Theme Park Fanatic

@Trooper Looper here is an excellent example of a modern horror-based ride. Zombie at Ocean Beach utilizes Screens and physical props. In my opinion they complement each other well. I hope Duel returns like Zombie on steroids. @Trooper Looper please share your views on Zombie and if you would like Duel to reopen in a similar style.

think you might be onto something there; a now deleted comment on AS' Facebook post from an Attraction Source admin said that "those familiar with the situation say that it is replacing an existing attraction" @Matt N with this in mind I think the new addition could be one of the following. Option number 1 is a replacement for Scorpion Express. This beloved Rollercoaster has been closed since a mild fire in July. Option number 2 is the retheme of The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure. This Ip with Julia Donaldson has been around for 6 years. From past experience IPs generally expire after this period. A good example is Bubbleworks Imperial Leather. This Sponsorship ended in 2014 following 7 years. Most people were not aware of this. Bubbleworkks remained largely unchanged bar the covering of Imperial Leather logos. Option number 3 is the replacement of The Maine Stage with a ride. This area and the adjacent former Toytown architecture are being renovated. A decent Flat Ride could slip into this location. Option number 4 is a new ride to replace Elmer's Flying Jumbos. This rides sponsorship expires in 2024. Chessington could be planning ahead so a replacement can be implemented immediately. Option number 5 is the gutting of Room On The Broom A Magical Journey. This attraction is also part of a sponsorship with Julia Donaldson which is probably close to ending. Option number 6 is a new ride possibly a kids Rollercoaster to replace Creepy Caves. Chessington said that the Creepy Caves Scare Maze is in its final season. Option 6 is the errection of a Water Park to complement the hotels and create an all-inclusive Holiday Resort. Option 7 is a major refurbishment of Tomb Blaster. Duel the sister ride to this attraction is currently undergoing an overhaul. Option 8 is the retracking of Chessington's most symbolic and popular ride Vampire. This ride is over 30 years old and is likely reaching the end of its currant from. As Nemesis at Alton Towers is to undergo this treatment surly Vampire will. The fact is Vampire's just as iconic if not more iconic than Nemesis. Vampire was the first suspended Rollercoaster in the U.K and is the reason Chessington is how we all love it. Furthermore, Vampire was the first suspended Rollercoaster in Europe and the sole surviving Arrow Dynamics model outside of America. My final but by no means least hypothesis is the retheme of Zufari Ride into Africa. Chessington Buzz speculated earlier this year that this almost decade year old attraction could receive a Jumanji overlay. I think this is very possible as Chessington are opening The World of Jumanji in March. Giving a slight refresh to a decade old attraction would raise it popularity once more. It's worth noting this is my weakest theory. Zufari is the furvfest away area from The World of Jumanji. This would make a Jumanji overlay a right shambles. With Chessington opening their most imersive area to date id rather all the Jumanji theming contained to the former picnic area opposite The Land of the Dragons. Can everyone please give their feedback on wheater I am barking up the right tree? I would like to know your predictions on what new addition will be announced on the 16th of November. Please please please inform me of your views. Personally, I would be overjoyed if the new addition is the return of Professor Burp's Bubbleworks. Devastatingly I think we are more likely to see a flying pink pig.

@Trooper Looper can you please share your realistic thoughts and expectations on the Duel refurbishment?

This is an unexpected surprise!! Could Chessington be receiving another new addition next year in addition to The World Of Jumanji?

@Trooper Looper I think you are on to something. Earlier this year John Warldey was sighted on numerous occasions in and around Duel. On each occasion John had a folder containing concept art of his unused Duel scenes. In addition, this folder included concept art of scenes that were featured in the original Haunted House. Too add further clarity to your thoughts Merlin Magic Making were also seen in and around Duel. When seen MMM also had the book that John was seen with. I am intrigued to know what plans were not used in the original l Haunted House. As long as the Zombie animatronics and Mad Professor's Lab are replaced, I'll be happy. Finally, I will be annoyed if an IP (Sponsorship) is used. I guess we'll find out more about Duels refurbishment in the near future. With all the excitement that is building Alton Towers will almost certainly release teasers within the next couple of months. I wouldn't be shocked if by Christmas we get an official announcement of Duels new theme, and confirmation of what theming will remain, and which is being removed. Personally, I expect some of the removed theming will be relocated to Haunted Hollow. For instance, the theming in the queline for The Invitation could be repurposed for Haunted Hollow. If not reused in Haunted Hollow the theming could travel down south to Chessington. I know the tombstones that were in memory of lost Chessington rides are in storage. Apparently, they will return next year. If Chessington are bringing the tombstones back the Duel theming could complement them. It would be devastating if this impressive, immersive and classic theming was lost forever.

@coasterverse John Wardley maybe removing some the 90's theming to replace it with scenes based around Emily Alton and Snowy. I genuinely believe most of the original Haunted House Theming will remain.

