Latest news with #Oblivion
The Sun
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I moved 170 miles from Essex to live by Alton Towers – now I go almost daily for less than a QUID, I'll never get bored
MANY people love going to a theme park for a special treat - but one super fan has revealed how he goes to Alton Towers nearly every day of the year. Roller coaster lover @coastertog said he even moved 170 miles from Essex so he could live nearby to the popular UK theme park. The ride fanatic has even racked up over 170,000 followers with his theme park hacks and tips and said many people are baffled at how often he goes. In a new clip, he shared: 'I go to Alton Towers basically every day, and I get asked these questions all the time, so I'm gonna finally answer them.' The main question he gets asked is how he can afford to go so often, and he said he has a savvy trick. Hee revealed: 'Well, it's actually pretty cheap. I have a platinum Merlin pass which costs £23 a month, and I can go whenever I want.' He said that all he does is scan his card and heads right in, and it also allows him to get free parking too. Given he heads to Alton Towers nearly every day, he often gets asked if he finds it boring now. He shared: 'Truthfully, sometimes some of the rides aren't as exciting to me as they used to be, but I don't really come here for the rides.' The man, who is married with a child, shared how he uses the Staffordshire theme park as a hangout to see his friends and often doesn't ride any rollercoasters at all. He admitted that some people may think it is 'mental' relocating his life to live 15 minutes away from Alton Towers, but said it makes him happy. He shared how he first fell in love with the theme park as a kid, and it felt 'magical' at the time. Alton Towers unveils 'highest ride of its kind' in TV advert The theme park fan said he has a 'normal job' as a photographer and videographer, but is his own boss so has flexibility as to when he works and when he goes to the park. He shared how he also makes cash from his TikTok account giving his tips and ride news. Other people have asked him if he finds the rollercoaters scary, and he said that given that he's ridden them so much, he knows exactly what to expect. 4 4 His clip has racked up over 46,000 likes from fascinated viewers, and people rushed to the comments to give their views. One said: 'I wish I could go everyday.' Another added: 'Living the dream.' A third commented: 'Honestly when I had an annual pass I had to rely on my mum to take me but we still went plenty of times and it's such a chill day when you're not having to rush for all the queues.' Alton Towers, which opened in 1980, is owned by Merlin Entertainments, who also operate other major UK attractions like Thorpe Park, Legoland Windsor, and the London Eye. Typically it opens seasonally, from March to November, with select out of season events over winter. Some of the popular attractions included Nemesis Reborn, Oblivion, Wicker Man and Th13teen. How to save big on theme parks this summer THEME park enthusiasts need to take advantage of this two-for-one offer over the summer holidays. Thrill-seekers wanting to spend their break on adrenaline-pumping rides can visit two theme parks for the price of one, or get a three-month pass to use throughout July and August on unlimited rides and attractions. The new summer offer has been launched by Merlin Entertainments across four of the UK's top theme parks - Alton Towers, Legoland Windsor, Chessington World of Adventures and Thorpe Park. If you book your theme park trip between July 21, 2025, and August 17, 2025, you can visit two parks for the price of one. The tickets are called Twice the Fun and have savings of at least £29 per person. It is the perfect way to entertain kids during the six-week-long summer holidays. To bag the deal, make sure to select a 'Twice the Fun' ticket at any of the four park's websites which cost from £32. The offer can either be used at the same park, or you can mix and match. Dates are flexible, too, and visitors can redeem their second visit at any point before September 30, 2025. To claim the second theme park visit you'll still need to pre-book your visit using your second 'free' ticket which will have a barcode that can be used to reserve your slot at the park.
Daily Mirror
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'World's first dive rollercoaster' plunges into 'dark tunnel' at terrifying speeds
Oblivion is the "world's first vertical drop rollercoaster" which enables riders to face their fears – and it hits terrifying speeds. So are you brave enough to sit on this ride? Rollercoasters aren't for everyone, in fact, one is so dangerous it reportedly kills its passengers. The terrifying ride might not have made it to theme parks but it was a concept designed by Lithuanian artist Julijonas Urbonas with one intention – death. But fortunately, no ride is actually made with that element of danger. Now one rollercoaster which is going viral on TikTok is the Oblivion which is based in Alton Towers – and we must admit, you'll have to be brave to sit in it. The rollercoaster allows you to face your fears as it's the "world's first vertical drop rollercoaster". And if you're fearless, you can take a peak at the colossal vertical 180 feet drop, the tallest at Alton Towers Theme Park. A glimpse into the park was recently shared on the @adventures_ofa_lifetime account which boasts 83,900 followers. In a video, which boasts 182,000 likes, it shows passengers patiently waiting for the ride to begin. A voiceover can be heard saying: "Welcome to the Oblivion. Something there is no rational explanation, there is no way out, there is no happy-ending to this story. "This is the world's most technologically advanced ride far deeper, far darker than your worst nightmare. "This ride is perfectly safe, everything has been designed for your comfort and enjoyment." Then once the voiceover finally finishes, the ride begins and there's an intense plunge into a dark tunnel which isn't ideal if you're scared of darkness. There's also another angle of the terrifying drop. It puts your body through an intense 4.5G drop, Oblivion is among the highest G-force rollercoasters in the UK. And this thrilling ride is also the "world's first vertical drop rollercoaster". There's an 180ft drop straight down which might be quite stomach-churning. While it's been open since 1998, it recently turned heads on TikTok when the account shared the terrifying ride. It was built by Bolliger Mabillard, as the first ever dive coaster. Since it was posted, many people flocked to the comments section to share their fear. One said: "Absolutely awesome Alton Towers." Another added: "This is the ride of a lifetime. I agree and I would love it!" A third pointed out: "The lift hill is scarier than the drop." Others, however, didn't seem too fazed by the idea of it as a person claimed: "It's not scary at all."
