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Future improvements for Charlie
- Thread starter M1ke
- Start date
James
TS Founding Member
I have quite a soft spot for Charlie, and I'm not quite sure why there so's much hate across the enthusiast community over it.
The main problem with Charlie is immersion. There are far too many blank spots across the ride and very little movement. Each scene has only one or two moving bits of theming. This leaves little for the eye to look at. The key to a great dark ride is to make sure every inch of the ride is filled with theming, and little details that you will not notice the first time. Duel and Sub-Terra both do this perfectly, you're left with something to look at every moment and never do you realise that you're just simply in a warehouse. You're fully within the experience itself.
Charlie fails on that part. There are a lot of blank spots and parts where you have little or nothing to look at to please your eyes. Another problem is that we had Toyland Tours there before Charlie so the standards were already set highly before Charlie was even constructed.
Despite all it's flaws I do like the ride, it's not as bad as people make out. You'd swear it is just a black warehouse with the way people go on. It does have theming and Alton have fixed effects year on year and in the past added new theming and effects. So it has had work done and for someone like me who goes on Charlie every year I've notice these little changes and it's nice to see Alton do know that it exists there.
The Elevators are my favourite part of the ride, and a great finale to end it too. Even though the boat ride is not world class, it is made up by the lifts at the end, which I can see staying there for many years to come and even beyond Charlie.
The key problem, the only problem I feel that did not make Charlie work was the theme itself, the IP simply cost too much. So it made a fantastic idea on paper turn into something that did not end up as world class as it should have been.
I loved Toyland Tours, I miss it. Although I do like Charlie and while it's not fantastic, it does work well. Realistically it will not be touched until the IP runs out and the ride is rethemed or removed in years to come.
The main problem with Charlie is immersion. There are far too many blank spots across the ride and very little movement. Each scene has only one or two moving bits of theming. This leaves little for the eye to look at. The key to a great dark ride is to make sure every inch of the ride is filled with theming, and little details that you will not notice the first time. Duel and Sub-Terra both do this perfectly, you're left with something to look at every moment and never do you realise that you're just simply in a warehouse. You're fully within the experience itself.
Charlie fails on that part. There are a lot of blank spots and parts where you have little or nothing to look at to please your eyes. Another problem is that we had Toyland Tours there before Charlie so the standards were already set highly before Charlie was even constructed.
Despite all it's flaws I do like the ride, it's not as bad as people make out. You'd swear it is just a black warehouse with the way people go on. It does have theming and Alton have fixed effects year on year and in the past added new theming and effects. So it has had work done and for someone like me who goes on Charlie every year I've notice these little changes and it's nice to see Alton do know that it exists there.
The Elevators are my favourite part of the ride, and a great finale to end it too. Even though the boat ride is not world class, it is made up by the lifts at the end, which I can see staying there for many years to come and even beyond Charlie.
The key problem, the only problem I feel that did not make Charlie work was the theme itself, the IP simply cost too much. So it made a fantastic idea on paper turn into something that did not end up as world class as it should have been.
I loved Toyland Tours, I miss it. Although I do like Charlie and while it's not fantastic, it does work well. Realistically it will not be touched until the IP runs out and the ride is rethemed or removed in years to come.
Dave
TS Founding Member
I really can see James's point the ride isn't as bad as it is often made out to be. That said it is also far from good mainly due to the issues James expressed very well. It could in theory be fixed but i doubt it ever will be in it's current form for the same reason Airs tunnel will never be fixed... It just wont make any financial benefit.
This is the perennial problem with commercially driven theme parks (yes i know all parks need to make profit but commercially driven ones attempt to squeeze every last penny from them) they will never consider the park as one entity and falling in one ride affect peoples perceptions of the whole park.
Because profit is so important we will continue to have a poor show in Charlie, no theming in airs tunnel (i don't have a life ) Nemesis looking shocking and Oblivion even more so.
This is the perennial problem with commercially driven theme parks (yes i know all parks need to make profit but commercially driven ones attempt to squeeze every last penny from them) they will never consider the park as one entity and falling in one ride affect peoples perceptions of the whole park.
Because profit is so important we will continue to have a poor show in Charlie, no theming in airs tunnel (i don't have a life
) Nemesis looking shocking and Oblivion even more so.I will happily admit I enjoy Charlie more than Hex, despite the outcry it will probably generate on here.
