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TBC: SW9 Speculation
- Thread starter Matt N
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Matt N
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- Mako (SeaWorld Orlando)
I actually had a thought about SW9 and what I might like it to be.
With everyone lamenting about the lack of dark rides and water rides, I actually think it might be nice to see SW9 be a coaster that fills one (or more) of these categories as well. Now I know that this sounds strange, but hear me out; even though it wouldn't be a "dark ride" per se, an enclosed coaster for families could fill the same void, especially if it were more dark ride-based in the style of something like Gringotts at Universal. In terms of a water ride, a water coaster could add a new staple water ride while still maintaining that coastery element of the other SWs.
If a water coaster were to be built for SW9, providing a modern staple water ride, then I would personally remove the Rapids in favour of SW10. In terms of what I'd put in; I think an Intamin Blitz would go great there! There's a ton of land, and I think that with a ride like that interacting with RMT, they could almost refurbish Katanga Canyon into Britain's answer to Klugheim at Phantasialand! They could even reuse bits of the old rapids channel; for instance; could you imagine something like Taron's second launch roaring along where the Rapids waterfall area is now and the straight before it? There's also the huge reservoir, as well as the area of the queue line, which could fit a substantial twister section, with some undulating out-and-back action following the current Rapids channel alongside RMT and around the back of the area!
With everyone lamenting about the lack of dark rides and water rides, I actually think it might be nice to see SW9 be a coaster that fills one (or more) of these categories as well. Now I know that this sounds strange, but hear me out; even though it wouldn't be a "dark ride" per se, an enclosed coaster for families could fill the same void, especially if it were more dark ride-based in the style of something like Gringotts at Universal. In terms of a water ride, a water coaster could add a new staple water ride while still maintaining that coastery element of the other SWs.
If a water coaster were to be built for SW9, providing a modern staple water ride, then I would personally remove the Rapids in favour of SW10. In terms of what I'd put in; I think an Intamin Blitz would go great there! There's a ton of land, and I think that with a ride like that interacting with RMT, they could almost refurbish Katanga Canyon into Britain's answer to Klugheim at Phantasialand! They could even reuse bits of the old rapids channel; for instance; could you imagine something like Taron's second launch roaring along where the Rapids waterfall area is now and the straight before it? There's also the huge reservoir, as well as the area of the queue line, which could fit a substantial twister section, with some undulating out-and-back action following the current Rapids channel alongside RMT and around the back of the area!
Rob
TS Team
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Without having read all of the new posts in this thread, my initial feeling is that Alton Towers does not yet need a new thrill coaster. Priorities in the park have to be elsewhere. Duel need a total overhaul, we need a new family water ride, the park needs some permanent thrill flats.
If there is some sort of deal with B&M and Alton Towers are involved, my best guess right now would be that it is for a re-track of Nemesis.
If there is some sort of deal with B&M and Alton Towers are involved, my best guess right now would be that it is for a re-track of Nemesis.
Jb85
TS Member
totally agree with this post …. That said, I can see this happening.
edit - if this project is to happen for either 2023 or 2024 surely we would have seen pre planning surveying happening. I’ve seen none of this - and nobody has posted on here either - so maybe we should look to take this with a pinch of salt
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Benjsh
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Skyscraper
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I completely agree as well. They need to get their priorities right lol.
New flats and water ride before a new thrill coaster please!
Yeah that's a possible outcome of a multi-ride deal too. In fact there's the chance of all that happening along with a coaster at either Gaurdaland or Heidi Park too.
Jb85
TS Member
Let’s stop and think here…. Where is the assumption ‘no way can they do this’
they can - not one of us know the terms of the deal, payment plans, timescale etc - assuming there is a deal.
I would actually say in these times of volatile raw material prices a deal like this is more possible….if you’ve got the cash a good discount could happen for up front payment …. If you haven’t b&m are more likely to agree to a long term payment plan to secure orders so they themselves can plan material and labour a lot easier. The last thing they want is Merlin rocking up a year before the ride should be constructed and say ‘build this’ right now.
Benjsh
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This is Merlin mate. I think you need to realise who we are talking about.
They are not going to build a brand new B&M as SW9 and re track Nemmy before 2025. I'd be astonished if they did. The fact Chessington and Thorpe are getting new coasters makes it even more unlikely too.
Jb85
TS Member
It’s not Merlin as they were though is it?
I hope your wrong, i feel you won’t be though, but given the market atm it’s entirely plausible
tayspru
TS Member
The last - and I mean last - thing Towers needs right now is a new rollercoaster. Nothing coaster wise desperately needs to be removed in the immediate future, and they really need to focus on other areas for the time being. Flats are a clear necessity (made even clearer thanks to the Retrosquad), and indoor attractions are also desperately needed before any other investments.
