Theme Park Fanatic
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Posts posted by Theme Park Fanatic
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11 hours ago, Theme Park Fanatic said:
@Trooper Looper I've just watched a promotional video of The Invitation on YouTube. It appears the plot based around a funeral parlor. Watching the video remined me of things I have seen/read about Doom and Sons. This leads me to believe Duel could be rethemed into a Haunted funeral parlor rather than a Haunted House. In other words I suspect Duel could become a 21st ride version of Doom and Sons, @Trooper Looper do you think there's a possibility Duel could being rethemed into a similar experience to Doom and Sons? Whatever happens I hope the majority of the pre 2003 theming is retained. In its day The Haunted House looked to be a world class Dark Ride. I hope lessons have been learned from the butchering of Professor Burp's Bubbleworks and Duel will remain largely how it was. A reversion to The Haunted House would be effortless. 99.9% of the original still remains. The only element that was truly sacrificed in the Duel retheme was The Swamp Scene. As you know this became The Mad Professor's Lap (Zombie invasion scene). This ride is nowhere near as grand as Duel, but I would be happy if the ride is refurbished into something like Zombie at Ocean Beach Pleasure Park in South Sheilds. This rides only minor floor is the use of screens. This being said from what I have seen Zombie is England's best horror-based ride. This is a far cry from the former Ghost Hunt theme that Zombie replaced. Ghost Hunt was certainly the worst Dark Ride I've ever seen. Duel has all of the nessaties to become a ride of Zombie's style. Arguably Duel has the potential to be better than Zombie. After all Ocean Beach is an independent and Family run attraction, meanwhile Alton Towers is owned by Merlin the biggest leisure company after Disney. @Trooper Looper. To conclude this paragraph, I am full of apprehension and cautious optimism about the Duel refurbishment. With the involvement of John Wardly, I am reassured that Duel will be better than ever. John is the reason for the very existence of the ride. Johns long waited to restore Duel back to his beloved the (original) Haunted House.
if you want a laugh watch a POV of Ghost Hunt at Ocean Beach Pleasure Beach. The ride was hideously horrendous. I never thought I'd say this, but Bubbleworks Imperial Leather was an amazing ride in comparison. This shows how hideous Ghost Hunt was. I despised Bubbleworks Imperial Leather. I was elated when Bubbleworks Imperial Leather was put out of its misery on the 6th of September 2016. This is no dramatization.
@Trooper Looper can you please share your realistic thoughts and expectations on the Duel refurbishment?
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This is an unexpected surprise!! Could Chessington be receiving another new addition next year in addition to The World Of Jumanji?
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16 minutes ago, Trooper Looper said:
It is entirely possible, but it could be some of the unused ideas John wanted to add to the house every season. He had a 5 year plan, but Tusauds rejected it. This Could be him finally implementing those 5 unused ideas.
@Trooper Looper I think you are on to something. Earlier this year John Warldey was sighted on numerous occasions in and around Duel. On each occasion John had a folder containing concept art of his unused Duel scenes. In addition, this folder included concept art of scenes that were featured in the original Haunted House. Too add further clarity to your thoughts Merlin Magic Making were also seen in and around Duel. When seen MMM also had the book that John was seen with. I am intrigued to know what plans were not used in the original l Haunted House. As long as the Zombie animatronics and Mad Professor's Lab are replaced, I'll be happy. Finally, I will be annoyed if an IP (Sponsorship) is used. I guess we'll find out more about Duels refurbishment in the near future. With all the excitement that is building Alton Towers will almost certainly release teasers within the next couple of months. I wouldn't be shocked if by Christmas we get an official announcement of Duels new theme, and confirmation of what theming will remain, and which is being removed. Personally, I expect some of the removed theming will be relocated to Haunted Hollow. For instance, the theming in the queline for The Invitation could be repurposed for Haunted Hollow. If not reused in Haunted Hollow the theming could travel down south to Chessington. I know the tombstones that were in memory of lost Chessington rides are in storage. Apparently, they will return next year. If Chessington are bringing the tombstones back the Duel theming could complement them. It would be devastating if this impressive, immersive and classic theming was lost forever.
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@coasterverse John Wardley maybe removing some the 90's theming to replace it with scenes based around Emily Alton and Snowy. I genuinely believe most of the original Haunted House Theming will remain.
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1 hour ago, Trooper Looper said:
Efteling had to close Spooksclot unwillingly because the showbuilding and was really unsafe and was in a very poor state and it was too expensive to repair it up to modern safety standards. Spookslot was literally a hazard. If its showbuilding wasn't in a bad state, Spookslot would most certainly
still be operating currently.
