JoshC.

Mannequin heads were used in Platform 15, many of the 'dead' people on the train for example. So I think it's from there. Mannequins are also used in the Saw films to test / show off traps, which is why they're about in the queue for the ride.

Towers have always charged for mazes. Yes, it's true that they used to have a free maze, but any new maze has always been an upcharge, so I don't get why people are kicking up a fuss that this follows suit? The reality is that Towers charge £20 for 3 mazes (so £6.66 a maze), and those mazes have time slots available from 1-9pm. This maze costs £8, but has much stricter availability (5.30-9pm). So the extra charge compared to other mazes make sense in that respect - they've created a more limited experience, which should reflect in the quality, and so are charging more to reflect this. Of course, it means that Towers have set themselves a bar to reach (if it's not worth the £8, people will be disappointed), but that's a risk they'll have to take. Of course, it's frustrating that there is no free maze (especially since TotT is largely not as good as others, based on reviews I've read at least), but I imagine it'd be a nightmare trying to organise it with 3 mazes in such close proximity to each other. And yeah, £28 is a lot of money for the mazes, but I guess those interested in doing it will likely book in advance (£58 for park entry plus 4 guaranteed mazes isn't atrocious when you consider you'd pay similar at Thorpe), or be passholders and get it for £22.40 - and little over £5 a maze isn't bad.

The new maze will indeed have an SW8 link, and will be called... The Welcoming: Be Chosen https://www.altontowers.com/activities/events/scarefest/thrilling-frights/#mazes The maze has a £8 charge (£6.40 AP holders). No idea where it'll be mind, though time slots can only be booked from 5:30 onwards, suggesting it might be partially outdoors? Edit: beaten to it but meh.

Blair Witch returning out of nowhere. Was not expecting that at all.

ha, it looks fab. I'm in 2 minds about whether I'd have preferred to see a spinner or a Big Dipper for this; part of me feels like a Big Dipper would have been great for the layout. But yeah, nice to see spinning coasters branch out a bit more, and nice to see it won't be like Cobra's Curse with the weird locking / unlocking during various points of the circuit. Hope it is well received and more parks decide to give it a try...

I mean it looks fun and everything, but I still don't get the hype over RMC. Some of the transitions look odd and unnatural, which is something I dislike on coasters personally. To be fair, people who have ridden them do rave about them, but I do fear they are a tad overrated. To this day, the best-looking RMC out there is still Outlaw Run...

An update to the SW8 website - https://www.altontowers.com/sw8 Things to note: -No mention of a world first, just a 'world class experience'. -'Be chosen at Scarefest'. -No mention of that fact it's wood. -Ancient / tribal symbols. -Big focus on Secret Weapons in general. -3 episodes, only 1 seems live? I get a bit of a branding iron vibe going from it. Then again, the firey red writing could easily just be hinting to fire, which fits in with a Wickerman theme. I find it interesting theta no explicit mention of the fact that this is a coaster. Still clearly marketing at geeks for now, but I reckon that the theming / pre show could be what they're going to focus on more in the long run...

Platform 15 was all but confirmed to return for 2017 in our recent interview with Thorpe's Show Services team - https://www.thorpeparkmania.co.uk/articles/20-07-2017/Show+Services+Q+and+A What we can infer from the job advert is that there will be more than 1 new attraction.

I'm always in two minds about it. On the one hand, it's a brilliant way to bring the sense of touch into a scare attraction (something which isn't used so much in your standard walkthrough, especially since you're usually encouraged not to touch props). But on the other, it's simply just another shock tactic similar to jump scares, that doesn't really make me think 'oh, that's clever'. That's why I like Saw Alive's second scene - it's filled with electric shock warnings and stuff, but it's just a vibrating gate / floor. Gives all the suspension and fear of an electric shock, without actually having to use one. It then also distracts you from actors which is a bonus.

Noticed a few more ones now, including "Guest Illness" and "Come back later". Handy little options which help communicate a bit better how long a delay will be without having to ask staff (who generally don't know anyway!).

I like the new bridge music - real nice mix of different sounds from across the park, and music that could fit in areas of the park too. I really like the Ghost Train remix it has!

I more meant comparitively quiet compared to the past 2 years. 2015 saw 2 huge new, billed as super-scary, attractions along with 2 scare zones. Last year saw 2 new mazes, one which used new technology, and a new scare zone. 1 new maze is a quiet year.

I more meant comparitively quiet compared to the past 2 years. 2015 saw 2 huge new, billed as super-scary, attractions along with 2 scare zones. Last year saw 2 new mazes, one which used new technology, and a new scare

The test track at Vekoma HQ now has trains (with seats!) attached... Presumably these will be very similar (if not, the same), to the seats used on Fly!

I imagine TotT is returning in (more or less) its current guise because the majority of the budget is going into the new maze. After 2 pretty big years for Scarefest, it's not surprising that there's a quiet year now. Still a shame mind, since if my 2012 run is indicative of a standard run, it's very average. I'm seeing a lot of people band the SW8 tie in idea about for the new maze. One would hope that isn't the case, as it either means we're getting another overly dark scary theme for a family coaster, or a family maze being over-hyped as a scary. I've seen some suggestions of Sub Terra being used to house a maze. Not sure if that'd be feasible, but could definitely provide a nice setting for a maze (albeit very short by Towers' standards).

DOORS!

Towers have partially announced their 2017 Scarefest line up, which includes... House of Monsters Freak Show scare zone Terror of the Towers Sub Species Altonville Mine Tours And a 4th scare maze... A completely new maze is rather unexpected. Wonder where it could go...

And a lovely tent-like structure was being built today as well!

Isn't there the rumour that termites or something have been attacking Colossos? If that's true and there'sa true infestation, then wood might not be the way forward...

I find it kind of concerning that people genuinely think Thorpe could reduce the number of attractions at Fright Nights, given that it's grown year on year.. Do people really have that little blind faith to think that they'd be THAT stupid? :/

I won't post the photos in case people are trying to avoid spoilers, but Phantasialand's favourite website Looooooooopings has posted an update.. http://www.looopings.nl/weblog/8269/Fotos-bouw-nieuwe-flying-coaster-Phantasialand-neemt-vlucht.html

Isn't that really just a common upsell tactic? Rather than displaying the most basic option as default, display the basic + common extra option as default. Generates more interest in the extra product, and likely more money. It could also be based on feedback, especially if many people do buy Fastrack but sometimes struggle to find it (which I think is the case).

It wasn't going to take long before Phantasialand and enthusiasts had a conflict over Rookburgh... http://www.looopings.nl/weblog/8265/Phantasialand-vraagt-fansites-om-bouwfotos-nieuwe-achtbaan-te-verwijderen.html Seems like you can get a decent view of the site from outside the park, so fan sites have been taking photos. Naturally, Phanny aren't happy and asking for the photos to be removed (one such photo is in the article). Good to see some things never change...

The Transformers Tour is happening 15th-23rd August. Info from Facebook...

I Conte believe it