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The World of David Walliams: General Discussion

AstroDan

TS Team
Favourite Ride
Steel Vengeance, Cedar Point
Well, here we go. On to 2019. And I really believe there's only one genuine option for the park. Given Merlin's current trend towards heavy use of IP in their parks, I can see an IP (Dreamworks) area coming to Alton Towers in 2019. An area themed at older children than CBeebies, perhaps in the 5-11 age group.

Cloud Cuckoo Land is hideous now, with a lot of rides shut and/or mothballed. But in the Charlie ride system, Alton have the means to create a good indoor boat ride attraction for families (Gruffalo could give us an indication of Merlin are capable of something half decent and, let's be honest, it would be hard to make the Charlie boat ride worse) and re-theme all the rides in the area together with an either refurbished Toadstool or indeed a brand new family flat ride. They could even spread back into what was formerly Coaster Corner with a mid-scale family coaster (larger than Octonauts) - although I think that is less likely.

Attractions
Charlie Retheme
Frog Hopper retheme
Carousel retheme
Driving school retheme
4D Cinema retheme into a new 4D or a live show
Wobble World play area or meet/greet?
+ 1 new family flat ride
+ 1 mid-scale family coaster (least likely of all of these)

Retail, Food and Beverage
Wobble World cafe retheme
Burger Kitchen retheme
Ice Age shop retheme

Why do I think it's so likely that CCL will see a Dreamworks IP? Look at the evidence from Heide-Park and Gardaland. I have to say, while neither area is mindblowing, neither are hideous. In particular, Gardaland's area is quite tasteful (even the coaster is cheap rubbish which probably gets woeful queues due to throughput).

For some idea:

GARDALAND:


HEIDE-PARK:


Your views?
 
I'd say it likely to happen with this year's lineup and with a couple of years to do it gives them plenty of time. The dreamworks IP will be big for the UK family market and will be slightly more grown up than CCL.

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I hope for an IP themed area with a refurbed Twirling Toadstool, New 4D cinema, new dark ride and maybe a family vekoma boomerang. I know alot of enthusiasts don't like IP's but look at how popular Cbeebies land is for families. Maybe a Dreamworks IP would work.
 
I hope for an IP themed area with a refurbed Twirling Toadstool, New 4D cinema, new dark ride and maybe a family vekoma boomerang. I know alto of enthusiasts don't like IP's but look at how popular Cbeebies land is for families. Maybe a Dreamworks IP would work.

I don't think many people would dispute that an IP area would be far better than anything we have seen in that area of the park since 1996.
 
IP (Dreamworks) area

Universal Studios bought DreamWorks animation last year (http://corporate.comcast.com/news-i...al-completes-dreamworks-animation-acquisition) so I'm not sure what will happen with the Merlin agreements. I expect the roll-out of the Shrek midway attractions to continue but I'm less sure on theme park attractions. I would guess that as Universal only has USA and Asia theme parks and (other than Legoland) Merlin is Europe based they might allow some theme park development.
 
I don't think many people would dispute that an IP area would be far better than anything we have seen in that area of the park since 1996.

I agree. From just watching Merlin Annual Presentations, they focus so much of their financial success on the power of IPs. For us, this is also good, as IP contracts usually require some kind of upkeep and development - to prevent tarnishing of the brand. Considering how unimaginative the MMM system is currently, I believe, and agree, this would be the best and most probable solution for that area in 2019/2020.

Universal Studios bought DreamWorks animation last year (http://corporate.comcast.com/news-i...al-completes-dreamworks-animation-acquisition) so I'm not sure what will happen with the Merlin agreements. I expect the roll-out of the Shrek midway attractions to continue but I'm less sure on theme park attractions. I would guess that as Universal only has USA and Asia theme parks and (other than Legoland) Merlin is Europe based they might allow some theme park development.

I disagree. The disagreement when the £3.8 billion acquisition took place when Merlin proposed to open a Shrek's Adventure in Orlando (creating direct competition). At a site in Alton, I doubt there'd be any competition that would affect them that couldn't be offset from the funds generated from the lease of the IP.

:)
 
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I seriously hope that CCL will be given due attention by 2019. I like the sound of a Dreamworks area, it would force them to maintain it properly!

As for a family coaster, I'd like to see something like Firechaser Express at Dollywood, but obviously on a much smaller scale. Is there potential for having a station where Twirling is now and having the layout go behind Ice Age (RIP)?
 
Kung Fu Panda 4D ride ?!
Oh yes please.
But being realist, the only thing that will happen to this area is fences and hedges.
Move along, nothing to see
 
It needs to happen tbh. Charlie was crap and at the end of its time anyway, Ice Age was never going to be there for long, I liked Toadstool but it was pretty ancient, Frog Hopper is cheap, Gallopers is much of a muchness, Wobble and Driving Schook were okay but often not busy. Plus the area was too similar to Cred Street. It needs a total rehaul and start again. I don't mind IP's, just as long as they're not too tacky.
 
Looking at the investment cycle that Merlin have stated
Peak, Low Medium Low,
If 2018 is a Peak year then I don't see any real investment happing until 2020 if at all
 
I think investment cycles are all over the place at ATR at the moment due to the incident.
True, good point, so 2019 a medium year investment year,
could a full revamp of the area happen with around £4m - £6m budget
Think the purse string would have to be very tight and end up with a half assed product o_O
 
Investment cycles for Merlin RTPs are High, Medium, Low, Low. The Smiler incident has added an extra low year (2017) to the cycle. It was working normally before that, 2013 high (Smiler), 2014 Medium (CBeebies Land), 2015 low (Octonauts), 2016 low (Galactica).

So in theory if 2018 is high with SW8, 2019 should be medium which goes up to about £9 million I believe.
 
SW8 is not high in the traditional sense... the budget is nowhere near that of Th13teen or Smiler.
 
It's £15 million though right?

From my knowledge, there's been no public release of the investment value?

If it is £15m then that makes it 20% less than Smiler and the same price as Th13teen. Also, this is years after Th13teen and with the horrific drop in the value of the £ since Brexit against the Dollar... the project will be under pressure.
 
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