#alton towers haunted hollow

[a-little-bit-of-leafeon]

Merry Chrysler from Alton Adventures!

On Christmas Eve, an arrogant Earl’s valet told him he would be visited by three ghosts that would teach him the true meaning of Christmas, or something like that! 🕯🎄🪦

Merry Christmas! See you next year!

[sarahg170194]

Duel - The Haunted House Strikes Back

September 5 2020

sarahg170194

[turbojuk]

Alton Island >Haunted Hollow >Sharkbait Reef >Marauders Mayhem/Heave Ho >Skyride >Corkscrew >Spinball Whizzer

It’s been 9 months since I last uploaded any Alton Island art, and that’s not on.With newfound inspiration to keep drawing, I’ve been pumping out several new portraits over the last couple of months so to save time they’re all going into one post. Just like they did when I first started redrawing the series.

[cablestwisted]

i am so normal about alton towers lore i am so normal about alton towers lore i am not listening to vampire reference in a minor key on loop because of terror of the towers, gloomy wood, haunted hollow, and the invitation i am so normal

[poppitron360]

I have "Automatophobia"

Fear of creepy animatronics and shit.

I went on a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ride at Alton Towers one time when I was six and the animatronics on that ride freaked me out so bad it took me a while to start reading any more Roald Dhal books. Still haven't seen the movie all the way through.

I stay the FUCK away from fnaf. Although, I do find it validating bc I know that people make horror movies/games about common phobias.

It's part of the whole "uncanny valley" thing. If it's meant to look like a robot, that's okay. But if it's too humanoid or animalistic, all plasticy smiles and creepy voices-

No. Nope. No sir. No way.

Which is weird that I tend to obsess over fictional engineers and mechanics but that's not something I'm gonna unpack right now.

I know this is supposed to be child phobias, but still.

Also, the "Are you my mummy?" Episode of Doctor Who still haunts me a little. I saw that ep when I was ten but that shit STICKS.

@lavenderfairiez @ginnyluna @groverapologist @echo-stimmingrose @demigod-shenanigans @keefessketchbook @sleepyycapybara @euryvices @123letsgobestie @fairytalesociology @four-leafed-queer-gal @child-of-helios @green-tea217 @puzzled-pegasus @ollieisanerd @twomanyfandomshelp @lokiwiiiiiii @yoshuko-ew @frayna-of-the-hollow @via-rant @daonedaonlyskh @hadeslegacyhephgirl @siimplyapril @pjowasmy1stfandom @thetourturedwritersclub @m-for-now @inky-void @imarayoffuckingsunshine

You know what, I’ve been tagged in so many of these tagging games, I’m gonna start one of my own!

This came up in a conversation with my friends, so I just gotta know:

What was your childhood fear (and why)?

What haunted your dreams, made you afraid of every shadow, and caused you to ask your parents to check in your closet and under your bed?

Since this is my tagging game, I’ll get the ball rolling with:

THIS. FUCKING. THING.

For those who don’t know, this is Tyrone from Backyardigans and this episode is called “Whodunit”. Backyardigans was my childhood, and I still watch it from time to time, but this episode absolutely creeped me out as a child.

Tyrone is a sweetheart and I love him in any other episode, but…

👆👆👆

LOOK AT THIS!!

LOOK AT HIM!!

LOOK AT HOW CREEPY THEY MADE HIM IN THIS EPISODE!!

THIS IS SCARY FOR A LITTLE KID!!

HE LITERALLY MADE HIS FIRST APPEARANCE BY POPPING OUT OF THE MIST!!

THEN RAN AROUND THE SHADOWS LIKE A FREAKING GOBLIN!!

I LITERALLY HAD NIGHTMARES ABOUT THIS DUDE!!

For those I tag, you don’t have to participate if you’re not comfortable sharing, especially if it’s a sensitive topic. But if it’s an embarrassment thing, I started it off by saying I was afraid of a cartoon character that was only creepy for one particular episode. We don’t judge here. This is a safe space.

@littledudeholland @letsbelikethewindtogether @pixanefan @kazumahashimoto @sweetheart-weeb-33 @revlischarm @rinkunokoisuru

[thebiscuiteternal]

Scary Music Masterpost

Season’s Creepings, all you lovely listeners; this is your DJ of darkness over at the Symphony of Death. Once again, it’s the time of year to update the Masterpost!Now you won’t find the classic Halloween haunts here, since those scares can be had anywhere, but maybe you’ll find a new favorite. Pull out your cauldron, brew up something nice, and kick back with me!

