The History of Sonic Spinball/Spinball Whizzer: Alton Tower's Scariest Themed Coaster?

Join us on a new Expedition Alton Towers looking at the history of the Maurer Rides, Spinning coaster Spinball Whizzer. This ride was once themed to Sonic The Hedgehog has received its fair share of hate over the years and is perhaps if you think about it one of the scariest themed coasters at the park....
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Credits -
James Mylrea - • Video
Nostalgasm - Alton Towers, June 1991 - KZbin
Towers Times - Alton Map Collection - www.towerstime...
Brydransfield - • Carrousel
FotoWhizz - • Rita Construction
Theme Park Review - • Venus Roller Coaster P...
Kirmesleben - • Piraten Spinner (Onrid...
Purplefinale - • Spinning Coaster Maihi...
Holger Monschau - • CentrO.Park - Speedy -...
ATC - • Whirlwind (On & Off Ri...
Brent cheney - • Lagoon SPIDER
Hersey Park -
Maxje.04 - • Onride: 'Crush's coast...
ThrillRides - • Winjas Fear & Force Of...
Swiss Coaster Enthusiast - • Spinning Racer offride...
XtremeCoasters Network - Alton Towers 30th Birthday Classic Footage - 2010 - KZbin
Kelfy23 - Sonic Spinball Roller Coaster At Alton Towers - KZbin
Texcoaster - • Sonic Spinball at Alto...
Bristolian Days Out - • Sonic Spinball Roller ...
In The Hall of the Mountan King - Creepy Version by Xavier Kadeem - • Free creepy Halloween ...

[@jenniferwhalley7425]

As one of the operators on the current team we can all agree with you that the final announcement at the end of the ride is just as annoying for us as it is for you. But we still love our favourite under appreciated coaster ❤

[@katie-louisewest57]

I love the final announcement and all the other ones it's fun to shout in station when waiting for cars to come in lol

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

I love Spinball 😍

[@ConnorsCoasters]

@@katie-louisewest57 A Favourite is “heads back, hold tight. Here we GOOOOO!”

[@FaSGamez]

I always make effort to go on spinball even if my mates don't want to

[@katie-louisewest57]

@@ConnorsCoasters don't forget spinball whizzer has had to stop for a moment but don't worry we'll be spinning and whizzing again soon a member of staff will be with you shortly to explain what's going on so keep your arms and legs inside the çar

[@brycevo]

I kinda hope it stayed as Sonic Spinball. That was pretty cool

[@jeffb33]

I''m still amazed they decided against a launch start. Ya know, because pinball

[@ozislost]

I for one think naming a coster Whizzer is a brilliant marketing idea. also, i have the humor of a 7 year old so hehe pee-pee coaster is on my bucket list.

[@vikkimoore6207]

Love all your videos on Alton! Never been on Spinball, I can’t handle the spinning on teacup rides so this would finish me off…

[@MagicKillerClub]

I loved the interactive games in the queue. It was something that I'd not seen before. And nearly 20 years on they're still there. Albeit not working. They should really take them out now. EDIT: HOLY CRAP IT'S HAPPENING! TOYLAND TOURS! FINALLY!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

😂

[@DaveGuyon]

This ride stole my sunglasses, directly from my face last year. Unfortunately, the sunnies tripped a sensor and stoped the ride.

[@liamcollinson5695]

I remember when me and my mum rode this and honestly it was way more intense than we both thought it would be. we was expecting a mild children's coaster but it feels like you are going to get launched out of your seat

[@Someone_1101]

This sits number 2 on my favourites for alton towers. 1 is wicker man. 3 is 13

[@Foxy02016]

Would love to see both Toyland and Segaland be covered

[@ThemeParkMarshal]

Yes give spinball the love. People hate on this coaster to much as its surrounded by great rides but honestly put this coaster indoors or freshen up the themeing then it would be great.

[@panda_llunz2372]

Considering smiler is more scarier then oblivion I was I felt regret when I got on but I enjoyed it but the smiler that was just *fun fun fun* also I went on spinvall whizzer and I felt like I was gonna fall lol

[@blaqorchid73]

This looks a lot like the Undertow roller coaster at the Santa Cruz boardwalk

[@iceman6953]

Hey at some point can you do the dark knight coaster

[@marquisehebbler9471]

I wanna learn about sega word! Maybe there’s hope for one to open up in America

[@HxrryTv.]

