Latest news with #AltonAfterDark
The Guardian
16-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Alton Towers' new toxic waste-themed ride briefly closes due to sewage leak
A toxic waste-themed rollercoaster at Alton Towers had to be temporarily closed on its opening day – after a burst pipe flooded the area near the ride with sewage. Toxicator, the park's newest ride, was shut for around an hour on Saturday after the area nearby was evacuated. Alton Towers had opened on Saturday for its 2025 season, with gates open from 10am, and staying open until 8pm for Alton After Dark. Plans for the new ride were announced in January, prompting rollercoaster fans to travel to the Staffordshire park, eager to be among the first to ride the new attraction. Some queued for more than an hour for the new rollercoaster, which promises riders 'a fearsome battleground of otherworldly aliens, suspicious scientific experiments and military might.' The ride takes thrillseekers past themed props, including barrels of 'toxic waste.' Black and yellow branding outside the rollercoaster warns of an 'overhead splash hazard.' It stand higher than 78-feet tall, can carry upwards of 500 riders an hour, and is the only top spin in the world that is elevated above ground level, meaning spectators can watch from below. Members of the public posted about the incident on social media platform X, with one writing: 'Alton Towers just had a toxic event when their new toxicator ride started spraying raw sewage on to people in the queue.' 'Bit too literal on the 'toxic substance,'' another said, while a third wrote the toxicator was 'giving off something extra toxic.' Some said they had seen a brown liquid at the entrance of the ride, sharing pictures and videos on social media showing a grid flooded with murky water. 'I know it's called Toxicator but come on,' one person wrote, sharing a picture of the brown liquid. 'The drains have burst and there's [poo emoji] everywhere.' Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion 'Toxicator. Sewage leak. There's a certain irony about that. Surely Alton Towers could have kept it running claiming it's a special toxic experience today?' another person joked on X, 'Stopped the complaints completely!!' A spokesperson for the park told the Manchester Evening News that the issue was down to a burst pipe, and that 'people were allowed back on in less than an hour.' However, some were also quick to praise the theme park's staff for dealing with the incident quickly, with one person writing: 'Honestly though well done getting it cleaned up and reopened for late night riding.' A spokesperson for Alton Towers said: 'Due to an unexpected burst pipe near the ride, Toxicator briefly paused operation while our teams swiftly dealt with the issue. The ride and surrounding area are now fully reopened and welcoming guests.'
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
First look as top ballerina tries out Alton Towers' record-breaking new ride
A top ballerina has become the first person to experience Alton Towers' new ride. Karla Doorbar, a soloist with the Birmingham Royal Ballet, was chosen to test the record-breaking ride, Toxicator, before its official opening on March 15. The ride is the only topspin attraction of its kind in the UK, putting thrill-seekers through 'extreme spin patterns and intense centrifugal forces'. Ms Doorbar, who estimates she has completed 'nearly half a million' pirouettes in her career, was selected to test the ride due to her expertise in mastering spins. Karla as Cinderella and Lachlan Monaghan as the Prince (Image: Johan Persson) The mother-of-one said: "Throughout my training and career, I've devoted countless hours to perfecting the pirouette - whether performing on world-renowned stages or in the studio. "It has taken immense levels of focus over many years to develop the strength and power that this entails. "So when Alton Towers invited me to be the first to take on the unrivalled spinning power of Toxicator, I jumped at the chance. "Riding it is an incredible experience and will give riders an unrivalled sense of the intense power of spin." The 32-year-old, who grew up in Stoke-on-Trent, has a lifelong love for Alton Towers Resort and is looking forward to future visits with her 10-month-old daughter. Karla enrolled at The Royal Ballet School in London at the age of 11 (Image: Alton Towers) Bianca Sammut, vice president of Alton Towers Resort, said: "Toxicator is the latest example of how Alton Towers continues to set new standards for heart-pounding attractions. "As one of Britain's most accomplished ballerinas, there are few people who know more about spins and pirouettes than Karla - which is why we are so delighted that she is amongst the first to experience the head-spinning thrills of Toxicator." The ride will officially open on March 15, with guests able to experience it for the first time in the dark as part of the Alton After Dark event.
