Magic and whimsy

[rctneil]

Hey,

One of my favourite things about theme parks are all the smaller magical, whimsical, smaller easter egg type details you can find. It's the smaller things that surprise and delight. Does anyone have some they know of and can share? Maybe post any from Alton and then some from around the world. Lets see what examples people can come up with for what you'd like to see at alton.

Existing at Alton:
- Emily Alton portrait that has a little jumpscare.
- Missing Percy posters

Would love to see at Alton:
- The telephone reinstated in the alcove from Curse towards the toilets. Maybe lifting the handset, would allow you to hear Emily Alton talking to you.

From around the world:
- Disco button in toilets at Walibi Holland
- Broken plaster on wall of brudge (deliberate) that looks like the whale from Symbolica at Efteling
- The guillotine effect in the queue of Novgorod in Hansa Park.

Lets hear your favourite Alton whimsical features and what others you'd like them to add?

 

[Ash]

The music and Victorian architecture for me, was always a huge part in the whimsy.

Seemed to tie in with the history of the location.

The original towers street theme, featuring its own unique theme, Toyland Tours, The Haunted House, Old McDonalds farm, Peter Rabbit and ITHOMK was excellent. It set the mood for the day perfectly, and was far better than anything that has come since.

The music mentioned above and the original Nemesis audio were all excellent in terms of production.

Outside of that as I mentioned the architecture, particularly the original ticket booths, which had towers street, the plaza and the booths covered in popcorn lights is a real miss for me. The entrance feels sad and tacky comparatively. Some new Victorian security lodges, lighting and maybe a fountain is a must.

 

[The_bup]

This is quite a broad one.

I've always liked it when, if a tracked ride has two stations for load and offload, they are hidden from each other. Getting off at a different place than where you started makes the ride feel more like a journey, rather than the slight underwhelm to find that you ended precisely where you started.

Best of all is the loading. There is something very spooky about getting on a completely empty train.

 

[rob666]

Still the almost hidden stepping stones at the top of the gardens, fifty yards from the main pathways.
Nice to see that some effort has been put in to keeping them clear recently too.

 

[East Coast Mariner]

I can't remember any Easter eggs from Alton, but I think things like the Singing Barn were whimsical. It's a bit like the parrot in Mutiny Bay - doesn't need to be there for any ride, but really adds to the magic.

I've always liked it when, if a tracked ride has two stations for load and offload, they are hidden from each other. Getting off at a different place than where you started makes the ride feel more like a journey, rather than the slight underwhelm to find that you ended precisely where you started.

Not that I've been on it, but I've always liked the famously long run-off of Schweizer Bobbahn at Europa Park. First you go through the maintenance shed, then another building (originally an offload, perhaps?), then the station. Just going through a few different buildings really makes a ride for me.

Similarly, I've always loved Vampire at Chessington for the journey it takes you on, and Old Crocks Rally, with the big barn at the end (if I'm remembering it right).

 

[rctneil]

Another one I love at Alton is the Magic Mirror in the hotel toilets that compliments you when you stand infront of it.

Also the music and twinkling lights in the lifts. Small but magical features that make you go "Oh cool, that's fun!"

 

[Mi-Nigle]

One that sticks out to me is the heavily-themed vending machine that used to sit just outside the hotel toilets in front of the show controls overlooking the ship.

From top to bottom there were cogs, pistons, copper pipes and bellows all hap-hazzardly arranged behind glass which all used to spin and move (possibly with sound effects?) upon beverage purchase. I think I remember a faux coke bottle under the bellows that would appear as part of the animation.

In its later years I remember the bellows looking very worn... then one day it was gone.

I can't find any pictures of it. The accumulated hours I must have spent stood by it while waiting for family to come out the toilet and not once did I think to take a picture. Though why would I?

EDIT: Wayback machine and ATA to the rescue!