Despite it's epic scenery failings, I still think the whole experience (and people love to talk about "the whole experience") is really fun, with the obvious highlight being the lifts. None of it seems to take itself very seriously and I find that really refreshing. Because the scenery in the boat ride is so poor and static (or moving very basically), it reminds me a little of Blackpool's River Caves, only nowhere near as immersive or accomplished. But it's enjoyable all the same, especially if you can enjoy the silly props.
Not only that, unlike Hex I come off Charlie feeling like I've come off a ride with a story that actually has a proper conclusion. I'm not left wondering what the relevance or importance of the ride's finale was, or questioning how the story actually concludes. Just on ride hardware alone I think Charlie's lifts are a far better illusion/immersive experience.
Astro points out many areas where the ride could be improved - most are obvious - particularly the epic theming gaps in the boat ride/poor static models and wall covers/terrible queueline. It really would be quite easy and fairly inexpensive to dramatically improve it, and hopefully it will continue to be constantly updated. But like thefatone I enjoy it because it is simply fun, despite in some ways being atrocious.
Despite it's epic scenery failings, I still think the whole experience (and people love to talk about "the whole experience") is really fun, with the obvious highlight being the lifts. None of it seems to take itself very seriously and I find that really refreshing. Because the scenery in the boat ride is so poor and static (or moving very basically), it reminds me a little of Blackpool's River Caves, only nowhere near as immersive or accomplished. But it's enjoyable all the same, especially if you can enjoy the silly props.
Not only that, unlike Hex I come off Charlie feeling like I've come off a ride with a story that actually has a proper conclusion. I'm not left wondering what the relevance or importance of the ride's finale was, or questioning how the story actually concludes. Just on ride hardware alone I think Charlie's lifts are a far better illusion/immersive experience.
Astro points out many areas where the ride could be improved - most are obvious - particularly the epic theming gaps in the boat ride/poor static models and wall covers/terrible queueline. It really would be quite easy and fairly inexpensive to dramatically improve it, and hopefully it will continue to be constantly updated. But like thefatone I enjoy it because it is simply fun, despite in some ways being atrocious.
Scott.Smith
TS Member
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zve0m5Awmjc[/youtube]
I know this ride is made by disney but it is one of the best Family rides i have ever seen i think if Alton Towers does have a replacement of Charlie then i think the ride should make use of the space around the building and totally rip out that river and replace it with something diffrent also it should have a stronger storyline like this ride up here has and provide diffrent experience, it will be good if they are still able to use the lift again though
I know this ride is made by disney but it is one of the best Family rides i have ever seen i think if Alton Towers does have a replacement of Charlie then i think the ride should make use of the space around the building and totally rip out that river and replace it with something diffrent also it should have a stronger storyline like this ride up here has and provide diffrent experience, it will be good if they are still able to use the lift again though
I went on Charlie today and the new bits they've added (mostly neon light effects but some new scenery) are quite refreshing. But hey there's always room for improvement right?!
I think my main complaint is the audio commentary from Wonka and Charlie, most of the time they're talking about stuff that happened in the previous room, it's just impossible to follow! Why is it difficult to make Augustus Gloop appear in the tube at the same point that they're talking about it? The only bit that seems to be right is Wonka laughing maniacally after the Waterfall scene.
And I've never got the TV Room, (although I do like that one of the adverts is for a Slugworth product, nice touch!). It starts half way through the story and doesn't really work for me.
Apart from that I do quite enjoy it! Particularly the elevator scene!
David
I think my main complaint is the audio commentary from Wonka and Charlie, most of the time they're talking about stuff that happened in the previous room, it's just impossible to follow! Why is it difficult to make Augustus Gloop appear in the tube at the same point that they're talking about it? The only bit that seems to be right is Wonka laughing maniacally after the Waterfall scene.
And I've never got the TV Room, (although I do like that one of the adverts is for a Slugworth product, nice touch!). It starts half way through the story and doesn't really work for me.
Apart from that I do quite enjoy it! Particularly the elevator scene!
David
djtruefitt
TS Team
The TV section is one of the worst parts. I have no idea if it used to be any different when the ride opened, but it just doesnt seem to make sense. You get a random collection of (quite good and funny) adverts, but then a random bit about Wonkas latest invention (television) comes on, usually in the middle of it. Then it tells you to go to the next room.
I would much rather they played a proper clip explaining it, as at the moment there is very little point to it and it just doesnt work.
I would much rather they played a proper clip explaining it, as at the moment there is very little point to it and it just doesnt work.
Yes although admittedly Mike Teevee has the hardest story to recreate. You can't really make an animatronic child disintegrate and then appear on a TV...
