Have Alton Towers Ruined HEX?!

I have always loved Hex, it’s sad to hear they’ve made it so bright and flashy. It’s dark & gloomy atmosphere made it legendary oh and it’s soundtrack 🔥
Also love nemesis, but hate what they’ve done with it, am I F doing multiple re rides now you have to go on a Duke of edinbiurgh hike to then get shouted at for waiting for the front row because they’ve taken the front row queue away so now you don’t even see the new themeing they’ve added… Altons management are so clapped 😂

Getting a like from me for the Darude - Sandstorm mention!

Totally agree with you regarding bringing back old rides, Hyperia at Thorpe still has 2 hours queue and bringing people into the park. An example of this, we were at Towers this evening in a 20 minute queue for Nemesis, while Nemesis at thorpe had a 50 minute queue. Roughly probably because of Hyperia thorpes are twice as long, and Thorpe has better operations. It does not help that the operators on Nemesis at Towers this evening were exceptionally rude, treating people like cattle instead of customers. Although Nemesis is a fantastic coaster from a business perspective Nemesis may have been a failure as many times it's a walk on or just a five minute wait.

Nostalgia, the Blackpool curse.

Going onto the point about the brightness of the vault. Personally I think it works to a degree if you look at it in a certain way. As you go through the pre-shows of the attraction they steadily get more grand and less subtle, you can't convince me that what happens in the Octagon in any of Hex's iterations is subtle. The vault has never come across as subtle to me, especially the music which has always built up to an impressive crescendo and the current lighting programming builds it to that extra level. I do understand where people are coming from with it but I personally don't see how both versions can't be seen as good.

And talking from personal experience. For those working in the Vault, it can be pretty difficult to see people in their seats at time which can make the safety checks that staff have to do quite difficult. The brighter lighting in the static vault helps with that immensely and would likely help with operations.

As for the removal thing. They can't replace Hex. It's not a sentimental can't either. Part of the deal with British Heritage so they could use the Towers for Hex was that once the ride is removed then the parts of the towers used must go back to how they were before Hex was added. I'm sure there's some fine print which makes that include the replacement of the madhouse itself. I've heard from other areas that they are really being cracked down on when it comes to things in the towers as well. Not sure how true it is but I've been told that they're no longer allowed to add any new scare mazes within the towers themselves which would explain the prolonged stays of Altonville Mine Tours and The Attic.

I think they are moving in the right direction. For whatever reason, the park has been left to rot for the last 10 years, and they are now investing in the core infrastructure to freshen it up and rejuvenate family favourites (Nemie, Ripsaw, Hex). I don’t think they will do the same with something like Rita, as it’s generally not loved by the public, but Nemie and Hex are firm favourites and I think they made the right move keeping these two classics. AIR (I refuse to call it Galactica) will likely be next for a refresh, and I think that’s the best route to go down. It’s a good ride, but needs investment to bring it up to standard.

Agree 100% with all of this vid. Imagine trying to spruce up Galatica instead of putting a new up to date ride in... Madness but Towers do seem to of lost their way

Im with you mate, but I would rather they improve and renovate the core faves before introducing new rides. That’s just me, I am a bit of a romantic when it comes to nostalgia! Keep up the great content, i really enjoy your content. 🙏

Your opinions are the only ones that i actually care about 😅 thanks for always being honest and authentic X

Totally agree mate. Towers have such a mixed bag of design direction in recent times. Nemmy overhaul a clear win, but what the heck are they smoking here.

Said it was 💩2 years ago .... ok, i will retract my opinion....... It's now absolute dog 💩

I personally don’t like Hex because it gives me motion sickness , however I ride because of the dark theme and the storyline which is fantastic, to have the cursed oak tree branch lit up like Blackpool illuminations sounds shite and will take away the dark aspect of the story 😢

mentioned it on Insta but I never got to do HEX before as every time I visited the park it was broken... So I deffo wouldn't notice any differences XD But, even so. Totally agree with the lighting.. It's supposed to be a dark and scary ride! Adding in all the lights makes me feel like someone was a little scared of the dark and didn't want to upset the kids 😅

(Also, don't think I've ever heard what that plan was for if they had removed Nemsis! Care to share some time or was there some kind of NDA before they told you?)

