• ℹ️ Heads up...

    This is a popular topic that is fast moving Guest - before posting, please ensure that you check out the first post in the topic for a quick reminder of guidelines, and importantly a summary of the known facts and information so far. Thanks.

Major Ride Closures 2016

if the charlie and the chocolate factory ride has to be re-themed, i wonder what it will be, and whether they'll keep the simulator section or not, and what they'd do if they took it out?
 
This does reduce value for money if it's true. I have much respect for Mr Varney but I really hope he can remember how to make Alton Towers great again.
 
Grand_Nash said:
I think if we break it down its not as bad as we think.
Driving school is in the wrong place better in CBeebies land so low use age
Click to expand...
I'd be fine with that point if Spinball was removed to allow the space for a potential Cbeebies Land expansion, but I feel it will just shut I'm afraid. The Vintage Cars were also 10 years old when there were relocated to that area from modern day X-Sector though - though it also had a year of SBNO before it was replaced, like the Driving School may be.History can repeat itself. Though I doubt it.
 
I don't get why they haven't chose Spinball as one of the rides to close for the 2016 season. It's in an area of its own, so they could easily place a fence around the ride and pretend it doesn't exist.
 
James said:
I don't get why they haven't chose Spinball as one of the rides to close for the 2016 season. It's in an area of its own, so they could easily place a fence around the ride and pretend it doesn't exist.
Click to expand...



5 of the rides I understand but surely closing this over hex would make more sense, hopefully sonic is not long of this earth.
 
I'm hopeful that even merlin wouldn't consider closing one of the only family thrill rides in the park without having a replacement. It probably attracts more guests than most of the other rides due to its size, location, being in the family thrill catergory and having a well known IP. The queue often exceeds 40 minutes and (since the smiler) has been the only ride regularly to have a 'red' time on ridetimes. Hex, on the other hand, rarely goes over 10 minutes on busy days. It requires many more staff and isn't the easiest to find (in comparison to sonic).
 
That's not really a fair comparison, Hex seats 78 at a time so of course the queue is going to be shorter! Which makes it all the more confusing that they would close a ride that soaks up queues so well.


:)
 
Dar said:
That's not really a fair comparison, Hex seats 78 at a time so of course the queue is going to be shorter! Which makes it all the more confusing that they would close a ride that soaks up queues so well.


:)
Click to expand...
Yes, I did think about that, but even after taking that into account I'd still say that sonic attracts more guests than hex.
 
Grand_Nash said:
I think if we break it down its not as bad as we think.

The flume - being removed (brought forward by 12 months)
Ripsaw - 2015 was always going to be its last season I recon
Charlie - end of agreement (re theme needed now)
Driving school is in the wrong place better in CBeebies land so low use age

So that's a few that have reached the end or brought forward

HEX though baffled be but it is very dated. The TVs are old, effects don't work, the floor is patched up s I think HEX is a season closed to fix, Health and safety up to standards, maybe the towers need work too.

Sub terror will become like saw alive, scare fest only IMO

I think 2016 won't need filler attractions as such so towers is getting the work done for 2017
Click to expand...
I'm probably one of the more optimistic TS members, but I largely agree with this. Sure gonna miss The Flume though... have some great memories of that ride all the way back to the early eighties.

ON A MORE POSITIVE NOTE... From the Official AT twitter page...

"Watch this space for announcements about fantastic new experiences and exciting new developments planned for the near future".

Now this could be generic marketing speak, but the optimist in me says that over the next few years we are going to enter the biggest phase of investment in the parks history.

Here's hoping that SW8 will still go ahead, but I have my doubts for 2017. If it does planning permission will surely need to be in the next 2 months.

If the flume is to go, it will need a replacement in the next year or two ( though I'd rather have both).

Many of these rides, have fond memories for us, but will not be sufficient to lead AT into a new golden age and keep AT's position as our premier theme park.

Merlin have invested too much in AT to let it stagnate (yes I know they have not always maintained to the highest standards), and the development of the enchanted village and proposed hotel expansion tells me that they intend to increase guest numbers in the medium turn and further become a multi day attraction.

If the rumours of these rides closing are true (SAVE THE FLUME), then the optimist in me says this is the first part of a new dawn.
 
Last edited:
PeteB said:
So long as Merlin exist, or are in ownership of Alton Towers, there will NEVER be a new golden age.

Mark these words.
Click to expand...
I hope you are wrong.

Still think the money men at Merlin will realise that they have to spend money to make money and that they will do what needs to be done to guarantee a return on their investments to date.
 
Altonadvocate1 said:
I hope you are wrong.

Still think the money men at Merlin will realise that they have to spend money to make money and that they will do what needs to be done to guarantee a return on their investments to date.
Click to expand...
They know about spending money, they are spending money hand over fist on every other park globally.
Alton Towers are now too small and insignificant in the word of Merlin Global Mega Corporation :rolleyes:
 
why would they want to close Sub Terra, when it's been closed anyway for a re-theme? what's the point of wasting money on a re-theme when they've decided to close the ride completely?
 
^ a member of staff told me that it was getting a re-theme/upgrade when i was at the park once.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top