xxbennxx

Yes.

I completely agree with you. The people running the corporation do not. They think big, impactful, awe inspiring, is what sells, and to the general public, they are right. They can't really call uk parks "theme" parks, if paramount isn't a land swindle and actually gets built, I will be there opening day. The uk is in dire need of beautifully themed, storied and immersive attractions, with thrilling ride systems installed. I really hope this is that. But I really doubt it.

I imagine those in the design department get so frustrated with Merlins unwillingness to part with a lot of money. On a seperate note let us not forget the Alton Towers waterpark extension, which would have seen many more thrill slides installed off a central tower for not a lot of money at all. Merlin said no. Being run by accountants is a good analogy and accountants don't see the bigger picture, all they want is something to make an impact visually. A sort of "if you build it they will come" attitude. hiding away an amazing ride system in a building with a multi million price tag attached, is not appealing to people who have a drive to make money over providing a quality experience. Frustrating but this will surely be a letdown.

An IP will have their own standards yes, but will also have key input. Dreamworks practically did all the work for Shreks adventure and Merlin just implemented their design. Dreamworks subsequently have designed 6 more Shreks Adventures for Merlin to build and operate, they have also provided Merlin with all necessary Animation to be location specific. In short. Merlin will happily pay for an IP. Only if they can do as little work as possible in building the concept and brand.

3 million would not buy much. It is certainly more than 3 Million, but 30?..... Until we see the evidence, I think we should remain VERY sceptical of this. Furthermore, I never heard anything concrete that said this was Merlins biggest single ride investment, Only rumours. Thorpe Parks own survey they submitted to the council stated the words "this ride is not a major investment" I believe it was a survey to do with the sound impact on the area, comparing the impact to that of a major investment.

I actually have to agree. Merlin will also take any opportunity they can to have half the work done for them, an IP does just that.

is there an ip at all?

I listened to the Derren Brown Svengali automaton tripe yesterday on towers street. Derren brown may be involved in the ride in the capacity of a host. But I doubt it.

Just a thought, remember the automaton trademark, if this is in fact for this ride, and this is a dark ride, and not a tunnel. Automaton is a perfect name for a ride vehicle. The Haunted Mansion has the Doom Buggy. Spider-Man has Scoop. Tranformers has EVAC. Maybe Thorpe will see you riding in Automatons. Food for thought, I do enjoy speculating.

The one in county hall is in a curved tunnel, as is the one that I posted a few pages back. Still think that is all we are getting.

That "face in the eye" is a perfect example of looking hard enough and you will find something. In short. No there isn't. I really don't think that a series of unfortunate events will be the theme. If there is a clue in the eye, it is in plain sight, ie, the dilating pupil = tunnel. I also do not believe this 30 million figure either. It was literally pulled from nowhere. Sorry to be a pessimist but if Merlin hired top level Disney Imagineers and they created a beautifully fully themed concept with a groundbreaking ride system, the executives would say. What a lovely drawing, we just don't want to spend that kind of money, we are going with jeffs idea of a bulk discount on the same ride system for several of our attractions. My expectations are low. I want to be proved wrong so badly!!!

It has a much better pre show. And I can take my son on .... win.

Nothing wrong with a well themed mad house as a dark ride. Hex is actually very anti climactic as there are far too many underthemed preshows. I hope this ride does not go down that route. I preferred the haunting at Drayton Manor, plus they let my 17 month old ride and he loved it.I really want a well paced, well themed dark ride with a mix of screens and physical sets .......... made by oceaneering. The UK is in need of decent dark ride investment. If I had my way I would close all uk merlin parks for a year and invest heavily in actually theming them!

For a uk dark ride, Valhalla is really the standard. Also I believe, the biggest. So that is where the bar is set. I am still on the disappointment side of the fence, if I se stuff marked oceaneering turn up. Then I can feel the hype.

There may yet be hope. This thing is flying up though.

This is gonna be a letdown ....

The lost temple at movie park in Germany cost only 5 million euros. if the budget truly is around the 30 million mark then god only knows.

Ahh yes, urine and burger king. Just looked at the plans again and had a thought. From the side view, that is one long, straight building.

http://i0.wp.com/airgates.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/the-bus-e1391993187693.png shrek bus ride, county hall think it clearly involves a 4d tunnel, I am HOPING this is the climactic scene of a larger darkride experience. However I am feeling less hopeful as that tunnel has doubled in length in 24 hours. I hope that building gets A LOT bigger. I echo other people on here, when saying I am desperate for an oceaneering ride on par with spiderman here in the uk, but unfortunately I just don't think this is it. I want to be proved wrong. This is likely some gimmicky worlds first hybrid ride. Simworx have just brought robocoaster ..... food for thought.

In the link I posted earlier there was framing almost identicle to that over the tunnel in the picture. If this is simply an immersive tunnel and nothing else, then I am gonna be the first to say it. What a letdown.

I don't believe this is just an immersive tunnel, but I do believe it will be the climax of the ride. I would LOVE an oceaneering ride system but as previously said, I do not see the space, unless spread over several floors with flawless elevator transport ala Transformers. I hope I am wrong. As for the theme. God knows at this point. With the BBC IP being awarded just down the road to the proposed swanscombe paramount park, Dr who is a possibility, but unlikely.

If they were going to whack a clue in plain sight, the first part of that minds wanted page is a blinking eye. The pupil dialates, this could be an extreme clue, an expanding circle is reminiscent of going through a tunnel. My bet is very much on immersive tunnel.The interior structure is right. It would fit nicely in that building, maybe a few small scenes in a ride vehicle before entering the tunnel for a major finale. Just fueling speculation but right now. My money is on exactly that, a small tracked ride before entering an immersive 360 3d tunnel. Now all we need is a theme. Hopefully original, however the right IP could make for an awesome experience. If you haven't seen it already, check out fast and furious supercharged at universal hollywood. Done right they are mind blowing. A UK based company by the name of Simworx, have an immersive tunnell attraction with features such as dropping and tilting floors air an water blasts, and claim they can design the sytem and film to any design and theme. They opened their first ride recently in moviepark Germany. The attraction is available in 30, 60or 90 seats for the tram used. Thorpe could be using simworx tunnell but utilising a different ride vehicle. My gut says this is a simworx ride. Of which they have many. Claiming to be able to create any immersive experience for any space. Look on their site at their AGV or COBRA dark rides. Simworx added Angry Birds 4D to Thorpe Park, and have also provided a London Bus immersive Tunnel to the new Shreks adventure attraction in London, so one of these would easily fit into that building if you can get it into county hall. They have a strong relationship with Merlin and arw currently growing almost 100% in business size, having just merged with robocoaster. Everything is pointing in their direction. Immersive attractions are what they do, they can do virtually anything including tracked and trackless dark rides. Motion bases, Robocoasters tunnels 4d effects. I don't see anything else as a possibility at this point until we see hardware turning up. They have comfirmed they are in talks with UK theme parks as well as us theme parks to add new rides on their own website in an article about acquiring robocoaster. The article itself is interesting becausd if you ignore the main focus of it, which is about buying robocoaster, they brag about projects for merlin. http://www.simworx.co.uk/robocoaster-acquisition/

https://michaelscroggins.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/lat_kong2_071110_129754a_8col.jpg] note the overhead framework (no idea how to post pictures on a tablet) Edit - Stretchy- added image inline

Long time reader. Looks like an immersive tunnel. So far I am not seeing space for significant ride hardware for a major tracked ride. Hopefully that building gets MUCH bigger.