We had the pleasure of taking part in the brand-new Alton Towers VIP track walk experience which is a 2024 addition to the Alton Towers VIP experiences line-up.
Alton Towers is currently offering two VIP track walk experiences where guests can climb up Oblivion and Wicker Man, two iconic coasters at the resort and with me being afraid of heights I instantly opted for the Oblivion VIP track walk to try and conquer my fear.
Oblivion VIP Track Walk Experience
After purchasing our Oblivion track walk the terms and conditions were straightforward and it looked as though photos and videos were allowed to be taken of our experience.
Fast forward to 24 hours before the experience and the terms and conditions had changed and we weren’t allowed to take photos or videos but a staff member with a GoPro would be taking photos for us.
Before the experience started it was strange to have something change last minute. It felt as though they misled a lot of paying guests who wanted to take their own photos and videos for memories. A bit of a sour taste before our rather expensive (£80) VIP experience even began changing the T’s and C’s just like that AFTER we had all paid.
A VIP experience should have very few limitations, you’re a VIP, this is an expensive experience you’re meant to feel special but already it felt restricted and that’s not how these experiences should be at all. Pleasure Beach know what they’re doing with their experiences, complete freedom, no filming restrictions, utter bliss.
We were asked to meet outside of the Oblivion arcade one hour after ride closure and after splashing £80 on this experience I was expecting the full works VIP treatment.
Sadly, it wasn’t meant to be on this occasion but there was a positive outcome which I’ll discuss later.
A group of 8 of us were all standing around as two members of staff were in the distance stand offish with all of us. Already this wasn’t the welcome we were expecting for a VIP package.
The second the ride hosts came out of the station to greet us this all changed, some of the nicest people I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet and they were great from start to finish, you just couldn’t fault them.
We got into our gear but weren’t really shown how to put it on, nor did we have a safety briefing or had to sign anything before we ascended up the lift hill. Once again, I thought this was rather strange as safety should be paramount (please note all of this has changed since we did the experience).
Climbing to the top of Oblivion is a challenge in itself, scared of heights you can see through the steps as you ascend and clipping onto the safety rail was a challenge in itself.
This experience is not for the faint of heart and certainly got my blood pressure pumping but the second we reached the top it was worth it. Glorious weather, incredible views and lots of fun facts and information were given about the ride.
The photos that were taken of the climb (all shown in this article) were all blurry and quite terrible other than the station photo and drop group photo which was taken on my phone (photos were allowed in the station just not videos but this has now changed too).
What we also found hilarious is that spectators who could watch you climb the ride couldn’t take videos of you climbing up which was yet another strange decision which has since been changed.
All in all, it felt very mismanaged and rushed. We didn’t feel like VIPs, there were so many restrictions and issues that it was impossible to ignore but what happened thereafter more than made up for it.
We were sent some blurry photos and a digital certificate to print off ourselves as a thank you (once again, cheap and not very VIP at all).
We’d have loved to have seen some clear photos, a printed certificate and maybe a VIP lanyard, pin badge or similar to incorporate the price paid.
Alton Towers offered us a chance to return free of charge to repeat the experience or swap onto the Wicker Man experience, we opted to swap as the initial fear-conquering piece of content I wanted to make had sadly now been ruined should I have done it again (much easier the second time).
Ride staff were incredible and without them, this really would have been a horrendous experience for the price paid but Alton Towers took on board our feedback and has changed absolutely everything that we mentioned (minus the poor certificates).
They’ve listened, they’ve improved and the Oblivion climbs thereafter have been greatly received.
Whilst I can’t recommend anyone doing my personal experience I have great confidence in now recommending the Oblivion climbs to anyone who wishes to do them now the changes have been implemented although I still think the price is far too expensive.
With my Wicker Man VIP track walk booked, I’ll be straight back on here to fill you in with all the details of that experience!
Find out more about VIP track walks HERE
