NEWS FROM ALTON TOWERS

New Rollercoaster, Th13teen, Proves Lucky for one Builder

Alton Towers Resort calls in Harley Street hypnotherapist to cure coaster builder of his life long phobia of the number 13 (Tridecaphobia)

44 year old Paul McNicol has conquered a debilitating phobia of the number 13, enabling him to return to work on the new £15m Alton Towers Resort ride of the same name.

Resort bosses, determined that the project is completed on time, have resorted to hiring hypnotherapist Bonita Rayner-Jones, for Paul to undergo an intensive treatment course.

The Site Manager from Staffordshire is partly responsible for ensuring that the ride’s secret element is correctly installed. Never before has so much theme park technology been combined in one ride, proving a challenge for designers and builders alike. The ultimate thrill ride, Th13teen will join a long line of world first attractions at the Alton Towers Resort including "Nemesis", "Oblivion" and "Air".

When the name was revealed in December it provoked an intense reaction from Paul. “He literally couldn’t get further than the front entrance to the park without breaking out in a cold sweat,” said Bonita, who has been helping phobics overcome their fears for several years as an experienced member of the National Council for Hypnotherapy and a Certified Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP).

“Tridecaphobia, or a fear of the number 13 is a surprisingly common problem for many people. Working with a combination of intensive hypnotherapy techniques, we were able to finally tackle the problem, once and for all.”

Paul, who has worked on the construction of some of the world’s top rollercoasters has suffered from a fear of the number 13 ever since he can remember, leaving him crippled by an intense paranoia and anxiety in everyday life.

Paul explains: “I’d always been slightly ashamed of my phobia, it’s pretty embarrassing, especially for a 44 year old man. It can be perceived as trivial, or even just a simple superstition, but it’s not.”

“I couldn’t have imagined entering a house that was numbered 13, visiting the 13th floor of any building or even reading the 13th page of a book, the list really was endless!”

“The treatment was intensive and pretty emotional at times. Before I just couldn’t bear the thought of going to work; now I can’t wait to return and put the finishing touches to the secret element! To be honest I’m surprised and amazed that I’m saying the word 13 right now.”

In the UK, roughly 2.5 million, or nearly 4.25% of the population suffer from phobias of varying degrees.

Morwenna Angove, Sales and Marketing Director at the Alton Towers Resort said: “We take all our employees welfare very seriously and are thrilled that Paul had such a positive response to hypnotherapy. Paul is integral to the project and the team would be lost without him. We’re all looking forward to having him back on site.” Continuing, “Located in an area of unexplored woodland known as the dark forest, Th13teen will take guests on an ultimate ride, exploiting rider’s vulnerabilities and playing with their minds. We’re excited that the Alton Towers Resort is able to offer visitors the chance to experience something unavailable in any other part of the world, which will be every ride you’ve ever dreamed of in one!”
The Ultimate Rollercoaster, Th13teen, launches on 20th March 2010!

In a bid to help thrill seekers experience Th13teen, the Alton Towers Resort is offering free hypnotherapy treatment to sufferers of Tridecaphobia.
To find out more about the Alton Towers Resort hypnotherapy offer, bookings for which are being offered on a first-come, first-served basis in January 2010, please contact phobia@alton-towers.com


For more information on the launch of Th13teen visit www.altontowers.com



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For further information please call 0207 693 6999 or email altontowers@frankpr.it

Notes to editors:

MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS GROUP is the leading name in location based, family entertainment, and has seen the most successful and dynamic growth of any company in the sector over the last five years. The world’s second largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin has 59 attractions and six hotels/ 2 holiday villages in 13 countries and across 3 continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its 35 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and 13,500 employees. Merlin Entertainments operates the following attractions – SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND, The Merlin Entertainments London Eye, Dungeons, Gardaland, LEGOLAND Discovery Centres, Alton Towers Resort, Warwick Castle, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures and Zoo, Underwater Adventures, Heide Park and Earth Explorer.
Bonita Rayner-Jones, BA (Hons), Dip.C.Hyp, MNCH is an experienced National Council for Hypnotherapy registered Hypnotherapist and a Certified Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP). She is also a member of the Telegraph's Health & Wellbeing Specialists & the NHS Trust.
Bonita is a professional, full time, female hypnotherapist based in Harley Street, London and Blackheath. She has helped thousands clients with a variety of issues ranging from stopping smoking and weight management to phobias, stress and anxiety, confidence building, eating disorders plus many more.
Bonita's working ethos is instilling a belief in her clients that they have the capability and tools to overcome their problems and with this belief system in place, change is often dramatic and fast. Her approach is compassionate, friendly and warm coupled with exceptionally high standards. She is fully committed to helping her clients overcome difficulties and reach their full potential through the use of hypnotherapy, task setting, NLP, EFT and the teaching of self-hypnosis.
Bonita trained at Regents College, London in the practice of Cognitive Hypnosis but her training did not stop there, she has also received specialist training at the London College of Clinical Hypnosis in Eating Disorders, Psychosexual problems, Smoking cessation, Trichotillomania and many more conditions. This expanse of training in both Cognitive and Clinical Hypnosis means that a variety of techniques have been studied during training rather than just one approach enabling her to treat clients from a solid, ethical and well rounded background. She holds the first nationally recognised Diploma in Hypnotherapy from the NCFE.
Bonita is a Member of the National Council of Hypnotherapy (N.C.H) and the General Hypnotherapy Register (G.H.R), adhering to their code of ethics at all times and is covered by their Indemnity Insurance.

NEWS FROM ALTON TOWERS

Alton Towers Resort today launches World’s first breakfast with ‘stay down’ guarantee

Despite offering a wide variety of breakfast options at the Alton Towers Resort, it has been noted that some individuals have been choosing not to take breakfast prior to enjoying the UK’s top thrill rides for fear of seeing it again!

In response to this trend Alton Towers Resort today launches the worlds first all-you-can-eat “Rider’s Breakfast” with a unique guarantee: that it stays down or your money back!

Working with renowned scientist Dr David Lewis, Resort bosses are so convinced the meal will live up to it’s guarantee they are offering a full refund to anyone who is unwell. For any cheats that may try to scam the Resort, all breakfasts will come with a bespoke motion sickness bag. Any guests wishing to claim will simply have to present the ‘full’ bag to a member of staff. Ride hosts will be monitoring usage.

Dr David Lewis said: “The ‘Rider’s Breakfast’ is a wholesome and easily digestible meal, low on the Glycemic Index and including fresh fruit with low acidity and protein. Our bespoke breakfast provides all the energy visitors to the park need for a day of riding rollercoasters - but with none of the nausea!”

Morwenna Angove, Sales and Marketing Director at the Alton Towers Resort said “Alton Towers Resort has the best combination of thrilling rides in the UK, so it’s no wonder some guests may feel occasionally queasy should they choose to ride them again and again. We’re launching the new ‘Rider’s Breakfast’ with the unique ‘stay-down’ guarantee to ensure that guests can remain fully nourished while enjoying a full day of exhilaration at the theme park.”

The Rider’s Breakfast has been launched by the Alton Towers Resort to mark the launch of Adrenalin Week. Adrenalin Week runs 2nd – 7th November and celebrates the end of the theme park season with nothing but pure adrenalin-pumping thrill rides from 10-4pm everyday. To book tickets including a 10 unlimited rides for £10 offer visit www.altontowers.com

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For further information and images, please contact Frank PR on 0207 693 6999 / 07946069051 or email altontowers@frankpr.it



Notes to editors:

RIDER’S BREAKFAST MEAL BY DR DAVID LEWIS

Yoghurt mixed with blueberries, Granola and honey.

The Yoghurt provides protein for energy as well as digestion aiding bacteria. Blueberries are rich in chemicals called anthocyanins, and phytochemicals believed to play a role in reducing inflammation that can occur when we feel nauseous. The Granola and honey help you feel full and provide additional energy.

Grilled organic bacon in whole meal bap with tomato.

These provide an excellent source of easily digested nourishment which, being low on the Glycemic Index, help ensure that this is released slowly but surely across the morning.

Celery juice with carrot and ginger.

Ginger is well known for its nausea combating powers; the carrot provides essential vitamins while celery has been used for centuries to relieve pain. It also contains 3-N-butyl-phthalide a compound shown to lower blood pressure in animal studies.

Dr David Lewis has made a special study of people’s reactions to white knuckle rides and believes that eating the right kind of breakfast before setting out for a day of roller coaster rides is essential to enjoying the experience to the full. “When we go on ride we experience what I term ‘fun fear’.

