The Marketing Failure of Th13teen - Secret Weapon 6 | Expedition Alton Towers

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  • Опубліковано 11 тра 2019
  • Join us on Expedition Alton Towers as we look at the history and marketing failure of Secret Weapon 6 - Th13teen. This rollercoaster was hyped up as being the most intense rollercoaster experience ever created. It drastically did not meet expectations. Thirteen - The World's first Freefall Drop Rollercoasters
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    World Of Coasters - • Thirteen Front Row 4k ...
    callymarie80 - • alton towers 2009
    Theme Park World Tour - • John Wardley Webisodes...
    RCS Reviews - • Video
    Theme Park Family World Wide - • Alton Towers Dark Fore...
    mesmoland - • TH13TEEN (POV HD1080p)...
    Theme Park James - • Alton Towers Scarefest...
    fotowhizz - • Video
    ATJakee - • Alton Towers - Fourtee...
    Adam Curran - • Rita queue line walkth...
    www.towerstimes.co.uk
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 1,1 тис.

  • @welcometomylives
    @welcometomylives 5 років тому +3332

    The person who makes Alton Towers commercials missed their calling making horror movies, I swear.

    • @etheralonyx4471
      @etheralonyx4471 5 років тому +34

      Honestly

    • @mrberry1147
      @mrberry1147 5 років тому +79

      Imagine a th13teen horror movie

    • @LilzMay-sk3ew
      @LilzMay-sk3ew 5 років тому +159

      There needs to be a Smiler horror movie!😄

    • @mrberry1147
      @mrberry1147 5 років тому +56

      Lil Disney Fan HECK YEAH or even a ministry of joy film

    • @LilzMay-sk3ew
      @LilzMay-sk3ew 5 років тому +34

      @@mrberry1147 Smile Always: The Movie😂

  • @kaydub0623
    @kaydub0623 5 років тому +1805

    Alton Towers: We want the scariest coaster you got!
    Intamin: Alrighty then! What will it be? Ten inversion? Accelerator? Maybe even a bli-
    Alton Towers: Family coaster.
    Intamin: Wh- what? You me-
    Alton Towers: Family. Coaster. *Now.*

    • @cooperboy64
      @cooperboy64 5 років тому +16

      Kennywood Fanboy probs had that convo with b&m at the start but they didn't want to degrade themselves

    • @Addictedcoolmos
      @Addictedcoolmos 4 роки тому +11

      shouldve gotten a b&m

    • @LilzMay-sk3ew
      @LilzMay-sk3ew 4 роки тому +3

      Probably how it happened😂

    • @zig131
      @zig131 4 роки тому +12

      More likely: 'What's the cheapest type of coaster you guys do?"

    • @abagar2000
      @abagar2000 4 роки тому +11

      Th13teen: And Alton Towers wants to know why no one takes me seriously... *I'M A BLOODY FAMILY COASTER!!*

  • @Corks-ti4vz
    @Corks-ti4vz 5 років тому +1035

    The most disturbing part of the ride is the squelching noises played in the queue line. I won’t even describe what it sounds like lol

    • @ashdx2172
      @ashdx2172 5 років тому +57

      hahaha. i said exactly the same to my wife when we were thee last month. like someone mixing macaroni cheese. ;)

    • @Garurugirl1
      @Garurugirl1 4 роки тому +20

      It probably the sound of flesh maybe?

    • @jellybabi7600
      @jellybabi7600 4 роки тому +21

      It sounds like wet mud being stepped on

    • @lunahetfield
      @lunahetfield 4 роки тому +7

      JMD85 85 how badly does it sound? Im curious...

    • @Pogo2025
      @Pogo2025 4 роки тому +27

      Chloe Lennon McCartney_galaxy just put this into perspective, I stood for 2 hours listening to what sounded like flesh bubbling off the skin

  • @thecorrected7401
    @thecorrected7401 5 років тому +716

    Can't really argue. Th13teen is one of the best 'family' coasters in the country. Why they decided to market it as more thrilling than Oblivion i'll never understand. The coaster absolutely proved itself though. It still regularly pulls bigger queues than most rides barring the Smiler and Wicker Man.
    Towers could do with getting rid of that scaffolding at long last though.

    • @mrtophat2202
      @mrtophat2202 5 років тому +74

      I always thought the scaffolding was for the theme of the ride, because the workers were under construction of the new ride when they discovered the crypt and accidentally released whatever spooky stuff was inside. It does look very ugly though, especially going up the lift hill

    • @Valhalla05
      @Valhalla05 4 роки тому +3

      How many people wrote this?

    • @mattey456
      @mattey456 4 роки тому +1

      I quite enjoy other rides not being busy, oblivion basically has no que. I need to try “the WickerMan” looks sick

    • @trentwerner366
      @trentwerner366 4 роки тому +7

      I thought the scaffolding looks terrible as well

    • @RSeph
      @RSeph 4 роки тому

      Pfp bros :)

  • @ThemeParkCoastin
    @ThemeParkCoastin 5 років тому +1244

    It’s probably called 13 because that’s the age children get scary and your life’s drop just like the ride

  • @WorldofCoasters
    @WorldofCoasters 5 років тому +594

    That moment i realised you've used my POV of Thirteen for you video Woooooo! great video as always and Thanks for the credit :)

  • @missybarbour6885
    @missybarbour6885 5 років тому +394

    When I was 13, I rode Verbolten the year it opened. Luckily, I hadn't done research or anything, so I didn't know drop tracks existed. When the car stoped, I looked over at my dad (who'd been my ride buddy my whole life) as if he knew what was going on. We made eye contact as the track dropped and I screamed because I thought for a split second that the track broke. Dad giggled like a little kid the whole rest of the ride. Drop tracks 4 life.

