Alton Towers Resort

Alton Towers Resort commonly referred to as Alton Towers is a theme park, waterpark, and hotel complex in the Staffordshire countryside. It is the flagship attraction of Merlin Entertainments in the United Kingdom. The site historically opened in 1860 with flower shows and garden tours until a theme park was built on the site in 1980. Since then the waterpark has opened as well as two hotels.

The Alton Towers Theme Park opened on 4 April 1980 and major attractions include Nemesis, Oblivion, Air, Rita and Th13teen, and in 2013, The Smiler opened, becoming the world's first 14 inversion roller coaster.

Its promotional music has been Edvard Grieg's classical composition In the Hall of the Mountain King for the past two decades.

History

File:Alton Towers Entrance 1.JPG

Entrance to Alton Towers, with the monorail behind

Main article: History of Alton Towers

The Alton Towers estate was a former seat of the Earls of Shrewsbury. Following its sale in 1924 a group of local business men formed Alton Towers Ltd. and began to restore the gardens to be operated as a tourist attraction. The park has developed progressively since the 1950s including the operation of a fairground prior to eventually becoming a theme park in April 1980.

In 1990 the park was purchased by Pearson Media. A few years later, it was purchased by the Tussauds group. Fifteen years later Alton Towers was acquired by the investment group Dubai International Capital (DIC) when it purchased the Tussauds Group for £800 million in 2005. The Tussauds Group was bought by Merlin Entertainments in March 2007 for over £1billion from DIC, placing Alton Towers under their control. In July 2007, the resort and park was sold to Nick Leslau and his investment firm Prestbury who now lease the park back to Merlin Entertainments to operate on a 35-year lease.

Events

Alton Towers Live

Alton Towers Live is an annual concert that takes place in the theme park during July, usually located on the lawns next to The Towers.

Fireworks

From the 1990s, Alton Towers hosted an annual fireworks event on the Great Lawns. The displays were considered disruptive by some local residents, which led to formal complaints. Two local residents, Suzanne and Stephen Roper, decided to take the theme park to court regarding this issue. The court issued Alton Towers with a noise abatement order in October 2005, this restricted the theme park to three shows a year, previously five, with noise readings not exceeding 40 decibels outside the park. In 2006, the display was rebranded as Electric Towers, but then discontinued. An impressive fireworks and laser show returned in 2010 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the theme park. The event has since recurred for the 2011, 2012 and 2013 season finales.

It is also of note that the Earl of Shrewsbury made use of fireworks as part of the Grand Fetes held at Alton Towers in the 1890s, when Alton Towers was still a stately home.

Scarefest

The park's largest annual event is the Alton Towers 'Scarefest' which celebrates Halloween with a number of temporary scare maze attractions, costumed characters and extended opening hours to 9:00 pm. Many rides and areas are lit with coloured lighting at night, with rides operatieng in the darkness after dusk. The Scarefest event has been running since 2007, although the park started celebrating Halloween with decoration several years before and has operated the Terror of the Towers scaremaze since 2002.

Template:Hidden beginSeasonal Scarefest attractions as of 2013

• Zombie Scarezone is a walk through scare zone themed to a nuclear fallout where zombies roam the earth. The attraction is aimed to bridge the gap between the children's Scarefest activities and the scare mazes so is not as intense as the other "scare attractions". In 2011 the attraction was located between Sonic Spinball and the Goal Striker building though it has been moved behind the Dark Forest for 2012 as Carnival of Screams is relocated to the Goal Striker building.

• Terror of the Towers – What Lies Within, a long scare maze situated inside the Towers themselves, first introduced in 2002. This attraction has seen several different incarnations since its debut. A new format was introduced in the 2009 Scarefest event, along with the new tagline "What Lies Within" replacing "Bloodfest Banquet". Visitors queue outside in Her Ladyship's Gardens, and the attraction itself starts in the derelict Conservatories. Batches of guests watch a short video showing two men exploring the Towers for ghosts. The video then cuts short, and guests enter the Towers to find the men. At certain points in the maze, the bodies of the two men are each seen hanging from a noose. Visitors become lost in the lengthy corridors and themed scenes in the Towers, with live actors pursuing them in every room. The finale to the attraction is a maze-like walkway that winds around actors in cages, with strobe effects.

• The Sanctuary was new for the 2012 Scarefest event and returned in 2013; the attraction is set in a research facility operated by "The Ministry of Joy". Alton Towers released the following description: "Lost your Smile? Then check yourself in for a refreshing check up at The Sanctuary. After being closed for new patients for almost 50 years The Sanctuary, The Ministry of Joy’s earliest establishment, is now holding important trials searching for ‘Advocates’ for its 2013 project." It was revealed to be part of marketing for The Smiler roller coaster, opened in 2013.

• Carnival of Screams is a scare maze that debuted for the 2010 Scarefest event. During its debut it shared the same temporary building as the Boiler House. John Wardley contributed to the development of Carnival of Screams, which was entered through a large clown face with horrific features. For 2011 it and the Boiler House were relocated to the X-Sector area. The maze is a mixture of humor and serious scares, and the music used is the former Toy Land Tours attraction theme music warped for dramatic effect.

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• Terror of the Towers. The first incarnation of this long-running annual scare maze was introduced in 2002, and was located in the Towers ruins themselves. Many scenes from the original maze are still used every year. Visitors walked through the long, winding corridors of the Towers, through themed scenes while being pursued by live actors. The finale featured a winding pathway around actors behind fences, who lunged towards visitors, accompanied with heavy strobe effects. For 2003 it was restructured and given the tagline and theme "Bloodfest Banquet".
• "TH13TEEN: After Dark" has an enhanced queue line for Alton Towers' newest roller coaster, using fog and lighting effects as well as live actors. This attraction has not returned for 2012.
• Terror of the Towers – Bloodfest Banquet was a new version of the successful Terror of the Towers scare maze, running from 2003 to 2008. It retained much of the original version, but featured new scenes that included scripted dialogue from the several characters, and a new storyline was added. The strobe maze finale was moved to another point in the maze and replaced by a new ending, in which visitors become trapped in a small room with cages on every side, as actors reach for them through the metal bars for almost a minute. Every year, Terror of the Towers kept changing slightly with revised scenes and new scares. However, for the 2009 Scarefest event, Terror of the Towers was once again completely rethought, with the tagline "What Lies Within". The new incarnation drops the scripted scenes and characters; meaning it is similar to the original Terror of Towers of 2002. The whole layout for the maze was also reversed, with what was previously the entrance becoming the exit.

