Theme Park Fanatic

@Trooper Looper with the fresh information and consept art I think the following will be retained. 1. The Facade 2. The Indoor Queline 3. The Hall Of Spiders While not being a scene I suspect the ride system and carriages will remain. Note I think the guns and scoreboards will be removed. In addition I feel the books on the rear of the carriages will become history. In their place I think there’ll be gripping hands as depicted in the visual plans. I’m elated that the actual ride system will probably be part of the 3rd incarnation of The Haunted House. The system is the best of any Dark Ride in my view. I am adamant that my prediction of Emily Alton and Snowy taking riders on a tour of the Dollshouse has become reality. Long before Duel’s refurbishment was known I hoped Emily Alton and Snowy would be given bigger roles. The Dolls House has been in the Drawing Room for over 30 years yet we’ve never got too explore it. If this retheme is done to the standard it’s shaping to be Alton Towers could have the worlds best Horror Themed Ride. I cannot think of any other ride that takes you on a guided tour around a Haunted Dollshouse. I think the Emily Alton music from the Drawing Room should become the soundtrack for Alton Manor. Ideally I would like The Hall Of The Mountain King to be incorporated in some form. The World Of David Walliams had a soundtrack that includes Hall Of The Mountain King. My view is that soundtrack is the best Alton Towers has had in its time as the U.Ks premier Theme Park. I think the following sections of Duel will remain but with significant alterations 1. The Trommel Tunnel 2. The Sinister Garden As for the rest of the scenes I expect they’ll be ripped out and replaced by scenes more applicable to The Curse Of Alton Manor. Had I been in charge of renaming Duel I would’ve called the ride The Haunting of Alton Manor or the Phantoms Of Alton Manor. I have a feeling The Curse Of Alton Manor will be the U.Ks version of Phantom Manor at Disneyland Paris like Pirate Adventure at BB Drayton Manor was Pirates Of The Carabian. In fact The Curse Of Alton Manor could put Phantom Manor to shame as it’s an original ride custom to Alton Towers’ whereas Phantom Manor is a edited take on The Haunted Mansion rides found at the American Disney Parks.

Call me a Psycic!! Some photos have appeared on Twitter it appears Emily Alton HAS evicted the Zombies and “repossessed” her house. I hope she’s managed to throughly refurbish her house following the mess caused by the Zombies. I look forward to entering Emily’s Dolls House and interacting with her and Snowy. I have dreamed about Emily Alton and Snowy inhabiting the house for years. Emily I’ll try and visit you later this year. On a serious note this is the second Merlin project of 2023 I have predicted. I predicted Project Amazon at Chessington would be Jumanji Themed a year before The World Of Jumanji was confirmed. @Trooper Looper are you eager to see what Emily Alton has changed in the Duel show building?

Due to being disabled I was looking at the ride access list. On the section about Hex it says the following “The nearest accessible toilet is located in the Burger Kitchen (The Towers Area)”. @Exodus Matt as The Burger Kitchen is adjacent to the Alton Towers Dungeons I presume the Dungeons are in the Towers area. When I read this I thought of you,as we were both wondering what area Alton Towers classed the Dungeons to be part of. I think it’s odd classing The Burger Kitchen and Alton Towers Dungeons as part of the Towers area. Nether are that close to the Towers. At least we have an answer as too what area The Alton Towers Dungeons are in.

@Exodus Matt technically the Dungeons are not part Of The World Of David Williams. There’s an entrance portal and fences separating the areas. As for Cookoo Cars Driving School I think it could be gone by the start of the 2023. Due to the heavily speculated rumours last year I think Cookoo Cars Driving School could relocate to CBeebies land. At the very least Cookoo Cars Driving School could be rethemed to a David Williams book. A retheme wouldn’t cost much compared to the refurbishment of Duel,reopening of Nemesis Sub Terra and the retrack of Nemesis. Arguably it would be easier to retheme Cookoo Cars Driving School than building attractions from the ground up as Andy’s Dinosaur Dig and Hey Dugees Adventure Bage were. Even removing Cookoo Cars Driving School completely would be better than having a tiny bit of Cloud Cookoo Land incorporated into The World Of David Williams. Finally I think the Burger Kitchen adjacent to the Alton Towers Dungeons should be halved as half restaurant and half shop. Imagine the profits that could be generated from selling Dungeons merchandise in a designated shop.

