Please note that Alton Towers Almanac is no longer maintained or updated, and almost all information will be out of date.
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Can you keep your wits about you and blast away evil spirits when the Haunted House strikes back?
The Haunted House was added for the start of the 1992 season, as one of the first investments by the Tussauds group. Designed by John Wardley, the brains behind rides like Nemesis, Oblivion and Air, the ride was one of the show pieces of the park.
However, as time passed, the general public's expectations increased and the ride was no longer seen to be 'modern' enough - so in 2003, the ride was made interactive, to add guest participation. "Blasters" (plastic guns to you and me) were fitted to each carriage so that riders could shoot lasers at targets inside the house.
Looking at the house from the outside, it does not reveal the true size of the ride. The front and visible section of the house is very well themed, and hides the rest of the ride which resides in a large warehouse behind the false front. This warehouse is roughly the size of a football pitch.
You enter the queue line which takes you through the woods, and some amusing tombstones in what is designed to look like an old cemetery. On entering the house, you are treated to some special visual effects. Look out for the girl in the dolls house, and the head in the fire. The floor in the house is not flat, so be careful when walking through. Some people may think that this is the actual ride, and think they are in for a walk, but it is really just a continuation of the queue line.
The ride really starts when you enter the five-man coffins… sorry, carriages. You may wonder why the carriages have lap bars, but they are really only there to stop you wandering from the ride. There are blasters next to every seat, and also an LED display in front of you so you can track your score (and those of your friends). The ride itself is very similar to how it was before the revamp - there are some unnerving moments, some laughable moments, and one very disorientating moment when you enter a revolving tunnel. Throughout the ride there are hundreds of green or yellow dots on walls, animatronics, and other objects which you have to shoot. The more you hit, the higher your score is by the end, which is not only displayed on a TV screen as you exit the ride, but also on your on-ride photo should you choose to buy one.
The ride is suitable for all the family although some of the younger members may be easily frightened by some of the more authentic effects. The ride also features strobe lighting effects.