The Curse at Alton Manor - NEW for 2023

[Benin]

7 minutes ago, MattyMoo said:

 

 

Wonder if they'll include her disappearing and being replaced by "No signal" into the reimagining for real authenticity 😏

 

Eventually the effects will be turned off due to budget/maintenance issues.

 

Get that real sensation of a 2002 ride on Haunted House.

[Hethetheth]

15 hours ago, Theme Park Fanatic said:

Can everybody who was dubious about my hunch apologise? I have been saying for months that Emily Alton and Snowy have “repossessed” The Haunted House and ended the Duel. I am elated to hear Emily Alton has evicted the Zombies but I am proud to have proved the vast majority of the Thorpe Park Mania members wrong. In my soul I always knew Emily could conquer the Zombies it was only a matter of time. I cannot begrudge Emily for turning evil. I would be less than pleasant if some Zombies with guns broke in and squatted in my abode for 19 years.

 

On a serious note which scenes do you expect to remain from the original Haunted House/Duel? I am expecting the Dining Room,Hall Of Spiders and Gholish Garden to be part of The Curse At Alton Manor. I think the Duck from The Flume may be included maybe they’ll be a pond in the Garden with the Duck on. Manor Houses do have ponds and very often Ducks inhabit them. I can confirm the carriages and ride system is 100% the same. If your being pedantic the Carriages have had the guns and scoreboards removed..

 

@Trooper Looper I think the ride will start of as Emily Alton being a sweet girl then she’ll turn sinister than at the last minute become nice. @Trooper Looper do you share my excitement on Alton Towers dedicating a ride to one of their best and underused characters. 

 

I'm sure I'll apologise if you do the same for your inaccurate predictions for Rocky Express and Forbidden Tomb.

 

A stopped clock is right twice a day. You saw a rumour, believed it, then it turned out to be true. You didn't come up with it magically of the top of your head. You are not Nostradamus.

[Theme Park Fanatic]

Please can we all be serious for a second. No sarcasm,unrealistic statements or jokes. 
 

Does  everyone think the animatronic Duck from The Flume will be incorporated into Alton Manor? When the Duck was first mentioned I thought people were mad. The Duck was far from scary. My then 4 year old Sister rode The Flume in 2014. She was not intimidated or scared. Trust me had this piece of Theming been remotely sinister my Sister would have been prettified. My Sister hated and still hates anything scary. 
 

Since the hints of Ducks appeared in Pop Up Dolls House event my views have reversed. I now think maybe the duck will be utilised. It’s an impressive animatronic that has been concealed in an SBNO building for the best part of a decade. Many Manor Houses have Duck ponds within the grounds. In the original version of The Haunted House there was a swamp scene. This scene featured a troll that rose from a bog. Creating a Pond would be a subtle acknowledgement to this scene. Additionally it would make Alton Manor more realistic. You could be chased around the Garden by Emily Alton and pass a pond. The Duck could then rise up from the water. This would provide an amusing jump scene for the whole Family. I have been to many Manor Houses/stately Homes. My Parents were members of the National Trust. Most of these have Duck Ponds. I can imagine the Goolish Garden seeing modifications. As the canopy that sheltered The Grim Reaper was sighted in the queline for The Invitation I think a Pond could be located here.

 

I wouldn’t be surprised if the undertaker from this scene is redressed too look like a butler. If this is the case I think he’ll be relocated to the walk through preshow before you board the ride. the butler could be beckoning you into Alton Manor. 
 

Please reply with your actual thoughts and not the jokey posts that are strewn through this thread.

[Theme Park Fanatic]

2 hours ago, Hethetheth said:

 

I'm sure I'll apologise if you do the same for your inaccurate predictions for Rocky Express and Forbidden Tomb.

 

A stopped clock is right twice a day. You saw a rumour, believed it, then it turned out to be true. You didn't come up with it magically of the top of your head. You are not Nostradamus.

