JoshuaA Posted September 8, 2017 Report Share Posted September 8, 2017 On 07/09/2017 at 1:40 PM, Benin said: Even worse than ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM! ??? I think your forgetting that waste of metal Zamperla garbage in the same park.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pognoi Posted September 12, 2017 Report Share Posted September 12, 2017 Alton Towers | SW8 | GCI Wood ram head going up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt 236 Posted September 13, 2017 Report Share Posted September 13, 2017 I'm probably in the minority that is somewhat excited for this coaster. Whilst the layout and design perhaps seems like it could have done more, the groundworks and theming look intriguing indeed and I don't think I've been as excited for a coaster since the Swarm. Can safely say I've not actually found a wooden coaster I dislike. Even Stampida I had some liking too and hopefully it will be the same here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coaster Posted October 4, 2017 Report Share Posted October 4, 2017 The more I see of it, the more convinced I am that SW8 is actually going to be a really decent coaster. Some of the low-to-ground turns look fantastic, as well as the moments of potential-airtime dotted throughout the layout, it might not be the biggest coaster ever but it appears to be a gimmick-free, fun layout - and as the first brand-new woodie in the UK for years, that's very important and surely a step forward in terms of recent UK investments? In addition, the landscaping looks really nice with the rockwork around the station, the station itself looks neat and I can see the overall ride area looking fantastic once it's finished. Whilst I'm not one to judge a ride before it's finished, it already looks set to be a huge improvement from the concrete mess of The Smiler! I think it's unfortunate that the development has suffered from a lack of any proper marketing, with the park instead choosing to post YouTube videos in a desperate attempt to stay "current" with as many 'not-quite-world-first' taglines as they can - and I'd put the lack of enthusiasm partly down to this. I wish they'd just advertise the fact that they are building a (seemingly) decent coaster. Mattgwise 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyMoo Posted October 5, 2017 Report Share Posted October 5, 2017 Credit to TowersStreet - SW8 logo revealed on updated signage this morning. If you pardon the pun, I do wonder if SW8 is going to be a slow-burner and is actually going to be as "world class" as Alton are promising. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshC. Posted October 6, 2017 Report Share Posted October 6, 2017 altontowers.com/sw8 now redirects to: https://www.thewelcoming.co.uk/ Includes a little bit about The Welcoming, and this: Quote The time is upon us Re-assess your modern lives Re-connect with the earth and its elements Unite with the chosen ones in 2018 The symbols spell out 'FEED THE FLAMES' Han30 and CharlieN 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshC. Posted October 7, 2017 Report Share Posted October 7, 2017 Following photos from TPG's Facebook... Looks nice - surely there will be fire effect on this? Also, as many other parks with wooden coasters do, Towers are selling pieces of wood with SW8 branding... At a cost of the low low price of £25, it can belong to you...though apparently the shelves where they were sold were empty by the end of today... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyMoo Posted October 8, 2017 Report Share Posted October 8, 2017 12 hours ago, BaronC. said: At a cost of the low low price of £25, it can belong to you...though apparently the shelves where they were sold were empty by the end of today... I spent all my money on Pop Badges on eBay, soz. JoshC. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benin Posted October 8, 2017 Report Share Posted October 8, 2017 £25 is too expensive for me, but it's a neat idea... For comparison, Wodan blocks are €12.50... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coaster Posted October 8, 2017 Report Share Posted October 8, 2017 Seems a bit strange to be selling parts of a wooden coaster that haven't actually been on the wooden coaster, but maybe that's just me. SteveJ and CharlieN 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshC. Posted October 8, 2017 Report Share Posted October 8, 2017 8 minutes ago, Coaster said: Seems a bit strange to be selling parts of a wooden coaster that haven't actually been on the wooden coaster, but maybe that's just me. I don't think they're actually advertising them as being parts of the coaster (correct me if I'm wrong!). They're more just there as a commemorative piece - many other parks do the same too. 1 hour ago, Benin said: £25 is too expensive for me, but it's a neat idea... For comparison, Wodan blocks are €12.50... Plopsaland can go one better; Heidi blocks are €8. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlesberg Posted October 8, 2017 Report Share Posted October 8, 2017 9 minutes ago, Coaster said: Seems a bit strange to be selling parts of a wooden coaster that haven't actually been on the wooden coaster, but maybe that's just me. Agreed, it can’t really be classified as SW8 wood when it had no contribution to the actual coaster. They should’ve waited for when it gets RMC’d in the far future Coaster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coaster Posted October 8, 2017 Report Share Posted October 8, 2017 30 minutes ago, BaronC. said: I don't think they're actually advertising them as being parts of the coaster (correct me if I'm wrong!). They're more just there as a commemorative piece - many other parks do the same too. Fair enough, I think it's great when parks sell parts/wood that has actually been used on the ride(s), but I guess it's a good marketing tool for SW8 if people are willing to pay £25! 