Bowser
TS Member
It's going to be quite something at Universal on a cold wet January day watching rollercoasters operating in the UK.
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Ride Availability/Operations 2022-25
It's going to be quite something at Universal on a cold wet January day watching rollercoasters operating in the UK.
Dave
TS Founding Member
Don’t hold your breath, universal are far more cautious than Disney in Florida when it comes to weather.
Bowser
TS Member
Nobody is expecting outdoor rollercoasters to operate in hurricanes.
Beijing has more similar weather to the UK, albeit more extremes at both ends and the rides run all year. Many of the rides in the UK have not been built with the intention of operating in winter conditions but they will be in this case.
In fairness Paultons are probably the current closest we have as they operate most rides in their Christmas season including all coasters (obviously some are closed this year due to the construction)
Islander
TS Member
Nah, I'd argue Legoland are closer - pretty much all rides except water.
Bowser
TS Member
The only non-water attraction closed this Christmas at Paultons is the Digger ride (and the aforementioned new area closures which otherwise would be operating). So i'd say that's still a closer comparison in regards to my point of watching coasters operating in January in the UK as all the rides are outdoors except Ghostly Manor. Stormchaser, Velociraptor, Flight of the Pterosaur etc should all be running if you visit this Winter.
Legoland have a lot more indoor rides so in that regard they're more similar overall to a Universal (and Speedway hasn't been operating in the winter as of yet).
Skyscraper
TS Member
Yep there's a thunderstorm in the area
Dave
TS Founding Member
Nobody is expecting outdoor rollercoasters to operate in hurricanes.
Beijing has more similar weather to the UK, albeit more extremes at both ends and the rides run all year. Many of the rides in the UK have not been built with the intention of operating in winter conditions but they will be in this case.
In fairness Paultons are probably the current closest we have as they operate most rides in their Christmas season including all coasters (obviously some are closed this year due to the construction)
Who mentioned Hurricaines?
The problem all parks have in the UK is the climate. Rides are calibrated to the predominant weather which in the UK is temperate, but this means they don’t do well in extremes. You can deal with it by having multiple trains so you can be fitting them out ready for the cold/ hot weather which universal will have the money to do. Most 365 parks are in more stable weather zones but parks like DLP and EP show it can be done if you are willing to spend tha money.
Benzin
TS Member
Yep there's a thunderstorm in the area
I mean we had one in Leeds so that might have forced Towers' hand.
hahaha to be fair there were a good few rumbles of thunder during the closure earlier. I did the right thing and had a pint lol
Danscott22
TS Member
Galactica is closed today for "essential maintenance". I've never known a park have so many "essential maintenance" closures throughout an 8 month operational season! Wicker Man doesn't re-open until tomorrow either, from it's essential maintenance period. The Royal Carousel, on a more minor note, hasn't operated in 2 days either.
AltonLover123
TS Member
However will we cope without the Carousel?
Bowser
TS Member
It probably has a better average throughput than Galactica these days so the impact will likely be devastating.
Thameslink Rail
TS Member
Looks like Wicker Man is back early!
Disney do have essential maintenance closures all the time every month there's at least one ride under going maintenance.
And so does SeaWorld and Six Flags.
Sorry lots of parks do the same thing that Towers does. I am tired of people saying Towers is the only one with these problems when it's not true
GooseOnTheLoose
TS Member
Disney and SeaWorld parks operate 365 days of the year. Scheduled / essential maintenance has to take place at some point throughout the year. The planned maintenance is often advertised in advance.
Alton Towers operates from March until November. Any planned maintenance should be taking place during the off season, not whilst paying customers are visiting.
Essential maintenance is often unplanned and extremely important, sometimes due to a critical part failing. It is often unavoidable but still undesirable, with all steps being taken to prevent it.
Not all maintenance can be done during the off season parts could be delayed and multitude of other problems may arise during the year