Alton Towers has launched into summer this week, with ride queues closing at 7:00pm between now and September 3rd  – meaning plenty of extra time to get in your favourite theme park rides and attractions. The last Monorail service from the entrance plaza to the car parks/hotels is at 8:00pm. Early Ride Time for Hotel Guests, Annual Pass holders and advance-ticket holders begins from 9:00am each morning – with the rest of the park open from 10:00am (Flume and Rapids 11:00am).

With the weather warmer and the gardens in full blossom, summer is the perfect time to laze around on the lawns infront of the magnificent Towers ruins, or take a stroll down into the labyrinth of footpaths that stretch into the valley. There are plenty of ‘off the track’ sights within the theme park – including the famous King Ina’s Rock, Choragic Monument and Le Refuge. You can find out more about these fascinating – but less well known – attractions in the theme park by visiting the fantastic Towers Memories website here.

Entertainment during the peak summer season includes a BMX Stunt Show four times daily at 12:00noon, 1:30pm, 3:00pm and 4:30pm (1-28 August only). In addition to this, the new SharkTooth Jack Pirate Training Academy will be enticing wannabe pirates into the camp with free games and activities during the day in Mutiny Bay. Street theatre at Alton would never be complete without meet and greet mascots, and this year is no exception – with Finn the Shark, Squirrel Nutty, the Wraiths of Dark Forest and Sonic the Hedgehog meeting guests at selected locations. The Go!Go!Go! show continues its season-long run at the Cloud Cuckoo Land Theatre several times a day, and the Quest for the Golden Parrot is also showing in the Mutiny Bay Courtyard. It’s a swashbuckling show aimed at the whole family!

The Waterpark is also open until 9:00pm during August, and there’ll be plenty of evening entertainment available in both the Alton Towers and Splash Landings hotels. Mouthwatering cocktails are a plenty, with a large range available from hotel bars.

Don’t forget there’s still time to vote for your favourite Alton Towers ride ever in the current nationwide marketing campaign, by clicking here. Nemesis is currently winning and is, of course, the choice of TowersTimes! Ride teams have been busy pushing for their own rollercoaster – and you can see their campaigns on Towers Street through the day, on giant video screens.

If you’re off to Alton Towers this summer – have a fantastic time and remember – the magic never ends!