Is there anyone else like myself who thinks the Cookoo Cars Driving School will not reopen? At the start of 2022/ end of 2021 rumours were rife about the possible closure or relocation of Cookoo Cars Driving School. The main speculation was that the attraction would be relocated and rethemed into Ceebbies Land, obviously nothing became of these rumours and Andy’s Dinosaur Dig and Hay Dugee Adventure Badge opened. Focusing on the upcoming season I can foresee one of a couple of options. Option 1 is that Cookoo Cars Driving School will receive a David Williams retheme. Option 2 is that the attraction will be removed. If the latter was to happen I think Flavio’s Fabulous Fandango and The Royal Carousel should relocate to this location. My reasoning is in their current locations the rides are blocking the entrance to the former theatre. This prevents the theatre from being utilised. It’s a real shame to have such a large building is not in use. The theatre could easily house a 3D show for instance Mr Stink. If Alton Towers wanted to be very ambitious the building could be converted into a Flying Theatre, themed around Grandpa’s Great Escape. I think the placement of The Royal Carousel and Flavio’s Fabulous Fandango was a huge oversight on Alton Towers’s part. Furthermore with many Children’s rides opening since Cookoo Cars Driving School it’s becoming redundant. On a personal note I hope Cookoo Cars Driving School is relocated or rethemed by March. The theme of Cloud Cookoo Land clashes with The World Of David Williams. I feel the management at Alton Towers left Cookoo Cars Driving School themed to the former area due to budget restrictions or to allow The World Of David Williams to open ASAP. This is solely my hypothesis but The World Of David Williams was under construction when England initially went into lockdown. Due to this I get the feeling the area was left unfinished. It would not be outside the realms of possibility that Alton Towers planned to include Cookoo Cars Driving School into the World Of David Williams,but couldn’t due to the finances lost during the lengthy closure. I am not pointing my finger at Alton Towers if this was the case. That being said Alton Towers are about too enter their 3rd season since the pandemic eased. Logically speaking I would hope this means that changes are in store for Cookoo Cars Driving School. Not only would the relocation of The Royal Carousel and Flavio’s Fabulous Fandango make the theatre accessible but it would also create an entrance for the builders working on Project Horizon (SW9). Of course this depends on whether planning permission is granted. Can other members of this Forum share their feedback on my opinions and suggestions?

@JoshC. what are the rumours for next year about?

Apparently some Youtubers broke into Alton Towers. I think it’s a pity Emily Alton didn’t come out of the Haunted House she’s recently “repossessed” to scare them off. I’m looking forward to seeing what decor Emily Alton has chosen for her refurbished abode. I am buzzing it’s only 2 months until Emily Alton will welcome visitors back into her House.

I thought I’d share this news with you. I’ve been dreaming about going to Alton Towers for ages. I went to a Psycic (Fortune Teller) today. The Psycic said I have 2 Holidays coming up. One involves a boat. The Psycic asked me where I was hoping to go I said Alton Towers and Chessington. To this the Psycic asked if there’s a boat ride at Alton Towers? I know Alton Towers has Battle Galleons and The Blade. Would you consider these Rides as boats? I’m not sure if I would. Please give me your opinions it’ll help me find out if she was talking about a Holiday to Alton Towers. I know this is a bit irrelevant but are there farms near Alton Towers. The Psycic said where I am going there are loads of Farms and Fields.

@JoshC. Rocky Express could reopen at Ride Heaven

With the 2023 season fast approaching I’ve come up with ideas to solve the lack of Flat Rides. I think Bouncing Bugs the mini Flying Elephant type ride could return. Upon the closure of Bouncing Bugs in 2008 it was said it would be put into storage,furthermore it was said it it could return. As the number of Flat Rides at Alton Towers has dramatically depleted could Bouncing Bugs be introduced to The World Of David Williams. If this happened Cookoo Cars Driving School could be removed. Bouncing Bugs could then be rethemed to Grandpa’s Great Escape and relocated to the location vacated by Cookoo Cars Driving School. Furthermore Another Flat Ride that could open is Rocky Express from Thorpe Park. This Flat Ride could be rethemed and located into Gloomy Wood. The Theme could be the Train is being telepathically controlled by Emily Alton. A third attraction that could be reused is Lava Lump the up charge Climbing Wall that was previously located where Nemesis Sub Terra is. This attraction could be moved to the location vacated by Ripsaw. Lava Lump could be rethemed too climbing up the Rocks to escape the Nemesis Monster. Please tell me if you like my ideas. You can this thread to descuss general news/information related to the 2023 season at Alton Towers.

Could the removal of the long term SBNO Slammer mean Rocky Express is taking it’s location? Alternatively could Thorpe have secretly purchased a brand new flat ride.

@MattyMoo maybe a relocated and renamed Rocky Express.