    • @yellowplays8681
      @yellowplays8681 3 роки тому +3

      LOL

    • @yellowplays8681
      @yellowplays8681 3 роки тому +5

      SAME FOR ME WITH THIRTEEN APART FROM WITH MY FRIEND

    • @fiery1223
      @fiery1223 2 роки тому +2

      I went on Verbolten too, different place tho Buch Gardens VA

    • @pinepapple4957
      @pinepapple4957 Рік тому +4

      ik this comment is like 3 years old but a very similar thing happened to me when I went on the harry potter motorbike ride at universal
      difference was it enters the drop track backwards so I just expected us to get launched back forwards

  • @paulroberts1339
    @paulroberts1339 5 років тому +460

    I was always surprised that they didn’t do a cross theme with Hex with it being so close in location .

    • @ellamedley7558
      @ellamedley7558 4 роки тому +11

      Funnily enough I got stuck on Hex (of all things, the rotating room thing wasn't lining up properly) and we where only there for like 15 mins and used the fast pass they gave us to go on thirteen.

    • @jamesp8677
      @jamesp8677 4 роки тому +2

      @haveaniceday I think Rita is used as the escape from the towers.

    • @jack.bentley379
      @jack.bentley379 4 роки тому +6

      @@jamesp8677 I think thirteen is meant to be entering the wods and rita is to escape

    • @sinjinl00nal0v3r
      @sinjinl00nal0v3r 3 роки тому

      that would of been so cool

  • @Zebra_M
    @Zebra_M 5 років тому +500

    I went on this blind last year. Didn't know about the hype, didn't know about the drop. It was very enjoyable then, definitely a good surprise. Still wouldn't call this an ultimate roller coaster though, and I doubt a second round would live up to the first.

    • @PROBLOXYT
      @PROBLOXYT 5 років тому +26

      sorry to hear about your eyes

    • @vincentjenei
      @vincentjenei 5 років тому +5

      @@PROBLOXYT lmao

    • @PROBLOXYT
      @PROBLOXYT 5 років тому +8

      @@vincentjenei i was expecting a reply from them tbh but then i realized they wont ever see my comment :( such shame

    • @vincentjenei
      @vincentjenei 5 років тому

      @@PROBLOXYT lol

    • @panicking5611
      @panicking5611 4 роки тому

      PROBLOX omfg lmaoooo

  • @lavenderhue1785
    @lavenderhue1785 4 роки тому +62

    the scariest thing about this ride was the obnoxiously loud electric zappy cage in the queue

  • @TheLonelyGoomba
    @TheLonelyGoomba 5 років тому +270

    13 is a great family coaster that was basically advertised as the next Nemesis. Ah well, still a good ride

    • @yellowplays8681
      @yellowplays8681 3 роки тому +13

      ITS QUEUE SCARED ME TO DEATH LIKE I HATED IT

    • @tomahawkunion7491
      @tomahawkunion7491 2 роки тому +9

      @@yellowplays8681 What scared me was when the woman counted from 1-13. If you were in the building part then the generator sparks and looked like it will explode.

    • @muffin_stuffin............7737
      @muffin_stuffin............7737 2 роки тому +2

      Potato

  • @adelestevens
    @adelestevens 5 років тому +298

    Spuce up 13 with a re theme.
    Lots of water jets and fog machines.
    Maybe some projected holograms.
    If you want to be scary you have to keep the level of anticipation high all the time.

    • @ZestyLimeStudios
      @ZestyLimeStudios 4 роки тому +20

      Adelle Walls - It goes through loads of trees, they need to do something in them trees to make it more scary, especially in Scarefest season

    • @bethkrager6529
      @bethkrager6529 4 роки тому +20

      Maybe put in some animatronics branches "reaching" . My understanding is that the forest itself is alive due to the spirit? Use that. The fog is a good idea to do projection mapping of the wraith chasing you through the forest with.

    • @ultimos1239
      @ultimos1239 9 місяців тому

      ​@@bethkrager6529or have a pre show with th13teen girl as the narrator that would be cool

  • @cersharose489
    @cersharose489 5 років тому +483

    I went on this ride when I was five and I remember crying like hell because of the drop at the end, now I literally can’t be bothered to queue for the ride😂

    • @lisamorris7491
      @lisamorris7491 5 років тому +11

      Cersha Rose you were a bit too young at 5 😩 I'm surprised you were allowed on it

    • @gamingmadman432
      @gamingmadman432 5 років тому +3

      No you didn’t you weren’t old enough

    • @cersharose489
      @cersharose489 5 років тому +1

      Lisa Morris Morris i might have been 6 but I definitely went on it and I’ve always been tall

    • @cersharose489
      @cersharose489 5 років тому +2

      GamingMadMan there was no age limit when I went, dk if there ever was?

