• ℹ️ Heads up...

    This is a popular topic that is fast moving Guest - before posting, please ensure that you check out the first post in the topic for a quick reminder of guidelines, and importantly a summary of the known facts and information so far. Thanks.

[202X] Project Horizon (SW9?): Planning Approved

Matt N said:
I'd wager that this would likely be a more family-orientated, and by extension less extreme, coaster than any of the current SW rides, so it would likely make less noise by default, thus would require less isolation to make quiet.
Click to expand...
Remember that the mechanical noise itself is only one factor tho. Screams are another.

Not saying it's impossible, but it's not trivial to eliminate sound. Black Hole was enclosed but still emitted a rather lovely roar almost constantly.

It was noise complaints which prevented Coaster Corner from getting proper planning permission AIUI, hence it closing and not being used again.
 
WillPS said:
Remember that the mechanical noise itself is only one factor tho. Screams are another.

Not saying it's impossible, but it's not trivial to eliminate sound. Black Hole was enclosed but still emitted a rather lovely roar almost constantly.

It was noise complaints which prevented Coaster Corner from getting proper planning permission AIUI, hence it closing and not being used again.
Click to expand...

You need to remember it is far easier to sound dampen a warehouse building than what was essentially a fabric type building with very irregular shapes.
 
WillPS said:
Remember that the mechanical noise itself is only one factor tho. Screams are another.

Not saying it's impossible, but it's not trivial to eliminate sound. Black Hole was enclosed but still emitted a rather lovely roar almost constantly.

It was noise complaints which prevented Coaster Corner from getting proper planning permission AIUI, hence it closing and not being used again.
Click to expand...
I'm guessing that soundproofing has improved a fair bit since Black Hole was built, though, and even if not, a proper corrugated building would be more soundproofed than a fabric tent like Black Hole was in, surely?

Perhaps a dark ride is more likely given the area's history, however.
 
Matt N said:
I'm guessing that soundproofing has improved a fair bit since Black Hole was built, though, and even if not, a proper corrugated building would be more soundproofed than a fabric tent like Black Hole was in, surely?

Perhaps a dark ride is more likely given the area's history, however.
Click to expand...

I would not say out the box they are soundproofed better. But it is a technology that is widely used, well established and relatively cheap. Alot of corrugated buildings are soundproofed for industrial reasons.

Very easy and pretty cheap to double skin, airgap and sound insulate the side of a rectangle building than it would be to something the shape and material of Blackholes tent. Potentially you would only need to do the sides of the building that face the village too.
 
I’d say the predictions here for where this new attraction will end up are pretty much on the money.

Nick and 4D are not empty buildings - they’re very much in use for other things. I can’t see MMM moving any time soon and that particular backstage area behind Hex is very built up.

I feel like the only possible entrance to this will be either where the carousel is now, or to the left of it closer to the Dungeons.
 
Really interesting development this by the sounds of it.

Towers desperately needs more dark rides so this is a big tick in the box. I just hope seeing the developments coming to Thorpe and Chessington, along with what we’ve seen in Gardaland and Legoland New York already this could have some real potential

Looking at some probables:

Legoland Factory Adventure (ETF Experience Master https://www.etf.nl/ride-systems/products/etf-xperience-mover)

Jumanji The Ride (Oceaneering Evo-6 https://www.oceaneering.com/datasheets/OES-EVO6.pdf)

Flight of the Skylion (Brogent tech - M ride https://www.brogent.com/en/product-m-ride.html )

Ghostbusters 5D (Zierer - Advanced Dark Ride https://www.zierer.com/en/products/advanced-dark-rides-1)

Any of those would be a considerable step up to what’s currently on park.

Possible:
Any of the above hardware with a different theme

I’d love to see:
A new indoor family thrill coaster, akin to The Mummy or Escape From Gringotts

IPs:
Probably…
Lego
Ghostbusters
Men In Black
Jumanji
Uncharted
James Bond - Skyfall/Spectre/Casino Royale/QOS
More David Williams

Possibly…
New IP
BBC - Top Gear/Planet Earth/Doctor Who

Whatever the choices are made I just hope AT really push the boat out, get as much space in a large a building as possible as they won’t get the chance again. And it’s in such a fantastic spot we need to make the most of it, yes there’s enough space for an entire new area, but if MMM was moved, the area would be enormous.

Almost enough for something like a Legoland second gate. (Something which could also be done on air car park) I think an entire Lego re theme of the area with GG becoming a standalone attraction having its entrance rejigged to the Dungeons side.

Bring the 4D theatre back in to use, add in the Lego factory ride, a small mini land, re theme the driving school and the possibilities are endless. Re theme GG and Dungeons in the future, hotel rooms/hotel, clone in some rides from around the world.

There’s a reason Windsor is the most popular park in the UK. Merlin are leaving money on the table I’m sure



On a completely unrelated note…I’ve just thought how absolutely immense a League of Gentlemen or Inside No.9 appearance could be at Scarefest…oh boy


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
 
Jb85 said:
For all we know this could be a giant kids playground.

I'm guilty same as all of you. We're running ahead far to much here, despite what 'those in the know' are saying.
Click to expand...
Could be, but I’m sure it won’t.

I remember a couple of years ago, the park did some market research disguised as a “design your own park” feature. There were 3 or 4 “do something new” options. One was a massive new coaster, another was a gimmicky underground coaster and the third was an indoor water coaster.

I am led to the believe the indoor water coaster was by far the most popular option.

Could be totally unrelated, but we all know that AT loves a bit of market research before ploughing ahead with major new projects.
 
I just have a gut feeling it’s going to be a coaster of some sort. As someone previously pointed out, noise was a big thing with the Mouse, it would have a much less substantial impact in a well sound-proofed building.
 
Thrillsy said:
Long time lurker here. This seems likely to be the permanent home of Carters Fun Fair, if things go through.
Click to expand...
Do you have a source for that?
I for one would be kind of disappointed if that was what was going in the building.
We need a dark ride, water ride, coaster or permanent flats in there, not a portable vintage funfair.
 
Last edited:
Thrillsy said:
Long time lurker here. This seems likely to be the permanent home of Carters Fun Fair, if things go through.
Click to expand...
Welcome Thrillsy - what leads you to believe that might be the case?

It seems like the sort of thing which would be outside of Merlin's usual comfort zone in terms of maintenance.

If you ignore all the practicalities it would be pretty cool to have a vintage fun fair in its own enclosed space separated off from the rest of the space.
 
I live in Devon and we have Dingles Heritage Fairground nearish to me - a warehouse full of vintage fair ground rides. It’s a great place to spend a couple of hours riding some vintage rides and I guess a similar thing would work well at Alton Towers to provide some good fun for families with children who are too old for Cbeebies.

I’d be disappointed if this turned out to be true though!
 
I would be very surprised if this turned out to be Carter's Steam Fair in a building, even if it could be quite cool. I think some sort of indoor coaster is most likely.

Hopefully we will hear some more details in a couple of weeks!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top