-
ℹ️ Heads up...
This is a popular topic that is fast moving Guest - before posting, please ensure that you check out the first post in the topic for a quick reminder of guidelines, and importantly a summary of the known facts and information so far. Thanks.
Selected rides opening from 11:00am - Reversed
- Thread starter AstroDan
- Start date
A
Anonymous
Re: Selected rides opening from 11:00am
Still i'd be pretty pee'd off if I had brought the all day eating wrist band to find all well majority for the food outlets closed or closing early!
Still i'd be pretty pee'd off if I had brought the all day eating wrist band to find all well majority for the food outlets closed or closing early!
LaustithicEvent
TS Member
Re: Selected rides opening from 11:00am
Does anyone think the awful weather this summer (as well as the hideous over pricing) may have played a part in Towers suddenly needing to make all these cutbacks>
Does anyone think the awful weather this summer (as well as the hideous over pricing) may have played a part in Towers suddenly needing to make all these cutbacks>
Re: Selected rides opening from 11:00am
That is rather interesting, and also a rather strange set-up as well. I always thought (and would assume) for accounts purposes, and to making the legal structure easier, that in this case Alton Towers Resort Operations Ltd operates (financially) as a stand alone unit which then receives central funding from Merlin Entertainments Operations Ltd for the likes of new attractions etc.
Although part of a larger group, I always assumed ATROL had quite a bit of free reign in terms of how they operate and that their income etc went into their own banks accounts, the books for ATROL then balance with profit etc then being reinvested or transfered to MEOL as appropriate.
Satch said:
That is rather interesting, and also a rather strange set-up as well. I always thought (and would assume) for accounts purposes, and to making the legal structure easier, that in this case Alton Towers Resort Operations Ltd operates (financially) as a stand alone unit which then receives central funding from Merlin Entertainments Operations Ltd for the likes of new attractions etc.
Although part of a larger group, I always assumed ATROL had quite a bit of free reign in terms of how they operate and that their income etc went into their own banks accounts, the books for ATROL then balance with profit etc then being reinvested or transfered to MEOL as appropriate.
Re: Selected rides opening from 11:00am
Hi everyone, new here! Been reading the forums for years though. I thought I'd eventually sign up and give my opinion on this situation. I'm quite shocked and disgusted at this latest decision. From what is the UK's number one theme park it is a rather disappointing and worrying situation.
Air and Thirteen not opening until 11am? That's two signature attractions, not to mention Thirteen being the last major addition to the park. Now normally my group would enter first thing for ERT as soon as the park opens, head onto Oblivion for a walk on then straight over to Rita, another walk on, and then join the queue for Thirteen opening before heading over to Forbidden Valley for Nemesis and Air via the Skyride. Now what option do we have? Oblivion and Rita and then wait over an hour for Thirteen to open?? Walk through the gardens and valley (tiring ourselves out first thing in the process) or round the long way throughout the park, not being able to ride the rides we pass (CATCF, Battle Galleons, Flume, Rapids, Duel). Not mention when we arrive at Nemesis won't there be a large queue due to reduced capacity elsewhere? And even if there isn't, upon finishing riding Nemesis we are stuck with having to wait for the other attractions to open again (depending whether or not we decide to wait for Sub Terra).
The next problem I see with this situation, apart from disrupting peoples plans and preventing you to ride what you would like upon park opening, is the choice of rides that will open late. Air and Thirteen I believe to be in between the fun (RMT, Spinball) and Intense (Nemesis, Oblivion, Rita) categories of rollercoasters on offer at the park, and therefore ideal rollercoasters for families (no doubt this is why they attract large queues due to being appealing to a large range of visitors). I believe the resort is marketed at families, so with the late opening of these two rollercoasters as well as CATCF, Duel, Rapids, Flume, Battle Galleons, Driving School, Wobble World and the parks main transport system, surely this is massively reducing the options for families upon park opening?? Completely against their target audience?