• Room 13 was first introduced in 2006 and was located in the conference room of the Alton Towers Hotel. It was only available to guests of the hotel, who were led around the maze as many live actors appeared to scare them. Room 13 had positive reviews and returned in 2007, but was replaced by The Boiler House in 2008.

• Field of 1000 Screams was first introduced in the 2007 Scarefest event and was the first maze at Alton Towers not situated inside a pre-existing building. The Field was located entirely outdoors in a moderately sized field of maize, which had to be planted especially for the event several months earlier. It was based around the fictional village of Altonville, that had supposedly become overrun by zombies. Visitors walked down a long pathway cut through the corn, and encountered various characters and scares along the way, before the finale took place. Each year the maze developed slightly with different scenes, with the storyline continuing on from the previous year's backstory. The Field of 1000 Screams was received with positive reviews in its first few seasons, but did not return for the 2010 event.

• Haunted Hollow Live was first seen in 2007 and consisted of several sinister, costumed actors performing along the Haunted Hollow walkway in Gloomy Wood. The attraction was similar to Duel Live, which was introduced the year later. Haunted Hollow Live returned for the 2008 Scarefest event, but was cancelled for 2009 because of incidents involving actors being attacked.

• Duel Live was first introduced in the 2008 Scarefest event. Throughout this period, the park's haunted house dark ride, Duel, became host to this attraction, which included several live actors situated around the ride circuit. Duel was available to ride normally until 12 pm, when the laser guns and LED targets were switched and the actors took their positions. This was changed in 2009, when Duel Live took place throughout the whole day and many more actors than the previous year were present. Duel Live was aimed at the family audience, and included such features as new music playing throughout the ride (instead of the usual Duel theme music), as well as a butler or maid who would welcome you inside the house. The attraction was changed slightly for the 2010 season and is now based around the park's Scarefest mascots.

• Skelvin's Haunted Adventure was a newer version of Duel Live, introduced in 2010, and took over Duel – The Haunted House Strikes Back! throughout Scarefest. As in previous years, the attraction included live actors situated at different points around the ride. The laser guns and LED targets were switched off during this time. The ride was based around the Scarefest mascots, notably the character of "Skelvin".

• The Boiler House was a scare maze first introduced in 2008, and was situated next to the Alton Towers Hotel. Originally, the scare maze was based around an abandoned industrial facility and featured live actors in make up. This was changed in 2009, when a new storyline was added. The scare maze later became based around the fictional "Hamble Twins" serial killers hiding in the industrial building, and visitors have to escape them as they are chased through the scenes. Visitors queued outside, past a van labelled "Alton News 24", from which television screens play news reports on the activity of the serial killers. Guests then walk through a covered walkway, which hides the marquee that the maze is contained in from view. Once inside, a man appears and warns guests about the dangers of coming inside. The murderers then appear and kill him, before chasing visitors away. Each of the Twins are played by two different actors wearing the same grotesque, latex mask. They appear at different points in the maze, creating the illusion that one character is in several places at once. Dim lighting and scent effects are heavily used. For the 2011 Scarefest, The Boiler House moved along with the Carnival of Screams to the X Sector, where they both shared the old Black Hole tent. After three years it did not return for the 2012 season. The major reason for its axing was because visitors started to find it boring and repetitive as the plot line remained the same every year since its opening.

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Winter, Christmas

The Splash Landings and Alton Towers hotels remain open throughout winter. Visitors can also still enter the Alton Towers Waterpark (Cariba Creek), Extraordinary Golf and Spa while most of the theme park is closed. However, selected areas of the theme park are open for the Christmas event, in which the park is decorated for the special occasion and is home to Santa and real reindeer.

Rides and attractions

Roller coasters

Name	Picture	Opened	Type	Height Min.	Manufacturer	Park Section	Notes
Air	Template:NA File:Air 06.jpg	2002	Steel flying	1.4m	Bolliger & Mabillard	Forrbiden Valley	World's first B&M Flying Coaster
Nemesis	Template:NA File:Nemesis (Alton Towers) 01.jpg	1994	Steel inverted	1.4m	Bolliger & Mabillard	Forbidden Valley	Europe's first inverted coaster
Oblivion	Template:NA File:Oblivion.JPG	1998	Steel dive	1.4m	Bolliger & Mabillard	X-Sector	World's first vertical drop coaster
Rita	Template:NA File:Rita Queen of Speed.jpg	2005	Steel accelerator	1.4m	Intamin	Dark Forest	Themed as a race-track
Runaway Mine Train	Template:NA File:Runaway Mine Train (Alton Towers) 01.jpg	1992	Steel mine train	90 cm	MACK Rides	Katanga Canyon	The oldest coaster in the park following the removal of the Beastie in early 2013
Sonic Spinball	Template:NA File:Sonic Spinball.JPG	2004	Steel spinning	1.2m	Maurer Sohne	Adventure Land	The riders can spin the cabs.
The Smiler	Template:NA File:The Smiler on opening day.jpg	2013	Steel Infinity	1.4m	Gerstlauer	X-Sector	World's first 14 looping coaster, holds record as of early 2013.
TH13TEEN	Template:NA File:Thirteen train 1.jpg	2010	Steel	1.2m	Intamin	Dark Forest	World's first vertical free-fall drop.

