Scarefest 2018

I have to say, I think this looks by far the most impressive Scarefest lineup to date. Although Freak Show doesn't seem to be returning, the addition of no less than three new roaming actor locations (Galactica Airways, Ghost Pirates and something else near The Towers), the return of the Alton Ancestors, extra entertainment for families in CBeebies Land and Towers Street, the return of three of last years best mazes, and thats not even mentioning that they are getting a brand new maze, Project 42, which looks set to be using the Sub Terra building! I'm pretty impressed.

I'm a little disappointed that Freak Show isn't returning, but it seems the new roaming actor zones should help fill the gap it will leave.

I HOPED AND PRAYED! THEY LISTENED! I knew that Sub Terra had a future! Project 42 is a little bit like Project 0. Let me explain... some of you may realise that recently a youtube channel posted this,

Now, in this video, the clown has a spiral in his eye. Could this link to the ministry of joy, and how much of a coincidence is Project 42 to Project 0??

ATV said:

I HOPED AND PRAYED! THEY LISTENED! I knew that Sub Terra had a future! Project 42 is a little bit like Project 0. Let me explain... some of you may realise that recently a youtube channel posted this,

Now, in this video, the clown has a spiral in his eye. Could this link to the ministry of joy, and how much of a coincidence is Project 42 to Project 0??

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I don't think personally this is something related to Scarefest, or indeed Merlin attractions at all. Usually the release of the Mazes will come, followed by a few weeks of a 'quiet period', and then around August the marketing steps up for the new maze. I.e. promotional material, maze name, etc. Same happened with The Sanctuary. I think it would be too early to begin releasing videos of new Scarefest attractions, they usually like to get Summer out the way first before any marketing stuff steps up. Everyone remembers the 'Scarefest Saturday's' idea a few years back which soon got U-turned on because they wanted to concentrate on summer marketing.

I'm actually quite shocked how early the release of the mazes is this year compared to previous years, which has usually been around the late July/August mark.

I do think they will utilise the props from ToTT, Freak Show & most likely use the stuff already inside Sub Terra, but I very much doubt this video is connected. I don't even think they will go down the clown route again, they've kind of 'been there, done that'.

Unless the '0' in the video will be added on to Project 42 as a name. 420 maze anyone?

My guess is something similar to Experiment 10 at Thorpe. Something a bit more modern in theme.

Intrigued by Project 42, highly unlikely ill pay for the others again though, only did them for the first time last year, thought The Welcoming was great, Altonville Mine Tours was decent, but was not impressed by Sub Species at all!

Pretty glad that TOTTs gone. I know it has sentimental value, and I will miss queuing in her ladyship’s garden, but it was starting to feel stale and lacking on scares. Compared to the other mazes it did feel rather stale in the past few years.
Really pleased that House of Monsters is being extended! A brilliant maze, with lots of laughs and high quality acting.
Hopefully skin snatchers will be improved this year. I felt it lacked scares last year, in comparison to the run through I had when it was new.
Project 42 sounds good, will be interesting to see how they utilise the Sub terra building.

TotT has run its course and become boring in recent years, so it is no real loss. Yes it will be missed from a sentimental point of view but it is something many of us have been calling for recently.

Project 42 will be interesting, I am looking forward to hearing more details.

I'm also in favour of more entertainment/roving actors replacing Freak Show.

Im seeing it like this, Containment was a very weird experience, that actually seemed like fun. I can see this sort of 'Group work' being utilised in the show building for N:ST. Like something experimental and weird.

Personally I would have done a full redo of TotT but kept the name (with a new sub title) as it’s so iconic and people know it. But intrigued to see what happens with scarefest this year.

I do hope that the new maze is indeed new and original, and corners are not cut by re-using various TotT theming. Just a thought for now, it is far too early to have an idea of how likely it is of this happening.

So, if there's no TotT this year...... Why exactly are the Towers closed?

DiogoJ42 said:

So, if there's no TotT this year...... Why exactly are the Towers closed?

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For the set up of Sub-Species I assume. Although mad that they have to start so early, yet another result of the cuts as with less staff it takes more time.

Project 42 will be the new name of, or at least linked to, a retheme or NST to open as a new ride next year, is my guess. Whether the drop tower element is active for the scaremaze I don’t know, but possibly not.

Someone on another forum messaged Alton via twitter and they’ve hinted that the new scare maze will feature the Phalanx (someone asked them and they replied maybe).

My guess, again I’m not trying to claim any kind of inside knowledge, but my guess is we’ll see a NST mission 2 esque ride open next year.

I just can’t fathom why else they’d utilise that existing building, being aware of the questions people will inevitably ask, and then have to add to that building, were it not to market next years ride.

I take the point that it’s expensive to get it open again, etc etc, but I’d imagine this would be offset by not actually having to invest in any new ride hardware for 2019?

Phalanx...always amused me, not heard it in a while.
Meant to be a mass military formation, not three blokes shouting by the queueline.

If anything, I would have thought NST being converted in to a temporary Scare Maze is a strong indication of its final demise rather than rekindling any hope of it ever reopening.

A bit like using Flume boats as flower pots.

Image by Theme park guide

NST queue line having what looks like a covered section

Well project 42 certainly won’t be utilising the drop tower as towers just replied to my tweet and said no height restriction on it!

Josh555 said:

Well project 42 certainly won’t be utilising the drop tower as towers just replied to my tweet and said no height restriction on it!

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Yes, but there will probably be an age restriction (probably minimum 15 yrs), and pretty much everyone aged 15 or older should be able to ride the drop towers. Just a thought I wouldn't take it as confirmation, that's all.

Is there not a legal requirement of a height restriction on that sort of ride? I genuinely don’t know but I would have thought they’d need to have a more objective way of assessing people than their age?

I tweeted Alton and asked about 42 being in Sub-Terra. They responded “It’s Anyone’s Guess”. Just throwing that ou there.