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Forbidden Valley

Alton Towers Resort, Alton, Staffordshire, ST10 4DB

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Access Guide

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Area Summary

Getting Help and Assistance

  • For the theme park map please click here (new tab).
  • There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
  • There is a member of staff trained in British Sign Language.
  • The alternative formats documents can be provided in include: large print on request.
  • There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area at the venue/nearby.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
  • There are mobility aids available.
  • The mobility aids available include wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
  • To obtain mobility aids please contact a member of staff or Guest Services.
  • There is a designated place of safety which can be used by people who may feel scared or at risk.
  • The quiet/safe place is located in No.1 Towers Street.
  • Ear defenders and RADAR keys are available from Guest Services.
  • Portable hearing loops are available for use around the resort. These are available from Guest Services.
  • Free WiFi is available throughout the resort.
  • All staff undertake Disability Awareness and Equality Training.

Area

  • Access and Circulation View
    • Forbidden Valley can be accessed via a steep slope from Gloomy Wood or by numerous steps from The Gardens and Lakeside Walk.
      There is a separate external entrance into Forbidden Valley for hotel guests only.
    • There is ramped/sloped access throughout this area.
    • Forbidden Valley is situated on a steep downhill gradient.
    • There are some slight and steep slopes leading to kiosks and buildings in this area.
    • There is a Woodland Walk between Forbidden Valley and the CBeebies Hotel. This walkway may not be accessible for wheelchair users due to uneven surfaces and steep slopes.
    • There are some features in this area which could cause a potential trip hazard.
    • The surface throughout consists of concrete and block paving.
    • The floor surface may be uneven in places.
    • During busy periods this area can become congested.
    • There are resting areas in this area.
    • Seating in the resting area(s) include(s); picnic tables with fixed seating, bench seating and stools.
    • Vending machines are available in this area.
    • The vending machine controls range from 68cm to 130cm.
    • Freestyle drinks machines are available in this area.
    • The Freestyle drinks machine controls range from 135cm to 163cm.
    • The lowered controls designed for wheelchair users are at a height of 92cm.
    • There is a slight slope leading to the freestyle vending units.
    • Lockers are available within this area and are accessed via a steep slope.
    • There is a designated smoking area in Forbidden Valley.
    • There is an additional vending machine by the freestyle drinks machine.
      The lowest control point of the vending machine is 114cm and the highest point is 155cm.
  • Signage and Audio View
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • Wayfinding signage does not include symbols or pictograms.
    • There is background music/noise in this area.

Ramp(s) or Slope(s) (Gloomy Wood - Forbidden Valley)

  • There is a ramp/slope located between Gloomy Wood and Forbidden Valley.
  • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.

Ramp(s) or Slope(s) (Forbidden Valley - Haunted Hollow)

  • There is a ramp/slope located between Forbidden Valley and Haunted Hollow.
  • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.

Step(s) (Forbidden Valley / Haunted Hollow - Lakeside Walk)

  • There is a/are step(s) located at the rear of Haunted Hollow, near to Forbidden Valley.
  • The step(s) is/are used to access the Lakeside Walk.
  • There is/are 34 step(s).
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are 14cm.
  • The depth of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides of the step(s).
  • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
  • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • Handrails are not easy to grip.
  • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.

Eating and Drinking (Nemesis Donuts)

  • Location and Access View
    • The following information is for the food and drink kiosk.
    • There is ramped/sloped access to the food and drink kiosk.
    • Nemesis Donuts is located at the top of a steep gradient.
  • Service and Menus View
    • Menu types include: written wall menus.
    • Menus are clearly written.
    • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
    • Staff can read menus to customers if requested.
    • The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.
    • Plastic/takeaway cups are available.
    • Adapted cups are not available.
    • Adapted cutlery is not available.
    • Drinking straws are available.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system .
  • Service Counter(s) View
    • The height of the counter is 127cm.
    • There is a moveable card machine available for payment.
    • The type of flooring in this area is concrete and block paving.
  • Tables and Seating View
    • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • The standard height for the underside of dining tables is 60cm.
    • Some tables are permanently fixed.
    • Some chairs are permanently fixed.
    • No chairs have armrests on both sides.
    • In this area there are picnic tables with fixed seating.
    • The type of flooring in this area is block paving.

Eating and Drinking (Forbidden Valley Snacks and Drinks)

  • Location and Access View
    • The following information is for the food and drink kiosk.
    • There is ramped/sloped access to the food and drink kiosk.
    • The food and drink kiosk is located on a steep gradient.
  • Service and Menus View
    • Menu types include: written wall menus.
    • Menus are clearly written.
    • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
    • Staff can read menus to customers if requested.
    • The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.
    • Plastic/takeaway cups are available.
    • Adapted cups are not available.
    • Adapted cutlery is not available.
    • Drinking straws are available.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system .
  • Service Counter(s) View
    • The height of the counter is 127cm.
    • There is a moveable card machine available for payment.
    • The type of flooring in this area is concrete.

Eating and Drinking (Hydration Station)

  • Location and Access View
    • The following information is for the food and drink kiosk.
    • There is ramped/sloped access to the food and drink kiosk.
    • Hydration Station is located on a steep gradient.
  • Service and Menus View
    • Menu types include: picture wall menus and written wall menus.
    • Menus are clearly written.
    • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
    • Staff can read menus to customers if requested.
    • Plastic/takeaway cups are available.
    • Adapted cups are not available.
    • Drinking straws are available.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system .
  • Service Counter(s) View
    • The height of the counter is 110cm.
    • There is a moveable card machine available for payment.
    • The type of flooring in this area is concrete.

Outdoor Seating

  • The outdoor seating is located near to Galactica.
  • There is ramped/sloped access to the outdoor seating.
  • There are also stools.
  • The surface height of the lowest table is 76cm.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs have armrests on both sides.
  • The type of flooring in this area is block paving.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Forbidden Valley - Right Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located in Forbidden Valley, near to the Skyride.
    • There is ramped/sloped access into the accessible toilet.
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is poor.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is good.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 145cm x 260cm (4ft 9in x 8ft 6in).
    • The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 84cm (2ft 9in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a waste disposal bin and storage items.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is fair.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are sanitary and general waste (with lid) disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • The height of the coat hook is 125cm from the floor.
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is not a mirror.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is good.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is poor.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The wash basin tap type is sensor.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 86cm.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is poor.

Standard Toilet(s) (Forbidden Valley)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female and male toilets are located in Forbidden Valley, near to the Skyride.
    • There is ramped/sloped access into the toilet(s).
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is poor.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is push.
    • Lighting levels are moderate to good.

Parent and Baby Room (Forbidden Valley)

  • The parent and baby room is located in Forbidden Valley, near to the Skyride.
  • There is ramped/sloped access into the parent and baby room.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the room.
  • There is written text signage on or near the parent and baby room door.
  • The baby change table is not set against the wall, permanently fixed at 75cm from the floor.
  • The baby change table is not height adjustable.
  • The height of the baby change table once extended is 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • There are disposal facilities in the parent and baby room.
  • There is a wash basin in the parent and baby room.
  • The height of the wash basin is 80cm.
  • The wash basin tap type is push.
  • There is a/are chair(s) in the parent and baby room.
  • There is a chair with armrests on both sides.
  • There is not a toilet in the parent and baby room.
  • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
  • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Ramp(s) or Slope(s) (Forbidden Valley Toilets and Parent & Baby Room)

  • There is a ramp/slope located near to the entrance for the Skyride.
  • The ramp/slope is used to access the toilets and parent and baby room.
  • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.

Area Access Guides