April 15, 201510 yr comment_207325 Merlin are not likely to be a small investor. Why would they invest in something that if it does well will eat their profits and why would they let Merlin invest in the first place.The back room workings of corporations can be a mystery, Microsoft bailed out Apple yet they were both huge rivals, same for Sky buying into ITV when they hit trouble, I'm not saying Merlin are involved, but if they were it would make commercial sense even if it doesn't to an outsider, they have experience in running theme parks, that experience is worth money (what experience does the BBC have?), being involved gives you a share of the profits if done right or a huge consultancy fee, this project appears to be going ahead regardless so in theory there's a choice, bury your head or get involved it doesn't have to be directly, they have plenty of subsidiaries they can use.I have a friend who spent the better part of the 1990's bailing out and buying shares in all his rivals, at the time it made no sense to me, he should have just let them goto the wall and moved into their markets, but he continued and today he has a slice of every sector of his industry, all of them bringing in their own income streams, as well as his own successful supply chain, the return on those bailouts is massive, and for the most part, the majority of people have no clue the 'competiting' rivals they pick and choose to buy from, are all owned by the one person. Despite paramount not owning the project they do have an image to maintain. So like Thorpe and lionsgate, there will be talks going on with what they can and can't do. LRCH will have the creative lead but paramount will provide an input to make sure it is up to standard. Currently the project doesn't have many big names of the industry in however that will change. When planning permission is approved I'm sure they will start head hunting for the best. They are spending a lot on this and I'm sure LRCH expect the very best. After all their aim is to make money. So they have to be good so people tell friends and they encourage people back. I don't doubt Paramount have what some call editorial control, but it might not be as controlling as you think, as long as LRCH pay their dues and don't give Paramount a bad reputation (like killing people or casting the brand poorly) they likely have full freedom to do as they wish within the scope of the IP's.This is similar to how Richard Branson runs Virgin, he only owns the airline himself, the rest is licensed branding, NTL/Telewest run Virgin Media and Mobile, before that the Prince behind A1GP ran Virgin Mobile, Branson himself has nothing to do with the everyday running of the businesses. Paramount won't care if the park runs at a loss, as long as they're paid their licensing costs, neither frankly will the Kuwaiti's, it's just a tax dodge for them, they might get bored eventually and want out, but the market value of their holding will far outweight their initial investment. Just my 2p worth mind you
April 16, 201510 yr comment_207400 B&M hyper coaster definitely must come. They also should consider an epic wing rider whether it's an Intamin launched wing rider or a B&M wing coaster (that could be launched).
April 16, 201510 yr comment_207401 Yes they need to bring all those super 'we do things bigger, faster and longer' coasters over from the States that are sitting dormant over there that you see on sites like 28dayslater, it's not like they're going to be short of a few acres like Thorpe or Chessie.
April 16, 201510 yr comment_207403 I'm sure LRCH expect the very best. After all their aim is to make money. So they have to be good so people tell friends and they encourage people back. Presumably then, Merlin aren't in it to make money? Why are we thinking this new place would use the same logic in a different way? Don't get me wrong, I think it will be great for the UK industry to have some serious competition to Merlin, but there is nothing like enough known yet to have any idea what approach they will take to empty our pockets.
April 16, 201510 yr comment_207412 I really hope they don't follow the American market of big rides, minimal theming, as because it's more bland than Enchanted Village...
April 16, 201510 yr comment_207413 What I was trying to get at is that PP has the aim to build a new fan base where as merlin is just keeping theirs going (which isn't very hard as they are pretty much the only option).
April 16, 201510 yr comment_207418 I think the point is Merlin don't have much of a fan base, which is why they have to 'buy' return visits by promoting poorly implemented new attractions with over hype. To an extent it works. We have no idea on Paramounts approach yet.
April 16, 201510 yr comment_207423 I think the point is Merlin don't have much of a fan base, which is why they have to 'buy' return visits by promoting poorly implemented new attractions with over hype. To an extent it works. We have no idea on Paramounts approach yet. Even its fan base on discussion forums seem to be turning on Merlin or is the perceived increased in negativity just me?
