The press release has hit my inbox – the Alton Towers Scarefest 2023 Line Up has been announced! There’s some surprises, shocks, and some old favourites returning – also there’s something we’ve been crying out with for years.. A SCARE ZONE!! After my back surgery last year, I’m now fully ready to get back into halloween events and scare mazes this year!
Come with me as I go through the press release and share exactly what’s happening, and when! Let’s get the WHEN covered right now!
When does Alton Towers Scarefest 2023 start?
Alton Towers Scarefest 2023 starts on the 7th October 2023. The exact dates it will run for are 7-8th October 2023 and then 13th-31st October 2023. You can get tickets for the event from the Alton Towers website.
What’s new at Alton Towers Scarefest 2023?
So, thankfully, there are some new additions to the Alton Towers Scarefest line-up. The first one, is a VERY intriguing one, and perhaps a bit of a first too?
Daz Games: PANIC
Alton Towers Resort have teamed up with YouTuber ‘Daz Games’, who, admittedly, I’ve not heard of. Clearly, at least 8 million people have – as he’s got 8 million YouTube subscribers! However, Alton Towers and Daz have created a horrifyingly unique, immersive experience where escape room meets live action scare maze called – Daz Games: PANIC.
Here’s the synopsis from the Press Release –
“The brand-new scare attraction is the first of its kind, where players will be given a wristband and released into the attraction to compete to find two unique symbols and exit within seven minutes, however they will not be alone. Daz Games: PANIC will put players through an intense series of tests to challenge the mind and body, as they race against the clock to find the symbols and escape, before being trapped in the game forever.”
I’m not sure if a YouTuber collaboration will make for a good scare maze – but we will see! I wonder if it will occupy the space used by Sub Species : The End Games? I imagine there will be monitors and screens used – and there were plenty of those at the start of Sub Species. We will see! There’s a video released from the resort too..
How do you feel about this maze? Would be interesting to hear your opinion in the comments! I have a feeling this will be a bit of a polarising maze amongst guests to Alton Towers!
Something I’m excited about is the return of a scare zone!
Burial Grounds
Burial Grounds is due to be a a free-flowing outdoor scare zone shadowed by the mighty Wicker Man, and will be accessible and free for all guests to experience. The write up of the scare zone is as follows –
“The Unchosen, a cult obsessive of modern-day fanatics obsessed with the lore of the Beornen invite you to their sacred sanctum of ancient burial grounds. Keep your pace amongst the desecrated realm of unearthed bodies, flaming shrines and monstrous deities. Stay too long and they will choose you too – are you ready?”
The final addition to the Alton Towers Scarefest 2023 lineup is, sorta new..
Altonville Mine Tours – Tiny’s Revenge
One of Alton Towers longest running mazes, Altonville Mine Tours, is having a bit of refresh for 2023 – which is LONG overdue. It’s really good that this has happened. So, what does the release say?
“Updated for 2023, rumours are afoot that the old Altonville Mines are alive with activity once again. Following a breakthrough from local law enforcers, the notorious Skin Snatches have been detained.. but for how long? The ironically named Tiny, however, has evaded capture and is believed to still reside within the Mines. Explore at your peril and risk the adventure, if you dare.”
I’m happy that they’ve switched things up in Mine Tours for Alton Towers Scarefest 2023 – it will be interesting to see how much has changed. Hopefully a fair bit!
That’s it for new things.. how about some old favourites returning? This is what the press release says –
The Attic: Terror of the Towers
An unforgettable and truly chilling experience set in the eaves of the Theme Park’s famous and historical Tower ruins. 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…but who will be her next victim?
Darkest Depths
Get ready for a terrifying new adventure aboard ‘The Mutiny’, a notoriously spine-chilling ghost ship. You’ll truly earn your golden piece of eight by venturing into the darkest depths, avoiding the hazardous calls of the treacherous Sirens, dodging the swords of terrifyingly ghoulish pirate mutineers and coming face to face with the Kraken – the legendary monster of the seas!
The Invitation
Visit the Lakeside Cemetery mausoleum where the friendly funeral director is dying to meet you. Enter the vault to choose your final resting place but proceed with caution, you will not be alone, some caskets have already been filled and their occupants are keen to meet you.
Also returning for 2023 is the family friendly frights line-up of live entertainment including the Alton Ancestors, Freaky Five and CBeebies Land Monster Ball, where little monsters can see their favourite CBeebies Land characters for a special Halloween party.
Final thoughts on the Alton Towers Scarefest 2023 lineup
I’m feeling a little conflicted about the Alton Towers Scarefest 2023 lineup this year. I think there are some interesting elements, it’s really good that we’ve got a scare zone back. However I’m really surprised there isn’t a Phalanx themed zone by the Nemesis construction site – that would have been perfect, and a great teaser for next year’s reopening of Nemesis Reborn. Judging from the online reaction to Daz Games’ scare maze, it’s not going down well. I’m always keen to give stuff the benefit of the doubt, but I can think of a MUCH better, chonky, 40 something YouTuber to build a maze around! Hah!
When Alton Towers started Scarefest, it was very much one of the few BIG halloween events in the UK. Roll forwards all these years, there are a LOT of Halloween experiences, small ones, and BIG ones. I do worry that Alton Towers are getting left behind a little, even compared to other parks in the Merlin portfolio.
As I say though, I’m keen to give it a go, and experience it for myself!
How do you feel about the line up? Let me know in the comments!