@Hethetheth I am beginning to think I’m psychic. I’ve predicted 3 events that have happened. 2 of which involve Theme Parks. Firstly I foresaw that Project Amazon at Chessington would be related to Jumanji. Obviously months ahead this new area for Chessington was declared to be The World Of Jumanji. Secondly I immediately had a premonition that the refurbished Duel would grant Emily Alton and Snowy bigger roles. Thirdly about a year ago I sensed that a particular Carer of mine would be pregnant by the end of 2022. To the amazement of myself and my Carer she is now Pregnant. @Hethetheth you should apologies. Your refusing to admit your wrong as your freaked and jealous of my psychic abilities. If your sceptical about my insight into the future explain how I could know the outcome of a couple of Theme Park developments and a pregnancy. Even some of my Carers believe I have been gifted powers.

[Theme Park Fanatic]

3 hours ago, Hethetheth said:

 

I'm sure I'll apologise if you do the same for your inaccurate predictions for Rocky Express and Forbidden Tomb.

 

A stopped clock is right twice a day. You saw a rumour, believed it, then it turned out to be true. You didn't come up with it magically of the top of your head. You are not Nostradamus.

For your knowledge Psycics don’t get their information 100% correct. My visions of Rocky Express returning to Thorpe Park could be parts being included in a Scare Maze. As for Forbidden Tomb there’s still a month to go until the 2023 season commences. This is certainly long enough for the ride to return to its name prior to 2002. Even if Tomb Blaster remains untouched this season there are many more in the future when Forbidden Tomb could resurrect.

[Trooper Looper]

1 hour ago, Theme Park Fanatic said:

@Hethetheth I am beginning to think I’m psychic. I’ve predicted 3 events that have happened. 2 of which involve Theme Parks. Firstly I foresaw that Project Amazon at Chessington would be related to Jumanji. Obviously months ahead this new area for Chessington was declared to be The World Of Jumanji. Secondly I immediately had a premonition that the refurbished Duel would grant Emily Alton and Snowy bigger roles. Thirdly about a year ago I sensed that a particular Carer of mine would be pregnant by the end of 2022. To the amazement of myself and my Carer she is now Pregnant. @Hethetheth you should apologies. Your refusing to admit your wrong as your freaked and jealous of my psychic abilities. If your sceptical about my insight into the future explain how I could know the outcome of a couple of Theme Park developments and a pregnancy. Even some of my Carers believe I have been gifted powers.

I can't tell I'd you're being sarcastic or not... I think you're taking this too serious and stop saying things that'll happen when there's no evidence. If Tomb Blaster was being redone, there would've been an announcement from the park by now. No one can tell the future, its physically impossible 🙄

 

There are other things you can talk about the Refurb for Duel that isn't linked to Emily and Snowy, like the music, the facade, etc. It can be a bit annoying when you keep going on about Emily and Snowy, so I just wanna give some advice out (not in a rude manner), don't keep going on the same thing. I know this return is incredibly exciting for many, including me, but we have to remember that we the General Public don't know a damn thing what's going in inside there apart from a few photos. So saying that this is gonna happen with no physical evidence from the park officially isn't really well liked by many. Hope you understand.

 

Anyway, out of that now, there seems to be some work being done to the facade, not a huge fan of it personally outside of the turret. It seems pretty bland and boring with the lack of colour, unlike the previous look, but I'm hoping this is still a work in progress and it'll hopefully look better when it opens.

 

[Mark9]

10 hours ago, Theme Park Fanatic said:

For your knowledge Psycics don’t get their information 100% correct. My visions of Rocky Express returning to Thorpe Park could be parts being included in a Scare Maze. As for Forbidden Tomb there’s still a month to go until the 2023 season commences. This is certainly long enough for the ride to return to its name prior to 2002. Even if Tomb Blaster remains untouched this season there are many more in the future when Forbidden Tomb could resurrect.

 

And yet you willingly included your email address in a post and got signed up to lots of porn accounts. Guess you can't see everything.

 

What would you like us to speculate about? The comedy duck from The Flume being included here because all manors have ducks? Maybe they could include the giant blueberry girl from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. All manors have blueberry bushes.

[Benin]

Not sure if the facade has been repainted or is a secret level in Powerwash Simulator.

 

Quite like it though. Think the crypt being removed helps it as well as it allows the building to be more focal as not hidden as much anymore. Looks quite foreboding compared to the less grubby version. Probably weirdly similar to the difference in styles between Phantom Manor and Haunted Mansion. 

