Alton Towers Dungeon - Post Lockdown opening day
The Dungeon attractions around the UK have been some of the first scare attractions to open after the Government restrictions due to Coronavirus. So, the question people many people have asked is how can the Dungeons open yet local theatres cant? This is addressed by an FAQ on the site of Warwick Castle (also owned by Merlin Entertainments) - "Unlike theatres, the Dungeon is a linear, walk-through attraction for small groups that takes visitors on a journey through our darkest history. We have fully reviewed the Dungeons experience, making changes to the way our Dungeon dwelling storytellers interact with visitors and have worked closely with our Local Health Authority to put in place a wide range of new safety measures that adhere to Government guidelines, ensuring every peasant has a truly great experience."
So what does that mean to visitors to Alton Towers? Well today at the park, one of our reporters booked into the experience and has fed back on their experience.
First up - the attraction was pre-book only and places were extremely limited with only 3 groups of 4 people allowed in each session. The groups are advised to kept apart in each room and the social distancing measures were built into the story/script of some of the scenes. Our reviewer was in a batch of just seven people, but they still kept the groups separate with two "couples" and a family all being kept apart.
Something a lot of people have wondered about is the audience participation element, and a lot of the regular social interaction was dropped, which meant that no "volunteers" were used in the plague scene and a dummy was in place instead (although an audience member was used in the torture scene - with appropriate distancing.)
The distancing also continued through to the boat ride with each group having their own boat, and being kept away from other guests.
All through the attraction, masks were compulsory and all the expected hand sanitising stations were in place. All in - our reporter had a great time and couldn't fault the park in any of the efforts they had made.
What is most important about this weekend's opening is that it does show what the future of scare attractions could be like for the forseeable future. The massively reduced capacity and thought that the venue have had to put into opening does cause operational issues, but does show that a potential workaround is possible. We just hope that visitors understand and accept the restrictions to their experience whilst understanding the massive logistical issues behind the scenes regarding make up and costuming etc. In summary - although it seemed very brave that the Dungeons were opening today - it does give a positive forecast for the future of the industry in these unprecedented times!
So what does that mean to visitors to Alton Towers? Well today at the park, one of our reporters booked into the experience and has fed back on their experience.
First up - the attraction was pre-book only and places were extremely limited with only 3 groups of 4 people allowed in each session. The groups are advised to kept apart in each room and the social distancing measures were built into the story/script of some of the scenes. Our reviewer was in a batch of just seven people, but they still kept the groups separate with two "couples" and a family all being kept apart.
Something a lot of people have wondered about is the audience participation element, and a lot of the regular social interaction was dropped, which meant that no "volunteers" were used in the plague scene and a dummy was in place instead (although an audience member was used in the torture scene - with appropriate distancing.)
The distancing also continued through to the boat ride with each group having their own boat, and being kept away from other guests.
All through the attraction, masks were compulsory and all the expected hand sanitising stations were in place. All in - our reporter had a great time and couldn't fault the park in any of the efforts they had made.
What is most important about this weekend's opening is that it does show what the future of scare attractions could be like for the forseeable future. The massively reduced capacity and thought that the venue have had to put into opening does cause operational issues, but does show that a potential workaround is possible. We just hope that visitors understand and accept the restrictions to their experience whilst understanding the massive logistical issues behind the scenes regarding make up and costuming etc. In summary - although it seemed very brave that the Dungeons were opening today - it does give a positive forecast for the future of the industry in these unprecedented times!
Alton Towers Dungeon Review
New for 2019, The Alton Towers Dungeon is an extension of the popular Dungeon franchise. Like the Castle Dungeon at Warwick Castle, it condenses some of the best parts from the global franchise and pulls them together into one 45 minute show. This does mean that there is a general familiarity to the whole experience, even though some of the stories have been based on local legends and history.
As we predicted a few weeks ago, the seven scenes all use tricks and effects that we have come to know and love, but this installation does manage to pull off a few more surprises along the way. First off the boat ride actually feels like you are traveling a long way into the Dungeon, and the Highwayman and Haunting shows, both have impactful moments that make them the break-out shows of the tour. The Haunting especially acts as a great finale to the whole show and left us on a high as we exited the building.
As you would expect from any Dungeon - the acting throughout was particularly high standard, with the actors able to deliver their lines perfectly whilst interacting closely with the guests. Yes - audience participation is positively encouraged, and half the fun of these shows is watching your friends and family picked in the courtroom or during the torture scene.
Another stand out feature is the attention to detail and theming to the main sets within the rooms. The building is unrecognisable from when it was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and/or Toyland Tours and it's is great to see that the ride mechanism has been maintained and remains a prominent feature of the whole experience.
We really enjoyed our trip to the Dungeon and definitely look forward to visiting again through the season. It will look great at Halloween as part of ScareFest but will prove popular to families throughout the year.
