I know it’s late – however some news can’t wait. I’m proud to be one of the first to officially announce this INCREDIBLE news. The SW8 (Secret Weapon 8) has been unveiled –
The Wicker Man joins Alton Towers Resort in 2018!
The much rumoured name has been confirmed, the sprawling wooden coaster (the first built in the UK in 21 years!) at Alton Towers Resort is called the Wicker Man!
Key facts about the Wicker Man
- Wicker Man is the world’s first roller coaster experience fusing wood and fire. Incorporating a giant, flaming Wicker Man who stands six-stories (57.57ft / 17.55m) high!
- The ride swoops through the flaming Wicker Man structure no less than three times.
- Wicker Man is the UK’s first new wooden roller coaster experience in 21 years.
- Due to launch at the Staffordshire theme park in Spring 2018
“We are delighted to finally be announcing Wicker Man as the latest ground-breaking thrill attraction from Alton Towers Resort for 2018. Guests will be ‘chosen’ to take part in a celebratory ‘rite of passage’ as they race through the flaming Wicker Man. We hope visitors will be blown away by Wicker Man’s breath-taking scale whilst the primal essence of the wooden coaster and astonishing effects will leave them delighted, exhilarated and eager to ride again.” – Bradley Wynne, Creative Lead at Alton Towers Resort
Built by the best!
The world-class team constructing the ride is lead by GCI (Great Coasters International), who are the world’s leading creators of wooden roller-coasters. Wicker Man is suitable for thrillseekers that are 1.2m and taller. The 2028 ft/618 m long wooden track will pass through the flame engulfed Wicker Man three times. Alton Towers Resort has spent over £16 MILLION on the creation of this iconic development which has been four years in the making! By the time the ride opens over 1000 people will have been involved in the project, many of whom are local to the resort.
Take part in a rite of passage
Visitors to Alton Towers Resort in 2018 will embark on a multi-sensory rite of passage (perhaps similar to The Welcoming at the Alton Towers Scarefest). Riders will be drawn into the mysterious world of The Beornen, a shadowy group living in the woods surrounding the theme park. The mysterious group were keen to ‘Feed the Flames’ in The Welcoming, hopefully they won’t want to feed the flames with the riders! Safety is paramount at Alton Towers Resort – the operating team will undertake hundreds of hours of training between now and the ride’s opening.
The teaser artwork for the ride has been created by by globally-celebrated illustrator Kyle Lambert. Known across the world as the artist behind the imagery for award-winning show Stranger Things. Alongside other Hollywood movie work including Jurassic Park, Super 8 and Jumanji.
Like Thorpe Park, Alton Towers Resort are offering their very own Annual Pass. You can grab an Alton Towers 2018 Season Pass for just £55 by visiting altontowers.com. You’re essentially paying for a day, and able to come back all year (although some exclusions apply).
Stay tuned for more..
I cannot express how excited I am about Alton Towers FINALLY getting a wooden roller coaster. Woodies give the rider a more ‘raw’ experience, more like the rides of yesteryear. They feel faster and more thrilling. The natural materials used are also perfect for the woods around the resort. Over the next few months, more details will be coming out of the Towers about this incredible new ride. Anything else I hear about the Wicker Man I’ll get online as soon as possible, and fingers crossed we’ll be there for the official opening in the Spring!
