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[2023] The Curse at Alton Manor
Earthwürm
TS Member
I'd argue Thirteen is loosely themed to a collection of superstitions rather than a curse. But that's being generous, it's deliberately vague. It's a throw in some random vaguely coherent imagery and let the guest write their own plot theme.Luckily Thirteen is so vague but the "idea" is that you're in a forest / building cursed by bad luck at Alton Towers right. It even has /had a spooky girl in a white dress. I think the theme could suit the Haunted House better than Thirteen but the park really needs some new themes elsewhere.
As for this ride, I think it looks likely a dolls house will play a part, but that doesn't necessarily mean it will be the entire experience. Some of what is already there lends itself well to the guest being shrunk down, such as the giant fingers returning as "Emily" reaching in to grab the rider. But we may have already seen the rest of the house by the time we're shrunk.
Either way I don't see anything released or observed so far that gives enough away to start panicking.
Marketing is off to a good start.
D
Deleted member 17535
The realtor on the For Sale sign is 'Sparks Estates' in case that was missed by anyone!
Benjsh
TS Member
The realtor on the For Sale sign is 'Sparks Estates' in case that was missed by anyone!
Classy touch. Shows that we have true enthusiasts working at Merlin.
ChristmasPud
TS Member
The image I'm seeing is too low res to see on the signThe realtor on the For Sale sign is 'Sparks Estates' in case that was missed by anyone!
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Danscott22
TS Member
Yeah I mentioned it a few posts up^This
Clearly the theme of the ride is that Alton Manor is a seemingly regular house, but something there is cursed which I'm sure we will find out on the ride.
Most likely the cursed object will be the dolls house, the promotional image shows what looks like the house splitting open down the middle like a dolls house would.
EDIT: Has anyone else notice on the right hand side of the building there is a "for sale" sign

I wouldn’t read too much into the rollercoaster style portrayal of the track. I doubt very much they would have replaced the ride transit system and correct me if I’m wrong but has anyone seen any of the old track or cars amongst the bits which have been pulled out of Duel?
To replace the whole transit system, sensors, computers controlling it I think would take longer than the time they have available. Especially when you consider they are also changing the interior.
It might be the actual cars have had a bit of a refurb though. At the very least the blaster slots should be removed.
Looking forward to this though, dolls houses always give me the creeps and if I recall the faces of the Hanibal Brothers in the The Boiler House was themed on dolls faces.
To replace the whole transit system, sensors, computers controlling it I think would take longer than the time they have available. Especially when you consider they are also changing the interior.
It might be the actual cars have had a bit of a refurb though. At the very least the blaster slots should be removed.
Looking forward to this though, dolls houses always give me the creeps and if I recall the faces of the Hanibal Brothers in the The Boiler House was themed on dolls faces.
Batzy
TS Member
I was also thinking something like this. Maybe screens could be used in the windows to show a giant eyeball, Emily, peeking into the doll house.I'd argue Thirteen is loosely themed to a collection of superstitions rather than a curse. But that's being generous, it's deliberately vague. It's a throw in some random vaguely coherent imagery and let the guest write their own plot theme.
As for this ride, I think it looks likely a dolls house will play a part, but that doesn't necessarily mean it will be the entire experience. Some of what is already there lends itself well to the guest being shrunk down, such as the giant fingers returning as "Emily" reaching in to grab the rider. But we may have already seen the rest of the house by the time we're shrunk.
Either way I don't see anything released or observed so far that gives enough away to start panicking.
Marketing is off to a good start.
Feeling small and powerless will definitely add to the scariness.
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Trooper Looper
TS Member
John Wardley Stated in his interview with Lift Hills and Thrills that he dislikes the usage of screens in rides, so in this ride, it's most likely it will all be practical and illusions thankfully.I was also thinking something like this. Maybe screens could be used in the windows to show a giant eyeball, Emily, peeking into the doll house.
Feeling small and powerless will definitely add to the scariness.
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Batzy
TS Member
Oh yeah, I definitely want practical effects and illusions too, not a screen-fest XD Though, I think the occasional use of a screen is ok as long as it's creative.John Wardley Stated in his interview with Lift Hills and Thrills that he dislikes the usage of screens in rides, so in this ride, it's most likely it will all be practical and illusions thankfully.
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Danscott22
TS Member
The area is remaining as Gloomy Wood then? I thought it might've been given a new name but it looks like they are sticking with it. That's fine as it works, but I am surprised.
dazza4783
TS Member
Dont think so? The image I'm seeing is too low res to see on the sign

It does, this one should be high res enough to see it.
Danscott22
TS Member
The marketing team really are fantastic. Despite flaws contained in the resort, the marketing is always, always spot on. With Wicker Man, the Retro Squad and this being the last three I can think of that have been done really well. The promo image is just very satisfying.
Max
TS Member
MMM have really hit their stride in the last few years, Wicker Man seemed like a turning point for them. Even low budget additions like Gangster Granny are pretty great considering what they had to work with. very excited to see a dark ride from them with a more substantial budget behind it.
Rob
TS Team
The ride system has not changed. I think there might have been plans at one point to upgrade the control system but don't believe they've done that for one reason or another.I wouldn’t read too much into the rollercoaster style portrayal of the track. I doubt very much they would have replaced the ride transit system and correct me if I’m wrong but has anyone seen any of the old track or cars amongst the bits which have been pulled out of Duel?
To replace the whole transit system, sensors, computers controlling it I think would take longer than the time they have available. Especially when you consider they are also changing the interior.
It might be the actual cars have had a bit of a refurb though. At the very least the blaster slots should be removed.
Looking forward to this though, dolls houses always give me the creeps and if I recall the faces of the Hanibal Brothers in the The Boiler House was themed on dolls faces.
I think it's likely that with the blasters having been removed that the ride vehicles will be 2 rows of 3.
Danscott22
TS Member
One of the articles says that something is being done in there that’s never been done before. Wonder what they’ve got planned 

AT86
TS Member
The press release from Merlin states the below, so clues aplenty apparently.
www.merlinentertainments.biz
In terms of the transit system and what looks like train tracks in the image released today. Could the current system be re-themed to resemble a miniature toy train set/track that you are aboard whilst touring the dolls house?
Although information around the strange goings-on inside the house is limited, the image offers a set of clues about what’s in store for fans who dare to ride The Curse at Alton Manor, but The Resort is leaving it up to fans to figure this out.
Alton Towers Resort Reveals New Dark Ride Coming To The Theme Park This Spring
The Curse at Alton Manor is the official name of the new attraction and is set to be the Resort’s most immersive dark ride to date.
In terms of the transit system and what looks like train tracks in the image released today. Could the current system be re-themed to resemble a miniature toy train set/track that you are aboard whilst touring the dolls house?
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The marketing team really are fantastic. Despite flaws contained in the resort, the marketing is always, always spot on. With Wicker Man, the Retro Squad and this being the last three I can think of that have been done really well. The promo image is just very satisfying.
It’s arguably too good as until recently you had fantastic marketing schemes with the teams building the actual ride unable to live up to it.
Wickerman was obviously brilliant but the rest haven’t been as good as the marketing, hopefuly this one will be.
LED lighting that doesn’t invoke a seizure perhaps?One of the articles says that something is being done in there that’s never been done before. Wonder what they’ve got planned![]()