    • @df9679
      @df9679 5 років тому +17

      Cersha Rose there was never an age limit to ride it was just min/max height

  • @MattFromWiiSportsResort
    @MattFromWiiSportsResort 5 років тому +265

    Lol when i first rode it i was s**t scared because they hyped it up so much. I went into the room and was holding onto the lap-bar for dear life. Then it fell and i remember feeling misled and disappointed. I have ridden it since and it is ok but i really feel like that first experience of going on it changed my view of it forever.

    • @suckadick9918
      @suckadick9918 5 років тому +8

      Zachary Nolan I just screamed ‘ I DIDNT BLOODY EXPECT THAT’

    • @Calakapepe
      @Calakapepe 5 років тому +4

      You were disappointed that it had a drop track??

    • @Nathan-dm9wr
      @Nathan-dm9wr 5 років тому +4

      Calakapepe no he was disappointed with how it felt after all the hype surrounding it

    • @hannahbrown5465
      @hannahbrown5465 4 роки тому

      That’s how I felt about mystic timbers at kings island, the shed didn’t even end up being close to the hype

    • @h6ych
      @h6ych 4 роки тому +1

      We started queuing for it, we got on and went into the room, I didn’t know it was gunna drop because I’d never gone on so I screamed ‘WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS’ and pissed my pants

  • @hexatrance7
    @hexatrance7 5 років тому +61

    13 is probably my favourite ride because I love the spooky aesthetic but am an absolute wimp so the “mild” side that people complain about is probably my limit

    • @benhunt9873
      @benhunt9873 4 роки тому +2

      Yyyeeesss th13teen is amazinng

  • @MrPhoenixQuill
    @MrPhoenixQuill 5 років тому +190

    I can't believe that they used Teddy Bears picnic for the adverts of this ride.
    That's twice now where I wondered who thought Henry Hall's music was scary.

    • @charlottevicarage1331
      @charlottevicarage1331 5 років тому +15

      Nursery Rhymes are inherently creepy.

    • @NebLleb
      @NebLleb 5 років тому +7

      Well, you remember how in Dead Space, you walk into a room, and you hear a voice singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"?
      Yeah they were operating on that logic.

    • @masterknife8423
      @masterknife8423 5 років тому

      @@charlottevicarage1331 That I can agree with

    • @otaking3582
      @otaking3582 5 років тому +3

      What was the first time? The Mr. T comic that Linkara reviewed?

    • @MrPhoenixQuill
      @MrPhoenixQuill 5 років тому

      @@otaking3582 nah, it was a movie, can't remember the name right now

  • @carlcarlington7317
    @carlcarlington7317 5 років тому +196

    Alton towers: "I'm going to make the scariest ride ever"
    Alton towers: "I'm about to end this man's entier carrier"

  • @Larry
    @Larry 5 років тому +419

    ...And then Alton Towers decided to go one further and give customers the psychological fear of having arms and legs ripped off on rides.

    • @ExpeditionThemePark
      @ExpeditionThemePark  5 років тому +48

      A true psychoaster!

    • @Larry
      @Larry 5 років тому +26

      @@ExpeditionThemePark There's a saying that the greatest roller coaster ever built will be one where everyone comes back dead. (srsly)
      Alton Towers are slowly getting there!

    • @AJXTHEWALL
      @AJXTHEWALL 3 роки тому +11

      @@Larry after that alton towers decided to go 40 steps further and make a roller coaster tycoon death trap! Death guaranteed or money back!

    • @theairtimeenthusiast
      @theairtimeenthusiast 3 роки тому +1

      @@AJXTHEWALL beep

    • @AJXTHEWALL
      @AJXTHEWALL 3 роки тому +4

      @@theairtimeenthusiast what gain did you get for this? Satisfaction? Money?

  • @TinyToastandJam
    @TinyToastandJam 5 років тому +225

    Great video thanks. As a US resident I'm always a curious about more UK park content

    • @tsurra
      @tsurra 4 роки тому

      I just wish I could find more Aussie ride content 😔

    • @thisissaah_3536
      @thisissaah_3536 3 роки тому +3

      these rides (especially the smiler), i tell ya
      coming out of a usa mate, the uk's got the stuff i need to experience

    • @neveclark9362
      @neveclark9362 Рік тому +3

      Join us

  • @meg-4662
    @meg-4662 5 років тому +53

    I remember being terrified to ride this as the rumours were that it was recommended for over 20s only!! What a load of tosh!

    • @booth2710
      @booth2710 Рік тому

      and those rumours that during the excavation work for the ride work crew were sighting ghosts of dead monks materializing in the woods ! A typical theme park propaganda tactic ..

  • @alistairsmith4308
    @alistairsmith4308 5 років тому +622

    Its such a shame that alton towers doesn’t understand that there is something other than horror to theme rides around currently, especially as over half the park is now horror themed

    • @RAIDgames21
      @RAIDgames21 5 років тому +98

      It’s not Alton towers it’s merlin. I mean just look at Thorpe park, name a ride that’s opened over the last decade that hasn’t got a horror/apocalyptic theme attached to it

    • @russt1931
      @russt1931 5 років тому +77

      I like the horror theme especially at scare fest but I’m not sure if a non-horror themed ride would fit in at the park.

