The Alton Towers Dungeon

General discussion regarding the UK's No.1 Theme Park. Talk about anything and everything Alton Towers here.
User avatar
ProfBurp
Member
Member
Posts: 63
Joined: Sun Feb 17, 2019 11:40 am

Considering it’s predecessors, I personally feel that whilst the entrance looks ok.....I really hope there is more to come as currently  looks like a cheap ratheme of am exterior and nothing else. Burger kitchen looks clean and fresh, but if the inside hasn’t been updated it’s going to look out of place, there are also a lot of outdated vinyls etc inside like Sub terra, Air and CATCF which means it needs sorting out. Fingers crossed they don’t do half a job, something Merlin has the tendency to do.
User avatar
Dachshund
New Member
New Member
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Feb 14, 2019 7:32 pm

Even Doom and Sons had a better, scarier look and that was nearly 40 years ago. The giant wood fence is just so lazy and unfitting.
Swarm Chris

The outside doesn't give me a great first impression as it is. Given all previous attractions here have had fairly substantial external theming, it's currently quite disappointing. But, they still have a week and a half to go.

Interestingly, there are still tickets available for all time slots on opening day (note 11am-12pm has never been available for opening day). Will be intriguing to see just what level of interest this receives, and whether people will just get tickets on the day rather than pre-booking.
User avatar
lewis97
Admin
Admin
Posts: 4373
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2012 6:41 am
Location: Hertfordshire

On Tuesday, TowersTimes was invited to a special ‘Meet the Maker’ event at Alton Towers Resort, to discover some of what lurks within the chambers of The Alton Towers Dungeon ahead of its grand opening on 23rd March.

TowersTimes News has a full round-up of what we learned, but traitors be wary, for spoilers do lie ahead…

Image
User avatar
GregH94
Member
Member
Posts: 66
Joined: Mon Dec 31, 2018 8:07 pm

Theme Park Worldwide have also filmed a separate behind the scenes video on their channel, going by what I’ve seen so far this is looking promising and pretty decent quality for something that only costs £5 online
Swarm Chris

Well done everyone for getting it ready for immediately after the embargo lifted. :)

It looks like they're working very close to the deadline. Having only had 6 months to work on the project, in comparison to a normal 18 months, I fear is going to show. Not having fully themed rooms, but rather a 3-wall set, I hope won't detract from everything when it's up and running. More positively, they do seem to have put a lot of effort into ensuring the acting will be extremely high quality.

We now know the capacity of the attraction, and it turns out it's slightly worse than my calculation a few pages back. There will be 8 groups an hour, for 6 hours a day, with 27 people per group. Grand total: 216 people an hour; and 1,296 people per day. So about 10% of guests in any given day will be able to experience the dungeon. I struggle to see how this works within a theme park.

Slightly negative post, but it looks like the attraction will be entertaining for those who get to experience it. :)
User avatar
lewis97
Admin
Admin
Posts: 4373
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2012 6:41 am
Location: Hertfordshire

We've now also got a video up on the TTSP YouTube channel featuring some short snippets of a few of the Dungeon's scenes, and some insights from Eddie Saul, Head of Creative Partners at Merlin Entertainments, and Chris Carter, Head of Entertainment and Tech at the Resort.

[/center]
User avatar
Justin
Member
Member
Posts: 2703
Joined: Thu Apr 17, 2014 2:51 pm

If you haven't watched it, then it is certainly an interesting watch. I really enjoyed it! :)
Swarm Chris

Just finished watching it. Gives a great insight into the passion and hardwork that the team has been through to get the attraction delivered (well almost delivered at this point in time). :)

Would love to know how this thing came to be, if it only got executive sign off 6 months ago! A fairly huge task to ask of the development team, even if they can draw on a lot of experience from within Merlin.
User avatar
Justin
Member
Member
Posts: 2703
Joined: Thu Apr 17, 2014 2:51 pm

With the brand already existing, I suppose it isn't that difficult to implement. The show concepts exist and the props can easily be recreated!