Not to mention the late opening of the Skyride makes it difficult for everyone to get around especially for families (pushchairs) and the disabled.
As for loads of food outlets and retail kiosks being closed completely it just further reduces options and services available. Not to mention all of these closures of attractions, food and retail venues further reduces the value of a visit. I can't imagine what people must think paying full price (even with an offer it's still not cheap) and having a load of attractions not open at park opening, therefore restricting what they can do, and then walking around seeing loads of places closed. It must leave a bad impression. I hope they are planning on editing the maps too, I can imagine people using them to pick places to go to eat/get a snack only to turn up to find them closed.
I can't imagine this leaving visitors with a good impression, and therefore reducing the likelihood of them visiting again anytime soon. Thus a continued negative affect on visitor numbers.
This on top of a total lack of investment last year and not the greatest reception for Sub Terra this year, and general lack of upkeep, not to mention totally incoherent and sub par additions previously, things aren't looking great for the UK's number one theme park. This situation leaves me saddened as I remember how great the park has been in years gone by, it certainly seems the park is going through a hard time at present and I can't wait for it to return to its former glory.
Hi everyone, new here! Been reading the forums for years though. I thought I'd eventually sign up and give my opinion on this situation. I'm quite shocked and disgusted at this latest decision. From what is the UK's number one theme park it is a rather disappointing and worrying situation.
Air and Thirteen not opening until 11am? That's two signature attractions, not to mention Thirteen being the last major addition to the park. Now normally my group would enter first thing for ERT as soon as the park opens, head onto Oblivion for a walk on then straight over to Rita, another walk on, and then join the queue for Thirteen opening before heading over to Forbidden Valley for Nemesis and Air via the Skyride. Now what option do we have? Oblivion and Rita and then wait over an hour for Thirteen to open?? Walk through the gardens and valley (tiring ourselves out first thing in the process) or round the long way throughout the park, not being able to ride the rides we pass (CATCF, Battle Galleons, Flume, Rapids, Duel). Not mention when we arrive at Nemesis won't there be a large queue due to reduced capacity elsewhere? And even if there isn't, upon finishing riding Nemesis we are stuck with having to wait for the other attractions to open again (depending whether or not we decide to wait for Sub Terra).
The next problem I see with this situation, apart from disrupting peoples plans and preventing you to ride what you would like upon park opening, is the choice of rides that will open late. Air and Thirteen I believe to be in between the fun (RMT, Spinball) and Intense (Nemesis, Oblivion, Rita) categories of rollercoasters on offer at the park, and therefore ideal rollercoasters for families (no doubt this is why they attract large queues due to being appealing to a large range of visitors). I believe the resort is marketed at families, so with the late opening of these two rollercoasters as well as CATCF, Duel, Rapids, Flume, Battle Galleons, Driving School, Wobble World and the parks main transport system, surely this is massively reducing the options for families upon park opening?? Completely against their target audience?
Not to mention the late opening of the Skyride makes it difficult for everyone to get around especially for families (pushchairs) and the disabled.
As for loads of food outlets and retail kiosks being closed completely it just further reduces options and services available. Not to mention all of these closures of attractions, food and retail venues further reduces the value of a visit. I can't imagine what people must think paying full price (even with an offer it's still not cheap) and having a load of attractions not open at park opening, therefore restricting what they can do, and then walking around seeing loads of places closed. It must leave a bad impression. I hope they are planning on editing the maps too, I can imagine people using them to pick places to go to eat/get a snack only to turn up to find them closed.
I can't imagine this leaving visitors with a good impression, and therefore reducing the likelihood of them visiting again anytime soon. Thus a continued negative affect on visitor numbers.
This on top of a total lack of investment last year and not the greatest reception for Sub Terra this year, and general lack of upkeep, not to mention totally incoherent and sub par additions previously, things aren't looking great for the UK's number one theme park. This situation leaves me saddened as I remember how great the park has been in years gone by, it certainly seems the park is going through a hard time at present and I can't wait for it to return to its former glory.