    • @tomwhite4596
      @tomwhite4596 5 років тому +35

      I think it works, we got smiler and swarm and saw from it so I'm happy

    • @nitsuatnarg4511
      @nitsuatnarg4511 5 років тому +31

      I love it. My partner visited the U.K. for the first time and I took her to Alton Towers. She really loved it as she was expecting Disney ;and type theme park.

    • @AwkwardTurtle10
      @AwkwardTurtle10 5 років тому +31

      Well the only downside to horror themed parks is that it gives a bit of a depressing vibe. If you go to a park like Disney you're most likely to feel better and happier because that's what their goal is. Frightening your guests does the opposite

  • @heatherdixon4184
    @heatherdixon4184 3 роки тому +19

    This feels like the equivalent of a toddler begging you to look at them so they can do half of a backflip and land on their face

  • @FatSnorlax
    @FatSnorlax 5 років тому +128

    Lol I remember going to Alton around the time 13 opened as part of a school trip. I suppose to justify the trip the teachers included an educational element which meant learning about 13's marketing. Watching this and seeing you call it a failure is just funny to me.
    Anyway, as for the coaster itself, I've always liked the theming and idea behind 13 but I could never get over the big old scaffolding in the entrance to the drop and inside. Always made it look unfinished to me.
    Great job on the video!

    • @visionist7
      @visionist7 5 років тому +11

      That scaffolding is really out of place

    • @FatSnorlax
      @FatSnorlax 5 років тому +12

      @@visionist7 Right? Like you've got the whole haunted house/creepy wood thing which is nailed pretty well and then you look like you're entering an unfinished part of the coaster. Just ruins the experience a bit for me.

    • @visionist7
      @visionist7 5 років тому +3

      @@FatSnorlax I can't imagine they were originally gonna go with the scaffolding but I guess they ran out of funding lol

    • @FatSnorlax
      @FatSnorlax 5 років тому +3

      @@visionist7 That or it's a poor piece of theming?

    • @ejcmoorhouse
      @ejcmoorhouse 5 років тому +2

      @@FatSnorlax The scaffolding is like on Hex and around the towers. Its there as part of that restoration project.

  • @Croz89
    @Croz89 5 років тому +83

    The problem I had with this ride is that it was really only interesting the first time you ride it. After you know what's going to happen it becomes much more dull and pedestrian.

  • @thatsamuelgrant
    @thatsamuelgrant 5 років тому +82

    Th13teen was the first ever rollercoaster I ever went on, this being the year of release and I really enjoyed it. However I went on it again only a few weeks back, its definitely a ride that is thrilling on the first go, but not so much on the second. Still really enjoyed it though

    • @tattie.b8594
      @tattie.b8594 5 років тому +1

      Darklight Films, I rode it back in Easter, but I’ve done rides at Thorpe park, and Florida, so riding this I was rather underwhelmed and honestly just laughed at it!

  • @dexty112
    @dexty112 5 років тому +24

    Riders expectations fell faster than the drop track.

  • @kittikoko
    @kittikoko 5 років тому +107

    Th13teen's a lovely little family coaster but they definitely missed the mark when it came to marketing it - great documentary! I'm always surprised at the number of first time riders who STILL don't know what happens and I LOVE their reactions.

  • @truemetalsonic
    @truemetalsonic 5 років тому +19

    I love Th13teen, the marketing didn't disappoint me but I wish the first section was a little longer.
    Alton really has a nack for rides with a dark theme.

  • @BenjyDale
    @BenjyDale 5 років тому +18

    Despite the media hype, I was still pretty impressed with 13. The hype implied that there were going to be spoilers, so the best thing was not to look into it too much on the internet if you were planning to ride it.

  • @privateryan5671
    @privateryan5671 4 роки тому +14

    I went on Verbolten before, and when the freefall drop came, it suprised me. Needless to say, it's a great rollercoaster.

  • @prentisroberson2305
    @prentisroberson2305 5 років тому +67

    Fast and Furious Supercharged as Universal Orlando is also a marketing disaster. It was advertised to be an intense thrill ride. But when it opened, it was just a underwelming experience compared to Earthquake/Disaster. They should replace it with a Secret Life of Pets 4D shooting dark ride/simulator.

    • @voiddcxi2630
      @voiddcxi2630 4 роки тому +6

      They could replace it with a bench for all I care

    • @tsurra
      @tsurra 4 роки тому +1

      Honestly even that would be an insult to Disaster/Earthquake which had a genuinely unique and at least somewhat intriguing concept to it versus the absolute failure that was Fast and Furious (although I might be biased due to having experienced Disaster heh)

    • @sillyreymond
      @sillyreymond 3 роки тому

      r/strangelyspecific

    • @totaleclipseofmymoon
      @totaleclipseofmymoon 3 роки тому

      Void DCXI lmfao honestly tho that ride is such trash

  • @reubob1849
    @reubob1849 5 років тому +15

    8:12 all coaster enthusiasts who followed th13teens construction: "oh god its her again lol"

  • @hopespeak5852
    @hopespeak5852 4 роки тому +11

    Whoever makes the trailers is a legend.

  • @Jacob_-yi6oy
    @Jacob_-yi6oy 5 років тому +40

    "It'll be the scariest rollercoaster ever," they said, "You need to be brave," they said. :|

  • @freyahrl
    @freyahrl 5 років тому +5

    thirteen is definitely not the most scary ride, or the most thrilling, but it’s definitely really enjoyable and still gives a sense of thrill and fear without being too much. it’s one of my faves and i’m into ‘bigger’ rides, which thirteen would not be classed as. it’s almost a perfect mix of a ‘big’ ride and a kid’s ride.

