Alton Towers Discussion Thread

[Ed]

Hey everybody!

 

This thread is simple! Rather than having a million little threads about everything that goes on at Alton Towers, this thread is designed to consolidate it all into one user-friendly thread. Feel free to use it to post updates, trip reports, questions, comments, and of course, general discussion. For pictures and videos of the park as well as past updates, see TPR's Park Index Alton Towers Page.

 

Alton Towers' Official Website

 

Below are some links to past updates from the park, you may be interested in. Enjoy!

 

--Robb

_____________________________________________________

 

2005

March 29, 2005 - Rita set to open

June 26th, 2005 - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory announced for 2006

 

2006

April 26th, 2010 - Park makes bid to build wooden coaster

Ocotber 10th, 2006 - Park makes revised submission to build a wooden coaster

 

2007

January 21st, 2007 - Small changes announced for 2007

July 29th, 2007 - Alton Towers to retheme Merrie England to a pirate theme

October 27th, 2007 - Sky Ride building cacthes fire

November 7th, 2007 - Battle Galleons (Splash Battle) announced for 2008

 

2008

October 2nd, 2008 - Removal of Corkscrew announced

October 5th, 2008 - rumors of Secret Weapon 6 arise (to become Th13teen)

 

2009

January 9th, 2009 - Planning Application Submitted

February 12th, 2009 - Locals Protest Planning Application

March 12th, 2009 - Planning Application Approved!

May 21st, 2009 - Manufacturer Confirmed

July 31st, 2009 - Groundwork Begins

September 18th, 2009 - Track Arrives On Site

October 4th, 2009 - Track Erection Begins

October 8th, 2009 - Track & Station Erection Continues

October 9th, 2009 - Micro-Site Revealed

October 11th, 2009 - Track Erection Continues

October 12th, 2009 - Track In Car Park & Advertising

October 15h, 2009 - Lift & Station Construction

October 17th, 2009 - Lift Hill Completion

October 24th, 2009 - The Wraith Have Risen!

November 10th, 2009 - Secret Weapon Delivery

December 2nd, 2009 - Sealing The Station

December 4th, 2009 - A Look At SW6's Twists & Turns

December 11th, 2009 - Name & Logo Revealed

December 22nd, 2009 - A Look at the Station & Entrance Theming

 

2010

January 5th, 2010 - TH13TEEN Leaflet

January 6th, 2010 - Theming Continues

January 13th, 2010 - Station Theming Progresses

January 31st, 2010 - Rita Re-Theme Progress

February 15th, 2010 - Th13teen Ride testing Photos & Video

 

2011

March 28th, 2011 - Atlon Towers hints at SW7 for 2013

August 21st, 2011 - Flume to be removed

October 5th, 2011 - First hints at new ride for 2012

November 3rd, 2011 - new Ice Age 4D movie to debut in 2012

December 23rd, 2011 - Nemesis: What Lies Beneath? to be revealed on New Year's Eve

 

2012

January 5th, 2012 - Clues regarding 2013 coaster.

March 20th, 2012 - PR stunt for Sub Terra

July 23rd, 2012 - The Evil Intamin Cable of Doom Strikes Again!

October 18th, 2012 - Park resort will add themed cottages to its offerings

October 25th, 2012 - SW7 track arrives at Alton Towers

 

2013

January 4th, 2013 - Clues point to delayed opening of SW7

June 2nd, 2013 - Photos of Smiler in action!

June 2nd, 2013 - CBeebies Land announced for 2014!

 

2014

February 13th, 2015 - cBeebies Coaster announced

 

2016

January 12th, 2016 - Air is being transformed into Gallactica, with virtual reality headgear

May 30, 2016 - Planning application filed for SW8, wooden coaster

November 30th, 2016 - SW8 confirmed as a GCI woodie

 

2018

January 8th, 2018 - Wicker Man wooden roller coaster announced for 2018!

January 16th, 2018 - New Wicker Man photos released!

October 11th, 2018 - The Alton Towers Dungeon teased for 2019!

 

2019

October 22nd, 2019 - "The World of David Walliams" announced for 2020!

 

2020

January 10th, 2020 - Gangsta Granny: The Ride to debut in Spring 2020

 

2022

January 24th, 2023 - "The Curse at Alton Manor" dark ride opens Spring 2023!

_____________________________________________________

 

Yet another Red Intamin coaster..

 

But it does look fabulous and i'm sure a couple of Americans touring Europe will stop by for it!

 

http://www.towersalmanac.com/features/r ... y2005.html

 

A very good website for updates.

 

Discush!

[Mr.Six]

Looks cool but way to kill Xcelerator's Trains!

[SharkTums]

LOL!!! Dude, those trains are hilarious looking! Almost like they have a face or something!

 

Elissa "with the name Rita, I was expecting some kind of pimpmobile!" Alvey

[Mr.Six]

It does look like something that should have a face on it. They seem like they are for a new darkride in California Adventure.

[robbalvey]

Are those the same restraints as Storm Runner?

 

I don't know why but they look different.

 

--Robb "I'm probably just going crazy." Alvey

[Mr.Six]

As far as I can see, yes. They do appear to be the same. Which is not saying that you aren't going crazy jk

[CoasterEricHP]

Yeah they look the same. Storm Runner's are a lot brighter though. I wonder what that guy waiting for the front row is smiling about.. Hmm..

 

What'd u all think about the OTSR on Storm Runner. I didnt think they were bad except for the weird dump to the right element where u bash ure neck on it. Wonder how they'll affect Ka and RITA..

