Cariba Additions?

Yea because right now we need an extension to the outside that is shut most of the time.

What is needed is developments inside so at least it will be open for what Alton classes as a full day.

I think the biggest issue the Waterpark has (besides the inconvenient opening hours) is finding ways to expand. So far the two suggested methods I've seen from the park have both involved expanding the outdoor area. However while I love the outside area it is barely ever open. When I stayed two weeks ago I visited the Waterpark on two separate occasions and neither time was it open.

The trouble is that they can't expand the indoor pool as it is enclosed on all sides by the hotel. I suppose there is just enough room to add another slide over the conference centre entrance but then where would they be able to build the splash down for the flumes exit? It’s unfortunate to say but when they designed the Waterpark they clearly didn’t have expansion in mind or they wouldn’t have penned it in as they have done.

James's idea for expansion is quite good; I'm especially fond of the idea to link it to a future leisure complex. However I wouldn't personally like to see the current outdoor area enclosed, I'd much rather see two enclosed Waterpark buildings with an enclosed path connecting them and the outdoor pool in-between. The main issue with this idea though is that there isn't enough room for a second enclosed section, not unless they built it in the Air car park and connected the old and new Waterpark by building a walkway through what is currently a couple of Splash Landing rooms.

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While we’re discussing the Waterpark I do have to thank whoever installed the digital clock on the lookout tower. Not knowing the time was the main issue I raised after my first visit so I’m very glad to see this addition.

I find it strange that the outside isnt open much. Every time I have been passed this year when the park is open the outside is closed, even at 5pm when its still light outside.

Yet when I stayed over for Beach party in March and Feb half term the outdoor pool was open pretty much till the indoor one closed, we were sat outside in the dark on the beach party!

djtruefitt said:

I find it strange that the outside isnt open much. Every time I have been passed this year when the park is open the outside is closed, even at 5pm when its still light outside.

Yet when I stayed over for Beach party in March and Feb half term the outdoor pool was open pretty much till the indoor one closed, we were sat outside in the dark on the beach party!

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The outdoor pools and Flash Floods always close 2hrs before the Waterpark closes. Unfortunately.

I don't know if this has always the case of shutting 2 hours earlier but I got a bit pived off when asked to leave the outdoor pool at 3pm a few weeks ago when the weather was warm.
When confronted the superviser said it was to do with staff numbers, by which I assumed he ment they have been cut this year.
When are these clowns that run AT going to realise that if you cut hours people will spend less and not rush back either when it is such poor value.

Perhaps they will look at getting rid of the outdoor area with this possible expansion? Would rather see expansion than an area either always closed or with limited opening hours

saxineno said:

So I was in Cariba Creek yesterday and there was a lady going around with a clipboard that said "Proposed Outdoor Pool re-development" on it. Any idea what that's all about?

David

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[citation needed]

Forgive my scepticism, but you've provided no proof, we haven't heard any other rumours about a waterpark expansion, and you're not an established poster. And forgive me for saying, but someone wandering round with a clipboard clearly marked "Proposed Outdoor Pool Re-development" is a bit obvious. Why would they do that?

Sam said:

[citation needed]

Forgive my scepticism, but you've provided no proof, we haven't heard any other rumours about a waterpark expansion, and you're not an established poster. And forgive me for saying, but someone wandering round with a clipboard clearly marked "Proposed Outdoor Pool Re-development" is a bit obvious. Why would they do that?

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Fair point, I'm trying to post more often now in order to gain more credibility around here. For the record then...

• I don't have any insider sources at the park, I just saw a lady with a clipboard
• For all I know she could have been a member of the public wanting to suggest some ideas and putting the final comments to a printed report! Unlikely but certainly possible.

I honestly have no clue! To be honest I thought you lot might have heard something, which is why I came on and asked (most of my posts so far have been questions).

I know I've provided no proof, I'm not in the habit of taking cameras into swimming pools with me and probably wouldn't have had the opportunity to take a photo even if I had. And yes I agree that the wording is a bit obvious, my guess would be that either the development in question is so minor that there's no secrecy attached (new deck chair alignment or something equally dull) or that there just isn't the same secrecy around the water park when compared with the theme park.

