Groups Expand 🎢 Ride Groups at Alton Towers We offer optional ride groups led by friendly Alopecia UK volunteers to help attendees go around the park together. Joining a group is a great way to meet others, make new friends, and share the experience – especially if it’s your first event! Many attendees from previous years have told us that being part of a group made their day even more enjoyable. However, joining a group is completely optional – some people choose to explore the park with their own family or friendship group, for part or all of the day. That’s absolutely fine! We’ll also set up WhatsApp groups to help you connect, find others, or rejoin a group later in the day. 🔁 Flexible & Friendly Please note: groups may merge or split on the day depending on numbers and how people are feeling. These plans are a guide to help the day run smoothly – not a strict schedule 👨👩👧 Group 1 – Small Rides (Typically for Younger Children) Recommended for: Children under approx. 1.2m who enjoy gentler ridesMorning Area: CBeebies Land Octonauts Rollercoaster Vroomster Zoom Ride Justin's House Pie-O-Matic Peter Rabbit Hippity Hop Bugbie Go Round In the Night Garden Magical Boat Ride Postman Pat Parcel Post Bluey: The Ride Afternoon Area: Mutiny Bay, The Towers, Katanga Canyon Sharkbait Reef Heave Ho Battle Galleons Raj’s Bouncy Bottom Burp Gangsta Granny: The Ride Royal Carousel Cuckoo Cars Driving School Hex Duel FINAL RIDE OF THE DAY: Runaway Mine Train (must be min 1.1m to ride). 🎢 Group 2 – Medium Rides (Min. Height: 1.2m) 2A: Children & Teens2B: Adults Morning Area: Mutiny Bay, The Towers, Dark Forest Wicker Man Heave Ho Hex Th13teen Afternoon Area: Forbidden Valley, Gloomy Wood, Katanga Canyon Spinball Whizzer Curse at Alton Manor Gangsta Granny: The Ride FINAL RIDE OF THE DAY: Runaway Mine Train 🎢 Group 3 – Big Rides (Min. Height: 1.4m) 3A: Children (approx. ages 8–13)3B: Young People & Adults (13+) Morning Area: X-Sector, Dark Forest The Smiler Oblivion Rita Th13teen Afternoon Area: Mutiny Bay, Forbidden Valley, Katanga Canyon Wicker Man Galactica Nemesis Reborn FINAL RIDE OF THE DAY:Runaway Mine Train 📍 While Groups 3A and 3B follow the same general route, they will likely go round independently, allowing flexibility to move at their own pace and avoid long waits for others in the group. ℹ️ A Few Important Notes Ride plans are for guidance only – group leaders may adjust routes based on queue times, ride closures, or weather. More rides may be added on the day depending on time and how busy the park is. Group routes have been designed based on feedback from previous years – we hope there's something for everyone! 🤔 Should I Join a Group? Here are some things to consider when deciding: What type of rides do you/your child enjoy? What is your/your child’s height? Would you like to meet others with alopecia and spend time with them throughout the day? We know from experience that queueing with friendly faces makes the day even more enjoyable – and it’s a great chance to connect with others who “get it”. Whether you stay with a group all day, dip in and out, or go solo – there’s no right or wrong way to do it. This event is all about having a fun, relaxed day together.
Photos & Filming Expand Whilst this event is an incredibly supportive event, it is also an awareness event. For this reason we often have a volunteer photographer or two following people around, trying to get some good images, both to remember the day and to use to further publicise our work and the images may therefore be used in a public domain. By purchasing a ticket and attending this event, you acknowledge that photographs and video recordings may be taken during the event for promotional, marketing, and archival purposes. Alopecia UK relies on its legitimate interests to capture and use these images. This is necessary to accurately document the event, showcase community participation, and promote awareness of alopecia. These interests are balanced against your privacy rights, and reasonable steps will be taken to respect any objections.If you or anyone in your party (including children) do not wish to be photographed or recorded, please inform a member of staff on the day of the event. It is your responsibility to seek an AUK staff member on the day of the event and explain that you do not wish to be in photos. Once we have your photo for our records, we will use this to ensure your image is removed or blurred out from our photos before anything goes out publicly on Alopecia UK website and social media. We ask that you make a conscious effort to remove yourself from posed group photos where possible as these will be used publicly and to advertise future events.By purchasing a ticket, you confirm your understanding and acceptance of this policy. For more information about how your personal data is handled and your rights under UK GDPR, please see our full Privacy Policy here. Please note that we cannot guarantee that other attendees won't take and share pictures on their own social media. Please see Alton Towers own photo policy for how they might use any of their photos taken round the park.