With regards of John Wardley, the reason he wasn't really involved with Wicker Man was because Merlin wanted to have a completely new team of designers, but they had some trouble with the first Drop, Thats when they brought up John about it. MMerlin ever forgot about him, he just simply retired willingly. So it makes sense we'd want to come ooutof retirement temporarily to be part of this project because it's one if his own creations. He's been dying to see The Haunted House in better days ever since it became Duel, heck he even showed his distaste of it of as Duel and said the blasters ruined the experiencre of what the ride was originally designed for, and that was from 2012 I believe.Of course he can't say no to when he has the chance to change one of his rides into a better state than it is now.
I see a lot of people say that technology has improved so drastically over the years. So what? It doesn't automatically mean it'll be a better attraction. What matters is execution. A ride can still be great without the most modern technology in the ride outside if safety standards for obvious reasons. Modern tech or not, execution is what always makes a great ride, not its level of technology. I'm not saying it can be modern and can't be good, of course It can be modernised and be executed well, absolutely! But simply implying that there's new tech in there does not automatically tick all the boxes except for engineers.
Merlin have closed 2 rides at the same time before. Remember when it was announced that Ripsaw and Air would close at the end of the 2015 season? If they announced 2 rides closing in such a small span of time, they could've very well done the same with Duel and Nemesis again.
@Trooper Looper I'm another person who didn't get to experience the original Haunted House. In fact, I never experienced Duel.
On social media of what looks like the armchair and surrounding furnishings from the Duel queline. I didn't know where the photo was taken. Reading your post, it seems very feasible that this photo was taken In The Attic scare maze. The Attic being the new theme of Duel would link up with the teasers and peepholes. I have seen YouTube videos of the peep holes. The holes show a spider infested attic with a freaky doll. There is clearly a Child holding the doll. I strongly believe this girl is no other than Emilly Alton, the girl who haunts the dolls house in Duel. As John Wardley is involved with the Duel refurbishment, I hope he restores and reinstalls the Haunted House sets back to their pre-Duel state. I know Duel holds a dear place in Wardley's heart. After Bubbleworks at Chessington the original Haunted House was his most treasured creation. I wouldn't be surprised if the Duel props are returned to the Haunted House upon the ending of scarefest.I think we may have had our first glance at Duels new colour scheme. The toilet sign next to Spooks'U'us has been repainted from blue and greenyyellow to pink.
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@Trooper Looper I have a felling The Invitation could be a precursor to the refurbished Duel? My vibes are the same as the scare maze that hinted at Wickerman. Do you think The Invitation is linked to the Duel refurbishment?
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6 minutes ago, Matt N said:
One thing I'd say there is that all of the examples you cite were purchased under Tussauds, whereas the parks now are owned by Merlin. Even though the firms are similar, they will differ in many ways, and I'd wager that this policy is one of those ways.
As for when the policy was implemented, I'm not 100% sure. I'm not even 100% sure that it's a policy, but I definitely seem to remember someone in the know saying it once. I think they said it had something to do with the Smiler incident and wanting to be 100% sure that all rides met the corporate safety and maintenance standard or something like that (they wouldn't have been 100% sure with a second hand ride bought from outside the group), if I'm remembering correctly.
@Matt N that makes sense that policies have been changed following The Smiler accident. Buying second hand rides could be risky. A Theme Park could sell a ride due to an accident or breakdown. Surly when selling rides don’t Theme Parks have to inform the seller of any incidents involving the ride. Saying this don’t sellers I.E Interlink service rides and get them expected by H&E professionals. If the latter happens purchasing a second hand ride could be safer than buying a new ride. For instance The Smiler,which was brand new,has endured many incidents, whereas Billy’s Wizzer (Monkey Swinger) which is second hand hasn’t had one. Second hand rides are probably inspected. On the other hand new rides are manufactured and sent. Personally I’d feel more comfortable purchasing a second hand ride. They’re vigorously tested and have worked at a Theme Park prior.
I do see Merlin’s logic,although in some cases their reasoning is wrong.
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On 10/18/2022 at 5:04 PM, Matt N said:
I’d also be very surprised if it was a second hand ride. Don’t quote me on this, but I seem to remember hearing that Merlin has a corporate policy expressly forbidding their parks from purchasing second hand rides that don’t come from within the group
@Matt N when was this rule implemented? I know Black Buckaneer at Chessington was second hand. When opened as Smugglers Galleon in 1988 the ride had already operated for a couple of years. Chessington has had many second hand rides. Others include Dennis’s Mad House (Temple Of Mayhem) and Blly’s Wizzer (Monkey Swinger). I don’t know where Black Buckaneer or Billy’s Wizzer came from. I know Dennie’s Madhouse came from The Millennium Dome. If Chessington are/were aloud to purchase second hand rides why can’t Alton Towers. Their both owned by the same company. Chessington and Alton have always been under the same ownership. Prior to 2007 both Theme Parks were owned by the Tussaud’s Group.
