Alton Towers is the latest attraction to announce it will be closing on Monday so staff can pay their respects to the Queen as she is laid to rest. The Staffordshire theme park said it will close the resort on Monday, September 19, and reopen on Tuesday, September 20, joining a host of other attractions and shops who have announced they will temporarily close as a mark of respect to the late monarch.
The decision, which was announced on social media this morning, has left some who were planning to visit - and stay in the onsite hotels - upset at what they deemed to be "short notice" of the closure. Alton Towers did confirm on Twitter that those who had been booked in to visit or stay will have their bookings cancelled and a refund issued within 14 days.
One person said: "This is ridiculous. I messaged on 9th September to ask if I should rearrange my tickets as they were not booked directly with yourselves and was told that there were no plans to close the park. We have tickets for 19th Sept which are now useless as its past the point where I can change them now.
"We have booked a hotel close to the park to stay in which is now another waste of money. I understand the country needs to mourn, however, you could've informed us there may have been a possibility you would've closed as a result of The Queen's funeral."
Another said: "This is so unfair to do this last minute. We have booked to stay at splash landings for 2 nights and arrive on 19th. This is last minute and really NOT OKAY!"
A third person added: "Bit last minute...Where are we supposed to sleep that night? In the car? Should we pack a tent? Horrible decision on your part."
Others said they had managed to rearrange their visits by speaking to staff over the phone. One person said: "We were meant to be going for our sons 4th birthday on the 19th who really hasn’t had a birthday due to covid etc the last few years. We have rearranged and they were happy to change day or refund."
Alton Towers said in a statement: "Following the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II, Alton Towers joins millions of mourners around the UK and the world in paying tribute. To mark the passing of Her Majesty The Queen and to allow our guests and employees to pay their respects, we will be closing the resort on Monday, 19th September and reopen on Tuesday, 20th September.
"Our resort accommodation will close on the evening of Sunday, 18th September and will reopen on Tuesday, 20th September. For further information, including how to manage your booking, please visit our website."
Dozens of other tourist attractions, resorts, shops and supermarkets have also announced they will be closing fully or partially on Monday as a mark of respect. Thorpe Park announced it would also be shutting on September 19, while supermarkets Asda, Tesco, M&S, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Lidl, Iceland and Morrisons will also shut.
Other stores like John Lewis, Argos, Primark, Poundland, Dunelm, WH Smith and Currys will also close their doors.
Center Parcs has caused outrage by announcing it would be shutting and asking guests to leave on Monday, even if they are in the middle of their stays - forcing them to stay the night elsewhere or go home early. Other attractions like Stonehenge as well as National Trust properties will also be closed.
