Fright night at theme park
HALLOWEEN has to be the scariest time of the year – and thrills and frights are certainly on the menu at Alton Towers, as Scarefest returns with a brand-new attraction.
The Staffordshire theme park has been transformed into a terrifying destinations for those brave enough to visit.
This year sees the introduction of Project 42, a brand new scare maze which will see those who dare enter the underground Phalanx compound to find a vaccination for the human test subjects infected by a mutant antidote.
The spine-tingling Project 42 will join the award-winning maze line-up that this year sees the return of Sub Species: The End Games, Altonville Mine Tours: Uncover the Legend on the Skin Snatchers and The Welcoming – Be Chosen.
I went along to Alton Towers to see what all the fuss was about – and I certainly was not disappointed.
After vaguely recollecting my terrifying experience in the Terror of the Towers several years ago, I was somewhat dubious about stepping foot into another scare maze at Alton Towers, but that I did.
The new maze has been installed at the site of the standing, but not operational, Nemesis SubTerra.
Those who got to try out the ride before it closed in 2015 may remember the Phalanx, the team working to find out more about one of the Nemesis creature’s eggs.
It seems that in the years since the attraction closed to guests, the Phalanx base was being used for civilian tests on a unique virus antidote.
But now something has gone wrong and they need the help of the bravest visitors to the theme park to find the vaccination and rescue the technician before the infected test subjects escape the compound.
Project 42, along with the other scare mazes at Alton Towers, has a well-developed and interesting back story, which guests are told before entering the maze, pumping up the adrenaline before even stepping foot inside the base.
Inside, the stuff of nightmares is waiting for guests to enter, unaware of the horrors that are waiting for them inside.
Be prepared of frightening faces and shocking surprises coming at you from every angle.
Without giving too much away, I can certainly confirm this attraction is not for the faint hearted and is sure to terrify all who enter.
I was, without a doubt, frightened to the core and would highly recommend the maze to anybody who thinks they are brave enough – I might be a little too frightened to hurry back again though.
There are plenty of other things to do at Scarefest for those who don’t want to scare themselves silly with lots of spooky fun and activities for little vampires to sink their teeth in to.
The popular House of Monsters returns this year with a new extended scene. The attraction sees families join a vlogger-turned-monster-hunter into a house frequented by monsters.
House of Monsters is set in a maze of seven live shows with songs, challenges and laughs to keep people of all ages with a smile on their face.
It is recommended for families with children aged eight and above.
This year, CBeebies Land Monster Ball is also launching and offering a fun-filled Halloween party for families as they join their
favourite CBeebies Land friends Ubercorn, Bing and Hey Duggee, for spooktacular games, dancing and much more.
Skelvin, Phil, Franklin and Patch have been the park’s resident Halloween fun characters, this year they are rebranded as the Freaky Five with the introduction of Gretyl the Witch.
Younger guests will also get to enjoy CBeebies Land’s many rides and attractions at dusk.
Pop-up shows and flashmobs will also be taking place across the theme park, including the arrival of the eerie Galatica Airways Crew who will be at your service.
The washed-up motley Ghost Pirates will also be roaming Mutiny Bay and the re-awakening of boo-gying Alton Ancestors can also be seen in action.
The world-famous rides at Alton Towers will be open as normal for thrill-seekers to enjoy as well as the SeaLife Centre, which will also be open as usual.
Rides will be open until 9pm during the Scarefest celebrations for riders to get a chance to test out their favourite white-knuckle roller coasters in the dark.
More than 20 of the rides attractions will be open late into the night to thrill visitors as well as the Wicker Man, the brand new attraction for this year.
It will be the first time guests can ride the wooden roller coaster in the dark and thrills are guaranteed as the six storey Wicker Man effigy appears to burst into flames across the night sky as riders pass through.