Alton Towers Santa Sleepover: Everything You Need to Know

We first experienced the Alton Towers Santa Sleepover eight years ago, when our children were just five and one. We visited just before Christmas and it was our very first Santa Sleepover. It completely exceeded our expectations and really got us into the festive spirit.

Fast forward eight years, our family has grown to three children and now includes a teenager! We recently returned for the Santa Sleepover again, this time visiting on New Year’s Eve.

We always go away for New Year and this year we chose to revisit Alton Towers to see what had changed, whether it was still worth booking, and most importantly, whether it still delivers that festive magic for families.

This post is both an updated review and a practical planning guide, based on two visits, eight years apart. If you’re considering a festive sleepover at Alton Towers, here’s everything you need to know.

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Our First Santa Sleepover vs. 8 Years Later

On our first visit, our children were much younger and it was our very first Santa Sleepover, so we fully embraced everything centred around Santa — meeting him in person, having fun with the elves and fairies, and enjoying mulled wine, a traditional Christmas dinner, and festive entertainment.

Eight years later, we visited on New Year’s Eve, so there were fewer Santa experiences included. Having already done the full Santa Sleepover — and since visiting Lapland — we were completely fine with this. This trip was less about seeing Santa and more about enjoying a festive New Year break, slowing down, and spending time together.

The magic came from the atmosphere, the shows, the rides with no queues, and simply being somewhere Christmassy as a family. Even our 13‑year‑old loved it including the rides, the waterpark, the pantomime and overall festive feel.

What Is the Alton Towers Santa Sleepover?

The Santa Sleepover is a festive overnight package that usually runs from early November to early January. It includes two days of activities and food and one nights accommodation.

What’s Included

• Theme park access to CBeebies Land and all of its rides
• A Santa experience based your accommodation (only before Christmas)
• A Christmas pantomime
• A festive evening dinner
• Evening entertainment
• Overnight stay in either the Enchanted Village, Alton Towers Hotel, Splash Landings Hotel or CBeebies Land Hotel
• Buffet breakfast
• Access to Splash Landings Waterpark
• Extraordinary Golf

Booking your Santa Sleepover at Alton Towers

There are several accommodation options, each linked to different Santa experiences, which can feel a little confusing at first.

I would definitely recommend checking availability first and then reading up on all of the accommodation options and Santa Experiences if available.

The Santa Sleepover is only available on selected dates during the festive period, which means it gets booked up quite quickly. Therefore I’d recommend booking as early as possible for the best price and availability.

Top Tip: Once you have booked your package, Alton Towers will email you to book timings for your Santa Experience (if applicable), pantomime, evening meal, breakfast and waterpark slot – check out the availability and price here.

Arriving at Alton Towers & Parking

For our recent visit, we parked in the Blue Badge Express & Disabled Car Park, which is just a couple of minutes’ walk from the park entrance. Parking is free during your stay.

We had downloaded the Alton Towers app beforehand, which had our tickets ready to scan at the gates and made entry quick and stress-free.

For both our visits, we chose to visit the theme park on day one and the waterpark on day two, so we arrived as soon as the theme park opened at 10am to get the most out of the day.

Using the Alton Towers App (Do This Before You Go)

Downloading the app was really useful. We used it to store our tickets for scanning, check which rides were open and directing us around the park.

Theme Park Rides Open During the Santa Sleepover

Most rides in CBeebies Land were open, along with Hex and Haunted Hollows. You don’t get to ride the Nemesis or Smiler; but I guess the Santa Sleepover at Alton Towers is targeted at families with young children!

Some rides have height restrictions, but these were generally low around 0.9m to 1.1m, making the experience very accessible for younger children. Our youngest daughter, aged five was able to go on every ride.

On a previous visit, Spinball Whizzer was open, which was a great step-up ride for older kids and adults. It was a shame it wasn’t running this time.

One of the biggest highlights is visiting the park without queues. This is a game-changer for young children who don’t have the patience to queue for long and allows you to enjoy far more rides without stress.

The park is typically open 10am–4pm, which is plenty of time to ride everything at least once and enjoy the shows.

The different Santa Experiences

On our first visit, which took place before Christmas, we did have a Santa Experience included. Our most recent visit was after Christmas, so no Santa Experience was offered.

At the time of our first stay, there were three Santa Experience options: the Tipi Experience, Santa’s Grotto, or Breakfast with Santa. The experience you’re allocated depends on your accommodation, and they take place in different areas of the resort, so it’s worth checking the details when you arrive.