Am I correct in saying Wicked Witches Haunt at Thorpe Park and the original Haunted House at Alton Towers shared a couple of scenes? For instance both had the infamous Hall Of Spiders and to an extent The Grand Hall. Was John Wardley involved in the design of Phantom Fantasia/Wicked Witches Haunt? I wouldn’t be surprised if he was as both rides had a similar atmosphere and scenes. IMO the transit system on The Haunted House topped that of Wicked Witches Haunt. My reasoning is The Haunted House had a unique transit system that offered riders an intermediate experience without viewing upcoming scenes. Furthermore The carriages on The Haunted House could accommodate 5 people apposed too the 2 Wicked Witches Haunt could. This obviously means the throughout was higher. Speaking of Wicked Witches Haunt I’m almost certain that had the fire of July 2000 not occurred the ride would’ve been operating in the format Duel was prior to the 6th of September. I’ve heard the animatronic Witch that enticed you too ride Wicked Witches Haunt survived the fire. I hope Merlin transport this Witch to Alton Towers for use on the refurbished Duel. The movement of Theming between the Merlin Parks is not unheard of. Only last week the front of Ripsaw’s control cabin was relocated to The World Of Jumanji at Chessington.

As Keith Sparks has passed away since The Haunted House/Duel opened I hope he gets a gravestone in the Outdoor Queline or Sinister Garden. Without Keith Sparks the props we love wouldn’t exist. Yes John Wardley designed them but Keith Sparks brought John’s drawings to life.

@Trooper Looper which scenes would you like to be replaced with Emily Alton ones. What would you like the new Emily Alton and Snowy scenes to look like.

Hi if there were 5 elements of The Haunted House/Duel you would like to remain following the current refurbishment what would they be? I hope the indoor queline,Dining Room and Gholish Garden remain. My dream would be these scenes are adjusted to support Emily Alton and Snowy being the primary characters. I’ll be overjoyed if in March Duel reopens as a tour through the Dollshouse you pass before boarding the ride.

@Trooper Looper I’ve completely deleted the screenshots from page 9. I won’t repost them. Could you please post the edited versions you put on Towerstreet?

I don’t know how to edit out our email addresses. @Trooper Looper could a Admin or Moderator please do this for me. I’m panicking I’ve got pawn sites all over my email inbox. I’m concerned I’ll be labelled a pervert. Sorry Admins please don’t ban me from this Forum. This was a genuine mistake. Please don’t label @Trooper Looper a troublemaker. If you give anyone a telling off let it be me. @Trooper Looper I wish I had edited out my personal details. What was me trying to be kind and share exciting information backfired.

@Trooper Looper please be assured I wasn’t implying you were to blame. If anyone’s at fault it’s me. I should’ve edited the screenshots prior to posting them on Thorpe Park Mania. BTW @Trooper Looper thanks for editing my personal information out of the screenshots on Towerstreet.

I have received a lot of spam. Disturbingly I have been signed up to a website of indecent nature. If anyone who is part of Thorpe Park Mania is responsible can you please undo your actions and apologise. I feel so stupid for not editing out my email adress.

@Trooper Looper if Bubbleworks was still at Chessington I would’ve said this was John’s most passionate ride. I was overjoyed to have a personal reply from John. I’m 23 and have idolised John since I was a Young Kid.

@Trooper Looper please do share this information to Towerstreet. Thanks for asking for my permission. Feel free to do as you please with this information. I wonder if the theming from The Invitation has been returned to the Garden scene?

@Trooper Looper just because these parts of the Trommel are outside it doesn’t mean they’re being removed. I think these Theming pieces have been temporarily removed to allow the Trommel to be repaired. I wouldn’t be surprised if these pieces of theming in addition to the bits featured in The Invasion are returned inside by the new year. John said everything I like about the Original Haunted House will remain. John also said together with a huge amount more. I think the huge amount more will be scenes dedicated to Emily Alton and Snowy. I think the scene that replaces the Mad Professors Lab will be designated to Emily Alton. Next year will be an exiting season for English Theme Parks. Not only is Duel being refurbished and Nemesis Sub Terra reopened but Chessington are opening the long awaited World Of Jumanji. This is just what’s happening within the Merlin Parks. Non Merlin Parks are also having exciting changes. Blackpool Pleasure Beach is gaining a Big Wheel in addition to the opening of the refurbished Valhalla. Meanwhile Funland Hayling Island are refurbishing and retheming their Log Flume. @Trooper Looper what do you think Duel’s new name will be? I think the ride will be renamed Emily Alton strikes back.

As @Benin pointed out I have already revealed my source to be John Wardley. Now it’s out in the open I’m highly optimistic about the Duel refurbishment. I must admit I think the Duel refurbishment will be the best in the history of any of the Merlin Parks. John seems like a lovely gentleman,extremely passionate about his work. I am overjoyed that the Zombies have lost the Duel and have been sent to the crypts. Am I the only person who cannot wait for Emily Alton and Snowy to have bigger roles in The Haunted House/Duel?

@Benin oh fiddlesticks I have relived my source previously