Edit: Regrettably, it occurred to me after I started this thread that the title of it may be misleading. Which is so not like me. I hate click bait. Sadly it is simply impossible to change the title. Alas.
It is now nigh on impossible that I could go to WDW this year, even if I wanted to, which I’m increasingly sure that I don’t. So I’ve directed my attention to alternative holiday plans. Specifically the things I used to do before I became addicted to Orlando.
So I’ve just booked a two night, on-property stay at Alton Towers. Woot. I’m even taking two buddies with me. (Solo trips at UK theme parks are lame.)
Being mostly dumb Americans who don’t know that there are other countries, I should probably helpfully add that Alton Towers is one of England’s best theme parks, and is known as the Disney World of the UK. (Note to self: Don’t mention the catastrophic rollercoaster crash that resulted in life-changing injuries to four people that happened a few years ago.)
It has some really great rides that are as good as anything Orlando has to offer.
We’re staying at the richly themed Splash Landings hotel —
Which features an indoor waterpark (which may not be open when we go) —
The theme park is set in the grounds of a stately home —
And it features one of my all-time favourite rides, Oblvion —
Apparently when they were testing the ride when it was first installed, the car got stuck in the position you see in the picture. They realised that this was actually really great because you’re suspended over the big hole in the ground you’re about to plunge down into. So they engineered it to do that every time.
It also features a new ride that I haven’t been on. It’s a wooden rollercoaster called Wicker Man, that somehow is on fire (deliberately!) —
They are reopening on 4th July with “significantly reduced numbers”, including a reduced number of available reservations at the on-site hotels. (Hotel guests are guaranteed entry.) I’m hoping the experience might be as good as it seems to be at UOR right now.
Guests will face temperature checks on arrival. They “will be required to wear a face mask in order to go on a number of rides and rollercoasters”. So not all the time. It will be a good test for me to see how well I deal with masks and may inform whether I come to Orlando in October as scheduled.
I’m legitimately excited.
That coaster going straight down into the ground looks horrible!! It sounds like you’re going to have a great time!