Re: Selected rides opening from 11:00am
This is at the bottom of the website:
Alton Towers Resort Operations Limited ("ATROL") operates Alton Towers Resort as an agent for and on behalf of Merlin Attractions Operations Limited.
ATROL Registered Number: 06127441
ATROL Registered Office: 3 Market Close, Poole, Dorset BH15 1NQ
Aly said:
This is at the bottom of the website:
Alton Towers Resort Operations Limited ("ATROL") operates Alton Towers Resort as an agent for and on behalf of Merlin Attractions Operations Limited.
ATROL Registered Number: 06127441
ATROL Registered Office: 3 Market Close, Poole, Dorset BH15 1NQ
Re: Selected rides opening from 11:00am
Well, I've just been on a very quick mental walk around the park, and there are definitely no less than 30-40 different places to buy food and drinks (excluding vending machines). Granted, a lot of these outlets are shops which sell sweets and drinks and no more, but even if we're only going for more substantial food, (let's say, anything from donuts for a snack up to a pizza buffet if you're just SO HONGRY) you're still looking at about 15 different food venues.
Is there actually any surprise that some of them are hardly making money? Particularly when you've got well known brands on park such as Burger King and Ben & Jerry's, as well as prominent outlets such as Woodcutters, Pizza Pasta and Fried Chicken Co, the outlets hidden away behind rides or with bizarre offerings (eg Spinball Noodles) are bound to experience a drop in custom, and I doubt anyone will really mourn their loss on quiet days.
Well, I've just been on a very quick mental walk around the park, and there are definitely no less than 30-40 different places to buy food and drinks (excluding vending machines). Granted, a lot of these outlets are shops which sell sweets and drinks and no more, but even if we're only going for more substantial food, (let's say, anything from donuts for a snack up to a pizza buffet if you're just SO HONGRY) you're still looking at about 15 different food venues.
Is there actually any surprise that some of them are hardly making money? Particularly when you've got well known brands on park such as Burger King and Ben & Jerry's, as well as prominent outlets such as Woodcutters, Pizza Pasta and Fried Chicken Co, the outlets hidden away behind rides or with bizarre offerings (eg Spinball Noodles) are bound to experience a drop in custom, and I doubt anyone will really mourn their loss on quiet days.
Alastair
TS Team
- Favourite Ride
- Rise of the Resistance
Re: Selected rides opening from 11:00am
Precisely, I don't see why everyone is making such a fuss. The only issue I have with it is the TS Restaurant closure - the rest of them will make little to no difference to the days of anyone whatsoever. "Damn it, won't be going to Alton Towers today because I can't satisfy my noodle craving!" Can anyone conceive that happening?
BULBOUS said:
Precisely, I don't see why everyone is making such a fuss. The only issue I have with it is the TS Restaurant closure - the rest of them will make little to no difference to the days of anyone whatsoever. "Damn it, won't be going to Alton Towers today because I can't satisfy my noodle craving!" Can anyone conceive that happening?
Squiggs
TS Team
Re: Selected rides opening from 11:00am
It's interesting timing really as it provides quite a neat contrast that just as the World's No. 1 in branded, location based entertainment is massively expanding one of their parks to include:
Meanwhile the World's No. 2 in branded, location based entertainment is currently engaged in cuts across their parks, including at their no 1. theme park:
Competitions a funny old thing isn't it?
It's interesting timing really as it provides quite a neat contrast that just as the World's No. 1 in branded, location based entertainment is massively expanding one of their parks to include:
- An entire new land including:
- One major attraction
- Two highly themed support attractions
- A large range of new food and shopping opportunities
- One rethemed land including:
- A major new dining experience
- Several other new dining and retail opportunities
- A major new transport attraction
- A new piece of highly themed entertainment
- A returning parade,
- A new educational attraction
Meanwhile the World's No. 2 in branded, location based entertainment is currently engaged in cuts across their parks, including at their no 1. theme park:
- Slashing ride opening times including
- Two major attractions
- One of their major transportation attractions
- One of the premier children's attraction (and one, which should be a premier attraction if it had been correctly implemented)
- Two of the park's three dark rides
- Closures or severely reduced opening times to several retail and dining locations
- Further cuts to the already greatly reduced entertainment offerings
Competitions a funny old thing isn't it?
