AstroDan

Generally in agreement to many of your comments thus far. Too much at this park annoyed me, although some area themes were nice. Also, didn't much rate Condor as you couldn't select your side? Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using Tapatalk

It is diabolical. Especially that Alton are not even the worst performing park in the group at present. That's Thorpe. But, I guess with overheads higher at Alton, there is more to cut...It's so sad when you look around and see effort being made in other areas, also... Duel and Hex, for example, haven't looked as good in years. Merlin Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using Tapatalk

OK, I am making an attempt to bring together all known "front of house" cuts, as they stand. Note that there may be additional cuts to these below, and I am not able to state all of this with 100% accuracy: Rides and Attractions: The following rides and attractions open at 11:00am, 1 hour later than usual: Th13teen Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Ride Driving School Battle Galleons The Flume Congo River Rapids Duel Air Skyride The following will now open between noon and 4:00pm only: Wobble World Food and Beverage The following outlets are now closed entirely, for the duration of the 2012 season: Rehydrator Bar Spinball Noodles The following outlets are subject to partial or full closures during some or all days: Towers Family Restaurant (closed from noon) Kiosks (such as Ice Cream and Donuts) Trolleys and Karts Ben and Jerry's Scoop Shop Coffee Baaaar Retail The following outlets are now closed for the rest of 2012: Rita Shop Other known cuts for 2012 "Magic 5 minutes" has been removed, so rides now close exactly at the advertised time Park opening times have been reduced since 2011 on a considerable number of days Water Park - outdoor slide opening hours cut

Alton really has been moderately busy the past month... However, they have also changed the goalposts on what crowds constitute a 5.30 or 6.00 ride close, too... Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using Tapatalk

The issue I take is, that as far as I know, Alton Towers guest figures are up on 2011. But, since they are not meeting "targets", the park has to make cuts.

The general consensus online seems to be that people are willing to accept the opening of 11:00am attractions. But not Air and Th13teen. Those two rides regularly command 30 to 60 minute queue times on medium and busier days! Remember - this applies on the busiest days of summer, Scarefest and Fireworks too!

I think the Air and Th13teen situation is ridiculous, indeed. Mainly as Alton is such a huge park - people are going to end up touring it fully, twice, just to get the rides done. I often start at Valley at around 9:30am, with some Nemesis and Sub Terra, do Air and Ripsaw, and work backwards round to Duel, then RMT, hitting Rapids by 11:00am for opening. Clearly that won't work now as Air will be closed as will Duel.

The full list is: Duel Th13teen Air Driving School Battle Galleons Skyride Flume* Rapids* *were already opening from 11am. In addition, there are many other closures to retail and F&B outlets.

The announcement can be seen on TT's Facebook page I *think*.

Sure has. And I cannot tell you how sick I feel. Alas. Something will come out of this, and be brighter on the other side!

It really is a shame re: Slammer. As much as the shoulder restraint I find quite painful, the ride is actually remarkably thrilling and exciting!

For the record, Oblivion is open again.

At Alton Towers, they will generally say either a) technical difficulties or ride shutdown due to the fault of a guest (I.e. camera out). They won't go into specifics because it can frankly frighten guests - I.e. they would never say "harness failure" because this would just cause panic amongst guests even if "harness failure" doesn't actually mean that anyone is in danger.

When I used to work at Alton Towers, if Rita broke down and I was on entrance or talking to guests, if they looked fairly relaxed, I used to say it was simply her time of the month, or she was having PMT. Basically - Oblivion has had a few niggles all week, I believe to do with the lift, and may well be closed until Monday.

Well the throughput was one of my thoughts, surely inadequate. Again, it could be a load of rubbish. Just something I heard.

I had heard rumour of Vengeance from the London Dungeon being moved to Thorpe Park for 2013, located in the ex-4D theatre. It could be a load of rubbish, obviously, but just throwing it out there in case anyone else has heard similar.

Alton installed Sub Terra with a single rider queue. Nearly all their main rides have it! Nemesis Sub Terra, Nemesis, Air, Rita, Th13teen, Oblivion and Sonic!

