Wicker Man is a wooden roller coaster, located at the Alton Towers Resort,
in Staffordshire, England.
The ride opened to the public as the first Wooden roller coaster to be built within the
United Kingdom in over 20 years.
On top of this, it was marketed as a globally unique experience in which guests ride an
attraction that fuses both wood and fire.
At its core, the entire roller coaster has been designed around an impressive 6-story
tall burning Wicker Man effigy.
While on the ride, guests burst through the structure three times, causing it to ignite
into flames.
Alton Towers newest roller coaster addition focuses on being an immersive experience,
featuring a unique backstory, and impressive theming.
The attraction itself opened to the public on the 20th of March 2018 at the cost of 16
million pounds.
Wicker Man replaced a former ride at the park, The Flume, what was once the world’s longest
log flume.
Upon the rides closure in 2015, signs appeared around its perimeter reading “SW8 Groundbreaking
Ride Development” - SW8 referring to Wicker Man’s code name, Secret Weapon 8.
Vertical construction began in May of 2017, and further teasers debuted showing the Beornen,
a mysterious cult like group living in the woods surrounding the park.
The Beornen invited guests to join in on a celebration of the earth, away from the technologies
of our modern society.
They spoke of a ritual, to reignite our senses, reconnect with the world, and be chosen.
It is this strange group to which the attraction is themed.
As guests walk up to the Wicker Man ride, they are greeted by a festival like entrance
plaza.
The huge constantly burning two headed effigy looms over visitors, featuring an upward facing
human head on one side, and a downward pointing rams head on the other.
The trains of the roller coaster, constructed by American Company Great Coasters International,
can be seen hurtling in the background.
Custom designed music, produced by IMAscore, can be heard in the plaza welcoming guests
to partake in the ritual.
To do so, visitors pass underneath the ride’s entrance sign, and join the queue.
Beginning within the centre of attractions turnaround section, bunting, as well as the
Beornen runic alphabet can be seen scattered around.
Riders then make their way along the side of the area, gaining fantastic panoramic views
of the wooden coaster.
At this point, guests pass directly adjacent the rides flat turn, and navigate beneath
the lift hill.
As they continue to traverse the queue, the soundtrack begins to darken, becoming more
sinister.
Finally, visitors move towards the entrance building, witnessing the ride from a new angle,
with the Wicker Man’s Ram head in full focus.
Riders pass through the building and enter a room encased in wicker.
It is at this point that guests experience the attraction’s pre-show.
Visitors learn of their true fate, sacrifice.
The Beornen were told of a day where the wicker man would rise, giving them freedom and eternal
wellbeing.
However, to start the ritual, the Wicker Man must be given a gift, you.
You will feed the flames, allowing the Wicker Man to rise.
Once the preshow is completed, riders enter the dark station building.
A wall of wicker burns across the ride platform, while smoke floods the room.
At this point, guests board one of three ride vehicles.
Each train is wicker themed, seating 24 riders in 12 rows of 2.
Once visitors have boarded, they’re ride begins with a 180 degree right hand turn,
followed by a second turn through a smoke filled room.
The trains then engage with the lift hill, allowing guests to climb to the coaster’s
highest point.
As riders crest the hill, they enter a smoke filled tunnel, and undergo a left hand turn.
The trains emerge from the tunnel into the ride’s first drop, and immediately enter
an airtime hill, encased by a second sound tunnel.
Guests plummet from the tunnel into a sharp downward right hand turn, followed by a large
sweeping left hand turn through the base of the Wicker Man effigy.
Riders climb the turnaround element and come face to face with the Wicker Man himself.
The trains burst through the structures chest, before entering a twisted airtime hill, leading
to a flat 180 degree right hand turn.
Guests navigate a further drop, followed by a small airtime hill, causing riders to pass
through the Wicker Man effigy for a third and final time.
The trains traverse another twisted airtime hill, before entering a upward left hand turn.
At this point, a quick right hand bend leads guests into the final brake run.
Similar to most GCI roller coasters, riders of Wicker Man navigate through the attractions
maintenance shed before re-entering the station building.
Over the course of the full ride, guests reach speeds of up to 70kmh (44mph) and navigate
795m (2609ft) of track.
All of this takes place within approximately 50 seconds of ride time, measured from the
top of the lift hill, to the final brake run.
Despite it’s tame statistics, and small size, Wicker Man packs a punch.
The snappy transitions, moments of floater airtime, and interactions with the burning
effigy, make the attraction loved by many.
Wicker Man is more than just a roller coaster, but an entire experience from start to finish,
encompassing a unique and interesting storyline.
It has quickly become one of the UK’s most immersive rides, putting Alton Towers on the
forefront of theming within the country.
This leads to the question: Would you like to see Alton Towers, and potentially other
UK parks focus more on story-based attractions?
What’s your opinion?
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