Did you ride The Black Hole? What did you think! Next time on Expedition Alton Towers we head around the world in 80s days and into the toy factory! Make sure you subscribe to join the Expedition and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for updates! twitter.com/expthemepark

@KeyToAeris2024

2 жыл бұрын

Expedition Theme Park you gotta talk about Carowinds some day they have some amazing rides just got back from there especially Fury 325

@-abacchus

2 жыл бұрын

I rode the Blackhole and realised it was almost identical to The Beast. Good fun, but always found the 'tent' a bit of an eyesore.

@higg873

2 жыл бұрын

I rode it once at my first visit to Alton Towers (circa 2002, I think?). I enjoyed it, though it was a bit rough

@foxworthyyoutube9385

2 жыл бұрын

I remember this ride at Alton Towers ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

@BrickWorks19

2 жыл бұрын

How many times are you gonna use that th13teen clip?

I remember when me my mom and my gran were heading to Alton Towers in 2013, we forgot to tell my gran that The Black Hole was no longer there and when she saw the smiler she just went "..........What the bloody hell is that?"

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

Hahah quite the shock that change

@PastelDust22

2 жыл бұрын

@@ExpeditionThemePark she originally thought that they just removed the tent and we were all like “n-no….it’s a new ride..How in what world makes you think THAT could fit in a tent “ Still gutted that I never got the chance to go on the Black hole :/

@purrgatory8022

2 жыл бұрын

@@PastelDust22 I would’ve gone on it too

@nickbarnett1942

2 жыл бұрын

Hahaha did she go on it? 😂

@PastelDust22

2 жыл бұрын

@@nickbarnett1942 nah it was shut when we went.Finally went on it this year tho and it was UNREAL!!!I dragged my mam on it three times XDD

Thank you so much for this one... I worked as a Host on this Ride way back in 1994. Despite my only season on The Black Hole, I worked with an amazing team, some of which I am still friends with today. Seeing this video really put a proper lump in my throat watching as so many memories flooded back. I will never forget the excitement of going into work every morning, having our daily briefings on the platform, before we started our Break Testing session before the park opened to the public. I truly was a great Ride to work on and so many fondly memorable experiences. Thank you!

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

I really liked the steampunk re-theme of the Black Hole. Especially as it was a nice contrast to the (at the time) cold techno-futuristic approach employed in the rest of the X-sector. I feel that theme parks in general could do more with that whole 'A Trip To The Moon' aesthetic as it's both retro and timeless at the same time.

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

Me too! Would of love to have seen what happened with the plan

@Mark_Hafer

2 жыл бұрын

Phantasialand in Germany has an entirely new immersive steam punk land with a flying coaster that opened earlier this year.

@BuckarooBanzai84

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely! it even solves the whole "Tomorrowland" paroblem! =)

I conned my coaster fearing girlfriend into going on this, telling her it was a slow dark ride. It was a baptism of fire as we were going to Florida later in the year. After we got off she hit me in floods of tears. 10 mins later she went on Nemesis and now loves coasters. She is also now my wife… This ride is my towers childhood ride. I didn’t like the corkscrew as the seats were painful. This is a great retrospective. Cheers.

@coreyhiggins3475

2 жыл бұрын

Great story!

@CreativeCreatorCreates

2 жыл бұрын

I love your story! My mom tricked me into getting on a rickety wooden coaster at Kings Dominion in Virginia (the grizzly I believe it was called). I never wanted to go on coasters and she loved them. My dad came too. He was in a seat in front of us. I screamed such bloody murder that he hurt himself trying to look back. It ruined the whole trip lol I do however, like coasters now.

@epsilonzero77

2 жыл бұрын

She was put off for years after going on the Great Yarmouth coaster/train as a child. Look it up. It has someone sat in the middle pulling on the brakes to slow it down and stop at the end. It is by modern standards somewhat terrifying!

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

That’s amazing!

@TheFanBoy1233

2 жыл бұрын

Went from Bf & Gf to Husband and Wife such a good story. I agree with you on the seats tho. But I will miss The Black Hole Tremendously.

I actually love the Alton towers series so far it’s so interesting I’m obsessed 😭🤚

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

My mom still talks about this ride today if we are reminiscing about trips as kids. She always said she could feel my sister rising out of the seat between my moms legs during the ride. Mom trapped my sister in her legs, wrapped her arms around her and was using her head to push down on my sister to keep her in her seat. The ride photo was mental and a source of comedy for years in our family.

