list 💀

[@Coaster_Critic]

i said unpopular opinions ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@j.ott_coasters]

You´re mixing up him and Ruben

[@William_Does_Coasters2255]

An intamin blitz in the galactica car park is needed

[@Electrodoc1968]

Galactica was great when the VR headsets where on it. Seeing a VR Airlock open and simultaneously going through a cooling mist IRL was incredibly immersive.. Unfortunately removed them due to the loading time of guests.

[@whoknew2273]

One of the biggest problems is The Operations

[@Bigsurprise74]

A bit unfortunate that you missed Nemesis tbh, such a amazing ride. I do agree that they need a "flag ship" coaster as there is a lot of pressure on Nemesis + the smiler to bring people in. I don't like the idea of removing spin ball but if it was to replace it for a "ride to happiness" type coaster I would be well up for it. Just a massive shame they have the treeline height restriction and need to apply for planning permission and jump through so many hoops in order to dig down/alter the terrain with it being a national park.

[@Coaster_Critic]

I agree!

[@themeparksandtransport]

Lots of people also think The Retrosquad should go!

[@Airtime_Adds]

I think the stand out coaster in Alton towers if I have to chose one is definitely not The Smiler as many people think. Sure, it has the world record breaking 14 inversions and they crammed more rollercoaster track than any other coaster in the world and its intimidating appearance and theme, it is not Perfect. Since they dug a concrete pit, it gets dirty really quickly, it is not the best maintained ride and what makes it not a stand out is that it’s very controversial because of its rough history and mixed reception it received even to this day. The stand out coaster would be nemesis because it put Alton Towers on the map for making world class coasters and it’s certainly the most unique out of the 7 coasters if not one of the most unique coasters in the world.

[@Coaster_Critic]

I definitely agree that Nemesis looks to be a fantastic ride, but I think Alton Towers needs something modern that would serve as a clear headliner and one of the best coasters in Europe.

[@beann1]

@@Coaster_Critic looks to be, because you haven’t ridden it. Also smiler is better than nemesis simply because it is.

[@ThatCoasterEnthusiast]

In park smiler is the clear stand out, it may not look like it on paper to some but it's obvious it's the parks crown jewel

[@WelshMan22]

You mean the ride that nearly killed 4 people and should have closed the park indefinitely

[@beann1]

@@WelshMan22 No? Nearly killed is an exaggeration, and that precise incident has made not only Alton Towers, not only Merlin parks, but to an extent theme parks across the world safer by encouraging safety and better training. Every single issue that led to that accident was to do with management, engineers and ride ops, who are now far more trained, with more safety measures in place. It was all human error, the smiler is not unsafe, it’s a work of great engineering that one windy day got operated badly. The incident is nothing to downplay, it was horrible and changed a couple of people’s lives forever, but the effect it had was also extraordinarily beneficial, and may have actually saved lives in the end, and no accidents have happened on The Smiler since thanks to what happened.

[@re0473]

towers has more than one problem im afraid to say

[@Coaster_Critic]

fair

[@lemonamon]

their standout's nemesis, so it makes sense that you felt there was no real standout since it wasnt operating. they could do with something bigger though, since while nemesis is cool, it's just an invert, and a pretty old invert at that

[@Coaster_Critic]

I definitely agree!

[@RidesandAdventures1]

Just an invert? They are much better than trundling down a long straight track( magnetic launch) then a load of twists and turns 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@lemonamon]

@@RidesandAdventures1 yeah it is an amazing invert but it's a little hard for an invert to truly feel like a standout. idk, i just feel they could do with something more modern

[@coastercaz]

As someone who goes to towers fairly often (4-5 times a year) I think there are a lot of problems with the park to the point where I prefer Thorpe park. Not saying it’s bad, but the severe lack of flat rides and water rides and how some areas of the park feels like they don’t get looked after at all (looking at you, haunted hollow) is a lot of problems for a “world class” theme park.

[@Coaster_Critic]

That’s interesting! I found Towers much better than Thorpe, but agree with your points. Lots of things need updating.

