MattyB

The Failure of Rockin' Space Mountain

I remember making a joke to management when the original Bubbleworks was being re-themed to Imperial Leather. Something along the lines of "Go to Universal to ride the movies, go to Chessington to ride the adverts". Don't think I was too popular with management after that...

How Disney Lost The Rights to Harry Potter

I'm surprised they didn't opt for a full circuit layout like the one that's gone in at Legoland, allowing a 2 train operation. A friend of mine that works in the industry (not for Merlin) commented that it looks "cheap". From the various vids posted yesterday on Youtube the launch actually looks quite nippy. Still undecided on this addition.

I suppose Alton could be considered 2 days if you factor in a visit to Cariba Creek- so 1 day in the park and a day/ 1/2 a day in Cariba Creek.

Currently in progress. Nearly losing the will to live with adding the custom supports lol

Agree with all your points there. I couldn't remember whether Nemesis was marketed as a European first, but your right, they delivered on every level with that ride.

Totally agree with this. They are narrowing their product so much by having this USP issue that doesn't really make much of a difference (IMO). I was thinking the other day, with today's current Merlin management, would a rid like Nemesis even get built? It has no USP that I can think of (it wasn't a worlds first, maybe a European first?) I think the UK park industry has fallen so far behind everywhere else it is embarrassing. At one point, the Tussaud's parks were up there and comparable to the likes of Disney/Universal.

Agree with this. Last time I went to the Towers was Wickerman's opening year. I found that unless your into coasters or have young children there is not that much to do there. Hex, Duel and the Rapids are the only other major non-coaster attractions I can think of that appeal to a wide audience. I think they should really be aiming to be the Disney park of the UK I.e. making attractions that appeal to everyone. They somehow seem to be stuck in a coaster war with their other coaster based property (Thorpe). Really surprised they haven't gone for installing something along the lines of Toy Story Mania/ Maus au Chocolat. Also think a Soarin over the UK type attraction would work really well there...

Puy du Fou UK - Timeout.com link

You're right Josh, it is easier said than done. I was part of the team that moved the Belle from its old location across the lake to where it sits now. It was extremely challenging and that was when it was fully buoyant! I would be surprised they don't demolish it in situ as that is going to be a nightmare to move

Theme Park Insider Article

Parkitect 2022-10-28 19-27-04_Trim.mp4

It wasn't replaced with anything. They replaced the damaged fibreglass trough with concrete and that was it.

I believe Vortex was late due to the manufacturer? Not sure tbh, I just remember a hole in the ground by the Dome and the media having a field day about TP marketing 3 new rides for 2001 and only having 2 open. Guests were very unhappy as well. Mr Rabbits reopened, but without the Mill building so it was missing the big finale that made it so memorable (who doesn't like frogs singing that crazy Paul McCartney song eh?) So I think after the fire its time was limited. Also if you look at the Nemesis queue by the Nemesis shop, you can still see some of the old queue line that was used for Mr Rabbits, repurposed for Nemesis. And some of the old Mr Rabbits trough was used to strengthen the outflow for Loggers round by SAW.

Yeah I think the development of the park would have been very different to what actually happened. I seem to remember (it was my first season in 2000 at the park so my recollection might be a bit hazy) that Zodiac appeared a couple of weeks after WWH burnt down and was literally plonked down where Vortex currently is. I agree with Matt N that the park may have been a bit more balanced with family and thrill rides rather than what we have got now. Its a shame as one of my first memories of TP was Phantom Fantasia. The day of the fire was pretty crazy!

Thanks for this! Couldn't remember the name of the book 😀

Been working on this for nearly a year now!

I remember reading somewhere that John Wardley was most upset when it burnt down "before he could get his hands on it", so I would like to think that it would have survived with a John Wardley revamp until at least the 2010's. Also Josh you are correct with the RnR clone infrastructure issue. I remember speaking with the development director about why it didn't get built, and that was the reason he gave. He also stated the idea was a quick response to the fire, as they had heard on the grapevine that Disney Paris would be getting RnR (in 2002)

Awesome TR mate!

Hey all I'm up for a meet!

Awesome report mate!

Hey thanks Originally the idea was to use the arena as the new location for a "Ghost Train", as the arena wasn't being used all year round, Also it was the largest plot of land at the time to fit a show building on (remember at the time this idea was put forward the infill project was still ongoing). The original idea that was put forward was to: Emulate the old Alton Towers ghost train - something scary and fun! The attraction would have been called The Amity House of Wax, and would have been a "take" on a dilapidated Madame Tussuads, where the was figures would come to life. Big Bob mentions The Madame Tussuad's House of Wax in his radio show (tickets as the prize). I left the park in 2014 so not sure what had happened to this concept (even if it was any good lol), however its good to see the land was used as intended, just not delivered properly. One of the ideas was to move the maze (think it was Seven at the time) to underneath the Stealth top hat. I think if I was coming up with this type of attraction now, I would have used the trackless ride system (Ratatouille etc.). (They should replace Duel with this ride system and build a proper Ghost Train! ) M