You made a comment a few times which is something ive been pondering. Could all the new lighting changes have been made with the potential to run a Christmas programme which theyd use as part of the Xmas offering?

Whilst they may have temporarily ruined Hex they definitely didnt ruin Nemesis with Nemesis Reborn or Duel woth Curse. Both of those investments make a lot of sense. If Ripsaw V2.0 is the newer model too then again thats good news.
Im sure they will alter the lighting package on Hex over Winter.

Alton towers should have world class dark rides. Thorpe park is the only uk park I have been to in 2 years due to European parks being so good.

I just hate the fact that towers are making everything child friendly. We have four child friendly theme parks in the country alongside some smaller parks like gullivers. I think this is one of the biggest issues. If you’re making everything lose its signature just for the sake of kids looking at it then I don’t see a great future for towers. Thorpe seems to be the only adult park left. Don’t get me wrong towers has kids areas but leave it in them areas. Towers gone woke

The colour palette definitely looks Disney - reminded me a bit of CoCo in the ride itself 😂

No one wants to see old Classics disappear from the park, but if the price of keeping them means no perceived investment for 10 years then it’s not worth it. For all the investment, we’re left with the same line up. Towers desperately needs somthing new and original.

I missed Hex! Need more indoor rides when weather so unpredictable 😊

We were there over the weekend and sadly due to the small technical issue, were unable to experience Hex (didn’t fancy waiting 60 minutes on Saturday). Appreciate you may not want to answer, but in your Q&A you mention that AT Fireworks will be the last time for an extended period that you go to AT as a blogger. Just wondered if there was one specific factor that’s resulted in this, or if it’s been multiple factors?

I've never been a fan of the ride, rotating room rides are really corny. I love creepy ghost stories and horror, but not this ride, they could have and should have done something much better with it in 2024. Sean, I see the weirdo's in your comments sections calling you out for having an opinion, bring it on psycho's I'm waiting🥊😂🥊

Let’s just turn the lights on and have a house party 😂😂😂

Smart hoodie, what’s on the back ? I’m blunt and I know it 😂. Keep it up Sean

I like Hex but it is hard to disagree with you, it is also hard for me to believe that the issues with it were as big as they made us believe. I think it was going to be removed and would have been had they been quicker getting other flat rides back into the park. Vekoma still produce Madhouse rides, so parts and support are readily available, the other two madhouses in the UK have not been closed for extended periods of time like this. The nostalgia argument is a fair one too because if project ocean is a top spin why? there are so many other options out there now.

Nostalgia is fine when nostalgia and quality go together; I don't mind that they retracked Nemesis because it's a quality ride. But if they give the same treatment to Galactica - the world's most boring flying coaster - or Oblivion - the world's most basic drop coaster - then there'll be a problem. People have a problem with change and it's a theme park operator's job to ignore these opinions and guide a park to a better future!

How was your experience with hex at Alton towers did you enjoy it then lol 😂😂

The old version was better. Was going do it Saturday night xx

I absolutely agree with all that you mentioned. If Merlin wants to catch the mouse as they call it (keeping up with Disney) they have massive amount of work to do. From what I've seen of danse macabre at efteling Hex is no comparison.

Cool ❤

Hi there, thanks for sharing your thoughts, hopefully they'll implement some further changes to this Attraction, shame to hear about the lack of balance with lighting. Kind regards Peter

I think 2025 will be the last year towers will use nostalgia imo with toxicator which is probably ripsaw. Its clear that merlin kind of wanted nemesis gone, they got convinced it was very important and kept it. They spent loads on the retheme, imo for merlin its flopped massively. I think thats why back in march the season seemed super bright. They expected nemesis to bring in the crowds similar to hyperia levels and it just didnt. After the first weekend it just went back to normal nemesis queue times and i seriously dont think theyd risk that again. A new invert in its place would of 100% drawn in crowds. As the gp see it, its just new paint, so they didnt bother. It reminds me of 2015-2017. People were barely visiting, then wickerman came along. They need that huge new investment again, especially with the events. And they need to sort out food and ride ops, that is 1000% turning people away.

