Scarefest PTR, 23-4/10

[FaceYourNemesis]

Well that’s my biggest (and best) trip of the year over. I know Alton received some criticism for their choice of lighting in certain areas, but the whole atmosphere was just incredible.

Day 1
Arrived at the park just after 4.00 and headed straight for Forbidden Valley. I did Nemesis several times and then made my way over to Air. I don’t normally bother with Air, but the park was quiet, so thought it’d be a shame not to have a ride. The queue for the front row was only around 15 minutes.

It was starting to get dark by now, so I took the Skyride over to Dark Forest for a ride on Th13teen in the dark - fantastic as always!

The queue for Rita was pretty bad (no change there then) and as per usual it broke down. I left it for a bit and went to X Sector for some Oblivion action.

I grabbed a bite to eat in the Dark Forest, and then waited for Rita again (front row this time round).

After another ride on Th13teen, it was back to Forbidden Valley for Nemesis in the dark. Nemesis is a completely different beast at night <3

Ripsaw next! Just as last year, the ride op treated us to a special cycle, complete with random fountain work. Yes, I got wet, but thankfully nowhere near as bad as last year

I stayed till around 8.30, then it was over to Towers Trading via Haunted Hollow

 

[FaceYourNemesis]

Day 2
I did many rides, but day 2 was all about the mazes more than anything. I was on park just after 11.30 and was soon at the Box Office buying a ticket for The Sanctuary. Aside from Sub Terra, I've never really done a scare maze before. I had no idea what to expect, so was really nervous beforehand.

Spoiler

*The Sanctuary*
This was just absolutely incredible from start to finish. The whole experience was extremely unnerving and the actors took their roles very seriously. The best bit for me was the screens section, which was accompanied by a very strange odour and plenty of mist. The water effects were new and exciting – 1984 meets Asylum, basically
10/10

*Carnival of Screams*
Pretty good, with plenty of shock moments! I have to say that I hated the inflatable walls section, as it made me feel very claustrophobic and trapped.
8/10

*Terror of The Towers*
The queue for ToTT was a good 50 minutes, but it was so worth it. Several people in front of me were too nervous to go first, so I found myself leading the group. The frights never seem to end and the actors have no qualms about showing you what they’re capable of. One actor rubbed their face against mine and demanded to know what may name was – that was pretty freaky, but still enjoyable
10/10

Total ride count:
Nemesis x9
Ripsaw x3
Air x2
Sub Terra x1
Oblivion x6
Enterprise x1
Sonic Spinball x1
Rita x3
Th13teen x3

Merchandise:
“Don’t Look Down” hoody
SW7 mug

Highlights:
Seeing the real chained oak tree
The rides in the dark
The Sanctuary

Thanks for reading

 

[Lofty]

Yeah, Alton's actors really don't understand the whole "Do not touch guests" ruling. We've had several occasions in which some of our group literally been forcibly shoved places (involving an incident where a member of our group was shoved and fell over on the bus to FOTS).

 

[Serena]

Day 2


Merchandise:
“Don’t Look Down” hoody
SW7 mug

I couldn't find the SW7 mugs anywhere on preview weekend! Where were they? What does the mug look like?

 

[Treeis]

how did you get to see the chained oak tree

 

[furie]

how did you get to see the chained oak tree

You walk to it, it's supposed to be a big secret, but "The Chained Oak" B&B is a bit of a clue to where it is outside the park. It's down a long path into some woods, about a five minute or so trek.

 

[FaceYourNemesis]

Regarding the mugs - there's a large stall just inside Towers Trading with all the SW7/Sanctuary merchandise. The mugs themselves are £5.00