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2026: General Discussion

Matt N said:
A given number of feet and inches (or just inches if you’re American) won’t necessarily convert neatly into a number rounded to the nearest 10cm.
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Secret Weapon said:
I love the fact that Merlin think that the public are a bunch of thickos who couldn't possibly comprehend 2 decimal places - even though prices in Britain are listed in pounds and pence, and thus often use 2 decimal places! (Ditto for Europe and the USA, etc)

Most people still give their height in feet and inches AFAIK, anyway!
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It doesn’t need to have decimal places or round to 10cm. What’s the issue with a ride height requirement being 132cm? Lots of B&M coasters have this in other countries.

I’m sure Galactica and Oblivion could be reduced to that considering more intense variations elsewhere are and the British public would be able to comprehend it, as they do at Blackpool.
 
Bowser said:
It doesn’t need to have decimal places or round to 10cm. What’s the issue with a ride height requirement being 132cm? Lots of B&M coasters have this in other countries.

I’m sure Galactica and Oblivion could be reduced to that considering more intense variations elsewhere are and the British public would be able to comprehend it, as they do at Blackpool.
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I totally agree with this. Those extra few centimetres make a huge difference to children on the border of being able to ride or not.

I still remember being upset at being "too short" to ride Shockwave (my head was bang on the bar, so I may have actually been OK), but if it had been 138cm instead of 140cm then I probably have been allowed on!
 
The entirety of America, interestingly, has its B&Ms at 1.37m, or 54”/4’6”. Merlin has its B&Ms at 1.4m, or 55”/4’7”.

At very least, Merlin could go with 1.37m instead of 1.4m, even if it is a less round number.
 
Also its simplicity, people know that 1.4m is the standard, and once you hit that you can go on all the 'big rides', it makes life easier for the staff, easier for the guest (as they don't have to double check to find out Oblivion is actually 135cm instead of 140cm to ride).
To frame it, when I was younger my parents would measure me to see if I was tall enough, they didn't need to check the parks website or an old park map to find out what the height restriction was, they knew it was 1.4m for big rides. It's what the country has conditioned to be expected, the insurance companies like it to, as it migiates some risks. Honestly out of all the things we can moan about Merlin for doing, this is not one of them. It's a sensible decision that I have no issue with, even if I would have liked to have gotten on bigger rides when I was shorter.
 
And yet in mainland Europe it's a different story again: OzIris at Parc Asterix has a height restriction of 1.3m and Shadows of Arkham at Parque Warner Madrid has a restriction of 1.32m. This suggests there's no requirement from the manufacturer for anything higher for that particular ride type, and it's rather local H&S laws and individual park policies that are driving higher height limits.
 
Bowser said:
Without it, FV remains the 1.4m exclusion zone.

So does X Sector but at least there are options in the vicinity.
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And? Are we not allowed to have a strictly thrill zone in the park then? Forbidden valley should remain the thrill zone for me. If we're going to use that logic I say we rip out Bluey the ride and add an Intamin Blitz in as there's nothing for Thrill seekers in Cbeebies. Obviously that's a bit of fun on my part but we don't have to cater for everyone in every single land.

- FV = Thrill Zone

- X Sector & Dark Forest should be a mix of thrill coasters and family thrill flats (if they ever add them back in)

- Katanga Canyon - Family area

- Mutiny Bay - Family area

- Gloomy Wood - Family area

- WODW - Makeover into a new Family friendly IP soon hopefully

- CBeebies - Kids area


Why do we need family rides in FV when there's so many lands already that are specifically targeting families?
 
Benjsh said:
Why do we need family rides in FV when there's so many lands already that are specifically targeting families?
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Because it's a theme park and families who go out together typically want to spend time together, and have shared experiences, and not be segregated for significant parts of their day out.

The exact same reason why almost all entertainment, leisure and hospitality businesses cater for a wide audience, in addition to their specific focus.
 
Benjsh said:
And? Are we not allowed to have a strictly thrill zone in the park then? Forbidden valley should remain the thrill zone for me. If we're going to use that logic I say we rip out Bluey the ride and add an Intamin Blitz in as there's nothing for Thrill seekers in Cbeebies. Obviously that's a bit of fun on my part but we don't have to cater for everyone in every single land.

- FV = Thrill Zone

- X Sector & Dark Forest should be a mix of thrill coasters and family thrill flats (if they ever add them back in)

- Katanga Canyon - Family area

- Mutiny Bay - Family area

- Gloomy Wood - Family area

- WODW - Makeover into a new Family friendly IP soon hopefully

- CBeebies - Kids area


Why do we need family rides in FV when there's so many lands already that are specifically targeting families?
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The issue AT has is for kids who are over 1.2m where the gentle family rides are now a bit boring, but under 1.4m. Ideally there should be something in every area of the park to accommodate both height ranges and thrill level.
 
The app and ride availability page have been updated to state that the RMT will be opening in May;

Screenshot_20260422-144655-485.jpg
 
rob666 said:
Keep saying this...there is no reason why they don't add small playground spaces in areas with no kid stuff, doesn't cost a fortune but would keep many families with small kids happy.
It doesn't need to be a million quid ride to keep toddlers happy.
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I think Merlin are reluctant to install things like that due to liability insurance, could be wrong though.
 
rob666 said:
Keep saying this...there is no reason why they don't add small playground spaces in areas with no kid stuff, doesn't cost a fortune but would keep many families with small kids happy.
It doesn't need to be a million quid ride to keep toddlers happy.
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A kids playground in Forbidden valley would completely devalue the area and ruin the immersion somewhat.

As I said there's plenty of other areas where that idea would work better. Leave FV for us big kids. Afterall we're the ones who keep the lights on paying for tickets.
 
Benjsh said:
A kids playground in Forbidden valley would completely devalue the area
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Making an area more accessible to more people, and groups, only increases opportunities for secondary spend; driving further value into the area.
Benjsh said:
Leave FV for us big kids. Afterall we're the ones who keep the lights on paying for tickets
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You know who pays even more money to keep the lights on and pays for those tickets? Families with children, who want to spend time together in the same area and not being segregated...
 
GooseOnTheLoose said:
Making an area more accessible to more people, and groups, only increases opportunities for secondary spend; driving further value into the area.

You know who pays even more money to keep the lights on and pays for those tickets? Families with children, who want to spend time together in the same area and not being segregated...
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I totally agree with @rob666 - a few parks across the park would make sense and also soak up crowds. I would certainly put on in DF, FV and Mutiny Bay.

I’m not sure insurance is an issue, surely the park would need these insurances anyway.
 
Benjsh said:
A kids playground in Forbidden valley would completely devalue the area and ruin the immersion somewhat.

As I said there's plenty of other areas where that idea would work better. Leave FV for us big kids. Afterall we're the ones who keep the lights on paying for tickets.
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Not necessarily if it’s themed to the area. Remember it’s the little kids who have the memories of going there which encourages them to go there again when they are big kids and keep the lights on as you say.
 
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