I really can't wait for this!
User avatar
lewis97
Admin
Admin
Posts: 4373
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2012 6:41 am
Location: Hertfordshire

Swarm Chris wrote:Would love to know how this thing came to be, if it only got executive sign off 6 months ago! A fairly huge task to ask of the development team, even if they can draw on a lot of experience from within Merlin.
Would fit with the rumoured David Walliams attraction/area not working out, by which point the building may have already been gutted and so an opportunity to add the Dungeon was spotted...?
Swarm Chris

lewis97 wrote: Would fit with the rumoured David Walliams attraction/area not working out, by which point the building may have already been gutted and so an opportunity to add the Dungeon was spotted...?
That is quite possible. A significant change in direction if it is the case.
User avatar
Dan
Member
Member
Posts: 2339
Joined: Tue Jun 23, 2009 9:08 pm

Having watched the video and read the article, my opinion on the Dungeon has softened somewhat.

I still don’t think it’s the attraction that Towers needs, but I am looking forward to going through it. As I’ve said previously, it’s not going to be an attraction I make a point of doing on every visit, especially on the days with the shorter opening hours.
Image
User avatar
scruffy_
Member
Member
Posts: 318
Joined: Thu Jun 22, 2006 7:34 pm
Location: Wales

I think it looks poor to be honest.
User avatar
DerpyQuark
Member
Member
Posts: 71
Joined: Sun Apr 29, 2018 9:05 pm
Location: Earth

I kind of like this Dungeon. It looks like MMM put a lot of effort into theming this attraction in the space of 6 months.
However, I am slightly disappointed they didn't make it into a new Toyland Tours, or something that fitted into the CCL area.
User avatar
Chris
Admin
Admin
Posts: 2645
Joined: Sun Mar 16, 2003 8:38 pm
Location: London
Contact:

scruffy_ wrote:I think it looks poor to be honest.
Always helpful to say constructively why.
Swarm Chris

DerpyQuark wrote:I kind of like this Dungeon. It looks like MMM put a lot of effort into theming this attraction in the space of 6 months.
However, I am slightly disappointed they didn't make it into a new Toyland Tours, or something that fitted into the CCL area.
From the Meet the Makers video, it certainly shows a lot of passion went into the project. Perhaps it is a bit of a shame that this passion wasn't used to make a lighter and more CCL relevant attraction, with a longer development time.
User avatar
Zach
Member
Member
Posts: 804
Joined: Sun Jul 08, 2012 11:53 am

scruffy_ wrote:I think it looks poor to be honest.
What’s important to remember and as I’m sure is mentioned in the video, when the Meet the Maker event took place, changes, additions and the site was still being added too. I think, like I’ve said before, it’s easy to judge something before you’ve seen it properly. It’s easy to say it looks poor or slam a product/attraction/ride before you’ve experienced it.

Like Chris has already said, it always helps to expand.
Image
User avatar
Coaster Chall
Member
Member
Posts: 178
Joined: Sat Apr 14, 2018 6:54 pm
Location: Doncaster

Honestly I've seen the vids from inside parts of the attraction (excluding the Black River Boat Ride) and honestly, it might look like a fort/Saxon gateway at the facade, but inside there's so much great stuff to see!

I agree that the facade looks slightly disappointing, but inside I'm so excited cause I think they'll pull it off. Especially the Black River Boat Ride section! I'm very excited to get down there before the summer holidays kick in (probs a weekday in June).
User avatar
AltonOperator
Member
Member
Posts: 364
Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2017 6:46 pm
Location: Exactly 65.38 miles from Nemesis' entrance

That's school trip season so don't expect it to be empty
I'm currently torn between looking at the videos and staying spoiler free on the off chance I actually do it. It certainly isn't something I'm desperate to do.
Does anyone know if they've managed to fully cover up the Charlie stuff yet?
Image
Image
Thanks Jack
Post Reply