Masters of Horror

John Carpenter

Better Check the Kids - Halloween / Put Them in the Ground (with Jim Lang) - Body Bags / Main Theme - The Fog (1980) / All Out of Bubble Gum (with Alan Howarth) - They Live! / Hell Breaks Loose (with Alan Howarth) - Prince of Darkness / Regeneration - Christine / Just A Bedtime Story (with Jim Lang) - In the Mouth of Madness

Marco Beltrami

River’s Edge - My Soul to Take / Tea for Three Plus One - The Woman in Black / Return to Blackwood - Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark / The Concert - The Eye / Love Theme - Cursed / Priest Dies - Mimic / 1m2 (Production Note) - The Substitute / Return to Blackwood - Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark / Pulled Down Deep - The Shallows / The End of Fur - Cursed (II) / Carillon My Wayward Son - The Snowman

Charlie Clouser

American Horror Story Theme (with Cesar Davila-Irizarry) / Out of the Fire - The Collection /Hello, Zepp - Saw / Theme - Dead Silence

Bernard Herrmann

Teddy Bear Wired - Cape Fear / Theme - Vertigo / Theme - Psycho / The Tomb-Sandra - Obsession / Theme - Twisted Nerve / The Kidnapping - Obsession / Marketplace Murder - The Man Who Knew Too Much

Christopher Young

Twilight Mercy - Urban Legend / The Lament Configuration - Hellraiser / Sinister - Sinister /Concerto to Hell - Drag Me to Hell / The Devourer of Souls - Deliver Us from Evil / Butchers and Bakers - Copycat / Six Demons - The Exorcism of Emily Rose / Cryptomnesia - The Gift / The Sacrifice - The Dorm that Dripped Blood / Death After Life After Death - Untraceable / Reversing Colors - The Hider in the House / Church Isn’t Church - Pet Sematary (2019)

Video Games

Room of Angel - Akira Yamaoka & Mary Elizabeth McGlynn (Silent Hill: The Room) Mandus - Jessica Curry (Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs) The Drunken Whaler - Daniel Licht (Dishonored) Chill and Rigor - Shinji Hosoe (9 Persons 9 Hours 9 Doors) I’m Not Edible! - Chris Vrenna (American McGhee’s Alice) Ring Around the Rosie - Jason Graves (Dead Space 2) Soul of Steel - Mao Hamamoto (Corpse Party) P.T. Silent Hills Ambience Weekly Despair Magazine - Masafumi Takada (Dangan Ronpa) Close to Evil - Mikko Tarmia (Penumbra) In this Wretched Place - Eipix Studios (Phantasmat) The Nameless Game (Requiem) - Masayoshi Soken (Nanashi no Game) Last Day - Koji Kondo & Toru Minegishi (Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask) Welcome to Rapture - Garry Schyman (Bioshock) Theme - Yoan Landau (Nightmare House) Plague Blossom - Ndemic Creations (Plague Inc) Gore Nest - Mick Gordon (DOOM) Creepy Forest - Jason Garner & Vince Di Vera (Don’t Starve) A Nightmare Reborn - Ramin Djawadi (Gears of War) Before the Mirror - Maribeth Solomon & Brent Barkman (Fallen London) Broken Vessel - Christopher Larkin (Hollow Knight) Letter From A Friend - Carlos Viola (The Last Door) Rata Novus - Maclaine Diemer (Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns) The Hole at the Center of Everything - Alec Holowka (Night in the Woods) Bury Her - Ivan Zanotti (imscared) Devil’s Crossing - Steve Pardo (Grim Dawn)

