Tim
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Air / Blue Fire
There are definitely influential individuals that were calling for the rides removal more than others. No doubt because they visit the parks even more than the average enthusiast, so for them it must feel like the Retrosquade were there for decades (comparatively). But they were not alone in that opinion, and an influencer only has sway if people agree with them.
Craig does raise some good points that could have also played into the decision. For example, I know the Jungle Coaster at Legoland Windsor was removed because it was too popular, yet had a woeful capacity (after the modifications). As most guests wanted to ride it but either couldn't, or had to queue for over 2 hours, the park experience and ridership scores improved dramatically once it was gone.
In particular I hadn't factored in the cost of keeping the Retrosquad (compared to the start of Covid) and how much downtime they had.
I do however maintain that they didn't have to go all at once. And a simple fix to helping them blend in would have been just to turn off or alter the music.
For example Europa Park bring in the Giant Wheel at Christmas. I presume it is also from the traveling fair circuit, and that's become an icon of the event.
Craig does raise some good points that could have also played into the decision. For example, I know the Jungle Coaster at Legoland Windsor was removed because it was too popular, yet had a woeful capacity (after the modifications). As most guests wanted to ride it but either couldn't, or had to queue for over 2 hours, the park experience and ridership scores improved dramatically once it was gone.
In particular I hadn't factored in the cost of keeping the Retrosquad (compared to the start of Covid) and how much downtime they had.
I do however maintain that they didn't have to go all at once. And a simple fix to helping them blend in would have been just to turn off or alter the music.
For example Europa Park bring in the Giant Wheel at Christmas. I presume it is also from the traveling fair circuit, and that's become an icon of the event.