Maybe have a suite of smaller TVs rather than one big one? Then you could show the adverts on most of the tvs, and then have poor Mike trying to figure out what's going on separately?
Maybe have a suite of smaller TVs rather than one big one? Then you could show the adverts on most of the tvs, and then have poor Mike trying to figure out what's going on separately?
Bubblegum
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- The Wickerman
I cam up with the idea quite a long time ago, that Charlie should have a retheme based upon the characters of Cloud Cuckoo Land.
I would have the queue line video swapped to an introduction from Snorlix, showcasing other friends in the picture frames (these frames could be swapped for LED TVs so the characters could wave.
Then I would keep the station largely the same, obviously removing any charlie references, but swapping the colour scheme to match the Cloud Cuckoo Land style.
Then for the boat ride, I would continue with an adventure of Snorlix and other friends. Making use of the current theming and creating a lot more. I would also remove the 'factory' feel to the boat ride section, swapping it to something more earthly, for example swapping the 'chocolate hills' in the first scene for soil and grass hills.
For the TV room I would have Snorlix tell everyone about how exciting the adventure they had just was. And then telling them to go to the next room where their aircraft is going to showcase Alton Towers to them. This I think would put a unique twist on the elevator idea.
And then finally I would install a shop at some point on the ride, including a ride photo.
I would have the queue line video swapped to an introduction from Snorlix, showcasing other friends in the picture frames (these frames could be swapped for LED TVs so the characters could wave.
Then I would keep the station largely the same, obviously removing any charlie references, but swapping the colour scheme to match the Cloud Cuckoo Land style.
Then for the boat ride, I would continue with an adventure of Snorlix and other friends. Making use of the current theming and creating a lot more. I would also remove the 'factory' feel to the boat ride section, swapping it to something more earthly, for example swapping the 'chocolate hills' in the first scene for soil and grass hills.
For the TV room I would have Snorlix tell everyone about how exciting the adventure they had just was. And then telling them to go to the next room where their aircraft is going to showcase Alton Towers to them. This I think would put a unique twist on the elevator idea.
And then finally I would install a shop at some point on the ride, including a ride photo.
BigAl
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Forbidden Journey
I'd much rather they just scrapped the whole thing and started again. Maybe even remove all of the boat ride and install a new path too as it's just far too short now.
How would I theme it? A gigantic joke shop! They can't go for sweets, they can't go for toys, Bubbleworks has already done fizzy pop and soap, so something crazy needs to happen. As much as fitting the ride in with the rest of CCL appeals to me, I can't stand the random nature of the rest of the place. It needs a new concrete theme, no interfering IP's and a better upkeep of the place.
Charlie & the Chocolate Factory could become a new experience whereby you get told to go inside the stock area of the shop to search out a joke thief who's pinching ideas for his own store. But the joke shop isn't any old joke shop!
Inside the store there'd be massive pairs of glasses with eyes popping out over your boat, huge whoopee cushions being tested by those guns which fire a boxing glove which empties the cushions out at the boat, colossal hand buzzers filling a room with electricity, a sack of explosive throwing caps going off, fake poop machines, big wind-up chattering teeth, bubble blowing tests performed by squeaky rubber ducks, stink bombs growing on a stink bomb tree, spinning bow-ties being hand-stitched by hand puppets, a stock room full of all kinds of clown shoes, a sweets room, a Stretch Armstrong stretching room, baseball caps that can make you fly, laughing gas dispensers being tested on some misbehaving teddies, over-sized squeaking rubber chickens that bump into your boat, dancing magic worms, giant jumping beans, pipes full of slime and creepy crawlies, mice testing bubble gum finger snappers, machines that turn regular coins into chocolate ones, water balloons and flowers which spray riders with water, etc...
The simulator could be moved to be incorporated into a fun house if they couldn't work it into a new ride, or something?
I imagine the whole land being rethemed to a wild, colourful village with twisted buildings, crazy topiary, wobbly roads and the residents are all completely wacky. There'd be loads of hidden surprises to interact with, and nothing would be what you'd expect it to be.
I won't go into listing new rides, as this isn't the topic for that.
I guess it still all sounds a bit CCL meets Toyland Tours though.
How would I theme it? A gigantic joke shop!
