We had our annual trip to Alton Towers on Thursday 22/09/05 and what an improvement on last year. The park has been revamped very well and still has a smell of fresh paint on some rides.

The park wasn't too busy as it was a school day, but good weather meant it wasn't empty and by looking at the ride waiting times you could see which way most people were going. 

So of course we went the opposite way, which turned out in our favour as we didn't queue more than 15 minutes for any of the main rides, so we had plenty of time to re ride all day.

Runaway Mine Train.

This ride was about as good as last year, a bit bumpy and for some reason the tunnel was a lot darker, still 3 laps around the track was still good fun.

Nemesis.

Boy was this ride running well and it looked great, this was the best I have ever seen Nemesis run. It was lightning fast and so smooth, maybe it was the warm weather but it was flying that day.

Air.

Air is still a crowd puller but it is a lot slower than the other rides now at Alton and for the first time ever didn't break down while we were there. It's sort of turning into the ride the thirty somethings can take the parents on with them.

Rita.

I was looking forward to getting this credit as it wasn't ready when we were at the park last year. The cars and the track look really good and the launch from the station wasn't bad either.

After the launch you hit a nice high G turn and ride up and over a twist airtime hill which had amazing airtime.

The rest of the ride was not as intense as the first couple of hundred metres but still very pacey.

Overall Rita isn't that bad and is a really good addition to Altons coaster collection.

Corkscrew

If you like your bones shaken and not stirred this is the ride for you. Corkscrew is getting old now and not getting any better. plus it looks out of place with Rita built around it. I can see this one going in the near future.

Oblivion.

The ride that looks a lot scarier than it is and for a few seconds it is very intense, but is as short as wee man. Still I like it and always like a re ride on it.

Spinball Whizzer.

I think this one is far better than Chessintons version it's more mouse style and much more intense. with nice high banking curves and good tight helix turns it really throws you around. One of the best features of this ride is watching peoples faces as they see the pillars wobbling when the cars move around the track.

The Beastie kiddie coaster.

JUST COS IM A CREDIT WHORE.

Alton Towers is still number one here in the UK and with this revamp it's going to be hard for the others to catch up.

This years posse.

AIR ...ASSUME THE POSITION

Air is the slowest of the big rides now and seems pretty tame.

Still it is a really comfortable ride and worth doing.

NEMESIS This is my favourite, if you have never ridden this you are missing out.

With rivers of blood and cliff sides 2 feet away, no wonder it's the worlds number one themed ride.

Waiting on the week bladders among us.

RITA

First time ride for me and it wasn't as bad as i was expecting.

It keeps its pace up well and looks good as it flies past you.

With one of the best airtime hills I have been on it got you well out of your seat.

CORKSCREW

Corkscrew looked a bit out of place inside the Rita track and now has been removed

This ride was starting to show its age was extremely bumpy.

OBLIVION .

For a ride that lasts about 12 seconds Oblivion is still a big crowd puller.

They have taken away the voice that said Don't Look Down for some reason, shame it added tension to the ride.

Still it is still 12 seconds of sheer fun.

SPINBALL WHIZZER ....WHIRLIGIG RIDE

I didn't take any photo's of Spinball this year as the light was fading. So I have left last years pics up.

Next up Jonno, Leanne,Sue and Bert.

This ride is much better than it's sister ride at Chessingtons .

BEASTIE

The last coaster we did at the park i know it's a kiddie coaster but it's still a coaster.

The weather was warm and all the water rides seemed to be extra wet today.

Especially Ripsaw.

The Blade I have never seen both arms running.

The chair 'o' swing spin thingy.