Merchandise for sale on the day Expand We will have the following on sale between 9am and 10am and then again 12:30-2:30 in the Hospitality Suite: AUK Wristbands Badges Alopecia UK t-shirts Alopecia UK Hoodies Alopecia UK Beanies Alopecia UK Caps Alopecia UK Water Bottles Please note, we will only have a very limited amount of each of these merchandise options on the day. We strongly advise purchasing merchandise online as part of your ticket order.
Timings Expand 🗓️ Alton Towers Event Schedule Here’s what to expect on the day – please arrive early to make the most of it! ⏰ 9:00am – 9:30am Meet at the entranceWe have use of a private space within the theme park called the Lakeside Suite. During this time, our event team will guide you from the entrance to this meeting spot. This is our 'home base' for the day. Read more about that here. 💡 Top tip: Arriving before 9.30am means you'll experience the full event atmosphere and have the chance to join one of our friendly organised groups.👉 More on arrival information here 🎡 9:45am Organised Groups Set Off Groups leave the Lakeside Suite and go into the park with their AUK volunteer guides.👉 More about organised groups 🍽️ 1:30pm – 2:25pm Lunchtime Meet-UpJoin us for a relaxed lunchtime get-together in the Lakeside Suite (next to Spinball Whizzer – it’ll be clearly marked on your AUK event map).👉 Details about the lunchtime meet-up 📸 2:30pm Big Group PhotoLet’s capture a brilliant moment together outside the Lakeside Suite. There's no pressure to join the photo if you don't wish to! But we love to grab one of those that do as it’s always great to see how the group grows each year! 🎢 2:45pm Groups Set Off AgainAfter the photo, we’ll send the groups off for more theme park fun! 📷 4:55pm / 5.55pm (depending on park closing time)* Final Group Photo OpportunityAs the ride queues close, we’ll head to Runaway Mine Train for one last big photo moment – look out for everyone in blue AUK t-shirts!At our last event, we filled the train six times over – let’s beat that record! 🎠 5:00pm/6.00pm Ride Queues CloseAlton Towers ride queues officially close at 5 or 6pm *Please note: While 5pm is typical, closing times can vary slightly, and the park has sometimes stayed open until 6pm in previous years.
Lakside Suite - our 'Base Camp' for the day! Expand Within Alton Towers, we have exclusive use of the Lakeside Suite all day. It’s just a short walk from the main theme park entrance and will act as our base camp throughout the event. Whether you need a break, want to meet others, or just fancy a warm drink – the Lakeside Suite is the place to be. 🕒 Lakeside Suite Timings 9:30am We’ll start the day by gathering in the Lakeside Suite, before organised groups leave at 9.45am. You’re welcome to drop off lunch bags here, but please note the room is not secured, so we recommend not leaving valuables.In all the years we’ve run this event, nothing has ever gone missing – but we can’t take responsibility for any belongings left behind. 1:30pm – 2:25pm – Lunchtime Meet-UpCome back to the Lakeside Suite for lunch and a chance to connect with other attendees – including people who may not be in your ride group. If you’ve pre-ordered a sandwich, you can collect it here. Around 2:00pm, a few words will be shared by members of the Alopecia UK team.It’s a brilliant way to feel the scale of the day and the support within the community. 🛍️ What’s Inside the Lakeside Suite? 🎽 Alopecia UK Merchandise StallForgot to order something? We’ll have a limited selection of AUK merchandise available to buy, open from 9:00am to 2:30pm. 🪑 Tables, Seating & Breakout SpaceNeed to rest your feet or take a breather after a big ride?The Lakeside Suite has tables and chairs for you to relax, chat, or warm up if the weather’s chilly. ☕ Free hot drinks and refreshments will be provided by Alton Towers throughout the day, including tea, coffee, squash, and water.
