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TBC: SW9 Speculation

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Wardley was seen in DF and FV? Really makes me think about the cross valley woodie, but also that we could see new permanent flats replacing Funk n Fly and Roller Disco. I highly doubt we will see another dark ride given they have just opened Gangsta Granny, and the fact that Towers still need to reopen Sub Terra and the 4D theatre. If I'm being as optimistic, I'm predicting this is work for SW9, and that it will be an RMC hybrid adaption of Wardley's cross valley woodie. This is me being way to optimising though, but could you imagine.
 
I cant see the cross valley woodie being ever considered again, plus they have done wood so it will be something new in my eyes
 
ATI said:
Wardley was seen in DF and FV? Really makes me think about the cross valley woodie, but also that we could see new permanent flats replacing Funk n Fly and Roller Disco. I highly doubt we will see another dark ride given they have just opened Gangsta Granny, and the fact that Towers still need to reopen Sub Terra and the 4D theatre. If I'm being as optimistic, I'm predicting this is work for SW9, and that it will be an RMC hybrid adaption of Wardley's cross valley woodie. This is me being way to optimising though, but could you imagine.
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Spark said:
I cant see the cross valley woodie being ever considered again, plus they have done wood so it will be something new in my eyes
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A park manager reportedly said that SW9 “wasn’t wood” in 2019 at an RCCGB lunch, but that doesn’t necessarily rule out a hybrid.

Instead of saying that Wicker Man fulfilled the wood quota for Alton Towers, could it be a possibility that Wicker Man was a trial to see how a wood-structured ride would go down with the British public?
 
Matt N said:
A park manager reportedly said that SW9 “wasn’t wood” in 2019 at an RCCGB lunch, but that doesn’t necessarily rule out a hybrid.

Instead of saying that Wicker Man fulfilled the wood quota for Alton Towers, could it be a possibility that Wicker Man was a trial to see how a wood-structured ride would go down with the British public?
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Possibly, but the cross valley coaster raised a lot of issues that back then dont seem as hard to overcome as they do now. it will probably wrap around the outskirts of FV if that is the chosen area of SW9
 
Launched RMC sounds like a nightmare, especially after seeing the amount of downtime that Lightning Rod has had over the years.

I'd love to see an Intimin Blitz or a Mack Multi-Launch on park somewhere. A proper Taron-style terrain coaster with lap bars would be incredible somewhere on the park, however unlikely it is.
 
Matt N said:
A park manager reportedly said that SW9 “wasn’t wood” in 2019 at an RCCGB lunch, but that doesn’t necessarily rule out a hybrid.

Instead of saying that Wicker Man fulfilled the wood quota for Alton Towers, could it be a possibility that Wicker Man was a trial to see how a wood-structured ride would go down with the British public?
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The original plan for SW8 was rumoured to be a launched RMC in forbidden valley, they submitted a formal screening opinion for it (http://publicaccess.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/portal/servlets/AttachmentShowServlet?ImageName=101930). Then The Smiler accident happened and plans changed. I think they went for the more family friendly option because building a type of coaster (wooden) that a lot of the GP already think are unsafe, with the addition of a launch and inversions after such an accident wouldn't exactly fill people with confidence to go on it, or even back to the park.

The cross valley coaster isn't off the table, and will likely happen at some point, it was mentioned in the most recent long term development plan that of the new coasters that would be added one may be a cross valley ride. A cross valley RMC sounds like it could be amazing, not sure it will happen just yet but it is certainly a possibility.
 
jon81uk said:
I suppose they could still go with some form of steel coaster going into the valley, something that feels like a hypercoaster without actually going tall could be fun.
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I’ve always thought a B&M Hyper Coaster (Hyper Coaster in model, not height) would go nicely in the valley, personally.

A nice, straight run between Forbidden Valley and Dark Forest with a big drop and some lovely, sustained parabolic airtime hills would be excellent, in my opinion!

Given that the cross-valley woodie (original proposal from 2003) allegedly had 200ft drops, you could probably do something hyper coaster-sized or close to it, and given that the main stumbling blocks of the cross-valley woodie were said to be noise and sheer amount of tree clearance, a quieter coaster (new B&Ms often aren’t very noisy at all) and a coaster whose supports require far less ground space (steel coasters have far more slender support structures and less supports in general than woodies) would get around these problems quite nicely!
 
