The start of the summer holidays has seen a range of new and updated experiences introduced to Alton Towers Resort. Minecraft Meet the Mobs debuts, offering a range of entertainment and activities for the whole family. Alongside this, a new exhibition has opened in the chapel, with historic memorabilia and artefacts available for viewing. The summer’s additions are rounded off with the return of the Cargo food market on the front lawns! TowersTimes were in attendance for the first day of all of this summer’s activities to round up all the details!
The summer fun begins for guests as soon as they arrive at the theme park. Towers Street has been decorated with vibrant bunting, introducing the Minecraft theme. As is now tradition, the iconic frog fountains have been integrated into the event and have undergone a pixelated transformation to match the occasion. Plenty of signage and eye-catching 2D theming are present along the pathway from Spinball Whizzer to X Sector, successfully directing guests towards the heart of the event.
Fountain Square has been converted into the Minecraft Hub, acting as the main base for the event. Featuring an array of themed merchandise and snack stalls selling gifts, popcorn and ice lollies, the hub also hosts meet and greets alongside a variety of entertainment scheduled throughout the day. The hub is also where guests can pick up their Baby Mobs trail cards to begin their quest around the park.
A selection of Minecraft merchandise is available to purchase from the two dedicated stalls within the Minecraft Hub, with some items being completely exclusive to the event. This merchandise can also be found inside Towers Trading on Towers Street.
The headline activity for the event is the Meet the Mobs trail. With six locations spread across Mutiny Bay, Dark Forest, and Fountain Square, the trail provides excellent photo opportunities for families against the interactive backdrop sets. Guests have the chance to stamp their trail cards at each location, which can then be used to unlock an exclusive in-game item! To add further atmosphere, these areas also host mini meet and greets featuring puppet versions of iconic Minecraft characters.
Away from the Minecraft festivities, a brand-new pop up heritage museum has opened for the summer season. Open until 28th August, the Alton Towers Exhibition, located inside the historic chapel within the Towers ruins, is now open to guests. This unique exhibition offers a fascinating look into the history of the house, gardens, theme park and wider resort.
The exhibition is home to a wide collection of historic artefacts, including leaflets, park maps, staff badges, concept art, merchandise, old ride parts and more! The display has been well curated, with items being grouped into themes, such as The Haunted House, Ug Land and Oblivion sections.
The displays are organised in a range of protective display cases and wall displays that are also adorned with old ride theming and signage, adding to the experience as you try to spot familiar historic items.
Two screens have been set up near the far wall of the chapel that show a range of video clips and footage, including legacy TV adverts, behind-the-scenes content and even an old pre-show video from Hex!
To further immerse guests in the nostalgic feel, old ride soundtracks are played in the background. It was great to hear classics such as the Toyland Tours and Flume themes played at the resort again.
For visitors looking to upgrade their visit to the exhibition, a new VIP experience is available for £20 (or £15 for passholders). Offering a 60-minute guided tour of the Alton Towers Exhibition, led by a curator, guests will also receive a reproduction of a historic park map. Tickets are available to book on the Alton Towers website.
You don’t have to be a dedicated Alton Towers fan to enjoy the exhibition – it’s a very well executed collection of fascinating memorabilia and memories from times gone by which can be appreciated by anyone. The Chapel is the perfect location for such an attraction, and we only hope that the pop up is successful and made permanent, so the incredible history of Alton Towers can be appreciated time and time again.
This summer also sees a new addition to the theme park’s food and beverage offering for the event, with Cargo Global Eats returning to the resort. This time, the popular vendor is operating in a much larger format situated on the Front Lawns. Offering a diverse menu ranging from bao buns to crêpes, and steak sandwiches to mac and cheese, there are plenty of options available.
A 20% discount is available for Gold and Platinum Merlin Annual Pass holders from 5pm onwards.
Are you planning a trip to Alton Towers Resort this summer? Which experience are you looking forward to visiting the most: Minecraft Meet the Mobs, the Alton Towers Exhibition or Cargo Global Eats? Let us know via our social media channels!