Daily Mirror
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Alton Towers fans go wild with 3-month pass that's cheaper than a day ticket
Alton Towers Resort is now offering a three-month Seasonal Pass for just £59 — less than the £68 cost of a single day ticket at the gate. Thrill-seekers can enjoy unlimited summer access to Alton Towers Resort for £59 with a three-month Seasonal Pass, which is cheaper than a single £68 day ticket when purchased at the gate. With top attractions like The Smiler and Oblivion included, it's a fantastic value option for families and adrenaline junkies planning multiple visits over the summer and beyond. Alton Towers is the UK's largest theme park, brimming with world-class roller coasters and family-friendly attractions. From heart-stopping rides to the tranquil water park, gardens and lake, there's more than enough to keep visitors entertained for the day. For parents with little ones, the Parent and Toddler Pass is currently discounted from £59 to just £29, offering entrance on off-peak dates for one adult and a toddler (aged 5 or under). While this pass isn't valid on weekends or during school holidays, it does include CBeebies Land and additional toddlers cost £5 extra per visit. For families who want to extend the fun even further this summer, Merlin offers other multi-visit passes for a range of attractions across the UK. The Discover Pass offers off-peak entrance to most attractions on over 200 days a year for £99, while the Silver Merlin Pass offers complimentary entry to Alton Towers Theme Park plus extra perks, including access to Scarefest (excluding Scare Mazes), discounted Waterpark entry and savings on meals and merchandise, for £179 per year, reports Yorkshire Live. The Merlin Gold Annual Pass is currently one of the hottest tickets in town, offering access to a host of top attractions including Thorpe Park, Alton Towers, Legoland, the Dungeons, Madame Tussauds, and even Cadbury World. This coveted pass comes with perks like free parking and discounts on food and more. Shoppers can snap up these passes online via the Alton Towers website. However, those buying should be aware that the Seasonal Pass doesn't cover certain dates, such as the August Bank Holiday weekend and Halloween. For those who fancy a single theme park getaway, Wowcher's Theme Park Breaks could be just the ticket. They're offering a Gulliver's Valley Resort Stay and Theme Park Entry package from £139, with options during school holidays perfect for a family of four looking for an exciting retreat. If your family is keen on outdoor adventures, consider a National Trust Family Membership starting at £103 annually, or grab an English Heritage Pass for complimentary entry to over 400 intriguing sites where kids can immerse themselves in history first hand. Alton Towers has been receiving rave reviews on TripAdvisor, hailed as 'magical' by visitors. An excited thrill-seeker shared: "Amazing. I have no words. If you want to have a fun day with family or friends or just on your own. Alton Towers is the place. It's a must!". Another visitor gushed: "What a fantastic day out with the family! ! ! Not been there in years but we have had the most fantastic time at the theme park. Clean and today and the kids absolutely had the most wonderful time on all the rides." A third enthusiast simply declared: "A great family day out. Service from the staff is always so friendly. A magical place." However, not every guest left with such rave reviews, as some found fault with certain aspects of their visit. One frustrated visitor complained: "As expected, when you go to a theme park they are very long queues. What you don't expect is no seating on a two hour queue. Waiting is not a problem, standing for two hours for one ride with no chance to sit down and rest your legs and back, really is!". Yet the majority of punters appeared to have a brilliant time during their visit. Another five-star reviewer enthused: " A great theme park in the north of the UK. I thought the theme for all of the rides was absolutely impeccable. I thoroughly enjoyed doing many different rides, including Congo River Rapids, Battle for the Galleons and Runaway Mine Train. The Wickerman theme was dark and brilliant. Overall thought was great."
