Duel at Alton Towers closing on 6th September - retheme or refurbishment for 2023?

[Joelpagett]

I imagine it will likely be patched up in places and maybe getting various elements refurbished or replaced to give it another 15 - 20 years of longevity.

Realistically without the guns, it's going to be a lot less temperamental so hopefully, it's money well spent!

 

[Peet]

They can always add the guns back in after another 10 years to keep it fresh!

 

[Serena]

Personally, I think the ride name is too long. "Hey, shall we go ride The Curse at Alton Manor?" or "do you want to go on The Curse at Alton Manor?" feels clunky to say. Can't imagine anyone using its full name in that context. A short, one-word title is always better for a ride imo.

I wonder what this ride name will inevitably be abbreviated to? The Curse? Alton Manor? Or simply: "neeeeeuuuurghhhh" (I vote the latter)

 

[Sandman]

Personally, I think the ride name is too long. "Hey, shall we go ride The Curse at Alton Manor?" or "do you want to go on The Curse at Alton Manor?" feels clunky to say. Can't imagine anyone using its full name in that context. A short, one-word title is always better for a ride imo.

I wonder what this ride name will inevitably be abbreviated to? The Curse? Alton Manor? Or simply: "neeeeeuuuurghhhh" (I vote the latter)

"Hey, we should go and check out that ride The Curse at Alton Manor at Alton Towers"

Proper word salad there.

Besides, Alton Manor sounds like the Wish version of Alton Towers. Let's hope they push The Curse, even though that sounds a bit like an evil version of The Cure.

neeeeurrrghhhh may genuinely be the best option.

 

[JoshC.]

I wonder what this ride name will inevitably be abbreviated to? The Curse? Alton Manor? Or simply: "neeeeeuuuurghhhh" (I vote the latter)

Probably still Duel to the masses, at least for a good few months / couple of seasons tbf.

Duel 2: Electric Boogaloo would have been my preference for a name.

 

[StevenX]

I feel like it'll just be known as The Curse. The initially odd phrasing of the name actually makes sense to me - the Manor itself isn't cursed, but the curse resides at/in the Manor. Kind of like how Hex is at/in the Towers, although it's not in the name. I think they're just trying to make the Manor a bit of a character in itself by phrasing it this way.

 

[Bowser]

Probably still Duel to the masses, at least for a good few months / couple of seasons tbf.

Duel 2: Electric Boogaloo would have been my preference for a name.

It's still The Haunted House to me. Am coincidentally reading somebody published about the ride at the moment!

 

[Trooper Looper]

It's still The Haunted House to me. Am coincidentally reading somebody published about the ride at the moment!

Same here. Will always be the Haunted House! Lemme guess the books name "Smoke and Mirriors, The Hautned House of Alton Towers, by Michael P Elay"

 

[Lori Marie Loud]

Same here. Will always be the Haunted House! Lemme guess the books name "Smoke and Mirriors, The Hautned House of Alton Towers, by Michael P Elay"

Read that as Michael P Bay.

The book would have been an action packed thriller that exploded in your hands at the end if that were the case.

 

[Bowser]

Same here. Will always be the Haunted House! Lemme guess the books name "Smoke and Mirriors, The Hautned House of Alton Towers, by Michael P Elay"

Ha, I can't imagine there are any others

Actually i'd be open to book recommendations if people have them (or if there's a relevant thread rather than take this one on a tangent)? I've read John Wardley's which was amazing.

 

[Matt N]

Alton Towers have released a new teaser on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=5871139429641498

Interesting stuff, no? When combining that teaser with all of the things like "Coming, ready or not!" within the park's official press release and the words in blood on the original Property Repossessed sign highlighting "POSSESSED, WANT TO PLAY", I have a strong suspicion that hide and seek could play a heavy role in the ride's back story... what do you guys think?

I also think that the music box rendition of In the Hall of the Mountain King in the background is an interesting thing to consider... given that the same tune could be heard in the background of one of the voicemail teasers last Scarefest, could we possibly be looking at a snippet of the new soundtrack?

 

[cookie]

Do we have word if this will open with the park in March or is it opening later? I’m looking to head to the Towers in early April so I’m wondering if I should gun for this or not.

(Same question goes for Ghost Train at Thorpe)

 

[Matt N]

Do we have word if this will open with the park in March or is it opening later? I’m looking to head to the Towers in early April so I’m wondering if I should gun for this or not.

(Same question goes for Ghost Train at Thorpe)

There’s no official word currently, but this is widely expected to be open for the start of the season.

 

[Lofty]

There’s no official word currently, but this is widely expected to be open for the start of the season.

I wouldn't say 'widely expected' at all. Until they make an announcement, I wouldn't hold your breath for a season opening.

 

[T0M]

Would say barring a disaster it is as nailed on as it can be to open on 18 March. The ride page invites you to 'book now' with not caveats around an opening date. Big difference to the approach at Thorpe with Ghost Train and Chessington with Mandrill.

 

[Nicky Borrill]

Staff training starts next (this?) week.

 

[Trooper Looper]

Staff training starts next (this?) week.

So the attraction is completed? Why would they start this early when they're keeping the ride system? I'm just curious.

 

[Sandman]

I know financially it doesn't make sense, but it would be great if this was gradually teased throughout the season and then marketing ramped up to 11 towards the end up summer with it eventually opening on the eve of Scarefest.

 

[Nicky Borrill]

So the attraction is completed? Why would they start this early when they're keeping the ride system? I'm just curious.

It's not early, less than 4 weeks until 'Blue Light' days... (11th and 12th.) And a little over a month until full opening.

I don't 'know' if the attraction is completed, all I 'do' know is that staff, who have been given that as their base ride, begin training next week. I got a message litterally saying just that, 'training starts next week.' Could mean anything, could just be inductions, general training, etc, (although these have been online in recent years.) I don't think the person knows themselves. But, yes, I drew the same conclusion...

Guess we'll find out more in the next week or two, as there should be more than one leak.

 

[Lofty]

Just gonna say that staff training for the product can happen miles before the ride is ready to be handed over from a guest experience perspective. Look at Genting Skyworlds... they trained their staff over a year ago for rides that are still not ready.