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February Half Term 2017

Rob

Rob

TS Team
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Steel Vengeance
You may have seen over the weekend that the February Half Term event, which was cancelled this year, is set to return in 2017:

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It would appear to be running for three weeks from Saturday February 4th until Sunday 26th February 2017 which would make the event longer than it ever has been in the past. Bizzare to say the least, I'm guessing it may be four weekends and one week of midweek openings but that is not yet clear.

Got to admit that I am surprised to see it retrun so soon and I can only imagine that gate figures these last few weeks have been more encouraging than anticipated. You'd think that the cold temperatures would also mean that they'd like both Hex and Sub-Terra open otherwise there is a severe lack of indoor attractions.

I'm really not sure about this, yes events are great but this doesn't seem to fit with what has been going on this year. Of course we could all have interpreted it incorrectly and it might be a series of events up at the hotels!

:)
 
It could also be a mix of events at the hotels and some rides on park being open. I fully agree with you, Rob, that they need some indoor attractions open like Hex and Sub-Terra to make the event a bit more viable. I'm happy to see it returning, though I'm going to remain a bit cautious about FHT until we know more about the ride line-up.
 
Without wanting to sound negative, it's highly unlikely this will be a proper event like in previous years. It just wouldn't make sense. I agree that gate receipts have probably been more positive later in the season than anticipated. I know I was surprised at how busy it seemed to be a points later this season compared to the ghost town it was early season whilst the crash sensationalism was still hot news.

But the response from the park all season has been to close half the park down and severely restrict open times. This will be a hotel event, possibly including Galactica and daytime RCR opening, maybe even Ceebebies as well.

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Well that didn't last long:

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Source: TS FB

I'm really not surprised, chances are its initial inclusion on the boards was an error.

:)
 
Chances are February Halfterm openings won't be returning to the park until 2018 at the earliest.

I expect this to be the same for other parks next year, although Chessington will probably be just the zoo and maybe Hocus Pocus.
 
For the second biggest themed entertainment company, this is now just getting embarrassing. Merlin (or merlstinge) need to get their act together, they don't have the back up of Disney to be able to keep cutting back line ups. They really need to be pulling all the stops out to get some of their credibility back soon, or they will loose their biggest theme park costumer base (uk).

I'm very quickly loosing all faith.
 
Disneyland Paris is currently coming to the end of a huge improvement program. Lots of rides regenerated. Not sure the guys in Paris got wind of budget cuts :p
 
shawnoc said:
For the second biggest themed entertainment company, this is now just getting embarrassing. Merlin (or merlstinge) need to get their act together, they don't have the back up of Disney to be able to keep cutting back line ups. They really need to be pulling all the stops out to get some of their credibility back soon, or they will loose their biggest theme park costumer base (uk).

I'm very quickly loosing all faith.
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To be fair this was never officially announced, it just appeared on a board as a 3 week event (which seemed extremely strange and suspicious anyway) and the vanished off said board a week or so later. Having an FHT event next year would be silly in my opinion.

:)
 
I think before we see Feb half term return we need to see ride operations improve (open Hex and Driving School) and the park once again open all season.

I've personally never been fussed of the half term event, there's not much of an incentive to go to the event unless you have small children with you or you live nearby for a quick visit.
 
shawnoc said:
For the second biggest themed entertainment company, this is now just getting embarrassing. Merlin (or merlstinge) need to get their act together, they don't have the back up of Disney to be able to keep cutting back line ups. They really need to be pulling all the stops out to get some of their credibility back soon, or they will loose their biggest theme park costumer base (uk).
Click to expand...
Which is exactly why you cut things that don't make money... :rolleyes:

That said, I think it's odd it appeared and disappeared. I think we may see some event early next year. The suggestion that the guy who updates those boards just made up an event with dates and put it on there is farcical.

It could well be happening, but isn't due to be announced yet - not least because it's a bit of a distraction from the events yet to take place this season.
 
I would far sooner like to see FHT event not return, some food outlets not to reopen and the park to remain closed on off peak days in favour of reopening CaTCF, driving school, Hex and NST and longer opening hours on the day the park operates. If serious money had to be saved, it's surely much better to do put on a fuller experience on fewer days than stretch a half hearted experience around the calender.

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I can't see *any* hotel availability from the beginning of Jan to the end of March, does anybody know what that's about?!
 
I've also notice that if you try and book splash landings for next year, it comes up as unavailable on all dates for the whole of next season
 
Calm down dears :D If its like last year, once Towers have officially released their opening park dates then the booking system will update :)
If you look at the minute every Tuesday And Wednesday in June is closed and unable to book.
 
WillPS said:
Why does that affect Hotel availability? Do they not offer a straight forward room only/B&B option?
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Splash is usually closed when the park is closed off peak.

AT Hotel stays open due to the Spa - although with most of the Spa closed until the summer that could change.
 
AT86 said:
Splash is usually closed when the park is closed off peak.

AT Hotel stays open due to the Spa - although with most of the Spa closed until the summer that could change.
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Really? Has that changed in recent years - it definitely stayed open most of the year when it first opened, I think there was a year (2005/6?) where it closed for a month while they relined it.
 
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