Movies

Close to You (Carpenters Cover) - Josefine Cronholm (Mirrormask) The Void - Stephen Price (Gravity) Intro to Horror - Harry Manfredini (Friday the 13th) The Supper - Bruno Coulais (Coraline) Tubular Bells (Exorcist Cut) - Mike Oldfield (The Exorcist) Main Theme - Shiro Sato (Ju-On : The Grudge) Main Title - Wendy Carlos & Rachel Elkind (The Shining) Dark Earth - Jack Trombey (Dawn of the Dead) The Ringtone (Chakushin Ari) A New Swan Queen  - Clint Mansell (Black Swan) Audition - Koji Endoh (Audition) Roar! - Michael Giacchino (Cloverfield) It Was Always You, Helen - Philip Glass (Candyman) Finale / End Titles - Howard Shore (Silence of the Lambs) A Discordant Split - Kenji Kawai (Ringu) Funeral in Carpathia - James Bernard (Dracula: Prince of Darkness) Name Your Poison - Christopher Lee (The Return of Captain Invincible) The Carousel After Dark - James Horner (Something Wicked This Way Comes) The Game Begins - Masamichi Amano (Battle Royale) The Event Horizon - Michael Kamen & Orbital (Event Horizon) Poison - Herman Kopp (Der Todesking) Samara’s Song - Daveigh Chase (The Ring) Brainerd, Minnesota - Carter Burwell (Fargo) Number One Fan - Marc Shaiman (Misery) Graveyard Theme - Vince Guaraldi (It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown) We are the 1% - Darren Baker (The Conspiracy) Call to Worship - Sons of Perdition (The Backwater Gospel) Longest Night - Thomas Newman (The Shawshank Redemption) The Auction - Michael Abels (Get Out)

Anime

Youran - Kayo Konishi & Yukio Konda (Elfen Lied) Aya - Mari Fukuhara (Amatsuki) I was waiting for this moment - Yuki Kajiura (Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Rebellion) Go DA DA - Yoko Kanno (Ghost in the Shell: SAC) A Last Flower - Asa-Chang & Junray (Aku no Hana) White Hill (Maromi’s Theme) - Susumu Hirasawa (Paranoia Agent) 24 Hours OPEN - Yoko Kanno (Cowboy Bebop) Nui Harime’s Theme - Hiroyuki Sawano (Kill La Kill) Daughter - Ichirou Imai & Kazuhisa Yamaguchi (Petshop of Horrors) Monster - Susumu Hirasawa (Berserk) Ake ni Somaru - Yasuharu Takanachi (Jigoku Shoujo) Sanctus - Hikaru Nanase (Angel Sanctuary) March of the Moving Dolls - Akira Senju (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)

Other

Stay Awake (Mary Poppins cover) - Suzanne Vega Heigh Ho (Snow White cover) - Tom Waits Come Little Children - Kate Covington I, Witchfinder - Electric Wizard Brennistein - Sigur Ros Psychobabble - Frou Frou Sirens - SingerSen Lose Your Soul - Dead Man’s Bones Grisly Reminder  - Midnight Syndicate An Echo, A Stain - Bjork Elaine - ABBA (trust me) Welcome Home (Instrumental) - Coheed and Cambria The Greatest Show Unearthed - Creature Feature Something Wicked (That Way Went) - Vernian Process Black Water - Timber Timbre God’s Away on Business - Tom Waits The Wicked - Blues Saraceno The Gravedigger - The Pine Box Boys Lake Ponchartrain - Ludo The Smiler - IMA Score (Alton Towers Amusement Park) DOA - Bloodrock Breathing Water - Inhale Chupacabra Cha Cha - The Swingtips Confrontation - Anthony Warlow (Broadway’s Jekyll and Hyde) No Death - Mirel Wagner Thick as Thieves - Natalie Merchant Say Goodnight - Skeleton Key The Sad Mafioso - Godspeed You! Black Emperor What’s So Amazing About Grace? - The Paper Chase Blood on the Blue Grass - Legendary Shack Shakers In A Lonely Place - Joy Division Walpurgis - Black Sabbath

Television

Are You Afraid of the Dark? - Jeff Fisher Theme to Unsolved Mysteries - Michael Boyd & Gary Remal Malkin The Red Room - Angelo Badalamenti & David Lynch (Twin Peaks) Suite from “The Mark of the Rani” - Jonathan Gibbs (Doctor Who) Norma Doesn’t Approve - Chris Bacon (Bates Motel) The Cordyceps - George Fenton (Planet Earth) Dark Harvest Chase - Kevin Manthei (Invader Zim) Main Theme - Robert Lydecker & Brian Tyler (Sleepy Hollow) Blood Theme - Daniel Licht (Dexter) Arkham Asylum - Shirley Walker & Todd Hayen (Batman the Animated Series) The Old Mill - The Blasting Company (Over the Garden Wall) Sleep Deprivation - Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross (Bird Box) Turn on the Lights - Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein (Stranger Things)

