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2018: Wicker Man - General Discussion - SPOILERS! - Part One

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I think the standards of the rides that Merlin have been installing across the board is improving. Gruffalo in my opinion is a really good dark ride. I'm really pleased that the theming of the coaster is of a good quality I only hope the pre-shows and whatever they else they do is done to a good standard as well.
 
They really weren't lying when they said that Wicker Man would be one of the most compelling themed experiences they had built to date.
The quality of the theming iteslf genuinely looks brilliant, the effects seem to hold up well in both light and dark environments, and the coaster itself seems much faster than I had originally anticipated!

I really am looking forward to getting to experience Wicker Man. Hopefully Merlin will keep this standard up in all their future investments, and with Tiger Rock and The Walking Dead: The Ride both looking well themed, I'm optimistic for the future. :)
 
It does look good but the immediate question I ask myself is "for how long". Provided all the effects are maintained and work every day then great, but sorry if I sound a little cautious! Apart from that, it looks good.
 
Mystic Timbers was originally going to have a pre-show I believe, and I know that the opinion at Holovis is that a pre-show would have been more effective than a post-show.

:)
 
Rob said:
Mystic Timbers was originally going to have a pre-show I believe, and I know that the opinion at Holovis is that a pre-show would have been more effective than a post-show.
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The shed suffered from TH13TEEN syndrome, it was talked about forever and ever and when it was revealed it was less exciting than if the shed had contained an old lawnmower.

In my experience, coaster pre-shows are often not a good idea, it depends how they are managed and if they are mandatory. The Rock n' Rollercoaster one at Paris is often not shown in full these days, unless it's a very busy day - you can often walk straight through - that's fine.

The worst I can recall was the Led Zeppelin one at Hard Rock Park. It went on for about six minutes (about three times the length of the ride). You couldn't escape - you watched the same video every time about how the band grew from nothing and became the biggest band in the world etc. It was torturous and I'm quite the Zep fan! It essentially meant that if the ride was a walk on (it always was) you could ride it about four times within an hour (if you wanted to).
 
Rob said:
Mystic Timbers was originally going to have a pre-show I believe, and I know that the opinion at Holovis is that a pre-show would have been more effective than a post-show.

:)
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That post show is one of the strangest things I've ever seen on a wooden coaster. Hahahaha

I don't think a post show on a coaster works well generally either. Once the natural speed of the ride slows down then it seems a bit of an anti climax.

One of my favourite pre shows is Baron at Efeling. Beautifully done.
 
I never got into the Baron preshow. Seemed dramatic but I just wanted it to end to get on the ride.

Karnan's preshow is wonderful with its kind of Hex documentary style in the queue. Not sure I saw the same video twice on multiple re-rides. Also the way they incorporate the safety instructions into the video is seamless as well.

I guess they all come down to personal taste and probably don't add too much to a ride. Although with Wickerman relying heavily on theme and style, a well done pre-show could help add to it. Maybe a kind of "chosen" random group for front row like Karnan's random seating?
 
Just because I have a bee in my bonnet about the whole “geek complaining to ASA changed the marketing for Wicker Man.

The ASA has only just (end of feb) ruled on a Christmas advert complaint made in December. There is no way they have made any intervention on the marketing for this ride!
 
Dave said:
Just because I have a bee in my bonnet about the whole “geek complaining to ASA changed the marketing for Wicker Man.

The ASA has only just (end of feb) ruled on a Christmas advert complaint made in December. There is no way they have made any intervention on the marketing for this ride!
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Fair enough that the ASA would not yet have done anything, but do you think that the news that people were contacting the ASA may have influenced Merlin's decision in some way?
 
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