As we predicted a few weeks ago, the seven scenes all use tricks and effects that we have come to know and love, but this installation does manage to pull off a few more surprises along the way. First off the boat ride actually feels like you are traveling a long way into the Dungeon, and the Highwayman and Haunting shows, both have impactful moments that make them the break-out shows of the tour. The Haunting especially acts as a great finale to the whole show and left us on a high as we exited the building.
As you would expect from any Dungeon - the acting throughout was particularly high standard, with the actors able to deliver their lines perfectly whilst interacting closely with the guests. Yes - audience participation is positively encouraged, and half the fun of these shows is watching your friends and family picked in the courtroom or during the torture scene.
Another stand out feature is the attention to detail and theming to the main sets within the rooms. The building is unrecognisable from when it was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and/or Toyland Tours and it's is great to see that the ride mechanism has been maintained and remains a prominent feature of the whole experience.
We really enjoyed our trip to the Dungeon and definitely look forward to visiting again through the season. It will look great at Halloween as part of ScareFest but will prove popular to families throughout the year.
THE JUDGE
FUN! THRILLS! LAUGHTER! All unforgivable in the eyes of the puritanical Justice of the Peace, the bombastic Bishop of Stafford! Take the stand in his courtroom and plead your case. In fact… it doesn’t matter, you are all peasants! GUILTY!
FUN! THRILLS! LAUGHTER! All unforgivable in the eyes of the puritanical Justice of the Peace, the bombastic Bishop of Stafford! Take the stand in his courtroom and plead your case. In fact… it doesn’t matter, you are all peasants! GUILTY!
THE BLACK RIVER BOAT RIDE
You are guilty! So you are going on a little trip down the black river beneath Alton Towers. Step into the boat and take in the sights and… errr… smells of the Alton Towers Dungeons. Say hi to some of the Dungeons residents… don’t worry if they don’t wave… they’re a little tied up!
You are guilty! So you are going on a little trip down the black river beneath Alton Towers. Step into the boat and take in the sights and… errr… smells of the Alton Towers Dungeons. Say hi to some of the Dungeons residents… don’t worry if they don’t wave… they’re a little tied up!
THE TORTURER
He has ways of making you talk… he has even more ways to make you SHUT UP! Take a seat in the Torturers chair and come face to face… or red hot poker to nostril with all the Torturers favourite devices. You’ll be screaming with laughter in no time at all.
He has ways of making you talk… he has even more ways to make you SHUT UP! Take a seat in the Torturers chair and come face to face… or red hot poker to nostril with all the Torturers favourite devices. You’ll be screaming with laughter in no time at all.
THE HIGHWAYMAN
The most desperate, dashing and despicable highwayman needs hideouts all over the country. Who would have thought one would have been round the corner from Alton Towers? Pull up a chair and meet the friendly owners of the Welsh Harp Inn, nothing is TOO MUCH TROUBLE! You never know… Dick Turpin might just shoot by!
The most desperate, dashing and despicable highwayman needs hideouts all over the country. Who would have thought one would have been round the corner from Alton Towers? Pull up a chair and meet the friendly owners of the Welsh Harp Inn, nothing is TOO MUCH TROUBLE! You never know… Dick Turpin might just shoot by!
THE PLAGUE DOCTOR
For those of you who want to get knee deep… or even up to the elbows in the past, let me introduce you to the Plague Doctor. Gather round as we get to the GUTS of the bubonic plague, you could even get hands on! No experience necessary… must have a strong stomach!
For those of you who want to get knee deep… or even up to the elbows in the past, let me introduce you to the Plague Doctor. Gather round as we get to the GUTS of the bubonic plague, you could even get hands on! No experience necessary… must have a strong stomach!
THE HAUNTING
Take shelter from the storm in an abandoned cottage. Have you wondered why the cottage is abandoned? What dark and terrible story can these walls tell? Don’t stay for too long… you never know who might appear out of the darkness!
Take shelter from the storm in an abandoned cottage. Have you wondered why the cottage is abandoned? What dark and terrible story can these walls tell? Don’t stay for too long… you never know who might appear out of the darkness!
Scare Review
Have you experienced any of the Dungeon attractions globally? - tell us what you thought here
Alton Towers Dungeons has got to be the best new attraction for Alton Towers Resort Operations Ltd as it's value for money, the entertainment inside was amazing and the actors were brilliant with their acting skills. The best thing they've done this year so well done Alton Towers Resort.
Terrifying
It was all amazing I loved ever second of it I would rate it a 10/10 Well done to all the actors we will come again very soon I am so exited to meet all the actors again
It was all amazing I loved ever second of it I would rate it a 10/10 Well done to all the actors we will come again very soon I am so exited to meet all the actors again
Not scary at all
£5 does not represents fantastic value for 45 minutes of live entertainment. Ive been more scared in haunted houses at the beachside.
£5 does not represents fantastic value for 45 minutes of live entertainment. Ive been more scared in haunted houses at the beachside.