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Talbot Street Tuesday

Not many rides have operated in both Alton Towers and Thorpe Park, but the Cred Street Carousel did just that!

After starting out as part of Carousel Kingdom in Thorpe Park in 1990, the double-decker carousel arrived in Alton Towers in 2000, replacing the older Crown Carousel.

The Cred Street Carousel only had a short time in the park, before it was replaced by the Driving School in 2006. By 2010, the carousel seems to have made its way to Denmark, where it still operates today.

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AT86 said:
God that map design was crap
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It was quite functional in terms of showing the hills and steep pathways through the gardens. But I think a lot of people didn't like it as only lasted three seasons and the next version is still the current one.
 
Did you know, every time you queue for Oblivion, you pass the remains of a major London attraction?

The sculpture in the coaster's queueline bunker is the remains of the planetary projector that once operated at the London Planetarium.

When the planetarium was digitised in 1995, the old analogue projector was dismantled and its inner workings were donated to the Science Museum. However, Tussauds kept the distinctive outer casing, which made its way to Alton Towers to become theming for Oblivion when it opened in 1998.

Here you can see the projector as it appears today and in the concept art for Oblivion. The final image appeared in the 1990 Alton Towers brochure, advertising Tussauds' other attractions, and shows the projector in its original home.
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London Planetarium Projecto as seen in 1990 AT Guidebook.jpg
 
Used to do the late night showing of Rocky Horror after the evening planetarium laser show on Baker st.
Oh the days of youth, used to get lots of free tickets, work did Keith Prowse accounts.
Good times for an old hippy.
 
This is ace. Something I never knew about Oblivion. Thanks for sharing.

Given the heritage it makes it even more important that a refurb is done. This piece of theming is literally rotting. Such a shame.
 
As the fog rolls around the Alton Towers ruins, there's no better time to tell a Tale with a Slightly Different Twist.

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When Hex first opened in 2000, for the first few months of operation, it also told the story of Professor Graham Nicholson. The fictional professor was in charge of the modern day Heritage Restoration site, giving guests a 'behind the scenes tour' of Alton Towers whilst retelling the story of the Earl and the Chained Oak. That is until a mysterious electrical storm interrupted proceedings just as the guests were approaching the vault. ⚡

The trials and tribulations of Professor Nicholson trying to organise his tour were maybe not quite so compelling as the cinematic retelling of The Legend of the Towers that we have today. And so in September 2000 the park switched the pre-shows, creating the iconic ride experience we know today.

Did you get a chance to experience Hex in its opening months? Were you the only person who preferred the original story? Let us know!

Or to find out more about Professor Nicholson's bad day at work, check out our Hex Construction Archive.
 
Meant to post this yesterday, sorry.

Christmas is just around the corner, and it’s time to start opening those advent calendars! But who needs chocolate?

Over the next 24 days, in celebration of the park’s new Topspin, we’ll be looking back at the 24(ish) thrilling Flat Rides that have operated at Alton Towers over the years.

Starting today with the shortest operating member of the Retro Squad – Mixtape opened in 2021 in X Sector, and didn't manage a full season in the park before it left the park to return to the fair circuit.

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Squiggs said:
Meant to post this yesterday, sorry.

Christmas is just around the corner, and it’s time to start opening those advent calendars! But who needs chocolate?

Over the next 24 days, in celebration of the park’s new Topspin, we’ll be looking back at the 24(ish) thrilling Flat Rides that have operated at Alton Towers over the years.

Starting today with the shortest operating member of the Retro Squad – Mixtape opened in 2021 in X Sector, and didn't manage a full season in the park before it left the park to return to the fair circuit.

51111227136_000a7d7db7_c.jpg
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Mixtape was great, shame the arms kept having issues which reduced the capacity.
 
I always found it odd that they called them "retro". Smashing Jumps aren't that old, are they? Late 2000s?
..... Oh wait, I'm "that old".
 
Talking of swinging ships being removed from Alton Towers*....

One of the park’s earliest flat rides was also one of the quickest to be removed.

The Space Boat was at the park for such a short time, it didn’t even make it on to the 1983 park map before it departed to make way for the Octopus the following year.

That means that both the longest and shortest operating flat rides the park ever had were variations of swinging ships.

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*#smooth
 
Twistatron was the last of the Retro Squad rides to arrive at Alton Towers, and operated for a single season in 2023.

Within the lore of the Retro Squad it was the villain of the piece, having arrived at the park to cause mayhem and crush the Retro Squad. It departed at the end of the season, job done!

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Squiggs said:
Twistatron was the last of the Retro Squad rides to arrive at Alton Towers, and operated for a single season in 2023.

Within the lore of the Retro Squad it was the villain of the piece, having arrived at the park to cause mayhem and crush the Retro Squad. It departed at the end of the season, job done!

3 Twistatron.jpg
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The lore is: that was just rubbish.
 
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