Roll Up, Roll Up! The circus came to town in 2010 and everyone was invited to experience all the fun of the fear! At this most frightful time of the year, Scarefest returned to Alton Towers, bigger and more fearsome then ever with new mazes and attractions joining favourites from the previous years.
Key Information
Dates: 16th-31st October
The Flume Unplugged, The Dung Heap, Squirrel Nutty, Riverbank Eye Spy, Skyride and the Gardens shut at 3.30pm.
Other rides shut at 9pm daily.
Prices
Park – On-the-day/Online
Adult – £38.00/£30.40
Child – £29.00/£23.30
Senior – £19.00/£15.20
Disabled – £19.00/£15.20
Resort
The Boiler House- £6.00
Carnival of Screams – £6.00
Combined Maze Ticket – £10.00
Attractions
In the Park
Halloween Characters
Skelvin’s Haunted Adventure
Terror of the Towers
Trick or Treat Doors
In the Resort
A-Band-On-Ship
The Boiler House
Captain Bill’s Magic Show
Carnival of Screams
Patch’s Pumpkin Hide-Out
Room Thirteen
Trick or Treat Rooms
Witches Haunt Inn
In the Park
With a familiar hearse pulling up on Towers Street, that could only have meant one thing, everyone’s favourite spooky gang was back in town to celebrate the season in style. Just like all the other guests, each character had their favourite haunts around the park. While Franklin loved to roam all over the park, Phil was a big fan of the tales of Spookybook Land, as he liked to call it, and of course Patch loved to spend his time down on Old MacDonald’s Farmyard, where he was planted many moons ago. However Skelvin loved the Haunted House down in Gloomy Wood so much that he took it over in 2010 for Skelvin’s Haunted Adventure – a spooky trip for all the family. This was effectively a modified version of Duel Live, with the scares significantly toned down for the attraction to appeal to families – unfortunately the Scarefest 2010 was to be the final year of operating Duel with live actors.
Hubble and Bubble, there was a cauldron full of trouble being brewed over by Dark Forest as Millie, Molly and Meg returned for Trick or Treat Doors. The trio of witches had been busy doing some home improvements ready for 2010’s show, but would guests be brave enough to venture up to this spooky house, where a knock on the door may have brought a sweet surprise, or perhaps a devilish trick from naughty Meg.
The once peaceful seat of the Earls of Shrewsbury found itself disturbed once again by fearsome noises emanating from within. A powerful presence appeared to have taken over the gothic ruins and the park invited guests to investigate in Terror of the Towers: What Lies Within. Returning after its debut in 2009, using the same theme and maze layout but with a few updated scenes, only the bravest of souls dared to enter the Towers and face the terrors that lurked inside.
As ever the park was transformed into a spook’s playground during Scarefest, with much of the park being taken over either by Old MacDonald’s hilarious scarecrows or elsewhere by skeletons of less fortunate souls. The theme parks ‘halloween lighting’ was also significantly upgraded with most areas and rides covered with green and red spotlights. Scripture was projected on to walls of the Towers, further adding to the atmosphere. Of course the later closing time meant only one thing, the chance for guests to ride some of their favourite rides in the dark!
In the Resort
After several years of terrifying activity down on Altonville Farm, all was now calm out in the fields, much to local residents’ relief. With things seemingly returning to normal, there didn’t seem to be a better way to celebrate this new found peace than with a visit to the circus that just rolled in to town…
But was this troupe of clowns all that they seemed? With reports of past audiences mysteriously vanishing, perhaps guests should have been prepared for some extreme audience interaction if they purchased a ticket to the Carnival of Screams.
On the other side of town sat an abandoned Boiler House. Every Halloween locals liked to test their nerve by spending the night in the labyrinth of corridors within this industrial relic. But with reports coming through that the Hamble Twins were currently at large in the area, police issued a warning that they could have gone to ground and should be avoided at all costs. Where could these psychopathic serial killers have been hiding out, and might it have been wise for locals to stay indoors during the Halloween of 2010?
Every Scarefest the resort is home to hundreds and hundreds of pumpkins, and each year Patch takes it upon himself to ensure there are plenty available, by transforming Splash Landings Hotel into Patch’s Pumpkin Hide-Out. However, in 2010 trouble was also brewing at Alton Towers Hotel, as it became the Witches’ Haunt Inn, where the wickedly wonderful staff conjured up frights and fun galore, with black cats and broomsticks in tow.
After a long day being chased by spooks around the resort, what better way was there to prepare for bed than by enjoying the treat of some tricks by stopping by Pirate Bill’s Magic Show. In fact the hotels were brimming full of Halloween fun in 2010, with Darwin the Dodo also getting in on the act with a troupe of witches who joined him for his Rock The Boat show, whilst over at Splash Landings guests were invited to Patch’s Pumpkin Party, which was filled with fun and dancing. Alternatively guests could go overboard and A-Band-On-Ship with the hotel’s brand new Halloween Vocal Show.
Elsewhere in the hotels things were certain to go bump in the night in the resort’s Trick or Treat Rooms. Guests could check in to one of these specially dedicated rooms and prepare for a night of family frights. Would Dad get a forfeit? Would Mum be in for a pleasant surprise? One thing was for sure, there was plenty of fun for all.
For those who wanted a less than restful night’s sleep, Room Thirteen would have been right up their street. Only at Halloween did the resort think it was suitable to open up this most unlucky of rooms, where the only room service on offer would likely leave guests with nightmares. After a couple of years’ hiatus, the resort’s terrifying scare rooms returned to horrify those hardy enough to check in.