Arrival Information and Ticket Collection Expand Arrival at Alton Towers Please allow plenty of time to get to Alton Towers and plan your route in advance. We recommend checking directions via the Alton Towers website and setting off earlier than your Sat Nav suggests, just in case of traffic or delays. Alton Towers is a large venue, and after parking, you’ll still need time to reach the Entrance Plaza (where our event team will be based). Please factor this into your arrival time. Parking Standard Parking – £12 You can pay for this at the park’s pay machines either upon arrival or before you leave (queues can get a little longer at the end of the day!) Location: Approximately a 15–25 minute walk from the Theme Park entrance. Express Parking – £20 If you’d prefer to park closer to the entrance, Express Parking is available. Location: Just a 1–3 minute walk from the Theme Park entrance. How to book: Must be booked directly with Alton Towers in advance. → Book Express Parking via Alton Towers Blue Badge Parking – £12 Blue Badge parking is available and charged at the Standard Parking rate. A valid Blue Badge must be displayed, and the badge holder must be present in the vehicle. Spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability on the day. Getting from the Car Park to the Entrance You have two options: Monorail: Runs from 9:00am (subject to operational conditions) and takes you from the car park to the theme park entrance. It closes one hour after the park’s advertised ride close. Walking: Depending on where you park, it can take between 10 and 30 minutes to walk to the entrance. Estimated Walking Times: Zones A, B, C – approx. 10–15 mins Zones D, E, F, G, H – approx. 18–22 mins Zones J, M, N, O, P – approx. 22–28 mins Tickets In a change to previous years you will no longer need to collect your tickets from us in person. Tickets will be emailed to you shortly before the event. Our Event Team will still meet on the Plaza outside the park between 9:00am and 9:30am. 📍 Look for yellow high-vis vests and blue Alopecia UK t-shirts – we’ll be easy to spot! 🎡 From 9:30am, you can start entering the park. If you want to join an organised group: Head to the Hospitality Suite to meet group leaders and other attendees.🎡 Groups will head off around the park at 9:45am. If you’d rather explore at your own pace: Feel free to start your day from 9:30am after collecting your tickets. No pressure to join a group! 🧍♀️🧍♂️ Our Alopecia UK volunteers will be around the park throughout the day to help – just look for the blue t-shirts!
Lunchtime Meet Up Expand Our Lunchtime Meet-Up is the big gathering of the day — and one of the most memorable parts of the event!For many people with alopecia, this moment has a huge impact. It’s a chance to look around and realise just how many others are there who truly understand. Don’t miss it — every year, people tell us how glad they were to have taken part (and how much they regretted it if they didn’t!). 🥪 Getting Some Lunch If you pre-order a sandwich through Alopecia UK when purchasing your ticket, you’ll receive a voucher in your event pack on arrival. Simply bring this to our team in the Hospitality Suite to collect your lunch. Please note: There are no food stalls inside the Hospitality Suite. Free tea, coffee, squash, and water will be available at lunchtime. If you’re not pre-ordering a sandwich, we strongly recommend bringing a packed lunch. This saves queuing time and lets you make the most of this relaxed, social part of the day — many attendees tell us it’s a real highlight! Alternatively, there are food outlets around the park (you can explore options here: Alton Towers Restaurants & Shops).Just be aware that the park map is deceivingly compact — distances are longer than they look, and queues for food can take up quite a bit of time. Plan ahead to make the most of your lunchtime experience. 🎤 What Happens During Lunch? Lunchtime is not only about eating — it’s also a time to relax, decompress, and connect. It's also the last chance to get your hands on any merchandise!We often include a short talk or presentation, which changes each year. This could be: A welcome or update from our CEO A guest speaker or special presentation A showcase from young people we work with Or something else entirely! It’s an easygoing, uplifting part of the day where you can take a breather, chat with others, and really soak in the amazing atmosphere of the event.
