Whether you’re a lifelong fan of the legendary Corkscrew or a modern-day thrill-seeker who can’t get enough of Nemesis Reborn, there is no denying that Alton Towers is the heart of British theme park culture. With the park season in full swing, there has never been a better time to prove your expertise.
Are you just a “General Public” visitor, or are you a Total Enthusiast? Take our ultimate 30-question trivia quiz to find out where you rank on our leaderboards!
#1. How many inversions (loops) does The Smiler have?
Answer: 14 Fact: The Smiler holds the Guinness World Record for the most inversions on any roller coaster in the world. It was designed to “marmalise” the body and mind!
#2. How tall is the vertical drop on Oblivion?
Answer: 180 feet Fact: Oblivion features a dramatic 180-foot (54.9-meter) vertical drop. While the lift hill is only 65 feet high, the drop dives deep into an underground tunnel. This drop is roughly equivalent to the height of 12 double-decker buses stacked on top of each other!
#3. What material is the track of the Wicker Man made of?
Answer: Wood Fact: Wicker Man was the UK’s first new wooden coaster in over 20 years when it opened in 2018. It is famous for its “big flame” effects, which uses six giant propane burners, which are the largest fire effect on a ride in the UK. In addition to this, the ride also uses “Fake Flame” technology using lighting and mist to keep the wooden structure safe.
#4. The iconic ride “Nemesis” was reimagined, what year did it reopen as “Nemesis Reborn”?
Answer: 2024 Fact: The original Nemesis opened in 1994 as Europe’s first inverted roller coaster. The 2024 “Reborn” version features a striking new black track with red “vein” detailing and a massive moving eye on the creature.
#5. TH13TEEN is famous for being the world’s first “vertical freefall” drop coaster. Where does the drop happen?
Answer: Inside a dark crypt Fact: After traveling through the woods, the train enters a dark building where the entire section of track suddenly drops 5 meters in total darkness before the train speeds away backwards.
#6. In what position do you ride Galactica (formerly known as Air)?
Answer: Prone (lying face down) Fact: Galactica was the world’s first “Flying” coaster. The seats tilt you 90 degrees before you leave the station so you feel like you are flying through the air.
#7. What is the name of the area specifically designed for young children?
Answer: CBeebies Land Fact: CBeebies Land opened in 2014 and features themed rides and meet-and-greets with characters like Bluey and the Octonauts.
#8. RITA is themed around a drag racing start. How quicly does it launch you from 0 to 61mph?
Answer: 2.5 seconds Fact: Rita was originally called “Rita: Queen of Speed.” The launch exerts a G-force of 4.7, which is more than a driver experiences in a Formula 1 car start!
#9. The historic mansion at the center of the park is known as “The Towers.” What was the name of the family that previously lived there?
Answer: Talbots Fact: The Towers at Alton Towers were the former home of the Talbots (Earls of Shrewsbury), who owned the estate from 1412 until 1924.
Learn all about the History of Alton Towers in this excellent book from Nick Sim.
#10. “The Curse at Alton Manor” is a dark ride that replaced Duel: The Haunted House. Who is inhabiting and haunting “The Curse at Alton Manor”?
Answer: Emily Alton Fact: The ride follows the story of Emily Alton and uses projection mapping and “Pepper’s Ghost” illusions to create its spooky effects.
#11. What is the catchphrase shouted by the operator on the Runaway Mine Train?
Answer: “Choo Choo!” Fact: This family favourite is one of the oldest coasters in the park, opening in 1992, and it even travels through a tunnel shared with the Congo River Rapids.
#12. Which of these was the park’s first “real” roller coaster, opening in 1980?
Answer: Corkscrew Fact: The Corkscrew was a revolution for UK theme parks. Though the ride is now gone, its iconic double-loop track is still on display at the park entrance.
#13. In which area of the park would you find the ride Hex – The Legend of the Towers?
Answer: The Towers Fact: Hex is based on a real local legend about an Earl and a cursed Oak Tree. The “vault” you enter is a Madhouse ride that uses a rotating room to make you feel like you are upside down.
#14. What is the main mode of transport from the car parks to the main entrance?
Answer: Monorail Fact: The Monorail trains were originally used at Expo ’86 in Vancouver, Canada, before being moved to Alton Towers in 1987.
#15. Which of these is a water ride where you travel in a circular boat?
Answer: Congo River Rapids Fact: The Congo River Rapids opened in 1986. The fun water ride takes you through waterfalls and turbulent “white water” sections. At least one member of your party is likely to get wet!
#16. What is the name of the spooky woods located near the Curse at Alton Manor?
Answer: Gloomy Wood Fact: Gloomy Wood is one of the smallest areas in the park, specifically designed to set the mood for the Alton Manor attraction.
#17. Spinball Whizzer is themed on what game?