They can't go for sweets, they can't go for toys, Bubbleworks has already done fizzy pop and soap, so something crazy needs to happen. As much as fitting the ride in with the rest of CCL appeals to me, I can't stand the random nature of the rest of the place. It needs a new concrete theme, no interfering IP's and a better upkeep of the place.Charlie & the Chocolate Factory could become a new experience whereby you get told to go inside the stock area of the shop to search out a joke thief who's pinching ideas for his own store. But the joke shop isn't any old joke shop!
Inside the store there'd be massive pairs of glasses with eyes popping out over your boat, huge whoopee cushions being tested by those guns which fire a boxing glove which empties the cushions out at the boat, colossal hand buzzers filling a room with electricity, a sack of explosive throwing caps going off, fake poop machines, big wind-up chattering teeth, bubble blowing tests performed by squeaky rubber ducks, stink bombs growing on a stink bomb tree, spinning bow-ties being hand-stitched by hand puppets, a stock room full of all kinds of clown shoes, a sweets room, a Stretch Armstrong stretching room, baseball caps that can make you fly, laughing gas dispensers being tested on some misbehaving teddies, over-sized squeaking rubber chickens that bump into your boat, dancing magic worms, giant jumping beans, pipes full of slime and creepy crawlies, mice testing bubble gum finger snappers, machines that turn regular coins into chocolate ones, water balloons and flowers which spray riders with water, etc...
The simulator could be moved to be incorporated into a fun house if they couldn't work it into a new ride, or something?
I imagine the whole land being rethemed to a wild, colourful village with twisted buildings, crazy topiary, wobbly roads and the residents are all completely wacky. There'd be loads of hidden surprises to interact with, and nothing would be what you'd expect it to be.
I won't go into listing new rides, as this isn't the topic for that.
I guess it still all sounds a bit CCL meets Toyland Tours though.
I seriously don't mind Charlie. Saying this I never really went on Toyland Tours, so might not expect too high standards for Charlie.
Generally speaking, I would rate Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on the bottom of my dark ride list, but this doen't mean I hate it, I just prefer Hex and Duel. I agree, the animatronics and scenery isn't the best, but you do get a feel for being in a magical factory, with the bright colours and wacky things, at least at eye level.
If there's anything that bugs me, though, it's how you can see the roof if you just look up. This is the part that detracts from the magic of the ride, as well as broken scenery (I hate the green ball that gets stuck when blasted up with a passion, I believe it's in the Violet Beauregarde scene).
If these problems were addressed and fixed, it would make it a perfect dark ride - with the wonderful creative finale that never fails to wow everyone; and leave everyone with a good impression of the ride.
On another note, I only found out recently that in the Mike Teavee area, you are supposed to actually be in a TV - I don't think that's too obvious.
Generally speaking, I would rate Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on the bottom of my dark ride list, but this doen't mean I hate it, I just prefer Hex and Duel. I agree, the animatronics and scenery isn't the best, but you do get a feel for being in a magical factory, with the bright colours and wacky things, at least at eye level.
If there's anything that bugs me, though, it's how you can see the roof if you just look up. This is the part that detracts from the magic of the ride, as well as broken scenery (I hate the green ball that gets stuck when blasted up with a passion, I believe it's in the Violet Beauregarde scene).
If these problems were addressed and fixed, it would make it a perfect dark ride - with the wonderful creative finale that never fails to wow everyone; and leave everyone with a good impression of the ride.
On another note, I only found out recently that in the Mike Teavee area, you are supposed to actually be in a TV - I don't think that's too obvious.
A
Anonymous
Sorry for bringing up an old topic but, does anyone know or heard anything about when the license ends on this ride?
James
TS Founding Member
Well it could go either way. The contract may end at the end of the 2016 season, giving Charlie a revamp for the 2017 season. Or it could be due for a change for the 2016 season.
I would take a bet though on SW8 not being a roller coaster and being something in the form of a muti-million pound dark ride, possibly being the biggest dark ride built in the UK for years. Then SW9 being the shelved plans for the original SW7. Would be a pretty dangerous move for Alton though to not build a roller coaster for so long. But then it might make more sense to invest a lot of money in Charlie being knocked down and built as as something new.
Or the above might never happen. You never know with Alton Towers.
I would take a bet though on SW8 not being a roller coaster and being something in the form of a muti-million pound dark ride, possibly being the biggest dark ride built in the UK for years. Then SW9 being the shelved plans for the original SW7. Would be a pretty dangerous move for Alton though to not build a roller coaster for so long. But then it might make more sense to invest a lot of money in Charlie being knocked down and built as as something new.
Or the above might never happen.
You never know with Alton Towers.