  • @innesrawdon1481
    @innesrawdon1481 5 років тому +27

    The first time I went on I’m glad there isn’t loads of those cameras that take photos because my face was probably like
    👁 👁
    👄

    • @k1zm3t
      @k1zm3t 4 роки тому +1

      13th like :0

  • @ewantennant5847
    @ewantennant5847 5 років тому +18

    I love thirteen and it is on of my must do attractions when I visit Alton Towers. It even takes priority over wickerman

    • @terry141186
      @terry141186 5 років тому +3

      Wickerman is fantastic but thirteen is unique and enjoyable. A well designed coaster doesn't have to do 70+mph and go upside down 20 times to be good imo.

    • @k1zm3t
      @k1zm3t 4 роки тому +1

      13th like :0

  • @vintagesharpe
    @vintagesharpe 5 років тому +13

    I remember watching the advert on tv, wondering what the hell this was about. It creeped me out tbh

  • @thomaskylecreative
    @thomaskylecreative 5 років тому +5

    I would absolutely love it if you made a series of videos regarding the build up and marketing of past attractions. It’s absolutely a fascinating field of work and park history.

  • @borgstar1997
    @borgstar1997 5 років тому +162

    I would love you to do Rita queen of speed

    • @lucaskent4567
      @lucaskent4567 5 років тому

      Harvey Borg omg I hate that ride it’s the scariest one in the park!

    • @borgstar1997
      @borgstar1997 5 років тому +1

      Lucas Kent i know right I don’t have a face after going on that

    • @dariamih07
      @dariamih07 4 роки тому

      @@borgstar1997 I went to it today and the lines are so long but bro that ride was so scary I thought I was gonna fall of!

    • @xxsophiexx8009
      @xxsophiexx8009 4 роки тому

      THATS MY SECOND FAVORITE I LOVE IT

    • @keepsmilinglittlemax1244
      @keepsmilinglittlemax1244 4 роки тому +1

      I LOVE THAT RIDE!! I love the unexpected start (although I knew about it prior to my first time) and they better not remove it.

  • @tom-ch5ii
    @tom-ch5ii 5 років тому +71

    Does anyone think that Thirteen's theming kind of links with Hex? Because that demon looking branch in Hex seems very suspicious sitting right next to other paranormal trees..

    • @MsModeller
      @MsModeller 5 років тому +6

      afaik that whole area is meant to be linked to Hex.I mean It's been totally shoehorned to have that link, but it's been forceably done pretty well.

    • @sinjinl00nal0v3r
      @sinjinl00nal0v3r 3 роки тому

      yes! i wish they were next to each other because it would make sense.

  • @RichardLerwill
    @RichardLerwill 4 роки тому +2

    The innovation with John.W and Intamin with the quick moving switch track paved the way for their new swing launch coasters I feel, such as Dualing Dragons and Pantheon and obviously Hagrids in IoA. There's alot of great engineering on this ride if you ever get to tour backstage, it's just a shame that non of it translates to a cohesive complete ride experience on this ride, but it is more important than people realise.

  • @ShadowTD
    @ShadowTD 5 років тому +2

    A good video, well researched. Interesting to see myself in it (I was one of the boot campers) and a good explanation of how they missed with the 'pitch'. The ride was several months behind schedule - Boot camp was rescheduled and ran only a few days before the park opened. They had originally intended to run it nearly a month before and use footage from it in an online campaign. Instead a hastily edited video popped up on the website weeks after it opened almost as an afterthought.
    When we rode it (which ISTR was Thursday, two days before it opened) they had us wound up and borderline sleep deprived after nearly two days of shenanigans which significantly affected how we felt about the ride. Morwena is a skilled marketeer and knows exactly how to deliver the message she wants. I do still love the ride and met people who are now some of my best friends and got to see some behind the scenes stuff that I'll cherish forever. For an AT fan, it was an amazing experience.

  • @zombiemosher1139
    @zombiemosher1139 Рік тому +1

    I always liked Thirteen, that drop track part is fun then hurtling out backwards is great. My daughter was terrified to go on it but after one ride we went straight back round for another go.

  • @JayAlfordElementJMusic
    @JayAlfordElementJMusic 5 років тому +13

    I remember following the construction and build-up around this coaster when it was announced (mind you, I live in the US and at the time I was still in high school) and I kept thinking to myself "Wow, Alton Towers is truly going to unleash a beast of a coaster). In all honesty, after seeing what Th13teen really was, it was quite disappointing. Other than the free fall aspect of the coaster, the actual layout of it was quite..um, mundane.

  • @guy2316
    @guy2316 5 років тому +12

    God whoever was marketing this ride was physco

  • @saffyalcremie
    @saffyalcremie 3 роки тому +2

    My first trip to Alton Towers was just after the release of Thirteen. It was my first trip to any theme park at a height where I was tall enough to ride most to all of the thrill rides. Unfortunately due to the marketing of Thirteen I'd seen on TV I was too afraid to ride any of the thrill rides. In the whole day trip I only went on Hex, the Mine Train and the Log Flume. That subconscious fear has stayed with me for all of my life since then. I have since ridden a few more thrill rides like Raptor twice and another one on trips to Lite Water Valley and Rita twice on successive trips to Alton Towers. However it is only now in this last month or so that I've been exploring ride and theme park videos that I'm wishing things had gone differently and I could have joined my peers on bigger rides if it hadn't been for the marketing of Thirteen and later the Smiler (and it's accidents).