[mitchika]

Two Altons that are dead and no longer with us - Blackhole and Corkscrew. Their designs have existed for a long while i just didnt have a head to put on the shoulders - 

Blackhole was friends with Oblivion and after his passing Oblivion became more recluse - Ino being annoying doesnt help. Corkscrew died trying to defend the Dark Forest from Th13teen, it was in vein since Th13teen won and now has Rita at her bidding.

Both live as spirits in Gloomy Wood and Haunted Hollow - only Duel can see them.

coasters (c) Alton Towers designs and artwork (c) Mitchika

[a-pan-in-a-van-blog]

Article: Pre-Trip to Alton Towers: Scarefest 2017

All thanks to my Nan & Grandad; this year for the first time in 4 years, I’m going to Alton Towers’ Annual Celebration of Hallowe’en called Scarefest! This will be my second time attending Scarefest and now I’m a lot older – I (hopefully) won’t chicken-out at the Scare Mazes this time! I’m really excited to go this year and as I haven’t been in a while, I’m really excited to see the new changes that Alton Towers have made to the Park, including the transformation of Air to Galactica, Cbeebies Land and the new “Unnamed” Ride which is currently only “Officially” known as SW8 (Secret Weapon 8), which is being built on-site and in replacement of The Flume that was taken down last year. When I say “Unnamed”, what I really mean is there has been some rumours within the Theme Park Community that the new Ride, that is a part of the Secret Weapon Project (SW8), is going to be called ‘Wicca Man’ (or something along that line) and which indicates it could be an IP (Intellectual Property) Ride to the 1973 Mystery Horror film ‘The Wicker Man’. There has been a build up to this ride for some time starting when The Flume was removed from the park, to quite recently where there are a lot of signs and symbols all around the Park suggesting a Pagan/Wiccan themed Ride, some people have even been translating the Symbols to ‘Be Chosen’ and ‘The Welcoming’. Alton Towers has told us that this will be another “World’s First” Ride. As Alton Towers’ SWP (Secret Weapon Project) History suggests, this will be another Rollercoaster addition to the park. And to match the theming of the new ride, the Theme Park Community have speculated that the New Rollercoaster is (or should be) a wooden Rollercoaster, I believe this theory to be true as the SW8 Construction Site (which has been worked on since late 2016) can be seen on the Resort and throughout the Park. There isn’t as much advertisement for SW8 as there was for SW7 (The Smiler). Even though The Smiler opened in 2013, The Smiler’s Logo and Conception was drip fed into Alton Towers’ Customers and the General Public since 2010/2011, where the Logo was subtlety and gradually placed all around the park (and the Hotels) in Black, Yellow & White Paint (or printed on Tickets, Brochures, Posters etc.), occasionally projected on The Towers of a Night, during Scarefest 2010-2011 actors dresses as “The Ministry Of Joy’s” Nurses and ‘Dr. Kelman’ where spotted walking in and around The Towers, customers were often told by Alton Towers Staff that ‘They’re Ghosts of the Tower’s Past. They’re completely safe as long as you don’t talk to them.’ By 2012, as well as Ride Construction in-place of where Black Hole was, advertising went into full-swing by entering the public-eye; by printing The Smiler Logo on Train & Underground Tickets, Spray Painting the Logo on Sheep and even Projecting the Logo and Black & Yellow Spirals on Big Ben & The Houses of Parliament! Alton Towers even hired around 10-20 of the NHS’s Ambulances to drive around the streets of London for the day to Promote ‘The Ministry of Joy’. Following this, Alton Towers bought an authentic 1960’s Ambulance and transformed it into an Ambulance for ‘The Sanctuary’ decorating it with Black & Yellow Swirls, Stripes and The Smiler Logo, (which is the main Theming of The Smiler) and taking it on a short Tour across the UK to do ‘Tests’ on the General Public to ‘Correct’ them and in the meantime, advertising (more like ‘planting’ ideas into people’s heads) Alton Towers, Scarefest and SW7 (as it was not yet named ‘The Smiler’). In the same year (2012), a New Scare Maze was announced for Scarefest that year and Alton Towers also announced that it was also going to be connected to SW7 (The Smiler) and with be connected to the re-theming and re-branding of X Sector and all the rides within it – giving them all a new backstory. Then in 2013, the hype for The Smiler increased in the News, (multiple) Short Videos Alton Towers release on YouTube (& their website etc.) – which in my personal taste, felt like they overkilled it as all the promotional videos etc. just became ‘too much’. Then The Smiler was finally built and from that The Sanctuary became a permanent attraction in Alton Towers for the rest of the Season, then it was only used for one last time in 2014’s Scarefest. And THAT’S The Smiler’s advertisement story… what have we heard about SW8? Nothing! Apart from a Brand New Scare Maze for this year’s Scarefest called ‘The Welcoming: Be Chosen’ (which explains why the symbols all translate to ‘The Welcoming’ or ‘Be Chosen’) which Alton Towers have released that this Scare Maze is connected to the new Ride – SW8 in ‘more than one way’, as well as 2 videos about the Secret Weapon Projects themselves released by Alton Towers on their site and YouTube (we’re currently waiting for a third, I estimate that it’ll be released nearer Scarefest or when the ride opens), which actually contains not much