Following on from last year’s successful addition of VIP tracks walks, Alton Towers Resort has added a Nemesis Reborn Behind the Scenes VIP Experience, which includes a track walk, to the line up of VIP offerings for the 2025 season. We were kindly invited to check this experience out as part of the Content Creator Programme, so we sent team member Craig along!
The package is priced at £90, and includes a guided walk to the top of the lift hill, as well as exclusive access to the Tech Bunker, Transfer Track and Operator Cabin. Within the price, you also receive a one-shot Fastrack for Nemesis Reborn, Express Parking, and a limited edition pin badge. The experience is currently set to run on Tuesdays and Thursdays after park close. It should be noted that guests must be at least 1.4m tall and aged 12+, and that anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian aged 18+ throughout the experience.
The experience started approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour after park close, with the meeting point located next to Ground Command Coffee Outpost, just up from Nemesis Reborn’s exit. We were greeted by Joe, Stacey, Sam and Kate – all four have worked and operated Nemesis with numerous years of experience between them, so had extensive knowledge of all things Nemesis and Nemesis Reborn. First up a safety briefing, which covered the general dos and don’t while going behind the scenes of a working rollercoaster. Thereafter we were read out some facts by Joe and challenged with some questions about the legendary ride. We then locked the ride off, meaning each member on the tour locked a padlock to the operating panel and kept the key so the ride wasn’t able to operate while we were in the ride area. We were then split into two groups of six – the first group took the journey up the lift hill, the other group (mine) started in the station.
My guides were Kate and Sam. Firstly, we were taken up to the Operator Box – we could take photos outside of the box, but were not allowed inside. Here it was explained to us how Nemesis Reborn operated throughout the day and we were walked-through different scenarios. For example, we were shown how they would stop the ride on the lift hill if someone was spotted filming on the ride, the high wind panel which shows if it is too windy to operate the ride, and various other things applying to ride operations on any given day.
Then we went out to see the Transfer Track where the two trains were on show – one at the front of the maintenance shed and the other on the brake run. Information was shared about the workings of the transfer track, how the brakes worked, and general up-keep of the ride such as using grease, oil and lubricants to maintain the ride’s mechanisms. Unlike last year’s VIP event, we were not allowed inside of the maintenance shed which I thought was a tad strange.
We were taken into the Tech Bunker, which is located beneath the ride’s station – over the years this was the one place I’d heard of but never seen. There was strictly no photography allowed in the bunker. As the name suggests, there was quite a bit of tech in there, which controls not just Nemesis but the whole of Forbidden Valley, so this very interesting to see. The bunker also contains a lot of nostalgia, in the form of some really old signage and merchandise dating back to when Nemesis first open in 1994 right up to the present day, the original logo, VHS tapes which captured your ride experience, as well as plenty of photos of the legend John Wardley when building the original ride.
Then came the part of the tour I’d been waiting for: the track walk. Slowly ascending the lift hill’s 75 steps, Kate took the lead and Sam brought up the rear, with short breaks on the way to the top to take in the fabulous views across Forbidden Valley and grab a few photos (including the odd selfie). Your phone is required to be put in a see through pouch and attached to your neck so as to avoid any devices being dropped. After reaching the top, Kate reeled of some more facts, covering aspects like how fast the coaster travels, how tall it is, and its overall length. We then slowly descended, again stopping at optimum moments to grab some more shots. The weather was arguably perfect for the experience, with the gradual setting of the sun making for a fabulous backdrop to the legendary beast and all of its track.
On reaching the bottom we walked back across the catwalk into the station where on hand was another guide who operates and works on Nemesis – Josh was another knowledgeable young lad who gave us more facts and answered any more questions we had.
Then we came to the end of our tour where we were given a certificate and a limed edition pin badge. I’ve done numerous Behind the Scenes Tours and Track Walks and what always makes these tours special are the guides, where enthusiasm, experience, knowledge and a very good rapport with their guests goes a long way. Joe, Kate, Sam, Stacey and Josh provided all of the above, and a special mention also goes out to Danielle from the Marketing team who facilitated the Content Creator Programme opportunity.
This is the first tour I’ve ever experienced free-of-charge, so I will give you my honest perspective on the price when compared to similar paid experiences which I’ve been fortunate to do. In my opinion, it’s well worth the cost of £90, with the experience lasting for approximately one and half to two hours depending on how quizzical you can be! It is a shame that Merlin Annual Pass discount is not available as standard, although a recent MAP sale has been run for the Oblivion and Wicker Man track walks, so this could indicate that MAP discount may be offered in the future. Nonetheless, I would pay £90 for the experience.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this review!
Until next time,
Craig