“Your brain and body react as if you were in real danger even though, intellectually, you are well aware that the ride, however dangerous it appears is actually completely safe. Excitement triggers what is called our body’s fight or flight response, which causes an increase in heart rate and sweating. At the same time digestion is slowed down, which explains why when queuing for a ride you may notice your mouth has gone dry and your stomach is churning. This is where having had the right kind of nourishing food for breakfast comes to your aid. The food should be wholesome and easily digested while, at the same time, being low on what is called the Glycemic Index. This includes carbohydrates such as oats, barley or bran and bread or rolls with whole grains, stone-ground flour, and sour dough that produce only minor fluctuations in blood glucose and insulin levels. Your breakfast should also include fresh fruit with low acidity plus protein, from meat or yoghurt, to provide all the energy you will need.”

ADRENALINE WEEK

Alton Towers Resort Adrenalin Week runs 2nd – 7th November and celebrates the end of the theme park season with nothing but pure adrenalin-pumping thrill rides from 10-4pm everyday.

Experience the death defying drop of Oblivion, the flaming loops of Nemesis, the exhilarating feeling of being weightless on Air and seven more of the UK’s best thrill rides, all for an unbeatable £10*.

For a double dose of thrill, why not escape to the two on-site themed hotels for the special rate of just £35 per person per night including breakfast and theme park tickets (based on 4 people sharing a family room).

For more information and booking visit visit www.altontowers.com

*when booked online

NEWS FROM ALTON TOWERS

That’s one hell of a Sting-Ray!

Alton Towers Resort opens new SEA LIFE centre

To mark the new season, the Alton Towers Resort opened their new pirate-themed tropical aquarium, Sharkbait Reef by SEA LIFE, and man of the moment and the newly-crowned ‘King of Ice’ was in town to launch the attraction with a splash. Ray Quinn braved his fear of sharks to get up close and personal with the marine life in the aquarium- and it seems that the rays took a liking to him too!

Ray Quinn said: “I’ve been coming to the Resort since I was a nipper and when I heard about the new aquarium, I jumped at the chance to be one of the first visitors. I’ve always been scared of sharks and this was a great opportunity to get up close and personal with some other ‘Rays’ and conquer my fears’

Sharkbait Reef by SEA LIFE opened for the new season on Saturday 28th March and is located in the Mutiny Bay pirate-themed area of the Theme Park. The aquarium, which contains over 300 species of tropical and native sea life including seahorses, sharks and rays, will enable guests to explore an underwater shipwreck and enjoy the UK's first tropical interactive pool, where guests may be treated to the occasional manicure courtesy of the Cleaner Shrimp!

Morwenna Angove, Sales and Marketing Director for the Alton Towers Resort said: “After months of rigorous planning, we’re thrilled to finally reveal Sharkbait Reef by SEA LIFE to the public. We’re confident our new attraction will delight our family audience, giving them an underwater adventure with the additional twist created through our exceptional pirate-theming and, luckily for Ray, he managed to survive the experience!”

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Notes to editors:

For images please contact Frank PR at altontowers@frankpr.it or call 0207 693 6999

Part of the Merlin Entertainments Group, SEA LIFE is the world’s No 1 aquarium and second largest attraction brand in Europe. The Alton Towers Resort's SEA LIFE will be the 30th to open worldwide, and will provide the familiar friendly and authoritative guide to the last great frontier…the seas and oceans of the world, and their myriad mysterious and amazing inhabitants.

*Advance book tickets available at www.altontowers.com from just £81 for a family of four, which also includes early access to the Theme Park.

NEWS FROM ALTON TOWERS

GET IT WHILE IT’S HOT!

Rooms for £55 at the Alton Towers Resort

Temperatures might be well below freezing outside but the Alton Towers Resort is brightening up the New Year with a sizzling hot offer on its family rooms!

From Sundays to Fridays until March 27th*, all visitors will have the chance to stay at one of Alton Towers Resort’s two themed hotels for just £55 per night.

Choose between the crazy Caribbean themed Splash Landings Hotel, home to the tropical climate of the Alton Towers Waterpark, or relax in the adventure-inspired and original Alton Towers Hotel.

This amazing offer includes bed and breakfast for up to four people, so the whole family can experience the endless fantastical fun at the Alton Towers Resort!

To avoid disappointment, book now on 0871 222 9854 or visit www.altontowers.com/hoteloffers.