Speculation Mounts for Alton’s 2012 Attraction

It has now been a good month since we learnt details of the new Nemesis themed attraction for 2012 at Alton Towers. Strong signs are pointing to it being an indoor Nemesis themed experience featuring a drop tower section. As with any Alton Towers attraction this is a hot bed for speculation but the majority of what is being speculated about the 2012 attraction seems founded.
The park map for Alton’s 2011 ‘Scarefest’ shows an area of Forbidden Valley labelled ‘Nemesis: What lies beneath? Unleashed 2012’, which would appear to give away three details; The fact that the attraction will indeed be themed around Nemesis, The ride’s name and the fact that the ride will be beneath the surface of Forbidden Valley.

Eagle eyed fans of the park will have seen that the planning permission submitted in early September showed that a section of the ride did in fact take place underground. This immediately started rumours of a walk through attraction featuring a drop tower section. It didn’t take long for more rumours to circulate that ABC Rides of Switzerland, the supplier for Merlin’s Extremis: Drop to Doom rides at various Dungeons sites were set to supply the free-fall tower section(s) of the attraction. Although unconfirmed this appears to be a strong possibility.

Another possibility being strongly speculated is a completely new concept, also from ABC called the ‘Verticle Dark Ride’. Concept artwork on the company’s website suggests a walkthrough experience culminating in a vertical tower section in which the gondola rotates and changes level so the rider is looking at a different scene each time. This is a unique type of scene progression in dark rides, with scope for sudden drops and rises between levels. To better explain, the artwork can be seen here.

So what can we expect if this is the case? It is certainly common knowledge that Alton Towers don’t do things by halves, they never have. What we can expect is theming and an attraction of a fantastic standard. Yes, on face value the free-fall tower from ABC seems like a cheap installation. It is a small flat ride popular with family friendly areas of theme parks. However the potential for the ride model was made evident with the Extremis attractions at Dungeons sites. Maybe the never before seen ‘Verticle Dark Ride’ is the more realistic option. Yet, when all is said and done, a drop tower is a drop tower. But when it is applied to an intimidating setting, one highly themed and engineered to provoke emotions and a sense of danger, as all effective dark rides are, the model can flourish.

Extremis stands at a height of around 30ft. Not a huge deal you would think, but with added atmosphere in theming, lighting and sound, culminating in a multi sensory experience, the shock factor is what rules. This is what makes me believe this new attraction can be something good. If Alton opts for the ‘Verticle Dark Ride’ we could see something totally unique; a dark ride with fantastic theming and truly innovative execution. This coupled with the anticipation of multiple sudden drops can make for a very intense ride experience.

Content on the new mini site for the 2012 attraction launched this month suggests the attraction will draw on the back ground story at Nemesis’ 1994 launch. A mythical monster buried deep underground has been awoken and will forever wreak its fury on its riders. An impressive back story to an impressive ride, the centre piece of Forbidden Valley. If any of the intimidation and anxiety of this back story has been lost on riders in Nemesis’ seventeen year life, the 2012 attraction is sure to revive it.