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Scarefest 2021

They kept cancelling their spooktacular events repeatedly from 2004-2006.

After the sudden cancellation of the event yet again in 06 a small team managed to put together Room 13 in the AT hotel, with how successful it was I'd like to think this is what led to the reimagining of the event into what we know as Scarefest now.
 
i think the noise abatement order which restricted them to only one weekend of fireworks actually led to the new Scarefest as they needed something else as a big draw during half term.

I think you are right, they scrapped fireworks between 2007 and 2009 and focused everything on Scarefest due to the noise order.
 
I think it was a culmination of a few things. Towers seemed to experiment with a few events in 2006/2007, the fireworks event in 2006 was woeful, Room 13 did prove popular in 2006 and of course Merlin took over Alton Towers in 2007 a few months before we saw Scarefest's debut. They struck very lucky with the event.
 
What time do people usually arrive/stay until at Scarefest? I'm thinking of arriving around 2/3pm and staying until 9pm, but not sure if I should get there earlier. Is there a latest entry time?
 
What time do people usually arrive/stay until at Scarefest? I'm thinking of arriving around 2/3pm and staying until 9pm, but not sure if I should get there earlier. Is there a latest entry time?
You could arrive on park anytime you like. The park will certainly get quieter as the night goes on.
 
What time do people usually arrive/stay until at Scarefest? I'm thinking of arriving around 2/3pm and staying until 9pm, but not sure if I should get there earlier. Is there a latest entry time?
You can arrive any time. Personally I aim to arrive slightly later (11am) to account for the later close.

Do the actors in Darkest Depths touch guests? If not, I might see if my group will do it as we missed out on it last year. Plus it's only £8pp
 
You can arrive any time. Personally I aim to arrive slightly later (11am) to account for the later close.

Do the actors in Darkest Depths touch guests? If not, I might see if my group will do it as we missed out on it last year. Plus it's only £8pp
I've not heard anything about touching in Darkest Depths, they definitely are in Altonville Mine Tours, and I've heard that they are in The Attic. I'm inclined to say possibly as the age restriction has been increased? But I'm just speculating based on the others.
 
It baffles me that for a park where people complain relentlessly about the opening times, a not insignificant number offset the latest possible close with a late arrival or an early dart.

Agreed . Just recently did Scarefest myself and made the most of every second- that first couple of hours starting at 9 is invaluable, Walliams World is still opening at half 9 so you can easily get Granny, Rita, Thirteen and Oblvion early on with no queue.

The couple of hours at the end of the day equally amazing with many rides walk on in the dark, always including Nemesis.

Sadly my plan to have drinks on the lawn during the busiest period of the day fell apart when I went - still, the mazes can be done in the peak of the day.

There's definitely enough to do during Scarefest to make the most of the whole day. Crazy to arrive late / leave early.
 
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Agreed . Just recently did Scarefwst myself and made the most of every second- that first couple of hours starting at 9 is invaluable, Walliams World is still opening at half 9 so you can easily get Granny, Rita, Thirteen and Oblvion early on with no queue.

The couple of hours at the end of the day equally amazing with many rides walk on in the dark, always including Nemesis.

Sadly my plan to have drinks on the lawn during the busiest period of the day fell apart when I went - still, the mazes can be done in the peak of the day.

There's definitely enough to do during Scarefest to make the most of the whole day. Crazy to arrive late / leave early.
The reason I arrive later on Scarefest days is;
A) to reduce the risk of any of us getting tired and wanting to leave before 9pm (I do agree that it's crazy to leave early! (why?!))
B) So we can set off to the park later (enabling us to get up later, thus being more rested).
 
I’ve never gone to Scarefest later in the day. I’m always there at 8am to park the car and leaving at around 10pm after my last ride. Sit in the car and go “ahhhhh” as you feel that pain in your lower back from walking all day. Get to my hotel around 11ish, knackered, shower and bed! Always a great time and wouldn’t stop doing it despite how long the day is!
 
I also don't get why people do the mazes in the dark. If you're doing more than one day or live close by, byohmeans do them in the dark on one day and do night rides on the other. If you're going just once, do the mazes in the daytime otherwise you won't have time for night rides because of the queues! :confused:
 
I usually turn up about 2-3 PM on Scarefest days. I've usually had all year to find times to get on as many rides as I want to in a day. It's all about the evening and dark atmosphere, that's why I'm there. Gives me a lovely lie-in and as little as possible traffic on the way up there too. Perfect :)
 
We're usually there at about 9:15am, all the way until the end. I'll do the mazes at 1pm and my family will go and grab a drink or something as they don't want to do them - and after that we'll reconvene and just keep riding until 9pm.
 
Even back when I was a passholder I never arrived at the park later than 11am. More recently when we are now only visiting for fireworks we are in the park for 10am to get some rides in the morning while it’s quiet. Can take time over lunch then.
 
For those who aren't going to do Trick or Treat Town, or are sceptical, seems like this YouTube channel has been given access to film throughout most of the attraction. Alton seems really inconsistent on which platforms get to film but I suppose they have demographics considered for this sort of thing, never heard of this channel before but they seem popular for families.
Ah, the Radfords. They are Britain's biggest family (21 children!). They've done quite a few trips to Towers recently. :)
 
It baffles me that for a park where people complain relentlessly about the opening times, a not insignificant number offset the latest possible close with a late arrival or an early dart.
Another bonus of arriving after 10am is you see the rides going around while walking or on the monorail towards the entrance, which psyches you up for the day ahead. :)
 
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