information about the New Ride SW8 (“Wicca Man”) apart from the repeated words (both in English and in the Symbols), ‘The Welcoming: Be Chosen’ & ‘SW8’ – which isn’t helpful at all! There’s LOADS of hype for this Coaster as it should be another “World’s First”, but as far as I’m aware, there’s not a lot you can do with Wooden Coasters..? There’s a lot of rumours and theories within the Theme Park & Alton Towers Communities of which you can find on YouTube & Social Media etc. But I’m just really looking forward to seeing the theming and backstory! Even though Th13teen isn’t the greatest of coasters (to be honest, even the vertical drop isn’t all that), it’s one of my favourite rides in the UK – all due to the theming and backstory. That’s probably my theatrical side of me coming out now mixed in with my love of Hallowe’en (see – I spelt it CORRECTLY. Reece Shearsmith would be proud). However, if you’re going to re-theme an entire Section of Theme Park for one ride – you know it’s going to be a bloody good theme! And not only did they re-theme Ug Land to Dark Forest (most imaginative name ever…), Alton Towers re-themed the entirety of Rita including the Trains themselves! Yeah, ok, it’s only a bit of paintwork, however, they didn’t do that for X Sector (i.e. re-paint Oblivion or Enterprise Black & Yellow or re-decorate the X Sector to look more like ‘The Ministry of Joy’ or and “extension” of ‘The Sanctuary’, so the whole section has a story and looks ‘all together’ rather than just ‘here’s a few rides’), which was a little bit disappointing. Going back to theming of SW8, as far as I know from various Vloggers on YouTube (e.g. ThemeParkWorldwide), SW8 is most likely going to start/have the station in Gloomy Wood (or as I like to call it “The Hallowe’en Section”) which at the moment only has two attractions – Duel: The Haunted House Strikes Back (used to be known as The Haunted House), you should be able to gather that it’s an indoor dark ride – typically known as general Haunted House Ride, however, when it got updated in 2002, The Haunted House got Updated to Duel in 2003 (where it now has Laser Guns and LED Lights to shoot at, obviously, if you’re in a group, you’ll be competing for points), Gloomy Wood is also Home to Haunted Hollow a nice little “Hallowe’en-type” themed footpath from Gloomy Wood to Mutiny Bay (and vice versa), so, you can see why it is well needed to have one or two more rides and/or attractions in Gloomy Wood and a whole Pagan/Wiccan themed Rollercoaster would be great, because it then would tie-in with Duel as it’s a ‘haunted’ house after all! Plus, the Pagans practically invented Hallowe’en and Christmas, however, if Gloomy Wood gets a whole new theming i.e. Pagan/Wiccan/Hallowe’en etc. will it make it similar to Dark Forest? I don’t know… However… in saying this… SW8 is being built on top of The Flume’s old site in Mutiny Bay and is right next to the Congo River Rapids… and the new Scare Maze ‘The Welcoming: Be Chosen’ is actually located right in the middle of Mutiny Bay..? So what does this mean?! Are they going to re-theme Katanga Canyon to give it more of an Amazonian-Pagan or African-Tribal feel? Or are Alton Towers going to do what is incredibly needed and re-theme Mutiny Bay altogether? The Mystery Continues… and we shall see next Season when SW8 opens in March 2018! In all fairness, I haven’t got long till I go to Alton Towers myself in October for Scarefest and ask the Staff a load of Cheeky-Arse questions and Sarah-Jane the shit out of Alton Towers Resort. The one ‘new thing’ that Alton Towers has done within the last few years that’s REALLY annoyed me HAS to be the transformation of Air to Galactica…. SERIOUSLY! What. The. Hell. Air is one my favourite ride at Alton Towers, I love the inversions, the feel of flying, the theming, the section of the park – everything was pretty much perfect. Yes, the theming of the ride and its surroundings could’ve been updated to link in with the story of Nemesis Monster (i.e. the reason why we are just ‘suddenly’ flying) etc. That’s all they had to do with it! Or even better still – add more to the ride – because for how great the ride/experience is – I still believe it is really short. Yes, it ‘was’ the “World’s First” Flying Coaster and they didn’t know how popular or successful it was going to be, however, EVERYONE loves it and not a-lot needed to be done to it except just add another 30-45 seconds worth of track or another inversion… However… because of the incidents to do with The Smiler and a couple of other rides within the last few years (Alton Towers have had really bad luck since The Smiler was built, however, it’s too expensive, new and popular to demolish – I don’t mind the ride myself, but it’s not a ride I want to go on more than once or twice a day, plus, the queue times ARE horrendous EVEN in the Disabled and/or Single Riders Queue. I must admit – it’s probably the best rollercoaster to go on front row, there’s a lot of Zero-G air-time and it’s a lot smoother than the other rows.), Alton Towers are becoming increasingly desperate to get their repetition back up to how it was – i.e. building quite A LOT of ‘New’ stuff and having two “World First” rides in a very short space of time: The most recent ‘New’ stuff include: -Cbeebies Land (which has 16 attractions in, which is MORE than ANY OTHER SECTION in the ENTIRE Park!) & Cbeebies Land Hotel (which is the UK’s Only) -Enchanted Village & Tree-Top Quest (basically, more ‘luxury but not that luxury according to Vloggers’ accommodation and a rip-off version of Go-Ape).