Construction details

Name	Height	Length	Top Speed	Max Vert. Angle	Inver- sions	Trains on Ride	Riders Per Train	Designer
Air*	66 ft (20 m)	2,760 ft (840 m)	47 mph (75 km/h)	40°	2	3	28 (7 rows 4)	John Wardley
Nemesis*	43 ft (13 m)	2,349 ft (716 m)	50 mph (80.5 km/h)	40°	4	2	32 (8 rows of 4)	John Wardley
Oblivion*	65 ft (20 m)	1,223 ft (373 m)	68 mph (109 km/h)	88.8°	0	7	16 (2 rows of 8)	John Wardley
Rita	68.9 ft (21.0m)	2,099.8 ft (640.0m)	61.1 mph (98.3 km/h)	53°	0	4	20 (10 rows of 2)	Werner Stengel
Runaway Mine Train	68 ft (21 m)	1,000 ft (300 m)	22.4 mph (36 km/h)	29°	0	1	46 (23 rows of 2)	John Wardley
Sonic Spinball	56 ft (17 m)	1,476 ft (450 m)	38 mph (61 km/h)	90°	0	8	4 (2 rows of 2, back to back)	John Wardley
The Smiler**	72 ft (22 m)	3,840 ft (1,170 m)	53 mph (85 km/h)	50°	14**	5	16 (4 rows of 4)	John Wardley, Ben Dowson
Thirteen**	60 ft (18 m)	2,625 ft (800 m)	41 mph (66 km/h)	70°	0	5	20 (10 rows of 2)	John Wardley

Key: * = record holder upon opening; ** = current record holder (February 2014)

Flat rides

Name	Picture	Type	Opened	Area	Manufacturer	Additional Information
The Blade (Alton Towers	Template:NA File:Alton towers The Blade.jpg	Swinging ship	2000	Forbidden Valley	Huss Rides	Zero gravity swinging ship, themed to look like a piece of machinery. Height limit 1 m.
Enterprise	Template:NA File:Enterprise (Alton Towers).jpg	Huss Enterprise	1984	X-Sector	Huss Rides	Classic Huss enterprise. Height limit 1m
Nemesis: Sub-Terra	Template:NAFile:Nemesis Sub-Terra Logo USE ON LIGHT BKGS CMYK.jpg	Drop tower	2012	Forbidden Valley	ABC Rides	Combined dark ride and drop tower, housed underground. Height limit 1.4m.
Ripsaw	Template:NA File:Ripsaw.jpg	Top Spin	1997	Forbidden Valley	Huss Rides	Top spin with a water feature, themed as a piece of machinery. Height limit 1.4m.
Twirling Toadstool	Template:NA File:Twirlingtoadstool.jpg	Wave swinger	2009	Cloud Cuckoo Land	Zierer	Tame wave swinger for families. Height limit 1.2m.

Water/Dark rides

Name	Picture	Type	Opened	Area	Manufacturer	Notes
Battle Galleons	Template:NA File:Mutiny-bay.jpg	Water Battle	2008	Mutiny Bay	Mack Rides	Boat attraction with water guns.
Congo River Rapids	Template:NA File:Congo River Rapids.jpg	Rapids ride	1986	Katanga Canyon	Intamin	Intamin rapids ride around the perimeter of Katanga Canyon. Refurbished 1992.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Ride	Template:NA File:Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Ride, Alton Towers, UK.jpg	Water dark ride	2006	Cloud Cuckoo Land	Mack Rides	Boat tour around willy wonkas factory. Based on the children's book by Roald Dahl.
Duel: The Haunted House Strikes Back!	Template:NA File:Duel Facade.JPG	Dark ride	2003	Gloomy Wood	Mack Rides	Dark ride through the haunted house. Rides are equipped with laser guns to shoot the scenery and gain points. Height limit none / 1,2 m alone.
Hex: The Legend of the Towers	Template:NA File:Alton Towers - Hex.jpg	Walk-through/ Madhouse	2000	The Towers	Vekoma	Walkthrough attraction based on the legend of the chained oak. Finished with a Madhouse in the rides Vault. Height limit 1.2m
The Flume	Template:NA File:The Flume, Alton Towers - geograph.org.uk - 1466159.jpg	Log flume	1981 (2004)	Mutiny Bay	Mack Rides	Bath time themed log flume with three drops. Once the longest log flume in the world. Rethemed 2004. Height limit 1.2m

Children's rides

Name	Picture	Type	Opened	Area	Manufacturer	Additional Information
Driving School	Template:NA File:Alton towers driving school.jpg	Driving Attraction	2006	Cloud Cuckoo Land	Peugeot	Children's car driving attraction
Frog Hopper	Template:NA	Mini drop tower	1999	Cloud Cuckoo Land	Zamperla	Mini drop tower for children
Galloper's Carousel	Template:NA File:Alton towers carousel.jpg	Carousel	1991	Cloud Cuckoo Land	Bertazzon	Children's merry-go-round style ride
Heave Ho	Template:NAFile:Alton Towers 04.jpg	Rock 'n' Tug	2008	Mutiny Bay	Zierer	Boat ride themed like a pirate ship.
Marauder's Mayhem	Template:NAFile:Maurauders Mayhem @ Mutiny Bay.jpg	Tea Cups Ride	1986	Mutiny Bay	Mack Rides	Tea cups re-themed to look like barrels of gunpowder. Rethemed in 2008; height limit 1,1 m.
In the Night Garden Magical Boat Ride	Template:NA File:Magic654.png	Boat ride	2014	CBeebies Land	Template:NA	Set sail on the magical In The Night Garden Boat Ride where you’ll be able to journey through a real Night Garden and spot all your favourite characters!
Get Set Go TreeTop Adventure	Template:NA File:Treetop543.jpeg	Pedal rail ride	2014	CBeebies Land	Premier Rides	Travel high through the tree tops in your own vehicle and take in a tip-top view of CBeebies Land!
Wobble World	Template:NA	Play area	1993	Cloud Cuckoo Land	Tussauds	Children's soft play area

Other attractions

Name	Picture	Type	Opened	Area	Manufacturer	Notes
Ice Age: The 4D Experience	Template:NA File:Alton towers building.jpg	4D Cinema	2012	Cloud Cuckoo Land	SimEx/IWerks	4D Cinema licensed by 20th Century Fox, located in Cloud Cuckoo Land Theatre.
Haunted Hollow	Template:NA File:Alton towers hearse at haunted hollow.jpg	Walkthrough	2007	Gloomy Wood	Tussauds Studios	Themed walk way from Gloomy Wood to Mutiny Bay
Monorail	Template:NA File:Alton Towers Monorail.jpg	Monorail	1987	Theme Park Entrance Plaza, Resort Hotels	Von Roll Habegger	Monorail system to transport guests from the resort hotels & car parks to the theme park entrance. Trains refurbished in 2008.
Sharkbait Reef	Template:NA	Sea Life Centre	2009	Mutiny Bay	Merlin Entertainments Studios	Small aquarium themed to a shipwreck.
Sky Ride	Template:NA File:Skyride Alton Towers.JPG	Cable car	1987	Towers Street, Forbidden Valley, Cloud Cuckoo Land	Poma	Cable car used to transport guests around the theme park giving views of the gardens. Was damaged by fire in 2007; refurbished in 2009; damaged again by fire 21 July 2009; Rebuilt for the 2010 season).
The Gardens	Template:NA File:Alton Towers - geograph.org.uk - 1252658.jpg	Garden	1860	The Towers		Large Garden located within the valley with structures located around.