  • @tom-ch5ii
    @tom-ch5ii 5 років тому +12

    YES! I love this ride so much, it holds so many funny memories

  • @Hatska2wolf
    @Hatska2wolf 5 років тому +3

    When I rode for the first time, I was terrified, the buildup had nearly psyched me out from even getting on, but afterwards I realised it was basically the runaway mine train with a bigger drop. It still stands out to me as a ride with really well done theming, with smaller additions in the queue line which I find I may have not noticed the first time round. I enjoy the ride quite a bit, I won’t however ride it if the queue time is above 35 minutes because it’s not really worth the hassle. But I have to say it is one of the secret weapons which since it’s opening has had consistent queue times of around 30-40 minutes + on busier days which I think is a testament to the ride and its enjoyment factor. People might think otherwise though. I definitely saw the flaws in the marketing, but I think that’s something that only adds to the lore of the coaster and is slightly humorous to look back and think about now the ride will be reaching its 10th birthday next year.

  • @ayannaaki
    @ayannaaki 5 років тому +5

    As someone who is terrified of heights and won't go on coasters that go upside down, I really enjoyed this ride. That says it all really 🤣🤣🤣

  • @user-fb7ut6rw9t
    @user-fb7ut6rw9t 4 роки тому +3

    Alton Towers: Th13teen is our scariest ride!
    The Smiler: *Are you sure about that?*

  • @SeanJohnDyerFilms
    @SeanJohnDyerFilms 5 років тому +4

    I think it's a brilliant coaster. A great intro ride for someone who is just getting into coasters, but still thrilling enough for adults too. I just love how it's so different to anything else in the park. The theming works great for me too, considering how UK rides tend to underdeliver on theming. Personally, it gets better for me everytime I ride it.

    • @ExpeditionThemePark
      @ExpeditionThemePark  5 років тому +1

      I really like the ride! It is fun

    • @SeanJohnDyerFilms
      @SeanJohnDyerFilms 5 років тому

      @@ExpeditionThemePark Brilliant video though, forgot to say. Really enjoy your content!

  • @LozzyPanda
    @LozzyPanda 5 років тому +3

    I did really enjoy this ride. But they did go ott with the adverts, but then didn't live up to the expectation of the "scariest ride ever" thing they were going for. Yes the drop is great! But the track leading up to it had no themeing surrounding it. They could have easily made it a thick forest, with smoke effects, even some blue lighting or something. Just to make it dark and scary! The woodland seemed pretty bare and boring when I went on this back in 2010. Great video btw! Love seeing videos on AT and TP

  • @morganx5570
    @morganx5570 5 років тому +8

    You should start a expedition on other UK theme parks like Thorpe Park , Drayton and Blackpool

  • @hiphoplyrics3007
    @hiphoplyrics3007 5 років тому +1

    I went on it once and have never been more disappointed. I don’t even bother queuing for it anymore.

  • @MrMrMrprofessor
    @MrMrMrprofessor 5 років тому +2

    Been waiting for this one!! Really cool to hear about the history of the ride. It's also a great reminder of how much marketing and hype can bother help and hinder a new theme attraction. Great video!
    Would love to see one on Wicker Man as well!

  • @moo9874
    @moo9874 5 років тому +11

    The wood creak sound effects just...no xD it scares me quite a lot

    • @ellentaylor-king5680
      @ellentaylor-king5680 3 роки тому

      I remember walking thru the line and made a quick nope out of there I was 11 or 12 mind you

  • @StarportS
    @StarportS 5 років тому +37

    Do ToyStoryMania! Also you should do AIR as well

    • @onionshavewings
      @onionshavewings 5 років тому

      No not yet do air let's let wiker man have a longer time before it's his turn

    • @SuperEnthused
      @SuperEnthused 5 років тому

      Douglas Egdell yes agree, let wicker man have some time for the wicker to settle first! 🤣

  • @esmeelizabethb
    @esmeelizabethb 5 років тому +1

    absolutely brilliant video - please keep making alton towers content! :)

  • @lukesmith5018
    @lukesmith5018 Рік тому +1

    We went on this not knowing anything about it beforehand. When we went into the false dock just before the drop, I thought it had finished and that the ride had been a little underwhelming. The drop and backwards part took me completely by surprise, and I remember laughing hysterically. Even though it's not as 'scary', or 'thrilling' as things like nemesis, it was definitely one of the most fun rides that day.

  • @averagecuppajoe
    @averagecuppajoe 5 років тому +18

    Exactly what you said. Not a bad family coaster but due to the hype-a huge letdown.

  • @pjw1993
    @pjw1993 5 років тому +3

    I think there was definitely a marketing 'hype culture' around that period of Alton's development. They were really aggressive in putting out fabricated PR stories what seemed like every other week, and I think Thirteen was pretty much the last hurrah of their mindset at the time.
    Enthusiasts at the time will remember things like the Baby coaster, cloud bursting to control the weather and high heel metal detectors as just a few examples of the stories they released back then.

