Alton Towers - Ultimate Sleepover
Warning - this review contains major spoilers about the event
This year seeing as I haven't been Scare Acting as much over the Halloween season, I decided to push the boat out and experience the Ultimate Sleepover at Alton Towers. After watching the teaser videos and hearing a lot about it prior to my stay, I have to say I was really looking forward to it.
On the night, (Halloween to be specific) everyone had to meet in front of the ruins and await our hosts for the evening. Upon arrival of The Extreme Haunt Team, we all handed in our disclaimers and then proceeded down to dinner in front of the old Swiss Cottage in the gardens which really set the mood well, with introductions of the team (Norman, Stephen, Courtney, Sadie and Eric), ice breakers, ghost stories and a very mysterious fellow called Reginald Carswell (A local demonologist) trying to call an end to the event. During one scene, whilst Reginald was trying to get his message across, Sadie stole a little black book which contained latin phrases and spells that open portals to the spirit world.
After dinner we then headed to the chapel and walking through the very quiet theme park made the atmosphere more potent. Upon arrival we had orientation with genuine ghost hunting equipment and we were then split into three separate teams to go out and conduct vigils in three separate locations within the ruins. In each location, Reginald made an appearance in such a way that whole groups were screaming in fright at the unexpected entrance.
After the vigils we headed back to the chapel to share our experiences with everyone else prior to the next experience, a séance in the basement. When in the basement, Norman has in his possession Reginalds black book and unwittingly opens a portal where a demon passes through. This scene is extremely well done with special lighting effects, great jump scares and amazing sound effects. It's at this point where the evening takes a more sinister turn.
Afterwards we all headed to our dorms for a "peaceful" nights sleep...not likely. The dorms were located on the top floor of the ruins above The Sanctuary and each dorm was divided into different compartments, all laid out by curtains. Throughout the night, the demons that were summoned through the portal wreaked havoc amongst us all. Jumping out and screaming from every direction and even causing chaos as guests were moved from one dorm to another and even sleeping bags and pillows were stolen.
The whole night was rounded off with a ritual in which we all had to leave our beds and form a circle and began chanting an incantation in latin, all while the demons and possessed members of The Extreme Haunt Team were trying their best to break us up. After banishing the demons, we made our way back to our beds, however for this reviewer, my bed had been flipped upside down with no sleeping bag or pillow in sight. We were warned that paranormal activity would continue for at least half an hour due to the residual energy. These scares were just as intense as when the portal was still open and yet again my pillow was stolen.
All in all, The Ultimate Sleepover was an incredible event. The cast were awesome and the whole event featured amazing lighting and sound effects which helped ramp up the tension and create a really unique atmosphere. I really do hope Alton Towers bring it back next year as this is one attraction, not to be missed.
For more details about Alton Towers - check their website
ScareTOUR review of 2013 Scare Rooms
This year seeing as I haven't been Scare Acting as much over the Halloween season, I decided to push the boat out and experience the Ultimate Sleepover at Alton Towers. After watching the teaser videos and hearing a lot about it prior to my stay, I have to say I was really looking forward to it.
On the night, (Halloween to be specific) everyone had to meet in front of the ruins and await our hosts for the evening. Upon arrival of The Extreme Haunt Team, we all handed in our disclaimers and then proceeded down to dinner in front of the old Swiss Cottage in the gardens which really set the mood well, with introductions of the team (Norman, Stephen, Courtney, Sadie and Eric), ice breakers, ghost stories and a very mysterious fellow called Reginald Carswell (A local demonologist) trying to call an end to the event. During one scene, whilst Reginald was trying to get his message across, Sadie stole a little black book which contained latin phrases and spells that open portals to the spirit world.
After dinner we then headed to the chapel and walking through the very quiet theme park made the atmosphere more potent. Upon arrival we had orientation with genuine ghost hunting equipment and we were then split into three separate teams to go out and conduct vigils in three separate locations within the ruins. In each location, Reginald made an appearance in such a way that whole groups were screaming in fright at the unexpected entrance.
After the vigils we headed back to the chapel to share our experiences with everyone else prior to the next experience, a séance in the basement. When in the basement, Norman has in his possession Reginalds black book and unwittingly opens a portal where a demon passes through. This scene is extremely well done with special lighting effects, great jump scares and amazing sound effects. It's at this point where the evening takes a more sinister turn.
Afterwards we all headed to our dorms for a "peaceful" nights sleep...not likely. The dorms were located on the top floor of the ruins above The Sanctuary and each dorm was divided into different compartments, all laid out by curtains. Throughout the night, the demons that were summoned through the portal wreaked havoc amongst us all. Jumping out and screaming from every direction and even causing chaos as guests were moved from one dorm to another and even sleeping bags and pillows were stolen.
The whole night was rounded off with a ritual in which we all had to leave our beds and form a circle and began chanting an incantation in latin, all while the demons and possessed members of The Extreme Haunt Team were trying their best to break us up. After banishing the demons, we made our way back to our beds, however for this reviewer, my bed had been flipped upside down with no sleeping bag or pillow in sight. We were warned that paranormal activity would continue for at least half an hour due to the residual energy. These scares were just as intense as when the portal was still open and yet again my pillow was stolen.
All in all, The Ultimate Sleepover was an incredible event. The cast were awesome and the whole event featured amazing lighting and sound effects which helped ramp up the tension and create a really unique atmosphere. I really do hope Alton Towers bring it back next year as this is one attraction, not to be missed.
For more details about Alton Towers - check their website
ScareTOUR review of 2013 Scare Rooms
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