[@coastercaz]

@@Coaster_Critic I think also Thorpe park flows as a park much much better where towers doesn’t

[@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od]

I Have No Idea What Your Talking About Nemesis Makes My Top 25 Out Of 654 Credits Smiler Is Also Really Good

[@Coaster_Critic]

I was talking about the general consensus, obviously some people will have different opinions

[@antonytsai6611]

a blitz/ mack multi launch would be great for the park as it doesn't need to be tall to be thrilling and extreme spinner might work but i don't know if it will work for towers' target audience as it's msotly families compared to thorpe park being a thrill park towers is more of a family destination that has thrill rides but they're not extreme or as thrilling as thorpe

[@Coaster_Critic]

I was originally thinking an Intamin Blitz, but in my opinion an extreme spinner would check more boxes for the park (assuming Spinball Whizzer closes). As for Towers being a family destination, coasters like Smiler and Nemesis show that this park is definitely able and willing to build extreme rides.

[@antonytsai6611]

@@Coaster_Critic Been there twice with nemesis open and the thrill rides do work a lot of people que up for those but i think an extreme spinner will be too much especially if the magnetic spinning damper will be off like RTH but it might work but being a thorpe fan i hope they get it! Love towers though it is a great park that is just so integrated with nature

[@badmoonrising7795]

You have seriously odd taste, oblivion has one of the best drops on any dive, ok smiler isnt the greatest ride but its a masterpiece considering how compact it is. Nemesis IS a stand-out and always ends up in the discussion for worlds best suspended coaster. They’re building a new indoor coaster that will be a game changer.

[@Coaster_Critic]

Oblivion is solid but nothing special, Smiler is a marvel engineering-wise but not great in terms of the actual ride, and the new indoor coaster will be family-oriented. As for Nemesis, it looks like one of the best inverts out there, but even the best invert isn’t top 50 in the world (imo). The retracked Nemesis will be a big boost for the park, but it’s still an old school ride. Alton Towers needs a modern standout that will be world-class and allow Smiler and Nemesis to shine as supporting coasters.

[@f1nnja]

I don’t know what you mean by the fact that they have no elite coasters, the smiler, nemesis and wicker man are all elite coasters and are 3 out of the top 10 best coasters I have ever been on

[@Coaster_Critic]

I'm talking elite in a global sense. While those three rides easily stack up to other coasters in the UK, none of them come close to being "elite" in the grand sense of the world (or even Europe for that matter).

[@joeltownley8037]

I live close by . I dont get the urge to visit..

[@Sonderax]

Only thing with towers, is nearly every ride after Galactica, has replaced a ride. Rita and 13 replaced Corkscrew, The Smiler replaced Black Hole, Wickerman replaced The Flume. 2025 we're getting Project Horizon which is a ride inside a huge show building, but after thats done, what goes. Unless they remove a fan favourite like Oblivion, Galactica, Rita etc they cant expand the park. My personal choice is just remove the rapids for a next gen Vekoma multi launch. The park does need water rides yes, but the plot for Congo is just perfect for a ride like this. Use the trenches and tunnels for layout ideas, maybe include some UK and Europe first elements so it gets the SW title.

[@Coaster_Critic]

I see what you’re saying, but if they were to remove the rapids, the only water ride in the park would be Battle Galleons.

[@Sonderax]

@Coaster Critic what ride realistically can be removed for a big new ride? Congo is in a lower part of the park and is a big plot. It's real estate for a large modern ride

[@PeelSpud]

Alton towers is actually getting a new ride for 2025 which people think is going to be the next big coaster at the park and nemesis is by far the best ride at the park as of now and just one more thing i need to recommend that you go to the splash landings water park at alton towers if you ever go again because it is a lot of fun

[@Coaster_Critic]

Their new coaster will be a family coaster iirc

[@PeelSpud]

@@Coaster_Critic oh well guess that means nemesis is going to be the standout ride for a while longer then

[@Interfacement]

The next Secret Weapon is an indoor coaster so it will be interesting to see what they do with that. But I doubt it will be anything world class.

[@Stretchulous]

They need to get better food too.

[@BertVanmeurs]

THE SMILER IS BETER!!!!!!!