Past rides

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Alton Towers Theme Park

File:Alton Towers representational map.svg

A map of the relative location of areas in the theme park. Clockwise from top:

  Towers Street

  Mutiny Bay

  Katanga Canyon

  Gloomy Wood

  Forbidden Valley

  Dark Forest

  Cloud Cuckoo Land

  X-Sector

  Adventure Land

The Alton Towers Theme Park is divided into 10 themed areas: Towers Street, Mutiny Bay, Katanga Canyon, Gloomy Wood, Forbidden Valley, Dark Forest, Cloud Cuckoo Land, X-Sector, Adventure Land and Cbeebies Land (Opening May 2014), each with a unique theme and setting. The theme park is also home to the Historic Towers and Gardens. The park's maximum daily capacity is set at 28,000 guests. In 2009 the park attracted 2,668,576 people, this coincided with the opening of new kids land 'Cloud Cuckoo Land' and the family attraction 'Sharkbait Reef – By Sea Life'.

Timeline of Park Areas

1980	1981	1984	1986	1990	1992	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2008	2009	2010	2014
Ingestre Centre				Aqualand	Katanga Canyon
					Merrie England							Mutiny Bay
Springfield Centre		Fantasy World								X-Sector
Talbot Centre		Festival Park									UG Land			Dark Forest
	Talbot Street				Land of Make Believe				Cred Street				Cloud Cuckoo Land
			Towers Street
			Kiddies Kingdom					Adventure Land
								Storybook Land							CBeebies Land
				Britannia Farm	Safeway Farm		Old MacDonalds Farmyard
				Thunder Valley		Forbidden Valley
					Gloomy Wood

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Alton Towers 01.jpg

Towers Street
(The Towers across the lake)

Alton towers mutiny bay pirate ship.jpg

Mutiny Bay

Katanga Canyon at Alton Towers.jpg

Katanga Canyon

Alton towers zombie.jpg

Gloomy Wood
(exterior of Duel)

Alton Towers Dark Forest entrance.jpg

Dark Forest

Cloud Cuckoo Land, Alton Towers - geograph.org.uk - 1464494.jpg

Cloud Cuckoo Land
(Theater, Twirling Toadstools, carousel)

Nemesis at Alton Towers 162 (4756073039).jpg

Forbidden Valley
(Nemesis)

X-Sector, Alton Towers - geograph.org.uk - 1464822.jpg

X-Sector
(Enterprise and Oblivion)

Alton Towers Sonic Spinball cloeseup.jpg

Adventure Land
(Sonic Spinball roller-coaster)

Alton towers tree house.jpg

CBeebies Land
(Squirrel Nutty ride)

Towers Street

Opened in 1986, Towers Street is the first area that visitors to the park encounter. Themed loosely as a town street, it leads to views of the gardens and the Towers across the lake in the distance. Along the pathway are the park's recognizable jumping frog fountains and a lawn where seasonal events usually take place. The first Skyride station is located nearby, which is a 1048 m long cable car transport that opened 1987, and was refurbished 2009. The monorail moves guests from the two on-site hotels and the water park to the theme park; it opened 1987 and was refurbished in 2008.

Transportation

• The Monorail
• Skyride

Mutiny Bay

File:Alton Towers 05.jpg

Mutiny Bay's pirates

Mutiny Bay is a pirate-themed land, which re-themed Merrie England in 2008, is aimed primarily at families. Live shows and entertainment include the live shows The Pirates of Mutiny Bay: The Kidnap of Lady Victoria Sponge, introduced in 2013. There are also pirate walkabout characters in the area, Finn's Pirate Training Camp, and Meet and Greets with Finn the Shark.

Attractions in Mutiny Bay include: Battle Galleons, a large interactive "Splash Battle" water ride where guests sit in pirate boats that travel through a water channel, while soaking other riders with water cannons, which replaced the Splash Karts. Also in the area is the rocking boat ride, Heave Ho. The teacups ride was re-themed to become Marauders Mayhem, where rotating gunbarrels replaced the tea cups. Slightly outside the area is The Flume Unplugged ride, an updated log flume with boats themed as bath tubs and many rubber ducks quacking around the station area. The Flume opened in 2004 after being re-themed from a traditional log flume ride. Once the longest flume ride in the world at 886 m.

In 2009, a new Sea Life Centre, Sharkbait Reef, opened in the location previously home to the 3-D Cinema. This includes designated "touch pools" for interacting with various underwater species and a 10-metre ocean tunnel. The attraction is one of the most heavily themed Sea Life Centres to open worldwide. In April 2010, a live webcam was installed to allow internet users to watch one of the tanks, which can be accessed via the official website.