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37 minutes ago, JoshC. said:
Apocalypse is almost 200ft tall. Given Towers' height restrictions, it wouldn't go unless they built a huge pit, which we'd already have seen construction of.
Rocky Express is condemned to the junkyard. It will not return anywhere.
@JoshC. I bet when Enterprises replacement arrives it’s a second hand ride. Merlin are already pumping a lot of money into Alton Towers. I wouldn’t be surprised if the combined expense of the Duel refurbishment and the reopening of Nemesis Sub Terra is more than it cost to build The Smiler. Both rides more so Nemeses Sub Terra were in need of massive overhauls. After all Nemesis Sub Terra has been SBNO for almost a decade. I hope Enterprises replaced is a permanent Flat Ride rather than an additional member of The Retro Squad.
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57 minutes ago, Benin said:
A Mr Blobby jump scare like the end of Wallace & Gromit would make it the scariest ride in the world.
@Benin Mr Blobby is far from scary. Mr Blobby is one of my favourite Characters. I even own a Mr Blobby fancy dress costume.
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2 hours ago, Trooper Looper said:
Nope, you're not the only one mate
On what it'd like to see Happen to Duel, I'd love to see it revert back to the Haunted House. Keep the 1992 scenes, and enhance or replace the other sets that were introduced during its laster years and when it became duel.
I even made a quick layout to show you all what I mean.
Green = Keep and TLC
Yellow = enhance
Red = replace with new scene
@Trooper Looper your thoughts are exactly mine. I would like the scenes you have marked red,too be based around Emily Alton and Snowy.
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Next year will be Alton Towers best season,with the Duel refurbishment and the reopening of the SBNO Nemesis Sub Terra the season is brilliant before it’s begun. I wouldn’t be surprised if Enterprise is replaced with Rocky Express from Thorpe Park or Apocalypse from Drayton Manor. Out of the 2 I think the latter is the most realistic Enterprise replacement.
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Am I the only person who is more excited about the Duel refurbishment,than any other project Alton Towers has undertaken? I cannot wait to see what elements of Duel remain,once the likely Emily Alton retheme is complete.
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@Matt N hopefully Vampires possible retrack is years away. I’m sure Chessington are working on a plan for when the time comes to rebuild Vampire. Chessington know how beloved Vampire is,so I doubt they’d remove it. Vampire was the UK’s first ever suspended Rollercoaster after all.
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19 hours ago, Matt N said:
I reckon that if Vampire's trains were to be replaced with anything, it would be the Vekoma SFC-style trains with overhead lap bars. They're easy to source, and they're also brilliantly comfortable; I feel that they would be a huge improvement on the current rolling stock!
Personally, I'd actually remove Vampire rather than retrack it. I don't think it's as iconic as something like Nemesis, and I have high faith that Merlin could replace it with something superior (perhaps not directly, what with the council's issues with that site, but I certainly think that they could provide it with a far superior spiritual successor).
Admittedly, I only rode it once back in 2014, but I controversially wasn't a huge fan of it; I remember it being surprisingly rough, and having numerous dead spots in its layout. That was admittedly based on one ride a very long time ago, however; I should probably get back on it and make a fairer judgement.
@Matt N I’d have to disagree with you for once. Vampire is extremely iconic even more than Nemesis at Alton Towers. Vampire was the Rollercoaster that made Chessington the success it is. Without Vampire Chessington would be nowhere on the scale it is. Although iconic Nemesis doesn’t represent the success of Alton Towers. Nemesis is purely iconic as it was the first Rollercoaster in the U.K to have more than one Inversion (Loop). Both rides were created by the highly successful John Wardley. In some respects Vampire was the prototype for Nemesis. Vampire is like a toned down and simplified version of Nemesis.
If Vampire left Chessington it wouldn’t be the same Theme Park. Vampire is the beating heart of Chessington. Not only is the ride iconic in the success of the Theme Park but it’s definitely Chessington’s most popular ride. The standard que time for Vampire is at least an hour. Compare this to the other Rollercoasters that normally have ques under half an hour,and it becomes apparent just how beloved Vampire is. Personally Vampire is my favourite Rollercoaster at Chessington.
