Park Comparison
Alton Towers vs Thorpe Park — Which Is Better Under 120cm?
We compared every ride at both parks by height requirement. Alton Towers has 9 rides under 120cm including CBeebies Land. Thorpe Park has 11 but zero with no restriction.
Two Big Parks, Very Different Experiences
Alton Towers and Thorpe Park are the two most-visited theme parks in the UK. Both are Merlin-owned, both have world-class coasters, and both charge premium prices. But for families with children under 120cm, they offer very different days out.
We compared every ride at both parks, broken down by height requirement.
The Numbers
| | Alton Towers | Thorpe Park | |---|---|---| | Total rides | 16 | 24 | | No restriction | 2 | 0 | | Accessible under 100cm | 8 | 7 | | Accessible under 120cm | 9 | 11 | | Accessible under 140cm | 11 | 20 | | Full access (140cm+) | 16 | 24 | | Adult ticket | £62 | £58 | | Child ticket | £52 | £48 |
Under 100cm: Alton Towers Wins
If your child is under 100cm, Alton Towers is the clear choice.
Alton Towers (8 rides): Two rides have no height restriction at all — Gangsta Granny: The Ride and Hex. CBeebies Land adds several more from 85cm with an adult: Octonauts Rollercoaster Adventure, In the Night Garden Magical Boat Ride, plus Battle Galleons and Raj's Bouncy Bottom Burp from 90cm. That's a genuine half-day of riding for a small child.
Thorpe Park (7 rides): Every single ride at Thorpe Park has a height restriction. The lowest is 90cm with an adult — Flying Fish, Dobble Tea Party, Mr Monkey's Banana Ride, Big Easy Bumpers, King Pig's Wild Hog Dodgems. A child at 90cm gets 7 rides. A child under 90cm gets zero.
Verdict at under 100cm: Alton Towers. CBeebies Land exists specifically for this age group and it shows.
100cm to 120cm: Thorpe Park Edges Ahead
Between 100cm and 120cm is where the comparison gets interesting.
Alton Towers adds just 1 ride in this range — Spinball Whizzer opens for unaccompanied riding at 110cm, and Runaway Mine Train at 112cm. Total at 120cm: 9 rides (56% of the park).
Thorpe Park adds 4 rides: Tidal Wave, Storm Surge, Depth Charge, and Zodiac all open at 110cm. Total at 120cm: 11 rides (46% of the park).
In absolute numbers, Thorpe Park offers more rides. But look at the percentages — at 120cm you can ride over half of Alton Towers but under half of Thorpe Park. The "locked out" feeling is stronger at Thorpe because so many big rides are visible but inaccessible.
Verdict at 100-120cm: Close. Thorpe has more rides, but Alton has the better experience for this height range.
120cm and Above: Thorpe Park Takes Over
This is where Thorpe Park's design shows its intent. At 130cm, Thorpe Park unlocks 9 more rides in one jump — Hyperia, Stealth, SAW, The Walking Dead, Detonator, Vortex, Rush, Quantum, and Ghost Train. That's a massive leap from 11 to 20 rides.
Alton Towers at 130cm adds nothing new (the 130to140 bracket is empty). The next unlock is 140cm, where 5 big rides open: Nemesis Reborn, The Smiler, Oblivion, Galactica, and Toxicator.
Verdict at 120cm+: Thorpe Park. It's built for teenagers and thrill-seekers, and it delivers.
The Real Question: What Age Is Your Child?
The height comparison reveals what the parks are really designed for:
Alton Towers is a family park with thrill rides. CBeebies Land caters to toddlers. The mid-range rides (Spinball Whizzer, Runaway Mine Train, Wicker Man) cover the 90-120cm range. The headline coasters (Nemesis, Smiler, Oblivion) are for 140cm+ riders. It's designed so every family member has something to do.
Thorpe Park is a thrill park with some family rides. There's no dedicated children's area. The family rides (Flying Fish, tea cups, bumper cars) exist but aren't the focus. The park comes alive at 130cm when the majority of rides unlock. It's designed for teenagers, young adults, and thrill-seeking families.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Alton Towers if:
- Your child is under 100cm (CBeebies Land makes the trip worthwhile)
- You have children of mixed ages (everyone finds something to ride)
- You want a full day out (the park is massive with themed areas to explore)
- You don't mind the 2.5-hour drive from London
Choose Thorpe Park if:
- Your child is 130cm+ and wants maximum thrills
- You're coming from London (30 minutes from central London)
- You have teenagers who want Hyperia, Stealth, and SAW
- You're on a slightly tighter budget (£48 child vs £52)
Skip both if your child is under 100cm and choose instead:
- Paultons Park — 24 rides for under-100cm visitors
- Drayton Manor — 18 rides including Thomas Land
- LEGOLAND Windsor — 10 no-restriction rides
Check the Exact Rides
Enter your child's height on either park page to see their specific ride breakdown:
Or use the height planner to compare both parks side by side.
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