An Intamin Blitz like Velocicoaster would be my dream pick for SW9. Rip out Rita and stick it in Dark Forest, and have it weave in and out of the valley. Maybe not truly cross valley but it could have a huge drop or two. The first part could stay in Dark Forest and the second half could dive into the valley with some big elements.

A launched RMC would be great too but I think the issues with Lightning Rod make that unlikely.
 
As much as I love the sound of an RMC/ Intamin blitz/ MACK launch, I still think it negates what SWs used to be focused on - innovative rollercoasters/ prototypes that are unique and not found elsewhere. I'll admit the most recent SWs' marketing have been gimmicky as some have mentioned before, so perhaps they should build rollercoasters/ rides under different banners? Could Merlin have another go at a major investment flat ride that pushes the boundaries of the business and label it a SW (purists wincing)?

In terms of high aspirations for the next SW, here is my two pence...

Multi-launch duelling S&S Axis coaster with möbius loop style layout. (a risk but why not?)

Black track left, white track left, grey/silver trains.
Elements could reference previous iconic SWs - for example a corkscrew, tunnel with mist, dark section like black hole. At the end it could go into a show room and stop in complete darkness and jolt (bit of a cheap jump scare in reference to Thirteen)
Themed to time travel - not fully thought of the backstory but it could tie in with Galactica. More of a lighter/optimistic tone of discovery and exploration - maybe in search of something benevolent in the past.
For enthusiasts they could even include references to SW1/SW2 in marketing (the scrapped Arrow Pipeline) - this could be the spiritual realisation of those plans.
The music could intertwine elements of other soundtracks from other SWs, akin to what you hear at Scarefest. The showroom after the little jolt could then play a surround screen montage of all the rides.

Hmmm I wonder how much this could cost... as I said high aspirations
 
Raza said:
As much as I love the sound of an RMC/ Intamin blitz/ MACK launch, I still think it negates what SWs used to be focused on - innovative rollercoasters/ prototypes that are unique and not found elsewhere. I'll admit the most recent SWs' marketing have been gimmicky as some have mentioned before, so perhaps they should build rollercoasters/ rides under different banners? Could Merlin have another go at a major investment flat ride that pushes the boundaries of the business and label it a SW (purists wincing)?

In terms of high aspirations for the next SW, here is my two pence...

Multi-launch duelling S&S Axis coaster with möbius loop style layout. (a risk but why not?)

Black track left, white track left, grey/silver trains.
Elements could reference previous iconic SWs - for example a corkscrew, tunnel with mist, dark section like black hole. At the end it could go into a show room and stop in complete darkness and jolt (bit of a cheap jump scare in reference to Thirteen)
Themed to time travel - not fully thought of the backstory but it could tie in with Galactica. More of a lighter/optimistic tone of discovery and exploration - maybe in search of something benevolent in the past.
For enthusiasts they could even include references to SW1/SW2 in marketing (the scrapped Arrow Pipeline) - this could be the spiritual realisation of those plans.
The music could intertwine elements of other soundtracks from other SWs, akin to what you hear at Scarefest. The showroom after the little jolt could then play a surround screen montage of all the rides.

Hmmm I wonder how much this could cost... as I said high aspirations
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Fan boys dream more like, most of that would be lost on the GP
 
Spark said:
Fan boys dream more like, most of that would be lost on the GP
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Agreed, although they have dabbled with nostalgia before (fireworks? Rollercoaster restaurant vinyls?).
From a marketing pov they could please the GP and geeks - if they really wanted they could go down the 4D aspect as a USP.
 
I would love a good solid water ride. Not a gimmick like a water coaster. Just a good fun, averagly damp, highly themed water ride. It would suit Towers so well.

Someone mentioned previously that because of the legislation change regarding water quality, it is unlikely we will see a water ride built in this country again.

Total rubbish.

Since this legislation came into force, we have had 4 major water rides installed into the UK. Tidal Wave at Thorpe Park, Valhalla at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Hydro at Oakwood and Viking River Splash at Legoland. All of these rides comply with the legislation, all having chemically treated clean water. That's right, even Merlin themselves, commissioned a modern water ride, that has the higher running costs due to water treatment.

So given that, it is absolutely not out the question we could see more built, as the biggest ones in the country have been built after the legislation.

I just think Towers is really lacking a good family fun water ride now since the Flume went. The Flume had to go though, as great as it was, it had it's day. A modern state of the art, all singing and dancing water ride deserves a place in the amazing surroundings of Alton Towers.
 