- Trooper Looper and Matt N
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3 hours ago, Matt N said:
I apologise… I was under the impression that Around The World in 80 Days was a lot more similar to It’s a Small World than it clearly was.
Out of interest, what Doom & Son’s elements are there within Duel? I was under the impression that The Haunted House was entirely brand new and bespoke for the park, so I must admit that it surprises me to hear of Doom & Son’s elements being reused within it.
@Matt N I don’t know suspifics but I know a skeleton is in Duel.
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19 minutes ago, Matt N said:
I’m not sure about Around the World in 80 Days, but I know that there is a wall from Doom & Sons, which also previously occupied part of the building, left in the Alton Towers Dungeon.
As for how it would have aged; I agree that it might not have aged brilliantly had it lasted beyond 1993, but I guess it is basically an Alton Towers version of It’s a Small World, and that ride is still entertaining riders at various Disney parks over 50 years on from its inception.
@Matt N I don't see and resemblance between the two mentioned rides except the theme. Around The World In 80 Days was far more basic, annoying and stereotypical than Its A small World. Even the Animatronics are worlds apart as Its A small World uses Dolls, whereas Around The World In 80 Days used life size animatronics even if they were out of proportion. Comparing Its A Small World to Around The World In 80 Days is an insult to the classic Disney ride. Around The World In 80 Days lacked any charm, soundtrack or creativity. From watching POVS I can say with certainty that Toyland Tours was a huge upgrade. As for the wall of Doom and Sons those lives on, I think its lovely that Alton Towers has acknowledged their past by retaining this relic. Alton Towers must have thought a lot of Doom and Sons as this wall has survived 3 rethemes. Further features of Doom and Sons remain at Alton Towers. Numerous aspects of Alton Towers's original spooky attraction were relocated to Duel. I hope the Doom and Sons elements still feature in Duel when the refurbished ride reopens next year. The main aspects of Duel I would happily see go are the features added for the Duel retheme in 2003.
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Was the Dino Safari Ride system sold on? Drusillas Park recently opened a new ride area. In this area is a ride that has a uncanny resemblance to Dino Safari. Obviously, this is excluding the theme as Drusilla's ride is themed to the Jungle. I presume the ride was second hand as it took less than 6 months to construct. I know Merlin, the owners of LEGOLAND, have a history of selling unwanted rides. Because of this my suspicions are raised. A major thing to mention is that the Dino Safari ride system that was previously stored near the Hotel disappeared in the last couple of years. If Dino Safari is now at Drusillas Park, it's refreshing to know the rides still entertaining guests. I like it when Parks purchase second hand rides rather than new ones. Not only is scrapping a perfectly working ride a waste but it saves the environment. Building new ride hardware involves creating more plastic,Metal,Cables etc. Everybody knows that the more plastic in this world the greater the damaged caused to the world.
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27 minutes ago, Matt N said:
Danny on TowersStreet Talk has made an interesting discovery within Zierer's IAAPA product magazine that arguably drops a heavy hint towards Legoland's new coaster being a Zierer family shuttle rather than a Vekoma Family Boomerang, and also provides an insight into a potential theme for the new ride:
I don't know about any of you, but that "Dueling Reverse Coaster" looks exactly like Legoland's proposed layout to me, and the cops and robbers type trains in the left image could possibly hint towards a Lego City theme, in my view. That would certainly suit both Lego and a duelling roller coaster, so would work well, in my view.
P.S. Here's Danny's TowersStreet post: https://towersstreet.com/talk/threads/legoland-windsor.67/page-77#post-382844
@Matt N If the new Legoland Rollercoaster will have this theme, I think it should be built in Lego City formally known as Traffic. Having a mildly thrilling transport themed Rollercoaster in Duplo Vally will look wrong. Considering Duplo Vally is primerally aimed at younger guests the placement is even more obscure. I suppose Duplo Vally could be condensed with half being rethemed to Lego city. The new Lego City could be a spiritual successor to the original l that is now Heartlake City. Following this retheme the current Lego City could become traffic once more. I've always thought the renaming of Traffic was ludicrous. When I think of Citys Shops,Eaterys,and entertainment venues come to mind. I certainly don't think soley of Transport. If part of Duplo Vally is transformed into Lego City, I think the remaining area needs an overhaul. I certainly think the broken theming on Fairytale Brook needs to be repaired. Additionally, I think the water squirters should be reintroduced. The surprise of getting wet added an element of suspense and fun.
