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2018: Wicker Man - General Discussion - SPOILERS! - Part One
- Thread starter ThemeParkCrafter
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Bert2theSpark
TS Member
Photo's have been posted on the TS Facebook Page, The construction site looks big now it's empty. Also RIP KC Path 1992-2016, It was m favourite path.
bluesonichd
TS Member
I got confused then and thought I was looking at the TLC thread, was about to comment that it all need jet washing !
Jonathan
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Helix <3
To be fair, it does need jet washing anyway. But given that it's a construction site at the moment, I think I can let them get away with it for now.
bluesonichd
TS Member
If the KC path has gone how do we get to KC, is it just Gloomy Wood now
Bert2theSpark
TS Member
I'd imagine/hope they relay the bricks entirely and have something like Spinball Whizzer's floor(Now removed) or the Galactica logo at the entrance for Galactica.
bluesonichd
TS Member
Bert2theSpark
TS Member
Do you mean that as 'Merlin will never do that' or 'Is your standards that low for Merlin'?you want / expect that level of theming! ???
you poor disillusioned young soul
KingNemesis
TS Member
Couldn't they divert guests out of the park to enter the gate just before the monorail? I'm not sure what state the Mutiny Bay staff entrance is in though
CoasterCrazyChris
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Nemesis
Knowing Merlin, given the fact they demolished the Black Hole entrance arch when it was some of the best theming on park and replaced it with a yellow MDF box for The Smiler.....given this logic they will probably keep this and re-use it for SW8.
Altonadvocate1
TS Member
That's a huge hole in picture number 6. Hope this could be an early clue that AT groundbreaking claim could have something to it, and help to reconcile the small coaster footprint to the alleged huge 15 million pound budget. Split level dark ride / coaster hybrid?
No, sorry that's too daft to laugh at.
No, sorry that's too daft to laugh at.
BarryZola
TS Member
It definitely looks like a big hole so far, to my eyes anyway. There's no denying that. As we're all aware, Alton will always have to dig down to produce a decent ride nowadays due to the well known height limits. Whether they can pull off a good ride by doing so is the proof in the pudding. They nailed it with Nemesis but this is a different time, a different budget and a different target market most probably. Could it be a really good ride? Watch that space. Could it have been a better ride with less planning crap in place? Almost definitely. Let's see what they can come up with though. Good luck to 'em
Rob
TS Team
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance
I almost hope that they are, purely because it would be utterly hilarious!
I think the usual pathway to Katanga will be closed throughout 2017 but there may be a temporary pathway set up somewhere. Not quite sure how that might work though. Failing that it's going to be a track to Gloomy Wood through the Haunted Hollow and then you'll have to go back on yourself to Katanga.
The hole being dug does look rather massive, I'd imagine this is because the station building and/or maintenance shed is set to have a basement. However I'm getting awful Smiler hole VIBES from it all, let's hope they do a better job!
Altonadvocate1
TS Member
We all know they can't build above tree height, yet there are far bigger, taller, longer woodies built with nothing on this apparent level of excavation. Would like to see it from a steeper angle.
I know this is a family thrill ride, and that the plans we have seen look a little underwhelming, but the size of the holes, look like an early clue to the size of the budget and the groundbreaking claim. It's probably, just ready to be filled with concrete due to the unstability of the site, but SW8 is now peaking my interest for the first time...
SW3 World's best coaster (in my opinion).
SW4 First dive machine and utterly terrifying.
SW5 Impressive new technology and a unique experience (though surpassed very quickly elsewhere).
SW6 A coaster that looked underwhelming on the plans, that was mismarketed to a thrill audience despite being family friendly, but which had a unique at the time world's first element (which consumed a lot of the budget and in my view would have been better spent on a longer lay out), but which has grown on me and is now good for what it is,a FUN family thrill ride.
SW7 A world record breaking coaster of a genuine impressive size and length, with high thrills, and poor construction that we as enthusiasts would rate higher were it not for the invincible Nemesis just a quarter of a mile away.
No SW project has been just another coaster in a line of coasters.