30 minutes ago, BaronC. said: Plopsaland can go one better; Heidi blocks are €8. BPB sell wood from their wooden coasters for £5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benin Posted October 8, 2017 Report Share Posted October 8, 2017 Most of that wood won't be in a good condition though, given the years of salt water blowing on it... It's probably not even worth a fiver as scrap Coaster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coaster Posted October 11, 2017 Report Share Posted October 11, 2017 Random thought, but is anyone else confused by the seemingly unbanked corner part-way around the layout? It can be seen in construction updates and seems to be located here on the layout plan; Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Project LC Posted October 11, 2017 Report Share Posted October 11, 2017 What sort of height is the corner? It's quite late on in the layout and it could simply be that the speed at that point doesn't need much banking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshC. Posted October 11, 2017 Report Share Posted October 11, 2017 Presumably it's just that the corner will be taken at such low speed it doesn't need banking. Means you get a bit more lateral action when turning I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Project LC Posted October 11, 2017 Report Share Posted October 11, 2017 The fact it doesn't have banking implies it's lost all of its speed by then so now I'm not only concerned about the rides short length it now also seems the pacing might not be very good either. It's safe to say that I'm not expecting very much from the wickerman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPC Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 8 hours ago, Project LC said: It's safe to say that I'm not expecting very much from the wickerman. Well I know awfully well your huge dislike of Merlin so if anything, this is quite a positive comment from you, about a Merlin project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benin Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 Are any of the corners even banked on that image? Knowing GCI, it'll probably just be unbanked for the lolz... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Project LC Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 2 minutes ago, Benin said: Are any of the corners even banked on that image? The plan doesn't have any banking but on construction photos that corner has limited banking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveJ Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 13 hours ago, TPC said: Well I know awfully well your huge dislike of Merlin so if anything, this is quite a positive comment from you, about a Merlin project. You seem to have far more of an agenda than anyone else? At least this 'Merlin project' is panning out very different from most others, which I'd expect to be a good thing - time will tell I guess. But you can't blame people for being concerned by the underwhelming prospects so far. Going in with low expectations but an open mind is better than going in with high expectations, only to be treated to Merlin's cheap formulaic usual. I'm not expecting much from the Wickerman after years of disappointments that have all ended up the same way. But I will love to be pleasantly surprised when it opens, if I am enticed enough to visit. It will be something different for the UK, and that can only be good. pluk and JoshuaA 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yeah Posted October 13, 2017 Report Share Posted October 13, 2017 On 10/12/2017 at 7:49 AM, TPC said: Well I know awfully well your huge dislike of Merlin so if anything, this is quite a positive comment from you, about a Merlin project. Really? Of all the people you can call out for having an agenda against Merlin you choose @Project LC? JoshuaA 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveJ Posted October 13, 2017 Report Share Posted October 13, 2017 I doubt anyone has an actual agenda against Merlin, most fans all visit their parks. As paying guests we need to vocalise what we feel is poor or standards dropping (as long as we can reason it), as well as what we enjoy. If we don't like how the parks are heading, visit less/ stop visiting, then as a business they will have to listen. If you think there's nothing wrong with the Merlin parks, then keep visiting, but don't accuse others of having an agenda (unless they're just criticising unreasonably). Merlin is one of the biggest leisure companies in the world, it doesn't need sympathy! Mega-Lite and Coaster 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yeah Posted October 13, 2017 Report Share Posted October 13, 2017 35 minutes ago, Wumbamillio said: I doubt anyone has an actual agenda against Merlin, most fans all visit their parks. As paying guests we need to vocalise what we feel is poor or standards dropping (as long as we can reason it), as well as what we enjoy. If we don't like how the parks are heading, visit less/ stop visiting, then as a business they will have to listen. If you think there's nothing wrong with the Merlin parks, then keep visiting, but don't accuse others of having an agenda (unless they're just criticising unreasonably). Merlin is one of the biggest leisure companies in the world, it doesn't need sympathy! That's not what I'm saying - obviously Merlin are nowhere near perfect. But I would say there are one or two users on here who have a proper agenda against Merlin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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