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Nemesis Reborn Waterfalls Return
Saturday 12th October 2024
One of the waterfalls at Nemesis Reborn has been turned back on for the first time in years, with the water still flowing crystal clear. By day, it looks serene and fresh, but at night, it transforms into something striking. Red lights illuminate the water, making it glow as it cascades down. The effect is simple yet stunning, giving the waterfall a dramatic and captivating look under the night sky.

As we admire this spectacle, we can’t help but wonder if any of the other waterfalls around the ride will return like this one has, bringing even more of that unique magic back to Nemesis.

Alton Towers celebrates 30th anniversary of Nemesis
Tuesday 19th March 2024
Alton Towers Resort is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its iconic Nemesis rollercoaster by sharing a treasure trove of unearthed photos documenting its construction three decades ago.

It follows the incredible scenes at the park this weekend when Nemesis Reborn was officially unveiled.

Thousands of fans who had travelled from all corners of the country hailed the extensive makeover of the iconic coaster that first opened on March 19, 1994.

It has seen the entire 250-tonne, 716-metre-long track - with its iconic corkscrews, nerve-shredding drops and four full inversions - replaced.

In addition, new state-of-the-art audio visual technology including a giant blazing eye ringed by razor sharp teeth brings the creature that gives the ride its name vividly to life.

On setting foot in the Resort’s Forbidden Valley visitors are plunged into an unrivalled immersive experience as the giant beast seeks vengeance.

Incredible timelapse footage shared by the Resort today captures the epic scale of the transformation.

To mark today’s milestone anniversary, the honour of being the ride operator for the day has been given to Joe Beasley - who was born on the original opening day of Nemesis. A lifelong Nemesis fan, he joined the Resort in 2014 and has been a ride operator since 2016.

Construction of the original attraction took place at the renowned Staffordshire theme park between 1991 and 1994.

Thousands of tons of rock were excavated to build the ride pit deep into the ground as planning restrictions meant it could not go above the treeline.

The brainchild of celebrated rollercoaster designer John Wardley, during its original incarnation it travelled over 800,000 miles, carrying more than 52 million people.

John, 73, recalled: “The design and build of Nemesis stands as one of my undisputed career highlights.

“I don’t think anyone involved with the project could have predicted how much of a game-changer it would be and how it would be cherished by so many.”

The project to reimagine Nemesis for a new generation was led by John Burton, the Senior Creative Lead at Merlin Magic Making.

He said: “Being entrusted to take John Wardley’s creation and update it for a new generation has been an incredible honour.

“The original Nemesis is an undisputed masterpiece of rollercoaster design.

“With Nemesis Reborn we believe we’ve raised the bar again - and created an utterly-immersive, heart-pounding experience that you can get nowhere else.”

Following the launch of Nemesis Reborn, Alton Towers Resort is giving fans the unprecedented opportunity to have an audience with these two giants of the Nemesis story with the launch of a brand new VIP package.

Expected to sell out swiftly, the unique events featuring both John Wardley and John Burton will take place on May 4th and June 28th.

And, to further mark today’s 30th anniversary, Alton Towers Resort has recreated an iconic photo from the 1994 build.

Originally featuring John Wardley at the top of the ride’s lift hill, the Resort has recreated and released the image with John Burton who has been responsible for re-imagining the ride for 2024 as he takes over the mantle.

Opened in 1994, Nemesis was heralded as Europe’s first ever inverted rollercoaster and became an immediate hit with thrillseekers from around the globe, who were blown away by the combination of its 50mph top speed and its numerous twists and turns with four inversions.

Bianca Sammut, Divisional Director at Alton Towers Resort, said: “It’s been a real thrill to dig deep into the Alton Towers archive and unearth this astonishing collection of images that show how a legend was brought to life.

“The original Nemesis rollercoaster set new standards when it was unveiled to an unsuspecting public back in 1994.

“A monumental engineering achievement of its time, it was a smash hit from the outset, creating a worldwide army of dedicated fans throughout its first thirty years.

“And after unveiling Nemesis Reborn to the world this weekend, we’re equally thrilled to take the wraps off our new VIP package where guests can come face to face with the legendary individuals who have shaped the Nemesis story.”  

Nemesis In Numbers

53 pieces of track

89 columns

Over 2,500 bolts

716 metre track length

250 tonne track weight

Each of the two passenger trains weighs 10 tonnes unloaded

13m - Highest Point

50mph - Top Speed

3.4 - G Force

The original Nemesis travelled the equivalent to the moon and back, and back to the moon again

This is equivalent to circling the world 32.2 times

More people rode the original Nemesis than the population of Colombia, Spain and South Korea

Nemesis Reborn In Numbers

1400 working days over 17 months

Team of over 500 construction workers

Over 750 different tradespeople from all over the world

10,000 test runs of the ride will be completed before opening day

Over a mile’s worth hand-painted veins on the track

Over 8,000 crane lifts during construction

10 mile’s worth of cabling to operate the ride, power operate and generate SFX

Each track piece was manufactured in Ohio, US

Over 100 metres of tentacles have been hand-made to bring the new creature to life

Nemesis Reborn Opens To Public
Saturday 16th March 2024
Alton Towers is set to thrill visitors with the grand reopening of Nemesis Reborn, following its extensive makeover and rebuild. This iconic roller coaster, originally launched in 1994, has been reimagined for a new generation of adrenaline seekers. The revamp includes state-of-the-art track improvements, a refreshed aesthetic, and new theming elements that heighten the alien invasion storyline that made the original so legendary. With smoother rides, enhanced safety features, and an even more immersive experience, Nemesis Reborn promises to deliver the same heart-pounding excitement with a fresh twist. Fans old and new are in for a treat as this beloved attraction makes its highly anticipated return!