 

 

Duck rumour is hilarious. Ride would be an instant 10/10 would retheme again if it happens. Head says it's someone having a laugh though. 

[JoshC.]

I'm clearly not as observant or enthusiastic as I thought I was, because that facade looks exactly the same to me.

[Trooper Looper]

33 minutes ago, JoshC. said:

I'm clearly not as observant or enthusiastic as I thought I was, because that facade looks exactly the same to me.

Here's a comparison between to when it was Duel to now.

 

[MattyMoo]

14 hours ago, Theme Park Fanatic said:

@Hethetheth I am beginning to think I’m psychic. I’ve predicted 3 events that have happened. 2 of which involve Theme Parks. Firstly I foresaw that Project Amazon at Chessington would be related to Jumanji. Obviously months ahead this new area for Chessington was declared to be The World Of Jumanji. Secondly I immediately had a premonition that the refurbished Duel would grant Emily Alton and Snowy bigger roles. Thirdly about a year ago I sensed that a particular Carer of mine would be pregnant by the end of 2022. To the amazement of myself and my Carer she is now Pregnant. @Hethetheth you should apologies. Your refusing to admit your wrong as your freaked and jealous of my psychic abilities. If your sceptical about my insight into the future explain how I could know the outcome of a couple of Theme Park developments and a pregnancy. Even some of my Carers believe I have been gifted powers.

 

Mate, I basically posted on here that Derren Brown's Ghost Train was going to be related to trains before that was even known, and no-one batted an eye lid - that wasn't me being psychic that was me posting something because I knew it to be the case

 

To prove your psychic abilities though, what date do you believe Ghost Train at Thorpe will open?

[Theme Park Fanatic]

1 hour ago, MattyMoo said:

 

Mate, I basically posted on here that Derren Brown's Ghost Train was going to be related to trains before that was even known, and no-one batted an eye lid - that wasn't me being psychic that was me posting something because I knew it to be the case

 

To prove your psychic abilities though, what date do you believe Ghost Train at Thorpe will open?

@MattyMoo I get visions that Ghost Train will open on the 23rd of March. I predict the ride will be a total failure and the least popular ride at Thorpe. I think Ghost Train will have a Network Rail sponsorship attached. Finally I sense unlike Alton Manor Ghost Train will not last long. My instincts tell me that Ghost Train will be totally removed for the 2025/6 season. Whereas I expect Alton Manor at Alton Towers will last 30 years.
 

I don’t have any insider knowledge yet I think Ghost Train is opening as a filler attraction. Basically so Thorpe Park can advertise a new ride and retain interest from visitors. 
 

On a slightly different subject I wouldn’t be surprised if the props from the gift shop make the journey to Staffordshire. To be precise I think these props will be located in Spooks’R Us or whatever the Alton Manor gift shop will be called. 

[coasterverse]

25 minutes ago, Theme Park Fanatic said:

@MattyMoo I get visions that Ghost Train will open on the 23rd of March. I predict the ride will be a total failure and the least popular ride at Thorpe. I think Ghost Train will have a Network Rail sponsorship attached. Finally I sense unlike Alton Manor Ghost Train will not last long. My instincts tell me that Ghost Train will be totally removed for the 2025/6 season. Whereas I expect Alton Manor at Alton Towers will last 30 years.

 

Falling at the first hurdle already. On the passholder group, somebody mentioned that they're visiting on the 15th April and wish to ride Ghost Train, to which Thorpe responded with "We don't want to make you disappointed but it's very unlikely to be open on this date, but just another reason to come back 😉", so whilst March 23rd isn't entirely out of the question, the fact that mid-April seems to not even be on the cards at the minute, I'd say that March 23rd is very, very unlikely.

 

A bit of an obvious observation regarding the least popular ride at Thorpe, considering Ghost Train in its current (or should I say, previous) iteration was exactly that and the confirmation that the ride system will remain the same, I think it leaves little to be desired. Considering the lineup of thrill attractions at the park, I don't think anybody would ever see a ghost train as a highlight attraction. It's certainly a welcome member of the Thorpe Park lineup, but seriously doubt anybody (or at least, a very small number of people) visiting the park, regardless of how well received the attraction will be on opening, will say that Ghost Train would be even on their top 5 attractions at the park.

