Nope the Merlin Parks get too much flack especially as other parks do the same or worse
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Not all food is bad, operations are great across most of there parks (Especially Towers has some of the quickest ops in Europe), And RAP and Fastrack has been better.
Back to Chessington for the limitations from budgetary restraints they have had put on them they didn't perform badly
Seconded! Much better than our first experience of the day; waiting around for the best part of an hour for staff to pour white powder all over the track after some poor lady barfed out of her train on returning to the station...
Poisson
TS Member
Reopening rides is painful when you're waiting for them. By comparison, the only breakdown I saw at Phantasia recently was dealt with in under 15 minutes.
RAP and FT may have been better handled in terms of system, but the ratio of them to main queue is skewed massively. Should be at least 10 main queue to 1 RAP/FT. Or even better, scrap FT.
Enter Valhalla
TS Member
Whilst Merlin’s faults are many, I will defend them when it comes to speed of operations, especially at Alton Towers.
From my experience, trains usually get sent out with minimal faff, there’s plenty staff on the platforms, and the parks nearly always run coasters at full capacity, something which Blackpool for example very very rarely does.
Perhaps not the fastest in Europe (I’d say that speed of operations is where Parc Asterix and Europa Park consistently excel), but I’d say that Merlin are clearly aware of throughput targets and work to achieve them. It’s one of Merlin’s only strengths but I’ll let them have this one.
From my experience, trains usually get sent out with minimal faff, there’s plenty staff on the platforms, and the parks nearly always run coasters at full capacity, something which Blackpool for example very very rarely does.
Perhaps not the fastest in Europe (I’d say that speed of operations is where Parc Asterix and Europa Park consistently excel), but I’d say that Merlin are clearly aware of throughput targets and work to achieve them. It’s one of Merlin’s only strengths but I’ll let them have this one.
Dave
TS Founding Member
So middle of the road then?
Matt N
TS Member
I think middle of the road is maybe a bit harsh and implies that operations are worse than they are.
They may not quite be Europa, but I’d say that Alton and Thorpe mostly both do pretty well these days. Rides generally run at full capacity and dispatch promptly. I think they could do an awful lot worse!
They may not quite be Europa, but I’d say that Alton and Thorpe mostly both do pretty well these days. Rides generally run at full capacity and dispatch promptly. I think they could do an awful lot worse!
GooseOnTheLoose
TS Member
If only there were an idiom to describe something in between the best and the worst...
Poisson
TS Member
It's Chessington not Changshou Lake Happy World Playground, not exactly hard to get to and worth taking a risk if you're wanting a visit and live in England.
They have annoyingly different forecasts every day...Imagine being a gardener!
Matt N
TS Member
Point taken, but I think “middle of the road” implies average rather than “not quite the best, but pretty good”.
If a coaster was in your top 10, but not quite your #1, you wouldn’t describe it as “middle of the road”, would you?
Bowser
TS Member
In terms of risk taking, I’d rather not drive up to 4 hours with my disabled child if there’s a good chance none of the coasters will be operating and the subsequent misery that would cause, on Christmas Eve no less.
Bowser
TS Member
This is a silly response. Too much mulled wine perhaps?
Disneyland nearly all rides operate regardless of weather.
Phantasialand famous for its low temperature thresholds.
Energylandia the same.
Efteling most rides stay open unless freezing.
Even in the UK Legoland operates most attractions regardless of weather and Paultons seems quite resilient (they actually list all ride wind thresholds).
We’ve also visited Chessington on multiple years of their winter events as well as both of the other UK parks mentioned.
This was a specific question about Chessington as their ride offering is limited and the 2 coasters are the main attractions (for us at least) so enquiring as to their temperature threshold and debating visiting on a day that is borderline said supposed threshold are both perfectly reasonable actions imo.
No different to not visiting a predominantly outdoor park if high winds are forecast.
Poisson
TS Member
I seriously wouldn't if the risk of low temperatures and closed rides causes such an issue. As you've demonstrated, 3 parks can cope in the cold but even Efteling can't deal with it. Hence my comment of it being the risk you're working with. You've posted in several threads fretting about the weather, why put yourself through that? There's enough indoor events that can operate regardless and then you're not at risk of getting to say Chessie and finding out Vampire is closed.
Bowser
TS Member
I’d say I’m planning rather than fretting!
Overnight stays are different. But these are day trips where I can check the weather the day before, as I would any time of year. As I said, we equally wouldn’t visit in high winds but that’s not a reason to only visit theme parks in July. Surely most people check the weather for day trips, particularly MAP holders.
The parks don’t advertise temperature tolerances so I’m only trying to find out what’s viable. If we lived in Germany or France it wouldn’t be a concern. Seemingly have to be more cautious at certain UK parks, particularly Chessington as they’re less functional.
Theme parks and swimming are the only activities my son enjoys so it’s not a hardship for me to spend time researching what’s available.
(And Efteling have at least 5 major indoor attractions so very much can deal with it. All rides except Flying Dutchman operated today where temperatures seemingly peaked at 2C! I’ve seen Baron running in the snow and very much plan to visit one Winter knowing they can operate).