PETITION TO MAKE A STEALTH (Thorpe park) LIKE RIDE AT ALTON TOWEE FOR SONIC (like) OR IF YOU THINK STEALTH SHOULD BE REDONE INTO A SONIC RIDE (comment)

[@Dawko]

Spinball Whizzer is so underrated it’s one of my favourite rides, it always feels like you’re falling out during those turns!

[@demoman4335]

That’s actually the reason why my dad is so scared of the ride, he always felt like he is gonna fall off lol

[@ReplayProductionss]

No one talking about Dawko just showing up out of nowhere XD

[@Puffo__]

Imagine a fnaf coaster

[@Sborticus]

Didnt expect to See you here

[@MrJGandAOffical]

I would agree with you there it's very underrated

[@MrChuckGrape]

A Sonic themed roller-coaster should have a launch and loops. We've been denied this for too long.

[@TheVloggerDude2018]

EXACTLY

[@davedoesthingsdreaded]

It spins. What else you want

[@Random-xe2cc]

Mack multi launch. That’s the cross over with sonic that we need

[@sxg0017]

and one thing should be its main component. *Speed.*

[@clarkejoseph49]

Well, Sonic the Hedgehog was inspired by a Rollercoaster when Sega created the game.

[@holographictacosalad]

I've never been to Alton Towers. I've never even been to the UK. But I'm going to be hearing "WOO-HOO! What a ride!" in my nightmares from now on.

[@DoswarePictures]

Just search up Sonic Fan fiction and you’ll forget the Woo-Hoo.

[@dodo-ur5os]

sounds a lot like junkrat

[@GhostRider-on6bz]

Yeah well, “it’s a small world after all”. Back at you cousin :-p

[@RonaldTrumpOfficial]

We’re glad. You belong to the Whizzer. ❤

[@Thomas__Blue]

I’m amazed Sega doesn’t have more Sonic attractions around the world. He’s such a cool character,and a perfect IP for amusement parks.

[@Typhoonis88]

There was a sega world in australia .... it didnt go so well

[@Thomas__Blue]

@@Typhoonis88 I know, but that was also at a time where Sega was running out of steam and loosing the console wars.

[@I_Crit_My_Pants]

@@Typhoonis88 There was also one in London here in the UK. It is now a cinema and bowling alley lol...

[@lugi5215]

they should make a real life carnival night zone from sonic 3

[@rachelbarrera2969]

Pienso lo mismo quisiera que tubiera mas atracciones de Sonic como esta

[@Cosmic_Cow_Moo_Moo]

This ride gets overlooked so much by enthusiasts, because its surrounded by amazing rides. The truth is, this ride is great, but is perhaps the most overlooked and underrated ride in the whole of the UK.

[@magicalhikari5859]

To be fair, it’s like 50% of the rollercoasters at Cedar Point

[@michaeldallaway1988]

It's more intense than I was expecting

[@shrimpster101]

Amazing coaster my mate and I ride this multiple times when we go

[@blackbearish]

@@shrimpster101love this coaster.

[@upsidedown_]

@@magicalhikari5859 cedar point looks weird imo, lot's of rides look extremely overhyped and some underrated

[@FirenzeStorm]

Actually really miss the sonic theme. It was the voice of Roger Craig Smith's Sonic too, which always makes me happy.

[@destinedpotato1577]

Interestingly it was Roger Craig Smith's first outing as Sonic

[@Kaylin777]

Cool

[@blackbearish]

why on earth Tails wasn't there to hit the coaster with a wrench when it went wrong I don't know.

[@Angie2343]

I prefer Jaleel White.

[@Blast2224]

@@destinedpotato1577 freshly out of voicing Sonic Colors and shortly after Wrrck-It Ralph.

[@jordanhowell7798]

This video was made in time with both the release of Sonic The Hedgehog Movie 2 and the announcement of Sonic Origins. Hopefully this will be followed up with Toyland Tours which also had Sonic The Hedgehog in that ride in 1994.

[@kimifur]

I was 12 when I went on Toyland Tours in October 1994 and vividly remember entering that Sonic The Hedgehog room full of TV monitors and the big Sonic statue with the moving head. I could have stayed in that room for hours. A wonderful memory!

[@MrGamerDoesVids]

no, this won’t be followed up at all

[@NathanSpies]

I wish it could have stayed sonic themed. But Sonic is definitely overdue for another roller coaster

[@NotAJollyPotato]

A launched coaster with gold pained loops would be the ultimate sonic design.

[@ChristopherSadlowski]

@@NotAJollyPotato yes! And while you wait for the inducers to charge, or even just delay the launch, the sound effect of Sonic charging up his spin needs to play. There's so much you could do with a Sonic theme!

