What changes to operations should we expect post Covid-19?

[Matt N]

I don’t think they would make passholders pay extra; Merlin care about their passholders and their enjoyment, and besides, the parks that have reopened have not charged an additional booking fee as far as I’m aware. The only passholder curbs I’ve heard of in other parks is Europa Park restricting the amount of visits they can have in a month. No park has thus far charged their passholders extra money

 

[Mr Pearse]

I don’t think they would make passholders pay extra; Merlin care about their passholders and their enjoyment, and besides, the parks that have reopened have not charged an additional booking fee as far as I’m aware. The only passholder curbs I’ve heard of in other parks is Europa Park restricting the amount of visits they can have in a month. No park has thus far charged their passholders extra money

merlin care about trying to recoup as much of the loss as possible. If they want to charge a booking fee then they will without hesitation.

 

[Craig]

It depends on how they build the system. If they limit people applying for them by pass number as they have done at EP, then great. If they don't then they'll likely need a booking fee to prevent idiots buying them all up and selling them online or just booking them for the sake of it.

IF nominal booking fees are charged, then that should be given back in the form of a drink or something at the very least. I'm just completely speculating of course, just my own personal assumptions based on high capacity days such as fireworks.

 

[imanautie]

It depends on how they build the system. If they limit people applying for them by pass number as they have done at EP, then great. If they don't then they'll likely need a booking fee to prevent idiots buying them all up and selling them online or just booking them for the sake of it.

IF nominal booking fees are charged, then that should be given back in the form of a drink or something at the very least. I'm just completely speculating of course, just my own personal assumptions based on high capacity days such as fireworks.

If I'm not mistaken with the exception of Chessington passholder day whenever merlin ask for a pass number no validation is performed...

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[Croftybaby]

Could the not put a temp hold on a nominal fee for a pass holder to reserve a 'ticket' space and then when that passholder visits the fee automatically gets refunded?

 

[imanautie]

Could the not put a temp hold on a nominal fee for a pass holder to reserve a 'ticket' space and then when that passholder visits the fee automatically gets refunded?

Technically yes but that still costs merlin money.

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[Stuie]

I admire the optimism of posters in this thread but I can’t see the 4th July being some miraculous day where 1000’s of people pile into the parks.

After that point, you’ve surely only got a few more weeks before the parks decide it’s not even worth recruiting and training all the seasonal staff.

I don’t like being pessimistic but I honestly wouldn’t be surprised to see many not opening at all.

Sod it, may as well get the Xmas tree out.

 

[Dave]

If Gulliver's training starts before that I'll go there obvs,
but I won't be going to any parks as a guest til it's over

So 2022 then?

 

[Skyscraper]

So 2022 then?

I would hope that the social distancing rules are removed by then.
Seriously though, those restrictions cannot stay for much longer, as some businesses simply cannot operate with social distancing in place. I'd expect it to be lifted by the end of this year.

 

[Mr Pearse]

I would hope that the social distancing rules are removed by then.
Seriously though, those restrictions cannot stay for much longer, as some businesses cannot operate with social distancing in place. I'd expect them to be lifted by the end of this year.

I think merlin are hoping they get be lifted by the end of year. I doubt they will be happy to have only about 10 attractions open once the parks shut.

 

[Skyscraper]

Will be interesting to see what they do with Thirteen, as it needs a minimum number of riders to make the second lift. Maybe they'll put test dummies in certain seats? Would be an enthusiast's dream to ride with those and very strange for the GP.

 

[Islander]

Will be interesting to see what they do with Thirteen, as it needs a minimum number of riders to make the second lift. Maybe they'll put test dummies in certain seats? Would be an enthusiast's dream to ride with those and very strange for the GP.

Would it? Why??


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[Skyscraper]

Would it? Why??


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Only for the most hardcore enthusiasts.

Seriously though, I won't be surprised if that's what Towers do. That's the only solution I see.

 

[speedy]

If they run roller coasters with test dummies and the public at the same time... I hope nobody remembers this https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ne...er-improvements-after-dummies-lose-limbs.html

 

[Thameslink Rail]

If they run roller coasters with test dummies and the public at the same time... I hope nobody remembers this https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ne...er-improvements-after-dummies-lose-limbs.html

That joke was funny in 2012, less so since 2015. I am almost certain it was a publicity stunt but they certainly wouldn't try it now.

 

[imanautie]

That joke was funny in 2012, less so since 2015. I am almost certain it was a publicity stunt but they certainly wouldn't try it now.

I fully expect people to make that joke loudly whilst on the ride...

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[speedy]

That joke was funny in 2012, less so since 2015. I am almost certain it was a publicity stunt but they certainly wouldn't try it now.

Indeed, but someone will try to pass it off as something that actually happened!

 

[Mr Pearse]

I thought they couldn’t put the dummies on rides due to something like getting off the ride and getting passed them. Can’t remember top of my head but I’m sure when it was discussed before it was something to do with that.

 

[Islander]

I thought they couldn’t put the dummies on rides due to something like getting off the ride and getting passed them. Can’t remember top of my head but I’m sure when it was discussed before it was something to do with that.

You wouldn't be able to put one dummy in a row and have someone sit next to it for that reason, but no reason that a whole row couldn't be filled with dummies.

 

[AT86]

If every other row needs to be kept clear for social distancing. Then you can just load two dummies in each of those rows.