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CBeebies Land: Second Gate?

Dave said:
Was speaking to someone about the railway a while back, apparently it's not really a viable option as the speed limit on the line that would feed Towers would be something like 20mph (not certain on specifics), resulting in a train journey taking longer than the stoke bus does. Plus Stoke station hasn't got capacity to take the service and the line at Leek would have to be re-routed around Leek as a lot of the old line has been built on. Certainly think the Churnet Valley team want to get trains there but i don't think Towers see it as a viable transport solution, maybe more a quirky way for people to get to Towers for those who want to mix it in with a heritage railway journey.

This was from a train enthusiast (something i am not) so can't verify it.
It'd be under the Light Railway Order, and therefore cannot run at more than 20mph! :)
 
Why would they do this?

If people have to pay full price even if they just want to see one area, then that's a bonus for the park.
 
To run at full speed the line would have to be main line standard, which costs an absolute bomb. So I doubt that would happen.
 
Ketz said:
Think you may have mist my point. Many families are saying they are visiting to solely go to Cbeebies land. And are saying the number of attractions in there don't merit the current price structure. So extending it and possibly giving it a different entrance at the plaza will allow a different pricing structure at a reduced price to the whole themepark price meaning it better value. Again I am thinking of the American style system, obviously at a much smaller scale.

Maybe they shouldn't go just for CBbeebies land then. Unless they want to put in a third entrance for all the thrill seekers who are going just to ride Nemesis, Air, Ripsaw, Sub Terra and Blade, I don't see how a new land justifies a new entrance as well.
 
Also as far as I am aware none of the American theme parks operate this system. You can't go to Disneyland and visit FantasyLand only, go to Universal and only pay for Harry Potter, or go to Six Flags and only pay for the Looney Tunes section.

Maybe Alton Towers could change and price by height instead of age, so under 1.2m is a child? But the on-the-gate price is only £7.20 cheaper for children anyway!

I would expect they will do more to open Cbeebies on winter weekends, similar to Drayton Manor opening ThomasLand in the winter, but maybe they could do something to make the showtime arena a bit more welcoming in the winter?
 
^ That's a good point. I imagine there are a lot more people who would just want to visit IOA for HP, than AT for CBL.

If people REALLY want to visit CBL, then they will pay (and have been paying) full price.
 
They do have separate parks like Universal Island of Adventures and Universal Studios. And there has been much discussion about Harry Potter area and possible separate ticketing. With the controversy coming from the fact you will need tickets for both parks to ride the Hogworts Express ride.

I now it's not going to happen at Alton Towers but it could be possible, especially with an expansion to the north of Mr Blooms.
 
There's two parks at Universal but they are two full sized massive theme parks with tonnes of rides and attractions in each.
 
I think a second gate could work for CBeebies Land if implemented in the right way.

A new entrance could be created to the right of the entrance plaza under the monorail track and then all or part of the priority parking area could be developed for an expansion of the area.

The pricing structure could work like this - what you get from the existing main entrance fee would not change you would still get access to CBeebies Land without having to pay more (although invariably the price will increase). However, for those parents with young children who only want to visit the area specifically and not the rest of Alton Towers, they would pay a reduced rate and enter through the new entrance. A marketable USP could be created in that adults would pay the same rate as children to enter just CBeebies Land when accompanying children.

It would actually act as a very good distraction from when the main entrance fee eventually hits the £50 mark.

However, it would definitely not be feasible to create this second gate until CBeebies is expanded considerably to include at least a kids coaster and small dark ride. It would have to encompass all of Adventure Land, the staff car park behind the show area and at least part of the priority car parking area (which would facilitate the new entrance gate). Of course turnstiles would have to be installed at the existing entrance to CBeebies to prevent people who have not got a main park ticket from leaving the area.

It could just work if they go about it the right way and could prove very lucrative. They must first increase capacity and number of attractions first though.