Feel free to DM me if you think I'm trolling!

David

There have been senior staff and Merlin staff around resort in the past with clipboards with possible future developments on.

There have been several plans over the past few years that have been dropped or shelved so I highly believe what saxineno has posted.

it would be great if it had a slide like Aztec falls in sandcastle water park it has a corkscrew drop it is absolutely amazing

Only just found this topic (only 10 months late ) so I'm very sorry for bumping it after so long!

I've been wondering about whether they could expand the outdoor part of Cariba for a while now. Anyone know how far back Alton Towers could go with an expansion?

I'd love to see a family slide like a bowl, as well as another thrilling slide such as a steep drop from a tower set within the trees or two intertwined racing slides that pass over and under each other. An outdoor lazy river that's a bit quicker than the one indoors which weaves through part of the woodland would be a dream to see too.

But yes, I love Cariba Creek, especially after visiting Wet 'n' Wild and Aquatica in Orlando and being left a little disappointed. :S

BigAl said:

Only just found this topic (only 10 months late ) so I'm very sorry for bumping it after so long!

I've been wondering about whether they could expand the outdoor part of Cariba for a while now. Anyone know how far back Alton Towers could go with an expansion?

I'd love to see a family slide like a bowl, as well as another thrilling slide such as a steep drop from a tower set within the trees or two intertwined racing slides that pass over and under each other. An outdoor lazy river that's a bit quicker than the one indoors which weaves through part of the woodland would be a dream to see too.

But yes, I love Cariba Creek, especially after visiting Wet 'n' Wild and Aquatica in Orlando and being left a little disappointed. :S

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Disappointed by Aquatica?! I'd have Cariba knocked down and replaced with 10% of Aquatica...

For me Cariba is a lovely addition to the resort, but I don't go the water myself anymore. The park is very small, very basic and very expensive.

I can't whore attractions, once I've done something a couple of times they need to fight and invest to keep me coming back for more, and it seems like Cariba gave up on that a very long time ago.

Don't get me wrong, Aquatica was nice, but the size of the water park was ridiculous and they weren't exactly sparkling clean. Things like the beach might have seemed like a nice idea at the time but once people went into the water and came out again, that sand then got trailed all around the park.

I won't go into Wet 'n' Wild. It was just baaaaad!

Aquatica doesn't need anything other than Roa's Rapids! Get something like that at Cariba and very happy I will be

I think that the Waterpark is in dire need of an update. Sure, it looks nice from the bar & Hotel, and when you're in there, however there isn't *that* much to actually do, and keep you entertained. It isn't nearly as big as it first appears to be, and there's only one pool area, plus a rapids section, to use!

Outdoors, whilst is perfectly functional, desperately needs a clean up. The plants and foliage are bare, paint peeling and faded, and it just looks quite unloved. For the price you pay to enter, you'd expect it to look fresh!

I think that they should add some small slide, like Duinrell.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8kZVlOvQSM#ws

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYoTGF6twKs#ws

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6oDwZsOOm8#ws

But they can't just get small slides they need to improve the old stuff and make an expansion.

I just hate how crowded it gets and the bubbly wubbly/volcano springs is always rammed and not very often do the life guards challenge the little ones who should not be there!

Very true too about them closing early, it has happened for a few years now not just recently so the lack of staff has been happening for a while then.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

BigAl said:

I won't go into Wet 'n' Wild. It was just baaaaad!

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Wet 'n Wild is just awful. I've been twice for some reason, but the place is dirty, crowded, zero personality and the most disgusting park food I've had at any place ever.

I'm hoping to try out the Waterpark at some point, hopefully I can go in time for Beach Party next year

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Cariba Creek needs to open later in the day, say about lunch time? and close later at 10pm? Maybe have an Adults swim after 9pm? At the moment they're doing the right thing (pretty sure it's a split open time, no?) but I think it should just be open a little later!