This was the first proper roller coaster I ever rode! By the end of that day, I'd done Corkscrew and Nemesis which both put Black Hole in its place, but this would always have a special place in my heart!

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

Haha such a classic !

@StraightHeffin

Жыл бұрын

Dude, same!

This coaster looks… intents!!! Get it? Cause it’s in a tent? * crickets * I’ll see myself out….

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

Dang wish i had wrote that!

I'm always glad when you do videos like this. I've never visited Efteling, Alton Towers or Tivoli Gardens. My only knowledge of them comes from downloading RCT and RCT3 maps back in the day, then consulting the park's webpage. What you do gives me a lot more depth and meaning. Keep these coming.

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

Hope you get to visit!

This was honestly my favourite at the park (though enterprise could take that spot every now and again) and I was gutted when they removed it for the smiler. I know parks have to change to keep up with the times but it was honestly just a really good coaster

I remember my first visit to Alton Towers, I wasn't tall enough to ride Oblivion or Nemesis but I was able to ride the Black Hole. I rode it 3 times and loved it, I remember making my mom ride with me and she hated it. lol

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

Haha it was fun!!

Wow The Black Hole. I rmb Defunctland's episode on it, and it sent shivers at how dangerous this...thing is. And honestly, that's why I love theme parks, it's the stories of seemingly innocuous rides that become more than just machines, but lore.

I miss the black hole is was and still is one of my favourite rides at. When you talk about UK rides it just sends me right back t my childhood and I love 🥰

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

A classic for sure

@catherinebusher2296

2 жыл бұрын

@@ExpeditionThemePark Most definitely. Loved the vids where camerlot is mentioned, that was my childhood theme park every school trip, birthday Christmas you name it it was there there's so much nostalgia and memories in your videos and then also I get to but rides and places on my radar that I never hear off keep it please x

As someone who grew up the exact middle of the United States, this is the ride I would go back in time just to ride once at the height of its popularity. So iconic, so unique, just pure what us theme park obsessed individuals chase.

I used to absolutely adore this ride when I was younger. I feel like Alton Towers sorely misses a dark family ride like this.

That music by Rijko near the end was giving me proper Never Ending Story vibes! Hits you right in the feels. I got to ride the Black Hole a couple of times in the early 2000s, and remember it being a really unique experience, especially with that spiral lift hill amping up the anticipation.

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

Yep!’

I loved this ride, it was the story of legends in my family. It was one of most terrifying attractions in the UK it was intense for a small coaster and every year I measured myself to see if it was time for me to face the challenge. One year I got that 198X and was the the best ride I had ever ridden. I was so hyped I was allowed to queue to ride again which must have took ages in the summer. I got there and was measured too small and sent down the exit to a flood of tears I hated the staff so much, next year I grew taller and I never looked back. Still even after Nemesis it was still my number one on park and I was lucky to be there at the final goodbye. Great video and great to see myself in the footage that others provided.

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

I loved it too!

Amazing how something simple like a Jetstar was revolutionary if presented the right way! Honestly, it looks like the actual ride experience was similar to Orlando’s version of Revenge of the Mummy

This was the first Dark Ride Roller-coaster I ever rode, so will always hold a special place in my heart. Didn't know the ride was still out their being used.

As a frequent visitor to Alton Towers I was massively gutted when the black hole was removed, I loved that ride and the darkness definetly upgraded it from something mediocre to something very unique.

These expedition extinct videos really tug at the heart strings! I only went on The Black Hole once, in 2004 (I wasn’t tall enough before that) but even then I remember waiting a long time, so it was still hugely popular! As I waited with my friends in the (really well themed) queue line we didn’t quite know what kind of ride to expect but oh my it was so much fun! I do miss it now, especially as The Smiler is too intense for me. The song at the end of this video is amazing! 🥰

I always love these Alton towers videos

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you

To be honest i think the fact the ride was located within a tent helped it alot. As it didnt have to deal with natural elements. ( rain, sun, wind ect ) i bet if it wasnt undercover the coaster would have been scrapped or removed a lot earlier than 2005. Still glad its operating tho! 😊

I miss the black hole in a big way especially when the weather takes a turn! If there is anything that Towers could do with some day in the future it’s a modern indoor rollercoaster of some description. I can say the same for Pleasure Beach as well.

