Fred Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 Spinball was down more than it was open, always being replaced by Rita. Hence rita becoming the ERT option in 2011. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBobJones Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 IMO Air should be on the list as it doesn't matter when you go there is always a queue a mile long at 10am when its open and it opens with a 40 min queue which never really seems to reduce during the day. Even a 09:30 opening would be nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPJames Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 IMO Air should be on the list as it doesn't matter when you go there is always a queue a mile long at 10am when its open and it opens with a 40 min queue which never really seems to reduce during the day. Even a 09:30 opening would be nice. I can understand why sonic spinball and Rita aren't open etc. however I don't get where alton are coming at by having ERT, but spreading the rides across the park which are avalible, and that means you have to make a long journey over to a different one which means you get on less rides. Of course maybe this years line up is better for alton, and ovbiously oblivion can't be on the list, but I am disappointed with the amount of 'major' rides alton are giving you the chance to ride. Nemesis is the only one I would consider as really good and thirteen is good but not really a major ride as such... The ideal thing to do for guests would be to open up the forbidden valley and kantaga canyon/mutiny bay. This would mean guests wouldn't have to travel across the park to get on different rides and there would be better rides on offer... What I think could open up for ERT: Nemesis Air RMT Heave Ho Sea life thing Marauders mayhem The blade/ripsaw??? The reason I put the blade and ripsaw on question is because I don't know if they are very reliable rides or not, I think they are in an adequate position to open but if they are unrealiable etc. then they may not be able to open. The key attractions open though could be Air and nemesis... Later on in the season oblivion could then take over again maybe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RideAddict Posted March 3, 2013 Report Share Posted March 3, 2013 Air has never been listed on ERT, ever since it's opened it's not been on it.Sorry mate, outvoted. Last September I got in the park at 9:15am, I had 2 rides on Nemesis and got on Air just after 10:00am. But in the past, it has definitely been open before 10:00am. If it's not been, I've certainly seeing it fly around empty during tests before opening! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Posted March 3, 2013 Report Share Posted March 3, 2013 As I said, it may be open every now and then to replace a certain ride. Apart from when it was on valley ERT. I think I'd know this somehow.. ERT is currently run so everyone is spread out at the beginning of the day - you can choose to go to a certain area of the park, ride the open rides then wait for the other rides to open. Not really run so everyone rides every ERT ride before 10. Though whether it should be run like that is another thing.. Ripsaw and Blade could easily open for ERT, it's just noone would ride them. Rendering it pointless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graeme Posted March 3, 2013 Report Share Posted March 3, 2013 Ah that's a shame Oblivion isn't on there! Simple reason why though! Oblivion was always my first choice to start the day before moving onto Th13teen & Rita before heading to FV! It's the only way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstroDan Posted March 3, 2013 Report Share Posted March 3, 2013 As Fred says, there have been occasions when Air (and indeed, other rides) have opened before 10am. If another ride is for some reason unable to open for ERT, then it is usually quickly replaced by another (I.e. Rita if Th13teen couldn't open, Air if Nemesis couldn't etc.). I still think the best ERT used to be when it was hotel guests and annual pass holders only, with access to Forbidden Valley. The way it is now, you waste most of your time walking, because the Skyride is closed! Coaster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoelPagett Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 The Alton Towers 2013 Map has been revealed in The Sun today! A little bit of concept art for both new rooms at the hotel have also appeared. The Smiler rooms look pretty scary though! More Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pluk Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Just awful. Good luck finding your way round that mess if you've never been before. MikeC, TimmyJimmy86 and Mer 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoelPagett Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Agreed it is really very hard to find where you need to go if you have never been before, everything looks like it has been more squashed to make way for The Smiler! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benin Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Thorpe and Towers' current maps are absolutely awful... Need to get a new design as soon as possible... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stokesyboy Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 These maps are getting so jumbled now! At least Chessington's is fairly accurate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 The hotels don't need nearly as much as space on the map. Absolutely awful mess, and I feel for any guests who are visiting AT for the first time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimmyJimmy86 Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 think we need to go back to the designs of maps we had a few years ago, these current maps are just awful, if any of us were to of never visited either alton or thorpe before we would be lost, disgusting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valentez Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Just a complete mess yet again, I really thought they might have used this oppertunity with a large new addition to lay everything out clearly. One of my personal favourite styles is this from 2000, pathways are clearly marked with each area being defined by a certain colour (I think this also indicated the sort of age group that area was aimed at). (Courtesy of Towerstimes) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mer Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 What on earth am I looking at?! If you stare long enough you can follow the paths, but then again I know in my mind my way around the park. As others have said, first time visitors would have a struggle! It's like the rides etc are taking up too much room to be able to quickly navigate the map. When you're at a busy theme park, the quicker you can get around, the better! Also I can't seem to find the Skyride stations on there, the picture loses quality when I zoom in to find them. I was looking for them to see if they're easy to find for new visitors but I think my question has been answered EDIT: I can see them now! Small pale blue labels with white font? Oh dear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam T Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 New map isn't really new but its nice they've kept with the 3 year map thing, would of looked odd having that map for 2 years then changing it, I'm shocked they've done the impossible task of fitting The Smiler in that already squashed map! But it looks nice from a poster form of view and I know Alton will do some finishing touching before opening day because normally The Sun is just a "preview" of the map, the finished article is normally more clear-ish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coaster Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 The Sanctuary is officially confirmed to be returning in 2013. (I know it was a while ago, but it all went quiet about it since then so it's good to see that they have put it on the website. I believe that it will close when The Smiler opens.) http://www.altontowers.com/rides-and-attractions/thrill-rides/the-sanctuary/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pluk Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 Think it was said by the park a while ago that it is a gap filler for the delayed Smiler, so it should only be for a month or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 It's open until Smiler opens (pretty sure it says that somewhere on website, I read it earlier today). Therefore will be open until May.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 I was rather hoping The Sanctuary would remain open throughout the year. It'd make sense considering the maze ties in with The Smiler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Indeed, would be nice. However theyre using it as a replacement for smiler rather than a supplement Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshC. Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 http://www.altontowers.com/useful-info/opening-times Opening times have been released! They seem quite strange - 5PM close during Easter weekend?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 A 5pm close on any weekend is bad enough, let alone easter!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 5pm can sometimes be okay at towers. Not brilliant though. Stupid park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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