So after a few days of social media backlash Alton Towers back pedal and reverses its decision to stagger ride opening times.

When was the rides scheduled to open?

9am: Monorail to the entrance to the park

9.30am: (Early ride time: For hotel guests and Merlin Annual Pass holders only): Wicker Man, Spinball Whizzer and a selection of rides in CBeebies Land; Postman Pat Parcel Post, Go Jetters Vroomster Zoom Ride, Justin's Pie-O-Matic Factory, In The Night Garden Magical Boat Ride, Something Special: Sensory Garden & Numtums Number-Go-Round.

10am: CBeebies Land and thrill seekers can head to X-Sector for The Smiler, Oblivion & Enterprise in X-Sector with Marauder's Mayhem and Heave Ho! in Mutiny Bay also open.

11am: The Smiler, Oblivion & Enterprise in X-Sector with Marauder's Mayhem and Heave Ho! in Mutiny Bay also open. Selected rides & attractions opening later include:- Dark Forest, Cloud Cuckoo Land, Sharkbait Reef by SEA LIFE, Battle Galleons, Runaway Mine Train and Hex

11.30am: The Skyride

12pm (noon): Forbidden Valley, Duel and Congo River Rapids

But on the 25th Jan 2018 Alton Towers website was updated again with a new announcement

Theme Park opens to all other guests from 10am with over half our rides available, with all other rides and attractions to be open by 11am at the latest every day. Park open and close hours will always be flexible to ensure we can give our guests great experiences – if the park is busy we’ll always do our best to stay open!

Its really nice that Alton Towers have listened to its fans and taken a u turn on this decision. But did they really think people would be happy having some rides open for only 4 hours a day when people are playing upto £55 a ticket.

We can now put this issue to one side and look forward to the park opening and getting to ride the new Wickerman Coaster.