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

I agree!

@mikekaraoke

2 жыл бұрын

I really miss when-Space Invader was at PB, although still glad it is still operating but as Astro Storm at Brean Leisure Park(sure you know)) Where you from Doug??

@dougbriglmen716

2 жыл бұрын

@@mikekaraoke I’m from a town called Penicuik which is about 20 to 25 minutes south of Edinburgh.

@Gamerboss40YT

Жыл бұрын

There have been rumors that the next secret weapon might be an indoor coaster.

@dougbriglmen716

Жыл бұрын

@@Gamerboss40YT Yeah I’ve heard about that, my God, I hope that turns out to be the case🤞🙏

I loved the black hole! I rode it first in 94 as I was too small for the nemesis and thunder looper. Just remember being tall enough to get on it and absolutely loving it. I wish I still had the pictures of all the times I visited Alton towers.

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

Good times!

@dayglofreak81

2 жыл бұрын

That Thunder Looper was bloody terrifying! Looked quite innocuous but didn't feel like there was sufficient g on the backward loop and you would come out of the seat upside down restrained by the fixed harness. Think they dismantled it as it breached safety regs when the train got to within 6ft of the end of the track 80ft up!

In 1984 my parents took my brothers and me on a surprise trip to Alton Towers. We had no idea they'd been planning it but the moment we saw the brown sign on the motorway we shouted "Black Hole"! Back then it was completely pitch black with no lights at all from what I can remember. At 14 years old it was the highlight of my year.

Just now I realized your videos have subtitles in Portuguese lol. Well, anyways your narration is so well done that I'll keep sticking with the audio only, but very nice to see that you take your time to do that. These tiny details make all the difference.

So glad I was able to ride this before it closed in 2003 I think it was but god the queue was LONG! I actually didn’t realise it was a quite simple coaster felt a lot more intense when riding. Nice to see it’s still going even if it’s not there anymore

its always epic when expedition theme park uploads

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

Woo!

Could you cover the old space invader at blackpool pleasure beach? One of my favourite rides I only got to experience once before it sadly closed down

Can’t wait till you do the Whizzer at Six Flags Great America. It’s 1 or 2 remaining Jumbo Jet Star 2 rollercoasters left in the world!

@RayLukard78

2 жыл бұрын

The other Jet Star 2 is at Lagoon Park in Farmington, Utah 😎😁 There are other Jet Star 2 coasters in Europe but I don't know where.🤔

@andykillsu

2 жыл бұрын

@@RayLukard78 I’m talking about JUMBO Jet Star 2…

13:08 This Disneyland Paris Space Mountain TV Spot Is Appears In The 1996 UK VHS Of Disney's Pocahontas And The 1995 Walt Disney Classics UK VHS Of Disney's The Lion King As Well Too. Thanks Mate. X

@RevanNaut

2 ай бұрын

Yep, I remember owning that VHS of Lion King 😊

Can you please make a vid on the history of “Cannibal” the rollercoaster at the theme park Lagoon, located in Farmington, Utah? Also I luv your vids keep up the good work!

Took my first trip to the UK and this was the first theme park I went to in the UK. Such a classic ride that will be tremendously missed. It was a good but sort of a copycat Space Mountain Ride. But it had something special about it. Thank you for the memories and nostalgia. To know this is the smiler now is just mind blowing.

So much nostalgia with this one! Can’t wait for the Toyland Tours Expedition - been waiting years for that

There was a similar coaster in The Netherlands. Operated from 1986 to 1990 and found in Avonturenpark Hellendoorn. It was called Black Hole with a Jet Stars 1 coaster with same theme in the dark.

Loved the Black Hole , first went on it on a school trip in the 80s, made me fall in love with theme parks which eventually led to a career at Universal Orlando .

I own all the fibre optic stars from the black hole thousands of them they are in my garden and still look fantastic, an electrician mate of mine took them out

I remember the 1st time I went to alton Tower as a child. I was too scared to go on any of the rollercoasters, and my mother and auntie told me the black hole was just something slow in the dark (can't remember their exact words) so I went onit and out of nowhere when the drop happens I was screaming and in tears 😂 tbh I think that helped me because everytime I went to alton towers after that, I went on all the rollercoasters and grew to love them! The fear is part of the buzz 😄

Love the fact that when the clip talking about X sector is going all I'm thinking is wow that is an perfect description of Alton towers local council Staffordshire council lol

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

Ha true

Yay! So excited for another Alton video :) I live in Orlando, and all of your videos have made me want to visit international parks I never knew of like Alton Towers and Efteling, thanks for sharing!

