At the end of 2015, Alton Towers Resort announced their three year experience improvement scheme, ‘Towers Loving Care’. As well as bringing guests a variety of new attractions, the scheme also saw extensive renovations carried out across the Resort. From repainting rides and Theme Park areas, to refurbishing existing attractions, alongside relaying pathways and improving signage, the aim was to return the magic to all aspects of the Resort.
Here’s a rundown of the work which took place at the Resort as part of ‘Towers Loving Care’, sorted primarily by Theme Park area!
2017/18 Closed Season
Tree Fu Tom Training Camp Clean
Over the 2017/18 closed season, Tree Fu Tom Training Camp was given a deep clean to restore the flooring to a state which looked practically brand new.
Nemesis Station Repaint & Refurbishment
After three closed seasons, the restoration of the Nemesis Creature was completed. The final stage saw the rear of the station and its roof scenically repainted, to match what had been carried out on the other areas previously.
Grand Conservatory Restoration
Throughout 2017, restoration work was carried out on the Grand Conservatory situated in the theme park’s gardens. One of the most significant elements was the cleaning or replacement of around 11,500 pieces of glass! You can check out TowersTimes’ updates here.
Circular Summerhouse Restoration
This feature of the gardens was professionally cleaned during the 2017/18 closed season, with damaged mortar being replaced. The heavy cornice was also repaired along with the large square-cut stones.
Duel Refurbishment
During the 2017/18 closed season, Duel received the attention of the TLC team. The first phase involved the removal of the florescent strip lights throughout the attraction, to be replaced with new, specialist UV lighting. It was also revealed that the ride would receive a new soundtrack, composed by the Resort’s Entertainments Creative Manager, Simon Allen. Some of the shrubbery in Duel’s exterior areas was cut back, revealing more gravestones in the queue-line and more of the attraction’s facade. Scenic enhancements were then made inside, including the repainting of the screaming heads. A new zombie climbing out of the crypt near the attraction’s entrance was also constructed.
Oblivion Queueline and Station Interior Repaint
With Oblivion turning 20 in 2018, its queueline was repainted the original silver colour, along with the freshening up of the ride control booth and station bays.
Makeover of Towers Street Facades
The makeover of Towers Street’s facades continued in the 2017/18 closed season with the remaining buildings getting the colourful treatment!
Admissions Plaza Redevelopment
Some of the most significant work to take place ahead of the 2018 season, was the redevelopment of the Theme Park Entrance Plaza. The first stage of this was the demolition of ticket kiosks that had been in place since the 1980s. New windows to serve guests were installed on the left-hand side of the plaza, with an accompanying queue-line. On the former sites of the ticket kiosks, planters were installed.
2016/17 Closed Season
Area Refresh
Ahead of the arrival of Go Jetters and The Furchester Hotel for the 2017 season, the Resort got to working repainting some of the area’s features, including the trees at its entrance, as well as replacing the flags in the Big Fun Showtime arena.
Driving School Rebrand
After being closed during the 2016 season, it was announced that Driving School would reopen for 2017, re-branded as ‘Cuckoo Cars Driving School’ with its theming and cars freshly repainted.
Area Repaint
Despite Cloud Cuckoo Land’s reduced ride line-up for the 2017 season, the area’s buildings and other features still received a brightly coloured repaint.
Nemesis Station Repaint & Refurbishment
The imposing Nemesis Creature received more attention during the 2016/17 closed season, following the first phase of works in the closed season prior. This included a fresh coat of paint in its interior as well as the continuation of the exterior refurbishment and scenic repaint.
The Blade Supports Repaint
One of the Resort’s last remaining flat rides wasn’t left out during the 2016/17 closed season, with its supports being stripped back and a protective paint applied to them.
Duel Exterior Works
During the 2016/17 closed season, mysterious forces were at work tending to Duel’s entrance sign and crypt…
Toilet Refurbishment
The toilets in Mutiny Bay received a complete refurbishment during the 2016/17 closed season, with the complete removal of the existing facilities.
Facade Repaints
Many of the facades in Mutiny Bay received a repaint during the 2016/17 closed season including that of Sharkbait Reef by SEA LIFE.
New Sign
The signage welcoming guests into Mutiny Bay was refurbished for the 2017 season, with the work including new posts, theming and flag.
Hex Reopening
Following its closure during the 2016 season, it was announced that Hex would reopen for 2017 having received a number of refurbishments to its experience.
