February 20, 201411 yr comment_176935 Let's not forget all the good things MMM have done. Granted, things which they've done at Chessington haven't been great, but for the most part, MMM's creations have been top notch.
February 20, 201411 yr comment_176936 (And the entire show script, audio and effect sequencing!)Here's that very interesting interview with Brad Wynne at Merlin Magic Making, for anybody who hasn't already read it.
February 20, 201411 yr comment_176939 A lot of the people who complained last year still visited. I'm interested to see if that happens again.
February 20, 201411 yr comment_176942 I think it is down to Merlin wanting to maximise their sales, so a hotel brings in more money with people wanting to do two days, then the average spend per visitor/guest/customer/adventurer or Mug whatever Merlin are calling us now will go up. the Mine Train won't bring in any additional revenue so this is why it has taken a very low priority. The fact that they had it idle for long shows how un-important the attraction is for them. Don't get me wrong they are spending a fortune on the park and every year we are seeing lots of improvements, but this is only because of so many years of low investments. Lets see what it is like for opening day, hopefully they can do a lot in a month.
February 21, 201411 yr comment_176951 It may look bad, but expanding the hotel now should give them the additional gate figures on park, which'd give them the statistics and figures allowing them to argue for higher budgets and investment. Think lightwater valley building their holiday area, in the hope that it'd lead to more investment and replicate what mingo has done but on a friendlier scale.
February 21, 201411 yr comment_176956 Current view of the hotel, from a pic put up in a staff area.. 163 days until opening. http://postimg.org/image/oexqz1a4t/
February 21, 201411 yr comment_176957 Current view of the hotel, from a pic put up in a staff area.. 163 days until opening. http://postimg.org/image/oexqz1a4t/ Holy hell... the new Hotel could be the next Smiler!
February 24, 201411 yr comment_177224 I was looking at Rattlesnake during African Adventures, it looks knackered! How long will it be before they start removing the theming on that (like the tunnels)?
February 24, 201411 yr comment_177225 Does it really look knackered?! I really think it adds to the effect and theming of the ride, but maybe that's the right thing to do. If Chessington decide to do that, I don't think ts going to be the highest priority.
February 24, 201411 yr comment_177229 Most of the park looks knackered, Rattlesnake is definitely one of them, the cave especially... There's a big difference between looking knackered due to no upkeep, or deliberately looking knackered...
February 24, 201411 yr comment_177230 Does it really look knackered?! I really think it adds to the effect and theming of the ride, but maybe that's the right thing to do. If Chessington decide to do that, I don't think ts going to be the highest priority.It looks a bit too tired IMO, could do with a bit of a cleanup and of course there's that random pole that isn't connected to the ground...
February 24, 201411 yr comment_177232 Well it must be quite high on their priorities because they spent loads of money on it yesterday, removed half the scenery for refurbishment and repainted a lot of props. Plus as far as I know Rattlesnake is not themed as a run down, crumbling attraction with mossy animatronics and patched up fibreglass. The notion that leaving rides to fall apart "fits the theme" is silly in any situation, and thankfully that's really not what Chessington are trying to do.
February 24, 201411 yr comment_177235 I was looking at Rattlesnake during African Adventures, it looks knackered! How long will it be before they start removing the theming on that (like the tunnels)? Well if Falls and Runnaway got stripped of rock work, you can be 100% sure that EVERYTHING at the park was checked, and Rattlesnake passed.. Do remember the bell tower was removed and replaced and re-painted mid season, and the wind turbine was taken down and has never returned, so it did loose a bit..
February 24, 201411 yr comment_177237 Well it must be quite high on their priorities because they spent loads of money on it yesterday, removed half the scenery for refurbishment and repainted a lot of props. Plus as far as I know Rattlesnake is not themed as a run down, crumbling attraction with mossy animatronics and patched up fibreglass. The notion that leaving rides to fall apart "fits the theme" is silly in any situation, and thankfully that's really not what Chessington are trying to do.That's good to hear, I was just going off what I saw a few weeks ago.
February 24, 201411 yr comment_177238 Sorry for some reason I wrote "yesterday" instead of "last season", a bit misleading! It seems my fingers weren't connected to my brain. But yes, Rattlesnake received most of the maintenance attention last year, along with Tomb Blaster. It still looks quite shabby but hopefully the effects that went missing last year will have been fixed by now.
February 25, 201411 yr comment_177265 Ok fair enough Coaster Jamie I do see where you are coming from. IMO the rest of the park should be dealt with first before the rattlesnake as I still think it adds a bit to the theming of the ride even if ts really knackered.
February 26, 201411 yr comment_177279 Does anyone know when the Chessington/Merlin Passholder Preview Day will be available to book please? It's advertised on the Chessington Website as the weekend of the 15/16 March (which annoyingly clashes with the Thorpe Park weekend!) but there is no sign of being able to book your tickets. It's just over 2 weeks away, and the Thorpe Park tickets (for the same weekend) are available, so it must be very soon? Many thanks in advance!
February 26, 201411 yr comment_177283 ^ You had to book Chessington last year in the exact same way as Thorpe Park. They just ended up cancelling last years
February 26, 201411 yr comment_177284 ^ You had to book Chessington last year in the exact same way as Thorpe Park. They just ended up cancelling last years Ah yes I remember that now, please ignore my previous advice!
March 2, 201411 yr comment_177517 On a positive note, the scaffolding on Rammy is coming down and it should be good to go for the start of the season.
March 2, 201411 yr comment_177528 There'll be plenty of new steel poles around Forbidden Kingdom to make up for loss of that scaffolding! Apart from that, most rides and attractions are looking brilliant this year.
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