  • @lukegreen5341
    @lukegreen5341 5 років тому +1

    I've Been On 13 The Ride At Alton Towers Back In August 2016. It Was Super Awesome. Thanks Expedition Theme Park Mate. X

  • @SyphaB
    @SyphaB 5 років тому

    I love these videos so much! Please do more Alton Towers ones. I must go there at least twice a month, maybe more. I love the place.

  • @Chris173972
    @Chris173972 4 роки тому +3

    I love how unique the ride is but there needs to be more to it. Currently just feels like a tech demo. Enjoyable but short.

  • @DeadMeatMorgan
    @DeadMeatMorgan 5 років тому +3

    It's not the ultimate rollercoaster but I definitely enjoy it when I do ride. It's one that I'd normally save for a quieter day when the queues are much shorter or if I'm bringing someone to the park for the first time

  • @lucy922
    @lucy922 4 роки тому +1

    The station area used to be the thing that freaked me out most! The generater and shock cage made me jump out of my skin. I also remember getting off the ride and skipping off to the shop only to meet a live hooded figure a few steps before the shop (this was at scarefest) and I was like NOPE and turned back on my heels and ran to my mom and dad

  • @thomaslintin9510
    @thomaslintin9510 Рік тому +1

    went to alton with my parents and brother after jubilee weekend, decided to keep 13's gimmick a secret from them and they absolutely loved it, funny how much your experience can differ depending on expectations.

  • @elaynamartin6620
    @elaynamartin6620 4 роки тому +4

    When I went last year I was queuing for enterprise and it was taking a while so we started talking to the people behind us...the said the had just been on 13 and we asked what it was like...they said they could not say and it was a surprise. We later got on 13 and thought it was quite bad to be honest because it was quite slow. We then thought the ride was over and thought the surprise was how bad it was😅 then it dropped and we left the coaster stunned. I now have a hoodie from the gift shop with the 13 logo on....I nearly pissed myself...not bad

  • @alexdavison259
    @alexdavison259 5 років тому +4

    The scariest part of this ride was when I went on it in the pelting rain, every drop felt like being stabbed by a pin.

  • @PhilTheHappyWanderer
    @PhilTheHappyWanderer 5 років тому

    You mentioned something about this ride a while ago, and I've been excited for this video since. Very interesting ride concept. I didn't do any research on it because I like the way you present the rides.

  • @wearechptrs
    @wearechptrs 4 роки тому

    Gosh these videos are so well done!! Getting me through this covid quarantine. Thank you! I need to buy one of those Knott’s shirts soon.

  • @alicemarion2127
    @alicemarion2127 4 роки тому +3

    It was a great middleground ride, I visited the park when I was about nine or 10 and I wasn’t tall enough to ride any of the bigger rides, 13 was a fun experience and made me feel fearless for the remainder of my stay 🤣x

  • @stephenjholloway27
    @stephenjholloway27 5 років тому +98

    Yea this ride was massively over hyped. The drop is clever but its nothing special really.

    • @MrMoo272
      @MrMoo272 4 роки тому +8

      Alton Towers: here's a rollercoaster that does something no other rollercoaster in the world has ever done before.
      Stevie John: nothing special really
      😂😂😂

  • @shaunmalone7383
    @shaunmalone7383 4 роки тому

    I live nowhere near Alton Towers, and regional TV rarely shows Alton Towers ads here, but I remember this campaign vividly. It was one of the most aggressive marketing campaigns I can remember, up there with the Crazy Frog back in the day.

  • @Doley99
    @Doley99 5 років тому +1

    Riding this at scarefest in the dark is a must. It's my favourite ride in the dark.

  • @evanredacted7977
    @evanredacted7977 5 років тому +5

    I'm gonna have to make a trip to Britain some day just to go to Alton Towers.

  • @DanWithTheCam1
    @DanWithTheCam1 5 років тому +21

    I went for my 13th birthday and I'm going again for my 18th birthday

  • @zackleburg7429
    @zackleburg7429 2 роки тому +2

    I love that clip of the guy falling, i laugh every time

  • @eleanorligon7941
    @eleanorligon7941 Рік тому +1

    I got to ride the Verbolten at Bush Gardens Williamsburg and had no idea about the drop part so my husband and I nearly had a heart attack;) that ended up being one of our favorite coasters in the park that day, cool to learn the history of the first one.

  • @violetpixie7224
    @violetpixie7224 5 років тому +4

    *Ooh! I love this ride so much!*
    _Tbh Alton Towers is more or less my second home so I love all the rides :)_

    • @assassinanimations1412
      @assassinanimations1412 5 років тому

      Pink Pixie I kinda liked it but my friend hates it because it’s the drop

  • @Harry-tx2kh
    @Harry-tx2kh 5 років тому +10

    You should should do a video about splash landings the hotel ✌️

  • @Lordmrgrumps
    @Lordmrgrumps 5 років тому +2

    This is my favourite coaster at Scarefest. It’s great scuttling through the Forrest in the dark.

  • @jasonbaylor9865
    @jasonbaylor9865 4 роки тому +2

    "that ride was a bit timid" sums up the park really, except nemisis and smiler.

