Bob. I don't think that is entirely related. The park are also running an XFactor type competition between the rides, I saw a TV advert a little while ago (edit, which you just posted lol). I don't think it has anything to do with the 2013 thing though.
In terms of the 2013 competition, I agree with Gavin and Joey. It is blatantly a publicity stunt. They will make sure that they use a lot of suggestive behaviour and actually encourage the development to match exactly what they want.
Back when I was at MT and they were looking at redeveloping the main queue to be more interactive they held a 'focus group' in order to incorporate our ideas. However, as the meeting went on we realised that our actual ideas were being played down or manipulated to basically match exactly what the project manager wanted. It is actually quite easy to do. They just make you believe you had the idea by asking the right questions etc.
Well whoever they select is bound to be nice and close in order to visit the park frequently. It will be a bit like the Thir13en thing where nobody south of a certain point won...
Also, just a thought, but wont this be really handy for Alton Towers, if the people actually hate the thing and it turns out to be a large dissapointment, they have someone to blame this time...