Did Hex really need new lighting? I never had any complaints about the atmosphere before. If anything, led lighting can be too harsh and requires a lot of adjusting to get the same effect.

I do love and appreciate your honesty but I respectfully disagree with nostalgia being a killer in terms of sales. If TV and Hollywood has taught us anything, millennials love everything that takes them back to happier times. As much as I disagree with reboots and remakes, there's a reason that's why we see nothing but that in movies nowadays. Hex is a wonderful ride and I as well as everyone I know would have been very upset had that been removed. AT should do what Europa Park does. Add and innovate but keep the classics.

It’s a real shame that after such a long wait Hex has now seemingly lost the original atmosphere that it once had (according to reports of this ‘disco lighting’) I haven’t been on it yet so cannot comment. But I for one can say that I did really miss the ride. For me it is so unique to Alton Towers and in many ways the heart of the park, due to its location and story based on local legend. I guess it is nostalgia is some ways as I was a child when it opened and now get to ride it with my own children, which I think is a very special thing. If you haven’t grown up with a ride then yeah you aren’t gonna feel that way and ‘old’ rides are gonna feel disposable I guess. But look at the Disney parks; there are rides at Disneyland that have been there since opening day 1955 and they are still very much loved and maintained. I always feel in this country, especially in Merlin parks, they are very quick to get rid of old rides, usually without fanfare, and replace them. I think it is good they are taking care of an older ride like Hex for future generations to enjoy.

I’m glad HEX is back!
However…all they needed to do was a little bit of tlc. It’s far too light, the lighting takes away from the atmosphere of the ride.
The generator effect was better before and the interior queue is pointless now…

Y’all just full of too much nostalgia, hex is old and it’s existing lighting was outdated and it’s effects either broken or boring, this update has brought new life into this attraction

Have to agree - there are lots of vloggers out there that don't want to upset the Merlin parks - you wouldn't want that now would you - anything negative and you have a fear you won't get invited out

What's the point in vlogging without saying what you feel? Are they paying you big money to do that? No, so it's a waste of time not to say the truth.

My bad from a while back, btw long story as to why.

Yes. They've completely ruined it and need to get rid of the ridiculous lighting, especially on the branch! It's like they're making a mockery of the story and history of the ride... 😢 Just awful.

People have missed hex especially when you have coaster fans going with their family as it’s one of the few rides that everyone can go on together.
Hex is great as it’s a crowd chomper which gets the queues down on the 6-7 aging coasters that AT has

I really enjoyed getting back on Hex. The lighting didn’t generally offend me until I saw the branch… dial down that thing! It looks like it should part of a Xmas display in a garden centre! And yes, what were they thinking with the twinkling bollocks on the carving?! But overall, I enjoyed it

I feel the over-reliance on nostalgia on behalf of Alton Towers (and let's be honest, the UK feels like its best days are behind it so is reflective of the UK as a whole) is fundamental to Alton Tower's unfortunate downfall. I've just re-read John Wardley's autobiographies again and what struck me is just how innovative, bold and creative he (and Tussaud's) were in the 90s and early 2000s. I sadly now feel Alton Towers are relying upon this former glory reputation to sustain it. I just hope the threat of Universal provides the kick up the arse they desperately need to show some boldness and innovation once again.

I really hope the lighting will be re worked because with the disco lights it’s ruins the authenticity of that ride

heyup Sean, i went in HEX today 17/10 & all the vlogs that ive been seeing i feel they have listened alittle as the Lighting was or feels toned down alittle. its still brighter yes than Orignal but feels okish, but then the Problem Starts into the Volt.. wtf is going on , Xmas has arived - that is just Shockingly Awfull,, it all need to go & just give us how it use to be, its like we just there celebrating ,,, waiting for the Drinks at the end that didnt arrive lol.. be safe Sean ^5

Me and the wife went on it for the 1st time on weds and tbh we didnt know what all the fuss was about. The preshow was watching a tv screen in different rooms with some audio. The spark effect was pitiful you get more from a sparkler on bonfire night

We both said we preferred the haunted house monster party at legoland.