Answer: Pinball Fact: Because the cars spin freely based on the weight of the passengers, no two rides on Spinball Whizzer are ever exactly the same!
#18. Where can you find Sharkbait Reef Sea Life aquarium inside the park?
Answer: Mutiny Bay Fact: The aquarium is called “Sharkbait Reef by SEALIFE” and features a walk-through tunnel where sharks and rays swim right over your head.
#19. What was the original name of the “Galactica” ride when it opened in 2002?
Answer: Air Fact: The ride was rebranded to Galactica in 2016 to include a Virtual Reality experience, though the VR headsets were later removed to return to the original “flying” sensation.
#20. Which two roller coasters can you ride in the “Dark Forest”?
Answer: TH13TEEN and Rita Fact: The area was previously called “Ug Land” and had a prehistoric theme before it was taken over by the “encroaching supernatural forest” theme in 2010.
#21. What is the main colour of the track on The Smiler?
Answer: Black Fact: While the track is black, the “Marmaliser” structure in the center is bright yellow, matching the famous “smiling” logo of the ride.
#22. Which of these is a unique way to eat at the Alton Towers Resort?
Answer: Rollercoaster Restaurant Fact: The Rollercoaster Restaurant at Alton Towers features two gravity-defying loop-the-loops that food pots tackle before spiraling down to the tables. Guests can watch their food travel along 400m of trackbefore dropping down to your table!
#23. What is the name of the park’s Caribbean-themed hotel?
Answer: Splash Landings Hotel Fact: This hotel is home to the Alton Towers Waterpark and features “Ma Garrita’s” bar with views over the pools.
#24. Which ride features a “vertical lift hill” that carries you straight up toward the sky?
Answer: The Smiler Fact: The Smiler actually has two lift hills, the first is a traditional chain lift, and the second is a completely vertical 90-degree climb.
#25. What can you ride to get a bird’s-eye view of the park?
Answer: The Skyride Fact: The Skyride has three stations: Towers Street, Forbidden Valley, and Fountain Square. It’s the easiest way to get across the park without walking through the valley!
See our guide to navigating Alton Towers – a comprehensive guide to the park layout.
#26. Which ride was built on the former site of the “Log Flume”?
Answer: Wicker Man Fact: You can still see some of the old footings from the Flume near the Wicker Man’s entrance, and the ride’s “wood and fire” theme is a massive contrast to the water ride that came before it.
#27. What decade did Alton Towers begin operating as a major theme park?
Answer: Since 1980 Fact: While the gardens have been open to the public for over 150 years, 1980 was the year it truly became a “theme park” with the installation of the Corkscrew.
Read our article about Alton Towers founder John Broome.
#28. Who was the man that designed many of Alton Towers big rides?
Answer: John Wardley Fact: John Wardley is a renowned British theme park designer and creative consultant responsible for many of Alton Towers’ most iconic, record-breaking rollercoasters, including Nemesis, Oblivion, and Galactica. Working with the Tussauds Group and Merlin Entertainments, he revolutionised UK theme parks with his “Secret Weapon” (SW) projects.
Check out John Wardley’s fantastic books on Amazon.
#29. What is the iconic Alton Towers theme tune?
Answer: In the Hall of the Mountain King Fact: The iconic Alton Towers theme tune is “In the Hall of the Mountain King” by Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg. The piece has been extensively used in the theme park’s television advertisements and throughout the park since the early 1990s.
The other tunes listed were:
The Montague and The Capulets – The Apprentice
Boléro – Torvill and Dean’s Gold Medal Winning Routine
Largo (New World Symphony) – The 1973 Hovis Advert
#30. Who are the organisation tasked with containing and protecting Nemesis Reborn at Alton Towers?
Answer: Inside The Phalanx Fact: The Phalanx maintains the security of Forbidden Valley, often portrayed through themed staff uniforms, surveillance, and storytelling in the queue line and pre-shows. The ride area is themed around the “Phalanx Facility,” where the Nemesis creature was previously kept under control before escaping, this lead to the creation of the rebranded Nemesis Reborn with the Nemesis creature being contained again.
Learn more about the Phalanx on the Alton Towers Official Website.
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Plan Your Ultimate Alton Towers Resort Stay
Scored 30/30? You’re clearly an Alton Towers legend. But even the biggest experts need a place to rest their heads after a long day of thrills. To fully experience everything from the Waterpark to the Extraordinary Golf, we highly recommend a multi-day stay.
Between the CBeebies Land Hotel (a must for Bluey and CBeebies fans) and the Stargazing Pods for a unique, rustic escape, there is an accommodation option for every budget. Remember: staying on-site often grants you exclusive perks, such as early-access entry to the park, giving you a massive head start on those morning Smiler queues!
Before you book, visit our Alton Towers Hot Deals page for exclusive savings on your next visit to the Staffordshire theme park.
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