2017/18: SW8 Speculation

[shawnoc]

Blade is hardly a thrill flat, it's a family ride.

Europe is getting a mini dive machine, with a borrowed theme and a layout much like the others. Alton got The Smiler two years ago. Alton definitely get the top coasters.

I was going by what Alton classed as a thrill flat. I compleatly agree with what you said though it was a family flat. Smiler is by no means of a bad coaster, I just feel that with the quest foe a worlds first the opted for a lesser quality manufacturer. I just hope that for SW8 they go for either a world class woodie with a quality layout with no gimmicks that would make it a maintenance nightmare. Failing that I would love to see a solid airtime steel coaster (B&M/Intamin) with a sprawling terrain layout. Height would be the issue here to gain decent speed but one can dream.
I loved the idea of the B&M coaster for Katanga Canyon if it was not for being stand up. Possibly re-ignight this idea with a wingrider?? Could be themed to a legendary African bird of some kind.

 

[Russ]

I was going by what Alton classed as a thrill flat. I compleatly agree with what you said though it was a family flat. Smiler is by no means of a bad coaster, I just feel that with the quest foe a worlds first the opted for a lesser quality manufacturer. I just hope that for SW8 they go for either a world class woodie with a quality layout with no gimmicks that would make it a maintenance nightmare. Failing that I would love to see a solid airtime steel coaster (B&M/Intamin) with a sprawling terrain layout. Height would be the issue here to gain decent speed but one can dream.
I loved the idea of the B&M coaster for Katanga Canyon if it was not for being stand up. Possibly re-ignight this idea with a wingrider?? Could be themed to a legendary African bird of some kind.

I know that the chance of any LSM coaster is low in the UK due to energy costs, but what if we could have a airtime machine from say B&M but with a rolling launch this would solve the hight issue.

The new flywheel system B&M are using looking very efficient on paper and I also believe that Mack has or is working on a way of capturing the energy from the train in braking.

 

[Rob]

Europe is getting a mini dive machine, with a borrowed theme and a layout much like the others. Alton got The Smiler two years ago. Alton definitely get the top coasters.

In terms of what is unique then yes, Towers wins. In terms of quality? That firmly goes to Gardaland. Better quality coaster, better quality (and more extensive) theming, better quality construction. Merlin need to give Towers something to really be proud of in 2017 as The Smiler is far from that, even if it is a good thrill.

I know that the chance of any LSM coaster is low in the UK due to energy costs, but what if we could have a airtime machine from say B&M but with a rolling launch this would solve the hight issue.

The new flywheel system B&M are using looking very efficient on paper and I also believe that Mack has or is working on a way of capturing the energy from the train in braking.

F1 technology being used in coasters!

I do have a feeling that SW8 will be some sort of launched woodie, it's the next step for wooden coasters and would be a good worlds first for Towers.

 

[jon81uk]

So AT has confirmed Blade is leaving this season for future development http://www.towersstreet.com/talk/threads/2015-general-discussion.3383/page-11#post-129646

Will this be a new coaster station as rumoured or another flat ride?

 

[Tom]

Cross-valley ride.

 

[Rob]

Pretty sure they say any ride removal is for future development, they probably said the same thing about Submission somewhere. It is of course convenient that Blade is being removed, however I do not think that future development is the primary reason it is being closed this season. SW8 is not due until 2017, a planning application will not go in until towards the end of this season. Blade could easily operate for one more year.

 

[Benzin]

It's almost as if their last project was so far behind in construction/suffered major delays that they've decided that any project be started way in advance than the opening date...

That way we don't come back here 2 years from now and moan that it's nowhere near finished...

 

[shawnoc]

It could have been removed due to a major structural defect, it's not like you can't get any spare parts for any operational defects as swinging ships are still built new.
It seems odd to remove a ride for a future coaster when they don't have any kind of planning consent. Unless they have been given a provisional nod by the council in a pre planning meeting.

 

[Rob]

It could have been removed due to a major structural defect, it's not like you can't get any spare parts for any operational defects as swinging ships are still built new.
It seems odd to remove a ride for a future coaster when they don't have any kind of planning consent. Unless they have been given a provisional nod by the council in a pre planning meeting.