The changes to Nemesis Sub-Terra are both considerable and widespread. Here's a rundown which I noticed, from my two rides at the weekend! Briefing Area No major changes, although the video is now louder in volume. Obviously, on opening weekend there wasn't even a video at this point. Descent Lift Spoken audio is the same, to instruct guests on boarding procedure. Accompanying this, there is now a droning sound which lowers in pitch as the lift descends into the cave. The vibrations are also more effective now, and there is a better sensation of going down. Generally louder. The cavern which guests walk through before entry into the observation chamber is the same, although the main chamber doors now do not open until several seconds after exits from the descent lift - so guests usually see them opening towards them. Observation Chamber New lighting on the egg, and a louder "heartbeat" noise accompanies this. The sequence/programming has changed a lot. The introduction at the start is now longer, before anything happens - then there are vibrations in the seat caused by heavy bass. Lights dim, various loud noises, egg hatches as before but much heavier water spray hits guests. Various "malfunction" messages play out, and lights dim again. Gondola's drop at different times. Nest of eggs very clear with new lighting flashing. Very loud noises play, speakers in seats to make it seem like the alien is moving around the room (this in darkness). Air bursts on back of neck. Lots of back poking and leg ticklers. Upon rising back up, countdown "30 SECONDS" begins, to get out of the main chamber. Very heavy strobing at this stage. Much more urgency. Guests leave seats and head towards Escape lifts - the room between main chamber and lifts is now full of smoke, air jets from above and heavy strobing. Lots of noise! Ascent Lifts More smoke through new panel. Lighting changed, more banging and more noise. Generally more "stress" going on here. You see a panel break at the top of the lift. Upon lift doors opening, a Phalanx Operative in gas mask from the decontamination unit bursts in with a flashlight, scaring all guests. Very effective here. Decontamination Area Entirely new. Lack of narrative here at the moment, although we were informed that this was being looked at. Guests go through decontamination in darkness. Phalanx operatives in gas masks, lots of flashing lights, strobes and bangs. Impression that a room has caved in as guests go under a fabric cloth. Lights have failed. Lots of mesh fencing. Very loud bangs just before exit. And that... is the new Sub Terra. A massive improvement - well done Alton Towers. Now, just for a little improvement on the narrative side of things in the decontamination area and things will be well sorted!

As far as I know, that's it now for closing rides. In truth, I reckon Alton knew exactly what would happen with Skyride. It's almost so they can prove to themselves and/or the powers that be that closing attractions in a theme park does nothing for reputation and guest experience. The image of guests hauling pushchairs around the garden, sweating and red faced, looking totally hacked off - and pretty much clueless about which way to go, is something I do not treasure.

That worries me, too. Although if the scare actors are only meant to be in the final sections... then at least the rest *should* hold up. It says a lot about our faith in Merlin, really.

I popped up to check this out earlier - and it was certainly a hive of activity! A lot of noises coming from inside, where I presume work has been on going. I believe that the new "scare actors" are being trained in the next few days.

A Mack Launch Coaster please. That would actually make me get a season pass for the park! Very sad to see Pirate Adventure going. That ride has masses of potential, and is a brilliant ride system (from Mack). Alas.

It's those guests who find it more difficult to walk, that I feel for. It's a hell of a trek from Air to Dark Forest, or X Sector, when there's no park transportation system. It's not like Thorpe or CWOA which are smaller. It really is a big place, which needs this system in the name of customer service. But, like I said, no cuts really seem a surprise now. But that consideration of riding Rita when you're standing by Air, seems like a real chore, when there's no Skyride system to take you there.

Yes. They have obviously cancelled the closure of Submission and Enterprise, and reinstated 5:00pm ride closes for April/May/June off peak days. Presumably the park still have to make the same savings. Even though, to my knowledge, Alton Towers' visitor numbers are actually up on 2011! Shame anyway, but nothing seems a suprise this season. I half expect Air and Nemesis to be operating on rotation come September!

The latest in the long list of cost cutting measures being implemented across Merlin parks in Britain: From TT News.