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Towers Loving Care
- Thread starter Randomizer462
- Start date
I disagree with the Farm part - the quality themeing that had been installed in the 90s was in a pretty bad shape by the turn of this century and the area looked very tired for a long time. I mean, in the last few years, they had a playground that was literally themed around crap. Personally, I felt the Farm theme should've been knocked on the head after 2001.
Yes, CBeebies isn't the best children's area in the country, and yes it would've been nice to see more new rides. But concerning the existing ride systems, I'd say Night Garden, Postman Pat and Justin's House are far better than the Tractors, Riverbank Eye Spy and Bish Bash that preceeded them. And I agree that explosions of colour can be garish, but in an area aimed at under 8's, I don't think it's too much of a concern. IP based areas can be a bit soulless, but it's got to be better than a fairly derelict farm with very few real animals.
CoasterCrazyChris
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Nemesis
I entirely agree that the farm was tired and past its sell by - it had been under-invested in for at least 15 years (since the foot and mouth crisis) and was in need of a complete overhaul. I also appreciate that the re theme into CBeebies is very popular with young children, has breathed more life and energy into that area, drawn the crowds and thus the park deem it a success.
However.....in my opinion on a theming and general design level it was a bare minimum effort. The hands-on attractions (Mr Blooms Allotment, Kung-Fu Tom) are great and make fantastic use of previously underutilised space and the audio around the area is a smart touch. Yet, the main central area is aesthetically hideous - particularly the building exteriors and the central roundabout (which should be a focal point). There is practically no evidence of any quality craftsmanship or thoughtful or careful design in any of the areas theming. It is literally multi-coloured paint, cheap 2D vinyls/signage and an overload of bog standard quality plastic character theming of the sort found at any second rate regional park (except Alton has the premium IP).
In the 90's they employed theming artists to design two imaginary and thoughtful areas that children could enjoy and adults could appreciate. They even made hand crafted models for Storybook Land which demonstrated the level of care that went into the design. Fast forward 20 years and it's a case of buying an IP, sticking in character models, applying paint and adding the usual interactive malarkey. Although children may love it because of the recognition, I see very little that will inspire their imaginations (call me naive if you want if you have your own kids and know different). Pleasing three year old's at a theme park is not hard when you have an popular IP (again correct me if wrong?), but designing something that can be inspiring for children and appreciated and even enjoyed by parents and other adults requires a greater skill.
If I go back to the point I made originally around the lack of innovation and investment in non coaster attractions - Alton were way, way late to the game with bringing their children's offering up to scratch. Drayton Manor built Thomas Land a whole eight years ago and in the time since then we've seen Peppa Pig and Nickelodeon amongst others in the UK. Instead of acting like the market leaders they are supposed to be, they jumped on the kids IP bandwagon nearly a decade too late and even then have not provided an offering IMO that raises the bar in terms of attractions and overall quality. Smaller park's in the UK should be the followers, not the other way around.
So yeah - they paid for a sought after IP, applied bright paint and the result is a popular kids area. So what? If they can offer world class, world beating roller coasters then they can do the same with their family and children's offerings. The likes of CBeebies and Mutiny Bay are, IMO, barely above adequacy for a park of Alton Towers stature (rapidly being eroded I may add). I do however believe that the park has a greater issue with the number and quality of family ride offerings than with those for young children, but that doesn't excuse mediocrity.
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The CBeebies area obviously does stimulate the imagination of young children as it wouldn't be as popular as it is otherwise - I don't think brand recognition alone would be enough. And you say "so what" after stating the end result is a popular children's area. Well ultimately, that's the whole point - if it's popular it's served its main objective. And I don't agree that the main part of the area is hideous - it looks vibrant and fun which is what the aim for the area was. But that's obviously subjective.
As enthusiasts, we obviously want areas that have original themes with theming to reflect this, but its about the mass market and CBeebies is a popular enough IP to attract very large audiences. I don't think even a well themed original area would've been able to compete with a popular IP where very young children are concerned, and it is a business at the end of it all.