@Trooper Looper I'm another person who didn't get to experience the original Haunted House. In fact, I never experienced Duel. On social media of what looks like the armchair and surrounding furnishings from the Duel queline. I didn't know where the photo was taken. Reading your post, it seems very feasible that this photo was taken In The Attic scare maze. The Attic being the new theme of Duel would link up with the teasers and peepholes. I have seen YouTube videos of the peep holes. The holes show a spider infested attic with a freaky doll. There is clearly a Child holding the doll. I strongly believe this girl is no other than Emilly Alton, the girl who haunts the dolls house in Duel. As John Wardley is involved with the Duel refurbishment, I hope he restores and reinstalls the Haunted House sets back to their pre-Duel state. I know Duel holds a dear place in Wardley's heart. After Bubbleworks at Chessington the original Haunted House was his most treasured creation. I wouldn't be surprised if the Duel props are returned to the Haunted House upon the ending of scarefest.I think we may have had our first glance at Duels new colour scheme. The toilet sign next to Spooks'U'us has been repainted from blue and greenyyellow to pink.

@Trooper Looper I have a felling The Invitation could be a precursor to the refurbished Duel? My vibes are the same as the scare maze that hinted at Wickerman. Do you think The Invitation is linked to the Duel refurbishment?

@Matt N that makes sense that policies have been changed following The Smiler accident. Buying second hand rides could be risky. A Theme Park could sell a ride due to an accident or breakdown. Surly when selling rides don’t Theme Parks have to inform the seller of any incidents involving the ride. Saying this don’t sellers I.E Interlink service rides and get them expected by H&E professionals. If the latter happens purchasing a second hand ride could be safer than buying a new ride. For instance The Smiler,which was brand new,has endured many incidents, whereas Billy’s Wizzer (Monkey Swinger) which is second hand hasn’t had one. Second hand rides are probably inspected. On the other hand new rides are manufactured and sent. Personally I’d feel more comfortable purchasing a second hand ride. They’re vigorously tested and have worked at a Theme Park prior. I do see Merlin’s logic,although in some cases their reasoning is wrong.

@Matt N when was this rule implemented? I know Black Buckaneer at Chessington was second hand. When opened as Smugglers Galleon in 1988 the ride had already operated for a couple of years. Chessington has had many second hand rides. Others include Dennis’s Mad House (Temple Of Mayhem) and Blly’s Wizzer (Monkey Swinger). I don’t know where Black Buckaneer or Billy’s Wizzer came from. I know Dennie’s Madhouse came from The Millennium Dome. If Chessington are/were aloud to purchase second hand rides why can’t Alton Towers. Their both owned by the same company. Chessington and Alton have always been under the same ownership. Prior to 2007 both Theme Parks were owned by the Tussaud’s Group.

@JoshC. I bet when Enterprises replacement arrives it’s a second hand ride. Merlin are already pumping a lot of money into Alton Towers. I wouldn’t be surprised if the combined expense of the Duel refurbishment and the reopening of Nemesis Sub Terra is more than it cost to build The Smiler. Both rides more so Nemeses Sub Terra were in need of massive overhauls. After all Nemesis Sub Terra has been SBNO for almost a decade. I hope Enterprises replaced is a permanent Flat Ride rather than an additional member of The Retro Squad.

@Benin Mr Blobby is far from scary. Mr Blobby is one of my favourite Characters. I even own a Mr Blobby fancy dress costume.

@Trooper Looper your thoughts are exactly mine. I would like the scenes you have marked red,too be based around Emily Alton and Snowy.

Next year will be Alton Towers best season,with the Duel refurbishment and the reopening of the SBNO Nemesis Sub Terra the season is brilliant before it’s begun. I wouldn’t be surprised if Enterprise is replaced with Rocky Express from Thorpe Park or Apocalypse from Drayton Manor. Out of the 2 I think the latter is the most realistic Enterprise replacement.

Am I the only person who is more excited about the Duel refurbishment,than any other project Alton Towers has undertaken? I cannot wait to see what elements of Duel remain,once the likely Emily Alton retheme is complete.

@Matt N hopefully Vampires possible retrack is years away. I’m sure Chessington are working on a plan for when the time comes to rebuild Vampire. Chessington know how beloved Vampire is,so I doubt they’d remove it. Vampire was the UK’s first ever suspended Rollercoaster after all.