Important bit of the day (Blue is the Colour!) Expand 👕 AUK T-Shirts & Hoodies – Wear Your Blue with Pride! One of the most-loved parts of our Alton Towers event is seeing a sea of blue Alopecia UK t-shirts and hoodies throughout the park. Wearing your AUK gear does more than show your support — it creates an instant sense of community, visibility, and connection among attendees, and raises awareness among the wider public. 💬 What attendees have said: “Being part of a sea of blue brings about a sense of confidence and support.” “We all bought hoodies, hats and t-shirts and wore them with pride.” “Everywhere you looked, there were blue shirts – you always had a friend nearby.” “Just seeing the sea of blue was a boost. So many others coming together.” “Wearing the t-shirts and feeling proud about alopecia was my favourite part.” “The t-shirts and hoodies were a great idea – you could spot everyone round the park.” “Meeting up together to end the day ‘turning the train blue’ finished the day on a high.” “It gives my son a big boost to see he’s not alone. The sight of all that blue is amazing.” 🌦️ What to Wear – and How to Layer The weather in April can be unpredictable – we've had everything from sunshine to showers, chilly winds to warm spells. In colder years (like 2015), some people wore their AUK t-shirts under jackets, which made it harder to spot others in the group and slightly dampened that incredible visual impact we love. 👉 That’s why we recommend choosing a t-shirt or hoodie size that allows you to wear it over a jacket or jumper, so you stay warm and visible! 🙋♂️ No Pressure, No Problem If you’re feeling unsure about wearing branded clothing – that’s completely okay. There’s no requirement to wear AUK gear to attend. But for those who feel comfortable, we strongly encourage it – it makes a big difference. 💸 Save Money – Pre-Order! We offer our t-shirts and hoodies at a discounted rate when pre-ordered with your tickets. We will have a small selection of sizes available to purchase on the day, but: Prices will be higher Stock is limited Items are sold on a first come, first served basis So if you want to guarantee the right size (and save a bit of money), pre-order when booking your tickets!
Managing Expectations and Emotions Expand Reactions from Others We all know that looking a bit different can sometimes result in people becoming curious and looking for that little bit too long! While we’re sure it will generally all be fine, we’re mentioning this because if you are going out for the first time without any wig/hat/headwear then you might get a reaction from others that you are not used to and we want you to be prepared for it. Occasionally people stare (or say stupid things), typically because they do not understand or it’s something they’ve never seen before. Take this as an opportunity to educate! Just give them a nice big smile and point at your t-shirt! If anyone asks questions, just answer them. Once they know, they know. The more we educate people, the less of an issue it is. We haven't experienced any problems at our previous Alton Towers events and generally people are just interested in what we were doing. If you get upset by something during the course of the day or afterwards, feel free to give us a ring. We're sure once we’re all together that we’ll all be supporting each other, but you can call us anytime and we’ll do our best to help, even if it’s just to listen. It's important to remember that there is no pressure to have your alopecia visible to others. Many people choose to wear hats, scarves or wigs on the day. The day provides a supportive atmosphere to do as you wish. Nerves If it is your first time coming along to an event like this you might be really nervous and not know what to expect. We assure you that you are not the only one feeling like this and there will be many others trying to talk themselves out of it! A small step out of your comfort zone and, once you get there, you’ll be fine. What you get out of the day can depend on what you put in however so please get involved and just chat to people or say hello. You’ll keep spotting blue t-shirts as you go round the park and if you join a group it gives a nice opportunity to chat to others who will really know how you’re feeling. Everyone is there to support each other. It might be enough for you to just see other people with alopecia and, if so, that’s great. If you struggle at all on the day then please try and find a volunteer who can help. Afterwards Alopecia is something that gives us many ups and downs in life and sometimes we can keep things to ourselves or put on a brave face (whether you are the person with alopecia or a parent/friend/partner). If you are the only person you know with alopecia or being affected by someone close to you having alopecia, suddenly meeting so many others who understand the journey you’ve been on can get you feeling quite emotional. It’s also a big thing to do putting your alopecia on show when you don’t normally (not that this is expected of anyone). All of this, mixed together along with the adrenalin of going on some rather scary rollercoasters, might make you feel a bit all over the place. A big high, and then possibly feeling a bit drained afterwards. Basically, what we're saying is, it might make you want to have a bit of a cry at some point! And if it does, that is totally fine and perfectly normal. Just go with it. If you’ve got someone who can give you a big hug while you do then great, and if you don’t just give yourself a big hug and remember how flaming fantastic you are! And remember the Facebook group is there for you to share anything you need to share or get any support that you need afterwards. Don’t forget that you can email or call us if you need us too.
Facebook Group Expand Over the past few years we have created a Facebook group ahead of the event to allow attendees to meet and get to know each other ahead of time. It’s nice for people to share their excitement/nerves ahead of the day and a great place to ask questions. We will send links to join closer to the time. Please note this is a different group to the general Alopecia UK Facebook group and you will not be able to find it through searching for it as it is also a secret group.