We stayed in the Enchanted Village and took part in the Tipi Experience, which lasted about 30 minutes. We were welcomed by enthusiastic elves and led to a beautifully decorated tipi filled with twinkling lights, baubles and Christmas trees. Adults were offered mulled wine and children hot chocolate, before sitting down to make festive crafts with the elves and fairies.

Santa and Mrs Claus then appeared, and each family was invited up in turn to meet them and receive a gift. Our eldest was given a skipping rope, while our youngest received an Elf on the Shelf — which meant we went home with another naughty elf to look after!

Leaving the Park for the Hotels

Once you’ve finished your day at the theme park, you’ll need to drive to hotel car parks. It isn’t immediately obvious where to go when leaving the Express & Disabled Car Park.

As you exit make sure you turn right away from the park ground exit and drive just over 1 mile to the hotel car parks. Follow the signs for your accommodation and check in at reception.

We had stayed in the Enchanted village and check in was easy using the self check in screens. We quickly found our woodland lodge and relaxed for a short time before heading to the hotel for our evening meal and pantomime.

Where We Stayed: Woodland Lodge in the Enchanted Village

The Alton Towers Hotel, Splash Landings Hotel and CBeebies Land Hotel all have themed bedrooms, which of course, are amazing for kids.

However, on both visits we stayed in a Woodland Lodge in the Enchanted Village, which I still think was the best option for our family.

The Enchanted Village is a much quieter area and offers a separate sleeping area for the children with two bunk beds plus a pull out floor level bed. The lodges are cosy but spacious, making them ideal for a family of five.

With its magical décor, charming little hobbit door, and peaceful setting, it almost felt like staying in ‘The Shire’ from The Lord of the Rings. Each lodge also includes a storybook called ‘The Enchanted Village,’ which is free to take home.

Top Tip: Travel cots are also available free of charge in the lodges.

Evening Meal at the Secret Garden Restaurant

After a little time to relax and shower in our lodge, we walked over to the Secret Garden Restaurant in the Alton Towers Hotel for our 5:45pm evening meal.

The meal was buffet-style with plenty of options to suit everyone. Because our pantomime was booked for 7:30pm, we were able to enjoy a relaxed, unrushed dinner and finish drinks in the bar area before heading to the show.

When to Watch the Festive Pantomime: Day 1 or Day 2?

On our first visit, we chose to watch the pantomime on the morning of Day 2. This worked well at the time, as we also had the Santa Tipi Experience booked on Day 1 and wanted to maximise our time in the theme park.

For our most recent visit, we did the opposite and watched the pantomime on the evening of Day 1, which also worked. As we weren’t doing a Santa Experience this time, we had plenty of time in the park during the day, and finishing the evening with dinner followed by the pantomime on New Year’s Eve made the whole experience feel extra special.

Both options work well; it really depends on how full your Day 1 schedule is.

Top Tip: If you have a Santa Experience booked on Day 1, consider watching the pantomime on Day 2 to give yourself more time for rides. If not, an evening pantomime can be a lovely way to round off the day — especially for a festive or New Year visit.

New Year’s Eve at Alton Towers

Our most recent visit was on New Year’s Eve, and while there was entertainment in the Alton Towers Hotel throughout the evening, we chose to head back to our lodge, get cosy, and were asleep just before midnight.

Breakfast at the Secret Garden Restaurant

After an easy check-out, we returned to the Secret Garden Restaurant for our 8:45am buffet breakfast.

We’d pre-booked Splash Landings for 10:30am, which gave us plenty of time to enjoy a leisurely breakfast before heading off to swim.

Splash Landings Waterpark & Extraordinary Golf

You have a 2.5 hour slot to enjoy the waterpark rides and whilst nobody seemed to be monitoring this, we were ready to get out after this time had passed.

Some rides have a 1.1m or 1.2m height requirement, or require children to ride on a double ring with an adult. Our youngest daughter, aged five, was able to enjoy all of the rides, riding on a double ring with one of us for some.

Top Tip: Remember to take your own towels and 20p for a locker.

Afterwards, we headed to Extraordinary Golf, which is also included in the package. To find the Extraordinary Golf, simply head outside and follow the purple blobs on the ground with the Alton Towers logo.

Final Thoughts – Alton Towers Christmas Sleepover

Visiting the Alton Towers Santa Sleepover eight years apart didn’t disappoint — it was still just as magical in its own way.

If you’re looking for a festive family break that removes the stress of planning, keeps children entertained, and genuinely feels special, this is a lovely way to start the Christmas season.

My biggest advice? Book early, download the app, and embrace the slower, queue-free pace.

It really is a magical sleepover for families.

To book your Santa Sleepover at Alton Towers – click here.