June 14, 20187 yr comment_258587 I rode Wickerman for the first time a couple of weeks ago and I think it is a great ride at the park and in the UK altogether. I thought wickerman had an amazing ride experience on thw back and the ambience around the whole area amazed me and some of the themeing elements were just amazing, it is a high class woody in the UK imo its my favourite woody in the UK and my 2nd fav coaster in the UK. Although I dont normally rate GCI's but I love the wickerman and the pre show and the effects are just sick and Alton defiantly need to maintain this as knowing merlin the effects will stop working in a couple years time and if they do maintain the ride, hands down to towers!.
June 17, 20187 yr comment_258648 Having been at Alton two weeks ago, I'm kind of starting to see your point @BaronC. Not from the kid's point of view, as they don't really know what it's about, but from the parent's point of view. Quite a few times I saw kids asking to go on Wicker Man, and their parents have taken one look at the statue itself, and said no, to the kid's confusion. Even my dad, who still let my sister on the ride, intentionally gave her the wrong definition for words like ritual when the technical difficulty announcement played. She didn't get any of the theme at all, being 9. Got to admit, I'm not the biggest fan of some of it myself. Only because I'm worried I'll look like a bit of a weirdo with ram skull related stuff all over my room
October 21, 20186 yr comment_260994 So after riding it, I found it an enjoyable ride. Not the best Woody I have ever been on in terms of the rollercoaster itself, but the overall experience of everything coming together was very well executed However one thing that has kept me a little bit puzzled...Previous Secret Weapon Rides have all had a world first or something new that's not been done in the industry before within the area at least. But for Wickerman...what was the secret weapon element?
October 21, 20186 yr comment_260995 11 minutes ago, P J said: So after riding it, I found it an enjoyable ride. Not the best Woody I have ever been on in terms of the rollercoaster itself, but the overall experience of everything coming together was very well executed However one thing that has kept me a little bit puzzled...Previous Secret Weapon Rides have all had a world first or something new that's not been done in the industry before within the area at least. But for Wickerman...what was the secret weapon element? worlds first coaster to incorporate wood and fire?
October 21, 20186 yr comment_260997 Wood and fire though, is it really that groundbreaking? Like the pyros are likely encased on steel which has cleverley been designed to have a wooden structure just far enough away from it. Surely it must be something else?
October 21, 20186 yr comment_260998 1 minute ago, P J said: Wood and fire though, is it really that groundbreaking? Like the pyros are likely encased on steel which has cleverley been designed to have a wooden structure just far enough away from it. Surely it must be something else? No, just the fire and wood...
October 21, 20186 yr comment_261001 Doesn't need a world's first, it's a quality long-term ride which is the most important thing. IMO.
October 21, 20186 yr comment_261002 I'm not saying it needs to be a world first but generally I've got accustomed to a secret weapon being something that brings something new. Its a decent attraction but if it's a 'normal' addition in that sense then I personally found it a little bit misleading with the tag etc...but that's just me
October 21, 20186 yr comment_261003 28 minutes ago, P J said: I'm not saying it needs to be a world first but generally I've got accustomed to a secret weapon being something that brings something new. Its a decent attraction but if it's a 'normal' addition in that sense then I personally found it a little bit misleading with the tag etc...but that's just me Wicker Man was the first time they actually used the idea of a “Secret Wepon” in the advertising though? It only started out as a code name for projects internally. It’s a bit of a shame really that it’s become some sort ‘series’ in the park. The rides are just meant to be fun; and ironically, wicker man being the first big addition to the park since Rita without some sort of gimmick, is actually the most fun of all since then! Just enjoy the ride no need for it to have any silly advertising feature
October 21, 20186 yr comment_261005 The ride I did enjoy as mentioned earlier, it just left me confused with what the secret bit was that's all. Interesting, you mention it was the first one advertised as a weapon, must of been how I found out about it being coded as that. Probably what happened was is that I heard it in passing and then linking it up with the knowledge I learnt when I was younger when I delved into all these things. Knowing that these things were internal codes and then not looking into it further just made me assume there was a bit more. However on a general note, I'm not one for gimmicks if it focuses too much on that and they then forget the fun throughout the rest of the ride. Ultimately wickerman is fun, exactly what is needed and for me I have it in the leagues at the park as 13, something that is just ultimately fun!
November 16, 20186 yr comment_261387 An interesting note from John Wardley about his involvement in Wicker Man... http://www.john-wardley.co.uk/wickerman.html Nothing that hasn't really been reported before, but his tone of voice is certainly interesting..
November 16, 20186 yr comment_261390 That, on the whole, is a thoroughly depressing read. Bet John felt sick to his stomach when her received that first call, such disrespect from a company he gave so much to. How on earth can the hierarchy of Merlin be in such a mess that the people a the top think the most prominent and prolific ride designer they have, that they are clearly well aware has for a number of years been actively designing the exact thing they now want, is involved in a project which has progressed all the way to the contracts being signed, when he knows nothing about it. Shambles. People seem generally happy with Wickerman, mostly because the theme is well delivered while the ride just scrapes 'good enough'. I wonder how amazing the whole could have been if the actual ride was decent in the first place?
November 17, 20186 yr comment_261393 15 hours ago, pluk said: People seem generally happy with Wickerman, mostly because the theme is well delivered while the ride just scrapes 'good enough'. I wonder how amazing the whole could have been if the actual ride was decent in the first place? I love the ride itself, probably only behind Smiler and Nemesis for me and thats without taking into account any of the theming. My friend who doesnt really care about the theming who came with us also loved it, he put it above Stampida. Maybe it comes down to the fact you have been on so much more rides than me.
November 17, 20186 yr comment_261397 Wicker Man is so much better than stampida, based on smoothness alone
November 17, 20186 yr comment_261404 Stampida isn’t really the best comparison in the first place though given it is complete s*** and Wicker Man is a fine coaster.
June 24, 20196 yr comment_265045 Anyone heard anything about what is up with Wicker Man, being down the last few days. I’m visiting Tues-Thurs this week and would be gutted if it’s closed all 3 days.
June 24, 20196 yr comment_265046 16 minutes ago, profburp said: Anyone heard anything about what is up with Wicker Man, being down the last few days. I’m visiting Tues-Thurs this week and would be gutted if it’s closed all 3 days. Awaiting a replacement part, rumour is down for two weeks unfortunately
June 24, 20196 yr comment_265048 37 minutes ago, Ringo said: Awaiting a replacement part, rumour is down for two weeks unfortunately Oh what a shame! Not like Alton have been the most forthcoming in their replies on twitter as usual. Be nice if they told people the situation, but hey thanks for the update.
June 28, 20196 yr comment_265100 Touch wood (no pun intended), Wickerman has had a pretty reliable couple of years - fingers crossed it's back up soon.
June 29, 20196 yr comment_265115 Thats great but what about Quantum and Enterprise? THIS IS AN OUTRAGE.
June 29, 20196 yr comment_265117 It sure did. We are having a great time on the TPM meet and although busy, rides working well and staff efficient. There's even a point about a third through the queue where you can get a ticket to leave and get water or use the toilet and return at that point.
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.