 

Eric

[robbalvey]

Ahh, it's totally the black OTSR's versus the red ones that threw me off.

 

I didn't have a problem at all with SR's restraints. We rode several times in both the front and the back and didn't bang/hit/bash our head/neck or anything!

 

--Robb

[RCFreak]

AHHHH the Chevron cars have come to life!!!

[Cjw]

Looking at RITA's car's...i am instantly reminded of Project satan from futurama

 

Coaster is looking ace though

[slick]

Ahhh yes, I was thinking the exact same thing Elissa.

 

Actually, about half an hour ago I watched the episode of Futurama with the bouncing ball planet. Long story short, they wired Bender with a bomb so when he said his number one most utterly spoken word, which was ass, it would blow up the planet. The point of that though was that number six of Bender's most spoken words was "pimpmobile".

[Real]

I think its pathetic that there are OTSR's on THIS ride. No inversions, nothing really fancy except like 2 cork hills, song high speed turns and I think one or 2 more airtime hills. Is it really nessicary?

 

Seems more like paranoia now when dealing with these rockets and the restraint choice...

[Shockwave]

I think its pathetic that there are OTSR's on THIS ride. No inversions, nothing really fancy except like 2 cork hills, song high speed turns and I think one or 2 more airtime hills. Is it really nessicary?

 

Seems more like paranoia now when dealing with these rockets and the restraint choice...

 

It's peace of mind for the park and for Intamin. They'll have both come to the same decision, bearing in mind what's happened with Intamin's restraints last year.

 

I'd prefer the T-Bars over the OTSRs anyday, but with the fatal accidents on Superman: Ride Of Steel and Hydro, the shoulder restraints were the only choice to keep everyone happy, except a lot of the coaster community. But they don't put millions into a single park each year - the other 99% of park-goers do. I hope that Barnstorm at Drayton Manor will prove everyone wrong and show that you can go upside down on a new ride without OTSRs in 2005.

 

I really hope Alton Towers have a good coaster on their hands, but if this ride doesn't have much airtime, it's gonna be a waste of space.

[Sharkyjon]

Isnt this amazing look at the shire size of this Intamin Launched babe! Anyone planning to ride rita?

http://www.towersalmanac.com/[/img]

[robbalvey]

We're thinking about getting back to the UK in 2006 as there's now quite a bit of stuff since our 2002 visit for us to ride:

 

- Nemesis: Inferno

- Rita

- Spinball Whizzer

- ^ @ Chessington

- Drayton Manor thingy

- New coaster at Flamingoland

- Bling

- Oakwood should have a new coaster

- etc

 

Rita is certainly one of those coasters where I have to ride to make any kind of judgement. By looking at it, I really have NO IDEA what to think!

 

It could be cool, it could be really stupid....

 

--Robb "Who just wants to go back to Blackpool." Alvey

[SharkTums]

^Robb, you're forgetting the main reason to go back...SUPER SLC!!!!

 

Elissa "lol, skegness was a dump!" Alvey

[Ed]

Bling isn't worth it. I went to Blackpool yesterday and I was just bored on the ride!

 

Thorpe Park are getting an Accelerator in 2006 aswell. Just a simple tophat and air-time hill. (Top hat is 90 degree twist on the way down)

 

2 New Coasters at FlamingoLand. However by 2006 expect Magnum Force & The Bullet to have vanished. But they are being replaced by a Booster Bike and one of the SLC's (ala Shenling Clone)

 

Plus this year at Thorpe you have Rush (Large Capacity Screamin' Swing) and Slammer (Sky Swat).

 

If you do come over you'll have a hell of a time! Just don't go on the Big One when it's snowing.. Oh that was cold last night!

[Homer]

Ed, just simplify TP's rocket to Kiddy Ka .

[Ed]

Or crappy unimaginative Tussauds coaster? Once again...

[Morcar]

Just heard that Rita is now due to open on 25-28 of March and will apparantly be open to hotel quests before other visitors.

 

Wish i could afford to stay at one of the hotels.

[Cllins]

^Robb, you're forgetting the main reason to go back...SUPER SLC!!!!

 

Elissa "lol, skegness was a dump!" Alvey

Yes correct, it is a dump. But for some unknown reason people go there for a holiday !. Good luck on trying to get the Super SLC as I tried & failed last year to get it. I know someone that had to go there 5 times to get it !.

 

Nick “Skegness - Is SO bracing" Colilns

[nemesis-storm]

Good old english public at there best

 

Highest parts of the track have already had complaints from locals, so they have had to paint the track to blend it in more

 

http://www.towersalmanac.com/features/rita/constructionsite/gallery/march/05/01.html

 

 

What a load of crap

[Rugged One]

Yeesh, are you kidding me? :shock: They've allready painted the top ofit? Wow, they aren't kidding when you hear about the locals complaining about the park. I think the coaster looks good and can't wait to ride it during our first UK trip next year.

[Shockwave]

Good old english public at there best

 

Highest parts of the track have already had complaints from locals, so they have had to paint the track to blend it in more

 

http://www.towersalmanac.com/features/rita/constructionsite/gallery/march/05/01.html

 

 

What a load of crap

 

It's a real shame that it's come to this again. I can understand Corkscrew's lift hill needing green paint, as that's as close to the treeline as you can get. But RITA is 10 feet lower!

 

Plus when autumn comes the leaves will be red. Will the locals complain about the high visibility green track then?

[Morcar]

Just heard that Rita has had it's first test run today and all went well.

 

Wasn't that bothered about it when I first saw the plan but itlooks like it may be worth a visit later in the year.