Attractions

• Battle Galleons
• The Flume - Unplugged
• Heave Ho!
• Marauder's Mayhem
• The Pirates of Mutiny Bay
• Sharkbait Reef

Entertainment and Characters

• Curse of the Red Skull
• Fin the Shark
• Fin's Pirate Academy

Transportation

• Haunted Hollow
• Skyride

Previous Area Theme

• Ingestre Centre (1980-1989)
• Aqualand (1990-1991)
• Merrie England (1992-2007)

Past Attractions

• Splash Cats (1960s-1996)
• Aquarium (1970s-1994)
• Cine 360 (1982-1987)
• Space Boat (1983)
• Octopus (1984-1992)
• Mississippi Show Boat (1985-1991)
• Crown Carousel (1985-1986)
• Swan Boats (1987-2003)
• Tea Cup Ride (1987-2007)
• 3D Cinema (1988-2004)
• Splash Kart Challenge (2004-2007)

Katanga Canyon

Themed as an African village; created in 1992 and incorporated existing rapids ride. Rides include the roller coaster Runaway Mine Train and Congo River Rapids. Both are well-established rides in the park whose ride tracks share a tunnel. Congo River Rapids is a river rapids ride that opened 1986, as The Grand Canyon Rapids, and was refurbished in 1992. A 735 m long wild river rapids ride down the Congo River that lasts a full 6 minutes. Runaway Mine Train is a steel sit down powered coaster that reaches a speed of 22 mph (36 km) on a 1000 ft long track (305 m) and height of 68 ft (21 m); height limit 90 cm. Opened in 1992 by Mack Rides, it was designed by John Wardley.

Attractions

• Congo River Rapids
• Runaway Mine Train

Previous Area Theme

• Ingestre Centre (1980-1989)
• Aqualand (1990-1991)

Past Attractions

• Splash Cats (1960s-1996)
• Aquarium (1970s-1994)
• Cine 360 (1982-1987)
• Space Boat (1983)
• Octopus (1984-1992)
• Mississippi Show Boat (1985-1991)
• Crown Carousel (1985-1986)
• Swan Boats (1987-2003)
• Tea Cup Ride (1987-2007)
• 3D Cinema (1988-2004)

Gloomy Wood

Gloomy Wood is a small, haunted house themed area containing the ride Duel: The Haunted House Strikes Back!. The ride was originally a standard ghost train ride aptly named The Haunted House from 1992–2002. However, the ride was upgraded in 2003 with laser-based plastic guns fitted to shoot LED lights scattered around the ride in order to deactivate scares. Each player's shooting score is recorded a digital display in the ride car to encourage competitive play.

In 2007, a path cutting through the woods was added to Gloomy Wood, named Haunted Hollow. The pathway follows part of the route formerly used by the old scenic railway, linking from Mutiny Bay to Gloomy Wood. Haunted Hollow includes various tombstones, statues and other features, some of which interact with guests using sound effects.

Attractions

• Duel - The Haunted House Strikes Back

Transportation

• Haunted Hollow

Previous Attractions

• Haunted House (1992-2002)

Forbidden Valley

File:Alton Towers Forbidden Valley ride signs.jpg

Theming and signs in Forbidden Valley

Forbidden Valley is themed around a frightening post-apocalyptic landscape, with large rocks and rusty pieces of metal and machinery scattering the area and also waterfalls coloured red to look like blood. A Skyride station also serves this area of the park, and there is The Edge: Video Arcade.

One of the major rides is Nemesis; designed by John Wardley and opened in 1994, Nemesis is a steel inverted coaster that reaches a speed of 50 mph (81 km) with four inversions (barrel roll, zero g-roll, loop, barrel roll). Nemesis is consistently regarded as one of the most well-designed rollercoasters in the world in major, global rollercoaster polls. The theming is based around the fictional tale of a giant, ancient, malevolent, alien creature which is now incorporated into the new ride: Nemesis: Sub-Terra – an indoor drop tower that opened 2012.

Also in the area, and continuing the apocalyptic theme, are the Ripsaw and The Blade thrill rides. Ripsaw is a Huss Top Spin ride with a water element which opened in 1997 themed around a piece of shrapnel, supposedly thrown from the alien creature's pit. The Blade is an older Huss Pirate Boat themed around a pendulum blade. It opened in 1980, and was relocated to the area in 1997 from Fantasy World. At the end of the valley is an "oasis", with calmer colors and plants, where the steel flying coaster Air, the world's first B&M flying coaster, can be found. Also designed by John Wardley, it has two two inversions (fly to lie and in line twist). Opened in 2002, it was originally sponsored by Cadbury's Heroes.

Attractions

• Air
• The Blade
• Nemesis
• Nemesis- Sub-Terra
• Ripsaw

Transportation

• Skyride

Previous Area Theme

• Thunder Valley (1990–1993)

Past attractions

• Thunder Looper (1990–1996), now at Hopi Hari as Katapult
• Alton Beast (1988–1997), replaced by Air in 2002
• Dynamo (2002–2003), same ride as AstroDancer and Dino Dancer
• Beastie (1992-1997)

X-Sector

File:Oblivion video.ogv

Oblivion in X-Sector is the world's first roller coaster with a vertical (88.8°) drop.

X-Sector is themed as if it were a sinister futuristic government facility. The area contains three main thrill rides, two of which hold world records. Enterprise is a standard Huss Enterprise model which opened in 1984. There is also the steel sit down dive coaster Oblivion, opened in 1998 as the world's first roller coaster with a vertical (88.8°) drop. The extra-wide cars are held suspended over the edge for three seconds before dropping into a large hole amidst sirens through a pitch-black tunnel. It was designed by John Wardley, as was the second roller coaster in the area, The Smiler. The Smiler is a Gerstlauer Infinity Coaster rollercoaster opened in May 2013 and currently holds the world record for most inversions on a roller coaster (14 inversions).

Attractions

• Enterprise
• Oblivion
• The Smiler

Past Area Theme

• Springfield Centre (1980-1983)
• Fantasy World (1984-1997)

Past attractions

• Dinosaur Land (1970s-1983)
• Cine 2000 (1980-1992)
• Alpine Bobsleigh (1980-1986)
• Pirate Ship (1981-1996)
• Vintage Car Ride (1983-1992)
• Black Hole (1984–2005)
• Turbo Star (1984-1989)
• Adventureland Playground (1984-1993)
• Gravitron (1990-1992)
• Astro Dancer (1993-1996), (Same ride as Dino Dancer and Dynamo)
• Energizer (1998–2001), (Same ride as Boneshaker)
• Submission (2001-2013)

Dark Forest

The Dark Forest opened in March 2010; replacing UG Land which opened in 1999. Dark Forest is themed as a supernatural area of woodland that has been disturbed by recent excavation of an ancient burial ground. Among the three main attractions are Crypt Games. The new ride for 2010 was unveiled as Th13teen, a steel sit down partly indoor coaster themed as a haunted crypt. It features the world's first freefall drop on a roller coaster, and a unique drop in total darkness. The ride replaced the Corkscrew; the park's original roller coaster. Along with Thirteen's opening, the surrounding land was rethemed into the Dark Forest with refurbished outlets and game stalls to fit the theme. Rita, an existing roller coaster, was also altered, with new station and train designs to look 'engulfed' by the supernatural forest. Rita is a hydraulically launched steel sit-down coaster that reaches a top speed of 62 mph (100 km).