I wouldn’t be supposed at a Nemesis retrack though alongside Chessington’s wing and a new Thorpe coaster
I wouldn’t be supposed at a Nemesis retrack though alongside Chessington’s wing and a new Thorpe coaster
Cryptocoaster
TS Member
I completely agree with this last few comments. Towers needs so much more before a new thrill coaster. When I was there for Scarefest it felt like we spent all day in at least hour long queues for a coaster & not much else (even with the retro squad!) A new flat or two in X-sector, FV & Dark Forest, a serious rapids revamp or water ride replacement & a couple of decent darks. That’s fair few years of investment before SW9 is needed. However when it does come then they should try the cross valley with a steel coaster. It would be much less intrusive & quieter than the woodie planned many years ago. Although I’d still expect it to be denied but they might as well try their luck. I guess then we’d be looking at one of the car parks behind Galactica or Nemesis. I’m not aware of any other suitable SW sites?
Benjsh
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Covid impact too can't be ignored. They had to being in tacky funfair rides this year.
Skyscraper
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- Nemesis
To be fair, they were originally brought in to bolster the line up when the indoor attractions weren't allowed to open.
Plus they actually gave them an overall theme instead of just plonking them down as is.
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Matt.GC
TS Member
Towers needing everything other than a new coaster has been mentioned about 54049754 times in this thread so far. I detect a theme here.
But we all know they'll just ignore this, spend millions building another one whilst the park around it continues to get worse and then scratch their heads after 2 years wondering why attendance has declined back to where it was before it was built.
pluk
TS Member
We all know what thevpark really needs, but this has been the case through the last couple of SWs. Why presume they'll change the habit?
Regardless of what the park actually needs that's not how they have operated for a long time. Big ride, big marketing, to hell with the actual experience. I do hope that will change, but it's probably a bit optimistic to presume it will.
Regardless of what the park actually needs that's not how they have operated for a long time. Big ride, big marketing, to hell with the actual experience. I do hope that will change, but it's probably a bit optimistic to presume it will.
Benjsh
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To be fair, they were originally brought in to bolster the line up when the indoor attractions weren't allowed to open.
Plus they actually gave them an overall theme instead of just plonking them down as is.
I think that's extremely kind to say they were given a theme. Hahahaha. They stood out like Elton John at a Snoop Dogg concert.
Skyscraper
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- Nemesis
I personally really liked the Restrosquad theme, but each to their own.
Matt N
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- Mako (SeaWorld Orlando)
I know that’s what many enthusiasts think, but does the average guest think this, and is the current strategy failing as a business model? Personally, I’d say that I could provide numerous pieces of data and case studies to add to the notion that the average guest’s level of yearning for this is far lower than that of us enthusiasts, and the lack of a more varied lineup is not having much of an effect on the park’s overall success.
With regard to the point about guest figures “falling back to where they were 2 years after”; for the last 2 major coasters, attendance has gone up in the year directly after, and the 2nd year was only a decline because of pretty substantial extenuating circumstances (incident in the case of Smiler, COVID in the case of Wicker Man). While I can’t speak for 2020, 2015 was apparently trending towards another increase before the incident happened.
Using the recent installation of Wicker Man as a case study, the park got around 2.3 million in 2018 according to Merlin’s recently released attendance figures; although not back to pre-incident levels, Wicker Man bolstered attendance quite significantly. In 2019, attendance raised again to around 2.5 million.
For some perspective, this is on par with The Smiler’s opening year of 2013, when the park had experienced less cutbacks and had a more varied lineup, and looking at the chart, it’s not a whole lot lower than many of the park’s “golden years”. I know many like to claim that attendance is way lower than it was in the 90s, but in general, the 90s years were around 2.7 million, perhaps even slightly lower on the odd occasion, so very little higher than 2019. The only year during the “golden age” that the park got over 3 million was 1994, and given that 1995 saw a drastic attendance decrease and the feat was not repeated until 2010, I’m unsure if the state/variety of the park’s ride lineup necessarily had a lot to do with that year’s success.
Also, as another case study, my cousin, her parents and her best friend went to Alton Towers for the first time a couple of months back and absolutely loved it; all my cousin could talk about when they got back was how many coasters they got on and how they rode Galactica 17 times, and they’re already keen to go back, from what I can tell! Even from my aunt & uncle, who you may expect to be more cynical and noticing of flaws than the kids, I did not hear one complaint about the lack of non-coaster things to do; they all seemed very satisfied with their trip and very keen to return.
So my point is; even though many of us enthusiasts are keen to see more variety, does the average visitor really care about the lack of non-coaster things to do? And does the lack of a more varied lineup really have an impact on the park’s success (both in terms of attendance and profit)?
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Benjsh
TS Member
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I personally really liked the Restrosquad theme, but each to their own.
That's the power of marketing for you right there.
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