Sorry! Really long comment!

I never got to ride the original Hex, but I thought that the lighting as you walked in was actually a really great bait-and-switch. It almost felt like they were luring you into a false sense of security. If they dimmed the main lights down a bit and allowed the stained glass effect to speak for itself a bit more, it would really and truly feel like you're in an old castle. I think the dangerous line that ATR is balancing on is the "family park". Whether they like it or not, their main audience isn't families with small children- it's adults and teens. They want things that are darker, more mysterious, more unnerving. That's what made it famous. And, with Universal coming to the UK, Merlin needs to lean into this or they'll be "just another kids' park". Universal is known for its Fright Nights. If ATR would just embrace its heritage and hire individuals who want to make the Scarefests truly frightening and the park more mature again, they stand one hell of a fighting chance against them.

The answer is simple: Keep CBeebies Land. Fine. But make it two different parks. Move the David Wallaims stuff near CBeebies and make it all its own park. Put an age limit on the main park. Do it like DIsney does Epcot and the Magic Kingdom.

Merlin needs to make a choice and make it now. I say this as a Merlin (and, specifically, ATR fangirl), they're staring down the barrel of a loaded gun from a market standpoint: they can dodge and embrace the juggernaut of a park known for its uniqueness and lack of fear to tread into more mature theming. As someone who works in events and has worked in and helped participate in, create and run countless haunted houses over the years, it would be my dream job. I see so much potential. There's so many opportunities for growth:

-They need to market themselves better to international audiences
-They need to take the plunge and start bringing in some of those really high-dollar attractions and shows
-They need to expand the park and bring back some of their original attraction designers who really embrace the grittiness that made people really love this park to begin with
-They need to get the SkyRide up and going again
-They need to partner with more external businesses for sponsorships of rides (it's what made Disney into the mammoth that it is), but in the most tasteful and related ways possible (such as having Monster sponsor a scaremaze, or, better yet, a new ride related to the Phalanex, for example)
-They need to better the food offerings in the park and make them really unique to the park (and really tasty). I adore the food at the "Rollercoaster Restaurant". It's so often forgotten by people when the prices are actually really good for amusement park food. And, the sweets at the "Coach House Confectionary" are fantastic! When the partnered-up with "Project Doughnut", I swear I saw everyone and their damned brother walking around with one in their hands!
-They need to reduce the prices of their accommodations
-They need to offer better incentives for higher-level pass holders (I'm at a point where I'm considering downgrading because I don't really see the point of keeping the Platinum Pass for what I'm getting)
-They really need to update their signage (it feels quite tired and 2000ish). I know people are still adjusting to it, but the "Thorpe Park" signage change choice was a good one. Why? Much easier marketing. You can throw that thing on ANYTHING with lower production costs.
-They need dedicated mascots for the holiday seasons that wander the park. I would love to see them really lean into the curse of on the family and have an overarching character that "haunts" that park and what led to Emily's break. The land itself is cursed by the witch, which would be an amazing central character.
-They need to make the theming of the whole park more cohesive. Trailing on from my last comment, I would love to see them tie all of the rides together in some way, and to make the entire park feel like you're moving from one part of the story to the next, rather than the mismatch it's become. Each part of the park could be represented as a period of time that the curse has stuck them in, and the witch has evolved to that century (one of the scientists who developed the Maramalading at Smiler, the uncovering of her crypt on Th13teen's site, the head of Phalanx for Nemesis, the reanimation of her through the tree limb at Hex, etc.).

I'll props pop these ideas onto the subreddit, too, to see what others think.

All I know is that I really love that park (I'll be going to a total of 3 times over two weeks this month) and I want it to be the amazing place I know it has the ability to.

Is this just a health and safety thing so people can see were they walking?

I went for opening day and didn’t like all the new lights they added in the vault and the new exit path but was super happy just to get back in there after it being closed for so long ☺️

Just remember, my opinion isn't the be all end all authority on the subject, everyone's opinion matters so let's discuss them all in the comments below, I love hearing from you guys!