Scarefest 2014 saw the return of many favourites for a third year, with The Sanctuary, Terror of the Towers: What Lies Within, and Zombies! Scare zone all making a return. However, Carnival of Screams had had its final laugh as it was to be replaced by a new scare zone: Scary Tales. The departure of Carnival of Screams meant that, for the first time, all the mazes on offer would carry an additional charge, with the scare zones remaining free.
Key Information
Dates: 18th October – 2nd November
The Flume, CBeebies Land, Skyride and the Gardens shut at dusk.
Other rides shut at 9pm daily.
Prices
Terror of the Towers & The Sanctuary – £14.00
The Ultimate Sleepover – £280pp
Attractions
Thrill Attractions
The Sanctuary
Terror of the Towers
Scary Tales Scare Zone
Zombies! Scare Zone
Altonville Motel (Dining Experience)
The Ultimate Sleepover
Extreme Mazes
Family Attractions
Franklyn’s Freaky Fun Zone
Halloween Characters
Patch’s Trick or Treat Party
Phil and Franklyn’s Ghoul School
Skelvin’s Spooky Storytime
Patch’s Freaky Talks
Alton Ancestors
Trick or Treat Rooms
Returning for its 12th consecutive season, Terror of the Towers once again invited guests to brave the rubble of the ruins to discover the fate of two urban explorers who, despite the warnings, took it upon themselves to discover once and for all what lies within. Having never emerged from the other sides would the rumours that the Towers are infested by vampires who hunt the living prove to be true?
Despite having previously announced his retirement, Dr. Kelman was to return for one final year to once again open the door of The Sanctuary. Determined to prove to the Ministry of Joy that, despite the success of their latest correction device ‘The Smiler’, the old methods of marmalisation are still superior, the doctor invited guests to check themselves into The Sanctuary for a refreshing check-up to help relieve them of their worries and become ‘Advocates’ to marmalisation.
New for 2014 was Scary Tales, an all-new scare zone where the fairy tales you thought you knew took on a new twist. Featuring well known character from Snow White to the Three Little Pigs, guests saw a whole new side to their favourite characters. Located on the site formerly occupied by Carnival of Screams, Scary Tales was to feature for just one year before making way for a new attraction.
Once upon a time there was a tortured mind, which in the darkness was left to unwind. Re-writing stories to make nightmares come true, the only character missing…was you!
The Un-dead returned to Dark Forest once again in 2014 for its fourth consecutive year. Occupying a restricted military zone between the Gardens and Dark Forest, the scare zone remained largely unchanged from 2013.
Franklyn, Skelvin, Patch and Phil once again took over Fountain Square with Franklyn’s Freaky Fun Zone. Featuring a range of attractions, there was something to entertain guests of all ages. Skelvin’s Spooky Story Time provide the perfect entertainment for little ones with plenty of silly stories. Phil & Franklyn’s Ghoul School provided live entertainment as the popular characters invited young guests to help Franklyn remember how to spook. For guests who wanted to discover some of the creepier creatures in the Fun Zone, Patch’s Freaky Talks introduced a range of creepy crawlies. Finally Patch’s Trick-Or-Treat Party provided the perfect silly show for the whole family to dance along to.
In a Scarefest first, guests could check into the Altonville Motel for a dinner experience with a difference. The rooms at the Altonville Motel may be fully booked, but guests were still invited to celebrate the wedding of Mary Miller and Caleb Winkles at an evening wedding reception they’d never forget in a fully immersive experience combining a two course buffet with two hours of scares and thrills.
For the first time the resort offered guests the opportunity to stay the night in the gothic Towers Ruins and experience the terror which lay within. Starting out as a seemingly harmless ghost hunt, things soon changed as the night progressed with the dark secret of the Towers revealing themselves. The Ultimate Sleepover was the first time the Resort have moved their overnight experience away from the resort hotels and it was to prove to be their most terrifying experience yet.
Over at the Resort hotels the entertainment continued with a selection of shows suitable for everyone. For little ones there was magic show Patch’s Voodoo Surprise, dancing and games at Patch’s Pumpkin Party, and Darwin’s Around the World of Spooks which saw Darwin using his enchanted ship to travel around the world in search of the best haunted hang outs. A Ban On Ship performed exciting Halloween themed shows every evening throughout Scarefest. For those who really wanted to get into the Halloween mood Trick or Treat rooms were available to book for overnight stays with plenty of sweets and treats to discover inside.
Prepare yourself for a night of frights at this year’s Scarefest at Alton Towers Resort
Annual event runs from 18th October – 2nd November
Are you prepared for the fright of your life as Scarefest returns to The Alton Towers Resort for 2014 with a terrifying new experience that will have you praying for the morning. Spend the night in the ruins of the gothic Towers and experience the terror that lies within these historic walls on our Ultimate Sleepover. Few know the dark secrets that plague the Towers, but for the first time, Alton Towers Resort will open the doors for the public to spend the whole night and discover what lies inside.
Returning for 2014 is The Sanctuary which will open its doors for appointments to offer its patients a refreshing check up, but a terrifying twist awaits. The old, frightening favourite, Terror of the Towers will once again reveal its dark and horrifying secret. New for this year is the Scary Tales scare zone – will you make it to the end of the Scary Tales book, where stories are rewritten to make nightmares come true, and the only character missing… is you? If this isn’t thrilling enough, the park will be open until 9pm allowing guests to experience Alton Towers Resort’s famous rides and attractions in the dark.
Katherine Duckworth of Alton Towers Resort said; “We want to offer our guests an experience like no other – we are constantly striving to provide visitors with something totally out of the ordinary and the Ultimate Sleepovers are certainly different. Alton Towers is famous for its historic ruins that date back to the 1800’s and for the first time, we are opening the doors for the public to spend the night inside. But watch out as there will definitely be some surprises in store. Plus with old favourites returning, Scarefest is definitely going to be bigger and better for 2014!”
For brave young visitors there’s a chance to learn how to spook with Phil & Franklyn’s Ghoul School then meet up with the famous freaky four for more Halloween excitement with Skelvin’s Spooky Storytime, Patch’s Brilliant Bug Barn and Patch’s Trick or Treat Party.
Scarefest runs from 18th October to the 2nd November, with a 9pm ride close for those who dare to ride in the dark. Visit www.altontowers.com for more information and to book.
