The pre-booking website for holders of Merlin Annual Passes temporarily crashed at launch this afternoon.
Shortly after the link was released by Merlin Entertainments at 12:30, the pre-booking system for UK attractions became unavailable due to demand.
By 12:55, the hub website was operational, with almost 4,000 people waiting in the queue to gain access to pre-booking at Alton Towers.
The system was however earlier allowing instant access to bookings for Thorpe Park and Warwick Castle.
By 12:45, there were almost 2,000 people waiting in the queues for both Chessington World of Adventures and Legoland Windsor.
The numbers waiting equated to waiting times of between 30 and 40 minutes before dates could be reserved by pass-holders.
Holders of Merlin’s annual passes are currently required to pre-book admission to the company’s UK attractions in advance of their visit.
These changes were implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions limiting the attractions’ capacities.
The pre-booking system was originally planned to be launched on Monday, but links were inadvertently posted online and allowed several customers to pre-book before intended.