One of the best things we have bought this year has been the Merlin Annual Passes, allowing us to head to so many Merlin attractions for free, as well as get a discount on hotel stays, food and retail too.

So, we took advantage of breaking up early in July for school, and took an overnight stay at the Splash Landings Hotel, with a whole afternoon at the waterpark too.

Here’s our review of the waterpark and some top tips for visiting…

The Waterpark

The waterpark was absolutely fantastic, we had a brilliant time and Lily was absolutely buzzing.

There were rides and slides both indoors and outdoors, with a whole outdoor pool area and jacuzzi, plus two bigger slides indoors, a splash area, swimming pool areas with floats and a lazy river area.

Changing Areas

The changing areas require 20p for lockers, but the rooms were clean and there were changing rooms for single, double, families and accessible changing. Once changed, you head through a shower area and out into the waterpark.

If you would like a float vest for your kid, there were some hanging on the walls, but I don’t know if you need to book them in advance.

The main issue we had when we got in was not knowing where to go once into the waterpark so we kept having to ask the staff, but in all we had a brilliant time.

Master Blaster

The Master Blaster ride involved a small queue of about 10mins. You could choose either single or double rings, and even though Lily was at the right height for the singles, I’m glad I went on with her as it was very fast! 🙂

You collect the rings from the bottom of the slide as the previous user comes off, and then carry them to the top.

Rush & Rampage

Again, it’s the same with the yellow ring slides where you have two options – the Rush or Rampage. The left slide has music/sounds/lights options that you press a button on at the top to choose your theme, or you can go on the right hand slide without the sounds/lights.

The sounds/lights do involve strobes, so just a warning if you aren’t able to view strobe lights or if you/children struggle with loud sounds. These were Lily’s favourite slides and there were no queues, so we just lapped them!

Flash Floods

The Flash Floods were brilliant too – starting upstairs and indoors, you then head outdoors on one slide, before then landing in a pool and having the option of another two outdoor slides.

Outdoors you can also enjoy warm, bubbling waters in a jacuzzi or splash around in one of the outdoor pool areas.

Calypso Creek

The Calypso Creek area is indoors and involves a type of lazy river. I’m not sure it was very lazy, but it does pull you around and you can use one of the rings that floats by or just swim. Lily lapped this 3 times and didn’t want to come out!

There are waterfalls and other elements to drip water on you as you float around, however if you access this via the pool rather than the steps, just keep hold of the kids as the current is quite strong and you use rock climbing holds to pull you out!

Wacky Waterworks

We started on the Wacky Waterworks as initially thought this was the route to the slides, but it was great fun as it was like a giant climbing frame with ropes, water cannons, buckets and more to enjoy along the way…. even if a bucket of water tipped over my head in the space of about 30 seconds – Lily found that hilarious 🙂

There are also pool areas suitable for younger children that are shallow as well as deeper pool areas with floats, balls and more for swimming and splashing around in.

Food & Drink

Food and drink is available in the waterpark area, including hot food and snacks suitable for kids, sandwiches for a lighter lunch as well as an ice cream parlour too.

There are seating areas around the pools to eat on and the 20p locker charge is refundable if you wanted to pop back to your locker to get your wallet.

You can also enjoy food and drinks in the Ma Garrita’s bar overlooking the waterpark after your visit (or for spectators), or visit the Adventurer’s Cave for food and rink while within the waterpark itself.

For treats, snacks and gifts, you can also visit the Pool Shop within the hotel.

Picnics are not allowed.

Car Parking

Car parking is free for anyone using the waterpark – follow signs to the Splash Landings hotel and waterpark.

Accessibility

The below has been taken from the Alton Towers website July 2022 – for the latest information make sure you check here

Alton Towers Waterpark is located on the ground floor of the Splash Landings Hotel and is accessible from all floors.

• The main Lagoona bay pool area and Little Leaks has a beach landing making it easily accessible by foot or by wheelchair. The Lagoona Bay pool area is also connected to the Lazy River.
• Bubbly Wubbly is a hot whirlpool located outside and has access via a hoist for non-ambulant guests
• The bottom Flash Flood swimming area has access via a hoist for non-ambulant guests
• The Wacky Water Works lower level is accessible by wheelchair, where there are several water features including the landing area for the massive Tipping Bucket. 

There are also disabled changing areas and one changing bed available.

Conclusion & Top Tips

We had an absolutely fantastic time at the Alton Towers waterpark and Lily could not stop giggling the whole time we were there. Both the indoor and outdoor areas were fantastic, and although it was fairly busy, there was so much to do that people were all spread out.

We stayed in the Alton Towers Splash Landings hotel following our visit – check back soon for the full review.

Download the Waterpark map here

For adult-child ratios, click here

For accessibility information, click here

Lockers cost 20p, which is refundable.

Rings for rides are available at the bottom of each of the slides – the previous rider hands it over.

Parking is free when visiting the waterpark.

Merlin Annual Passholders do not access the waterpark for free, however you get 20% off.

For booking and tickets, click here

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