Last updated on November 19th, 2023 at 12:22 am
Our kids are getting older and we have finally hit that time where we aren’t too confined to naps and feeding times. We have long waited for our kids to get to an age where they can pretty much run a muck on family holidays and enjoy the family breaks. At almost 4 and 2 there was no better time to visit Alton Towers and Splash Landings Hotel slash Waterpark. I think Mr P and I were just as excited as we have never been to the waterpark before. We are true kids at heart. 
Splash Landings Hotel
B was beaming with happiness from the moment we pulled into the car park. I have never had him ask me so many times how many sleeps until the waterpark, every day for a week. Never tell your toddler about an upcoming family adventure until the day before. Silly me, lesson learned. While MM is too young not to fully grasp the concept, she joined in the excitement from the moment she strolled into Splash Landings Hotel and saw Postman Pat and his black and white cat and all those bubbles from the talking truck that greeted us.
We checked into our room and the kids couldn’t believe their very own eyes when I told them that the bunk beds were for them to sleep in. B has never been in such a high bed and MM out of a crib so it was a huge treat for them both. They were fascinated that there was a bed high enough to touch the ceiling. 
We started the day off with miniature golf as B *cough Daddy couldn’t wait to hit some golf balls. B really got into it while MM stole a nap in the stroller. I think at one point it was head to head between father and son and when B got two hole in ones, in a row, he didn’t hide his triumph by pumping his fist in the air and holding his club up high. Clearly a celebratory dance he has seen Daddy do before. I stayed back with MM following them along and watching them bond together.
The kids were enjoying themselves as much as their parents. We had a lovely drink while they played in the hotel in the lego area. There were tables with drawing supplies in the corner to entertainment them too. One night there was even a magic show on stage and the kids were instantly drawn to it. Mr P and I enjoyed watching their eyes light up at every new adventure. 
Alton Towers Food
I have been to my fair share of theme parks and usually the food is just ok or average at best. I will say I was really impressed with the amazing dinner we had at the Secret Garden. With it’s delicious food and talking tree it was a hit for all four of us. The kids enjoyed their (new) absolute favorite dinner pasta shells, grated cheese, chicken and peas. It took me four years to get my son to even try pasta and two weeks ago in Spain my friend’s little girl said it was her favorite and its now all he wants to it. Typical. Either way, both B and MM tucked into their large bowls of luxury with a greasy smile from all the butter and cheese. Mr P and I spoiled ourselves with a glass of prosecco after a hard day of swimming and golf and there was even some dessert on the table, a rarity, to end our amazing first day at Alton Towers.
I had a great time bonding with B over the weekend. It’s good to just let the kids be free and they are always happier because of all the excitement which makes it easier to relax and put your feet up as a parent. I love traveling with my kids and we are lucky that Alton Towers isn’t that far from us so hopefully we can come again soon. I have never seen B so in love with a place than he was at the waterpark and his bunk bed too. 
We settled into our room. It was the very first time we have ever all four stayed in the same room before. I was so nervous how it would go down. The kids played with their little nemo and starfish soaps in the window in the evening light and I looked over and remembered thinking, I am so grateful for these amazing family moments together. I only wish the night stayed that dreamy. I will be honest, MM ended up screaming for the longest period of time at night she has in her entire life. I don’t know if it was the combination of a long day, scraping her feet swimming, or ice cream so late in the day but bedtime was a little rocky. Lucky for us, B slept through it all and we all snuggled in our cozy big bed together and woke up happier ready for another day of splashing at the waterpark. 
We didn’t get to go to the theme park as it was closed but we had been just two weeks before so we made the most of what else Alton Towers has to offer and I have made a little video to show you there is more to Alton Towers than you think but don’t forget to keep scrolling and catch a glimpse of our amazing waterpark experience in the video at the bottom too. It’s one you don’t want to miss.
I didn’t realize how much there was to do for little ones at Alton Towers besides the theme park and waterpark. There are numerous restaurants, mini shows on, and corners full of games, play areas and let’s not forget the amazing miniature golf. It really has families with small children in mind too which a lot of theme parks don’t cater for right down to the meals they have on their menus. We can’t wait to go back and try out the CBeebies land as we heard it’s really great too.