[@DatOneCat]

Pretty much. I'm surprised nobody has done a Sonic themed coaster based of Twinkle Park from Sonic Adventure. There's so much potential in that.

[@tyler_m_sonic_merch_hunts610]

It would be cool if a theme park chain like Six Flags or Cedar Fair to get the Sonic license here in America. But, since Cedar Fair has only one franchise license to the Peanuts franchise and Six Flags has two licensed franchises under one company DC Comics and Looney Toons. Could possibly see Cedar Fair get the Sonic license if this sort of thing were to happen.

[@BluePineapple06]

He is. And since Mario is getting his own land at Universal Studios, it only seems fair that Sonic should get his own land or ride.

[@Larry]

That "whooo what a ride" voice sounds Exacty like Harry Partridge!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Could be!

[@derserthefoxxo3873]

Scariest part of Spinball is definitely the wasps in the queue line.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

That is true

[@ahistoric_gamer9716]

Those wasps…..

[@derserthefoxxo3873]

@@ahistoric_gamer9716 Terrifying things.

[@jackdavis4657]

Absolutely love the Alton Towers expeditions. I only have hazy memories of going there when I was like....5 in 1996? Amazing to see what it's turned into. As soon as I make it back to the UK I'm definitely hitting this park up.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yeahhh

[@ajsgaming474]

Ok the sonic puns at the end was great and the miles part made my sonic knowledge feel validated

[@evandunkley292]

I’d say it feels so scary simply because you feel like the small rickity track is going to fly off beneath you I always had to hold onto my restraints when I used to ride. I don’t go out of my way to ride it these days

[@zanmaru139]

Imagine being a human pinball trapped in a game developed by Sega's B team in 6 months. Now that's scary.

[@NukaCorgi]

I appreciate all the Sonic puns and the Sonic Unleashed music lol. I always wondered what happened to the Sonic theming.

[@averyeml]

Alton Towers’ decision to use that one song, over and over, as their theme might be one of the more brilliant bits of marketing out there. They, and you in this video, find a way to make it scary, sad, sweet, and funny whenever they need to.

[@ShenDoodles]

I miss the Sonic theming. It was my favorite ride when I first went to Alton Towers. Seeing games get representation in theme parks is important to me as a developer.

[@livvyluna33]

Others: The Secret Weapons have the scariest themes Sam (an intellectual): Human Pinball (the horror!)

[@Emma-re5th]

YES! More Alton Towers content! This is the stuff that made me love this channel. Excited to hear your take!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you!

[@pebble6998]

Sure "WHOO HOO" is annoying but "HERE WE GOOOO" sticks in my mind even more...

[@ThemeParkRoundUp]

WOOHOOO WHAT A RIDE!!!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Exactly!!

[@Angie2343]

I wanna har Jaleel White say hat in HIS Sonic voice.

[@aenehii]

Being a pinball sounds really scary, ngl WOOHOO! WHAT A RIIIDEE!!!!

[@JomasterTheSecond]

I always wanted to go to Alton Towers when the Sonic themed room was available. Would have loved to not only try out Sonic Spinball when the theme was on it, but check out the consoles as well. :P

[@SomeInterestingName]

Weren't they just standard Xbox 360s?

[@kaylawhipple7570]

That string of Sonic puns. 👏 Would love to see more on Sonic in parks.

[@Angie2343]

Me too. I wanna hug the Blue Blu and kiss him on his nose.

[@Boom12]

Sure is a nightmare to be in a pinball machine. I once had a dream I was being tilted due to a fault. Oh my...the tilt! WOOO-OO-HOOOOO!!! WHAT A RIDE!!!

[@edvaira6891]

I don’t QUITE get your whole “the greatest horror” joke here, Sam (You got something against Pinball machines?)…but this looks like it’s a pretty cool ride and reminds me a lot of one of Knotts Berry Farm’s more underrated coasters, Sierra Sidewinder

[@blinard1]

seriously, that guys airtime on the slide

[@AmberTheFangirl]

And to think Roger Craig Smith's first voice job as Sonic was for Alton Towers. He did voiceovers for the Sonic themed bedrooms before Sonic Free Riders and Sonic Colors came out I think.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Right?!

[@AmberTheFangirl]

It’s crazy!! Couldn’t believe it when I first found out his first gig for a Sonic related piece of media was for a UK theme park

[@BlazeHeartPanther]

"CHECK OUT THE CONSOLES, WHOOOOAAAA"

[@bridgetkorns8174]

I'm always surprised by the creativity of roller coaster makers. I've never gone on anything like this but one day...maybe.

