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Fireworks 2017

This discussion about the quality of the fireworks is similar to other conversations we've had recently in other threads. If you're really into dark rides, you'll have a very different experience on Duel as someone who has jumped on and wants to shoot anything that moves. You may have seen me equate it to the difference between someone going to watch a film with their 2.4 children to keep them quiet for 90 mins and a film critic.

It's similar with fireworks. If fireworks, lights and audio are your thing, the way that you experience, enjoy and critique a display like the one at Alton will be very different to someone like me who goes, grabs a hot chocolate and stands there and takes it for what it is (and thoroughly enjoys it, for the record).

In the same way, we went to the display put on by the local parish council the following night and we had a great time there too. If you were into fireworks I am sure you would have hated the display, not to mention the tone on the mayor's voice on the mic and the way the wind distracted from the quality of the Happy Hardcore they set the display to.

That's not to say that any opinion is wrong - that's the best thing about opinions. However, there has to be an acceptance - albeit begrudgingly if that makes you feel better, that most people want fireworks to deliver pops, bangs & flashes and Alton typically delivers by the bucketload.
 
It's the same EVERY year. Formula as follows:
  • Former ents manager does cringeworthy impression of Peter Dickson
  • Play an epic trailer music track to start
  • Spend 20 minutes mashing the living hell out of the year's top chart music (derived from 2010, 2011, 2012)
  • Drop in snippets of how amazing the park is for the duration of the show (despite nearly killing a bunch of people recently)
  • End on ITHOTMK
Forum geeks then label the show as "emotional".

I could rip these shows to pieces but since that would offend the sensitive types around here, I'll just shut up now.

You are absolutely correct...

Accept for 2010, 2011, 2015 and 2016 where you are less so.

Fireworks have always pulled from the latest charts at Towers (a lot of other displays do), they also pull a lot from epic trailer music too. If you can show me multiple other displays that don’t (one show isn’t representative as it’s easy to select a show that titilates your tastebuds but isn’t representative of the “art” of firework displays) then I will capitulate.

Now where you are full on 100% correct... the shows are often (2010, 2011and 2016 not so much) about gently pleasuring the marketing director, it’s getting stupid.

ITHOTMK is used a lot but it does make a good finale (regardless of its connotations with the Park). They would have to pull something very good out of the bag as they have kind of set a precedent now (which to be fair is better than the time they tried to forget the piece was part of the park).

I found this years show left me cold and they need to change tact. I don’t think you should pull back from critique either but you have to admit that as much as you play the “fanboy” card against those who you disagree with, you play the “hate everything” theme (otherwise known as the Diogo Derrivative) to equal measure and often without balance.

And as for “forum geek” you post on here more than most....
 
This discussion about the quality of the fireworks is similar to other conversations we've had recently in other threads. If you're really into dark rides, you'll have a very different experience on Duel as someone who has jumped on and wants to shoot anything that moves. You may have seen me equate it to the difference between someone going to watch a film with their 2.4 children to keep them quiet for 90 mins and a film critic.

It's similar with fireworks. If fireworks, lights and audio are your thing, the way that you experience, enjoy and critique a display like the one at Alton will be very different to someone like me who goes, grabs a hot chocolate and stands there and takes it for what it is (and thoroughly enjoys it, for the record).

In the same way, we went to the display put on by the local parish council the following night and we had a great time there too. If you were into fireworks I am sure you would have hated the display, not to mention the tone on the mayor's voice on the mic and the way the wind distracted from the quality of the Happy Hardcore they set the display to.

That's not to say that any opinion is wrong - that's the best thing about opinions. However, there has to be an acceptance - albeit begrudgingly if that makes you feel better, that most people want fireworks to deliver pops, bangs & flashes and Alton typically delivers by the bucketload.
I so wanted to agree with you, but couldn't you have picked another ride other than Duel to prove your point? Duel is in a bad state full stop, you don't have to be a dark ride enthusiast to see that, just listen to comments by the shop exit.

