Alton Towers gives first look at Nemesis revamp ahead of re-opening

08 January 2024 , 10:38

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Nemesis was closed in 2022 for a full refurbishment

Alton Towers has given theme park fans a first look at the newly improved Nemesis ride which is set to open its doors later this year.

The heart-pounding attraction has undergone the biggest overhaul in its 30-year history and will now be known as Nemesis Reborn. Part of the transformation has seen the entire 250-tonne, 716-metre-long track replaced.

Alton Towers has also redesigned the mythical Nemesis beast which gives the ride its name. Concept imagery released today by the theme park shows a single, giant blazing red eye, ringed by razor-sharp teeth sitting at the centre of the creature’s head. It has tentacles snaking from its body which is studded with the same vicious teeth.

The track itself has also had an update. Now it is black, with a blood-red motif painted down the side, continuing the ride's theme of "an alien creature excavated from the ground".

Alton Towers has themed the ride on this fearsome looking monster (Alton Towers Resort)

On its opening in 1994 Nemesis was crowned Europe’s first inverted rollercoaster. Millions of fans from around the world have visited the Staffordshire theme park to experience the thrilling 3.5 G-force, as the ride dangled customers along numerous twists and turns at speeds of up to 50mph.

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Bianca Sammut, divisional director at Alton Towers Resort , said: "Nemesis is utterly cherished by generations of thrillseekers. As Europe’s first inverted rollercoaster it occupies a special place in the heart for so many.

"At Alton Towers Resort we’ve been working tirelessly to transform this iconic attraction and we’re delighted to give fans a first look at the terrifying creature that gives it its name. This year fans will be able to experience the stand-out thrills of Nemesis Reborn for themselves. We’re keeping tight-lipped about the exact date of its return for now, but we can assure you … the wait will be worth it."

The £10m rollercoaster previously travelled at speeds of up to 50mph and included a number of twists and turns with four inversions. The iconic ride has been closed for refurbishments since November 2022.

Rollercoaster enthusiasts have repeated rumours that the large alien beast which hangs over the ride will have moving eyes and that the track will be filled with sand to muffle noise pollution from the coaster.

There are plenty of other exciting updates to look forward to in 2024. Thorpe Park, Alton Towers, Legoland and Drayton Manor all have big plans for the coming year, including new coasters and a beloved one which is returning after eight years away.

They come off of the back of an exciting year for UK theme parks, with some highlights including the World of Jumanji at Chessington World of Adventures, as well as Duel and sub-Terra at Alton Towers. Here are some of the highlights to look out for next year. Check out our roundup of the expected highlights for the year ahead.

Milo Boyd