Retro Squad @ Alton Towers 2021

Retro Squad @ Alton Towers 2021
In an unusual move, Alton Towers have added 4 travelling rides to their line-up for the 2021 season.
Mixtape - 'Jumper Jumper' roto techno (Sartori Rides) owned by Stokes.
Roller Disco - 'Supreme Waltzer' (Fairtrade) owned by John Collins.
Funk'n'Fly - 'Super Trooper' (PWS Rides) owned by David Irvin.
... and a Twister, yet to be revealed as part of the David Walliams Land, set to open when Covid restrictions allow. Video starts with the (impressive) marketing for these rides, followed by footage of the rides on opening day, Mon 12th April 2021.
Music: 'Perfect' by Fairground Attraction.

[@carlinatashajohnson3492]

thank you so much for doing this video i have been looking for ages for a video with the retro squad xx i can't wait to go on all of them xx

[@DriveWithAndy]

this ia ce, love the 80s styling. Were going Alton Towers Early May, sooooooooo EXCITED!

[@funfairsthemeparksu.k8970]

Love it Colin these rides fit in so well I think

[@ukridesinfo]

It IS like the golden years though innit?! lol

[@GH_UK]

Great video Colin

[@twinstarzeonx]

A ‘perfect’ song for this video 👍🏼

[@eddienhp]

The 80s are back again! By the way, welcome back!

[@ukridesinfo]

Very kind, thank you. Its funny with all the comments about fairground rides, but during Alton's glory days in the 80s, it was full of fairground rides!

[@lauramitchell5462]

Welcome fairground rides! I think they look good!

[@ukridesinfo]

Hi Laura, hope you're well :D

[@BenjyDale]

After losing Submission and Ripsaw, Alton did need an refresh on flat rides. A set of Waltzers is a bit random though, but a Tip Top and a Smashing Jump is a good update imo. "Mixtape" is a great name too :D As others said on here, welcome back Col, and great video editing as always. I love how the song ended at the precise moment that the Mixtape descended back down!

[@b4dt3mp3r4]

Not a tip top its a super trooper like paratroopee only newer a tiptop is more thrilling

[@ukridesinfo]

BenG my man! :D Thanks pal. Yes, as malachi points out, while similar, this isn't a Tip Top, but a new 'Super Trooper' from PWS Rides. There are 3 of these at UK parks this year, you'll find another at Barry Island and another at Clarence Pier. God knows what's going on to bring Paratroopers back into popularity, but 3 new ones indicates a popular choice for showmen!! Not as fast or intense as the Tip Top, but I find it more thrilling than a Paratrooper, the Super Trooper tilts to about 90, and the cars swing around quite a lot.

[@BenjyDale]

@@ukridesinfo Thanks both! Yes I have confused the 2 machine types before, after being on the Super Trooper that attended Goose 2019. Anyway, here's to the start of a great new year. I heard that Alton is hosting Mardi Gras this year and they're doing something for Oktomberfest again :-)

[@ShadowTD]

First! :) Great video, nice choice of music :)

[@12zulu15]

2

[@ukridesinfo]

@@12zulu15 I'll be 3 then!

[@itz_cody01tiktokpfficial63]

It’s nice is they put them not to busy those ones either as people prefer the rollercoatsers

[@darkangelluv1776]

No but the animation at the start-

[@maiia9698]

what was the ride at 1.16 ?

[@ukridesinfo]

Hi Maiia, that's Rita.

[@badmoonrising7795]

Hardly retro apart from the waltzers. But at least they blend in, look nice and eat up queues 👏🏻 maybe towers realize they’ve made to many mistakes with the removal of flat rides? Could look good for the future now

[@ukridesinfo]

I thought this to badmoon! I don't remember crazy hoppers in the 80s, it was still the flying coaster /ski jump for this kind of ride action back then! lol And yes they eat queues, I waited 4 cycles for Mixtape - 45 mins! lol

[@DiaryofaRollerCoasterGirl]

I'm getting a hint of irony here... 😆

[@ukridesinfo]

"Too many people take 2nd best..!!" lol What you're looking for is the name of the band that recorded 'Perfect' - Fairground Attraction...! XX

[@stellaVista]

There was clearly more creative effort and money spent on that great promo-video than on the actual rides.

[@ukridesinfo]

Gotta hand it to Alton's marketing with this one... the Transformers influence is really good! Not sure about the 'Final Countdown' wannabe soundtrack, or the use of 'Cowabunga' when the Teenage Ninja Turtles are nowhere to be seen! lol

[@shawnharrison9922]

They make the park look cheap and tacky

[@Sukkulents_]

yeah I’m surprised this hasn’t been brought up more often. They really don’t fit where they are rn lmao

[@ukridesinfo]

I love this!! - I like both fairs and parks (I just like rides!, any ride! lol), and have seen many debates over the years, fairs Vs parks! Fairs are usually cheaper than parks, the rides aren't as expensive, tend to be smaller, and rely on lighting rather than a 'theme', etc etc But as we in the UK have seen in recent years, we're moving toward conservatism, trends are to 'cutback expenses'. This takes the form of Merlin's obsession with junk theming (old buses, helicopters... and their Obsession with shipping containers!). We only need to look at Phantasialand to see what is possible. What I'm sayin is: look closely, Merlin has ALWAYS been cheap! lol And as they almost have a monopoly on UK parks, we'd better get used to it!

[@twinstarzeonx]

That was the wonder of the eighties.....cheap ‘n’ tacky.....big hairstyles, shoulder pads and......cheesy funfair rides. It’s a quick fix for AT but I praise them for making an effort, just like most parks are doing in the UK this year. I truly believe that this is the first ripple in a very large pond and I for one, am excited.

[@twinstarzeonx]

Also, the flat rides in the eighties and early nineties at Alton had that funfair ‘temporary’ metal flooring.....1001 nights for example. It’s a little bit like AT are going back to their roots that made then what they are today. It all started with a funfair.

[@twinstarzeonx]

@@ukridesinfo Merlin is cheap, you’re right. Ahhhh....bring back the Tussauds days

[@b4dt3mp3r4]

Waltzer is so pointless if nobody is spinning the cars and super trooper is too tame and out of place for a theme park what was they thinking 🤦

[@ukridesinfo]

Yep, there was no way corporate H&S were ever going to allow spinners at a UK park!! Also, the music isn't very loud, and ride lighting rarely looks good during the daytime! That said, people could see Rollerdisco as a 'family ride', and it was mostly families in line for it!

[@b4dt3mp3r4]

@@ukridesinfo oh yh i know the reason just pointless having there then isn't it haha and its a theme park needs thrill rides not boring family rides at least not for the most part anyway families can go support the fun fairs if they need more family friendly rides rather than go theme park.

[@jessicaholt8173]

Disappointed :( can go to a fair ground at moment n pay 10 for a wrist band n ride as much as u want for a few hours ... :/ not what u exspecting for the entry fee ... :/