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

Hope you get to go some day!

@allieb5341

2 жыл бұрын

@@ExpeditionThemePark definitely planning on it! :)

Amazing video, I never did ride Black Hole at Alton Towers before it closed however I did ride it as Rocket at Furuvik!

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

That’s awesome!

YESSSSS ANOTHER EXPEDITION ALTON TOWERS!❤️❤️🎢🎢

Ahhhh the star cloth bit, it was amazing!!

Love hearing about rides from other parks from around the world. Thanks for another great video.

Just from the way that ending montage was edited I can tell that you really Appreciated Black Hole, long may it operate out in Sweden!

Thank you for a brilliant video. Ah, this brings back loads of great memories

Part of me always kinda wished I grew up in Europe to ride all these different rides. Every time I see a video on one I’m always fascinated by learning about it and how amazing it looked

My first trip to Alton was in 1984. You had to park in a field and just walk right in. No fancy monorail or entrance plaza back then! I remember the fashion of the time was big white tee shirts with frankie says relax on them. All the girls were wearing them round the park. There was a TV show called Hold Tight which they filmed in Talbot street. I think I was most excited by seeing the set than going on the rides! Anyway the Black hole was new and had a massive long queue but we just had to ride it. I could have sworn that first drop was vertical! Looks so lame with the lights on!

Wow this made my Sunday ! I was lucky enough to be taken to Alton Towers in 1980 when it all began . I remember the bob sleigh run and my dad falling off it 🤣 All the old footage and music brought back so many memories for me . I ve lost count how many times I’ve been there with parents , then friends , then my girlfriend who became my wife . My kids have been brought up visiting and they are 28 and. 22 now . We even have a granddaughter now who will be going as soon as she is old enough . We have so many amazing memories from this magical place , I even remember the sea loins in their pool near the battle galleons . As for the black hole it was such a special ride and I rode it so many times , always a go to whenever we visited . I was gutted to see it go and I was so happy to see it refurbished and still operating. Can’t wait for the toy land tours vid , we loved that attraction ...... bouncy castles ! 🏰😍😍 Thanks for this amazing video , beautifully put together , thoroughly enjoyed , sub button clicked 🧱👍🏼

That was great. I had no idea of this. I also liked the personal touch at the end -- well done

As usual I love your videos! That was fantastic!

Man. The random inclusion of that footage of the reporter on Th13rteen never gets old lol. One of my favorite running gags.

@pumpkinhead79000

2 жыл бұрын

yup

I’ve been waiting for this!

Amazing video as always Sam, it’s great to be able to look back on past attractions and hear about the history. Cheers as always

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Mark!

Your videos are always so fascinating. I love learning about the history of rides I have ridden and discovering new rides I'd have never known about otherwise.

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much

Rode it, loved it. And thank you for your clips, they are outstanding!

Really enjoying all these Alton videos, very detailed in all aspects. I rode The Black Hole many times all through the changes in names etc but had no idea about the modifications they made. Thanks

Really enjoy your videos, your channel helped and pushed me into becoming a enthusiast. Your documentaries are great!

I really really enjoy your videos and concepts! Thank you for your content!

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much

Brilliant episode, really enjoyed this one

Nice video Sam, Alton Towers content always popular I'd imagine. Think the park needs another ride like this indoor type as this and space invader at Blackpool had a certain mystique... Plus they accommodate the good old British weather if indoors.

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Great Video Man! Keep up the good work! 😀

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

We have a Jet Star 2 still operating at Lagoon in Utah. They recently modified ours with a separate unload platform for better throughput. I love that ride!

“also don’t you dare insult Henry” 😭😭😭💔💔 also the ride photo of you and your brother is brilliant 🥺😩😭

You better keep uploading these I’m addicted

Never ride The Black Hole, but I did ride Nightmares in Great Escape, Queensbury NY while visiting Lake George from Montreal. I believe both rides had the same layouts. The wait was sooo long, but worth it. It was so scary inside this pitch black building! I remember it was so loud inside. Keep up the great work :)

Excellent. Brings back many happy teenage memories

great vid, I was lucky enough to ride this before it closed, and the unknown of the ride really added to the experience!