Alton Towers Scarefest! (16th October – 31st October 2010)
Experience the terror at the Alton Towers Resort this October as the annual Scarefest event returns for a fourth year with even more terror than ever before. Come face to face with haunting horrors and face your fears in a variety of ghastly attractions that will fill even the bravest guests with dread!
Back bigger and better are the petrifying mazes, with a new twist for 2010! Brand new this year is the ultimate in horror mazes; the chilling Carnival of Screams. Venture inside if you dare and face the frightening thrills of the circus. Old favourites return to this year’s Scarefest, including the horrors that lie within the Terror of the Towers and the perilous Boiler House where only the very brave will survive the serial killers on the loose. With ride opening extended until 9pm and the mazes open even later, there is no escape from the frights at the Alton Towers Resort this Halloween. Take a thrilling night ride through the Dark Forest to experience the ultimate rollercoaster, TH13TEEN but beware of what lurks within the depths of the woods!
Thrilling highlights include:
Carnival of Screams*
Brand new for 2010! Twisted terror has come to town with the arrival of the circus; however you will wish this terrifying, and freakish troop had never arrived. An old travelling funhouse has come to the Alton Towers Resort, overtaken by evil clowns. Local people have mysteriously disappeared after visiting this funhouse. Escape if you can as the killer clowns collect their victims from the circus that nightmares are made of! This funhouse is anything but fun; these evil clowns are determined to catch their victims. Make your way through the disorientating maze to escape but beware, a surprise may be lurking at the end.
Terror of the Towers – What lies within!
Uncover a dark and horrifying secret, hidden for centuries. Strange noises have been heard emanating from the imposing, menacing building in the dead of the night. Some fear it may be a dark and evil force, lurking deep within the Towers. You will not want to be the next victim of what lies within the gothic ruins. Weave your way through the darkened corridors to investigate the chilling screams of the Towers. Dare you brave the rubble and hazards of the ruins, and uncover the horrific terror that lies within?
The Boiler House*
Bigger and better for 2010, dare you fall victim to the gruesome games of two terrifying psychopaths? An abandoned Boiler House is rumoured to be the grisly lair to a pair of violent and psychopathic serial killers. It remains unclear how many victims have been mercilessly slaughtered during their reign of terror. Dare you explore the darkened corridors of the Boiler House and risk falling victim to the gruesome games of “The Hamble Twins”?
The frights continue over in the Resort hotels with thrills that are sure to shock! Book into the Scare rooms* where sleep is never guaranteed. Prepare for bumps in the night and terrifying scares from the most unexpected places. Your nightmares really will come true. These rooms are extremely popular so book early to avoid disappointment on 0871 222 6672.
Prices and info
Scarefest runs at the Alton Towers Resort from 16th-31st October. Park entrance tickets start at £30.40 for adults and £23.20 for children, with under 4’s completely free.
Visit www.altontowers.com for further information on hotel packages or to book.
*Requires an extra charge
** The Boiler House is not suitable for children under 14 years of age
Alton Towers Scarefest! (16th October – 31st October 2010)
Escape to the Alton Towers Resort this October and experience spine tingling spooks at the fourth annual Scarefest event. With haunting horrors for the bravest family members and spooky fun for our younger guests, there is something for all the family this Halloween.
Event highlights include:
Sklevin’s Haunted Adventure
New for 2010! Join Skelvin on his haunted adventure as he takes over this old abandoned house. Watch out for Skelvin’s friends, and have your wits about you as some of them might have a few surprises in store.
Trick or Treat Doors
Millie, Molly and Meg are three peculiar witches that come back to the Alton Towers Resort every year, and love nothing more than to give out lots of treats and surprises, which one will you get?
Scarefest Characters
Skelvin, Franklin, Patch, and Phil are ready to welcome all our guests to this amazing event. They love this time of year, when they can join in with all the spooktacular fun.
Late opening
Theme park fun is extended to 9pm every night!
For those seeking the ultimate scares, venture into the Carnival of Screams**, a brand new attraction for 2010, discover what lies within the Terror of the Towers* or enter the Boiler House if you dare – a grisly hideout awaits those brave enough to encounter the dark and bloody corridors!
Pumpkin ratings will be applied to each Halloween attraction at the Resort to highlight their spook factor, making it easy for parents to choose the attractions most suited to their child’s age.
The spooktacular fun continues over in the Resort hotels with spooks and scares to suit all ages. The Alton Towers Hotel becomes inhabited by witches this Halloween, so join in the hocus-pocus and be on the look out for spells and potions….and of course hats and cats! Check into the specially themed Trick or Treat rooms** and challenge the family to discover the hidden prizes…or forfeits! With goody bags for the children and free spooky movies for the duration of your stay, these rooms are extremely popular so book early to avoid disappointment on 0871 222 6672.***
Splash Landings Hotel will become Patch’s Pumpkin Hide-out! Help Patch on his mission to ensure the entire Resort is supplied with pumpkins big and small!
With fantastical Halloween entertainment throughout the evening, youngsters can join Pirate Bill on his Ghost Hunt, join the mischievous character in Ringo’s Spooktacular Clebration and dance along to the amazing Halloween Vocal Show. With a packed programme of entertainment for all the family to enjoy, Scarefest at the Alton Towers Resort is not to be missed!
Prices and info
Park entrance tickets start at £30.40 for adults and £23.20 for children, with under 4’s completely free.
Visit www.altontowers.com for more information or to book.
*Terror of the Towers not suitable for children under 14 years of age
**Requires an extra charge
***Terms and conditions apply, subject to availability