[@babyalexander]

It's not an expedition theme park without puns and "that was a bit timid"

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Exactly!

[@michaeltaylor1603]

Spinning coasters have "endless" theming possibilities. The 1st generation however, was like Stewie Griffin trapped on "It's a tiny TINY World!"

[@KevinJ42]

"What's scarier than riding a roller coaster?" "Haha, how about riding in a blender instead of a coaster train?" "You're a genius! Build it!" "No, no, I didn't mean that, it was a..." "DID I STUTTER?!"

[@alansotigerheart3473]

This is a huge missed opportunity to collaborate with Elton John and call it the spin ball wizard. Imagine pinball wizard playing in the que while you wait. And I'm certain an Elton John/the who themed ride would sell itself

[@h-man1371]

Alton Towers missed the opportunity to have replaced the "WOOHOO!" with "C'MON STEP IT UP!"

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Haha

[@Angie2343]

@@ExpeditionThemePark Agreed

[@Yoshimitsu4prez]

One day I’d like to visit this park and ride all the “secret weapons.” Your videos make them look SO cool

[@lb21a]

they are absolutely awesome, it is worth whatever distance you need to go to get there

[@GoetiaTV]

Wow that audio clip really makes me appreciate Disney’s ride queue audio

[@marius9143]

Hi I am from the Netherlands and I love the Efteling. I would love to see a video about the Spookslot, since it will be replaced by the Danse Macabre. I would also love to see a video about Raveleijn, Droomvlucht, Piraña or really any other attraction!

[@jackbluepirate87]

2004 was definitely horror... First was Spinball! Then was the Flume! And then, the worst ever truly frightening... Me (Born in Sep 2004)

[@HarryBoSweets]

Those references at the end had me ROLLING! And, a toy land tours one? Can’t wait ;)

[@RobboAndGent]

Great episode yet again! Wasn’t aware of much of this attractions history.

[@Dannyjones1]

Can't wait to give this a watch later. I really love your content. It's great!!!

[@BuckarooBanzai84]

I was waiting for you to do this one! But I still think you should've teamed with Badnik Mechanic for this one. (Check out his channel; he did a really detailed video on this ride, and more!) That being said though, I'm glad to have more of the story now, and I can't wait for the others! Yes, please do both! =)

[@pebble6998]

Spinball is such a good ride at the park but no matter what i will always be riding it just so i can get a look at Eggman still chilling there till this day.

[@jettozahoku]

Did that "Woo-hoo what a ride!" bit play some part in your past? Was this a trauma-filled day waiting in that line? Did the park offer therapy for this? haha

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

It sure did

[@CorvusCoasters]

"Take that Enso" hahaha !

[@raspberryjamjar900]

Loved all the sonic tracks and references Really added to the expedition

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thanks l!

[@jamesoniris2647]

It still saddens me that they didn’t play Pinball Wizard in the queue.

[@theactualjavening]

did anyone see the dragons fury at chessington when they were looking at the list of spinning coasters?

[@Ihartwalrusguy]

Glad that Sega is going back into theme park licensing since I bet Super Nintendo World played a part in it

[@Angie2343]

Agreed

[@nachus134]

17:36 Have to admit, i loved all those Sonic puns

[@BovineDesigns]

The ending announcer sounds like Harry Partridge.

[@JamesStanfordAK]

I don't remember the exit announcement, I've only done this ride twice out of all my visits. But I can only equate it to being as annoying as BGW Verbolton's, where you all you hear through the queue is "Auf Wiedersehen!" being called out by a loud, German woman.

[@coastaku1954]

As a Sonic Fan growing up, learning that a Sonic themed roller coaster existed was so cool to me! I just wished that it wasn't across the atlantic from me

[@tyrannoyoshi]

That “WAHOO!” sounds like a British Toad.

[@simsandrobloxplays5467]

ive been on spinball whizz with my friends and i felt. was gonna be sick every secoud but very fun!! probs worse than the smiler tbh xx haha

[@JoshB333]

The scary part is seeing the track and supports sway so clearly 😳

[@blackbearish]

the swaying is a feature, if it was rigid construction, the supports would be damaged under the forces.

[@JoshB333]

@@blackbearish yes and it is the scariest part of the ride. 🤙🏻

[@CatsnCoasters]

Nice to see that Towers forgotten coaster has got the Expedition treatment.

