Scarefest 2019 got underway at Alton Towers Resort this weekend, with the theme park laying on a whole host of spooks, frights and thrills. TowersTimes was invited to the Resort to experience all that Scarefest 2019 has to offer, as well as unrivalled access inside the scare mazes.
Warning: The article below contains some spoilers for Alton Towers Resort’s scare mazes.
This year’s event has seen the introduction of two new scare mazes to the line-up. The first of these is The Attic: Terror of the Towers which marks a welcome return of the Terror of the Towers universe to the Resort. Located within the Towers Ruins, The Attic takes guests up into the uppermost levels of the ruins to discover the story of the Governess who is said to want to avenge the deaths of her charges by taking the spirits of the living. The Attic is an incredibly well crafted maze, with a high level of attention to detail throughout the attraction, from the queue line which features various items from within the house, the well-done introductory scene which establishes the story of the maze, to the well-designed sets in the interior which help create a high level of immersion. This feeling of immersion is further enhanced with the maze being set on the third floor of the Towers, meaning guests climb several flights of stairs to access the main section of the maze, something which creates the feeling that you are genuinely climbing up to The Governess’ attic. Inside, the maze creates a suitably creepy atmosphere, with the actors giving strong, well thought out performances. All of this contributes to what is another high quality and theatrical addition to the scare maze line up.
Darkest Depths is the second new addition to 2019’s line up and is located in Mutiny Bay Courtyard which was previously home to The Welcoming during 2017 and 2018. Guests are invited to board the infamous ghost ship “The Mutiny” and journey into the darkest depths in search of their piece of eight. Darkest Depths has what is arguably some of the most detailed sets of any scare maze at the Resort. Once inside, you would not be able to tell that you are actually in the Mutiny Bay Courtyard – the sets are so detailed that you really do feel you have boarded the infamous ghost ship, with the combination of the physical sets, lighting and sound effects, and use of scents (including a particularly pungent vomit scent), all contributing to the immersion. Throughout the attraction, actors make full use of the intricate sets to deliver a range of effective scares. The maze also features its own bespoke soundtrack, composed entirely in house, and this fits perfectly not just with the maze, but also the wider Mutiny Bay area. Darkest Depths exceeded our expectations and is, in our opinion, not to be missed.
Returning for its second year is Project 42, the maze in Forbidden Valley which sees guests enter a Phalanx facility in search of a vaccine to a deadly disease. This year has seen a number of changes made to the attraction, all of which have improved the overall experience. The pre-show tunnel has seen the addition of a second screen which means that all the group can see the pre-show, therefore ensuring all in the group know the storyline of the maze. Inside, the maze’s sets have been almost completely re-done, allowing for a more winding route through the maze, and offering more opportunities for the actors to deliver scares leading to a higher level of intensity than last year.
Also making a welcome return to the scare maze line up are Altonville Mine Tours: Uncover the Legend of the Skin Snatchers and Sub Species – The End Games. Whilst the main concept and routes in both remain the same as in previous years, both have received a few smaller improvements. Altonville Mine Tours has seen the addition of extra theming in the final section of the queue line which has replaced the baggage hold which used to occupy that space, whilst inside the sets have received a few small enhancements. During our run there were some very effective performances which sees the maze return stronger than ever. Sub Species – The End Games has maintained its intensity, with actors during our run seeming particularly intent on splitting our group up and directing us the wrong way around the labyrinth to disorientate us within the maze.
Making its Halloween debut is the theme park’s new for 2019 attraction, The Alton Towers Dungeon. Although there has been little change to the rooms inside, the exterior of the attraction has seen the addition of Plague Street which sees several roaming actors entertaining the queue line and guests in the area. When darkness descends the area is also very atmospherically lit, ensuring it fits in perfectly with the spooky Halloween atmosphere.
No Scarefest would be complete without The Alton Ancestors and this year sees them rising from the grave once more to return to their old stomping grounds on Towers Street and Gloomy Wood. 2019 sees them performing possibly their most energetic routine yet as they provide the perfect welcome to guests entering the Resort. Also roaming at various times through the day are the Ghost Pirates who can be found on Towers Street and in the Mutiny Bay area of the theme park.
The Freaky Five are back with their Freaky Fun Zone on the lawns at the bottom of Towers Street. Gretyl, Franklin, Skelvin, Patch, and Phil perform four family-friendly shows at regular intervals throughout the day – Patch’s Halloween Party, Skelvin’s Spooky Storytime, Gretyl’s Spell School, and Phil and Franklin’s Ghoulish Games. This year the shows have been refreshed with new scripts and fresh choreography and manages to strike a nice balance of humour a spookiness for young families.
CBeebies Land has joined in the Scarefest festivities for a second year with the CBeebies Land Monster Ball. This year sees Peter Rabbit and the Teletubbies join in the Halloween party alongside the likes of Hey Duggee, Bing, and Ubercorn. Perhaps the most striking moment is when the characters first emerge which sees the young audience gasp in awe and delight at seeing so many of their favourite CBeebies characters in one place – a true moment of magic for the Resort’s youngest guests.
As is usual, Towers Street has been decked out in style for Scarefest with bunting, numerous pumpkins (which are just a few of the over 400 pumpkins used across the Resort), and theming features adorning the area. This year has seen the addition of two sets of pumpkin sculptures themed to the Resort’s big seven coasters, with the Nemesis and Wicker Man pumpkins being particularly impressive. Elsewhere, bunting has been put up in Fountain Square, whilst the dancing skeletons have returned to the windows of the Towers Ruins. A new addition for this year sees three spooky ghost projections in the trees outside of the Towers Street Skyride Station which add an extra bit of fun for guests to enjoy as they pass by.
This year’s Scarefest is arguably one of the strongest yet. All five scare mazes are incredibly strong with both new additions demonstrating an impressive level of attention to detail and theatricality. The event also features a good range of family entertainment with the Alton Ancestors, Freaky Fun Zone and CBeebies Land Monster Ball, ensuring that there is something for all ages to enjoy. The event does still miss the free scare zones which, in previous years, had enhanced the overall atmosphere, but more importantly provided the opportunity for those guests who were unable to handle the intensity of the mazes to experience a milder form of scare for free. The number of roaming actors has also been greatly reduced with only the Ghost Pirates roaming this year. However, overall Alton Towers Resort has an impressive Halloween event which is well worth a visit.
Tickets for the Resort’s scare mazes can be purchased either online or from the Resort Box Office. A combination ticket for Sub Species – The End Games, Project 42, and Altonville Mine Tours: Uncover the Legend of the Skin Snatchers, costs £20, with The Attic: Terror of the Towers requiring a separate ticket costing £8, and Darkest Depths also being ticketed separately at £6pp. Admission prices to The Alton Towers Dungeon have increased for Scarefest dates, with the online and on-the-day tickets now costing £8.50pp. This sees a £1 increase for on-the-day tickets, whilst the previously cheaper online tickets have increased by £3.50. A combination ticket for The Alton Towers Dungeon and Darkest Depths is also available for £12pp. Merlin Annual Passholders receive 20% discount on these prices.
Are you planning a visit to Scarefest 2019? Make sure you share your experiences and reviews over on the Attraction Source Forum.
All images within this article have been taken with full permission and cooperation from the Resort. Photography within the mazes during normal operation is strictly prohibited.