The most recent “World/UK Firsts” include: -The Smiler – The World’s First 14 Looping Rollercoaster (Built in 2013 – 4 Years Ago) -Galactica – The World’s First Ride Dedicated to Virtual Reality (Built in 2002, Originally Known as Air, Re-Themed in 2016 – 1 Year Ago) -Rollercoaster Restaurant – The UK’s First (Built in 2016 – 1 Year Ago) -SW8 – The World’s First??? (Going to be Built in 2018 – in 1 Year)

Going back to Galactica, I like the idea of the ride, however, I feel like it’s the wrong themed Ride in the wrong Area of the Park. At the end of the day, Cloud Cuckoo Land is going down-hill really badly, they have 4 flat rides and one of them is out of action, Wobble World has gone, the Ice Age 4D Cinema has gone and so has Charlie & The Chocolate Factory: The Ride. There pretty much isn’t much left apart from everything being painted in UV Colours. There’s two empty buildings that Alton Towers could do so much with, and there’s so much land in that area just getting wasted, what I would have done would be to have Galactica as an indoor Rollercoaster with VR, so then money wouldn’t have been wasted on indoor theming, move & re-theme/re-name Spinball Whizzer down to Cloud Cuckoo Land and completely re-theme Cloud Cuckoo Land to a Space/Sci-Fi Area as I believe that would benefit Alton Towers. I’m really excited to experience The Rollercoaster Restaurant – I’ve heard mixed reviews about it but the entire seems intriguing and exciting, whilst other people have said that it’s not all that, but we shall see. I obviously have a neutral preference to Cbeebies Land – but it’ll be nice to see what they’ve done to Old McDonald’s Farm and other rides that have had some TLC (Towers Loving Care). Speaking of TLC, it’s going to be really nice to see the restoration of The Towers and Gardens properly! The Towers were getting so much neglect, it was becoming so shameful as they were losing the Heritage & History, and for any of the trapped Spirits left in The Towers or on/around The Gardens – they can rest in peace and not be disturbed. So this year’s Line-Up for Scarefest is: 4 Scare Mazes: Returning for its 13th Year on Park and 6th Year in its current platform – ‘The Terror of The Towers: What Lies Within’ (or TOTT: WLW), the Park’s most famous Scare Maze unveiling the backstory of The Towers’ Hauntings. In the past, the age rating has usually been a recommendation of 12+, this year, Alton Towers has updated the route and frights so this year, the age rating is a recommendation of 15+ and has won ‘Best Halloween Scare Attraction’ at Scare Con in 2009 & 2011! Returning for its 2nd Year at Alton Towers is – ‘Altonville Mine Tours: Uncover The Legend Of The Skin Snatchers’ (or AMT: UTLOTSS), a bit of a long title – even in abbreviation… however, it’s a Scare Maze with an American Mine Theme to it – oddly! However, the theming to it is apparently the best on park according to ThemeParkWorldwide at Scarefest last year, so I’m really excited! There’s supposed to be A LOT of detail in it, and that’s something that I love. According to reviews, it’s not as scary as the others (i.e. jump scares), however, it’s really sensory and sort-of interactive, which is really interesting. I have heard that it is very ‘touchy-feely’, which is odd for a Scare Maze as Actors aren’t supposed to touch you, but I’m still up for it. This Scare Maze is recommended for ages 15+ and won ‘Best Halloween Scare Attraction’ at Scare Con last year! Also returning for its 3rd Year at Scarefest – Sub Species: The End Games! Probably the most terrifying Scare Maze yet! Ummm… I’m not sure how to describe this one… here’s Alton Towers’ description on their website: “A post-apocalyptic, sewer dwelling community have been infested by a species from another world. In order to survive, they appease the creature’s hunger by sacrificing innocent people from the surface. However, over time, insanity has twisted the feeding ritual into a sick contest. Your demise is now their entertainment. This year find your way through the underground system with new routes to take but which will you choose? Let the death race begin!” Literally, you get chased with a chainsaw, crawl through