New York Post
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Grimes says ex Elon Musk's X platform is ‘poison': ‘The entire thing is theatre'
Grimes didn't mince words speaking out against their ex Elon Musk's social media platform, X. The 'Genesis' singer, who uses they/them pronouns, unleashed a tirade about the downsides of social media, saying online platforms are 'poison.' 'Ok I've basically been entirely off social media and returning here it is overwhelmingly, abundantly and profoundly clear that this place — and all of these places — are a poison — a prison of utterly short form deep deep-sounding nonsense attached to no one that ur brain will discard imaging its learning,' the 37-year-old musician wrote on X. 5 Grimes didn't mince words speaking out against their ex Elon Musk's social media platform, X. Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue 'The entire thing is a theatre. A s-tty pale simulacra of a life,' added Grimes, whose real name is Claire Elise Boucher. While it's unclear exactly how long Grimes had stayed off social media, the singer made their thoughts on using online platforms abundantly clear back in April. 'I think it's very unhealthy to be on social media, it feels like a ghost town of depression, bitterness and pictures of beautiful women doing sext [sic] things,' the musician wrote on X at the time. 'I feel like this is a massive moral failure of all the apps. And it's causing great harm to society.' 5 The 'Genesis' singer, who uses they/them pronouns, unleashed a tirade about the downsides of social media, saying online platforms are 'poison.' Twitter / @Grimezsz In March, the 'Oblivion' singer revealed that they had been diagnosed with ADHD and autism — saying they were grateful to have 'overcome' their symptoms before the rise of social media. 'I think the nature of this uninformed social media mental health subculture is rly a big concern,' Grimes wrote on X at the time. 'Some are great ofc but a lot of these seem like explicitly anti civilizational and geared towards making people worse.' 5 It's not the first time Grimes has spoken about about their thoughts on social media. @elonmusk/Twitter It's not the first time Grimes has spoken out publicly against Musk, whom they dated on and off between 2018 and 2021. In January, the singer defensively said they are 'happy to denounce Nazi-ism' to avoid being tied to the hate aimed at their kids' dad for his stiff-armed gesture on Inauguration Day. Grimes lashed out online after one follower said she planned to cover up her tattoo of Grimes in the outrage, which Tesla mogul Musk, 54, dismissed as 'dirty tricks' from haters. 5 Grimes shares three kids with Musk, whom she dated on and off between 2018 and 2021. @ElonMusk/X 'While I deeply respect your concern — it is unhealthy that people are this upset when I have not even been online yet today and am only just learning about this controversy now,' wrote Grimes. 'I don't know what happened and I will not make a rash statement. It's absurd that someone can be this canceled for something their ex did before they even heard it happened,' they went on. 'I am not him. I will not make a statement every time he does something. I can only send love back into a world that is hurting.' Start your day with all you need to know Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more. Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters When asked by another social media user to clarify their thoughts on their ex's controversial actions, the 'Genesis' singer wrote on X, 'I'm happy to denounce Nazi-ism — and the far alt right. Would that help clear things up?' 'I am happy to set the record strait [sic] in a meaningful way.' 5 'The entire thing is a theatre. A s-tty pale simulacra of a life,' added Grimes said of social media. Getty Images The SpaceX owner is a father to 12 children — three of which he shares with the singer. The exes are parents to five-year-old son X Æ A-12, as well as daughter Exa Dark Sideræl, 4, and son Techno Mechanicus, whom they welcomed in 2022.
San Francisco Chronicle
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Grimes calls Elon Musk's X ‘a prison' while slamming social media: 'The entire thing is a theatre'
Electronic pop singer Grimes slammed social media platform X, owned by her ex Elon Musk, for its toxicity amid attempts to distance herself from the internet. The 'Oblivion' singer, whose real name is Claire Boucher, recently broke her months-long social media hiatus to note she still feels the negativity of these platforms since briefly logging back on. "Returning here it is overwhelmingly, abundantly and profoundly clear that this place —and all of these places — are a poison — a prison of utterly short form deep deep-sounding nonsense attached to no one that ur brain will discard imaging its learning," she wrote on Monday, July 7. "The entire thing is a theatre. A s— pale simulacra of a life." The post has amassed 650,900 views and 8,700 likes since it was shared on Monday morning. It's unclear when Grimes began disengaging with social media, but she shared a similar post in April announcing she has 'been way more offline lately,' because social media 'feels like a ghost town of depression.' Meanwhile, she has remained creatively active, diverting her attention to making new music. Though Grimes dropped her recent single, 'idgaf,' in February, and performed at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Southern California last year, the singer hasn't released a full album since 2020. But she assured fans in the comment section of her Monday X post that she is 'working very very hard' on her next release. Grimes also revealed Monday that she has been working on music for English DJ and producer Sub Focus, who she previously collaborated with for the unreleased track 'Synchronize.' 'It rly feels like cinematic, like I'm right in Neuromancer,' she said on X, referencing the 1984 science fiction novel by William Gibson. 'It has been so long since I've felt euphoric about dance music that I'm actually disturbed at how disembodied and status oriented music can become.' Grimes and Musk dated for roughly four years and made their red carpet debut as a couple in 2018. They have three children together. Though they officially split in 2022, the singer has frequently used Musk's X to criticize social media and denounce his actions and political views. Earlier this year, she condemned the Tesla CEO for bringing their son X Æ A-Xii, known as Lil X, to the Oval Office for an executive event with President Donald Trump in February. 'He should not be in public like this,' Grimes wrote of their son, who was 4 years old at the time, on X, responding to a user who praised Lil X's manners at the event. 'I did not see this, thank u for alerting me. But I'm glad he was polite. Sigh.' A month earlier, she spoke out on the platform about the viral gesture that Musk made during Trump's inauguration, which many believed resembled a Nazi salute.
