Spinball Whizzer
{{Short description|Steel spinning roller coaster}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2012}}
{{Infobox roller coaster
|name = Spinball Whizzer
|previousnames = Sonic Spinball (2010–15)
|image =Spinballwhizzerride.png
|caption =
|location = Alton Towers
|section = The Towers
|type = Steel
|type2 = Spinning
|status = Operating
|opened = {{Start date|2004|3|27|df=yes}}
|year = 2004
|manufacturer = Maurer AG
|track =
|lift = Chain lift hill
|height_m = 17
|drop_m =
|length_m = 470
|speed_km/h = 60
|inversions = 0
|duration = 1:15{{Clarification needed|date=January 2025|1 hour and 15 minutes or 1 minute and 15 seconds?}}
|angle =
|capacity = 950
|cost = £3,500,000
|acceleration =
|gforce =3
|restriction_cm = 120-195{{Cite web|url=https://www.altontowers.com/plan-your-visit/resort-information/height-restrictions/|title=Theme Park Height Restrictions|website=Alton Towers Resort}}
|virtual_queue_name = Fastrack
|virtual_queue_image = AltonTowersFastTrack.svg
|virtual_queue_status = available{{cite web |title=FastTrack Passes |url=https://www.altontowers.com/theme-park/extras/fastrack/#packages |publisher=Alton Towers}}
|single_rider = is available{{cite web |title=DO YOU OPERATE SINGLE RIDER QUEUELINES? |url=https://support.altontowers.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002576232-Do-you-operate-single-rider-queuelines- |website=support.altontowers.com |publisher=Merlin Entertainments Group}}
|rcdb_number = 2472
|coordinates = {{coord|52.988915|-1.89457|display=title,inline}}
|logo=}}
Spinball Whizzer is a spinning roller coaster located in the Adventure Land area of Alton Towers in Staffordshire, England. Built by Maurer Söhne, it was previously sponsored by Sega, the company that created the Sonic the Hedgehog video game franchise, and was known as Sonic Spinball from 2010 to 2015.
History
Opening in 2004, Spinball Whizzer featured a loose pinball machine theme. The name was a pun on the song "Pinball Wizard" by The Who. In 2010, it was announced that Spinball Whizzer would be receiving a Sonic the Hedgehog re-brand as part of a partnership with Japanese video game company Sega.{{cite news|last1=Dickens|first1=Anthony|title=SEGA Confirms Alton Towers Tie-In|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2010/01/sega_confirms_alton_towers_tie_in|accessdate=14 March 2016|publisher=Nintendo Life|date=24 January 2010}} The roller coaster was therefore given a red and blue track repaint; new decoys, signage and audio, including songs from the games and station announcements provided in-character by Roger Craig Smith as Sonic, prior to his official debut as the character in Sonic Free Riders. The ride re-opened to the public as Sonic Spinball on 13 February 2010 during the park's February half term event. A Sonic-themed room was also made available at the Alton Towers Hotel, which featured various playable Sonic games and wallpaper based on Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sonicstadium.org/2010/02/exclusive-photos-of-the-sonic-suite-at-alton-towers/|title=SPOnG Exclusive: Photos of the Sonic Suite at Alton Towers|date=13 February 2010}}
Sega previously had a deal with Alton Towers for the Toyland Tours dark ride. A Sonic animatronic featured in one of the ride's scenes along with associated sound effects and music. However, the ride was closed for refurbishment in June 2005 to make way for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Ride, and currently the Alton Towers Dungeons. Sega's sponsorship was set to end in 2013 as part of the three-year deal. At the end of 2013, the sponsorship was renewed, and continued until 2016.{{Citation needed|date=May 2014}}
On 2 June 2015, the ride was temporarily closed, owing to an accident on The Smiler at Alton Towers. Sonic Spinball reopened on 15 June 2015.{{cite web|url=http://riderater.co.uk/2015/alton-towers-reopens-rides-following-accident/#more-5022|title=Alton Towers reopens rides following accident|date=15 June 2015|publisher=Ride Rater|accessdate=13 July 2015}} The ride's original Spinball Whizzer theme was restored for the 2016 season as part of an area of the park called Adventure Land.{{cite web|url=http://ridetimes.co.uk/|title=Alton Towers Ridetimes|date=15 June 2015|publisher=Ridetimes|accessdate=12 March 2016}}
See also
- Dragon's Fury, a similar roller coaster at sister park Chessington World of Adventures
References
{{reflist}}
{{Alton Towers}}
{{John Wardley}}
Category:Roller coasters in the United Kingdom
Category:Roller coasters operated by Merlin Entertainments
Category:Tourist attractions in Staffordshire
Category:Buildings and structures in Staffordshire
Category:Roller coasters introduced in 2004