What Next?

[MrCoaster]

Over the years Alton Towers have introduced a range of new rolercoaster types to the world (Oblivion in 1998 being the first drop, Air I believe being the first B&M flying, TH13TEEN with its drop track etc) but what next? It feels as if all the 'simple' ideas have been taken, so whatever they do, it'll be much more complicated. But what? Speculate below!

 

[Burbs]

Perhaps you would like to start the thread off by providing your own opinion on what might be next for Alton Towers?

 

[Bowser]

The days of Alton Towers being innovators of rollercoasters in the theme park industry are long gone.

Look to Universal/Disney, the Middle East parks and Germany for that.

 

[Jb85]

The days of Alton Towers being innovators of rollercoasters in the theme park industry are long gone.

Look to Universal/Disney, the Middle East parks and Germany for that.

I dunno I’m not so sure on that either Merlin’s thirst for world firsts. That all said though, in terms of elements I can’t see anything ground breaking that hasn’t already been done. It will just be bigger better faster more inversions if anything, all of which Merlin can’t do in most of their parks

 

[Mick]

I don’t think it has to be a worlds first or anything of the kind. I think anything with a unique layout and some memorable elements, combined with reliability and an overall quality ride experience, is what’s required.

 

[Bowser]

I dunno I’m not so sure on that either Merlin’s thirst for world firsts. That all said though, in terms of elements I can’t see anything ground breaking that hasn’t already been done. It will just be bigger better faster more inversions if anything, all of which Merlin can’t do in most of their parks

The “firsts” of the past 15 years have all been gimmick branding rather than true innovation. WickerMan is brilliant but also the pinnacle of style over substance in terms of marketing.

The last true Alton Towers prototype was Thirteen in 2010 right? I’m sure some will argue for The Smiler but i don’t personally agree.
There’s absolutely no indication they have the appetite or motivation to do anything innovative in the world of rollercoasters and arguably that’s way down the priority list for them at this stage anyway.

Times have changed and the pioneer era ended a long time ago.

 

[MrCoaster]

I agree with pretty much all of the above. Some ideas, partly mine and partly AI:
1. There's been rollercoasters where you sit above the track, and some where you sit under. What if there was one where you sat to the side of the track? As in the track is tilted 90° from the 'normal' angle, with trains clinging to this track and seats at a normal angle. There have been similar ideas but this would be a proper layout.
2. Pendulum Coaster
A Pendulum Coaster focuses on huge swinging motion before the main ride begins. The train is launched back and forth on a curved track like a giant pendulum, each swing climbing higher until it eventually goes over the top. Riders sit facing outward on both sides of the track, making the motion feel very exposed.
After the pendulum section, the ride continues into fast elements such as rolls, spirals, and diving turns close to the ground. The repeated changes in direction create unusual forces compared to a normal coaster.
3. Split-Track Coaster
A Split-Track Coaster features sections where the track divides into different routes. Switching mechanisms send trains down different paths, meaning riders could experience different elements each time they ride.
For example, one path might include loops and corkscrews, while another takes a low, twisting route with near-miss moments. The tracks later merge again before possibly splitting once more, making each ride slightly different.

 

[JAperson]

I don't think Towers are not going to be involved in innovation, I just think as @Jb85 says, lots of things have already been done. I think we can see types of coasters not seen in the UK, or not seen in this country for a long time. Particularly things like B&M's surf coaster model for example, would make a lot of sense, with there only currently being one in the US, it would similar to Nemesis in this regard. A unique launch coaster is something I feel Towers are missing at the moment. This has been my headline prediction for a few years now, we know Merlin are keen to work with B&M, Towers will be due a major thrill coaster, it would be marketable and they could get a package to put on in Heidi or Gaurda too, both of which will be due for major unique coasters.
In addition, there's no telling what Project Horizon might innovate with, there's endless effects, illusions and other clever things you can work into indoor coasters that have yet to have been done.

 

[Adam H]

I've mentioned in the comments on a couple of YouTube vids today that they should get an Intamin launch coaster. The rapids are old and probably don't have many years left, so I think in its place an Intamin launch is perfect. Doesn't need to be high (tree line issues) and can use a lot of the landscaping already in place for the rapids. The waterfall themeing could stay and the coaster passes through, as well as the tunnel also used by the RMT. I just think that area is so well suited for one.

 

[GooseOnTheLoose]

I've mentioned in the comments on a couple of YouTube vids today that they should get an Intamin launch coaster. The rapids are old and probably don't have many years left, so I think in its place an Intamin launch is perfect. Doesn't need to be high (tree line issues) and can use a lot of the landscaping already in place for the rapids. The waterfall themeing could stay and the coaster passes through, as well as the tunnel also used by the RMT. I just think that area is so well suited for one.

You know they've already got one of those, right?

 

[JAperson]

I've mentioned in the comments on a couple of YouTube vids today that they should get an Intamin launch coaster. The rapids are old and probably don't have many years left, so I think in its place an Intamin launch is perfect. Doesn't need to be high (tree line issues) and can use a lot of the landscaping already in place for the rapids. The waterfall themeing could stay and the coaster passes through, as well as the tunnel also used by the RMT. I just think that area is so well suited for one.

As much as I would love this, I think it's really not very marketable, and would cost a huge amount. Also I think whatever replaces the rapids needs to be family friendly. and a major Intamin launch probably wouldn't be that, although they do make more family friendly versions so maybe I'm wrong.

 

[Secret Weapon]

I wish that AT had built the rumoured Smiler washing machine that some had predicted.