The Smiler Station & Track Repaint
After a busy 2016 season, some of the paintwork in The Smiler’s station and on the ride’s supports was looking a little worse for wear. The Resort got their paintbrushes out to touch up the rainbow staircase, interior queueline, baggage hold area and the rest of the station building, along with a full track clean down and touch up.
X-Cite Repaint
X Sector’s arcade, X-Cite, received a full repaint during the 2016/17 closed season ready for more guests to play its games once the theme park reopened.
Rehydrator Repaint
In preparation for the 2017 season, the Rehydrator was repainted in its original colour scheme.
Towers Street Clean-Up
To ensure the theme park’s iconic entrance would be looking its best for the 2017 season, Towers Street’s roofs and walls were given a deep clean along with the famous frog pond.
Makeover of Towers Street Facades
The makeover of Towers Street’s facades continued in the 2016/17 closed season with a few more buildings getting the colourful treatment!
Waterpark Refurbishment
The Alton Towers Waterpark closed in January 2017 for its annual refurbishment works which included the replacement of bridges and stairs, the repainting of the rock theming as well as new beach flooring and fairy lights.
Skyride Station Clean-up
With so many guests using the Skyride to navigate the theme park, the Resort ensured that its stations were looking presentable in preparation for the new season.
New Entrance Shutters
With the previous manual brown shutters having been installed in the early 1990s an upgrade was long overdue, so new electric shutters were installed ready for the 2017 season.
Extraordinary Golf Refurbishment
With only one half of the course receiving attention in 2016, refurbishment work took place on the remainder of the course in early 2017.
Coach Park Road Resurfacing
The road alongside the coach park, which also provides access to Express Parking, was resurfaced during the 2016/17 closed season so that guests visiting during the coming seasons would have a much smoother ride.
Corkscrew Repaint
Corkscrew’s iconic inversions which were retained to stand as a memorial to the classic ride in the theme park entrance plaza were given a fresh coat of paint ahead of the 2017 season.
2015/16 Closed Season
Octonauts Rollercoaster Adventure Station Refurb
After a busy first season of operation, Octonauts’ station was a little worse for wear and so was rebuilt and repainted, alongside receiving improved finishes and new lighting, over the 2015/16 closed season.
Big Fun Show Time Lining Replacement
With the promise of new entertainment in CBeebies Land for the 2016 season, the Big Fun Show Time area received some attention in the form of replacement lining to its surrounding wall.
Miscellaneous Repainting, Refurbishment & Cleaning
Workers put their paintbrushes to work all around CBeebies Land, repainting the area’s bugs, attraction queue-lines and entrance way. Minor refurbishment works and general cleaning also took place throughout the area to ensure its colourful and vibrant look was retained.
New Big Fun Show Time Entertainment
CBeebies Land would receive two new shows for 2016, with Hey Duggee and Tree Fu Tom joining the Big Fun Show Time line-up!
Frog Hopper Façade and Queue-line Work
Although CBeebies Land proved popular among younger guests, Cloud Cuckoo Land wasn’t forgotten about with the building behind Frog Hopper being re-rendered before receiving new scenic paintwork. The queue-line fences also received a lick of paint.
Ice Age: The 4D Experience Queue-line Repaint
Elsewhere in Cloud Cuckoo Land, Ice Age: The 4D Experience’s queue-line also received some TLC in the form of a repainting in a brand new colour. The eggs at the attraction’s entrance also received a new coat of paint and had their faces reapplied.
Repaint of Mushrooms
Cloud Cuckoo Land’s colourful toadstools help in creating this whimsical area of the theme park, although they were looking a bit worn out after the 2015 season and so repainted to look brand new!
Woodcutter’s Bar & Grill Exterior Refresh
Ahead of the 2016 season Woodcutter’s Bar & Grill, one of the Theme Park’s most popular eateries, received an external refresh.
Construction of New Rita Tunnel & Addition of Signage
After initially teasing that there were ‘serious works’ going on in Dark Forest, it was later revealed that the scaffolding tunnel which had been in place under Rita’s launch track for several years would be replaced by a more permanent, wooden counterpart. The tunnel and accompanying fence also received themed signage and vines, as the Dark Forest continues to advance on Rita.
Rita Queue-line Work
Rita’s queue-line received a spruce up over the 2015/16 closed season, with parts of its fencing being repainted whilst old sections of queue were removed and planted over or covered with bark. Along with this, the tester seat at the ride’s entrance was also refurbished ready for its 2016 guests.
Restoration of Scenery and Facades
The scenic painters were also put to work in Dark Forest, restoring various scenery features and facades, such as Rita’s launch cable room as well as the area’s food outlets and games stalls.