:)
 
I suppose it could happen but realistically it ia never going to happen. And in my opinion it shouldn't happen. CBeebies Land is merely an area in the theme park, albeit a very popular one at present. Even with expansion it does not warrant having its own gate. All theme parks have kids areas, some more popular than others, and they're not all going to make the kids areas second gates just because some of the visitors don't want to visit other areas of the park.

Towers are better off developing other areas of the park with kids attractions once they have completed their CBeebies investments so that families with young chrildren can explore more of the park.

:)
 
Ketz said:
They do have separate parks like Universal Island of Adventures and Universal Studios. And there has been much discussion about Harry Potter area and possible separate ticketing. With the controversy coming from the fact you will need tickets for both parks to ride the Hogworts Express ride.

But the Harry Potter sections in each park only have three rides each really, I don't think they could justify a second gate for an area that small. They are beign clever by making people by a 2-park ticket at Universal to see both sections, as that bring extra money in for Universal without it making you feel like you are paying for just a small area.

Imagine if AT still charged full price and then an EXTRA £20 for Cbeebies.
 
jon81uk said:
Imagine if AT still charged full price and then an EXTRA £20 for Cbeebies.

The could however have a separate reduced fare for those who only want to visit CBeebies by having a second gate.

Those on a normal admission ticket could still go in without paying extra.

Would be the perfect excuse to revamp the entrance plaza too.
 
"Let's save our guests money" - nobody at M£rlin.

Why would they too? It's a business and people are happy to pay. It's no more than £35 for most people anyway. (Mostly £24 on bogofs or free sun tickets)

Have a significant amount of people even complained?
 
smudge said:
"Let's save our guests money" - nobody at M£rlin.

Why would they too? It's a business and people are happy to pay. It's no more than £35 for most people anyway. (Mostly £24 on bogofs or free sun tickets)

Have a significant amount of people even complained?

I agree.

Apologies to all, but some of the stuff in this thread is completely cock-a-hoop.

There is absolutely NO chance of a second gate for Cbeebies, unless they decide to open the area exclusively at Christmas, or all-year-round which already happens to an extent (half term, Xmas etc.). This I can see happening as it increases profitability.

The idea of a train being a 'VIP' attraction is similarly absurd. You go to AT to go on the rides and experience the park. There is no chance of a train making any contribution to the experience of AT, and I doubt it's likely to even be considered.
 
smudge said:
"Let's save our guests money" - nobody at M£rlin.
But what price would you pay for just CBeebies Land? What happens when you turn up, and the park is full so cannot use it.. or what happens if the queues are busy and you realise there's a whole massive theme park next to you which also has kids attractions which you now cannot use?

It's just people being silly. Some guests come and just spend all day in X-Sector, just cos X-Sector isn't a brand means people aren't asking why it's not a separate area.
 
smudge said:
Have a significant amount of people even complained?

Have a read of Alton Towers tripadvisor reviews. Lots of guests came in half term week, knowing its the opening week of CBeebies, complain the queues were too long for Postman Pat & Night Garden (but acknowledge that AT did put on jugglers etc).
They then complain that £48 is very expensive when they weren't able to get on many rides but state they used Kellogg vouchers (which are adults go free so would be £40.80 for a child and adult) I think £20 each for adult and child is pretty good value!

So some guests are going soleley for CBeebies then complaining the park is expensive.
Also if you know it is opening week of a new area and half term, you should expect it to be busy!
 
It's largely a case of people not being able to apply common sense when they visit and the love us humans have for complaining about things.

:)
 
So people actually turned up, not knowing how much they would be paying, paid it, then complained. *palm, meet face*

Solutions:
  • Internet/Google
  • Don't pay it/don't come

The above post applies a little too much too. Opening weekend is busy? WTF; stop the press!
 
Most people will research, ask Towers online, go to Towers, pay the reduced price and STILL come back home having had an amazing day and complain... "that was bloody expensive".

It's what the British do best. :p
 
Most of the complaints come from the fact many feel it's not value for money, with the large question many parents are unable to ride all the rides within a day. Even today with schools back after half term the queues are large, right now the rides are above an hour queue and even numtums is 15 minutes!
 
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