Winter breaks : November 2002, February & March 2003.

Although the park is closed you can still enjoy and magical night at The Alton Towers Hotel and exclusive ride time the next day, on selected weekends through-out the winter. For more information and to book call 08705 00 11 00.

Fireworks and laser spectacular : 31st October, 1st, 2nd and 3rd November.

Saturday saw the first night of the famous Alton Towers fireworks, as ever the display was fantastic! The four elements take centre stage, earth, wind, fire and air represented by large lasers, fireworks, balloons, fountains, mirrors and fire explosions. The show sees the elements battle it out and there's even a reference to Air the parks new roller coaster!

The show commences at 7PM and finishes at 7.30PM. Certain areas of the park are closed early to allow safe evacuation of guests prior to fireworks. Other rides will continue to run until 9PM. Queue lines close at different times, see ride entrance or guest services for more information.

Fireworks spectacular

Park closed for first time ever!

For the first time in the parks history the gates had to close on Sunday 27th October because of bad weather conditions. The park was open for a few hours in the morning, with a few rides operating. High winds and power cuts lead to the decision of closing the park for a day and cancelling the fireworks display for that night. It would not be safe to keep the rides and attractions open in such weather conditions. Any queries should be directed to: Alton Towers customer services department, Alton Towers, Staffordshire, ST10 4DB. The park re-opened on Monday morning with little damage, the fireworks display has been re-scheduled for Thursday 31st October.

Park gates closed

The spooks are loose!

As guests enter the park spooky Halloween music is played, replacing the happy magical music which usually fills the air, every corner of the park is decorated with cobwebs, skulls and spiders. From 1PM onwards Terror Of The Towers is open to guests, this is a spooky attraction within the towers, taking visitors on foot through spooky mazes, with live actors. In our opinion the attraction is absolutely fantastic, totally different to anything else at the park. The entrance to the attraction is through an arch way next to the entrance of X-sector and the queue winds through a graveyard and through the tunnel leading to the ruins themselves. The attraction is extra spooky at night, when it is dark, with smoke, lighting and music. The attraction is not suitable for young kids under 12 years old and is really scary..... it is even suggested that some people never return... we say, enter at your own risk!

Skull in fountain square	Spiders web
Spiders web	Terror of the Towers sign
Entrance to TOTT	One of many Cadbury zones.

Tree's cleared behind Ug Land.... New coaster ?

Are we getting excited over nothing? Is this tree clearance behind Ug Land for a new path or staff route, or is it really in preparation for a future roller coaster? Nothing is confirmed, but by the looks of these photographs below, something is happening in the area behind Ug Land. Although no planning permission has been requested, the markings on the ground do indicate that sometime in the future this area will be redeveloped.... Watch this space!

Photographer: Alan Prior / TowersTimes

New for 2003 : Duel : It's official!

Alton Towers have confirmed our belief that the Haunted House will be revamped in 2003. A sign has appeared on the railing outside of the Haunted House, ''Whatever you do, don't miss! Duel: The Haunted House strikes back''. Duel is the final name for the revamped Haunted House which is likely to contain interactive shooting elements and the logo on the banner is likely to be the rides final logo.

Alton Towers release more information about ''Terror of the Towers''

For Halloween 2002, Alton Towers will transform from theme park to scream park with a fright-factor not seen in the UK before. The parks awesome Gothic ruins will house a gruesome feast of fear in the form of a walk-through maze.

The spooky attraction is to have an age restriction of over 12 year olds only, that shows how scary it really will be. Terror of the Towers takes place in the cold, damp and reputedly real-life haunted Towers. Visitors will be led on foot along a terrifying trail in the depths of the building, where eerie sounds will pervade the darkness, things of the night will howl, the bells will toll and spirits will return from beyond the grave.

The Terror of the Towers is being staged by top scare master, Lynton V Harris of Horrorwood Studios, USA. A team of professional 'scare-masters' tasked with coming up with ghoulish ways to scare, startle and severely terrify visitors. They have one mission : to scare!

Win tickets to the event at www.altontowers.com

Preparations for Halloween

Preparations have begun for a this years Halloween spooktacular, the towers have been closed to the public to get them ready for a very scary attraction, the spooks will be loose live in the Towers from 19th until 3rd November 2002. Be there.... it will be a scare!

Team Extreme photographs

This is the second year Team Extreme are at Alton Towers, performing live shows every day featuring skateboarding, snakeboarding, inline skating and BMX skills on a large compound at the bottom of Towers Street. Up to five shows every day until September 1st will be performed, weather permitting. So far we've had 3 weeks of the action and the shows have been very popular, the crowds have enjoyed the shows and the team have done some amazing stunts.

Thanks to Mike Simcock of sims site

Summer has arrived at Alton Towers

Its now premium season at Alton Towers, with ride close at a special late 7PM until August 17th, the atmosphere is buzzing, with more shows, more attractions and live entertainment from Team Extreme still on, Alton Towers is the only place to be this summer! Enjoy the inflatable attractions at the bottom of Towers Street, brave your nerve to tackle the mightily Oblivion or pop in to see one of the spectacular shows, including Webmaster : Adventure on ice, which is now running 4 shows on selected days.

Team Extreme

Today sees the start of Team Extreme, this is the second year Team Extreme are at Alton Towers, performing live shows every day featuring skateboarding, snakeboarding, inline skating and BMX skills on a large compound at the bottom of Towers Street. Up to five shows every day until September 1st will be performed, weather permitting.