Alton 2017 ride line up:
- Comfy wumphy world - replacing wibbly wobbly world, sponsored by DFS sofas
- Cake and a Hot Chocolate factory - featuring a nice cafe for a hot drink
- All new Peugot Driving school - now comes with a constant commentary on others driving skills. Ride "speedcam" photos are mandatory purchases if caught by them.
- CBeebies world rebranded as Radio 4 land, featuring:
- Shipping forecast boat ride
- Amazon parcel delivery
- Alan Titchmarch's allotment
- Justins DIY action House
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My wife and I loved the Farm. It was a nice little haven from the rest of the park. We got to know the farm animals and we also were allowed to have a hold of the guinea pigs. The farm appealed to all age groups.
As far a CBeebbies, yes I must admit, it's a great area if you have little ones, but that is the problem, older children might not want to be seen dead in there (that includes me too as an adult
). Thomas land in Drayton manor appeals to a wider age group.
That is another problem (as well as the main problem with the park) that is nothing is ever really maintained to a standard. Once build, things are usually left to rot.
As far a CBeebbies, yes I must admit, it's a great area if you have little ones, but that is the problem, older children might not want to be seen dead in there (that includes me too as an adult
). Thomas land in Drayton manor appeals to a wider age group.That is another problem (as well as the main problem with the park) that is nothing is ever really maintained to a standard. Once build, things are usually left to rot.
Skyscraper
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Nemesis
i went to AT on Saturday, and noticed that the fencing around the Blade's exit has been replaced with full-height fencing, and the exit turnstile and disabled gate is now full-height, too.
djtruefitt
TS Team
That new prison style fence and gate was added at the start of this season.
Josh
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Nemesis
And when it was added all Blade operators rejoiced at the fact that wheelchair users can no longer climb over the exit turnstile
Now this really does sound good. Especially if Charlie Dimmock and her, erm, dimmocks make an appearance!
Machin
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Duel
I'm shocked nobody has mentioned this yet, but Oblivion has new SFX around the drop zone. Including the Oblivion theme, Oblivion queueline SFX and the old Black Hole theme!
Towers Street posted a few videos on Facebook, links below.
It'd be great if they included the original "Don't Look Down" timed to the shuttles dropping!
Towers Street posted a few videos on Facebook, links below.
It'd be great if they included the original "Don't Look Down" timed to the shuttles dropping!
QTXAdsy
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Black Hole
Been back recently at Towers and IMO, Oblivion could use another a repaint which could done at the same time as with the walls needing a clean, killing two birds with one stone as of course. Glad to see in those videos that the audio is back in X-Sector, something else other than Smiler's theme dominating the area and I will admit I had smile when I heard Black Hole's theme being played, even though it does sound a little too fantasy like for X-sector IMO.
jon81uk
TS Member
It would be great, but it was turned off due to the noise abatement order as the sound carried out of the park too easily.
I thought it wasnt the noise of the "don't look down" that created noise, but it was removed as it induced more screaming. Surely now that lots of people have ridden oblivion, towers could argue that it could be played again as it wouldn't scare people who have already done the ride.
Machin
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Duel
I meant playing in the drop zone, not at the top. Yes you may not hear it from on the ride but it'd sure look amazing for spectators.
Hexrider1
TS Member
hi first post can the smiler music not be heard from outside the park as I have always thought it was rather loud
CoasterCrazyChris
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Nemesis
Yeah and I wish they would scrub out the orange paint from the concrete and paint the theming behind the drop silver again. It looks so scruffy as is. The new SFX sound great around the drop but that music is awful! Is not suited at all for that area.
That pit could really do with some lighting installed into the walls to make the area a bit brighter and generally improve its appearance. It was far better when they had pulsating lights around the fence but it's highly unlikely they will ever return.
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