[@Coaster_Critic]

no

[@mistylsms3223]

Nice intro

[@harrysvids4819]

Also after sw9 more permanent flat rides will be added

[@Coaster_Critic]

I hope so

[@LiamStainsby94]

To each their own but RITA…is far from the best ride there or even second best. It’s the only one in the line up I actively don’t bother with. Wicker man, smiler, oblivion and nemesis are GOAT

[@LiamStainsby94]

Regardless I like that you aren’t afraid to share your opinion! And you’ve got a new subscriber here

[@Coaster_Critic]

Thank you! I know that a lot of people don’t like Rita but I really enjoyed it.

[@LLLLLLLLLucas]

​@@Coaster_Critic Rita is AT's Taron

[@cosmicle8417]

You really think your feet are going to crack against the rock!

[@asterisks3062]

Omg coster critic, yea Alton is very good just a few things need improvement imo

[@massivepoohead]

Ok here's my opinion of the coasters at towers from worst to best 9 spinball whizzer. Just not my type of coaster. Kinda rough very forceless and just feels odd and bland. 3/10. 8 runaway mine train. Yes I put it over spinball whizzer but for good reasons. This ride is just fun and pretty decently themed. Also the dive into the cave is fairly thrilling. It's a kid coaster but my favourite one. 5/10. 7 oblivion. This is the most overrated coaster in the UK. Everyone says it's amazing but for me it's just ok. The drop is good giving some decent floater but then that's basically it. You have an ok pop of slight ejector into the breaks. But come on this ride is just so basic. 6/10. 6 thirteen. Thirteen is decent. There are some good elements like the Frist drop and the double drop track. Some meh airtime moments and some ok whip. This ride is fun but just a lil boring, the backward section feels like it's there just to get back to the station. It's a good ride but nothing special. 7/10. 5 Galactica. This is a really solid ride and I want to put it higher but the other rides are just better. This ride is so fun and easily the smoothest ride in the whole park. This ride does feel lacking in force though. The fly to light inversion is great and you have some nice fun transitions on the end but it's not really a forceful ride. The flying position makes it alot more fun and it's just a solid ride that's not meant to be intense or that fast just a really good experience. 8/10. 4 wickerman. If you ride this ride on front it's just mid but on back... Omg. Wickerman has some really good airtime pops and is smooth for a woodie. The theming is super cool and it just looks stunning. It's still overrated as it's just a family coaster and on front it feels so forceless and gives small amount of airtime. But back is just completely different. 8/10. 3 Rita. One of the most underrated coasters I've been on (on front) this ride is awful beyond row 5. But on front this is an amazing experience. You've got a great intense launch, intense turn around sections. Decent air time moments. This ride does nothing special it's so basic but omg does it work. This ride is the definition of short but sweet. 9/10. 2 the smiler. This ride is great and I feel very lucky to have it in my home country. But this ride does have its flaws. It does get a bit repetitive and the last inversions are a headbanger. And some ppl treat this ride like it's a good from heaven which it's not. But there are more pros then cons on smiler. This rides 2nd airtime hill is INCREDIBLE. it gives alot of ejector and is really scary. You get good hangtime and the soundtrack is great. It's also pretty intense. Just overall a great ride that has flaws. 9/10. 1 nemesis. Nemesis is an icon it's a beast it's clearly the best. It's the best themed ride in the bock with all the rock work and the alien things around you. It's also the most intense coaster I've been on. The only problem with this ride is its length but damm it packs in so much. That zero g roll is whip heaven and it's so picturesc. Nemesis is amazing and it's clearly the best ride at towers In my owners with it's 90s horror movie vibe it's such an icon. 10/10

[@harrysvids4819]

Don’t worry project horizon is sw9

[@liamcollinson5695]

Im expecting great things from project horizon a rumoured inside roller coaster im expecting something modern i just hope they dont just go with a generic space theme i believe its a secret weapon

[@Coaster_Critic]

It’s gonna be family oriented, but I also hope there’s a cool theme!

[@Emoticono13]

ALTON TOT!

