AT86
TS Member
So 2020 will be the 40th anniversary of Alton Towers as a theme park, if the park are going to do any medium or large scale events to celebrate they should probably be starting to plan them around now.
Disneyland Paris have shown how it is possible to make a marketing campaign around an anniversary as they did for their 25th with the ‘time to sparkle’ and we know Merlin love a marketing campaign.
I was just wondering what ideas everyone had for how they could celebrate across the park (and resort) to mark the occasion? Of course the obvious (and most likely?) is to stick a plastic cake on Towers St and theme the fireworks display to the 40th and call it a day, but that seems like a very wasted opportunity.
From a commercial perspective it would be beneficial too, based on the ever changing Merlin investment cycles 2020 is set to be a medium capex year, so they could take a chunk of that to use on events throughout the season and brand it as a ‘year of celebration’ (or something).
In terms of ideas I was thinking along the lines of:
- 40th anniversary branded merch, mugs, hoodies, pin badges etc
- Food - birthday cupcakes in Corner Coffee for example
- Pop Up museum exhibit (say in CCL theatre or Towers St) with photos, stories, videos and the like from the archive of past rides/attractions
- Limited time chances to bring back experiences from the past e.g meet and greet with Henry Hound
- Bring back old park music for limited time in certain areas
- 40th anniversary show focusing on big occasions from the parks history.
Perhaps they could take another leaf out of DLP’s book and organise a paid extra after hours party for pass holders featuring rides, old characters, presentations by the likes of Mr Wardley, exclusive merchandise items etc.
Disneyland Paris have shown how it is possible to make a marketing campaign around an anniversary as they did for their 25th with the ‘time to sparkle’ and we know Merlin love a marketing campaign.
I was just wondering what ideas everyone had for how they could celebrate across the park (and resort) to mark the occasion? Of course the obvious (and most likely?) is to stick a plastic cake on Towers St and theme the fireworks display to the 40th and call it a day, but that seems like a very wasted opportunity.
From a commercial perspective it would be beneficial too, based on the ever changing Merlin investment cycles 2020 is set to be a medium capex year, so they could take a chunk of that to use on events throughout the season and brand it as a ‘year of celebration’ (or something).
In terms of ideas I was thinking along the lines of:
- 40th anniversary branded merch, mugs, hoodies, pin badges etc
- Food - birthday cupcakes in Corner Coffee for example
- Pop Up museum exhibit (say in CCL theatre or Towers St) with photos, stories, videos and the like from the archive of past rides/attractions
- Limited time chances to bring back experiences from the past e.g meet and greet with Henry Hound
- Bring back old park music for limited time in certain areas
- 40th anniversary show focusing on big occasions from the parks history.
Perhaps they could take another leaf out of DLP’s book and organise a paid extra after hours party for pass holders featuring rides, old characters, presentations by the likes of Mr Wardley, exclusive merchandise items etc.