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Bowser
TS Member
Throughput doesn’t sell fast track. It’s clearly low down on the priority list if you look at every new ride since…. The start of the millennium?
Matt N
TS Member
I’m not sure that going that far back is entirely fair, and I don’t believe there is a categorical ploy to reduce throughputs to increase Fastrack sales. Thirteen, Swarm and Wicker Man all have fairly decent throughputs of 1,000pph or higher and/or had measures taken to actively improve throughput (e.g. Wicker Man has 3 trains and no seatbelts, unlike most GCIs which have 2 trains and seatbelts).
However, I concede that the most recent additions (post-2020, maybe?) evidently haven’t had a strong throughput focus, with Mandrill Mayhem and Hyperia both having somewhat mediocre throughput and nothing really being built that handles a large capacity.
Bowser
TS Member
I was only talking about Chessington, what with it being the Chessington thread.
They’ve not built any high throughput rides since the Wardley era really. Coincidentally all the non Chessington rides you named also had his influence…
I would say Zufari is fairly high capacity
Matt N
TS Member
Ah, fair enough. In that case, the statement is probably one I more agree with!
It is worth me noting, though, that John Wardley had very limited influence on Wicker Man aside from reprofiling the first drop. The throughput measures would likely have been decided by Bradley Wynne and Merlin rather than John. So in that case, I don’t think Wardley is the reason for Wicker Man having decent throughput!
Certainly, though, nearly everything else built post-Wardley does seem to lack consideration for throughput.
East Coast Mariner
TS Member
All I can assume is that a more interesting layout would have filled the available space too much, and if they had made it a full-circuit version of what it is, it would have been a shorter ride, and not had the spike or helix. Not saying they shouldn't have done it, though, I just think the marketing people would have seen more features to the shuttle as it is, rather than a simple circuit.
Not sure, to be honest. I never saw a model or concept art for it; I got the impression that perhaps some insiders or coaster club members were told about it once, and it just sort of got passed on by word of mouth. I saw enough to make me think it was true though.
Secret Weapon
TS Member
Thinking about it: prior to Nemesis Inferno (and Samurai*), did any Tussauds / Merlin ride ever use the same theme or name across multiple parks?
For instance: when Ripsaw opened at Alton Towers, it didn't use the same name or theme as Rameses' Revenge from Chessington - although I assume this is because an Egyptian pharoah wouldn't have fit into Forbidden Valley
(*Samurai is a bit different, because it is literally the same ride - not simply a clone; according to "Making Thorpe Park", Tussauds did in fact consider changing its name when it moved from Chessington to Thorpe Park, but they decided not to because they wanted to signal to riders that it was the same ride, and that the thrill rides were now moving to Thorpe Park - although I suspect that perhaps they simply couldn't think of a better name!)
For instance: when Ripsaw opened at Alton Towers, it didn't use the same name or theme as Rameses' Revenge from Chessington - although I assume this is because an Egyptian pharoah wouldn't have fit into Forbidden Valley
(*Samurai is a bit different, because it is literally the same ride - not simply a clone; according to "Making Thorpe Park", Tussauds did in fact consider changing its name when it moved from Chessington to Thorpe Park, but they decided not to because they wanted to signal to riders that it was the same ride, and that the thrill rides were now moving to Thorpe Park - although I suspect that perhaps they simply couldn't think of a better name!)
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DiogoJ42
TS Member
They have that many‽
Went for a day out in Chessington on Sunday with the kids. It was busier than I hoped but despite that we had a great time.
I wanted to take my 6 year old on Vampire for the first time and he loved it. Then I took him on Dragons Fury which he said he loved but he looked a worried and I thought he was going to be sick. I don't think he really likes going backwards so I am going to leave it a while before taking him on Mandrill Mayhem.
My 3 year old enjoyed the Gruffalo, the zoo, sea life and some of the smaller rides.
Negatives -
They should have some entertainment on weekends
No bird displays or sea lion talks
The declining number of animals in the zoo
We arrived early but it took a long time to get into the park as they didn't have enough people scanning tickets
Ops were slow on smaller rides as the operators have to deal with both fast pass and rap first
Queue times for Zufari was really long, I guess because they were not running enough trucks as we only saw a couple go past when we were looking at the giraffes
A lot of effects not working on rides
Despite the negatives we are looking forward to going back soon to visit Paw Patrol and go on some of the other rides we missed.
I wanted to take my 6 year old on Vampire for the first time and he loved it. Then I took him on Dragons Fury which he said he loved but he looked a worried and I thought he was going to be sick. I don't think he really likes going backwards so I am going to leave it a while before taking him on Mandrill Mayhem.
My 3 year old enjoyed the Gruffalo, the zoo, sea life and some of the smaller rides.
Negatives -
They should have some entertainment on weekends
No bird displays or sea lion talks
The declining number of animals in the zoo
We arrived early but it took a long time to get into the park as they didn't have enough people scanning tickets
Ops were slow on smaller rides as the operators have to deal with both fast pass and rap first
Queue times for Zufari was really long, I guess because they were not running enough trucks as we only saw a couple go past when we were looking at the giraffes
A lot of effects not working on rides
Despite the negatives we are looking forward to going back soon to visit Paw Patrol and go on some of the other rides we missed.
slappyofmcguire
TS Member
I like Chessington, but the bare minimum nature of the park, like Alton makes me feel they will deserve it if Universal comes along and eats their lunch.
The Minecraft addition, is at least a smart one, as arguably is paw patrol, but can't help but think if people are continually going and finding rides with massive queues and frequent breakdowns, they will eventually vote with their feet.
I'd happily pay more at the door for both chessie and Alton towers actually provide the experience they promise, but sadly I can't help but think those days are of the past, and not likely to return anytime soon.
Sent from my Pixel 8 Pro using Tapatalk
Bowser
TS Member
I find Chessington more tolerable than Alton and Thorpe in terms of queues. They tend to top out around 60 min and that’s usually only Vampire and Dragon Fury.
Hopefully the capacity boost of Paw Patrol and Minecraft further alleviates matters.
There’s no sign of people voting with their feet because they’ve become a budget subscription service. Best to lower your expectations accordingly.
Zeock
TS Member
I would say that Chessington is more tolerable than Thorpe because of how much less compact it is, but Alton, due to the range of offerings, is the most tolerable of the three for me.
Minecraft could change things though, as it will likely mark a large growth in visitors for Chessington, which may render it uncomfortable.
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RicketyCricket
TS Member
Shaggy_Dog_
TS Member
It’s not really that kind of park is it and Thorpe is there just a 30 minute drive down the road for those that want thrills.
Chessington needs to position itself first and foremost as a great family park with a few well chosen family thrill attractions. A Heidi style little GCI woodie would be the perfect kind of addition.
We were at Chessington on Sunday and had to be evacuated from Dragons Fury, ride broke down and car stopped right at the top of the lift hill. Needed to wait for the guys in their mountaineering gear to come and hook us up and escort us down. From ride breakdown to all three of us being off was only about half hour, so not too bad, and the staff were pretty good.