I'm no structural engineer but I'd imagine a major structural defect developing between the end of FHT and now is unlikely.

It will be interesting to see if/when Blade is actually removed. Of course it won't be operating but I would expect it to be SBNO for the start of the season at least.

In regards to SW8 and planning permission; I'd imagine Towers will have had a few meetings with the council and planning officers will have given them a good idea of whether or not what they plan to build is likely to get planning permission. Of course this is no guarantee of permission being granted. They would not remove a ride with the only reason being a new coaster that may or may not get planning permission.

We all know the real reason for Blade immediate closure, and it is nothing to do with the title of this topic! What happens with the site in future years is merely a happy coincidence.

 

[jon81uk]

I'm no structural engineer but I'd imagine a major structural defect developing between the end of FHT and now is unlikely.

I agree it is unlikely a fault appeared that soon, but it is possible this is the same case as the Black Hole, where they can't get the safety certification signed off for the new season, but felt it is still safe enough to run.
In the Black Holes case it needed a new fire exit staircase to get people out the tent from the top of the lift hill quicker and it was felt with the age of the ride it wasn't worth spending the cash to refurb it.
It may be a similar situation with Blade, that something non-critical (so it could still open in Feb) is coming to the end of its life-span and it isn't cost-effective to replace it on a ride that could be removed in a year anyway.

 

[shawnoc]

I was not aware that itbwasnopen during half term, like you said it would be unlikely, if it does get removed other than being SBNO it will leave an ugly hole at the entrance of FB. Knowing towers they may leave it to stand there an rot until it's time for a new ride.
They really need to sort out there hate for thrill flat rides.

 

[Maelstrom]

I doubt Merlin/Alton will change there stance on adding thrill flats anytime soon. most major theme parks don't really add thrill flats anymore. Apart from a few companies like Zamperla most manufactures now focus development of flat rides to the fair market and at larger parks they struggle to cope with the demands of a major theme park.

However I wouldn't be surprised if in 2016 we see some kind of small family thrill development after two years focused on young children. some kind of flat would be the cheapest option.

 

[shawnoc]

The problem with Alton is that they don't have a strong enough line up of dark/supporting rides to compliment their roller coasters. They need to invest in them before they omit thrill flats all together. Flats also add another visual dynamic to an area too.

 

[Rose Of Dawn]

Pretty sure they say any ride removal is for future development, they probably said the same thing about Submission somewhere.

I don't recall them saying this concerning Submission. But you're right in that the future development (which, lets be honest, is almost certainly SW8) won't be the reason it's closing this season.

 

[Tom]

They won't add rides without sacrificing others from now on. It isn't a case of endlessly adding to a list of rides.

 

[Olii]

"Exciting plans in the pipeline for Forbidden Valley"

Had a bit of a giggle at the unintentional reference to SW1/2

 

[DiogoJ42]

I highly doubt that was intentional.

 

[PeteB]

Does anybody know why Alton have jumped off the 3 year development cycle that was planned in the LTDP?

Has it even been confirmed? I see CBeebies and this Octocrap coaster as being the medium/small developments for 2014/2015 as planned, so surely SW8 is due for 2016?

...and perhaps Blade's removal soon is a step towards that. Afterall, I wouldn't consider a small replacement flat ride to be "exciting" in any way as Towers said on their Twitter.

Seems everything else is going according to plan, apart from a few minor things.

 

[Alastair]

Does anybody know why Alton have jumped off the 3 year development cycle that was planned in the LTDP?

Has it even been confirmed? I see CBeebies and this Octocrap coaster as being the medium/small developments for 2014/2015 as planned, so surely SW8 is due for 2016?

...and perhaps Blade's removal soon is a step towards that. Afterall, I wouldn't consider a small replacement flat ride to be "exciting" in any way as Towers said on their Twitter.

Seems everything else is going according to plan, apart from a few minor things.

Yeah but...if SW8 was planned for next year we would definitely have seen planning applications by now. The Smiler's application went in in late 2011, and that ended up being too late.

There's been no official confirmation of the change to a 4 year cycle though as far as I know, just inference from people ITK.

 

[Benzin]

Merlin are definitely on a 4 year cycle now, Thorpe provide the best example as their next big thing is 2016, after a delay from this year...

So we get 3 small investments and 1 big one...