The 2024 season has seen a much expanded offering of VIP packages at Alton Towers Resort. Having already attended the Nemesis Reborn VIP Event, TowersTimes team member Craig has now completed the two new track walks, Wicker Man and Oblivion, and is here once again to share his thoughts.
So let’s start with an overview of what each track walk package includes. Wicker Man is priced at £65, while Oblivion is slightly more expensive at £80. Both packages include a one shot Fastrack for the respective ride, to be used on date of the track walk, as well as Express Parking. Running on Tuesdays and Thursdays across the season (although there now remains very limited availability), the tours start approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour after park close with no more than eight people in a group. As with all track walks, an initial safety briefing was given on both tours.
Wicker Man
There are fundamental differences in both walks so we’ll start with Wicker Man. Our hosts for this were Nikita, Lee, Beth and Oli, who all introduced themselves at the start of the tour and shared what roles they undertook at the Resort – all four are either ride operators or ride hosts, although not necessarily on Wicker Man. All were very knowledgeable on the history and the facts of Wicker Man and were always on hand to answer questions and share the odd interesting fact.
Station and operators cabin
Firstly, we had a brief tour of the station then we were allowed inside the operators cabin to ‘lock the ride off’ – this basically means no one can operate the ride while people are on the track or in the ride area. At this point no photography was allowed in the operators box, but photos were allowed of guests in the box from the outside. We were told in great detail how everything worked, covering all things block systems, procedures for starting and shutting down the ride, which button did what and so fourth. We even pressed the button to ‘Feed the Flames’, triggering the ignition of the fire on the shoulders of ‘Big Bob’.
Track walk
No safety equipment was needed for this track walk as the lift hill isn’t as steep as some of Alton Towers’ other coasters. The only thing that we were given was a pouch to put our phone in – this hung round our neck so it wouldn’t fall when taking photos or videos.
With no more than eight guests allowed to do the track walk at any one time, a maximum of four would ascend up the left hand side and four to the right – I chose the right. At certain points throughout the walk our hosts would stop and provide some facts about the ride. You could then take photos or videos for that momentary pause, before carrying on to the next point on the lift hill until we reaching the summit where the track enters the tunnel.
Amongst the facts provided were reference to the ride being situated on the old Log Flume site, with part of the track in the same place and shaped to The Flume’s station turntable! We were also told how, when Wicker Man was first envisioned, after completing your ride you got off at a different station to where you boarded, meaning the train would come back into the original station with no guests on it, as if you’d been fed to the flames!
The views from the top of the lift hill across the Resort were fantastic. Looking back down at Wicker Man’s lift hill was site to behold, with that unique change in gradient and the Wicker Man effigy in the background. We were also fortunate that the weather too was splendid, which sometimes can make or break an experience like this! We were about 30 minutes at the top, never feeling rushed at any point whatsoever with our hosts just continuing to answer questions and provide facts. All in all, the whole tour took approximately 90 minutes.
Oblivion
Our hosts for this were Joe, Jake, Ian, Ash and Dan (affectionately known as ‘Quinny’). As before all the hosts are either ride operators or ride hosts and all very knowledgeable in their field. Although the tour can run with a maximum of eight guests, there was only seven on our tour.
Safety gear, station and operators cabin
Because Oblivion has a taller and steeper lift hill, safety gear was needed for this climb. Therefore, at the start of the tour, while half of the group were shown the operators cabin, the other half had to adorn all the safety gear, maximising the time we had on the whole tour. Unlike Wicker Man, we were able to take as many photos and videos as we wanted of the operators cabin and control panel. We were provided with an in-depth talk on how Oblivion operated throughout the day, with Ian explaining to us what would happen in different situations, such as ride stoppages and guests with phones out, showing us the buttons they had to press when these scenarios occurred.
Track walk
For the track walk itself, there were three people on the right hand side including myself and four on the left. Firstly we were shown how to attach our safety harnesses to the rail – now this is a little bit fiddly, but once you’ve done it a couple of times you get used to it! The steps on Oblivion’s track walk are very steep and quite wide, so this one’s not for the faint-hearted! Again at points throughout the walk our hosts would stop and provide some facts about the ride and share some history. You then had the opportunity to take photos or videos using your own phone, again contained within a clear pouch provided. Two of the hosts had GoPros fitted so they could take photos of you whilst climbing.
Upon reaching the top, we walked around the curve before stopping about ten feet from the ‘don’t look down’ point. Now the views across X-Sector and beyond were just breathtaking – overlooking The Smiler, the Flag Tower and the beautiful countryside was just amazing! The weather was exceptionally good, maybe even too hot although complimentary water was provided when we were back in the station. We took photos and videos, talked and chatted at the top for what seemed like an age, again no rush, with our hosts reeling off the facts and telling the odd tale – all very relaxed and jovial.
Amongst the facts were that an Oblivion shuttle weighs the same as a large elephant, and that as Oblivion wasn’t supposed to exceed the tree line a California Red Wood tree was planted so it didn’t go above it. Also a fact not many will know is that Oblivion opened the year I got married ;)
Nonetheless, it was eventually time to descend to the lift, and I would say that coming back is harder than going up! Overall, the whole tour lasted approximately two hours, with this extended time potentially explaining the slightly higher price.
Summary
I’ve done quite a few track walks over the years at different parks. The special ingredients to getting these right are costing, areas of access and the team that guide you through. Firstly the costing – in my opinion even without the Fastrack the price is far for what you’re getting. Although all areas are not going to be accessible, it’s nice to leave some things to the imagination. However, the pièce de résistance for me are the hosts/guides – when the passion shines through you can tell, and every single person on each team were impeccable! All were invested in the ‘storytelling’ of the ride, dropping facts here and there plus the odd joke thrown in too – hats off to all of them!
Finally, a special mention too for the VIP team, Abbie-June, Finlay and Jake. All were on hand with a private phone number to assist at any time.
We’re so glad these VIP track walks have returned. Hopefully we’ll see the offering expanded to more of the Resort’s coasters next year!
Craig