a tunnel and get separated from your group by aliens! It all sounds pretty terrifying, and I’m 50/50 on doing it, not because of how scary it is, I’m just worried about becoming separated from my group and being left in a dark room on my own because I really don’t want to have a panic attack or a seizure in there, as that would be more terrifying than the Scare Maze! Let’s see how I feel on the day, eh? Again, this Scare Maze is recommended for 15+ and it won ‘Best Halloween Scare Attraction’ at Scare Con 2015. The Fourth Scare Maze for this year’s Scarefest is called ‘The Welcoming: Be Chosen’ (or TW: BC), it’s Brand New for this year and all we know is that it’s connected to SW8 ‘in more ways than one’ and the Alton Towers Description: “The woods surrounding the village of Alton harbor a mysterious group, which until recent sightings were unseen by the modern world. Whispers around the village say that the group are angered by people abusing the world’s natural resources and the rapid advance of technology. Every year the secluded group host a festival to celebrate their own interpretation of Halloween – paying homage to the earth and celebrating the crossover between the living world and the dead. The group have recently infiltrated the Alton Towers Resort and for the first time are allowing outsiders to celebrate with them. But what part will you (‘the outsiders’) play in this ritual? Is this really an initiation?” Of what I’ve seen on YouTube the theming looks cool, it’s in dead-centre of Mutiny Bay – which is rather interesting, and the description sounds utterly terrifying! And you have to pay a little bit extra to go on TW: BC, which means that it’s either only going to be at Alton Tower’s Scarefest for this year or it’s going to cost a lot to run (i.e. lots of actors, special effects etc.), I’ve also seen on YouTube that the actual Scare Maze looks HUGE! So whether the whole thing is a Scare Maze or its more interactive will be a mystery till October and the first Reviews come in! Until then, I am super excited for this Scare Maze and buzzing for SW8! There’s no news on the age limit on this attraction… which is… odd… Spooky! There’s going to be only one Scare Zone this year, instead of how they traditionally have two… which is a shame. However, the Scare Zone that they’re bring back from last year is ‘Freak Show’ (or FS). Freak Show had good reviews last year, and I really love ‘Circus’ Themed things - so I’m going to be looking forward to try it out! It’s going to be down by Spinball Whizzer and Adventure Land this year… which I think is an interesting place to put it as not many people go down there. Obviously, there’s stuff for kids too! There’s the ‘Trick or Treat’ Stage, where they have shows, fancy dress competitions, character meet & greets etc. which, I’m not too fussed about, but it’s nice to see or do when I meet up with my little cousins. There’s also a 5th Scare Maze at Alton Towers this year for Scarefest! A Family-Friendly Scare Maze for Children 8+ called ‘House of Monsters’, it’s an extra £5 per person for a 15-20 minute experience – which is really decent! It’s a Scare Maze with some fun challenges and kooky Characters all set in a Haunted House full of… you’ve guessed it – Monsters! It all seems a lot of great genuine fun and even though it’s aimed at 8+ (& young families as a general), I actually think I might enjoy this as a bit of a laugh! And for £5, it’s a quick & spooky way to pass some time as well as having some Hallowe’en fun! Plus! It had LOADS of brilliant reviews last year! The theming is great, the storyline is great (but a little hard to follow) and the actors and challenges are great! Again there’s the ‘Alton Ancestors’ a group of undead dancers who do a flashmob down Towers Street every half an hour or every hour, and slowly roam around the Park till they get to Gloomy Wood around 5 or 6 in the afternoon for their last flashmob. And the best part: RIDES IN THE DARK! Yes, you can ride in the Dark all the way till 9PM when the park closes, including the Big 6 Rollercoasters (Nemesis, Galactica/Air, Rita, Th13teen, Oblivion & The Smiler)! Do I need to say any more than that?