 

The Network Rail sponsorship, again not very likely. The park have already confirmed that the attraciton is a unique IP, and although it wouldn't be Network Rail's intelectual property (I very much doubt they'd want to be seen as promoting an attraction in which a train goes wrong... which will most likely be a key storytelling element on this attraction!), a theme park attraction sponsored by a transport company is an interesting prediction, and one that if does come true would certainly be a left-field decision for sure!

 

One thing I do agree on, however, is that this very likely won't be an attraction that'll be around for very long - although I think your estimates of 2025/26 are a little bold. I think we'll see it around for another 5 years at least before it's pencilled as a location for, probably, a new coaster or at the very least gutted inside for another completely new, from the ground up, dark ride. 

[Benin]

45 minutes ago, coasterverse said:

The Network Rail sponsorship, again not very likely. The park have already confirmed that the attraciton is a unique IP, and although it wouldn't be Network Rail's intelectual property (I very much doubt they'd want to be seen as promoting an attraction in which a train goes wrong... which will most likely be a key storytelling element on this attraction!), a theme park attraction sponsored by a transport company is an interesting prediction, and one that if does come true would certainly be a left-field decision for sure!

 

Disney do it a lot (rides being sponsored by weird unrelated companies) for financial reasons. Test Track is Chevrolet if I recall.

 

Can't imagine Thorpe/Merlin need a government entity to be associated with this. They've got enough problems as is with projects going horrendously without throwing money at a theme park attraction.

 

Thorpe will probably use any imagery that's close enough to invoke the idea (such as the destination posters which are VERY akin to real life ones) without needing any permission to use logos, etc.

 

Predicting it'll be the least popular ride at Thorpe is a claim considering the competition and the attraction's own messy history. Black Mirror still exists doesn't it? Whatever the Frog Hopper is called now?

[Stuntman707]

If towers really want to make the facade creepy, they could put a figure behind one of the windows that occasionally pulls back the curtain and peeks out. Have a dim light behind it that casts a shadow at night too.

[Trooper Looper]

1 hour ago, Stuntman707 said:

If towers really want to make the facade creepy, they could put a figure behind one of the windows that occasionally pulls back the curtain and peeks out. Have a dim light behind it that casts a shadow at night too.

Don't Disney do that on Phantom Manor already though?

[Stuntman707]

3 hours ago, Trooper Looper said:

Don't Disney do that on Phantom Manor already though?

Even if Disney already do, I just think it’s something relatively easy and low maintenance to install that adds something extra to the attraction. Don’t see a reason why Towers couldn’t do this.

[Theme Park Fanatic]

4 hours ago, Trooper Looper said:

Don't Disney do that on Phantom Manor already though?

@Trooper Looper Disney does have an animatronic at a window that pulls back a curtain. Phantom Manor isn’t the only Dark Ride at Disneyland Paris to employ this effect. The Snow White Dark Ride has the evil Queen stood at the window. 
 

It would be revolutionary should Alton Towers go down this route with Alton Manor. No Theme Park in the U.K has utilised this effect. Note I’ve never ridden Phantom Manor but from watching POVS the animatronic at the window is a great way to make a facade scary. This effect also offers a jump scare prior to boarding the ride. This is great for Parents as if thier Child is spooked by this effect they know too avoid the attraction. I have ridden the Snow White ride once. I was only 6 years old at the time. I don’t remember a lot but I recall being petrified. Additionally I didn’t notice the figure that pulls back the curtain. I was only 6 years old so wasn’t as observant as now. I have watched many POVS of the Snow White ride since. I must confess I don’t know why I was petrified it isn’t even scary. Each time I watch a POV I cannot miss the figure in the window. This effect is simple,easily created and highly effective.

 

John Burton did state that Alton Manor will include technology not seen in the U.K before. Maybe one of the effects Burton was referring to is an animatronic in a window. The first piece of concept art released showed a figure in the right hand top window. I think this is confirmation that this effect will be in play for Alton Manor.  

 

[Hethetheth]

An animatronic figure at a window with moving curtains sounds nice, but I think "Revolutionary" is probably a bit strong.

[Benin]

I'd hope the "technology not seen in the UK before" extends to more than an animatronic moving curtain.

 

I mean, I know we approve of mediocrity in our parks but... yeah.