Alton Towers Waterpark
The water park really is amazing. B was blown away when he walked into it with it’s large slides spiralling all around us and water shooting from every angle both high and low. It was only right to capture that amazing experience separately below. We can’t thank Konfidence enough for making our swimming adventures so much more relaxing and allowing the kids to swim freely from us with more confidence then they normally have. When you have little ones waterparks can get busy and knock their confidence with all the waves and water coming out at all angles. I think float suits and life jackets make all the difference. We love our Konfidence swimming aids. The waterpark supplies you with life jackets if you don’t have your own but we couldn’t rave more about how much we love Konfidence and their products. If your kid are water babies like my two definitely check them out.
*Thank you Alton Towers and Konfidence for teaming up with us for this amazing experience. We made family memories together that we will cherish forever. We are a Swimologist family for the brand Konfidence for 2015.
Wow, this looks like such a fantastic place, Jenny! Perfect for a family stay. And looks like everyone had fun 🙂
I’ve always really fancied the spash landings hotel, with 3 swim mad boys (and I rather like it my self) it sounds right up my street. So great to see your detailed review, so much better than a few snaps on a website! #sharewithme
Naively, I didn’t realise there was anything there other than the theme park! Looks fab Jenny. I hope that the sadness of the event there didn’t mask the time that you had together. Crazy golf is a firm favourite of ours 🙂 x
How fab! We love the waterpark, although we haven’t been for a very long time. Looks like you had a great time #sharewithme
Looks fantastic and you are so right, it is a lot easier without naps. Aren’t we all kids at heart? The water park looks amazing! It’s great how their swimming confidence improves after a holiday like this. #sharewithme
I think we may all be kids forever for sure. I don’t mind though its’ more fun that way.
wow it looks like you all had an amazing time, I love your pictures jenny they capture some great moments, we have never been to the water park but i am hoping to change that this summer with the boys #sharewithme
I have only ever been for the roller coasters. Good to know you can take the little for a fun time too!
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Oh yes the waterpark is well worth a visit too I promise the little dude will love it as much as the parents.
Wow, that looks amazing! Glad you and the family had a wonderful day. Thank you for hosting SWM
Looks like great fun! The waterpark looks amazing! #sharewithme
Looks like you had a great time.
I love Alton Towers although have never taken N and don’t think I’ve been since a hen do years ago. We stayed in the hotel as well, but did the spa, golf and then the theme park, so I’ve never done the waterpark. N would love it I’m sure.
We did this a few years ago and it was great fun. It’s such a huge place though and I remember it taking about half an hour to walk from one end of the park to the other. The only thing that let us down when we went was being unable to go in the water park with all three children. I think it’s because they were all under five, so they wouldn’t let us in – something to do with one adult per child because of their age. Crazy right? I went in with my oldest daughter and my husband had to go take the other two to the shops to make up for missing out!!
We’ve never been to Alton Towers or a waterpark! This looks fab. Great review and you all looked like you enjoyed it. Mini golf is one of our favourite things to do 🙂 #ShareWithMe x
Wow you look like you had a fab time Jenny! Although I do really appreciate the nap time I am also kind of looking forward to the day when it means we can go and do whatever for the whole day and not be confined by it! #sharewithme
I haven’t been to AT for about 15 years and it seems to have changed so much! We were thinking of going next year when Gwenn is 3, because I think she would like CBeebies Land. x
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It sounds like you had such a good time! We’re well overdue another visit to Alton Towers and after reading your review I really want to go again! Especially to see the CBeebies land and the waterpark! Zoe x
Oh it was eight years since I had been there and the week before we took the kids I actually took my old brother who was visiting from the states to it and we had a blast on all the big rides. It really is catered for kids as much as for adults too.
Oh yes we want to try out the Cbeebiesland someday too as it was closed when we went. Heard so many great things about it too.
looks great. As much as I sometimes miss naptimes, it really is great to not have to plan a day around them
Looks great, especially the water park. I always think of Alton Towers as only the theme park, good to know there’s a little more to it 🙂 Thanks for hosting #sharewithme
Debbie
http://www.myrandommusings.blogspot.com
It’s been a long time since I went to Alton Towers – I hate to think how many years it is, but it was well before we became a family. It looks like there’s so much to do for young kids. You all look so excited to be there. I love the look of the water park #sharewithme
How fun! I can’t wait to take a family vacation with my little one!