But you're right, as someone who knows very little about fireworks displays I wouldn't have been disappointed with this year's offering. It seems GP opinion agrees too as it seems that the display was well received.

People go to Towers fireworks to have a good time so in that regard these events can only be seen as a success as they're clearly very popular.

I don't know if they were going for self congratulation or trying to tug heart strings. I immediately thought it looked like some sort of weird obituary, but it looks like it came across as intended to the GP.
 
I'm going to be blunt...
  • Disingenuous attempt to pull at the 'magic' heartstrings
  • massive lack of pyro, half arsed
  • awful soundtrack, no flow, no nothing
  • no story, just blatant marketing
  • out of 1000 people this is what 1 person said
  • 'insert on-the-spot fake interview crap to break up the costly pyro'
  • marketing to get people coming back next year
  • #we'recoolguys.....honest
  • lets interview Susan on crack who insinuates Towers is like her husband 'performing'
  • Awful cliché soundtrack
  • lazy, un-timed pyro
  • great lighting
  • 3 phase transition shells although minimal are new-ish to the UK was great to see innovative shells
  • 15min break why we listen to Jeff say Th13teen made his willy jump
  • John Wardley (epic)
  • end of season factory pyro leftovers
  • (Lilly Allen - Somewhere only we know *cries*)
  • lets spend a bit more time trying to tug at the heart strings so we can get away with spending less money
  • just drop ITHOTMK at the end with no transition and because
Sums it up for me

I'm so angry at degradation of Alton's fireworks year-upon-year, it's a joke with a spotify playlist.

THIS is what they can do :(


The worst fireworks I've ever seen at Alton Towers, lazy, cheap, unimaginative.[/MEDIA]
 
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Well I'll definitely be back for next years fireworks, if you don't like what Alton puts on, I'm sure there is plenty more choice of other displays around the country out there to go to ;)

Just reminds me when people moan about whats on the TV. If you don't like a program, either switch off or change channels ;)
 
Well I'll definitely be back for next years fireworks, if you don't like what Alton puts on, I'm sure there is plenty more choice of other displays around the country out there to go to ;)

Just reminds me when people moan about whats on the TV. If you don't like a program, either switch off or change channels ;)
Exactly! :)
 
You assume the best and settle for less.

It's just another area for me where the ents budget is starved of potential and with the reduction to 2 days the show has actually gone down in quality. Take away a 3rd day to save money, charge those annual pass holders and deliver a sub par show in return.

I'm starting to think people are adhering to the cult aspect of Merlin. CBeebies at £450 a night, no entertainment on park etc, etc. Some people seem so quick to accept mediocre offerings for premium prices. :(

... and by the way, no mention of SW8, perfect opportunity to do so, what with The Welcoming providing some well needed and yet nothing!!

At least The Swarm blew up a fire truck for it's promo.
 
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To be clear, the Fireworks budget per show has not decreased.

The team delivering the shows has remained very similar, too.

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Even though they could have mentioned SW8, I would rather they keep that for a show themed around it next year.

Someone mentioned a show going through the Secret Weapons, think that would make for a great show (and it's not a "Alton Towers is amazing" theme which we've had plenty of).

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Someone mentioned a show going through the Secret Weapons, think that would make for a great show (and it's not a "Alton Towers is amazing" theme which we've had plenty of).

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That would be a really good show, I reckon. They could reuse the music from the RCR video and BAM! They've got themselves a show!
 
They kinda do that in the 2013 video I linked, they go through the history of Alton's coasters. Its awesome and had some real thought put into it, unlike the crap they through out this year.
 
2013 was one of the best. Smiley face fireworks . Love heart fireworks. ! How do they do it :eek:
Lots of fireworks less lighting. That’s what we need.
 
M£rlin $ucks etc :tired::banghead: Go to Drayton Manor!

Merlin does suck, hence why I have gone from visiting Towers 10-20 times a year to twice.

And instead have visited some fantastic parks around Europe instead. You are right though that the UK theme park industry is terrible but when such a degenerate company as Merlin has the monopoly what do we expect.
 
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