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Will Alton Towers' visitor numbers ever return to their pre-Smiler levels?

They can easily get back to those levels as the most expensive part of running parks (coasters) is one area they actually have covered.

They need to shift focus on the less expensive aspects such as maintenance, opening hours, family rides, improving audio and entertainment offering. This will definitely bring back the crowds.

I know it's not always popular among enthusiasts but another IP themed land where cloud cuckoo land is could be a way to do it too. I wouldn't be shocked if they even install a mini Lego area in there. I know people will point to Legoland being about Lego but it is a long way from Towers and it simply can't handle the guests it's gets. Giving Towers a Lego movie world land could be a smart play.
 
If CCL is removed, it will most likely be the location for sw9 and not another kids themed area

I think you'll find that area is one of the least likely areas for coasters due to noise complaints. SW9 will be in FV / Gloomy Wood area most likely.

I can't see them knocking all those buildings down. The infrastructure is in place for a quality themed land and they will know that. They just need to change the facades. They've also got the 4D cinema to reopen whenever they choose which they could theme up to whatever theme they choose for the area.

I honestly wouldn't be shocked to see a mini Legoland area. I dont think it would harm the main Legoland park all that much and it would certainly improve Towers's family appeal.
 
Does a SW have to be a coaster? Could SW9 be a major dark ride or water ride instead? Unless it's a aqua coaster I don't feel that another rolercoaster would fill a gap in Towers lineup

BTW on the lego front lego land floridas lego movie area looks fantastic, far better than anything in Windsor
 
I'm pretty sure the next SW will not be a massive investment. Maybe something special, but I doubt it will be Wicker Man levels of investment. There is just too much risk regarding Brexit and the uncertainty it brings. I like the idea of an inovative dark ride - and remember there is a huge amount of indoor space at CCL that could be repurposed!

The country is also lacking a good indoor coaster too....
 
Does a SW have to be a coaster? Could SW9 be a major dark ride or water ride instead? Unless it's a aqua coaster I don't feel that another rolercoaster would fill a gap in Towers lineup

BTW on the lego front lego land floridas lego movie area looks fantastic, far better than anything in Windsor

I could see them going for a similar version of this at Towers. Lego brings in the crowds. It would have to be different to Legoland stuff of course but it would definitely fill in the gap between cbeebies and the coasters.

4D Lego cinema experience, Lego driving school plus a few other rides. It wouldn't be a bad idea really. In fact I'm yet to hear a better alternative.
 
Personally, I think a Lego themed area for CCL could be great, IF DONE RIGHT.

Could bring in the demographic that is too old for Cbeebies, but not yet ready for the big coasters (and Nostalgia almost 50 something's like myself - all I got for Christmas was an apple, an orange, a nut, a price of coal, and one Lego brick). Oh, and the first person to say, "YOU WERE LUCKY"... I DARE YOU, I JUST DARE YOU!

A few vinyls won't do it though. CCL would need half a dozen prices of semi decent, new, well themed ride hardware, and a stand out attraction (Lego themed log flume of a decent length - not end of the pier material).

Or Log Flume Dennis's Space Jam themed, Launched, Vertical Drop Log Flume in the Dark.

Respect bro - not ever Uber Genius John Wardley came up with that one,!
 
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A SW will not go in CCL and they will always keep the area for kids. They can't remove it as that would only leave cbeebies. They need an area for kids aged between 7 and early teens, and CCL turning to a Lego theme would be perfect.
 
A SW will not go in CCL and they will always keep the area for kids. They can't remove it as that would only leave cbeebies. They need an area for kids aged between 7 and early teens, and CCL turning to a Lego theme would be perfect.
There's no more room for an SW. They're not going to put it in gloomy wood as that's a wood area and FV there's no space. Also, if it went in FV then they'd have to close the area during construction as the only place it can go is near sub- terra/ blade area.
 
There's no more room for an SW. They're not going to put it in gloomy wood as that's a wood area and FV there's no space. Also, if it went in FV then they'd have to close the area during construction as the only place it can go is near sub- terra/ blade area.

Air car park for FV space?
 
I doubt they'll use that land. They'd have to landscape it and put trees around it

Given almost all the coasters have had significant pits, I don't think landscaping is beyond them. I can see they'd be concerned about loosing parking space for their peak days though, people always complain about having to pay to park on a grass field.
 
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