Benin Posted April 8, 2023 Report Share Posted April 8, 2023 Daft thing is in my experiences of similar systems abroad and in UK the abuse is only prevalent in Merlin parks. And a lot of other parks don't even use the return time slots either. I'd say the steps to change it are simple. But the park are hesitant because of the inevitable bad press from those who will scream and shout because they can't abuse the system anymore. Martin Doyle 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyMoo Posted April 17, 2023 Report Share Posted April 17, 2023 This Smiler takeover at Towers looks fantastic... Particular points to note are the Argos karaoke machine, aeroplane seats (out of shot) with barbed wire on them (completely fits in), bits of old CBeebies tat (Fido dog house). When does it stop becoming an "easter egg" or "a NoD tO sOMEthIng" and not just never buying anything new and just repurposing/throwing in anything they find in the props cupboard? I say right now, personally. And I'm a Smiler fan.... but that stage in front of the Wickerboi just gives me the ick. Shane Sandwich is gonna be rippin' this a new one tonight. Trooper Looper and coasterverse 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glitch Posted April 17, 2023 Report Share Posted April 17, 2023 Why have they started this event right as the school holidays ends......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ML27 Posted April 17, 2023 Report Share Posted April 17, 2023 Cant believe I’m saying this, but I’m so glad Thorpe stick to appropriate events. This event isn’t really an event, it’s scraping the barrel for entertainment. It doesn’t work, the thrill makers at thorpe are 100% on brand. This isn’t, it seems like an event that a park such a pleasurewood hills or Oakwood could put on. The props, the quality of the stages and the acting (not the actors fault) should not be in a premium theme park Trooper Looper and coasterverse 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benin Posted April 18, 2023 Report Share Posted April 18, 2023 Lol. Is this actually worse than last year's version? I guess though this is the issue with the UK parks as a whole. Entertainment is an afterthought, so we end up with Butlins-esque stuff because people seem to like it? Though the old pirate show was usually worth a giggle or two so maybe it's what works. Bring back the Ice Show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuntman707 Posted April 29, 2023 Report Share Posted April 29, 2023 You know what else doesn’t belong at a premium theme park? Aramark. If they’re going to outsource food again and increase prices, at least bring back the brands; KFC, McDonald’s / Burger King. Or for something different; Wendy’s, Popeyes, Taco Bell. I remember the Old El Paso place near the flume always did banging fajitas. (with MAP discount) Thorpe at least are keeping the brands and I don’t mind paying for Burger King because I know what I’m going to get and it’s a treat. A basic burger served with bland mushy fries is just not something I’m going to buy at a theme park let alone pay a premium for it. Inferno 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark9 Posted April 29, 2023 Report Share Posted April 29, 2023 What annoys me more is that Merlin food used to be pretty good and pretty affordable. But its completely the reverse now and the crap you get is no where near worth the money. I'll pay the premium for good food but I'll spend as little as possible if I know the food is questionable. And as I'm more then willing to shovel out $80 for a meal at Tiffins in Disney World, the fact that I really don't want to spend £10 for a burger and fries at The Burger Kitchen says a lot. Inferno and JoshC. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt 236 Posted April 29, 2023 Report Share Posted April 29, 2023 Problem is even though these parks have been under Merlin domain for over 15 years now, they continue to be operated as if it’s their first year running them and they are millions in debt. Whilst the new investments look exciting, the whole barebones of the park operations have been getting worse. Whether it’s things like Galactica taking more than 6 weeks to be in full operational capacity or the quality and quantity of F&B becoming worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inferno Posted May 1, 2023 Report Share Posted May 1, 2023 I think the issue is that many of us continue to compare Merlin’s parks with “premium theme parks” as mentioned here, and even Disney. I think that ship sailed many years ago - Merlin don’t seem to want to run premium theme parks, they want to run them like Six Flags. Complaining about Merlin’s dreadful food and poor experience compared to Disney is like complaining about Ryanair’s upcharge for an instant coffee and a broken Kitkat compared to Emirates first class four course meals. I think the problem they’ve got is that Merlin don’t offer the same good overall prices to back it all up. I think it’s a shame though - not so long ago the food at Merlin’s parks was actually really good overall. It’s hard watching it decline isn’t it. I’m still hopeful that things will improve at some point. Since going private they’re investing heavily in new attractions after a period of nothing. Perhaps the focus will shift to overall experience in a couple of years… JoshC. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark9 Posted May 2, 2023 Report Share Posted May 2, 2023 On 5/1/2023 at 4:14 AM, Inferno said: I think the issue is that many of us continue to compare Merlin’s parks with “premium theme parks” as mentioned here, and even Disney. I think that ship sailed many years ago - Merlin don’t seem to want to run premium theme parks, they want to run them like Six Flags. Complaining about Merlin’s dreadful food and poor experience compared to Disney is like complaining about Ryanair’s upcharge for an instant coffee and a broken Kitkat compared to Emirates first class four course meals. I think the problem they’ve got is that Merlin don’t offer the same good overall prices to back it all up. I think it’s a shame though - not so long ago the food at Merlin’s parks was actually really good overall. It’s hard watching it decline isn’t it. I’m still hopeful that things will improve at some point. Since going private they’re investing heavily in new attractions after a period of nothing. Perhaps the focus will shift to overall experience in a couple of years… We should continue to compare Merlin to premium theme parks as that is how they price themselves. Ryanair don't price themselves like they're BA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt 236 Posted May 2, 2023 Report Share Posted May 2, 2023 Or Weatherspoons to places like Cote, Wagamamas or Wildwood. However the food at Spoons is better in both quality and value than what they serve at the park these days tbh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hethetheth Posted May 2, 2023 Report Share Posted May 2, 2023 They charge premium prices so I should only rightly expect a premium product. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterverse Posted May 2, 2023 Report Share Posted May 2, 2023 Hot take, but I didn't actually mind The Smiler Takeover. Sure, it was horrendously cringe in X-Sector with these blatant 'we need to have some event specific entertainment so lets see what we can come up with' shoe-horned stages but some of the props that they used in the various queuelines were actually pretty cool - the one that comes to mind most significantly is the mannequin in the Th13teen queueline. Granted, it doesn't really fit with the attractions - but I don't think it was ever meant to. I don't like the idea of the theme, nor do I like the idea of the event, but as far as actually executing the event is concerned... it kind of does what it says on the tin, right? It's the Smiler takeover and... well... it took over. I just hope the random bits of theming chucked in the various queuelines are repurposed in the Smiler in some form once the event is finally done with, and I also hope that this year is the end of Festival of Thrills. It didn't work last year, it didn't work this year (although it worked slightly better this year than it did last imo), so I hope they just call it quits. I think this year they just used any old excuse to have ANY event running at ANY point in the season, just to try to entice more return customers. Whether that ends up working for them or not is yet to be seen... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benin Posted August 2, 2023 Report Share Posted August 2, 2023 Hex and Skyride being down for remainder of season really makes me glad I'm not bothering to visit this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark9 Posted August 2, 2023 Report Share Posted August 2, 2023 10 minutes ago, Benin said: Hex and Skyride being down for remainder of season really makes me glad I'm not bothering to visit this season. Don't forget our dearly beloved. I'm not really buying what they're saying to be honest. I think its to do with staffing. The way Hex miraculously reopened last year when Duel closed says to me they have recruitment holes that they can't fill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt N Posted August 5, 2023 Report Share Posted August 5, 2023 On 8/2/2023 at 1:30 PM, Mark9 said: Don't forget our dearly beloved. I'm not really buying what they're saying to be honest. I think its to do with staffing. The way Hex miraculously reopened last year when Duel closed says to me they have recruitment holes that they can't fill. But surely if this were the case, Hex wouldn’t have opened alongside The Curse at Alton Manor at the start of the season? At the start of the season, the two did operate alongside each other (albeit very briefly, as Hex was down again by April). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glitch Posted November 26, 2023 Report Share Posted November 26, 2023 Seeing a lot of map holders complaining about the down sizing of the Xmas event this year…. well perhaps if you spent money at the Christmas market it would be back.. cheap and cheerful as always the map holders expecting everything for free with their £120 annual pass bought in the sale whilst visiting the attractions bi weekly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyMoo Posted January 30 Report Share Posted January 30 So what's this rumour of a permanent flat in Forbidden Valley then TPMers? Ripsaw coming back? Zamperla NebulaZ? Another ruddy Sky Fly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark9 Posted January 30 Report Share Posted January 30 I don't think anyone on this forum cares to be honest. MattyMoo and Benin 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshC. Posted March 8 Report Share Posted March 8 Divisional Director Bianca posted an updated stating that the SkyRide will