Alton Towers - UK

[FaithlessRock]

So, the latest on Alton Towers for those that may have frequented the UK's biggest and best theme park.

SW6 (Secret Weapon 6) construction has begun replacing the original Corkscrew - the world's first double looping coaster.
The project name came about after all the major construction projects at the resort since it's incarnation as a theme park in the 80's.
SW1 - Underground Nuclear Base themed coaster - never built
SW2 - Nemesis
SW3 - Wooden coaster, still unbuilt
SW4 - Oblivion - world's first vertical drop coaster
SW5 - Air - world's first flying coaster

Rumoured to be based on a dark and eerie mythological ride through the Alton woodland and tower ruins. Also being billed as "another world first", although as yet to be seen!

Meanwhile, the park has now banned all guests at the water park from wearing speedos in an effort to keep the place family friendly.

Thorpe Park (owned by Merlin, as is Alton Towers) have also banned guests raising their arms on coasters to prevent others being victim to their body-odour.

And they wonder why American theme parks are doing better than the English...

[peaches magee]

I don't know a whole lot about this park at all. If you get to go please take pics and share!

I read about the banning of the speedos, but arms up? :lol: I guess it's for the safety of others... nostrils. haha Too funny!

[FaithlessRock]

Have a fly over to http://gallery.towersalmanac.com/index.php where there are hundreds of shots of the park from it's early days to now. It was originally a stately home in the woodland midlands of England, home to the Earl of Shrewsbury in the 16th Century. It was then left abaondned in the early 1900's where it deteriorated for decades. The National Trust then bought it and the land and gardens in the 60's and opened the grounds up as a place to relax. Slowly through the 70's & 80's small rides were added such as a skyride over the gardens. In the late 80's it was eventually recognised as being a theme park after adding more and more rides. Through the 90's and up to now it was owned by numerous small and eventually global companies who made it the UK'S premier park. It still has the beautiful grounds and gardens to explore as well as all the bg stuff! The National Trust still own the stately home itself, and have an agreement with Alton Towers that 10% (I think!) of what is spent on the park has to be spent on restoration works.

I've not been yet this year, with the construction of something big coming next year. May go for Halloween though...!

[BBHN]

The new roller coaster for 2010 is surrender and is thought to be a robocoaster, but currently the coaster is looking quite calm ?

http://www.imagebam.com/image/df2f5251846666

[BBHN]

Great new video strait from Alton Towers themselves:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS5dFNwI7XA

[FaithlessRock]

So, what's the speculation on what the "world first" is gonna be? Some mention of the track moving vertically whilst you're riding? Can't quite get my head round that!