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Flat Rides: What would you like to see come to the park?

an S&S screaming swing on an elevated position on the the outskirts of the garden Valley - with a classical vintage garden swing theme I always thought would be a nice idea.
 
Randomly remembered that Huss Topple Towers are a thing. They had lots of issues but there are a couple still operating in Europe, and would have looked superb at Towers...

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If a ride is below the tree line whilst not in operation, but raises above the tree line (and the maximum height allowed) whilst it is operating, is it likely to be allowed or not?

For example if the topple tower could rest in its toppled state, which is under the maximum height allowed, would it be allowed even if in its vertical state it raises above that height.
 
If AT were to add a flat ride, how soon would we find out about it? Say if there was one to open in 2020 would there already be planning permission submitted?

I’m not sure how it works and if they can keep it a secret until opening. Sorry if this doesn’t make much sense!
 
Matt878787 said:
If AT were to add a flat ride, how soon would we find out about it? Say if there was one to open in 2020 would there already be planning permission submitted?

I’m not sure how it works and if they can keep it a secret until opening. Sorry if this doesn’t make much sense!
Click to expand...

It depends is the quick answer.

The longer answer is linked to the complex planning rules in place for Alton Towers, this might be worth a read:

https://towersstreet.com/features/articles/alton-towers-planning-restrictions/#partfour

In theory a new flat ride could be added to certain areas of the park (most likely in FV or XSector) without planning permission having to be applied for.

Whether Merlin would actually invest in one is another matter though.
 
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Thanks for the link! Wow I hadn’t realised how complex planning can be.

I hope they do add a ride where Ripsaw sat. It looks depressing seeing a crap game area there which once was a bustling area of FV.
 
Don't know if anyone's mentioned this but I think a Mondial Shake could be a perfect fit to the park after riding Tik Tak at Tivoli which was a great ride and amazingly themed. In terms of location, that may be a problem as my idea would be to put it on the Enterprise site and it could easily tie in to The Smiler as part of the Marmalisation process with all the flipinng relating to the ride's inversions but then we have not had a net gain of flats. Other possibilities include the Sub-Terra site which is probably never Going to reopen again but is being used for Project 42, it could be themed to Nemesis eggs somehow but I doubt the park has finished with Project 42 just yet. The old Ug Swing location in the Dark Forest may be good as it adds some much needed development to that space but I couldn't image a theme for that and with the thoughts that Rita may be the site of SW9 its unclear if that if a viable site.
 
The only flats I see coming to the park are small family ones like Go Jetters and Peter Rabbit that we have seen added to CBeebies Land. When Enterprise dies in the next decade I can see a Zamperla Endeavour being brought in to fill that gap as it is iconic to X-Sector but other than that I don't see the desire from Merlin to add any thrill flats whatsoever.

Also, I do think where Ripsaw & The Blade were will be occupied by SW9, so that removes some potential flat ride locations from the park.
 
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Visited last week (had a brilliant time) and to me the area in x-sextor is crying out for a new flat ride.

If it were up to me I'd remove enterprise (which may be happening anyway?) and put in a drop tower. You'd need to dig down to make it a decent size however I think there's a massive opportunity with the theming. They could essentially build something themed as an 'Oblivion Lite', ideally with a height restriction up to 1.3m max as there's nothing else there for younger ones to go on with their families. The drop tower can mimic a lot of the features of the Oblivion drop, incorporating a dark hole etc.

Alongside this Oblivion itself needs some TLC, not so much the ride itself but the queue area and the pre ride videos which are very outdated now and the tiny screens really don't do it justice. The idea is great, just tweak the scripts slightly with new actors and larger more visible screens to help build suspense before boarding and they've got it imo. That with a smaller flat ride using similar theming with the brilliant Smiler next door and X-Sector would be enhanced greatly imo.
 
A seat tilting Falcon Fury type drop tower would work really well there, continuing the don't look down thing. Also, one of those partially submerged would probably create a great head chopper type effect as you hurtle to the ground.

Digging holes is an expensive business though, so I can't see it happening.
 
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X-Sector could have two new flats in the places of Enterprise and Submission - didn't reckon much to either, but they complemented the area well. Dark Forest needs one, Forbidden Valley could have multiple possibilities with the sites of Ripsaw, The Blade (eventually) and Sub Terra up for grabs.
 
I'd bring back something like the Boneshaker/Energizer with an evil tree theme (think Whomping Willow) in Dark Forest. A good family thrill flat.
Just because I like it at Thorpe I want another Screamin/ Swing (Rush) I think it would be able to fit on the old Submission site. Its tall but that area of the park should be able to accommodate hopefully.

Blade should remain a pirate ship, they are a good classic simple ride.
AT could do with a pair of small drop towers if height allows, something like Detonator would be OK, but needs a pair to help throughput.
 
FV is desperately in need of a new flat. The area is dismal especially in the evening for Scarefest. Such a shame personally seeing my favourite area of the park feel so dead.

What flat ride could potentially replace Ripsaw if they were to add another?
 
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