BigAl
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Forbidden Journey
Re: Selected rides opening from 11:00am
No, but it still looks poor to have these closed-up. Especially at what's supposed to be Britain's flagship theme park. Its even worse when you factor in rides not opening with the park, decaying theming and to even have a ride sbno that's surrounded with metal fencing as if it's not even there, etc... Merlin should never have gotten the park into such a state. Surely they should have seen that having too many people trying to sell you things would eventually backfire?
:/
The Psychoaster said:
No, but it still looks poor to have these closed-up. Especially at what's supposed to be Britain's flagship theme park. Its even worse when you factor in rides not opening with the park, decaying theming and to even have a ride sbno that's surrounded with metal fencing as if it's not even there, etc... Merlin should never have gotten the park into such a state. Surely they should have seen that having too many people trying to sell you things would eventually backfire?
:/
cotda
TS Member
Re: Selected rides opening from 11:00am
Despite the fact that there is a huge disappointment at losing Air and th13teen for the first hour (2 hours ERT), to be fair it is only one hour. However I do believe that a recent price increase along with the cuts is unacceptable, you are now paying more for a fair amount less.
Despite the fact that there is a huge disappointment at losing Air and th13teen for the first hour (2 hours ERT), to be fair it is only one hour. However I do believe that a recent price increase along with the cuts is unacceptable, you are now paying more for a fair amount less.
Alastair
TS Team
- Favourite Ride
- Rise of the Resistance
Re: Selected rides opening from 11:00am
I agree but what is the solution to this? Demolish the outlet buildings? It may look unsightly but if it saves the money now then who's to say they won't be reopened in the future? No one complains about most of the shops along ride queues being closed most of the time - but what's the point in having them open if no one's going to buy anything?
BigAl said:
I agree but what is the solution to this? Demolish the outlet buildings? It may look unsightly but if it saves the money now then who's to say they won't be reopened in the future? No one complains about most of the shops along ride queues being closed most of the time - but what's the point in having them open if no one's going to buy anything?
AstroDan
TS Team
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance, Cedar Point
Re: Selected rides opening from 11:00am
I can see where the people saying "it's hardly going to affect your day is it?" are coming from. Like, I don't use Noodles, I don't use Towers Family Restaurant much and nor do I ever visit Rehydrator. The Rita Shop, well I can go opposite, and the other karts and closed kiosks - I can also go elsewhere.
But that is not the point!
Do you want Alton Towers to look like some depressed ex mining community up North, where half the shops on the high street have shutters up?
The likes of Spinball Noodles have only been there for a couple of years! Shows how much of a dire decision it was to even install it, if now, just 2 years on, it can be entirely shut!!
If Waffles and Ices spends half the day closed, as I am sure hours will have been cut there too, then it really does bring new meaning to "Gloomy" Wood until 11am!
I can see where the people saying "it's hardly going to affect your day is it?" are coming from. Like, I don't use Noodles, I don't use Towers Family Restaurant much and nor do I ever visit Rehydrator. The Rita Shop, well I can go opposite, and the other karts and closed kiosks - I can also go elsewhere.
But that is not the point!
Do you want Alton Towers to look like some depressed ex mining community up North, where half the shops on the high street have shutters up?
The likes of Spinball Noodles have only been there for a couple of years! Shows how much of a dire decision it was to even install it, if now, just 2 years on, it can be entirely shut!!
If Waffles and Ices spends half the day closed, as I am sure hours will have been cut there too, then it really does bring new meaning to "Gloomy" Wood until 11am!