April 16, 201510 yr comment_207424 There is only so many times you can devalue an annual pass or open on one train when 2 is needed or have poor opening times. Merlin have been walking a fine line and it would seem they are starting to take that step too far. Merlin seem to work on a one step forward, two step back model which means they do still have fans (otherwise why would we all be here) but at the same time they do something stupid that angers the fans. I hope that PP play it differently however with the lack of experience they have I expect they will turn to the big names in the UK industry which would be Merlin.
April 17, 201510 yr comment_207459 Even its fan base on discussion forums seem to be turning on Merlin or is the perceived increased in negativity just me? I think it's just us. Ask the average theme park visitor how their day is going and they are probably going to answer positivity. Theme park forums, Facebook and twitter are not really representative of what is really going on. There is only so many times you can devalue an annual pass or open on one train when 2 is needed or have poor opening times. Merlin have been walking a fine line and it would seem they are starting to take that step too far. Merlin seem to work on a one step forward, two step back model which means they do still have fans (otherwise why would we all be here) but at the same time they do something stupid that angers the fans. Do you ever stop and think that things like one train operation on rides or the odd retheme are actually small fry compared to the massive problems that are at the heart of Merlin.
April 17, 201510 yr comment_207460 There were a lot of people on Sunday who seamed very happy with their day, many were saying things like will come back when I next get paid etc. etc. there were hardly any complaining (my nipper had to go back to the dome to use the loo so I waited by the exit for him and earwigged people in the queue talking), yes I know there are toilets by the turn styles, he insisted on going to the dome hehe. Mind you, these were the same people queuing to exit through a single turn style for the ten minutes, rather than exiting though one of the other 15 unused ones, so I'm not sure you can put a lot of stock in that...... LOL
April 17, 201510 yr comment_207461 not burst anyone's bubble it may be popular for 2 years then after that they will go bankrupt and Merlin will buy it on the cheap
April 17, 201510 yr comment_207467 With all the budget cutting I would assume that Merlin does not have the money to buy it and run it if it were to go bankrupt.
April 17, 201510 yr comment_207468 With all the budget cutting I would assume that Merlin does not have the money to buy it and run it if it were to go bankrupt. Merlin have plenty of cash....just greedy share holders
April 17, 201510 yr comment_207471 They weren't exactly splashing the budgets out when there weren't shareholders either...
April 17, 201510 yr comment_207474 There must have been a reason to become a public company. Why suddenly float on the stock exchange if you are not after a way to raise money.
April 17, 201510 yr comment_207476 The flotation made them nearly a billion, they only floated something like 25% of the company, now even taking into account 20% of that billion being sucked up by the filfy vulchers in the City, it should tell you enough of why they floated - in one word, greed.
April 17, 201510 yr comment_207485 not burst anyone's bubble it may be popular for 2 years then after that they will go bankrupt and Merlin will buy it on the cheap Gotta love some good wild speculation based on pretty much nothing at all... Or dismay at people posting utter rubbish... Either option really...
April 17, 201510 yr comment_207506 I really hope this Paramount Park does go ahead and get its planning permission we need something that is going to compete with Merlin to up their standards.
April 17, 201510 yr comment_207514 Knowing local authorities like I do (I worked for one for many years), this type of project is guaranteed to get approval because of where it's planned, it'll only when it up and running that they'll start running into issues with planning. Only downside is it's almost guaranteed to kill Dreamland.
April 17, 201510 yr comment_207518 Only downside is it's almost guaranteed to kill Dreamland. I doubt it. I'd say a small heritage park is likely to see a boost with people interested in parks drawn to the area.
April 28, 201510 yr comment_208242 New concept art has been released (can't get the link, stupid phone) which clearly shows a wooden rollercoaster in the background. It seems to be a constant theme in these concepts.
April 28, 201510 yr comment_208248 New concept art here: http://www.londonparamount.info/the-project/rides-and-attractions/
April 28, 201510 yr comment_208249 Port Paramount Land of Legends Port Paramount 2 Adventure Isle Entrance/Promenade
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.