Duel is currently undergoing a revamp as a senior member of Merlin staff confirms that the ride will be taken back to its Haunted House roots. The Haunted House will return!
Whilst this information isn’t new to enthusiasts (especially with the hints towards Emily Alton and her backstory in some of the closing down marketing) a few extra details have been revealed about what we are to expect from the refurbishment.
The revamp will be a completely new story and retired Chief Development Officer at Alton Towers Mark ‘Fish’ Fisher confirmed to Stoke On Trent Live that the ride will be more like the original Haunted House (minus the laser guns) with Victorian techniques used throughout such as the use of mirrors.
A similar mirror technique is used in Phantom Manor at Disneyland Paris named Pepper’s Ghost, this effect is created by placing a display out of view and then projecting it into a transparent mirror known as a beamsplitter mirror to create this ghost-like illusion display.
The grand scale of the revamp is going to be ‘huge’ yet the opening date of the ride is yet to be confirmed although the start of the 2023 season is looking likely with the ride closing down early in the 2022 season to get the ride prepared and ready for an opening day revival.
Duel first opened as The Haunted House in 1992 and at the time was the largest ghost train in Europe. The ride was redesigned in 2003 with a zombie theme and featuring laser guns.
The Alton Towers Haunted House will return.
A post on the Alton Towers website says – in keeping with the ride’s spooky nature – says: “The ride has been closed and the building repossessed due to unnatural displays in the area. We are currently investigating and will share more details as soon as they become available. We do apologise for any convenience caused. Watch this space for more exciting details coming soon!”