Looks fun 🙂 As a not mom, having vacation with kids and having to plan them according to them looks like a challenge! Do you go to these kind of trips often?
Milly
http://www.sevenseasaway.com
I do on on these type of trips often as soon as you do one they are all easy to prepare for and do with children. I say the biggest thing is be prepared ahead of time and it runs smoothly then and prepare for things to go wrong too. If you are relaxed about it all it’s easy.
This does look cool. It is great when the children get old enough to start doing more out as a family. Great photos.
It looks great. Its good to know as well that it is suitable for a two year old and that as a parent you do get the chance to relax. Shame the rest of the park was closed for you though. But perfect excuse to go back and have another stay. I bet your son talks about how good that holiday was for years to come. #sharewithme
Oh yes must go back. I love that we can relax and the little ones can have a blast too. Not many places cater for young families as much as they do. Very impressed.
Looks so amazing, and we are planning on taking M here in the summer. She is doing swimming lessons and I think she would love to go! 🙂 #sharewithme
Looks like you all had a fantastic time despite the little hiccups, I am looking forward to taking Lizzy to Alton Towers and cbeebees land in the next year or so! #sharewithme
Looks like you had a lovely time and some great pics and memories #sharewithme
Thank you so much we really did and can’t wait to go back again soon.
Looks like you had a wonderful time. Thanks for hosting #ShareWithMe
Great pictures! Looks like you guys had a wonderful time, thanks for sharing as always!
Looks like you all had a fabulous weekend, I haven’t been to Alton Towers for absolutely years. #sharewithme
It does look amazing Jenny, the kids look like they have had the best time and there is so much there for them to do. Lucas would have been made up to meet Postman Pat and sleep in bunkbeads. Lovely videos, just watched them with my Boo and he was giggling 🙂 #sharewithme
I really didn’t know about the other stuff at Alton Towers, miniature golf and a Water Park! I thought it was just rides there, so I’ve learnt something new! #sharewithme Sabrina xx
Awww what a lovely family trip! I agree that they are in the age where they will enjoy a fab place like this! #sharewithme
The Mother says – What a fab day out. I always enjoy looking at the photos you’ve taken as it really brings the day alive. PS Everyone should have a day when they get to High-5 Postman Pat!!!! #sharewithme
It looks like you guys had a fantastic time! Great photos. We’ve been to Great Wolf Lodge (it looks very similar) several times. We’ve always had an amazing time there, best winter trip for us. #Sharewithme
Thank you Jessie, we really did have a great family weekend together. What a great idea to go in the winter time. We will have to keep that in mind.
Wow so much for little ones and looks like you had a great time as a family.
There really is so much for the young ones as much as the older ones and even adults. We really were impressed with it and will be going back again soon.
Gosh, I thought I remembered Alton towers from when I was little but it now looks so very different I doubt I’d even recognize it! What a fun holiday!
It was so much fun and they are constantly changing and adding new things there. We can’t wait to go back.
Wow!! This looks amazing!! We went to Alton towers last year and the boys loved it but we didn’t experience the water park and that look fab! Love reading about your adventures #sharewithme xx
Thank you hun it was so much fun. We really had a blast as you can see. The kids were like fish in water.
What a fun family adventure! It looks like you all had a great time. I’m looking forward to when my little one is older and our family trips are less planned around naps and feeding times too.
Thank you so much for hosting #sharewithme
Oh yes I remember the days of feeds and nap times and it does feel free to have a vacation when those things start to stop. lol Thanks for joining in.
It looks like you had a lot of fun whilst you were there! We’d love to visit… the water park looks amazing xx
Thank you Katie we really did. It’s a great place for families for sure and we will be going back soon.
Great review and reflections on the weekend. I had no idea about the Waterpark element of Alton Towers, looks so amazing. We are not that far and this has defo inspired more thought to a visit.
Oh and what is it with Daddy’s and crazy golf? So glad that staying in one room went well. We have not attempted this yet. Thanks for writing and sharing.
Thank you, we had a lovely family getaway weekend at Alton Towers. Oh yes you should go it’s amazing waterpark. Yes I agree, what is it with Daddy’s and crazy golf they take over!