Looking at arranging a trip to Alton Towers opening day as it is expected to see Nemesis reopening at the start of the season now the retrack is complete. I'll be getting a Merlin Annual Pass in the next sale for the "24 Season.
*Update* Towers After Dark will be open until 8pm on opening Saturday.
My current plan is to travel to a hotel around Derby on friday evening (15th Mar). Premier Inn looks like the best option currently. Then travel to the park to arrive at the corkscrew entrance plaza for 9:30 - 10:00.
Plans may be subject to change but now's a good time to get a date in the calendar.
Opening day has not been officially announced however it can be found through the Towers hotel booking site;
Thorpe looks like it will be opening on the following weekend on Sunday 24th Mar