So where does that leave SW8. It doesn't look huge, it doesn't look terrifying, it does look family thrill and could be a lot of fun if done right... but that SW tag... Some SW projects have been better than others, but they have all been either world beating (NEMESIS), record breaking (SMILER), or innovative (THIRTEEN, AIR AND OBLIVION).
A lot of enthusiasts believe that the SW tag has been devalued, but I still think that SW8 is not going to be just another GCI woody, albeit smaller, lower and shorter. A GCI woody this size does not cost £15 million and I think they are out to surprise us somewhere. Presumably, the people in charge will have a point to prove coming out of JW''s shadow.
I think that SW8 WILL be "groundbreaking". As to whether or not it will be groundbreaking in an amazing, imaginative or ride enhancing way or a we did it so we can say it's a world's first, but it doesn't justify the budget type of way I don't know.
But as already mentioned... this project is starting to look more interesting.
I know this is a family thrill ride, and that the plans we have seen look a little underwhelming, but the size of the holes, look like an early clue to the size of the budget and the groundbreaking claim. It's probably, just ready to be filled with concrete due to the unstability of the site, but SW8 is now peaking my interest for the first time...
SW3 World's best coaster (in my opinion).
SW4 First dive machine and utterly terrifying.
SW5 Impressive new technology and a unique experience (though surpassed very quickly elsewhere).
SW6 A coaster that looked underwhelming on the plans, that was mismarketed to a thrill audience despite being family friendly, but which had a unique at the time world's first element (which consumed a lot of the budget and in my view would have been better spent on a longer lay out), but which has grown on me and is now good for what it is,a FUN family thrill ride.
SW7 A world record breaking coaster of a genuine impressive size and length, with high thrills, and poor construction that we as enthusiasts would rate higher were it not for the invincible Nemesis just a quarter of a mile away.
No SW project has been just another coaster in a line of coasters.
So where does that leave SW8. It doesn't look huge, it doesn't look terrifying, it does look family thrill and could be a lot of fun if done right... but that SW tag... Some SW projects have been better than others, but they have all been either world beating (NEMESIS), record breaking (SMILER), or innovative (THIRTEEN, AIR AND OBLIVION).
A lot of enthusiasts believe that the SW tag has been devalued, but I still think that SW8 is not going to be just another GCI woody, albeit smaller, lower and shorter. A GCI woody this size does not cost £15 million and I think they are out to surprise us somewhere. Presumably, the people in charge will have a point to prove coming out of JW''s shadow.
I think that SW8 WILL be "groundbreaking". As to whether or not it will be groundbreaking in an amazing, imaginative or ride enhancing way or a we did it so we can say it's a world's first, but it doesn't justify the budget type of way I don't know.
But as already mentioned... this project is starting to look more interesting.
Whilst I agree that The Smiler's yellow entrance box is tacky as all Hell, I can't see The Black Hole's entrance arch, as well themed as it was, having suited The Smiler at all.
James
TS Founding Member
We've never really had a Secret Weapon project with no major excavation works, so I can't say I'm that excited seeing a big hole being dug. Given we've seen on the plans there will be a lower level for the station also, it seems pretty normal for now. Not that I believe this ride will have nothing that makes it stand out, it's a £15m budget, Merlin would never spend that amount on a simple coaster with no gimmicks attached (at Towers).
That would be the most logical solution, and the distance between the Mutiny Bay staff gates and Katanga Canyon's access gates underneath the monorail track isn't that far either.
I cannot see them doing anything in reality and guests will have to make do with going through Haunted Hollow and Gloomy Wood to get to KC.
I'm honestly surprised they didn't close Katanga Canyon completely and just mark Runaway Mine Train/River Rapids as 'closed for TLC'.
That would be the most logical solution, and the distance between the Mutiny Bay staff gates and Katanga Canyon's access gates underneath the monorail track isn't that far either.
I cannot see them doing anything in reality and guests will have to make do with going through Haunted Hollow and Gloomy Wood to get to KC.
I'm honestly surprised they didn't close Katanga Canyon completely and just mark Runaway Mine Train/River Rapids as 'closed for TLC'.
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