If there's one place you're guaranteed a fun trip over the school holidays it's Alton Towers.
We may have arrived a few weeks after its grand unveiling, but it was the perfect chance to try out the park's new ride, The Curse at Alton Manor.
The ride itself replaces Duel, which closed in September, but follows the same track inside the spooky building.
Like with the Wicker Man, there's a back story to the ride and you get to hear it as you make your way through the doors and to the ride itself.
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It charts the story of Emily Alton - the troubled daughter of a pair of Victorian high society figures who prefer partying to parenting, until one night when they disappeared into thin air. The only person remaining was Emily, and some say she still 'haunts Alton Manor to this day, looking for the one thing denied to her – play'.
With 3D projections and cutting-edge audio technology bringing each scenario to chilling life, the ride blows your typical haunted house ride right out of the water.
I can't say I've ever felt truly nauseous on a ride that isn't a roller coaster, but the 'turning' tunnel had my stomach in knots.
The children with me, aged from 10 to 14, weren't particularly scared, but they still jumped a few times and were certainly kept entertained.
A few years back and I think it would have been a different story, so I think the 90cm minimum height rule is justified.
It's not a fast ride but with so much happening - and with such elaborate special effects never seen in a UK theme park - it's easy to miss bits, so you have to keep your eyes peeled.
Then again, there's no harm in going on for a second time - or is there?
To be one of the first to try the ride, you can book your visit at altontowers.com. The Curse at Alton Manor, along with the other big rides, can get very busy, especially during holiday times, so it's worth considering a fast-track ticket to avoid queues if you don't fancy waiting - you can find prices here.
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