HAS WORK BEGUN ON NEW ALTON TOWERS RIDE?
- May 19
- 2 min read
After a rahter long gestation period, it seems that work has finally begun on ‘Project Horizon’, rumoured to be a new indoor rollercoaster coming to Alton Towers.
Plans for the new attraction were approved by the local council back in early 2023, but no significant work has taken place, until now. The location of the attraction has not been accessible to the public for a long time, situated at the back of the park behind the World of David Walliams and the (currently mothballed) Alton Towers Dungeons.
WHAT WILL THE NEW ALTON TOWERS RIDE BE?
The current rumour circulating is a new family rollercoaster. We know the ride will be situated inside a large specially constructed building measuring 71 metres (233 feet) long, 46 metres (151 feet) wide, and 19 metres (64 feet) tall. Making this indoors allows for the ride to be situated in a location that has previously struggled to get planning permission due to noise concerns.
WHAT TYPE OF ROLLERCOASTER WILL IT BE?
Whilst nothing is confirmed (yet) we understand that it is likely to be an Intamin Multi Dimension Coaster. This is a similar (but more versatile) version of the tech used for Thirteen, which allows for varied track elements, launches, and even dark ride sections. Whilst it will have a different layout, it’s likely that the new Minecraft rollercoaster at Chessington World of Adventures will be the same model, suggesting a possible multi-ride deal with Merlin.
WILL ALTON TOWERS NEW COASTER HAVE A THEME/IP?
It’s not known if a final decision has been made yet on the name, theme, or possible IP connection to this exciting new attraction. When planning permission was first granted it was suggested by many that this could be a modern iteration of the classic Black Hole coaster that was hugely popular at Alton Towers for twenty years from 1984.
Rumours intensified when John Wardley wrote in his second autobiography about being approached regarding the possibility of introducing a new version of the Black Hole, which he had reservations about. Space themed indoor coasters have been popular for decades, including the classic Space Mountain rides seen in many Disney parks, and this new attraction could even add a spinning option similar to Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT. Merlin have installed a similar concept, Galacticoaster, at a couple of their Legoland parks already.
WHEN WILL THE NEW ALTON TOWERS ROLLERCOASTER OPEN?
It’s very likely this new attraction will open in 2028.
Whilst it’s not impossible that the ride could be ready sometime in 2027, the significant work required to create a completely new area of the park will take some time.
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