Sonic making a return to Alton?

UK theme park Alton Towers is currently preparing to reopen for February Half Term, and Sonic fansite Sonic Stadium has heard that apparently the "Spinball Whizzer" attraction at the big UK attraction is being re-designed this year to a Sonic the Hedgehog theme.

The site's source mentions this is for a "relaunch" of the Sonic series, which could mean it's related to "Project Needlemouse", the new 2D Sonic title due this year or simply a tie into Sonic & Sega All Stars Racing. A quick poke at Alton Towers fansite TowersTimes confirms it as it's in resort brochure for the new season in the hotels.

This isn't the first time the blue 'hog has appeared at Alton Towers: Sonic used to be part of the Small World-like "Toyland Tours" attraction which opened back in 1994 with his own special section. He was still there until 2006 when the ride was changed to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

[source sonicstadium.org, via forum.towerstimes.co.uk]