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Are any remnants of Around The World In 80 Days concealed in The Alton Towers Dungeon. By remnants I mean scenes,animatronics or walls. I watched a few POVS of Around The World In 80 Days. Personally I find this ride more creepy than the Dungeon. The animatronics have oversized heads and freaky audio. Bloody hell some of the audio is more haunting than the scripts for the Dungeons. In current times Around The World In 80 Days wouldn’t last 5 minutes. Some of the scenes and animatronics were incredibly stereotypical. Most notably the American scene with the dramatised American accent. The character even blew America up as some Americans do. For instance Americans make their country sound bigger and better than others,I.E England. The ride would definitely have been closed for a couple of reasons primarily it’s perception of Racism and secondly for traumatising riders. This ride reminds me of some of the attractions in America. The American scene of Around The World In 80 Days definitely had an America Sings vibe. I wouldn’t be surprised if the same narrator voiced the America Sings characters and the Around The World In 80 Days ones.
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@Marley I would like Vampire to be refurbished rather than removed. Vampire is my favourite of all the Chessington Rollercoasters. Vampire is too Chessington what Nemesis is to Alton Towers. Due to this I think it’s likely a retrack will be arranged.
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6 hours ago, Benin said:
#basic
Apparently each social media post is different as well? One of which will get the Emily stans really excited.
@Benin which social media post will get Emily fans really excited? What channel is the video on?
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2 hours ago, JoshC. said:
I'm clearly not the Duel stan I thought I was, because I don't know who Emily Alton is....
@JoshC. Emily Alton is the ghost/Doll who inhabits the Dolls House in the queline. Snowy’s Emily Alton’s pet Cat.
Chessington holding exhibition for “new attraction” on Wednesday 16th November
in Chessington World of Adventures
Posted
think you might be onto something there; a now deleted comment on AS' Facebook post from an Attraction Source admin said that "those familiar with the situation say that it is replacing an existing attraction" @Matt N with this in mind I think the new addition could be one of the following. Option number 1 is a replacement for Scorpion Express. This beloved Rollercoaster has been closed since a mild fire in July. Option number 2 is the retheme of The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure. This Ip with Julia Donaldson has been around for 6 years. From past experience IPs generally expire after this period. A good example is Bubbleworks Imperial Leather. This Sponsorship ended in 2014 following 7 years. Most people were not aware of this. Bubbleworkks remained largely unchanged bar the covering of Imperial Leather logos. Option number 3 is the replacement of The Maine Stage with a ride. This area and the adjacent former Toytown architecture are being renovated. A decent Flat Ride could slip into this location. Option number 4 is a new ride to replace Elmer's Flying Jumbos. This rides sponsorship expires in 2024. Chessington could be planning ahead so a replacement can be implemented immediately. Option number 5 is the gutting of Room On The Broom A Magical Journey. This attraction is also part of a sponsorship with Julia Donaldson which is probably close to ending. Option number 6 is a new ride possibly a kids Rollercoaster to replace Creepy Caves. Chessington said that the Creepy Caves Scare Maze is in its final season. Option 6 is the errection of a Water Park to complement the hotels and create an all-inclusive Holiday Resort. Option 7 is a major refurbishment of Tomb Blaster. Duel the sister ride to this attraction is currently undergoing an overhaul. Option 8 is the retracking of Chessington's most symbolic and popular ride Vampire. This ride is over 30 years old and is likely reaching the end of its currant from. As Nemesis at Alton Towers is to undergo this treatment surly Vampire will. The fact is Vampire's just as iconic if not more iconic than Nemesis. Vampire was the first suspended Rollercoaster in the U.K and is the reason Chessington is how we all love it. Furthermore, Vampire was the first suspended Rollercoaster in Europe and the sole surviving Arrow Dynamics model outside of America. My final but by no means least hypothesis is the retheme of Zufari Ride into Africa. Chessington Buzz speculated earlier this year that this almost decade year old attraction could receive a Jumanji overlay. I think this is very possible as Chessington are opening The World of Jumanji in March. Giving a slight refresh to a decade old attraction would raise it popularity once more. It's worth noting this is my weakest theory. Zufari is the furvfest away area from The World of Jumanji. This would make a Jumanji overlay a right shambles. With Chessington opening their most imersive area to date id rather all the Jumanji theming contained to the former picnic area opposite The Land of the Dragons.
Can everyone please give their feedback on wheater I am barking up the right tree? I would like to know your predictions on what new addition will be announced on the 16th of November. Please please please inform me of your views. Personally, I would be overjoyed if the new addition is the return of Professor Burp's Bubbleworks. Devastatingly I think we are more likely to see a flying pink pig.