[@emily-tristancresswell1863]

Being a human pinball is how I feel when I jump into a mosh pit 😂 I think the last time I went to Alton Towers, this had just been built, and the queue was a million hours long so I never went on it. I really should sometime.

[@PleaseApplaud]

I love your channel but I am BEGGING you to learnt that "Talbot" is pronounced "Toll-but", with an "o" sound like in "holiday". - from a Shrewsbury/Shropshire native

[@np1584]

I'm so old I've seen it through all the 3 re-brands and I live over 400 miles away up north from Alton Towers. It's one of my fave underrated coasters in the park and I really hope they don't remove it, but instead replace rusty parts.

[@dalozzmeister]

And we’re still waiting for the Toyland Tours expedition 😫 you said it would be before 2024. Early 2024 please? We’ve been waiting so patiently

[@XtremeCoasters]

Thanks for the feature. We've always loved your productions :)

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you so much

[@hootowl2112]

17:40 Nice. I never knew the Sonic theme was an addition and that the ride had always been the "Whizzer"

[@dougbriglmen716]

Subtle references to the various sonic characters! Lol But seriously though this is probably one of my three favourite coasters of the park along with wicker man and nemesis, what it lacks in farming it makes up for by just being a lots of fun🙂

[@bonzupippinpaddleoxacoppil484]

Alton Towers: “Our marketing is the perfect blend of creepy and cringe. What’s a character we could add to our roster?” SEGA: Say no more!

[@Springsteppy]

I REFUSE to call it anything but the sonic spinball. spinball whizzer is the ugliest name. It's such a fun ride though, always loved it, went on it with my dad about 3 years ago and was absolutely distraught to see it wasn't sonic themed anymore. I managed to jojo pose for the camera surprisingly successfully (part 4 josuke pose 😩) but my dad lost the wristband to access the photos so we never got the picture of my literal greatest achievement ever 😭😭😭

[@markgawne5919]

I love Spinball Whizzer. It’s location is a bit unusual compared to the rest of the park however it doesn’t detract from the ride itself. The kids love it as well so for us it’s always good to go on this as it was one of the first types of “thrill” coasters they rode (although that was Dragons Fury at Chessington)

[@TheLifeofBez]

love going back and watching your vids especially about uk parks and disney. cant wait for the toyland tours vid as it was a classic of my childhood and the sonic room was the best one for me.

[@Kawiboy]

I was rendered useless all day after haering that dudes repedative voice.. Holy CRAP 😆🤣✌️

[@lachlanjenkin1659]

Tbh I wish they retheame spinball to (in my opinion) grandmaster glitch and if I was incharge i would retheme and rename it to grandmaster glitches grimbot challenge because he is and always will be my favourite character from go jetters and it could fit in with ceebebies land

[@Camad]

With how big Sonic is again thanks to the movies I hope Sonic Spinball comes back, I always wanted to visit the hotel room.

[@spinballwhizzkids]

I beg to differ... We all know the Squirrel Nutty was the scariest ride ever at Alton Towers!

[@dancycat6788]

I miss that ride, I always used to go on it with my mom

[@Crucirobin]

I'm not sure if I remember correctly due to being about 12 at the time and not having a good memory, but some area during the ride (while close to the floor) was there not an audio of Eggman talking? or is that just a false memory lmao

[@Hatska2wolf]

I like spinball whizzer I just wish it got a bit more love, a fresh coat of paint and a bit more effort with the theming would make all the difference

[@Finncognit0]

"Woohoo What a ride" sounds like Junkrat's VA from Overwatch.

[@lukebale8550]

Can't wait for the Toyland Tours one. Just watched the whole series and remember that one from the first time I went

[@Moxleygirl]

My son absolutely adores Sonic The Hedgehog and the fact I didn’t know this was a thing is crazy to me 😭

[@ermmpoppyithink8739]

I don’t suppose you would do a history of the haunted house/duel/ curse at Alton manor I would love a side by side of all three versions

[@hollywally0395]

I love spinball! But i must admit that "Wahoo" is SOOOOOO annoying

[@superman14fly]

Am I the only one who was shocked that Alton tower cost £18

[@elizabethhellier3814]

The first time I ever heard my dad swear was when we rode Spinball Wizzer 😄

[@danielward4868]

Last time I rode this, the scoreboard said 6969

[@PiousMoltar]

Nice

[@Jdude2552]

You can literally hear the smile on his face when reading some of the lines

[@GODCONVOYPRIME]

Why is there no Sonic the hedgehog roller coaster yet?