Attractions

• Rita
• Thirteen

Previous Area Theme

• Talbot Centre (1980-1983)
• Festival Park (1984–1998)
• UG Land (1999–2009)

Past Attractions

• Adventureland Playground (1970s-1983)
• Corkscrew (1980–2008)
• UG Bugs (1980–2008)
• Rupert Bear Magic Show (1980-1986)
• Wave Swinger (1984-2008)
• Magic Carpet (1984-1985)
• Ferris Wheel (1985–1986)
• 1001 Nights (1885-1994)
• Festival Park Dome (1987–1998)
• Tri-Star (1991–1992)
• Energiser (1995–1997)
• AstroDancer (1997–1998)
• Soakasaurus (1999-2009)
• Dino Dancer (1999–2000)
• Boneshaker (2001–2003)

Cloud Cuckoo Land

File:Alton Towers - Circuit voitures pour enfants.jpg

Driving School attraction in Cloud Cuckoo Land

Cloud Cuckoo Land is aimed at the younger audience of Alton Towers, and is themed with bright colours incorporating oversized flowers and toadstools, as if in a fantasy garden. There are regular shows at the theatre, and as of 2012 the Cloud Cuckoo Land Theatre is the home of Ice Age: The 4-D Experience. A Skyride station is also located nearby, which was newly refurbished for the 2010 season.

Among the attractions are an indoor bouncy castle play area called Wobble World, and a Wave Swinger ride called the the Twirling Toadstool originally located in UG Land. There are other rides in the area especially suited for younger children such as Frog Hopper and Galloper's Carousel. The Alton Towers Driving School gives children the opportunity to ride their own miniature electric cars around a British style road network. There is also Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Ride, based on the Roald Dahl novel. The dark boat ride opened in 2006, and is an 11-minute fantasy journey that replaced Toyland Tours, which in turn replaced the original boat ride Around the World in Eighty Days.

Attractions

• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Ride
• Cloud Cuckoo Land Theatre
• Frog Hopper
• Gallopers Carousel
• Driving School
• Twirling Toadstool
• Wobble World

Entertainment and Characters

• Ice Age 4D
• Ice Age Characters

Transportation

• Skyride

Previous Area Theme

• Talbot Street (1981-1991)
• The Land Of Make Believe (1992-1996)
• Cred Street (1997-2008)

Past Attractions

• Bouncing Bugs (1980–2008)
• Doom and Sons (1981-1991)
• Blue Carousel (1981-1991)
• Around The World In 80 Days (1981-1993)
• The Dolls House (1981-1995)
• Thunderbirds/Space 1999 (1982-1990)
• Mini Apple Coaster (1982-1997)
• Octopus (1984-1992)
• 4 Man Bob (1985-1990)
• Motor Museum (1987-1992)
• Crown Carousel (1987-1999)
• Alton Mouse (1988-1991)
• Alton Beast (1988-1991)
• Tri-Star (1991)
• Toyland Tours (1994-2005)
• Vintage Cars (1994-2003, SBNO 2004, Reopened 2005, closed at the end of 2005 season)
• Nickelodeon: Outta Control (1997-1998, currently SBNO)
• Cred Street Carousel (2000-2005)
• Barney's Playground (2000-2002)
• The Tweenies Playground (2003-2005)
• Cred Street Playground (2006-2008)

Previous Entertainment

• Fantastic Fountains (1981-1992)
• Magic Theatre (1993-1996)
• Barney and Friends (2000-2002)
• The Tweenies (2003-2005)
• Bob The Builder (2006)
• ATTV (2007)
• Sir Algenon and Friends (2008)
• The Wonderful World Of Cloud Cuckoo Land (2009-2010)
• GO!GO!GO! Show (2011)

Adventure Land

Adventure Land is located in an area of the park aimed mainly at families and consists of family coasters as well as a selection of play equipment. The main ride is Sonic Spinball, based on the hit SEGA video game franchise Sonic the Hedgehog. Sonic Spinball was previously known as Spinball Whizzer until the name change in 2010 when Alton bought a contract with SEGA. Opened 2004, re-themed 2010. It is a Maure Sohne spinning roller coaster, in which riders sit in carts that can spin on their base whilst traveling at speed around the twisted track. There is one other attraction, the Space Adventures playground.

Attractions

• Sonic Spinball
• Space Adventures

Entertainment and Characters

• Sonic the Hedgehog

Food and Drink

• Spinball Noodles

Previous Area Theme

Kiddies Kingdom (1986-1996)

Past Attractions

• Amazing Maze (1986-1996)
• Astroglide (1986-1996)
• Ball Pool (1986-1996)
• Biff n' Bash (1986-1996)
• Building Site (1986-1996)
• Cookie Mountain (1986-1996)
• Enchanted Parrots (1986-1996)
• Fireman's Pole (1986-1996)
• FreeFall and Tube Slides (1986-1996)
• Funbag (1986-1996)
• FunRun (1986-1996)
• Grimble's Clown-a-Round (1986-1996)
• Net Climb (1986-1996)
• Paddling Pool (1986-1996)
• Radio Models (1986-1996)
• Soft Play (1986-1996)
• Tarzan Run (1986-1996)
• Toddlers' Funbag (1986-1996)
• Trim Trail Obstacle Course (1986-1996)
• Tube Slides (1986-1996)
• Gallopers Carousel (1997-2003)
• Beastie (1997-2010)

