UK theme park fans have been waiting for an announcment from Merlin Entertainment Ltd, regarding their reopening plans for Alton Towers (located in Staffordshire, UK) based on the latest Government guidelines which were given on May 10, 2020. The annoucement was made on their official page and states that in the continued uncertaintly there is on when they will be able to reopen, they are asking all guests with bookings between 1st June and 3rd July to move them, free of charge.

It also states, that guests with pre booked theme park tickets for dates when Alton Towers is closed will be able to use them on any other day during the 2020 theme park season excluding Fireworks events on 6th, 7th and 8th November.

From this annoucement, we now know that a reopening is unlikely to happen before 4th July, 2020. It outlines that Merlin has been taking advice from colleagues across the globe in order for their experts to put together a comprehensive plan which includes enhanced cleaning and social distancing measures to ensure employee and guest safety when they do reopen their gates. They state that they will be doing everything they can to make sure they can bring a brilliant and safe visit for all guests.

When Alton Towers does reopen we are hoping to see The World of David Walliams and the new ride that headlines it, Gangsta Granny: The Ride. Check out, Gangsta Granny: The Ride To Headline New 'World of David Walliams', which we published back in January 2020 which outlines everything we are hoping to see when this new area opens.

The question we are waiting to hear officially answered is, will this open with the park or will is be delayed? Considering the Stoke Sentinel posted this sneak preview on 16th March, just days ahead of what would have been the start of Alton Towers 2020 season, we are guessing it will indeed be ready to welcome guests when the park reopens. We will keep you posted with all the updates as they are announced.

Alton Towers have a FAQs section on their site for useful information and we will be sure to update you on the news as soon as it is announced, as to when you are going to be able to head to the park and finally start enjoying what is Alton Towers 40th year.

Unsurprisingly, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures and LEGOLAND Windsor, all of which are also owned by Merlin have the same message as Alton Towers on their official sites. This states that all bookings up to and including 3rd July must be moved. Tickets booked for any date when the parks are closed will be able to be used on other dates during the 2020 season (some exceptions will apply). See the links to the official sites, above, for more information and for FAQs. 

We are continuing to do our best to bring you new informative and entertaining features at a time when the news is understandably saturated by COVID-19 pandemic coverage.  If you fancy a chilled few minutes then be sure to check out one or more of our latest features below:

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To see all of our latest features visit our Features Page and don't forget to visit our News Page to keep up to date will all the latest annoucements about theme parks in the UK and across the world.