Alton Towers has closed its famous Nemesis roller coaster for a major revamp. The ride, which has operated at the park since 1994, will reopen in 2024.
Thousands of guests visited the theme park in Staffordshire over the weekend. For the final ride, 28 fans enjoyed the Nemesis experience in boiler suits with creator John Wardley.
As part of the celebrations, mysterious figures in hazmat suits were seen marching towards Nemesis, some collecting samples and covering areas of the site in biohazard tape.
Chemical investigation tents were erected around the ride’s entrance. Information about the project is under wraps, but more information will be revealed in the near future.
“It was wonderful so many people came for Nemesis’s big send-off,” said Kate McBirnie, head of guest excellence at Alton Towers Resort.
She added: “The legendary roller coaster has been thrilling fans and visitors since 1994 so it’s understandable so many wanted to take one final ride before it undergoes its exciting revamp.
“We can’t reveal too much at the moment but more details will be revealed ahead of its spectacular return in 2024.”
Nemesis cost £10m and was Europe’s first inverted roller coaster when it opened in 1994. Riders race past the rocks and rivers of the park’s Forbidden Valley at speeds of up to 50 mph.
Nemesis to reopen in 2024
“What an amazing experience,” said Ben Clarke, a Nemesis superfan and final rider.
“Nemesis is an incredible roller coaster and I’m so happy I got to ride it one final time before it’s given a revamp.”
Clarke rides Nemesis on average 700 times every year. He proposed to his fiancée on the coaster in March 2022, and the pair have matching Nemesis tattoos.
“The theming, the near misses and intensity all add up to it being the world’s greatest coaster. I will miss Nemesis more than anything,” added Clarke.
Nemesis was shut by order of the Phalanx, a secret organisation tasked with keeping a beast contained beneath its steel structure.
Images: Merlin Entertainments
