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Scarefest 2020

The more I hear about this the more I want to doit, but I've got to work out to fit it in as we'll be the other side of it (the exit side) when it first gets dark (our mazes finish by 5). Does anyone know when the Skyride shuts? that would help massively if it's open at that time.

Don't quote me on this, but I'm sure the skyride closed at 6pm when we were there in the 9th. Last trip we took was between 4 and 5 back over to FB.
 
Don't quote me on this, but I'm sure the skyride closed at 6pm when we were there in the 9th. Last trip we took was between 4 and 5 back over to FB.
Sunset on the 9th would have been about 6pm so it’s possible it closed 5.30 or 6pm. With the clocks going back this Sunday morning, sunset will be about 4.45 so sky ride will probably be closed well before 5pm.
 
Does anyone know what time the Alton Ancestors are on each day?
Also, just heard that Darkest Depths isn't open today. Does anyone know why? Fingers crossed it's open on Thursday!
 
Has is reopened or is it shut permanently? :(
It reopened after about an hour of waiting, it seems like everything was okay but I'm honestly not sure.

They were trying to make up for lost time and batched really quickly, resulted in a pretty bad run for our group. Trying again tomorrow though.
 
Approximately how far into the programme is it? Trying to find that segment on catch up but the ads are annoying.

I can't say, I usually have the TV on in the background during the morning whilst I'm doing my daily chores, I think it was on around 11am to 12pm, so probably 30 mins to an hour and a half in?
 
Does anyone know what time the Alton Ancestors are on each day?
Also, just heard that Darkest Depths isn't open today. Does anyone know why? Fingers crossed it's open on Thursday!

The Alton Towers app has all the show time on, but ancestors are:
10:30
11:30
12:45
15:00
17:00
18:45

In terms of Darkest Depths, we were told out was due to technical issues and would not open for the day. Not sure if it’ll be open today yet but considering tickets are on sale I’d assume it will be.

As for the medical emergency on The Attic, this sort of stuff happens every year. It could just be someone tripping or banging into something. Anytime anything happens though, the maze has to be stopped, evacuated, the incident investigated and things reset. That takes time to complete, hence the hour closure but it’s nothing to worry about :).
 
I really liked Toxic Junkyard. Sure, it will never be one of the ATR Scarefest "greats" - but for a quick-fix, covid-outdoor maze - I think they have used their creativity well.

I particularly like the clown with the megaphone, and the lighting is so satisfying.

It was a hoot.
 
The Attic has had seriously poor batching issues this weekend. Both runs from yesterday and today we have been sped through the preshow (where I think the main issue lies) and we end up just clashing into the front group no matter how many times we wait, people behind us obviously had the same issues too.

We almost had this issue with mine tours but the actors recognised this and stopped us and toyed with us in a fantastic way, completely restoring it and putting it back on form.
 
The Attic has had seriously poor batching issues this weekend. Both runs from yesterday and today we have been sped through the preshow (where I think the main issue lies) and we end up just clashing into the front group no matter how many times we wait, people behind us obviously had the same issues too.

We almost had this issue with mine tours but the actors recognised this and stopped us and toyed with us in a fantastic way, completely restoring it and putting it back on form.
We had this problem with The Attic and you end up having no scares because you see everything happening to the group Infront.
 
Seems they need to look to rework the way people are heading into the maze on this one. The stairs are clearly a major issue, as some head up faster than others, especially those who've been in before as they're aware there's no scares en-route.

The actor in the pre show really needs to start their spiel later too. We were first group in, and even so we missed a chunk of it as he'd started long before we'd even got in and into position. Sadly yesterday's actor was very quiet too, so it was incredibly difficult to hear. Being first in, I'm not sure if there's any interaction after the first group heads in, but perhaps that needs to be considered if it's not already the case. That, along with allowing a little more time for guests to get into the room for the pre-show would hopefully ease issues with bunching.

It's clear that the older mazes suffer due to where we find ourselves in the world right now, as they've had to rethink designs which were thought out pre-covid. The Attic was by far the weakest maze for me this year, but considering how tactile Mine Tours was, I thought overall they did a good job all things considered on that one!

Loved Toxic Junkyard though, a nice change to have an outdoor maze that feels so long considering the relatively small space that it's in. Nice to have a bit of crazy colour amongst the darker themes too!
 
I’ve been group three in the attic and once the actor sends the first group in the door, he talks a little longer, sends the same and then same again for the third. However I would say it’s not very long at all between the group, as he only says a line or two.

I also found it hard to understand the actor, not helped by a face mask and the loud audio, blowing wind, etc. Mine tours was fine as you are outside and it’s quiet there.
 
Last year the preshow for Attic was brilliant, one of the few really brilliant live preshows Ive seen in the UK that added to the experience and the 'story' following.

This year it was really screwed up but seemed though it was all down to Covid. Both times I did it, the actor blitzed through the lines and started before everyone was in the room. You couldnt grasp anything being said. Probably because they want to keep the queues down by batching smaller groups faster (not being able to send big groups through anymore). Not really the actor's fault.

I also thought the actor last year was much better, but must be hard when you have a mask on your face and can't get too close to guests. It's a preshow that relies on atmosphere and a subtle delivery, which you just can't do when being forced to rush and a mask on your face.
 
I watched this on ITV This Morning yesterday. Josie Gibson tackling the Toxic Junkyard maze


Haha "...making me scream on one of Britain's scariest rollercoasters", then cuts to her riding Icon :D:D
Must admit, not a fan of maze walkthroughs like that (never watch the vloggers doing Thorpe's on press night) but that did bring back memories of my walkthrough of it!
 
Being 6ft 2, are there any points within the 4 mazes where I'll need to duck/mind my head?

I don't remember any low clearance moments, however in Mine Tours there is a crawl space (more of a crouch space) section, and The Attic you need to duck down to get through into the finale.
 
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