Addition of New Box Office
Rita’s former gift shop made way for a new Box Office which would offer Guest Service, Fastrack and assistance with Annual Pass related queries.
Nemesis Track Repaint & Station Refurbishment
Ahead of its 23rd season in operation at Alton Towers Resort, Nemesis’ track was completely shotblast and then repainted at a cost in excess of £120,000. The iconic Nemesis Monster station also received some attention, being repainted to restore it to its former glory.
Floor Resurfacing
In preparation for the opening of Galactica and the Rollercoaster Restaurannt in Forbidden Valley in 2016, some areas were resurfaced giving it a bold red new look.
Nemesis Gun Repaint
The infamous Nemesis Gun, located near the entrance to Forbidden Valley, received fresh scenic painting bringing a new lease of life to this unique theming feature for 2016.
Respraying of Outlets
As part of the resort’s efforts to rejuvenate the Forbidden Valley area of the theme park, the food outlets were resprayed in order to give them a fresh look.
Opening of ‘Coffee Lounge’
After Fresh Fish and Chips had remained closed for the majority of the 2015 season, the building would become home to ‘Coffee Lounge’ in time for 2016 – a new coffee shop serving Starbucks coffee.
Pizza & Pasta Repaint
Woodcutter’s wasn’t the only of the Theme Park’s food and beverage offerings to receive some attention. The interior and exterior of Explorer’s Pizza & Pasta in Katanga Canyon was repainted ready for the 2016 season.
Katanga Kabin & Caricatures Repaint
Elsewhere in Katanga Canyon, the Katanga Kabin food & beverage outlet, as well as the Caricatures kiosk, received a fresh coat of paint.
Restoration of Area Signs
With the Resort also giving some attention to the smaller details around the Theme Park, various signage around Katanga Canyon was restored to give it a fresh look.
Addition of Windows to Fences
Following the installation of fences to the pathways overlooking Congo River Rapids and Runaway Mine Train during the 2015 season, windows were installed in the first half of 2016 to allow guests to once again see others enjoying the rides.
Outlet Repainting
The Resort’s TLC team also put their paint brushes to work in Mutiny Bay, repainting the shutters of Pirate Pasties, Pancakes & Hotdogs and games stalls, as well as the exterior of The Burger Kitchen.
Battle Galleons Clean
The theming and area around Battle Galleons received a deep clean during the 2015/16 closed season as well as halfway through the main season, improving the attraction’s overall experience. The attraction also received new signage flags, adding to its fresh appearance.
Restoration of Theming
Some of Mutiny Bay’s theming was restored for the 2016 season, such as a section of wall which was re-rendered and re-themed to look like bricks, along with the nearby barrels also being restored. Another area had its netting replaced, rocks cleaned and barrels restored.
Replacement of Entrance Kiosk Roofs
Many guests begin their day at Alton Towers Theme Park by purchasing their admission tickets from the kiosks at the park’s entrance. Prior to the 2016 season, all the kiosks received new roofs, ensuring that the area where guests start their day out looks fresh.
Entrance Area Repaint
Elsewhere at the Theme Park entrance, the Pre-booked Ticket Collection building and turnstile area received a fresh coat of paint.
Fountain Repaint in Fountain Square
The iconic fountain of Fountain Square was freshly painted prior to the park reopening for the 2016 season.
Makeover of Towers Street Facades
Over the next few years, the facades of the buildings on Towers Street are due to receive a new look. So far the Resort Box Office has been repainted green, the TLC Team have moved into No. 1 and the Photo Collection point has received a makeover.
Makeover of Arrival Monorail Station
The Monorail station situated near the the Resort’s accommodation received attention prior to the 2016 attention. It was repainted, before receiving new signage and screens.
Replacement Main Entrance Logos
One of the first sites you see when arriving at Alton Towers Resort are the signs at the main entrance gates, indicating which of the Resort’s attractions are open for your visit. The logos situated at the top of these signs were replaced with fresh counterparts in time for the 2016 season.
New Benches Across Theme Park
At the very start of the 2016 season, Alton Towers took delivery of 65 brand new wooden benches, which would be placed all around the theme park to provide guests with more places to sit when they feel like resting their legs.
Extraordinary Golf Improvements
Early on in the 2016 season, a number of improvements were made to the Extraordinary Golf courses. These included the repainting of a number of the themed obstacles, as well as the transformation of the Air hole to Galactica, alongside the addition of coloured lighting allowing for later openings during Scarefest.