Alton Towers closes iconic theme park ride after 44 years of service

The oldest ride at Alton Towers is closing after being in business for more than 40 years. The theme park says it’s come out of their plans to refresh the popular tourist attraction.

The Blade, which entertained more than 500,000 people every year, has closed for good.

The ride was first called Pirate Ship when it opened 44 years ago.

It is known for swinging ‘through the air, back and forth,’ and even reaches a moment of zero gravity.

The Alton Towers website states: ‘Float free from your seat and leave your stomach floating somewhere above you.

‘As it flies back and forth, this pendulum swing reaches near-vertical angles.’

Operators of the popular theme park have said the closure of one if its most popular rides comes as the park is ‘making changes to its rides and attractions line up.’

An Alton Towers spokesperson said: ‘Reaching the end of its technical life, the Resort will bid farewell to its current oldest ride, The Blade, with it being retired after 44 years of operation.’

The news of the ride closing has left rollercoaster-lovers ‘gutted.’

One fan said: ‘The blade will always be the legend pirate ship, this will be missed greatly.’

It’s not the only feature of Alton Towers which visitors have said goodbye to this year though.

The theme park announced that it was shutting its spa back in January after more than 21 years.

The facility featured a host of water-based activities including a pool, whirlpool, jacuzzi, Edwardian sauna and a steam room.

Alton Towers previously said the difficult decision was ‘essential for the future growth and development of the resort.’

Two more rides, Flavio’s Fabulous Fandago and the Alton Towers Dungeon, will also not reopen when the park returns to action in March 2025.

A theme park spokesperson added: ‘Evaluating our line-up of attractions is an ongoing process that occurs at the end of each theme park season, with continued reinvestment in our world-class rides and attractions always front and centre as we look to deliver fantabulous memories to everyone that visits our Resort.

‘With the Phalanx having maxed out the potential of its swinging blade, they are committed to bringing a new weapon to Forbidden Valley ready for 2025.’

When the park reopens next year, its new Alton Towers’ Project Ocean will be in full fruition.

The new 18 metre attraction will replace the existing Funk n Fly ride according to plans.

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