close
close
hsuses

Project Ocean goes vertical at Alton Towers, a floating topspin is expected!

Theo

UPDATE 13 June – In a new video posted by Digital Dan on YouTube, we get all the latest news from Alton Towers and at timestamp 9:09 we see the latest developments on Project Ocean, the new roller coaster coming to Forbidden Valley.

We see a number of construction vehicles on site, including a large crane. Most impressive is the large cage being built on the recently added base that will form the concrete tunnel upon which the new ride will sit.

Once the cage is complete, the concrete will be poured. The whole project is expected to take around 15 weeks and as we are currently around 4 weeks in, that means there is still a good three months of work left on Project Ocean at Alton Towers.

6 June – While Nemesis Reborn continues to run smoothly at Alton Towers, fans’ attention turns to the construction of the new permanent ride, currently called Project Ocean.

In a recent update posted by Towers Street on X, we can see photos of the ongoing earthworks on site, where a large concrete foundation is currently being installed.

Although Alton Towers has not yet officially confirmed exactly what type of ride will be installed, all speculation points to a suspended HUSS Topspin model, consisting of two back-to-back rows of 38 seats and offering multiple ride pattern combinations including rotations, pendulum swings and sudden, unexpected twists and turns.

May 15th – In a new video posted to YouTube by Digital Dan, we can see the latest progress from timestamp 4:00. It does indeed seem to be a busy place, with construction vehicles all over the site. Based on previous planning applications for noise assessment, we now know that a top spin attraction is to be built at Alton Towers, although the exact model has not yet been confirmed.

April 30th – With construction only starting last week on the new permanent ride in Forbidden Valley at Alton Towers, there is a lot of speculation about what this new ride will actually be.

Well, according to a recent Twitter post from Towers Times, it appears that a recent noise assessment has been attached to the planning application for a very similar ‘Topspin style’ attraction, giving us even more reason to believe that Project Ocean is indeed a Top Spin style attraction.

We are still awaiting confirmation from Alton Towers and a timeframe for the project. There is also news that construction is expected to take around 15 weeks.

23 April – Back in February, we first heard the news that Alton Towers would be building a new attraction in Forbidden Valley. Currently known as Project Ocean, there has now been news that fences have been erected around the area and construction has begun.

In a new video posted to YouTube by Digital Dan at timestamp 5:18, we can see photos of the area where construction has begun and learn that guests who want to take a look at the work in progress can do so next to The Blade or at the Bunker 94 shop.

Initially there was a lot of speculation that we could see the return of the popular Ripsaw ride, and indeed speculation continues as to exactly what type of ride will be installed. Still, with the confirmed dimensions from the plans, the Top Spin seems the most likely, although Digital Dan points out that the themed blocks on either side would need to act as supports for the ride to fit.

It seems more likely that we will see a hanging Top Spin model like Talocan at Phantasialand or Vortex at SEAWORLD Australia, rather than the more common Ripsaw model with a floor and both rows facing in the same direction.

However, we are still awaiting confirmation of the actual flat track and a timeline. With work already underway on this new flat track, the question is, could we see an opening this year? We think it is more likely that Alton Towers will get a head start and this new flat track will open at the start of the 2025 season.

February 11, 2024 – There has been a lot of excitement among Alton Towers fans over the past few days as plans have been submitted for a new permanent ride at Alton Towers called Project Ocean.

In a new video posted on YouTube by Theme Park Worldwide, we learn more details about these newly submitted plans.

The location of this new permanent ride is the former Ripsaw site in Forbidden Valley. For the past three seasons, this area has been home to Funk ‘n’ Fly, which was part of the Retro Squad and was brought here after theme parks closed due to COVID-19.

Images from the plans reveal a very interesting element: the attraction will be placed on a 4.8 m high building, giving a total height of 18 m. The dimensions are confirmed to be 11.5 m long and 14.5 m wide, and there will be two large themed structures on either side, designed to create a real eye-catcher in the Forbidden Valley.

The path and infrastructure will be changed and there will then be an underpass leading down to Galactica and the Rollercoaster Restaurant.

Image: Alton Towers, Smytheman Architectural

According to the plans, there will be a queue for the cattle pen, with steps to the loading dock and an elevator.

There has been a lot of speculation about the type of ride we might see. Could we see a Zamperla Nebula, S&S Screaming Swing, a Pendulum Swing or Gyro Swing, or another top swing like Ripsaw?

Since the project is called “Project Ocean,” there is speculation that this new permanent ride could incorporate water in some form, as was the case with Ripsaw.

As for the likely opening date, the most likely date at the moment is the start of the 2025 season. We are awaiting further details on this permanent flat track and information on when it will open at Alton Towers, which is expected to be in April.

Let us know what you think about a new permanent ride at Alton Towers by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page.

Related Posts