@Matt N I’d have to disagree with you for once. Vampire is extremely iconic even more than Nemesis at Alton Towers. Vampire was the Rollercoaster that made Chessington the success it is. Without Vampire Chessington would be nowhere on the scale it is. Although iconic Nemesis doesn’t represent the success of Alton Towers. Nemesis is purely iconic as it was the first Rollercoaster in the U.K to have more than one Inversion (Loop). Both rides were created by the highly successful John Wardley. In some respects Vampire was the prototype for Nemesis. Vampire is like a toned down and simplified version of Nemesis. If Vampire left Chessington it wouldn’t be the same Theme Park. Vampire is the beating heart of Chessington. Not only is the ride iconic in the success of the Theme Park but it’s definitely Chessington’s most popular ride. The standard que time for Vampire is at least an hour. Compare this to the other Rollercoasters that normally have ques under half an hour,and it becomes apparent just how beloved Vampire is. Personally Vampire is my favourite Rollercoaster at Chessington.

@Matt N I don’t know suspifics but I know a skeleton is in Duel.

@Matt N I don't see and resemblance between the two mentioned rides except the theme. Around The World In 80 Days was far more basic, annoying and stereotypical than Its A small World. Even the Animatronics are worlds apart as Its A small World uses Dolls, whereas Around The World In 80 Days used life size animatronics even if they were out of proportion. Comparing Its A Small World to Around The World In 80 Days is an insult to the classic Disney ride. Around The World In 80 Days lacked any charm, soundtrack or creativity. From watching POVS I can say with certainty that Toyland Tours was a huge upgrade. As for the wall of Doom and Sons those lives on, I think its lovely that Alton Towers has acknowledged their past by retaining this relic. Alton Towers must have thought a lot of Doom and Sons as this wall has survived 3 rethemes. Further features of Doom and Sons remain at Alton Towers. Numerous aspects of Alton Towers's original spooky attraction were relocated to Duel. I hope the Doom and Sons elements still feature in Duel when the refurbished ride reopens next year. The main aspects of Duel I would happily see go are the features added for the Duel retheme in 2003.

Was the Dino Safari Ride system sold on? Drusillas Park recently opened a new ride area. In this area is a ride that has a uncanny resemblance to Dino Safari. Obviously, this is excluding the theme as Drusilla's ride is themed to the Jungle. I presume the ride was second hand as it took less than 6 months to construct. I know Merlin, the owners of LEGOLAND, have a history of selling unwanted rides. Because of this my suspicions are raised. A major thing to mention is that the Dino Safari ride system that was previously stored near the Hotel disappeared in the last couple of years. If Dino Safari is now at Drusillas Park, it's refreshing to know the rides still entertaining guests. I like it when Parks purchase second hand rides rather than new ones. Not only is scrapping a perfectly working ride a waste but it saves the environment. Building new ride hardware involves creating more plastic,Metal,Cables etc. Everybody knows that the more plastic in this world the greater the damaged caused to the world.

@Matt N If the new Legoland Rollercoaster will have this theme, I think it should be built in Lego City formally known as Traffic. Having a mildly thrilling transport themed Rollercoaster in Duplo Vally will look wrong. Considering Duplo Vally is primerally aimed at younger guests the placement is even more obscure. I suppose Duplo Vally could be condensed with half being rethemed to Lego city. The new Lego City could be a spiritual successor to the original l that is now Heartlake City. Following this retheme the current Lego City could become traffic once more. I've always thought the renaming of Traffic was ludicrous. When I think of Citys Shops,Eaterys,and entertainment venues come to mind. I certainly don't think soley of Transport. If part of Duplo Vally is transformed into Lego City, I think the remaining area needs an overhaul. I certainly think the broken theming on Fairytale Brook needs to be repaired. Additionally, I think the water squirters should be reintroduced. The surprise of getting wet added an element of suspense and fun.

Are any remnants of Around The World In 80 Days concealed in The Alton Towers Dungeon. By remnants I mean scenes,animatronics or walls. I watched a few POVS of Around The World In 80 Days. Personally I find this ride more creepy than the Dungeon. The animatronics have oversized heads and freaky audio. Bloody hell some of the audio is more haunting than the scripts for the Dungeons. In current times Around The World In 80 Days wouldn’t last 5 minutes. Some of the scenes and animatronics were incredibly stereotypical. Most notably the American scene with the dramatised American accent. The character even blew America up as some Americans do. For instance Americans make their country sound bigger and better than others,I.E England. The ride would definitely have been closed for a couple of reasons primarily it’s perception of Racism and secondly for traumatising riders. This ride reminds me of some of the attractions in America. The American scene of Around The World In 80 Days definitely had an America Sings vibe. I wouldn’t be surprised if the same narrator voiced the America Sings characters and the Around The World In 80 Days ones.

@Marley I would like Vampire to be refurbished rather than removed. Vampire is my favourite of all the Chessington Rollercoasters. Vampire is too Chessington what Nemesis is to Alton Towers. Due to this I think it’s likely a retrack will be arranged.

@MattyMoo this doesn’t add to the discussion. Everyone knows Emily Alton and Snowy are fictional characters.

@Benin which social media post will get Emily fans really excited? What channel is the video on?