Well, this IS some wonderful news – as I write this now – Alton Towers Scarefest 2020 IS going ahead and it’s looking pretty epic! Obviously, there will be some changes and differences to previous years, but I’ve just got the press release in from the Staffordshire resort and I want to share all the details with you!
So.. shall we?
When is Alton Towers Scarefest 2020 ?
Alton Towers Scarefest 2020 will be taking place on selected dates between the 9th October until the 1st November. Those dates are as follows –
9th – 11th October and 16th October – 1st November 2020. Rides queue lines will shut at 9pm on those dates allowing you to take rides in the dark.
Check out the Alton Towers Resort website for more details.
What’s new at Alton Towers Scarefest 2020 ?
Well this is where it gets very exciting. Theme Park nerds will have seen pictures online of some of the ‘Sub Species’ and ‘Darkest Depths’ shipping containers appearing just outside of the ‘X-Sector’ area of the park. This coupled with some theming and props from the ‘Freak Show’ Scarezone from a few years ago appearing by them have sent enthusiasts wild with speculation. It’s confirmed the first addition to Alton Towers Scarefest is…
Freak Show: Toxic Junkyard
Yes… That’s right, it’s looking like one of my favourite Scare zone concepts is being turned into an ACTUAL MAZE. I am flipping PUMPED for it!
“Freak Show: Toxic Junkyard’ promises to get pulses racing as it joins the award-winning line up of live-action scare mazes* for thrillseekers. An outdoor maze, it will invite the foolhardy to venture into the Freak Show hidden den to discover the secret of the psycho clowns’ next big show.”
Clowns to me are an absolute STAPLE of any Halloween event, and I’m so happy there will be some thrown into the mix at Alton Towers Scarefest! It’s interesting it’s billed as an ‘Outdoor Maze’, when there are shipping containers in situ.
“Situated in an open-air space of the Theme Park, the new maze is inspired by the Theme Park’s hugely popular Freak Show ‘scare zone’ which has featured at Scarefest in previous years. The walkthrough experience saw guests come face-to-face with a travelling side-show of circus rejects and misfits. Following its popularity with thrillseekers, scare experts at the Resort have significantly dialled up the fear factor and created a menacing maze featuring psycho clowns and horrifying freaky folk that can only be endured by those aged 15 years and over. “
Alton Towers Resort have published a teaser trailer for Freak Show: Toxic Junkyard – and it’s below –
I mentioned TWO new additions to Alton Towers Scarefest 2020.. Well, the second is a little bit different, and I am intrigued by this… It’s…
Garden Lights Tour – Whispering Souls
This new attraction to the Scarefest line-up has me pondering hard.. Here’s what the Press Release says –
“A new family-led attraction has also been confirmed for the event, which will give guests the opportunity to enjoy the Alton Towers Gardens as never before and witness them come to life in a whole new spooktacular light. ‘Garden Lights Walk: Whispering Souls’ will be a brand-new experience and free for guests to enjoy”
They are using the Alton Towers Gardens for Scarefest?! That is BRILLIANT. I’ve often felt Alton Towers could use the wonderful Gardens more, and the opening of the Gardens earlier in the year was a stroke of genius. The Garden Lights Tour – Whispering Souls sounds like such a blindingly clever idea. Alton Towers Resort has a wonderful heritage, and it’s nice that Scarefest is nodding at this.
Garden Lights Walk: Whispering Souls is a free family experience that gives guests the chance to see the Resort’s listed gardens brought to life as never before. Take an otherworldly stroll and discover a mysterious energy that runs through the Gardens’ water believed to bring lost souls back from the dead for All Hallows’ Eve.
What’s returning to Alton Towers Scarefest 2020 ?
Well.. I was a little concerned that my favourite maze, which was new last year might be going (as some of the containers are being used for Freak Show: Toxic Junkyard) however, I was wrong, guess what’s back?
Darkest Depths
The Darkest Depths maze will be inviting guests to board the infamous ghost ship ‘The Mutiny’ and journey into the darkest depths to earn their piece of eight. The treacherous Sirens will try to lure guests into the ocean as they dodge the swords of the mutinous ghost pirates and come face to face with the sea’s saltiest legend of all – the Kraken!
