Through our micro site, sw5live, we extensively followed the construction of
this prototype B&M masterpiece, codenamed SW5. Air was a concept
first thought up in 1994, John Wardley and the company B&M got
the idea by watching Nemesis going around the track; they decided
a good ride experience would be a ride similar to an inverter but
in the prone position
2008 sees a complete overhaul of the boating lake opposite the Courtyard Tavern and the arrival of a brand new Splash Battle water ride with a pirate theme; aptly named 'Battle Galleons'.
Toyland
Tours closed during the Summer of 2005 in order to receive a retheme
and an extension which will see the ride transformed into a magical
tour of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory
Constructed over the 1985/86 closed season, the rapids at Alton Towers
required large quantities of rocks to blasted from the site, which was
a former car park.
Down on
Old MacDonald's Farm, it looks like There's Something In The Dung Heap
in 2007, as the park goes Dung Ho over their new playground. Here we
follow the construction of such features such as a Spider ‘Springy
Cobweb Climbing zone’, a ‘Creepy Crawly Basharound’, Toxic Bog
‘Toadstool Boingupons’ and a Mushroom maze!
Dynamo:
Opened in forbidden valley spring 2002, this ride was originally
called 'Astrodancer' it was installed in 1993, dynamo has been
moved several times around the park and the name changed to fit
the area. 2001 saw a year without this ride being used.
The
Enterprise originally opened in 1984 in Festival Park. These images
were taken when it was rethemed and relocated to the X Sector for
the 1998 season.
Forget crazy golf, urban golf and even
guerrilla golf, the next big thing is Extraordinary Golf, which opens
at Alton Towers in 2007. Here we follow the construction of the two
courses which are situated alongside Splash Landings Hotel.
Hex:
opened in the 2000 season, A ride that actually makes use of the
towers. The main ride is actually hosted just outside of the towers,
but really does bring attention back to this historic building;
Hex is a very well themed thrilling and chilling experience for
all the family. The centre piece to the park.
One
of the first major rides to be constructed at Alton Towers, the
886m course was constructed over the 1980/1981 closed season. Here
we have a picture taken during construction, as well as a miniature
plan and an image of the flume shortly after it opened.
The parks
most famous ride was constructed over several years, with the initial
blasting for the ride taking place in Winter of 1991. Three
years later in 1994 the monster was unleashed on the world.
Oblivion
the world's first vertical drop roller coaster! The 2nd Bolliger
& Mabillard coaster to be built at Alton Towers and the first
of its kind! This rollercoaster was opened in 1998 and is still
one of the parks biggest thrill attractions! TowersTimes is proud
to provide you with some detailed photographs of the 115ft deep
hole that was created to house the drop on this unique ride.
During the Winter Weekends of 2006 two rides, which were scheduled
to open, remained mysteriously closed. It soon became clear that the
Cred Street Carousel and Vintage Cars were due to be removed and
replaced by a Driving School attraction. Here we follow its
construction during the 2006 season.
2004 saw the closure of Ug Land in preparation for an exciting new project, with rumours emerging from a booster bike to a wooden coaster. In the end Rita opened in April 2005 and was Europe's first Intamin rocket coaster. Look back at the construction here.
2007 sees the Riverbank
Eye-Spy receive an overhaul with the 2D scenery, added in 1999, being
replaced by brand new 3D models, similar to those found in the popular
Driving School attraction. Here TowersTimes will follow the progress
of the ride.
2004
sees the addition of a brand new family roller coaster in Adventure
land, located next to the corporate hospitality marquee. The ride
is called "Spinball Whizzer" and is being manufactured
by the German company Maure, you can see the construction of this
ride here.
The
new hotel and water park, opened in June 2003. Due to the overwhelming
popularity of the 'Alton towers hotel' Tussauds decided to build
a second hotel and a water park to accommodate and attract more
guests This was one of the first steps towards turning Alton towers
into an all year round resort.
In
early 2004 the log flume was re-themed. The flume was given some
much needed maintenance with new lining! Bath time with attitude
theming was added and the log boats were replaced with funky bath
tubs!
Rubber ducks, taps, bath plugs and of course showers feature heavily
in the theming around the ride!
