February 24, 201411 yr comment_177218 I'm sure it will be fun and a good laugh, but Shrek?? Seriously?!
February 24, 201411 yr comment_177220 "iconic international entertainment" "unlike anything that currently exists" IPs Could almost start a bingo game for common phrases / things that appear in a Merlin-related press release! It's going to bring in visitors I guess. Makes more sense to go with an IP with this sorta of thing though, seeinghow it's just sorta there, and not integrated within one of Merlin's big attractions. Still, would much rather see Merlin go for SOMETHING original and non-IP related...
February 24, 201411 yr comment_177236 I would LOVE Disney, or anyone else to battle against the Merlin Monopoly currently going on. I mean if it's not this, it would be another SEALIFE attraction.. Quality, not quantity please!!!
February 27, 201411 yr comment_177341 Merlin have posted their own financial stuff online... http://www.merlinentertainments.biz/results-and-presentations
February 27, 201411 yr comment_177347 Supposedly the shark idea is the final selected one I would get a pic but I'm on my phone at the moment
February 28, 201411 yr comment_177430 When Merlin are making this amount of money, the service you receive at some of their parks is unacceptable! http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/business/local-business/merlin-profits-are-a-boost-resort-1-6468545
March 3, 201411 yr comment_177566 EXCLUSIVE PASSHOLDER BIG PREVIEW WEEKENDYou are invited to our exclusive Passholder & Member Big Preview Weekend! We want you to experience it first, so we're holding Passholder & Member only days at Chessington Resort and THORPE PARK Resort on the Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th March 2014, 10am to 5pm (Chessington), 10am-4pm (THORPE PARK). Space is limited (even wizards have rules) so make sure you book early to guarantee your free place. As for the day itself, remember to mix your magic in with our own to be among the first to have a weekend this year that's not just memorable, but spellbinding.To book for Chessington Resort:http://bit.ly/MAPpreview2014CWOARTo book for THORPE PARK Resort:http://bit.ly/MAPpreview2014TP pretty much confirmed now in merlin AP's fb page, although I think they good the opening times wrong
March 3, 201411 yr comment_177570 I hope that Thorpe's is until 5pm, I was thinking about going on Saturday afternoon but it's not worth bothering with if it shuts at 4.
March 3, 201411 yr comment_177574 looks like chessington may have to stay open til 5, and thorpe will stay open til 5 anyway... so looking at it a win, win for the mistake?
March 3, 201411 yr comment_177575 looks like chessington may have to stay open til 5, and thorpe will stay open til 5 anyway... so looking at it a win, win for the mistake? Hopefully, Thorpe's eventbrite page still says 5pm so I assume that it's an error on Merlin's behalf.
March 13, 201411 yr comment_178186 So does anyone know the terms and conditions of these birthday vouchers as part of our perk packs that still haven't arrived! As my birthday is Tuesday May 6th, and wondering how they class a week either side, so would it be okay to use on Tuesday 29th April?
March 14, 201411 yr comment_178259 I have now received my perk pack in the post, and it is 7 days either side of your birthday, so gives a 15 day window to use it
March 14, 201411 yr comment_178263 I've got the privilege pack, the birthday thing is pointless and stupid, and I fear it's replaced the friends and family deal. Most of the birthdays in my family are in closed season, so this renders it pointless. Giving out Fastrack's is not a good thing, it's a way of covering not running a park properly and it means that the queues will be even slower and longer this year. Calling us "wizards" is an absolute joke though. It's the adults who usually read this stuff, it's like they are speaking to five year olds. Also, the Dungeons (about death, blood and gore) are now "magical worlds" according to the new marketing strategy. Pathetic.
March 14, 201411 yr comment_178268 http://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/perks.aspxThey haven't got rid of the family and friends perk, although never realised this was something I was getting - and personally I love the idea of the birthday vouchers, as it's great if you can manage to use them around your birthday As for the language they use, it is a bit weird as if you're a child aha!
March 14, 201411 yr comment_178270 http://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/perks.aspx They haven't got rid of the family and friends perk ^ That's good, I'll cut them a small bit of slack for that then!
March 14, 201411 yr comment_178285 The Dungeons are now more Horrible Histories style, hence more suited to the family market...
March 14, 201411 yr comment_178288 The problem is families spend the most money in the market... so anything aimed primarily at thrill seekers like thorpe was, was a bad decision due to in general teenagers having less money and therefore probably not being able to afford to go, same with dungeons I guess, try to broaden who it appeals to - although I still thought it was great fun definitely with some scary bits! So basically we'll see big and thrilling additions probably less often than now, and will see the money spent on attractions trying to appeal to everyone - so doubt we'll see the next coaster with a 1.4m restriction at thorpe! :/
March 14, 201411 yr comment_178290 A 1.4m restriction doesn't automatically make the difference between a thrill and family coaster... As for the pack, it's really pointless isn't it? I won't be using the lanyard (would rather keep my pass in my wallet thanks), and the vouchers aren't really that special bar the £10 birthday ones... The Fastrack is weird since MAP holders go so regularly do people buy them on a constant basis?
March 14, 201411 yr comment_178292 considering I paid £297 (well my parents did) for 3 premium passes, any sort of perk on top of that amazing saving is a bonus in my opinion, and I really like the idea of the birthday voucher, plus I persuaded my friend to get the premium over the standard, based on the fact the fast track vouchers that you got with the premium pass - I think the lanyards look ridiculous, and I would rather keep mine in my wallet too, although a pass holder like a little wallet/sleeve would have been pretty cool, and a lot more useful!
March 27, 201411 yr comment_179382 Merlin are now planning on opening a new Dungeons attraction in San Francisco and it will feature a scene about Alcatraz! http://www.marketwatch.com/story/merlin-entertainments-group-opening-north-americas-first-ever-dungeon-attraction-in-san-francisco-in-summer-2014-2014-03-25?d=nbkt
April 2, 201411 yr comment_179992 Following on from Josh's comment, you're adding in the £5 parking at Thorpe if you're *not* in Shark, and also the parking cost to park at a Travelodge as a lot of them charge (Two Rivers is extortionate). It is also a known fact that Merlin are in it for the profit. At the end of the day, Disney build highly-themed Vekoma or Intamin rides in their parks; and charge a hell of a lot more than Merlin to visit them. And yes, building LegoLands and IP attractions are Merlin's plan by what I've seen; because IPs = cheap money. Disney is just a massive IP theme park at the end of the day. And if you think high class attractions is a priority over gate figures and getting people in the door, then yeah, you're not a very good businessman I'm afraid.
April 2, 201411 yr comment_180007 ^ But surely guests would come pouring in even faster if they knew the attractions inside are world class and rival Disney? Like Phantasialand. Guests come back because it's a fantastic experience, it's an adventure. That's why I think Disney is a good business when it comes to their theme parks. You can feel and see the effort that has gone into everything, and you don't feel like you've been cheated for your money.
April 2, 201411 yr comment_180010 One of our goals is to be better than disney this is know within merlin as catching the mouse we are trying to build our portfolio and world class rides to catch the mouse and merlin to then become number one
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