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2018: Wicker Man - General Discussion - SPOILERS! - Part One

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The only way it can be a worlds 1st at this point, is by having fire effects built into either the train or the track, if not...they can still shoot for "worlds first coaster fusing wood and lawsuits"
 
I thought worlds firsts couldn't get anymore ridiculous after Galactica but they have. If the effects are working it will offer some excitement for those around the ride and draw attention to the ride but I think the preshow will be a very significant part of the experience (similar to Baron 1898). Overall not very excited as nothing majorly ground-breaking or exciting has happened, I just hope that there is more to come as I have never been excited by the layout and its lack of length concerns me and probably highlights a relatively lengthy preshow.
 
Wonder if they’ll go all out for maximum return and offer Fastrack from day one? £10 a shot easy money
In expecting there to be fast track only for VIPs(possibly the £95 ft as well) likely merged with rap for at least day 1.

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Ignoring the fact that the "world's first" claim is untrue, do you remember when a "world's first" at Towers actually meant something, i.e., an advancement in roller coaster technology?
Do you not think that is a worldwide industry trend, though? From the late 1980s it was all about things being taller and faster - but those days are largely gone because few parks have the will and financial resources to chase those. Plus, regional parks that chased those records have often regretted it, being left with maintenance nightmares in the form of Kingda Ka, Dragster etc.

Also, I think the perception around records has changed. Colossus having 10 inversions in 2002, almost felt more impressive than 14 on Smiler a decade later, but I think that is generally down to a lot of apathy in the community because big rides are so much more common now, than they were then.

Therefore, you do end up with more tenuous records and world firsts. There are only a certain number of ways a car can go around a track so you end up with dumb world firsts or quite literally adding half a degree to the steepness of a hill. To their credit Merlin have done some unique/new projects like Ghost Train, Raptor etc, with varying levels of success, I grant.

It feels like the approach here has been to create a fun, marketable ride and then attach a world's first statement to it to help with the hype. People can bemoan the fact that they are marketing it with that label, but the ride itself is unaffected.

I've been excited about this since the start, very much looking forward to it after the announcement.
 
Are the 'Boermen' definitely evil? The PR seems to suggest that flying through the Wicker Man will be thrilling and cathartic, rather than an attempt to burn you alive. That's a cool twist in itself.
 
Well I just looked at the dungeons website and that scene is no longer on the website, I think I remember reading about it being removed last year?

NOTE: Just found the old web page for the witches scene and indeed says no longer available...
 
I've just had a quick search for 'Alton Towers' on Twitter and a high proportion of the general public comments seem to be concerns, serious or not, about combining fire with wood! It's got people talking but I am not sure it is quite the reaction Towers would have wanted, there don't seem to be many people excited by the prospect of fire effects.

:)
 
I've just had a quick search for 'Alton Towers' on Twitter and a high proportion of the general public comments seem to be concerns, serious or not, about combining fire with wood! It's got people talking but I am not sure it is quite the reaction Towers would have wanted, there don't seem to be many people excited by the prospect of fire effects.

:)

If people are concerned over fire effects on this coaster then they're probably living their lives out a bubble terrified of the wind blowing their houses over. It's not like they're just setting it alight and hoping for the best is it
 
If people are concerned over fire effects on this coaster then they're probably living their lives out a bubble terrified of the wind blowing their houses over. It's not like they're just setting it alight and hoping for the best is it

We know that but it is fair to say that people still hold reservations about Alton Towers post Smiler and do not think the idea of fire and wood together sounds the greatest. I don't think that is surprising.

:)
 
The irony is those same people worried on Twitter are walking around with a small bomb in their pocket/hand that they used to post said concern on the interweebs with.

Ignorance is bliss I guess...
 
I've just had a quick search for 'Alton Towers' on Twitter and a high proportion of the general public comments seem to be concerns, serious or not, about combining fire with wood! It's got people talking but I am not sure it is quite the reaction Towers would have wanted, there don't seem to be many people excited by the prospect of fire effects.

:)

To be fair though, they'll probably comment on it and then their mates will message them asking if they want to go and ride it this year. The claim of worlds first may be pathetic, but I bet it will get the word around sufficiently.
 
Towers don't normally offer fastrack straight away on their new coasters do they not? Pretty sure this was the case for Thirteen and Smiler anyway. I dread to think how long the "disabled" queue will be on opening day mind.

:)
 
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