  • @abagar2000
    @abagar2000 4 роки тому +3

    Th13teen: If you... Go down... To the woods... Today... You'll find me. Hi. I'm Th13teen. Sorry about my appearance, but I'm really not as scary as I look. My ride is basically a family coaster, but the freefall drop is my claim to fame, I guess.
    Nemesis: To be honest, I have mixed feelings towards Th13teen. She has a great world's first element, but other than that it isn't too special.
    Oblivion: As much as I want to take her seriously as a proper thrill ride, it can be very difficult for me to do so because of it's lack of big thrills. The freefall drop is fantastic though.
    Air: I'm glad that Alton Towers wanted to introduce a unique element for Th13teen, but a family coaster just wasn't the type of ride to put it in.
    Rita: I still can't get over when she killed Corkscrew. I mean, come on! He was my best friend for a long time, and you had to get rid of him just so you could fit! Not cool.
    Smiler: I actually like Th13teen. Not enough people can say that, but I can. The theming is fantastic, the ride is very smooth, and the freefall drop is probably the most underrated world's first element in the park. I just hope more people are willing to give it a chance.
    Wicker Man: I think it's because of the theming and promotion of Th13teen that really made her the "art critic" of the Towers. She's always supportive of rides with great themes and backstories, and that's something that I can kinda appreciate her for.

  • @coasterobsessed3430
    @coasterobsessed3430 5 років тому +13

    #whatsintheshed
    wait... wrong over-hyped secret building coaster

  • @JessAshton97
    @JessAshton97 9 місяців тому +1

    It's a lot better during the scarefest as the track is also in the dark outside - I've always thought thirteen could really benefit from utilising the spooky girl a bit more, having a live actor or rather animatronics for safety would really do bits. Imagine the raith trying to grab at you or the girl running at you.

  • @lauravturner
    @lauravturner 4 роки тому

    I saw all the adverts at the time, but I had never been to a major theme park before and didn't really expect to get to go.
    The opportunity arrose however, when I sat on the school house council and we were able to arrange it as the end of year trip (as it's about 40 miles away from here).
    Having seen the teaser adverts but not the ride itself, we chose to ride it first. The wait was 3 and a half hours. The wait was a rollercoaster by itself because as a group of 14 year olds, we had never really had to wait for anything that long. We went through excitement, cooldown, lull, boredom, annoyance, anger, cold frustration, quiet... Then reaching the inside waiting area... Intrigue... Hype... Back to excitement. We didn't know what the ride was but we wanted to be on it.
    When it was relatively dull and slow, we were a little miffed... Feeling a little conned.
    Pulling into the station, we were annoyed and completely off guard... So suddenly when the ride was not actually ending, but instead, pulling into a creepy shrine, we were totally got by the fall and the backwards tunnel.
    ... After getting off the ride, we were finally sure of how we felt about it: That it was completely worth the wait.

  • @adventuresbyalex6511
    @adventuresbyalex6511 5 років тому +16

    Please do one on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Ride and one on the bubble ride at Chessington and the London Dungeon.

    • @latte1608
      @latte1608 5 років тому

      The bubble ride is gone

    • @Eliteerin
      @Eliteerin 5 років тому

      @@latte1608 fuck sakes I loved that bubble ride

    • @latte1608
      @latte1608 5 років тому

      @@Eliteerin same

    • @Oodelally
      @Oodelally 3 роки тому

      The bubble ride was my first roller coaster :(

  • @sulphuric_glue4468
    @sulphuric_glue4468 5 років тому +7

    Unrelated to the video, but who else thinks that a thrill ride themed around DOOM would be amazing? I think about it a lot

    • @thecinematicmind
      @thecinematicmind 5 років тому

      Would made a better dark ride

    • @sulphuric_glue4468
      @sulphuric_glue4468 4 роки тому +1

      @@thecinematicmind If it was themed around Doom 3 then yes, but certainly not the new games, the balls to the wall action in Doom 2016 and Doom Eternal fits a thrill ride

  • @HenryAnderson_
    @HenryAnderson_ 5 років тому +1

    Another incredible video!

  • @ProtoBlueGaming
    @ProtoBlueGaming Рік тому

    I've ridden a drop coaster (Verbolten) and it absolutely scared the crap out of me when it dropped. It was one of the best rides I've ever ridden. I had absolutely NO idea what was going to happen when the train stopped in the darkness.

  • @hobowithabass4034
    @hobowithabass4034 5 років тому +3

    It's still a great ride eitherway

  • @bartvandenaker2237
    @bartvandenaker2237 5 років тому +14

    When is a new expedition Efteling coming?

  • @0yal569
    @0yal569 4 роки тому

    love finding underrated gems of youtube channels

  • @suitsyousir1980
    @suitsyousir1980 5 років тому

    Great vid as always

  • @smilerpunk922
    @smilerpunk922 5 років тому +5

    For me I ironically like it. It sucks and I know that but I cant help but like it because of it!

  • @AirtimeThrills
    @AirtimeThrills 5 років тому +6

    Overselling it is good in the short term but can piss people off long term. Not sure how many people were mad enough not to come back for that reason

  • @rad6666
    @rad6666 4 роки тому

    Loving these videos mate.

  • @citizenofcorona8783
    @citizenofcorona8783 5 років тому +1

    I'm glad you're the only theme park person who is talking about attractions other than Star Wars Galaxy's Edge