The theme park season ends with a bang, as Alton Towers Resort held its fantastical 3-day Fireworks event. Guests could enjoy rides in the dark, before being enchanted by a wondrous fireworks display.
Key Information
Dates: 3rd – 5th November 2023
Opening Times: 10am to 9pm
Display Time: 7pm, lasting for around 25 minutes
Fireworks 2023 saw the displays themed to fantasy fairytale adventure, telling the story of a number of the theme park’s areas and attractions. This included a sequence focused on The Curse at Alton Manor, the new addition for the 2023 season, with Emily Alton appearing before guests on water screens above the lakes.
A standard theme park admission ticket for one of the Fireworks dates allowed guests to watch the display, as well as enjoying all of the park’s rides and attractions! Merlin Discovery passholders were required to purchase a standard admission ticket, while Merlin Platinum passholders could pre-book for free. All other passholders were required to pre-book for £25pp.
A VIP package was also available through purchasing a ‘Big Bang’ ticket, which included:
- Golden Circle Fireworks viewing area
- Gold Fastrack – one ride on Wicker Man, Oblivion, Rita, TH13TEEN, The Smiler, Galactica, Spinball Whizzer, Gangsta Granny: The Ride, The Curse at Alton Manor, Marauders Mayhem, Battle Galleons, Congo River Rapids and Runaway Mine Train
- 2 course buffet
- 2 drinks vouchers for a bottled beer, glass of wine or a soft drink from midday
- Unlimited refreshments in the Hospitality Suite from 10am
- Pre-show soup & roll
- Poncho
- Limited edition pop badge
- Unlimited digital downloads
- FREE Standard Car Parking
A package including theme park admission was £170pp, while excluding theme park admission it was £145pp.
Rides Closing Early
For safety reasons, the following attractions closed approximately at dusk at 3.30pm:
- Get Set Go Tree Top Adventure
- Hey Duggee’s Big Adventure Badge
- Battle Galleons
- Congo River Rapids
- The Gardens
The following attractions closed at 6pm:
- Andy’s Adventures Dinosaur Dig
- Big Fun Show Time
- The Furchester Hotel Live
Rides closing before and during the fireworks show
Some areas of the park were within the fireworks firing zone, and so had to be clear of guests by 6pm, meaning that queue lines closed at 5pm (or even earlier if the rides are very busy). The rides reopened from around 8pm until park close. These areas and rides were as follows:
- Dark Forest – Rita, TH13TEEN, Roller Disco
- X Sector – The Smiler, Oblivion, Spinjam, Twistatron
- The World of David Walliams – Gangsta Granny: The Ride, Raj’s Bouncy Bottom Burp, The Royal Carousel, Flavio’s Fabulous Fandango
- The Towers Complex – Cuckoo Cars Driving School
- Adventure Land – Spinball Whizzer
- CBeebies Land – Something Special: Sensory Garden, Postman Pat Parcel Post, Octonauts Rollercoaster Adventure
All other attractions not mentioned in any of these lists, including Wicker Man, were open throughout the fireworks show.