Great episode dude!

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ash

Hi Sam. Another brilliant expedition.. thanks ! That music at the end remind me of the neverending story film

Somewhere I’ve got a photo of me and my mates riding the Black Hole wearing sunglasses. Definitely fond memories of this ride.

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

Haha classic

Yes a new Alton Towers vid! I actually went on the day this was uploaded! It's my home park + I'm quite sad I didn't get to ride this masterpiece

I love these type of videos, keep it up ❤️

I love your effort on these videos, it's nice to see the parks earlier years as well as history to even some modern rides. I was 10 when I went on this, barely could ride it before it left for good, Funny enough, when returning to Alton Towers at 14 (now big enough for the big coasters which was popping up everywhere) I never really had a good word to say on Black Hole, maybe its because i was young and forgot it but it was something i think i was too young to miss really. Seeing the Smiler in its place has become natural now, I try to visit the park yearly at least once and get hooked on these history videos. Went with work the other year and spent forever repeating your history lessons to them as we lined up in them lovely 60+ minute lines (mid-week).

Loved this ride!

This gotta be top 5 or top 3 theme park channels. The effort that must go into these is nuts.

Beautiful video! I really like your beloved black hole! (I mean.. the ride of course..)

Hahaha I knew the Thirteen clip would be in here somewhere 😂

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

Has to be!

Very interesting video and informative very explained one subject

0Ah, this was my first ever Coaster Experience! When I first rode Space Mountain, it reminded me so much of the Black Hole. Great video once again :)

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

Haha me too!

Another great video, I first went on The Black Hole in 2000 on a school trip and remember it being such fun :)

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

It was! Thank you

I live only an hour away from Alton towers an me an my family go a lot I am 14 but I love all the parks and since I am 14 I have never been on this but my dad has an he has seen Alton through the years an he says he thinks it’s the best park in the uk today so I love the vids on Alton an I love the vids in general I look forward to every upload keep up the work man can’t thank enough

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!@

well remember the Black Hole in its earliest form it was a fave scared the crap out of me the first time I rode it but still went back for more and rode it many times in the 80's

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

A classic!

i broke my wrist on the bobsled ride when i was 8 ...loved it!!

Exited for the next video, toyland tours was my favourite ride as a kid

How did I miss the post!?!?!? BTW, I got by my home park Carowinds yesterday and for the first time in 2 years I felt NORMAL AND FREE again! God I missed the coasters and I never thought I'd say even the crowds again!

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

Nice!! Glad you had a amazing time

Love this series

I LOVED this ride 💗💗 Makes sense now why I loved Space Mountain too

My dad still has our 1987 pic from the Black Hole. To this day its still the best ride, Nemesis being my #2

7:30 That guy has a Speed Skating jacket! That's awesome!

I think Dutch people have the same thing, but with python in the Efteling. It’s only a simple old looping coaster, but for a lot of Dutch children it was the first big coaster they would ride. Python will always have a special place in my heart!

Another great video

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@fmc9229

2 жыл бұрын

@@ExpeditionThemePark cool

Excellent video of the much missed Black Hole. Now I know where to find the eerie music which so added to the anticipated terror of the legendary black hole drop. It would be good if the park in Sweden enclosed it again and recreated this awesome experience. I hurt my neck on the first ride as I hadn't anticipated how intense the first turn would be and I was gripping the front bar frozen with fear. Both drops really lifted my stomach up like not many drops are able to do. Still gutted it's gone!

I never got to ride it sadly. But my dad loved it as he went on it a lot. It is still one of his favourite rides that ever operated at the park

Gutted I never got to experience this, but heard the ride had such a great legacy.

Black Hole was always a favourite of mine, such a great rollercoaster!

Expedition Theme Park! I was hoping for another Alton video! I can’t wait to see if you cover Spinball Whizzer/ Sonic Spinball!

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

I will!

@thelostrebel6475

2 жыл бұрын

@@ExpeditionThemePark Awesome! The Alton Towers expeditions are my favorite series of yours!

This one hit hard in the nostalgia feels! Didn’t expect the title photo to be you and your brother on the actual ride!

@ExpeditionThemePark

2 жыл бұрын

Yep!’