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NEWS
Is Alton Towers about to unveil a VR coaster?
POSTED 04 Jan 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
It looks as though Air is getting a new virtual reality addition Credit: Alton Towers
With Merlin bosses hoping to rekindle interest in Alton Towers after a poor summer, the UK theme park has revealed a teaser for “Something Exciting!”, rumoured to be the addition of virtual reality to its Air rollercoaster.

Attractions Management exclusively revealed last month that Mack Rides and VR Coaster are working on at least nine new virtual reality rollercoasters, with the new technology to be announced for a major attraction in January. Prior to Alton Towers releasing the teaser trailer, there were rumours that Air would be getting a VR addition – a first for the UK.



The 21-second teaser indicates a space theme for the addition, using the line “in space you can’t hear yourself scream because there is no Air”. The online spot also promises an “out-of-this-world” experience, which will be officially revealed on 12 January.

Alton Towers would be leading the way for VR coasters worldwide, with Mack telling Attractions Management that it is working with several major IPs for branded VR ride experiences for 2016, which will be revealed in the coming months.

The £12m (US$17.7m, €16.2m) Air rollercoaster, designed by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), first opened in March 2002. The ride was the first flying rollercoaster and at the time of opening was one of the most expensive rollercoasters ever made and among the most technologically-advanced.

The theme park closed for the year in November 2015 and will reopen on 19 March. The park suffered an estimated £50m (US$77.6m, €70m) hit last year after the Smiler rollercoaster crashed, seriously injuring a number people, including two who underwent leg amputations.

The £12m (US$17.7m, €16.2m) coaster, designed by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), first opened in March 2002 Credit: Shutterstock.com
RELATED STORIES
  Human error caused Smiler crash at Alton Towers; ride will re-open


A rollercoaster crash which seriously injured a number people, including two people who underwent leg amputations, was the result of human error when an operator manually overrode the ride safety system, it was revealed today (24 November).
  Alton Towers to cut up to 190 jobs following Smiler accident


Alton Towers is to cut around ten per cent of its staff following a drop in revenue in the wake of its serious rollercoaster crash earlier this year.
  Merlin records weak summer at UK theme parks after Smiler accident


After suggesting that the rollercoaster crash that seriously injured four people in June could affect profits by up to £50m (US$77.6m, €70m), Alton Towers operator Merlin Entertainment has confirmed a notable slump after weak trade through the UK’s summer months.
  Alton Towers teams up with university for theme park degree


Alton Towers and Staffordshire University have teamed up to offer a Foundation Degree in Visitor Attraction and Resort Management at the UK university’s business school.
MORE NEWS
Warner Bros Discovery collaborates on upcoming Pompeii attraction
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while remaining actively involved with the company.
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
+ More news   

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Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
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NEWS
Is Alton Towers about to unveil a VR coaster?
POSTED 04 Jan 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
It looks as though Air is getting a new virtual reality addition Credit: Alton Towers
With Merlin bosses hoping to rekindle interest in Alton Towers after a poor summer, the UK theme park has revealed a teaser for “Something Exciting!”, rumoured to be the addition of virtual reality to its Air rollercoaster.

Attractions Management exclusively revealed last month that Mack Rides and VR Coaster are working on at least nine new virtual reality rollercoasters, with the new technology to be announced for a major attraction in January. Prior to Alton Towers releasing the teaser trailer, there were rumours that Air would be getting a VR addition – a first for the UK.



The 21-second teaser indicates a space theme for the addition, using the line “in space you can’t hear yourself scream because there is no Air”. The online spot also promises an “out-of-this-world” experience, which will be officially revealed on 12 January.

Alton Towers would be leading the way for VR coasters worldwide, with Mack telling Attractions Management that it is working with several major IPs for branded VR ride experiences for 2016, which will be revealed in the coming months.

The £12m (US$17.7m, €16.2m) Air rollercoaster, designed by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), first opened in March 2002. The ride was the first flying rollercoaster and at the time of opening was one of the most expensive rollercoasters ever made and among the most technologically-advanced.

The theme park closed for the year in November 2015 and will reopen on 19 March. The park suffered an estimated £50m (US$77.6m, €70m) hit last year after the Smiler rollercoaster crashed, seriously injuring a number people, including two who underwent leg amputations.

The £12m (US$17.7m, €16.2m) coaster, designed by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), first opened in March 2002 Credit: Shutterstock.com
RELATED STORIES
Human error caused Smiler crash at Alton Towers; ride will re-open


A rollercoaster crash which seriously injured a number people, including two people who underwent leg amputations, was the result of human error when an operator manually overrode the ride safety system, it was revealed today (24 November).
Alton Towers to cut up to 190 jobs following Smiler accident


Alton Towers is to cut around ten per cent of its staff following a drop in revenue in the wake of its serious rollercoaster crash earlier this year.
Merlin records weak summer at UK theme parks after Smiler accident


After suggesting that the rollercoaster crash that seriously injured four people in June could affect profits by up to £50m (US$77.6m, €70m), Alton Towers operator Merlin Entertainment has confirmed a notable slump after weak trade through the UK’s summer months.
Alton Towers teams up with university for theme park degree


Alton Towers and Staffordshire University have teamed up to offer a Foundation Degree in Visitor Attraction and Resort Management at the UK university’s business school.
MORE NEWS
Warner Bros Discovery collaborates on upcoming Pompeii attraction
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while remaining actively involved with the company.
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
Efteling expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
Clip 'n Climb

Clip ‘n Climb currently offers facility owners and investors more than 40 colourful and unique Cha [more...]
DJW

David & Lynn Willrich started the Company over thirty years ago, from the Audio Visual Department [more...]
ProSlide Technology, Inc.

A former national ski team racer, ProSlide® CEO Rick Hunter’s goal has been to integrate the smoot [more...]
IDEATTACK

IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and design company with headquarters in Los Angeles. [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK
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