CBeebies Land

Old MacDonald's Farmyard

Themed around a traditional farm, this area did contain a small petting zoo as well as a few rides for younger visitors, which include Doodle Doo Derby (a kiddie Derby ride that opened in 1995), a farm-themed carousel, and Riverbank Eye Spy, a canal boat ride that opened in 1999 and closed October 2013 for retheming. Other attractions include Old MacDonald's Singing Barn, a musical with animals for kids that opened in 1995, and Old MacDonald's Tractor Ride, a track tractor ride that also opened in 1995. An early attraction for the area was The Barn, the old barn that used to hold the farm animals such as rabbits, pigs and Shetland ponies before the Foot and Mouth crisis of 2001. The animals were removed in 2001 and in 2003, the Barn was converted to a play barn called Ribena Berry Bish Bash, that contained thousands of small foam balls that are propelled, raised, thrown, dropped and shot from air cannons, later called Berry Bish Bash. Originally sponsored by Ribena. The barn was removed in 2006 to make way for There's Something In The Dung Heap, the new play area for 2007, which was especially for youngsters, with a maze, a playground and a picnic area. The main feature was a large pile of dung in which visitors could enter to find interactive insects crawling the floor, made possible by a projector and sensor.

CBeebies Land

All attractions in Old MacDonald's Farmyard have closed and are being re-themed for the 2014 season. The area is set to open on 24 May 2014.

Storybook Land

Storybook Land opened in 1996, the area is the smallest in the park and consists of only two attractions. Storybook Land was originally part of Kiddies Kingdom until in 1996 the area was split into two parts, the part with the arena was split away by Squirrel Nutty and Storybook Land was born. The rest of Kiddies Kingdom became Adventure Land. The area, although very small, is heavily themed. This area is due to become part of the new Cbeebies Land opening in 2014.

Attractions include Squirrel Nutty, a Premier Rides Pedal Rail ride, themed around a tree top travel opened in 1996. Being rethemed for 2014. The Bookworm is a giant animatronics worm who reads books. Live shows and entertainment include "Meet and Greets with Squirrel Nutty," since 2010.

Past attractions:

• The Big Top and Ice Arena (1980-2005, 2006-2012 SBNO)

The Towers historic area

Main article: History of Alton Towers#Stately home and gardens

File:Alton Towers - geograph.org.uk - 1464460.jpg

Main historic house

The Towers ruins are the source of the park's name. They belonged to the Talbot family as a stately home until 1924. The Towers are now in a state of disrepair following several decades of neglect. The ruins are open to the public during most of the open season. However, some areas are closed off as part of a £1.1 million project in place to restore the oldest parts of the Towers. Key areas of The Towers include the banqueting hall, the chapel, conservatories, and Her Ladyship's Gardens.

Hex – the Legend of the Towers, a walk-through dark ride based within the ruins themselves, opened in 2000. The finale to the ride is a Vekoma Madhouse located away from the real Towers but themed as a secret vault. The storyline is based on Staffordshire's true legend about the chained oak tree, located in a nearby forest, and makes use of the history of the Towers. It is themed around the legend of the 15th Earl of Shrewsbury who was cursed by a beggar woman to suffer death every time a branch falls from an oak tree. It was designed by John Wardley.

In addition, a temporary scare maze, Terror of the Towers, operates during the park's Halloween 'Scarefest' event and has done yearly since 2002. It takes guests through a tour of the ruins and uses live actors, lighting, mist and sound effects to add atmosphere. The attraction won the 2009 London Screamie Awards for 'Best Seasonal Attraction/Maze'.

The Gardens

File:Alton Towers gardens - geograph.org.uk - 1464404.jpg

Gardens created by the eccentric 15th Earl of Shrewsbury

As an example of the mixed style of Humphry Repton's gardens, Alton Towers' garden was begun, circa 1814 by the eccentric 15th Earl of Shrewsbury, of whom J. C. Loudon (who was consulted on design features of which there were many) relates that he consulted every artist, only to avoid 'whatever an artist might recommend'.Template:Citation needed

Alton Towers grew into a collection of gardens: a Swiss Cottage, a Stonehenge, a Dutch garden, a Pagoda Fountain, said to be based on the To Ho pagoda in Canton, Lysicrates' Choragic Monument from Athens (a feature in English gardens since the 1760s), domed glasshouses (originally gilded), even a fairly large Matterhorn as a backing to one of England's earliest Alpine gardens.Template:Citation needed Near the garden entrance is a cenotaph to the 15th Earl, a marble bust with an inscription reading "He made the desert smile". Landmarks include a Chinese Pagoda Fountain, The Swiss Cottage, Miniature 'Stonehenge', a Greek Choragic Monument, and orangeries.

Alton Towers Waterpark

Main article: Alton Towers Waterpark

File:Alton Towers Waterpark1.JPG

Alton Towers Waterpark

The Alton Towers Waterpark, formerly known as Cariba Creek, opened alongside the Splash Landings Hotel in 2003. It is a large, part indoor and part outdoor waterpark themed as a tropical Caribbean lagoon. The waterpark features several fast slides, a lazy river, a giant tipping bucket and many other water features. Also located here is The Original Sandwich Co. & Ice Cream Parlor, which was previously themed as a shipwreck until 2007 when it was extended.

Attractions include Lagoona Bay, which is the main tropical pool, with water cannons, geysers and waterfalls. The Little Leak is a paddling pool for young children with two small slides and interactive pipes to play with, while Wacky Waterworks Treehouse is a wooden 'treehouse' with water cannons, and other interactive features to squirt passing people with.

The largest ride in the area is the water coaster The Master Blaster, with uphill sections similar to the Master Blaster at Sandcastle Water Park, Blackpool and Nucleus at Water World, Stoke-on-Trent. The Master Blaster is a high speed water flume that contains many sharp turns, drops and dark sections, and has a view of the entire waterpark.

Other rides include Rush & Rampage, twin racing slides where riders experience wide turns. This attraction requires rubber rings. Lazy River (Calypso Creek) is a slow-moving water circuit, taking riders underneath spraying water jets and tipping buckets of water. Rubber rings are available. The Tipping Bucketis a very large container is filled with 1000 litres of water and then intermittingly tips its contents over people standing below. Flash Floods is tiered outdoor pools with two slides leading to the middle pool and three leading to the bottom. Other swimming pools include Volcanic Springs, and indoor heated hot pool, and Bubbly Wubbly Pool, an outdoor heated pool & whirlpool.

