Much-loved Alton Towers ride that’s been closed for more than a year to finally reopen this autumn

A POPULAR attraction at Alton Towers is finally set to reopen, following "extended maintenance" that has seen it shut for almost a year.

In an update, the park's divisional director Bianca Sammut revealed how "new technology and effects" had been added to the ride, which she promised would be open again soon.

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Hex, the park's "walk-through dark ride," has been closed since summer 2023 for maintenance work, but had initially been expected to reopen earlier this year.

However, Bianca admits the maintenance work that has been carried out was "more than we had initially scoped".

She said more had to be done to ensure that the attraction can reliably operate once it's finally reopened.

Additionally, the park has also introduced what it's described as "exciting changes, which we know you will absolutely love" to the ride, which Bianca confirmed is set to reopen again after the summer.

She said: "Earlier this year we said that we had planned to open Hex later this season and that's still absolutely the case.

"It's probably, realistically, looking like autumn."

Also providing updates on the ride was Simon Horsley, Alton Towers' head of technical design.

He explained that Hex now has a completely refurbished lighting system, with an extra 200 lights, which allows them "to be much more dramatic and much more theatrical" with the ride.

They have also updated special effects, refurbished smoke and haze machines and improved the quality of the audio and visual recordings played throughout the experience.

Simon added: "All the way through we've completely refurbished the whole attraction. It's really enhanced the storytelling."

The story is one aspect of the experience that Simon and his team were keen not to play around with, as they were aware of how much fans enjoyed that aspect of Hex before its closure.

He continued: "We didn't want to change the story, or the creative aspect of the ride because it's so iconic.

"What we wanted to do was to retain media content and the original soundtrack with new technical twists that are bringing the attraction up to date."

An actual date for Hex's reopening has not been given just yet, but is expected in due course.

Bianca said she cannot wait for guests to be able to go on the ride again, once it's up and running after work and testing have all been completed.

She added: "We have really doubled down on the whole attraction to make the whole experience the best that it can possibly be.

"This reflects our continued passion for dark rides and level of immersion we want to achieve with this type of attraction.

"We cannot wait to welcome you back - I know that Hex is more than just a ride, it's a legend and we're proud to be part of its legacy."

Fans of the ride took to social media to express their excitement at one of their favourite rides reopening soon.

One wrote: "Absolutely buzzing after hearing about the updates and improvements they’re making."

Another said: "Brilliant, I love this ride. So glad it's getting some long overdue love and attention."

A third added: "The Hex refurb looks incredible!"

Meanwhile, this new VIP experience is available for visitors to Alton Towers - and only costs £10.

And this is what it's like to ride Nemesis Reborn after it reopened at the park earlier this year.