Alton Towers was the place to be this Winter, with Santa coming to visit once again bringing with him resort wide festive-cheer and entertainment. The resort provided a variety of packages to suit guests of all wants and needs.
Winter Wonderland
Key Information
Prices: From £39.50pppn
Guests could stay in either the Caribbean themed Splash Landings Hotel – always a favourite in the middle of the British winter – or, for a cosier atmosphere, the traditional Alton Towers Hotel. They could also visit the Alton Towers Waterpark, tee off at Extraordinary Golf and dance in the children’s disco. For a slightly more sedate break the Woodland Walk was open for a stroll, along with the resort’s award-winning Spa.
There were two spa packages available between Sunday and Thursday every week duing the winter period of 2008/09. Guests could choose between the sumptuous Luxury Spa Break or the slightly more modest Pampering Spa Break. Here’s a break down of what each package included:
Pampering Spa Break
- Bed and breakfast accommodation in either of the hotels
- A session in the Aqua Relaxation Rooms
- Live evening entertainment
Adults (16+) from £67pppn
Luxury Spa Break
- Accommodation in either of the resort’s hotels, complete with a bottle of champagne
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
- Unlimited access to the Aqua Relaxation Rooms
- Two hours of treatments
- Live evening entertainment
Adults (16+) from £210pppn
Key Information
Dates: 14th-22nd February
Prices: From £32.50pppn
During the February half term selected rides in the park opened for hotel guests as a preview of the 2009 season. The rides which were available were:
- Oblivion
- Hex
- Nemesis
- The Blade
- Duel – The Haunted House Strike Back
- Haunted Hollow
- Runaway Mine Train
- Spinball Whizzer
- Squirrel Nutty
- Riverbank Eye-Spy
- Berry Bish Bash
- Doodle Doo Derby
- Old MacDonald’s Tractor Ride
- Old MacDonald’s Singing Barn
- There’s Something in the Dung Heap
Breaks included access to both the theme park and waterpark as well as breakfast.
Festive Fun
Key Information
Dates: 30th November, 7th, 14th, 20th-23rd December
Prices: Adults from £69.00pppn, Children from £39.00pppn
If guests fanced having a sleepover with the man himself, they could stay in either the Caribbean themed Splash Landings Hotel or the traditional Alton Towers Hotel, both of which included dinner and breakfast.
Indoor Fun: For those who just wanted a cosy indoor break there was a wide selection of attractions to keep them occupied. Guests could take a splash in the Alton Towers Waterpark, help Santa’s little helpers prepare for the big day or indulge in some evening entertainment complete with party games galore.
Outdoor Pursuits: Hardier souls could wrap up warm and head out into the Alton Towers Hotel’s garden where a veritable winter wonderland awaited. As well as a round on the Extraordinary Golf course, the Elves’ Playground featured a selection of children’s rides, including several of the rides from Cred Street and the dodgems. For more traditional fun there was also carol singing, a hog roast and mulled wine to keep the spirits up. Of course guests could also visit Santa in his magical woodland grotto or meet his reindeer.
In the Park: During the sleepovers, the Woodland Walk remained open for guests to have a stroll, with tours around the Towers ruins also available.
Key Information
Dates: 30th November, 7th & 14th December
Prices: Adults from £29.50pppn, Children from £21.50pppn
Each Sunday in the run-up to Christmas Day, guests could spend an entire day at the resort to join in with the festive fun and have Sunday lunch with all the trimmings! They could even visit Santa’s Grotto, hand feed real reindeer and take part in all the other activites that were available.
Key Information
Dates: 27th-30th December, 1st-3rd January
Prices: Adults from £65.00pppn, Children from £30.00pppn
Guests could stay in either the Caribbean themed Splash Landings Hotel – always a favourite in the middle of the British winter – or, for a cosier atmosphere, the traditional Alton Towers Hotel. They could also visit the Alton Towers Waterpark, tee off for a round of Extraordinary Golf or indulge in some evening entertainment complete with party games galore. Alternatively guests could enjoy the rides in the Winter Playground, which included Driving School, Frog Hopper, Gallopers Carouncel, Bouncing Bugs and the Dodgems.
Key Information
Dates: 31st December
Prices: Adults from £140pppn, Children from £90pppn
On the last day of 2008 guests could stay at either hotel and splash out for the day in the waterpark, tee off at Extraordinary Golf or take a ride in the Winter Playground before heading back to the hotels in the evening to celebrate as a family with three party zones: a Caribbean Beach Party in the waterpark, a Family Variety Show and the option to dance the night away with the hotels’ Live Band.
