Yes, I have to say, although there are still some issues the park in general is looking pretty damn good overall for the start of the season (Although, that's pretty depressing, considering it should always all be perfect at the start
), and the general experience seemed much better than in previous years.
I'm loving the new X-Sell and Blivy merchandise lines. It all seems so much more fresh and cutting edge, as the attraction should be. The new clothing in particularly is a big step forward. I think they've finally realised that people don't like these sort of things to look obviously like ride clothing, and have instead opted to go for the more subtle look, which is good. There's a lot of pieces in there that I wouldn't be ashamed to be seen wearing now.
However, it seems that F&B are really letting the park down. The number of outlets shut was ridiculous for opening weekend. It was more like what you'd expect at Fireworks, when they've began to run out of stock. Also, the quality and range seems to have taken a hit again, which is a shame, as whilst it was still not quite perfect, they seemed to be on the right path last year with the exception of Burger Kitchen. I really hope that they are addressing this behind the scenes, as it's going to be hell come the peak periods otherwise.
Many areas of the park, including Towers Street, Katanga, and X-Sector are looking pretty good, Katanga especially. There's clearly been some real TLC put in this year, and it shows. The park generally feels more alive and loved than it has for a number of years. Forbidden Valley is still one of the weakest, and the sooner it sees the sort of treatment which X-Sector has these past two seasons I feel it will always be a bit of a weak spot, given it is one of the busiest and more significant areas of the park. Bits are slowly coming through, such as the painting of the Nemesis gun this year, but they're still a long way off what the area once was. To me the best thing to do would be next season to crack out the original planning documents, and redo the biggest element (Nemesis station primarily) as per original specification. Although it is just one area it is one the most prominent, and it does have a significant impact on the park as a whole.
Dark Forest I'm not even going to go into. It's nothing short of an embarrassment. At the moment the area is more UG Land than I think UG Land ever was, and there are some giant holes (Quite literally) in the theming and quality. It seems as if literally nothing has been done this closed season, which is a shame, as the theme itself was such a good starting point, so badly done.
Cloud Cuckoo Land is looking brilliant for having a lick of paint, which is always good, so at least we aren't going to see a drop off when families are traveling from the bright, new, fresh area of CBeebies Land to the park's other younger family area.
Duel in terms of effects was looking pretty good for Duel on Saturday, and some bits such as the dining room are looking the best they have for some time, but there are still some big letdowns, most notably the ridiculous new UV lighting. I seriously hope that this is sorted out in the near future, as it's really spoilt the ride. It's looking closer to something I'd expect to find at the local traveling fair than a major dark ride in a leading park.
The new street entertainment is again good, and I especially like how the new traffic wardens are there both at the beginning and end of the day, wish everyone individually good morning and goodbye. It makes the day start and end that little bit more personally, and I can really see that it will make guests feel that little bit more valued. I'd still like there to be some more pieces of street theatre throughout the day, perhaps scattered a little more around the park, and it'd be nice to see some mascots appearing in the areas some more (Return of the Wraiths, maybe some Phalanx operatives/Nemesis cultists wandering around the Valley, and some more MoJ Smile Assistants/Men In Black style suits in X-Sector. It just makes the themes feel a little more expressed and integral).
The new audio on both the Skyride and Monorail is great in that it has taken a different approach, scrapping upselling in favour of culture and interesting information. The Monorail trains are a little hit and miss as to wether you can actually hear the audio, with Celebration perhaps being the best, and Strawberry the worst. I will say however, that I'm not a fan of the new voice. Whilst I love what he's saying I just think that he sounds a bit lifeless and bored. At least the old voices were a little more energetic and excited. I think it's just a case of finding the balance. A voice like Sir Algenon's on the Alton Towers Hotel doorbell is a good example of the balance being struck. A welcoming, friendly, trustworthy, more authoritative voice, but at the same time amusing and enjoyable to listen to.
Continuing on the subject of the Monorail I hope that they are planning on replacing the map featured in the car park station. Whist it has obviously been removed due to the new style map and updates for CBeebies, it really hits home just how awful the car park station is inside, and it's surprising what a difference it made. In and ideal world I'd like to see them repaint inside in a more appealing and vibrant colour scheme (Seriously, whoever chose that slight minty green colour in both stations deserves to be shot
), some brighter, more visually appealing lighting, and maybe along the wall where the map was have a full length print done, with maybe some big information boxes to fill it out about shows, prices, dining, etc. Just a bit of a guide for visitors as they arrive. They could even go so far as to integrate some screen into it, so that the ticketing screen for example doesn't look like it's just been shoved in as some last minute afterthought. Oh, and whilst we're on about screens, they need to sort out the AV again. All weekend I don't think I saw it working. Have they not had this year's DVD arrive yet, or is it just all broken? If the new stuff isn't available then they could just revert back to the old YourDay mashup video until it is. There needs to be something in there at least.
I'm also pleased to see that there seems to be much less advertising and plugging in general around the park. It doesn't feel anywhere near as prominent these days, with far fewer Fastrack and Towers2 posters being littered around the park. Another positive step forward in creating the right atmosphere.
I also noticed that on Nemesis at any rate they seem to be clamping down on Fastrack quantities and time slots more. People seemed to be arriving as larger groups, presumably people with the same time stamped tickets, and they were dealing with them all in one go. Whilst it did seem like a lot of people (Though that might have been owing to the fact they were using the exit ramp as oppose to the Fastrack entrance. I'm guessing they were short-staffed), the group size seemed very calculated and specific, and they were all gone after just two trains. I really hope that this will be continued throughout the season at least on the major rides, as it was striking the perfect balance between appeasing Fastrack visitors and the normal guests. Again, another very positive step forwards in changing for the better. So long as this is maintained (Which judging by how seriously the staff were taking it, it will be), then I'd hope that we're finally closer to a way where Fastrack can exist without ruining it for everyone else.
Praise given where praise is due, the park seems to be much more focused and on track this season than it has been in a number of years. Lots of the problems which have plauged the park for some time seem to be getting rectified. I'm generally feeling more positive about the park at the moment then I have in a very long time, so well done to them there. I don't know wether it's because it's hit home how dire the rest of the park could look beside CBeebies Land, or if there has been some other shakeup somewhere down the line, but whatever it is I'm grateful for it. Hopefully now the management and Merlin have seen how the park can and indeed should look more effort will be made to uphold these standards, rather than letting them lapse back into their old ways. Either way, good work Towers, and I hope we can all still be this positive come the end of the season
