GGUK were invited by SEGA for the launch of the Sonic Spinball rollercoaster at Alton Towers over the weekend as VIP guests. The weekend also included the chance to preview the upcoming Sega All Stars Racing, and a to get a first look at the new Sonic the Hedgehog themed hotel room

 
Once the coach arrived to pick us up we headed off on what seemed an incredibly long journey. It took us just under four hours to trek out that far. I’ve never been up to Alton Towers before, so I was pretty excited. We were staying at the Alton Towers Hotel which I have to say was pretty amazing and inside our rooms also had SEGA goodie bags awaiting for us. I had to look inside and I discovered, ‘Super Monkey Ball Step and Roll’ for the Wii, a Sonic Spinball tee, Sonic the hedgehog art book, SEGA overnight survival pack which included a selection of mini sized toiletries and tickets. How do they manage to get that little tube of Colgate so tiny? I was pretty pleased with the goodies in all their glory.

 


 
Once we arrived at our destination we headed out to the entrance of Alton Towers. Bear in mind, it was completely empty due to the fact that it didn’t open until the Saturday, and let me tell you what a spooky feeling that was. After a brief appearance by Sonic the Hedgehog, and taking a few photographs of him parading around, who I might add loves showing off in front of the cameras as you can see. He may have been naturally blue but I was blue with cold. It was freezing. There was a brief ceremony which was held in front of the new Sonic Spinball rollercoaster ride where a ribbon was cut and introductions were made.

 

 
Then it was a brief stroll up to the rollercoaster itself to climb onboard. Let it be noted that this was my first time officially on any rollercoaster, let alone a Sonic the Hedgehog one. To say I was a little anxious and apprehensive was an understatement. You know that feeling when you’re in a situation and you’re asking yourself whether it was a good thing or not, but then you have no choice but to ride it through.

 

 
Well that was me as they pulled the bar over my head. I sat in the pod and if that wasn’t enough to frighten me, it was only at that point I realised I was going backwards. As the rollercoaster held onto the track on its uphill climb to what seemed impending doom, we reached the top to see the full scope of the park. The rollercoaster is a high one and we got a great view, even through the screaming. Zig zagging up and down and taking the full force of the corners, bends and curves, we were thrown left,right and centre. It was such an exhilarating ride I actually forgot for one minute I was completely terrified.

 


 
It was an amazing experience and they even have cameras around the ride in which they can captivate that awesome photo of you. The type with your hair thrown all over your face and you look like a squirrel holding on for dear life. Well, that was in my case anyhow. We headed over to the photo booth, just to remind everyone of that ‘terrified squirrel look’ and collected our souvenir photos.

 

 
After everyone had a brief giggle at each other and how reckless we all looked we headed over to the claw machines which had loads of Sonic, Tails and Knuckle plushies. I played twice before I won a Sonic, where everyone else had handfuls of them. It was at this point you could really tell we were at a sonic event.

 


 
After checking into the hotel we all had an opportunity to visit the much loved and talked about Sonic the Hedgehog themed room. Which is room 312 if you’re out and about at the hotel. Opening the door on arrival the first thing we heard were the famous emerald rings noise from the game. Then we got the first glimpses of what I can only describe as the most magical and colorful room I’ve ever seen.

 


 
Glancing over the room you’re automatically drawn into what seemed to me ‘The Green Hill Zone’ wallpaper which was beautifully detailed all the way round. The bedside lamps were shaped as chaos emeralds which lit up the room. Along the walls were solid golden shaped rings from the famous game and even the bed had a ring as the headboard and matched with a Sonic embroidered quilt.

 


 
The floor was chequered throughout complete with palm tree and there was even a Xbox 360, Wii and Playstation 3 hooked up for you to play Sonic games. Heading over to the bathroom I was amazed by the glass cabinet which holds a Sonic, Tails and Knuckles plushies, I’m sure if you look around the room you would discover other sonic surprises. So I won’t spoil it for anyone by revealing them all to you. You’ll just have to book the room up at Alton Towers to explore this super Sonic the Hedgehog room.

 


 
During the evening we had the chance to head over to the inside tropical lagoon which had beautiful swimming pools with fun water pipes and hoses and also an indoor water chute. Toddlers will also love the indoor lagoon with its smaller pools. My camera died halfway through my visit, so you can find better photos here.

 

 
The soaring temperatures will make you feel you’re in a tropical paradise. After the party got flowing with its tropical climate and sounds from the steel drums that were playing. We all grabbed Cocktails and Slushies and watched as two teams of fully grown adults competed in a game of giant connect 4 with such determination and concentration that one would think the lives of their first born children were at stake.

 
We all had a chance to play Sonic and SEGA All Stars Racing game (which will be in our preview section later on today), and when the clock struck midnight I returned to my room in search of rest and recuperation.

 
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the SEGA team and Alton Towers for a wonderful experience.

 
Book your room today at  the Alton Towers hotel for the ultimate experience.