Darkest Depths is billed as ‘suitable for families’, I must admit, it really scared me! Darkest Depths was perfect last year, I hope the changes are minimal – I’m so happy it’s back. Best make sure I’ve got my sea legs when I visit Alton Towers Scarefest 2020!
Another ‘New for 2019’ maze is back, and it’s the creepy as heck..
The Attic: Terror of the Towers
The Attic is an unforgettable and truly chilling experience set in the eaves of the Theme Park’s famous and historical Tower ruins. They are rumoured to be haunted by ‘the Governess’. Local legend says she is eternally trying to avenge the death of her charges; taking the spirits of the living as penance, who will be her next victim?
It’s always good when Alton Towers use the Towers for a maze, and ‘The Attic’ really did shine last year. It’s going to be fun taking this maze on again, it’s haunted my nightmares since I first did it. It was so perfectly atmospheric – it will be great to see what’s changed for Alton Towers Scarefest 2020.
A well-established favourite is back too..
Altonville Mine Tours: Uncover The Legend of the Skin Snatchers
Those brave enough can also head to ‘Altonville’, a recently re-opened mine at the Resort, which holds a deep dark secret. Enter the damp, disused mine, which is believed to have once been home to a family of village outcasts. Nicknamed the ‘Skin Snatchers’ by local residents, their spine-chilling secret is about to be unearthed.
I do think Altonville Mine Tours is LOTS of fun, and I love the clever use of the headlamps. It would be awesome to see some changes for Alton Towers Scarefest 2020 to keep it fresh.
Well.. Not too fresh.
What’s missing from Alton Towers Scarefest 2020?
Well, as mentioned above Sub Species – The End Games is gone, which makes sense, it was very ‘up close and personal’, and one of the older mazes. I’m also a little sad that Project 42 has gone too. It was excellent use of the Nemesis – Sub Terra ride area. I don’t think this signals the possibility of Sub Terra coming back, it won’t.
How much does Alton Towers Scarefest 2020 cost?
The mazes at Scarefest often have an up-charge, with, it would seem, the exception of Garden Lights Tour – Whispering Souls. There are no specific prices listed for Scarefest 2020. Usually you can buy a ‘combi’ ticket that will cover three of the mazes, with the others being a separate charge. All I do know at time of writing is you WILL need pre-booked tickets to go to the park, and they are £34 each at the moment here. As with how things are at the moment, I can only assume that Merlin Annual Passholders, and Alton Towers Annual Passholders will have to pre-book too.
If you’re travelling I’d definitely recommend staying over at the Alton Towers Resort.
Additional family frights and spookalicous fun include the Freaky Fun Zone led by the Resort’s Halloween characters in their colourful playground with amazing shows, including Patch’s Halloween Party, ghostly tales from spooky Skelvin, as well as Phil and Franklin’s Ghoul School and Gretyl with her magic spells!
Families with young children can also take part in the CBeebies Land Monster Ball in CBeebies Land. Guests are invited to dress up in their favourite costume and join some of their favourite CBeebies characters live in Big Fun ShowTime as they dance, play games and learn all about spooky things! This year the event will feature Peter Rabbit, the Teletubbies, Bing, Ubercorn, and many more!
The Alton Ancestors dancing flashmob will also be back in socially-distanced action across the park providing fun-packed live entertainment for all to enjoy. The Alton Ancestors have risen from the grave once more and returned to their old stomping ground, but be warned – standing still is not an option when that music starts.
Is it safe to hold Alton Towers Scarefest during a pandemic?
Well.. This will obviously divide people. A LOT of people won’t come because of COVID-19, but, many will. Alton Towers Resort have taken all the steps they can to keep guests as safe as possible. Alton Towers Scarefest is being planned in strict accordance with existing COVID-19 measures and will be adapted should that guidance change nearer the time. It will take place in open-air or well-ventilated venues. Capacity will remain at a level where social distancing can be maintained, including in entertainment spaces and scare mazes.
When I visited Alton Towers Resort a few weeks ago, I found their measures to be excellent. The general public weren’t as good at sticking to them!
What else is happening at Alton Towers in 2020? Aside from the Scarefest
Well, the Fireworks seem to be going ahead, although there will be significant changes I imagine, to aid social distancing. Also, Alton Towers Resort will be hosting the Alton Towers Oktoberfest. I’ll post more details about that soon!
How do you think the Alton Towers Scarefest 2020 line-up is looking?
Are you going?
Drop a comment below!
