Alton Towers – A History of Forbidden Valley

In our last Alton Towers article, we explored the long and changing history of X-Sector. This time, we are going to travel back in time to when Forbidden Valley began its life as Aqualand. Today, Forbidden Valley is home to the world renowned B&M inverted coaster Nemesis and the flying coaster Galactica. Forbidden Valley is without a doubt one of our absolute favourite areas of Alton Towers with its unique theming and the fact it is home to our favourite rollercoaster in England (Nemesis).

1987

Before the area we now know as Forbidden Valley was included on the parks map, the land sat completely unused. However, when the Sky Ride opened, a large station was added half way along the course which delivered guests to this empty field. As you would expect, this was taken as a sign that an expansion would soon be coming, an expansion that eventually became Forbidden Valley but began as part of Aqualand. Aqualand was the name given to the expanse of land that surrounded the park’s lake and was home to the park’s water rides. Most of this land is not included in what came to be known as Forbidden Valley and thus, it will be covered further in our articles on Mutiny Bay and Katanga Canyon.

1990

Thunder Looper (rollercoaster) opened as the only attraction in the new area of the park which was accessible by the Sky Ride and through The Gardens. Not yet big enough to require its own name, the area was merely listed as an expansion of the increasingly vast Aqualand. 

1992

Aqualand was split into Gloomy Wood, Katanga Canyon, Merrie England (now Mutiny Bay) and Thunder Valley, home to Thunder Looper. Thunder Valley became accessible by a brand new footpath. The Beast, a Jet Star 3 coaster, which previously lived in Talbot Street (now Cloud Cuckoo Land) was moved to Thunder Valley. The Edge Interactive Games, an arcade which is still there today making it the longest continually serving attraction in the area, also opened this year. 

1993

Mini-Dragon, a Pinfari family coaster, was moved from Festival Park (now Dark Forest) to Thunder Valley and was renamed The Beastie.

1994

Nemesis, Europe’s first inverted roller coaster, opened. This rollercoaster completely transformed the area, retheming it to an apocalyptic wasteland invaded by an alien monster. With these changes, the area was renamed Forbidden Valley.

1996

Thunder Looper closed. The coaster now operates at Hopi Hari Parque de Diversão in Brazil, so if you want to experience a piece of Alton Towers history, take a trip to Brazil. The food outlet, Nemesis Nosh, opened. 

1997

The Beast closed. The Blade, a pirate ship which was moved from Fantasy World (now X-Sector), and Ripsaw, a Huss Top Spin, took the space where Thunder Looper used to sit. 

1998

The Beastie moved to the Adventure Land section of the park (now home to Spinball Whizzer). The Generator food kiosk opened and was operated by McDonalds.

2002

Air, a B&M Flying Coaster, and Dynamo opened. Dynamo was an astrodancer which was previously located in Ug Land (now Dark Forest).

2003

Dynamo was removed at the end of the season. 

2006

The area that was home to Dynamo was used for the Lava Lump climbing wall which was moved from Ug Land (now Dark Forest) to make room for Rita.

2008

The Generator, which was previously a McDonalds, became a Burger King. 

2012

The climbing wall was removed and replaced by Nemesis: Sub-Terra, a live action/ drop tower attraction. The Burger King closed.

2013

Burger King was replaced by Merlin’s own in house chain Burger Kitchen.

2015

Nemesis: Sub-Terra closed, having received extremely low ratings. 

2016

Air was rethemed to Galactica, a VR flying roller coaster experience. Air’s gift shop was transformed into the Rollercoaster Restaurant. A small Galactica gift shop remained at the ride’s exit. Ripsaw and the neighbouring Refresh@Ripsaw and Fresh Fish and Chips, were all removed. Fresh Fish and Chips was converted into the Coffee Lounge. Ripsaw was replaced by Forbidden Sweep, a carnival game which only lasted for the 2016 season.

2017

Burger Kitchen closed

2019

Rollover Hotdog opened in place of Burger Kitchen.

2020

A Refresh & Refill (Coca-Cola Freestyle location) opened.

2022

Nemesis closed at the end of the season to be re-tracked..

Forbidden Valley began as a tiny, one attraction, expansion for Alton Towers. Today the area stands as one of the parks most popular, with its wonderful theme which came to the land alongside the equally incredible Nemesis. Forbidden Valley has clearly been through many changes, mostly good, save for the removal of Ripsaw. So, now that we‘ve looked at the areas past and present, what do you think the future holds for Forbidden Valley? Or, more importantly, what do you want the future to hold for Forbidden Valley?

We will continue to explore the history of Alton Towers in our future articles. 

Thanks for reading and click here to check our brand new theme park inspired Christmas apparel now available on Redbubble.