I wasn't sure it was possible at first, but the Air Race flat ride at Drayton Manor does something similar!

It seems like it would have been a logical successor to Thirteen's drop track.

JW said in his first book that they didn't have time to experiment with new ideas at the time, but maybe it's a concept that they can dust off for a future indoor ride?


From: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy1agS8-7RQ

 

[Jb85]

I wish that AT had built the rumoured Smiler washing machine that some had predicted.

I wasn't sure it was possible at first, but the Air Race flat ride at Drayton Manor does something similar!

It seems like it would have been a logical successor to Thirteen's drop track.

JW said in his first book that they didn't have time to experiment with new ideas at the time, but maybe it's a concept that they can dust off for a future indoor ride?


From: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy1agS8-7RQ

You do know this idea was fan made speculation?

 

[BSwiss]

Particularly things like B&M's surf coaster model for example, would make a lot of sense.

I’d love to try the Surf Coaster - but like a lot of people, I’ll never go to SeaWorld. So, a UK version could be a great draw for crowds.

I realise it doesn’t HAVE to be surf-themed, but it feels a uniquely cohesive thematic experience to make it surfy. And, that feels more Thorpe Park than AT, imo.

 

[Benjsh]

The days of Alton Towers being innovators of rollercoasters in the theme park industry are long gone.

Look to Universal/Disney, the Middle East parks and Germany for that.

I wouldnt be so sure on this....

John Wardley certainly implied that Project Horizon was some sort of world first or at least something rather innovative.

They will come back with something crazy again eventually Im sure.

 

[Bowser]

I wouldnt be so sure on this....

John Wardley certainly implied that Project Horizon was some sort of world first or at least something rather innovative.

They will come back with something crazy again eventually Im sure.

We shall see... Merlin have done a fantastic job *******ising the notion of a "world's first" so i wouldn't have much faith in that quote. If it was such a big deal it wouldn't be sitting in theme park purgatory. And without a figure like John Wardley spearheading such things, who exactly would be leading the charge on the matter? The new head of Fast Track perhaps?

The last time Alton Towers opened an innovative rollercoaster was Thirteen in 2010, 16 years ago. If that isn't enough of a timeframe to show those days are over, i'm not sure what is. Rollercoaster innovation requires vision and investment. The landscape of the global theme park industry has changed and Towers time at the forefront is long gone.

As for Horizon, if it ever materialises it will simply be a variation on the Minecraft coaster imo.

 

[Secret Weapon]

You do know this idea was fan made speculation?

Yes - but it's still a concept that AT could borrow / steal if they wanted.

Video games and films often copy concepts or rumours that were created by fans (e.g. Sheng Long, Ermac, Skarlet, and the Star Wars EU).

I realise that ride hardware is harder to copy than fictional characters, though, as it needs to be safe and cost-effective.

I'm not sure whether Theme Parks have ever 'copied' fan ideas in the past; off the top of my head, the closest I can think of would be AT caving in to fan demand to retrack Nemesis in 2022 - although perhaps this would have happened anyway?

 

[Squiggs]

Let's not forget that the park do have a World's First coaster opening this very week!!

But yes, I think "world's first" means something rather different at Alton Towers these days then used to be the case where real innovation was going on. I would say even with Thirteen, which was the last ride you could identify as being truly innovative, that innovation was rather niche. I'm not sure many people at large would really have recognised it as being a 'world's first' in the same way as they were able to pinpoint the unique element of Air or Oblivion.

 

[Secret Weapon]

Let's not forget that the park do have a World's First coaster opening this very week!!

But yes, I think "world's first" means something rather different at Alton Towers these days then used to be the case where real innovation was going on. I would say even with Thirteen, which was the last ride you could identify as being truly innovative, that innovation was rather niche. I'm not sure many people at large would really have recognised it as being a 'world's first' in the same way as they were able to pinpoint the unique element of Air or Oblivion.

I seem to remember Candy Holland saying that Thirteen was record-breaking as it was the first ride to be named after a number*.

She was half-joking, but it was a sign of things to come, as Wicker Man would be marketed as the world's first ride to fuse fire and wood (again, not an especially impressive record).

(*I'm not sure if this is entirely accurate, as there were other rides which contained numbers in their title - such as Space Station Zero)

 

[JAperson]

I’d love to try the Surf Coaster - but like a lot of people, I’ll never go to SeaWorld. So, a UK version could be a great draw for crowds.

I realise it doesn’t HAVE to be surf-themed, but it feels a uniquely cohesive thematic experience to make it surfy. And, that feels more Thorpe Park than AT, imo.

I do think its a very Merlin investment, and your right that if it were to be conventionally surf themed Thorpe would make more sense, however I think there's a lot of unused potential theming wise. Whether it's space themed and your travelling on some kind of space travel device or it's futuristic robotic crazy hovercraft thats taking over the world and forcing you to do all kinds of random stuff (could drop it down a whole, into a building etc). I do think we will see Merlin build one at one of their parks, although it might not be in the UK, I do think Towers would be a good shout, as it will need a high thrill coaster at some point soon(ish).

I wouldnt be so sure on this....

John Wardley certainly implied that Project Horizon was some sort of world first or at least something rather innovative.

They will come back with something crazy again eventually Im sure.

I suspect he was talking about effects and elements on the project, using the Intamin multidimension coaster to a full potential. Intamin can basically make that do everything, with the use of screens and other illusions you could pull of many worlds first that wouldn't even really be much of a change to coaster technology.