Coaster

The park was quiet but I don't think this is relevant, the Pleasure Beach clearly advertised an "Earliest Ride Closing Time" of 7pm and this wasn't changed until the Monday morning (meaning that anyone who had purchased wristbands online would have done so under the impression that the park would close at 7). In turn, I'd suggest that the fact the park was quiet over Easter weekend is concerning in itself, it has historically been much busier. There really is no excuse when the park states "Earliest Possible Ride Close" on the booking page; And in addition on the opening times page; (Note how Wednesday was suddenly amended to 6pm today) I have never known another UK park take this stance with regards to closing earlier than stated on quiet days, Thorpe for example honoured the advertised 10pm closing time during Fright Nights a couple of years back when the weather was horrendous and the park virtually empty. Along with the handling of the Wild Mouse closure, it displays an arrogance and contempt towards customers and really isn't going to help the park make a good impression.

Will it be taking place on the rescheduled pass-holders event?

Yeah, I complained at the informafion desk and was told "it's an operational decision based on the number of guests."

I really was trying to see the good in BPB but I take back anythig positive I said the other day, they closed TWO HOURS earlier than the advertised time today! An absoloute disgrace to paying guests, and as season pass holders nothing is given to rectify the situation. We'd planned around the advertised 7pm closing time so visited the Tower attractions in the morning, only to head up to BPB for the afternoon to find it closing at 5pm. It was raining lightly but otherwise the weather was fine, The Big One and Flying Machines were operating so high winds clearly weren't an issue. The park was quiet but when you advertise an "earliest ride closing time" and sell wristbands/allow people to plan their visits around these times, you can't then go and cut two hours out of people's day. In addition their "word's best dark ride" is still in a horrible state and broken, didn't get a single bit of fire yesterday. And they demolished Wild Mouse. Sod them.

Actually, that could be their new slogan; "Alton Towers - it's better than nothing"

Totally agree, it's a terrible first impression with the back of River Caves, Ghost Train and Alice in full view - and of course it'll never be the same without that Mouse "sound" ringing through the area.

Great operations at BPB for the past few days, managed 34 rides yesterday and almost the same today - vs 7 at Alton Towers last Sunday! The place has its flaws but still offers a much more enjoyable day out IMO. The park does feel like it's missing something without Wild Mouse though, the fountain area is so depressing now

Does it use the stops again, or just go straight through still?

The train scene was the only decent part of DBGT in my opinion. Terrible that such a huge effect has been removed after just two seasons, it can't have come cheap.

So aside from Wicker Man, Alton Towers was absolutely dire on Sunday. Wicker Man didn't open until 12 noon, broke down again after two trains, so we didn't get on until 12:30 despite having arrived at 8:30 in the morning to be there for the "ERT" Ride testing on Wicker didn't start until gone 9:30am Staggered openings of coasters are awful as it means everyone goes to Wicker first, which inevitably wasn't ready (new ride anyone??) Removal of single rider queues makes it very difficult to get all the coasters done in an already short day, we missed out on loads Skyride closed all day made it even more difficult to get a decent ridecount No extension to opening hours despite terrible reliability, capacity and park operations Hex already feels tired and the sound system in the ride section wasn't working properly Some of the changes in Duel are nice, but the screaming room is still terrible? Like, the new paintwork is nice but the lights still highlight the workings more than the faces themselves Such a shame to see Alton in such a mess, especially when Wicker Man is such an outstanding coaster... the park deserves better.

Surely if it's not real, it's false advertising?

Nemesis on one train, Smiler's dispatches were terrible, multiple breakdowns across the park, the staggered opening times cause havoc (sending everyone to the new coaster which is down until 12 is NOT a good idea!), removal of single rider queues makes it impossible to get on everything, Skyride down all day with no sign of movement and guest experience has well and truly gone out of the window. Only got on 7 rides today. I don't think it's a case of new ride hype as I went on Wicker Man expecting a fun ride, but it surpassed my expectations in every way. It really has surprised me, a quality wooden coaster with an excellent theme.

I take back everything negative I said about Wicker Man - it's AMAZING. The coaster is so much fun, the theme is fantastic and the views from the queueline are just stunning. Alton really have nailed it with this one. Operations were absoloutely horriffic though - both on WM and across the park, only managed 7 rides all day.

Sounds a nightmare today, E-stops every few trains and the queue-line has just been evacuated.

The full ICON soundtrack is now available to purchase on iTunes. Definitely worth a purchase, it's absolutely stunning - the choir is just lush. Well done to BPB (and of course the composer "The Notable Stranger") for putting the effort into such a long, original soundtrack. Fantastic

Looks so terrible.

I heard the entire train scene has been blocked off and replaced with a strobe corridor??

Some awesome footage released by Pleasure Beach Experience today with interviews from Nick Thompson and Alex Payne, and some POV footage! Also, the music sounds awesome!

It looks great and the soundtrack seems to suit the ride well, but it's a shame to have lost the last remaining Haunted House soundtracks in the queueline IMO.

I can't quite believe hearing that they've removed the 3D glasses from Hocus Pocus Hall. They have guests paying a small fortune to come in yet they can't even be bothered to maintain guest experience on their attractions? Absolutely shocking.

Understandable, they can't do anything about the weather, but poor that their official website is still showing 5pm close.

No BBQ ?

Wait, is the train REALLY closed for the entire season? Surely that could have been avoided? Seems like an easy way to save money IMO.

Weird how it just stops after the first section, I assume there must be a reason that it couldn't have a rolling launch?

Theme Park Worldwide have uploaded a video of Icon testing. The second half looks absolutely incredible, I really hope this is standard running speed and that it isn't toned down before opening.