128 days 9 hours 26 mins 42 secs

Who is this event suitable for?

This event is suitable for EVERYONE! Children and adults with all types of alopecia, along with their friends and family, or anyone wishing to come along solo can join us for an enjoyable, supportive and impactful day.

With an average of around 300 people attending this event in recent years, this is an amazing opportunity to meet others in the alopecia community face to face.

You don't even really have to like rollercoasters to join! There are many gentler rides available as well as some lovely gardens to walk around. Many people feedback that it was not the rides they liked best, it was sharing with others, the big lunchtime meet-up & chatting in the ride queues that they remember and cherish most.

Why go to a Theme Park?

The trip was born as an awareness event way back in 2014 but quickly grew into a chance for the community to support each other as we found that rollercoasters and theme parks can typically be avoided by those with alopecia.

We encourage our attendees to wear blue Alopecia UK t-shirts and hoodies as this creates an incredibly supportive atmosphere in the park. You can read more about the impact that creates here.

What can you expect?

We facilitate groups to go around the park together so they can meet others affected by alopecia. Socialisation with others in the community is a huge part of the day.  However, some people choose to go around the park in their own family/friendship groups, either for all or part of the day. It is up to the individuals attending. We just want everyone to enjoy their day and have fun! 

Please note that children under 16 are the responsibility of their parents/guardians at all times. Whilst Alopecia UK volunteers will lead groups around the park parents/guardians are expected to stay with their children at all times and not leave them with our volunteer team.  

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Volunteering

This event could not take place without the dedication and support of our volunteer team.

If you'd like to find out more about volunteering at this event please see here.

Deadline Monday 1st December 2023.

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Ticket options:

You can either buy tickets from us (cheaper than buying directly from Alton Towers) or if you already have tickets (e.g. if you are a Merlin pass holder) we encourage you to register below so that you are included in our event communications and can be kept up to date.

• Each order must include at least one attendee with alopecia (hair loss).
• ANY children age 2 & under go free
• If you have sourced your theme park tickets elsewhere (e.g. if you are a Merlin pass holder) please select the Registration Only ticket option. When selecting this ticket type please select one ticket per family group (not one ticket per person) and let us know how many will be in your party when completing the questions.  It is helpful for us to know how many people are coming as part of the Alopecia UK event.
• If you require any extra assistance or are unable to queue due to a condition or disability then you may be eligible for a Ride Access Pass. This must be applied for in advance. See more here. 
  If you require a carer ticket please contact [email protected] 

Standard Ticket	£33.00
This ticket is valid for: any adult, aged 18+, with alopecia any parent of a child with alopecia any sibling/friend/family member of someone with alopecia, age 3+ any child with alopecia FROM OUTSIDE THE UK*, age 3+
AGE 3-17 WITH ALOPECIA Ticket	FREE**
This ticket is valid for: any child/young person with alopecia, living in the UK, age 3-17
Child 2 & Under Ticket	Free
This ticket is valid for: any child age 2 or under (with or without alopecia).
Registration Only	Free
This ticket is valid for: Attendees who wish to purchase their own tickets but still want to join the day and get event communications from Alopecia UK

*If you are from outside the UK and would like to attend our event please see more information here.  **Children and young people with alopecia aged 17 and under, living in the UK are able to order a free ticket, subsidised by Alopecia UK when purchased with an adult ticket.

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Optional extras: 

• Sandwiches 

Whilst booking your ticket below you can also pre-order a sandwich (which saves you waiting in long lunch queues!) You can only collect this sandwich from the Hospitality Suite (find out more here) between 1.30pm – 2.25pm. You will NOT be able to order a sandwich on the day. 

Please know these sandwich options may be subject to change, in such a circumstance you will be offered the closest alternative. If no alternative is available you will be offered the chance to select a new sandwich or receive a refund.

• Merchandise (t-shirts/hoodies/hats)

You can purchase merchandise along with your ticket. Wearing an Alopecia UK hoodie and/or t-shirt is not a requirement to attend but is an important part of the day (see here for more details). We will sell a very small amount of merchandise on the day but please note this will be at a higher cost than buying ahead of time and we cannot guarantee to have the item or size you want in stock on the day. 

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Important deadlines:

Tickets will be on sale until 9 AM on Friday 8th March 2024. Tickets are subject to availability and Alopecia UK retains the right to close ticket sales earlier than the stated closing date.

Event Merchandise will be on sale until 9 AM on Monday 26th of February 2024. Merchandise will be posted out the week commencing the 18th of March 2024 (subject to the printers delivering on time).

Refund requests will be accepted up until 9 AM on Monday 26th of February 2024 on either tickets or merchandise. No refunds will be given after Monday 26th of February 2024. Refunds are subject to a small processing fee.

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Further information links:

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Feedback from our previous events:

Very emotional for me and my daughter to see so many children and adults with alopecia.  Until that day my daughter was thinking she is the only one child with alopecia in the UK. She was nervous she might be the only one there. Her face said it all when she saw many more people just like her. We had a lovely group. People were so nice, volunteers supportive and helpful.  It was great to experience things together!

Enjoyed being able to have my head uncovered in public without fear of judgement.

I saw a genuine smile from my son which I hadn't seen in the two years since he lost his hair.  Was wonderful.  But equally his brother loved the rides so both boys were really happy, and so were the parents.  Both boys are asking to go next year.

I loved everything from start to finish. The constant updates on Facebook and emails to the information breakdown about the groups to the layout of the day. I loved being part of a group as I feel this made the day for me as I got to know my group and never once felt alone. Loved the structure too, some work went into the planning of this and that could be seen, a perfect day.

It was all excellent. Having the unity of everyone together at the event was really special. Being able to chat to people in the queues and at lunchtime. The WhatsApp group was invaluable in getting messages relayed, finding people, etc. The warmth, positivity and inclusive vibe from the organising team and volunteers fed through all participants. No-one was stressed or awkward. The group banners were excellent. The clothing was superb, hoodies very warm.

I write on behalf of myself and my husband and my 18 yr old daughter with Alopecia. We all collectively feel that this event is so important and it’s wonderful to be a part of a ‘family’ of people who just ‘get it’. You don’t even need to talk about the issues, but there is an instant bond with those around us.

I felt that, for once, having alopecia was normal. Other people in the park tended not to stare as it was suddenly normal to see people with no hair as we were in such a big group.

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Please take the time to fill in the required information, ensuring you list the names of all party members. This is to ensure we can prepare for the day appropriately. Take care when entering contact information to ensure that you receive your confirmation email.

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The event is kindly sponsored by ALPHAGEEK
Find out more about sponsoring the event here.