So… what’s everyone’s thoughts on SW8? Who’s going to Scarefest this year? What do we all think about Air’s transformation to Galactica? What’s your theory(ies) on Alton Towers’ future developments for 2018 and the next few years? Most importantly: Who enjoyed this Article?! Please give me your thoughts and questions below!

Thank You for reading!

Written By: Henrietta Leigh

Follow Me On: Instagram: @a_pan_in_a_van Twitter: @HenriLeigh33

Find my FULL Blog on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apaninavan/ 

[jandrewphotos]

Haunted Hollow @ Alton Towers When we're heading to Duel from Mutiny Bay we always take the themed Haunted Hollow path. . . . . . #themepark #amusementpark #rollercoaster #coaster #rollercoasters #dayout #travelling #travelingram #instatraveling #tourism #tourist #instago #instapassport #igtravel #themeparkfans #photography #photo #Photos #photooftheday #instagood #coasters #rollercoasters #themeparkgeek #themeparks #family #holiday #attractiepark #altontowers #merlinannualpass #Merlin (at Alton Towers)

[cablestwisted]

So, in lore, weird stuff happens at Alton Towers. this isn't exactly news. But why?

The 2019 fireworks display had a good answer for this...

”Do you believe in magic?

It is no mere coincidence that Alton Towers feels special; some may say, enchanted.

Hidden in these grounds is an ancient structure that holds 5 mystical crystals. When connected, these crystals generate an immense force that has charmed the very ground you stand on for centuries - A force known as the Power of the Towers.

Should the crystals connection ever be broken, the magical force would fail, and Alton Towers would fall.

For years, many have naively attempted to locate their wherabouts, unaware of the damage they could cause. All have failed. That is... until now.”

As you can tell, these crystals are pretty important, and a canonical reason for all the strange things happening at Towers. 

I don't have a source for these pictures, I'm so sorry!

Blue and yellow, galaxy background: Magic

Green with yellow: Adventure

Purple: Heart stone

Red: Thrill

Cyan with yellow and bats: Fear

I theorise that these crystals are the cause of the twin portals in the grounds; Oblivion and Galactica. I also theorise that they cause the dimensional disturbances that cause the “ghosts” and such in Gloomy Wood and Haunted Hollow. It’s a safe bet to say, that dimensional disturbance could have caused the Nemesis monster to come through the portal too; and, the magic that caused the dark forest to be, y’know, how it is.

EDIT as of November 2021 - the above theory is in debate due to this year's fireworks, which can be read about here!

Side note - I’m yet to go through all the fireworks videos, but I know a crystal was mentioned in the 1998 Oblivion fireworks as well. I don’t know if this could be one of the PoTT, but it’s in my notes that it could be the Heartstone or the Magic Crystal.