Resort Hotels

File:Alton Towers Hotel, Staffordshire - geograph.org.uk - 6099.jpg

The fountain at the entrance to Alton Towers Hotel

Alton Towers Hotel

The Alton Towers Hotel opened in 10 April 1996 and is themed to the eccentric fictional character Sir Algenon Alton and his travels. The rooms are decorated in a classical English style with pictures of Sir Algenon's inventions. The Alton Towers Spa is directly connected to the hotel.

Splash Landings Hotel

The Splash Landings Hotel is the newer of the two hotels, opening in 2003, it has an exotic Caribbean theme and is attached to the Alton Towers Waterpark. Located next to Splash Landing Hotel is Extraordinary Golf, two nine hole themed crazy golf courses. Each of the holes have themes based on attractions within the theme park e.g. Nemesis.

Future developments

In July 2009, the park outlined a 10-year development plan for the park (2010–2019), the aim being to increase visitor numbers, in particular multi-day guests. The plan showed an option for a third hotel or new accommodation of some sort over the coming years.Template:Citation needed This in the 2012 Team Brief to the Alton Towers Staff by the Alton Towers Resort's Directors was said to be a Log Cabin hotel project, similar to what Centre Parcs offers, that is to reside over the land that is currently used for "Muddy Good Fun" activities. The plan also highlighted areas for development, as well as suggesting the possibility of a new park entrance nearer to the hotels, which could act as a second entrance or replacement to the existing one in Towers Street.

In September 2013, a planning application was put forward to redevelopment Old MacDonald's Farmyard, including a large new outdoor performance area and various changes to existing attractions. On 15 October 2013 it was announced that the area would be re-branded as CBeebies Land (through a partnership with BBC Worldwide) and is scheduled to reopen in May 2014. This follows a trend by British theme parks to theme children’s areas in accordance with television series; such as Thomas Land at Drayton Manor Park. It is currently unknown which programs will be included in the new ‘land’. On 7 October, River Bank Eye Spy and The Dung Heap closed to the public and Berry Bish Bash closed in September.

Controversy

• A marketing strategy encouraging workers to call in absent in order to visit the theme park was heavily criticised by business groups.

• Relations with the local community were harmed when Alton Towers significantly reduced the number of free tickets it provides to local residents as compensation for the heavy traffic the theme park attracts to the small local village roads.

• On 20 July 2006, an accident involving the Runaway Mine Train occurred near the tunnel area of the ride. The train separated into two, with the two sections colliding after the first section rolled back (or "valleyed"). Three people were taken to hospital while another 26 were treated for minor injuries. The ride remained closed until 2007. See Incidents at European amusement parks for more information on accidents that occurred at Alton Towers.

• The park was subject to media coverage over its decision to slaughter its livestock from the Old McDonald's Farmyard area due to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in 2001. The slaughter was deemed necessary as the park would have been unable to open to the public if the animals remained, and livestock movement restrictions prevented them from being removed from the theme park itself. The RSPCA criticised the action, saying other options should have been examined.

• In July 2006 a story broke that Alton Towers had been hired out for the day by a Muslim group, so people of Muslim faith could attend the resort for the whole day and perform prayers and other Islamic activities. It was, however, attacked by critics as an example of political correctness. It was discovered that the same day had already been booked for a wedding for a non-Muslim couple and their 60 invited guests. The couple were told they were allowed to attend the day, but had to respect the Muslim rules. The event was eventually cancelled due to lack of interest.

• In October 2006, 15 out of 19 fast food outlets, and an independently run KFC failed local council health inspections.

• In August 2009, Alton Towers hit the press with its decision to ban men from wearing Speedo style swimming briefs.

• The Sun published an article on 29 July 2010 stating that the resort had banned sexual intercourse in certain sections of the hotels, because "a string of families moaned to staff that they were kept awake by noises from neighbouring rooms".Template:Citation needed

• Alton Towers appeared on a Watchdog Episode following an extensively delayed opening date of The Smiler, which opened the day after.Template:Citation needed

Conservation Area restrictions

Alton Towers is set in a dedicated Conservation Area, which puts a restriction on the height of any ride or building development in the park. It has been agreed with the local council that no buildings should be built above the tree line and if so should be disguised to fit the landscape; this can be seen on the ride Rita, where part of the track is camouflaged to fit in with the trees.

Noise pollution is also a problem for the park due to the close proximity to the villages of Alton and Farley. There have been several cases where Alton Towers have been taken to court over the noise levels emitted from the park and have been served noise abatement orders in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Court cases

On 3 May 2012 a couple from the local village of Farley won the rights to a full High Court trial on the amount of noise generated by the park. The couple have been in a legal battle with the park for nearly a decade, and during this period succeeded in a noise abatement order on the theme park which led to the audio from the top of the Oblivion drop being removed, and Alton Towers having to limit the amount of annual fireworks displays to only three a year.

Stephan and Suzanne Roper, who live only 100 yards from the park, say that their lives have been made a misery by the noise of the screams as well as Fireworks Displays and Music. They first launched their legal fight in 2002, but after years of wrangling, their claim for an injunction and damages was thrown out in January 2011. Judge Mr Justice Hickinbottom later overturned that decision, bringing the claim back. This now paves the way for a full court hearing. The Ropers will seek an injunction forcing the park owners to close or relocate some rides and an order forcing them to pay damages for noise suffered from 1998 to the present.

Gallery

Main gallery: Alton Towers Resort at WikiCommons

See also

• List of theme parks in the United Kingdom
• Merlin Entertainments (Alton Towers parent company)
• Incidents at European amusement parks
• History of Alton Towers

External links

Template:Commons category Template:Wikivoyage

• Template:Official website
• Lost Heritage: full architectural history of the house
• 1930 film of Alton Towers
• Heraldry at Alton Towers
• Alton Towers: Before it was Famous (on themagiceye at Joyland)

Template:Alton Towers Template:Merlin attractions Template:British theme parks Template:Use dmy dates