Dodge2002

Just to play devils advocate, if you look at the picture of Storm Surge in the snow, they seemed very sure to make sure nothing else could be seen in the background (I.e X:NWO). Perhaps being a little over paranoid here, but there's also a distinct lack of pictures taken from anywhere near the area behind X - Colossus, Loggers(although that's probably to do with the tunnel), Saw or Inferno. Thinking of this also reminded me that during the first weekend of Fright Nights, I do recall seeing some wiring being dug up, to the left of the dome as you walk in, leading all the way down to Saw Island. Did anyone else notice this? I thought nothing of it at the time, but now, to me, it all seems like something out of the ordinary is going on in that particular section of the park. All mindless speculation of course, think what you want of it.

I think they do still work, but they're just not as noticeable because they changed the soundtrack a while back? It was noticable that they were working during frightnights because of the track change I'm sure

I think the one at the Towers was shut down due to a loophole thanks to their poor Health and Safety Inspection. And I believe it is true they are the highest grossing store. I think their sales record is somewhere along the lines of 110k+ in one week. I believe the only stores that come close to that are the Trafford Center, The Bullring, and Cribbs Causeway + a few others and only they weigh in at around 60k and that's only one peak week at Christmas time. Then strip out the flow through, they don't have to employ as many staff, they have far less smallwares, crockery and dishes, buffet pizzas intentionally use the cheapest toppings available, whereas dine-in store have a far more elaborate and expensive food order. I can't confirm anything about the term of their lease, but I do know if you ask the majority of huts opened in the same period, they will most likely have ridiculously long contracts.

Just an interesting bit of information I stumbled across today. When Pizza Hut originally expanded years ago, they rented out a lot of different places, the real interesting thing is that apparently the owner back then requested that each of their leases was to last at least between 50-100 years. I wonder whether this applies to Thorpe as well?

Might not have been taken down, but what if it was re painted a new colour, and thus no longer visible in the dark?

Evolution of a ride...No way evolving in to a real dark ride?

Surely if it were anything substantial we would have some sort of evidence. My bets are on X Re theme Saw Alive Boat being re-purposed 4D Cinema being re-purposed Fungle Safari isn't a bad shout either, considering they put that fence up at the start of the '12 season remember. This could be interconnected to the Asylums plot of land, although highly rated, the maze is one of the oldest on park (if you count its years as the freezer) Maybe an odd theory but perhaps in line with Crash Pad: What if the 4D cinema were converted in to a real cinema? That whole area of the park could be converted in to a late night entertainment village, a real bar set up in a disused building, late night food options. Host silent discos out in the arena on a weekly basis, and Convert the asylums building in to a small night club. This is all speculation, of course. I think its really odd we have no concrete evidence of something happening, usually this type of stuff has its own way of sneaking out...Seems almost like ANYTHING could have happened to the park while its been closed and we'd know none the wiser.

The SWARM can barely seem to get two trains on the go facing forward, the last thing we'd need is more reason for reduced throughput...

To be honest, it makes me wonder how much Snoozebox are actually charging Merlin to rent these rooms. With running fees, monthly rent, sewage disposal and water supply(I assume these aren't plumbed in?), mandatory maintenance and upkeep(just because Merlin don't bother, Snoozebox might actually care). They probably are paying more than it would to upkeep a real hotel.

The thing that saddens me, is that if the price puts people off from bothering with this, we'll never actually get to see the real hotel.

There are heavy rumors circulating that a new Saw film is on the way in the next year or so. As long as the franchise lives, Merlin will probably keep it. My main worry is that the only reason Saw is running (almost) as well as it did on opening day is thanks to this contract. And when they have no obligation to keep the effects working, I can see them swiftly dying off one by one...

First clue will probably be in a few months when we see whether they post an Acting advertisement or not. All bets are pointing to no for the main season though. Unless of course it becomes...dare I say...a paid maze.

Was just thinking, perhaps the flooding and excessive rain lately probably finally caused it to give way? If it did fall through by itself, Merlin are VERY lucky it didn't happen mid-season...

I did get the vibe something was up in that tunnel. Half the times I visited the lights were actually on and you could see the drop anyway, and frankly it absolutely stank of mold. On the plus side it means they might actually bother to give the ride a spruce up....well I can dream anyway.

To be fair, I shouldn't imagine many jobs would have staff willing to say no to a chav. I really don't blame the staff at all for being less than strict with time slots.

I would assume so, the reason I would say this is because they're participating in that World food hunger relief charity, and I don't think franchises choose to get involved with that usually..

I'm 99% sure they're not a franchise. As I said, They only license take away units as franchises and that half of the business is actually run as a different company.

If you want to music. it was almost definitely all free public domain music. Just google public domain haloween track and have a browse. There'll be a lot of it though mind.

I'm fairly sure The Pizza Hut isn't a franchise. They only let Delivery units run as franchises, which are now technically a whole different company.

Probably worth noting, from a business point, Pizza Hut actually consistently deliver good results on their internal standards inspection, and health and safety audits and the little feedback they do receive is usually positive (the receipt you get has a feed back survey on it). And are top of the business chain in all aspects, not just sales. From Thorpes perspective, Pizza Hut are "doing it right", whereas if you look at AT and their failed safety inspections and probably poor customer feedback, they were risking affecting the customers day. As for KFC/Burger King etc, as a fast food restaurant they're probably not the busiest stores in the country. Think of the ones outside concert venues etc. that are constantly rammed. To them theme park units could even be more hassle than they're worth, with high rent costs, periods of no profit during closed season and other factors.

To be fair The Sanctuary is basically Alton Towers' twist on The Asylum so I would say it did happen kind of, but was just lost in translation.

I visited 3 times between opening day and the first set of holidays this year, and it was pretty dire to be honest. Absolutely dead. I'm not surprised and I kind of agree with them on this.

Some schools might have an inset day that day since its firework night. It's hard to tell, every single school decide its inset days internally, so while one school may have it off, another might not.

Ugh, I was really hoping this maze wouldn't ever sell out. It's only going to encourage Merlin, especially when you consider, I don't think AT's mazes have EVER sold out...

To be fair, with the obvious lack of new ride for next year, it seems like the single most plausible thing they would do. I think if they did put upwards of maybe even £500k - £1million into theming it, and turned it into something epic, it would be a waste having the cars still going backwards and making everyone sick.