DistortAMG said:
I would love a good solid water ride. Not a gimmick like a water coaster. Just a good fun, averagly damp, highly themed water ride. It would suit Towers so well.

Someone mentioned previously that because of the legislation change regarding water quality, it is unlikely we will see a water ride built in this country again.

Total rubbish.

Since this legislation came into force, we have had 4 major water rides installed into the UK. Tidal Wave at Thorpe Park, Valhalla at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Hydro at Oakwood and Viking River Splash at Legoland. All of these rides comply with the legislation, all having chemically treated clean water. That's right, even Merlin themselves, commissioned a modern water ride, that has the higher running costs due to water treatment.

So given that, it is absolutely not out the question we could see more built, as the biggest ones in the country have been built after the legislation.

I just think Towers is really lacking a good family fun water ride now since the Flume went. The Flume had to go though, as great as it was, it had it's day. A modern state of the art, all singing and dancing water ride deserves a place in the amazing surroundings of Alton Towers.
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To be fair...one already exists. It just needs a fair bit of love being put back into it.

Personally rather see a good few million being spent on making the Rapids the world class attraction it once was before they build another water ride. And I think this is something they will eventually get around to. A new name, theme, new boats the lot.

I don't think we will be seeing a brand new water ride for a long long time at Towers.
 
As much as a water ride would be great I just can't see Towers/merlin building a not very marketable water ride as a SW but who knows? I think it will be a roller coaster I just don't know what. I think it will most likely be a gimmick for marketing reasons.
 
Benjsh said:
To be fair...one already exists. It just needs a fair bit of love being put back into it.

Personally rather see a good few million being spent on making the Rapids the world class attraction it once was before they build another water ride. And I think this is something they will eventually get around to. A new name, theme, new boats the lot.

I don't think we will be seeing a brand new water ride for a long long time at Towers.
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Oh yes I would love to see them refurbished, but they would never be world class again, the word of rapids rides has evolved massively since the 1980's. A great ride it could be once again for sure, with some TLC. World class, never again, not without some major re designs to the point it would be better just building a new one. There is a massive massive gap in technology in what new rapids rides, that are world class in 2021, can do compared to this when it was world class in the 1980's. But, absoloutly, it should be brought back upto the standards it once was when it was world class. So the ride is as good as it can be.

I'm talking about a ground up world class water ride, incorporating cutting edge technology seen on some of the latest water attractions.
 
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DistortAMG said:
Oh yes I would love to see them refurbished, but they would never be world class again, the word of rapids rides has evolved massively since the 1980's. A great ride it could be once again for sure, with some TLC. World class, never again, not without some major re designs to the point it would be better just building a new one. There is a massive massive gap in technology in what new rapids rides, that are world class in 2021, can do compared to this when it was world class in the 1980's. But, absoloutly, it should be brought back upto the standards it once was when it was world class. So the ride is as good as it can be.

I'm talking about a ground up world class water ride, incorporating cutting edge technology seen on some of the latest water attractions.
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I don't think it makes financial sense though given we live in a country that isn't famed for its good weather.

What's the massive gap in tech on rapids rides? They can easily install new style boats to the existing ride. What else am I missing? If you're referring to those god awful drops then I don't really care. They are no more than cheap gimmicks for me. They don't make or break rapids rides. It's more about the pacing and effects that make or break a good rapids ride. Well it is to me anyway.
 
Benjsh said:
I don't think it makes financial sense though given we live in a country that isn't famed for its good weather.

What's the massive gap in tech on rapids rides? They can easily install new style boats to the existing ride. What else am I missing? If you're referring to those god awful drops then I don't really care. They are no more than cheap gimmicks for me. They don't make or break rapids rides. It's more about the pacing and effects that make or break a good rapids ride. Well it is to me anyway.
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I think at some point they'll renew the whole of Katanga canyon and have a similar but slightly more distinct theme and they'll market the rides as new.
As for them being world class: well they don't really need to be as we live in a country with really unpredictable weather too many clever effects would just be pointless. The thing is people don't mind getting wet on most days as they enjoy the ride. If you ask someone who doesn't like rides what they'll go on there's usually two answers: log flume and rapids. They are simply great fun for the whole family and they can re-makret them that way.
 
In terms of rapids rides and the feasibility of refurbishing Congo; I’d keep a close eye on what Adventure Cove River Rapids at Drayton Manor is like when it reopens, as that will probably offer a fairly good indicator of how a rapids ride can run within the newer H&S rules.
 
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