[@beann1]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[@asterisks3062]

my video :lauren: :D

[@charlg8532]

Good video, but I think this is an extremely unfair video. One, the park has a height restriction. And two, you didn’t get the chance to ride Nemesis, generally considered the best invert ever! While they COULD go with a new coaster (even though they got one in 2018), they still have some fantastic rollercoasters. Oblivion’s drop is beyond phenomenal, the smiler’s airtime is great. Nemesis is so intense, etc… Great video, but very, VERY controversial.

[@Coaster_Critic]

Good points, but I still respectfully disagree.

[@William_Does_Coasters2255]

Everyone hates the retrosquad

[@joemellor8513]

I know I’m late but I say remove Galactica and add in a new gen vekoma multi launched flying coaster

[@Coaster_Critic]

I don't think the park would do that because it'd be a big investment that isn't very different from the ride it's replacing, but I like the idea

[@rollercoasterstuff6483]

should’ve done nemesis 🤷‍♂️

[@Coaster_Critic]

i did nemesis at thorpe park

[@beann1]

@@Coaster_Critic that’s not nemesis, and therefore you haven’t ridden nemesis you absolute ass

[@Coaster_Critic]

“wildfire is a stand-up”

[@rollercoasterstuff6483]

i didn’t know that

[@JackClarke44]

It’s Mack not mock

[@Coaster_Critic]

It’s pronounced mock

[@Vegan.Veteran]

Oblivion is the worlds best dive coaster. Without a hole, a dive coaster is pointless. Also you missed the best ride, nemesis.

[@Coaster_Critic]

Oblivion is by far my least favorite dive, and Nemesis was closed for the season.

[@Vegan.Veteran]

@@Coaster_Critic That’s fine, but I’ve been on Valraven at cedar point and it’s a fantastic machine but it lacks any suspense just like most other dive coasters. Also non riding guests can experience oblivion up close which you just don’t get elsewhere. Yeah you came the wrong year for nemesis you should have come last year or next.

[@switchjon]

I'm living quite close to A.T. and consider it to be one of my home parks. I think that your video is both thoughtful and spot on in its analysis of the park's lineup. It's a shame as this place has such potential, but keeps on installing these rides that are 30 seconds in duration from the top of the lift to the brakes. All hype and no substance most of the time. Give me a trip to Blackpool over a trip to Alton anyday... Keep up the good work with your videos mate!

[@Coaster_Critic]

Thanks so much!

[@ValueNetwork]

This is such a weird video? You seem hesitant to actually critique the park, so your actual critique is wanting a big shiny new ride instead of addressing the insane amount of issues the park has right now. The park is struggling currently, from its temporary fairground rides, to its comedically overpriced and poor catering, to its poor maintenance causing multiple ride closures and a lack of flat and water rides. Adding a enthusiasts pipe dream coaster in the form of a extreme spinner won’t reopen Hex or the Skyride from its permanent downtime, or lower the prices of the £15 hot dogs and £20 pizza. If I was Merlin I would plug the holes of this ship that’s letting in water before I even think about investing in a new state of the art ride

[@momentsofflight]

hex stay open consistently for one season challenge (impossible)

[@Coaster_Critic]

That’s definitely a fair point. Overpriced food is to be expected from a park, but ride closes were a big problem and I didn’t know other people experienced them like I did.

[@momentsofflight]

@@Coaster_Critic the ride closures seem to be a this season thing. they occasionally closed in previous seasons, but not as much as they are now.

[@f1nnja]

Also Rita is bad…

[@Coaster_Critic]

I disagree. I've heard it's rough towards the back, but I rode in the front for both of my rides and really liked it!

[@toasterman9882]

Bro what do you mean Rita is better than the smiler, bro needs better taste, try different rows and re evaluate your decisions

[@Coaster_Critic]

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and based on my experiences, I definitely preferred Rita. For each ride, I did my best to sit in the seat that would give the best overall experience.

[@toasterman9882]

@@Coaster_Critic that’s fair lol, sorry just seing this now I was a bit of a dick head before sorry

[@georgewhitlock-cd1qi]

RITA IS BETTER THAN SMILER @DIGITALDAN

[@Coaster_Critic]

yes