Alton Towers unveils Nemesis Reborn in nerve-shredding first-look footage
Wednesday 13th March 2024
Dramatic First-Look Footage Brings Every Twist And Turn Of Alton Towers’ Nemesis Reborn To Life Ahead Of Opening

It marks the culmination of an extraordinary 18-month project to replace the original Nemesis ride

Thrill-seekers will be able to experience the awesome power of Nemesis Reborn themselves from Saturday March 16

Alton Towers Resort has today unveiled its most immersive taste yet of the unrivalled experience that awaits riders of Nemesis Reborn ahead of its opening on Saturday - in dramatic first-look footage that brings every twist and turn of the ride to life.

This weekend sees the cherished attraction roar into life with its first passengers for 18 months.

Jaw-dropping first-look drone footage released today reveals for the first time the eye-opening transformation that the original ride has undergone.

Its 250-tonne, 716-metre-long track has been replaced with mysterious red veins now snaking along its every inch.

The most dramatic overhaul comes in the completely new look for the creature that gives the ride its name.

Now a predator, seeking vengeance on the shadowy Phalanx organisation that kept it prisoner, the new look and feel culminates in the fearsome interactive eye, which guests will be able to see in all its glory from March 16th.  

State-of-the-art audio visual technology brings it vividly to life, while extensive new theming plunges visitors into a new immersive experience from the moment they set foot in Forbidden Valley.

The incredible footage also captures the sheer power of Nemesis Reborn which takes its riders on an unrivalled thrill-ride, hitting speeds of 50 miles per hour and G Forces of 3.4.

Four full inversions, hair-raising corkscrews and nerve-shredding drops also face anyone brave enough to experience the ride.

On its opening in 1994 Nemesis was crowned Europe’s first inverted rollercoaster and went on to develop a devoted global fanbase.

During its original incarnation it travelled over 800,000 miles, carrying more than 52 million people.

John Burton, Senior Creative Lead, Merlin Magic Making said:

“For three decades the original Nemesis rollercoaster provided an unrivalled experience for countless millions of thrill-seekers - making it one of the most cherished attractions in the UK.

“So when it came to bringing it to life for the 21st century, the stakes couldn’t have been higher.

“That’s why we pulled out all the stops to create Nemesis Reborn.

“Everyone involved in this incredible project has poured their heart and soul into it to ensure we create a rollercoaster experience that is truly unrivalled and will set the standard for the next 30 years.”

Meet The Team Making The Final Touches To Nemesis Reborn (including a tentacle technician)
Tuesday 5th March 2024
The Alton Towers team behind the monster operation to bring back its most iconic coaster are suspended 40 feet in the air as the finishing touches are made to Nemesis Reborn ahead of its hugely anticipated opening on March 16.

Construction Director Pete Bartlett, 53, whose first job was on the original Nemesis construction project in 1994 alongside dad Harry, was accompanied by model maker Gemma Byrne, 32 in the crane basket - as they inspected one of the ride’s infamous loops that fully inverts riders.

Gemma is part of an on-site team known as the tentacle technicians who are responsible for hand-crafting and installing over 100 metres of tentacles for the attraction. 

They are among an extensive array of elements including state-of-the-art audio visual technology that have been harnessed to vividly bring to life the alien creature which gives the ride its name.

Pete said: “Over thirty years ago I took the first steps in my construction career at Alton Towers, making indelible memories working side by side with my dad on the original Nemesis build.

“There have been many projects since then, but helping to bring back this iconic coaster is a true career highlight.”

Gemma added: “What has always set Alton Towers apart for me is its ambition to  tell great stories before anyone even sets foot on a ride.

“It’s been a real thrill to play my part in crafting these tentacles to help bring the narrative of Nemesis Reborn to life.”   

The iconic Nemesis rollercoaster is returning following a complete overhaul of the original ride that came to be revered by millions of thrill-seekers since its launch three decades ago.

Now known as Nemesis Reborn, part of the transformation has also seen the entire 250-tonne, 716-metre-long track replaced. The two ride trains have also been replaced - transforming the breathtaking experience for thrill-seekers.

In addition, extensive, new, immersive story-telling elements will propel visitors into a compelling new narrative from the moment they set foot in the resort’s Forbidden Valley. 

The extensive engineering project - led by Senior Project Manager David Taylor - has been captured in captivating time-lapse footage, shared by Alton Towers Resort today.

It begins in November 2022 with crews removing the framework of the original coaster. By April 2023 the first pieces of new track are seen arriving on site - from Ohio, US, where they were manufactured.

The painstaking process of craning each of the individual segments into place follows, while work to dramatically enhance the theming and look of the site continues.

First opened in 1994, Nemesis was heralded as Europe’s first ever inverted rollercoaster and became an immediate hit with thrillseekers from around the globe, who were blown away by the combination of its 50mph top speed and its numerous twists and turns with four inversions.

During its original incarnation it travelled over 800,000 miles, carrying more than 52 million people.

Bianca Sammut, Divisional Director at Alton Towers Resort, said: “As the final finishing touches take place, we are beyond excited to open the doors to Alton Towers Resort on March 16 so visitors can enjoy the heart-pounding thrills of Nemesis Reborn for themselves."

“At Alton Towers Resort we’re devoted to creating unrivalled experiences for our guests. The original Nemesis rollercoaster set a very high bar. But with Nemesis Reborn we’re confident we have raised that even higher."

“I couldn’t be any prouder of our team of engineers, model-makers and technicians who have truly surpassed themselves on this project.”

To book tickets to be among the very first to experience the heart-pounding power of Nemesis Reborn visit altontowers.com.