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Gullivers Valley

I know there's still a lot to be done obviously, but it has to be said it is looking rather.... bare?

As in there's a noticeable lack of larger building structures or any signs of transitions from one area to another. I'm getting VIBES of rides just being randomly plonked in the countryside with open pathways linking to them. Almost a bit like Lightwater Valley which is by no means a good thing.
 
I suppose given the cost this is not terrible, but it's not really inspiring either. I suppose one benefit of the extra space is so they can add more stuff to it later on but apart from that I couldn't really care less about this place.
 
There is a another 10 months or more to go. Im sure that once its open it will look completely different.
 
More Gulliver's World than Gulliver's Valley (don't really think it justifies its own topic, hey ho if it does), however they've announced a new pirate themed hotel.

Keep in mind that 'second only to Disney' offer a concrete block with painting on it as a pirate themed hotel:
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I think it's pretty damn amusing that the small might of Gulliver's have proposed this for their pirate hotel:
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That's a very nice looking design. According to the press relase, they're spending £3.8 million on two hotels and 33 holiday lodges. It does sound like they're being very ambitious with the budget they've got. For instance, they're probably getting well over half the rooms the Pleasure Beach are getting in their hotel for a third of the price. In a way it doesn't matter if they're quite basic, if it's reflected in the price. I presume Gulliver's market is quite price sensitive. The issue is when people come expecting a luxury hotel.

https://blooloop.com/link/gullivers-world-hotel/
 
That hotel design is truly hideous. At least Thorpe's tries to be subtle and almost pretends it isn't there, this is plain garish and ugly. If it's made up of shipping containers (I suspect it will be) then this will only further draw attention to that. And no that isn't a requirement for child-focused accommodation.

Basically Haunted House Monster party without the grace of any facade.
 
That hotel design is truly hideous. At least Thorpe's tries to be subtle and almost pretends it isn't there, this is plain garish and ugly. If it's made up of shipping containers (I suspect it will be) then this will only further draw attention to that. And no that isn't a requirement for child-focused accommodation.

Basically Haunted House Monster party without the grace of any facade.

How is is subtle? It's got a massive shark in front of it? I think that concept looks really well done. Kids will love that, more so that the Merlin facade.
 
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Am I missing something? imo the pirate ship hotel looks cool and doesn't appear to be made of shipping containers
 
At least Thorpe's tries to be subtle and almost pretends it isn't there
Im not sure anybody 'tried' at any point with Thorpe's

I also dont really see a problem with Gullivers one, especially when what we're looking at is a concept image and it could turn out completely differently for all we know.

Hey it's better than the enchanted village already?
 
I don’t think the enchanted village turned out too badly in the end when the planters have grown etc, saying that I’ve only stayed there when the weather has been glorious. I imagine it’s crap when lashing down.
 
New article about this in the Rotherham Advertiser.

Small of course, but nice to have round Sheffield way. Especially good that it's a family firm. Hopefully some well-run competition in the north will force Merlin to up their game a bit at Towers. This could take a small but significant bite from the under-10s market.

RCDB says that they're getting a wooden coaster - clone of the Antelope. Presumably by GG / GCI?

SPECIAL FEATURE: Gulliver's Valley resort taking shape in Rother Valley
By Gareth Dennison | 19/07/2019

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GULLIVER’S boss Julie Dalton admires the drop tower that arrived days earlier and admits it would be her favourite if she was still testing the rides today.

A theme park is emerging from an empty field and there is a peaceful buzz about what was once the Pithouse West colliery site to the south of the borough.

Julie (pictured) and her brothers grew up trying out new additions to dad Ray Phillips’ theme park empire, which began with models in the family garden in Matlock, Derbyshire, 41 years ago.

Decades on, the excitement of a new park has not faded for mum-of-two Julie (49), who is involved from initial sketches to finished features.

A Wild West street already feels like a film set and will soon have a haunted silver mine, a bank for heists and tunnels under the jail.

To the other side is the Lost World, which is awaiting the arrival of dinosaurs and will be bigger than the whole of the family’s original park at Matlock.

A plateau has been measured out for the centrepiece rollercoaster in between but its theme remains a secret for now.

“I’ve got to keep some things as a surprise!” says Julie.

A batch of mini-JCBs is nearby, already waiting for youngsters to play at being like the 15 construction workers here now putting the park together.

And if she still had the enviable childhood pastime of testing out the rides, where in the new Gulliver’s Valley would Julie head?

“I’d be on the drop tower, that’s my fave,” she said. “I love the water rides, but only on really sunny days because I don’t like having a soggy bottom — and you do get soggy, that’s what water rides are all about.

“I love the fact that we bring parks alive with experiences. It’s not just about the rides, it’s about the actors and people within it that will make that experience different.

“I’m taking you and going: ‘Today you’re a cowboy.’ You put your Stetson on and your badge and get into it. That’s where you take it from a simple experience to one they’ll remember for life.

“You can stay in a lodge overlooking this and it’s a cowboy lodge. Or maybe when you open your curtains, a dinosaur walks past.

“You can’t get that anywhere else. This is what is different. It’s not just sitting you on a ride. What’s important is the experiences.”

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Julie added: “People need that ability to step away from the mundane, put the iPads and phones down and let kids be kids.”

Most of the rides will be hidden from view from the approach off Mansfield Road, Wales, until visitors head through the entrance building to see the fairytale castle, carousel and themed areas.

Phase one — due to open in spring 2020 — will fill about 50 of the 250 acres Gulliver’s has bought and will eventually grow into.

“It’s an absolutely amazing site,” said Julie, who is leading on this one with brother Nick Phillips.

“You don’t know where you are and that’s the whole point. At the moment, there’s a little bit of road noise but nothing else.

“We know there’ll be good days and there’ll be bad days. But if you make sure your good days outweigh the bad ones, you keep going and expanding.

“It’s all about having the right team around you. That’s critical; having the right people in place to bring this to life.”

And plenty want to be part of the party. There were 3,000 applications for two duty manager jobs at the £37 million attraction. There’s 250 vacancies to fill, not including construction.

Julie said: “I’s really exciting to see it coming alive. I’m based in Warrington and come across twice a week. Every time I do, there are parts that weren’t there last time.

“From all the talk, all the discussions we had, we now have the backbone of a theme park.

“You take a moment and walk through and go: ‘Wow, this is real.’”
 
Woah shakey...party at your house next year mate.
This and 'mingo.
Tyke revival.
And william will be 12 so gulliver's should accept him as the child offering they insist on.

May have a nip down over the summer and see if I can get some photos.

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