Rest in Peace, Duel
‘How’s This for an Establishing Shot?’
Duel! or Duel! The Haunted House Strikes Back is my all-time favourite ride at Alton Towers Resort — no cap. I’ve got a lot of love for this incredible haunted shooter ride that most people wouldn’t even whizz on if it burst into flames. However, I would, and I’d like to take the time, post whizz, to gush about this ride that we lost long before its time.
Duel would replace The Haunted House at Alton Towers in 2003. Often labelled a ‘generic haunted house shooter,’ Duel was anything but. The dark, dusky, and dusty halls provided the backdrop where you’d vanquish skeletons, wraiths, and peeling faces to best your adversary’s score — each time a unique experience. Passing under the iconic spider that lurked in the depths of its domain was a main highlight, which luckily remains in the updated ride. It gave customers an effective way to break up the day, something different from the ‘WORLDS FIRST’ thrills elsewhere in the park. It also allowed me to kick my partner’s ass in a best-of-three series for the ultimate bragging rights! Unfortunately, these alone weren’t enough to sustain this ride in the eyes of the paying public, which is fair enough as we can’t all be Duel fanatics.
In 2022, with little notice, the evil Alton Towers (I’m not bitter — I promise) disappointingly announced that my ‘favourite ride’ was closing towards the end of the season. I understand why they did this as Duel, save for a spike in popularity during the Halloween season, was an unpopular ride (a ‘ghost town,’ you might say). The closure felt like a complete misstep, as it was an absolute goldmine of potential. My thoughts on Duel’s replacement, The Curse at Alton Manor, will come later. For now, I’ll explore Duel’s — somewhat — illustrious legacy, being one of at least two fans this ride has, and how they can build upon it to make something genuinely great.
‘Sit Back for the Sequel of Your Dreams’
A new and improved Duel — the alternative to The Curse at Alton Manor. Does it need a new name? Probably, but it is inoffensive. So, Duel Two will be the name for the sake of this pitch. Scare actors? No, thank you. They won’t be going anywhere near this pitch, as they can be severely off-putting for many people, me included. Customers, however, aren’t deterred from riding without them.
Building on the foundations laid by Duel Two’s predecessor by adding a story — as Alton Manor received — would be the perfect first step towards Duel Two supremacy. The story would have to feature the contextualization of guns. Not adding context to the ride’s main feature feels flimsy. Yes, Duel did have a ‘story,’ but it was wafer-thin. I’m looking for something similar to the arcade game House of the Dead, but plagiarism isn’t my style. There is a multitude of other stories with the need for shooting. Ours just hasn’t been written yet.
Dark rides are either made or broken by the animatronics quality — given the ride includes them. Whatever story we hypothetically select will be null and void if the animatronics look sub-par. Yes, it may have a cheesy charm, but we had that previously with Duel. Now I’m not talking about the best Disney has to offer. If it were available, though, I wouldn’t say no. For me, the best ride to take inspiration from is (not quite Na’vi River Journey) Pirates of the Caribbean! Not too life-like and not too cheesy, the animatronics on this ride is the happy medium we are looking for and would be a perfect fit for Duel Two. Cheers, Walt.
Get Joshua Arnold’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
So, let’s talk costume design with the animatronics needing something to cover their modesty, and stage design, while we are at it. There are many places I could take inspiration from for a dark ride. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is an iconic ride whose look wouldn’t work for what I’m going for — but it’s impressive, nonetheless. I’d much prefer a practical set that has been meticulously designed and lovingly crafted, with some screens added throughout to complement and enhance the already elaborate set. You will pass through small (but long) dimly lit rooms akin to video game levels. Each with a unique aesthetic and is filled with Easter eggs that flesh out the lore of the ride. Animatronics will provide the scares or simply some unnerving atmosphere to give it that haunted house vibe. Ideally, they don’t trigger each time which would allow for the element of surprise for people that ride multiple times. Also, costuming is wholly dependent on the story and the aesthetic — as long as it fits the overall look, we’re onto a winner.
Essentially, I’d like a big grim campy claustrophobic haunted house that leaves everyone scared, entertained, and with a thirst to ride again & again. It sounds like I want Resident Evil: The Ride. Do you know what? I think I do.
‘There Goes the Neighbourhood’
The Curse at Alton Manor, otherwise known by some as ‘The Curse at Alty Mans’ or ‘Alty Mans’ for short, wasn’t the most heinous crime Alton Towers could have committed when replacing Duel — unceremoniously removing Enterprise to be replaced by ‘Renterprise’ might be though (I stole that one). So, let’s talk about Duel’s begrudging replacement. The Curse at Alton Manor is everything Derren Brown’s Ghost Train is not — a good Ghost Train (apologies if you enjoy that horror show at Thorpe Park — pun intended). I’d be doing Alton Manor dirty if I left my thoughts there.
Alton Manor lends itself to multiple rides where you’ll notice something new each time. The sheer amount they achieved in such a brief period is commendable, which elevates the already enjoyable ride experience. The icing on the cake is the tasty addition of an overarching story, something Duel woefully lacked. I could wax lyrical endlessly about Alton Manor. But I’ll stop before I spoil it for those still to experience it.
Once you have been whisked around the manor multiple times, discovering all the hidden details, it is at risk of getting old quickly. It lacks what made Duel so endearing, a unique experience each time. While unique ride experiences aren’t paramount for general enjoyment, in this instance, I think it is. I am saying this from a place of privilege, being a regular Alton Towers visitor. The casuals will presumably never tire of The Curse at Alton Manor. There is also the possibility that I’m wrong, and Alton Manor will go from strength to strength. Particularly if the additions further enhance this already enjoyable ride. I’m ready, willing, and able to admit that; I am wrong. Overall, 7/10.
‘Will You Make the Cut?’
Updating Duel will always be my preference, but that doesn’t mean Alton Manor isn’t a fitting replacement for a stalwart of a bygone era at Alton Towers. Though it will be gone, the happy memories will be with us always. Despite its stuttering start, I’m confident Alton Manor will stand on its own and become the icon it deserves to be, entertaining many Alton Towers visitors for years to come — once they’ve made the final additions.
Rest in peace, Duel.
