It would be suicide for the park to deliberately close one of their biggest coasters for the busy period of October, especially as Fury cannot cope (and vice versa with Fury closing and the effect on Vamps)... Let alone closing Bubbles...
As for the shop, don't get too excited, it's an awful mish mash of colours and whilst the empty look at the moment doesn't help, I dunno what good merch will do to it...
The only thing left for Chessie to do with that area is gut out Bubbles and make it a decent darkride again... Same ride system, completely new theme and redo the exterior whilst they're at it... Piece of absolute turd thing it is and it gets worse every year...