[thorpephan]

On 2/2/2023 at 2:44 AM, Theme Park Fanatic said:

I read the following on a Facebook Group I belong too “I can confirm cars are back on site, and also can co firm that set pieces from duel will be staying”. The same person confirmed the same ride system and carriages will remain. According to my source the Cars have had a lick of paint and the guns and scoreboards removed. Finally my source said the Spider Scene has been kept. @Trooper Looper I know how passionate you are about The original Haunted House/Duel so I thought I’d share this information. I’m relieved the ride system,arguably the best in the world, will be part of Alton Manor. It’s brilliant that Emily Alton has let the spiders reside in her Dollshouse. The Spiders are amazing. Despite this I bet people with arachnophobia won’t be so pleased. 
 

Let’s hope Alton Manor enables the ride system to survive another 30 years. @Trooper Looper do you look forward to seeing the carriages minus the guns and scoreboards?

 

 

I Predict guests will be magically shrunk by the Trommel tunnel into Emilys cursed dolls house and inside giant spiders have lived and will menace guests - or Giant spiders with dolls heads having a demonic tea party!

 

and then undertaker is actually MR Doom from Doom and Sons and he collects guests souls - and its a final battle of wills between MR DOOM and Emily for your souls - but the climax is the giant rubber duck that appears in a shower of smoke - bubbles to reap his revenge!

 

Also theres mention of Mirrors so maybe Emily is banished into a mirror at end!

 

As for the technology never seen - I think there will be trackless dolls pram which will move by underfloor magnets and chase the carriages or move of their own accord!

 

[Theme Park Fanatic]

I don’t know if this has been seen by any of you,but I came across this on YouTube. It’s a teaser for the reopening of Duel now known as The Curse At Alton Manor. The excitement is boiling  and my  anticipation is jumping. I am elated that Alton Towers have given Emily Alton a main role as she has deserved for 31 years. I’m relieved that the Zombies ultimately lost the Duel. Long before the Duel refurbishment was announced it was an aspiration of mine for Emily Alton to be the lead character. I think back in 2003 the original Haunted House should have been refreshed to an Emily Alton theme rather than Duel. I know the Dining Room and Hall Of Spiders have survived the retheme. I wonder if any other scenes featured in the original Haunted House and Duel will be in Alton Manor.

 

Here’s the video that’s been filmed to heighten excitement and suspense https://youtu.be/hQUVxeW2l_g

[thorpephan]

Blue sky thinking out the box here...... but I came across this urban legend ghost story on youtube featuring 'Black Annis' - a blue skinned witch that used to live in a cave in local Leicester!

 

I was thinking they could re-skin the Lunatic into Black Annis with her sharpe talon-like fingers she could leap out of the her cave (once the lunatics cave).  This would tie in local folklore appropriately and give the Lunatics cave more context! Therefore I believe the Lunatic will return as Black Annis! 

 

 

[Theme Park Fanatic]

Yesterday Alton Towers dropped part of the storyline for Alton Manor into the world. Judging from the plot of the Ride Snowy could be involved. The plot could be that due to Emily Alton’s loneliness her Parents bought her a Cat which she named Snowy. I’d love to see both Emily Alton and Snowy appear as animatronics. I get the feeling Emily’s Parents will be in the narrative. Should this be true could Sir Henry Alton (Emily’s Dad) return to the ride. 
 

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjWvPXG2NL9AhWehP0HHXxyDWEQFnoECAkQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.altontowers.com%2Fexplore%2Ftheme-park%2Frides-attractions%2Fthe-curse-at-alton-manor%2F&usg=AOvVaw1ix3JpsoUHAQBLbTnGgw8Q

 

 

I hope the original  effect of Emily Alton in the Dolls House is retained. This effect has been consistent in both the original Haunted House and Duel. Without this effect the seemingly sweet Young Girl we love wouldn’t exist. 

[coasterverse]

10 hours ago, Theme Park Fanatic said:

I’d love to see both Emily Alton and Snowy appear as animatronics.

 

I think you're gonna be disappointed, unfortunately. Animatronics are expensive to commission, especially in such a short time period, so I think it's much more likely for them to appear in projection-mapping form rather than physical animatronic form.