again be closed all year. The decision was made to keep it closed so they could spend the time and money to prolong the ride's lifespan. The update also stated that the Dungeons would close this summer as the space will be used for Scarefest. It's not totally clear whether this is the end end of Dungeons or just an overlay. But if you want to experience it...experience it before the summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattgwise Posted March 8 Report Share Posted March 8 22 minutes ago, JoshC. said: Divisional Director Bianca posted an updated stating that the SkyRide will again be closed all year. The decision was made to keep it closed so they could spend the time and money to prolong the ride's lifespan. The update also stated that the Dungeons would close this summer as the space will be used for Scarefest. It's not totally clear whether this is the end end of Dungeons or just an overlay. But if you want to experience it...experience it before the summer. Seems Hex will get some enhancements too. Full update from Bianca here... As we gear up for the new season, I’m delighted to share some thrilling updates from Alton Towers Resort with you! Firstly, let me extend a heartfelt thank you to all who joined us for our swashbuckling Pirate Takeover during the February half term. It was an epic adventure filled with treasure hunts, family thrills, and enough pirate shenanigans to make even Blackbeard blush! The success of this event truly sets the tone for what’s to come in our future events program and I can’t wait to explore more uncharted waters together as we dive into these later this year. For now, with the main season just a week away, excitement is reaching fever pitch across the Resort! We have already gone public with some of the exciting elements making their debut this year, including track walks, VIP experiences and confirmed that we’ll stage celebratory activities marking ten years of CBeebies Land. However, I wanted to share an exclusive sneak peek behind the scenes: over the winter, we’ve invested millions back into the Resort, focusing on enhancing the overall look and feel with our incredible resort team working hard to deep clean and enhance many of our attractions. For many of our rides this means a refreshed look and feel – in stations, on the track and in queue lines. Plus, we’ve also invested in technology upgrades, additional theming, as well as branding throughout. From floors to ceilings, pathways to fencing lines, seating, and everything in between. I am sure you will recognise this in some of your favourite spots. And that’s not all—our waterpark and hotels have also received some enriching upgrades. I can’t wait for you to experience these enhancements first-hand! As you know Alton Towers is so much more than our rides and attractions. We pride ourselves on our rich heritage and being caretakers of our historical artefacts. Over the winter we have undertaken specialist work on The Choragic Monument and Scalloped wall in our Grade Listed gardens. The monument, designed by Peter Hollins of Birmingham and completed around 1830, is a Grade II listed building that features marble bust of the 15th Earl of Shrewsbury and the inscription ‘he made the desert smile’. Aptly, the quote ‘he made the desert smile’ refers to the 15th Earls dedication to improving the gardens and wider estate despite its lack of a natural water source. I’m thrilled the work carried out by our teams will bring smiles for generations to come. But wait, there’s more! Get ready for new types of merchandise in our shops, limited-edition items (wait till you see our Nemesis Reborn range!), and exciting food and beverage options. It’s all about bringing something fresh and exciting that we’ve never done before, and we’ll keep listening to guest feedback to keep the momentum going. Plus, following the positive response to the launch of The Curse at Alton Manor video overlay, we’re expanding options for capturing memories across more attractions, so get ready for some new ways to relive your favourite moments! And here’s a little teaser: next week, we’ll be launching something special to bring a piece of Alton Towers Resort to you, no matter where you are in the world. Stay ‘tuned’! We’re dedicated to providing unforgettable experiences for all our guests, and we’re committed to driving further excitement and innovation throughout the season. From events to new attractions, it’s my ambition that there is always something to look forward to in 2024 – long after opening! And speaking of excitement later in the season, get ready for the triumphant return of Hex: Legend of the Towers! We’ve invested in brand new special effects to take this twisted tale to the next level, and I can’t wait for you to experience it. This significant investment reflects our continued passion for dark rides and creating truly immersive experiences. It has led us somewhere really exciting with this attraction. I have been blown away by the work undertaken so far. It is already phenomenal, and I cannot wait to see it come to life further as we continue to work through this project ahead of its return later in 2024. Stay tuned for more details on this much-anticipated comeback! I know you are going to love it. For me, this kind of investment is crucial now and for the future success of the Resort. Some of our assets require more love and investment than others. Over the last year during its closure