Ending the season as we began, with a Festival of Thrill...
Ending the season as we began, with a Festival of Thrill...
The end of the season at Alton Towers traditionally features their Fireworks Spectacular event. I spent two days and nights there this year meeting up with friends, watching the fireworks display, and paying my respects to the original version of Nemesis which will be closed for the whole of next year while its entire track is replaced.
More: Fireworks Show Review and Video
We had a leisurely journey up to the park from home, arriving at around 11:30
It was a bright day, with the sun shining down as we got our first glance at the setup on the Front Lawns
We met up with Paul over at Wicker Man
With only a 25 minute queue time, we couldn't exactly say no to a ride
Duel has been closed ahead of a rumoured retheme
Possessed or Repossessed?
Sub-Terra's old rotten wooden queueline flooring has been ripped out
Heading deeper into the Valley
Lunch at Rollercoaster Restaurant
Of course it was my lunch which got stuck
A post-lunch ride on Nemesis
Only a few days before Nemesis is closed by The Phalanx
The ride is expected to be shut for the whole of the 2023 season
The whole track is due to be replaced
A completely refurbished Nemesis will reopen in 2024
The original Nemesis still gave a great ride
We took the Skyride over to Dark Forest
Crossing the valley
Fancy becoming a Gangsta?
A short wait for Th13teen
Fireworks being setup
Just 20 minutes to wait for Oblivion
A history lesson on Hex
Is this Rita or The Smiler?
The Towers nicely lit up
A final pre-fireworks ride on Runaway Mine Train
Waiting for the fireworks to begin under a moonlit sky
Lighting up the night
This year's Fireworks Spectacular celebrated the park's rollercoasters
Sam Ryder came second at Eurovision, but Space Man was a winner at Alton Towers
Another fantastic fireworks display
The long walk down the usually closed staff pathway to Forbidden Valley
Night ride on Nemesis
It's hard to beat Nemesis in the dark
Rounding off the night on Galactica
Car Park F for Fireworks yet again
We were back for day two of Fireworks, on Guy Fawkes Night itself
Saturday was much busier than Friday, with the day being sold out
The ridiculously long queue for Ride Access Passes ... for use by people who can't stand in queues
Greyer skies than yesterday
Starting off on Gangsta Granny
Apparently toxic waste is a desirable thing?
Hello Love Two Explore and Rollercoasters R Us!
Lunch at Woodcutter's
We met up with Ben and Hollie and took a ride on Roller Disco
Lights for Later
Into X-Sector
Fastracking Oblivion
Don't tell anyone, but I looked down
We were sitting on these benches at a few weeks ago at Oktoberfest
Look who we found ... the global sensation that are the Adventure Bears!
Taking Spinball Whizzer for a spin
Well isn't that just delightful?!
Rain Rain Go Away Mine Train
Meet up with you again in a little bit guys!
We hid from the rain for a while in Walliams World
Darkness was falling, but the rain had eased off by the time we had taken another ride on Gangsta Granny
A pork roll while waiting for fireworks is becoming a tradition
Preshow entertainment
A drone rollercoaster in the sky
Another chance to watch the show
Beaming with joy
Dr Kelman
In the Hall of the Fireworks
A combination of mist and fireworks smoke after the show
Myk in the Mist
Vlog in the Fog
An atmospheric end
Wicker Moon
What other possible ride could we choose to end the season?
Time for our final ever ride on the original Nemesis
Thank you Nemesis - happy retirement, and we'll see your rejuvinated self in 2024!