we have been carrying out crucial work behind the scenes on the Skyride. It has been extensive but needed. As we have worked through this project in collaboration with the ride supplier POMA, we have had to make some critical decisions about the attraction’s future longevity. This went beyond our commitment to just keeping the Skyride operational, it became around the desire to ensure it remains a beloved feature of the park for generations to come. The Skyride isn’t just a ride; it’s a piece of Alton Towers history and an iconic sight at the theme park since the 1960’s. Since its debut, it has whisked millions of visitors across the park offering breath-taking views of our historic Listed gardens and their hidden gems. My ambition is not to lose this from the park. Therefore, we are opting to place additional, significant investment into its infrastructure to protect this much-loved attraction that has been a staple of the Resort for so long. This means Skyride will remain closed in 2024 as we continue our work and undertake this multimillion-pound project. Rest assured that specialist teams are already at work behind the scenes and will ensure its eventual return will be nothing short of spectacular. You will no doubt see work progress over the coming months when visiting the Resort. In the meantime, we’ve doubled down on our commitment to accessibility with investment in expanding our fleet of mobility scooters to continue to support guests who require additional assistance to navigate our park. In other exciting news, we’re thrilled to announce that the Alton Towers Dungeon will undergo a thrilling transformation this Scarefest season. From summer, this space will close as it is reimagined to create something truly special for our beloved event. Prepare for spooks and scares around every corner in a brand-new experience! With just a week to go before season opening, I want to finish by saying how excited the colleagues and I are to welcome you back through the turnstiles. There’s so much to look forward to this season. Nemesis Reborn will soon deliver screams once more, accompanied by a reimagined Forbidden Valley that pays homage to this iconic coaster. I cannot wait for you to experience this thrilling space and enhanced immersion. I am incredibly proud of the team that have worked hard to deliver this area of the park and I am confident you will agree what an incredible level of theming they have achieved. If you were excited for Nemesis Reborn before, the next few days and ultimate opening day are set to really cement the anticipation of this thrilling return. The reaction to the news that Bluey will arrive at the Resort this Easter has also been incredible. I am so proud we are bringing this award-winning and much-loved IP to the Resort in 2024. As we celebrate 10 years of CBeebies Land, we have even more exciting announcements in store to mark this milestone over the coming weeks. It’s another fantastic reason 2024 is set to be a truly memorable year for the Resort for both families and thrillseekers alike. As always, we still have plenty of announcements to make in the coming days and lot’s more to share. So much has been achieved over the winter season from rides and attractions to facilities and infrastructure, it’s all aimed at our passion delivering a first-class experience to you, our guests. And as one final ‘spoiler’ I can confirm to you that our passion to deliver excitement has extended to our beloved park map – all will be revealed in the coming days! With just a week to go before the season opens, I can’t wait to welcome you back to the Resort for more unforgettable experiences and memories. Get ready for an incredible year ahead! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benin Posted March 8 Report Share Posted March 8 Makes trips to Towers somewhat more burdensome without Skyride. Guess we'll be hiring a mobility scooter on our visit. No Hex at the start is a shame, hopefully they can FINALLY fix the parking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inferno Posted March 8 Report Share Posted March 8 This all sounds very promising. Finally some investment in some general upkeep! I’m hoping that when Universal opens, Merlin’s parks will have no choice but to keep on top of all this every season, and there will be no need to spend millions in one go to fix years of rot and decay. Still, this sounds great! Looking forward to seeing what’s new! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benin Posted March 8 Report Share Posted March 8 2 hours ago, Inferno said: I’m hoping that when Universal opens, Merlin’s parks will have no choice but to keep on top of all this every season, and there will be no need to spend millions in one go to fix years of rot and decay. Sounds like what people were saying about London Resort. Still a massive if about Universal happening. Even if they're far more competent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Posted March 9 Report Share Posted March 9 Nice to finally have some transparency from Alton Towers Thought this was a good watch. Bianca clearly has a lot of passion and does seem to making the right decisions for Towers. The future is looking bright (finally) I hope these 8pm closes at the start of the season are successful too would love to see more of them throughout the season Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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