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2014: Family Developments
CoasterCrazyChris
TS Member
I would prefer them to update and expand on the existing children's themes rather than change them completely.
Sadly, it's likely we will see throwaway IP's because they undoubtedly want something they can market heavily.
Sadly, it's likely we will see throwaway IP's because they undoubtedly want something they can market heavily.
There's been some talk that Aardman Studios are looking to expand other characters beside Wallace & Gromit into theme parks and attractions after the already expected success of Blackpool. This talk has focused on Asia, but what's to stop Shaun the Sheep, and those amazing (but old but now dated :'( ) Chickens from Chicken Run landing in the Farmyard?
If you want a theme magical and up today that families will love check out the video below. http://youtu.be/CO3zZb8VUA0
mrvardermier123
TS Member
josht said:
I think the whole Old Mac Donalds Farm would really suit an eco-makeover. Imagine a more modern farm with dome greenhouses and windturbines. What about the first carbon neutral attraction?
Educational, relevant and could be themed really well with characters and such.
badlydrawnkelBel
TS Member
mrvardermier123 said:
Good idea! Love the Wallace and Gromit idea. Has stood the test of time and is still popular!
Working for a big retailer :-[ we do something called licensed events with the toys/music, video and games dept and the most popular lines by far are disney(not going to happen for obvious reasons) moshi monsters and skylanders. So I have got to agree with the moshi monster idea it's very popular with kids (boys and girls) and AT have already tired the idea at half term which seemed to be quite successful.
An IP is just easier to market and will bring in more families with younger kids than an unknown character (which in turn brings in more profit for new rides
). There are loads of different moshi monsters and every kid has a favourite one, there are just so many option with this IP.
Skylanders is again very popular most shops cant get enough of them at the minute and there is a world of possibilities when it comes to themes (giants, spyros adventure and lost islands to name a few) there is in excess of 50 characters for AT to focus on.
All moshi monsters or skylander characters have different abilities, so could be used to theme individual rides and mini areas inside the main themed area.
I'm not the biggest fan of IP's I just feel that they will increase the number of families with younger kids and make the towers more money in long run.
An IP is just easier to market and will bring in more families with younger kids than an unknown character (which in turn brings in more profit for new rides
). There are loads of different moshi monsters and every kid has a favourite one, there are just so many option with this IP.Skylanders is again very popular most shops cant get enough of them at the minute and there is a world of possibilities when it comes to themes (giants, spyros adventure and lost islands to name a few) there is in excess of 50 characters for AT to focus on.
All moshi monsters or skylander characters have different abilities, so could be used to theme individual rides and mini areas inside the main themed area.
I'm not the biggest fan of IP's I just feel that they will increase the number of families with younger kids and make the towers more money in long run.
Bubblegum
TS Member
I'm hoping to see a few small attractions added to the park lineup for 2014, but mainly focussing on improving some of the existing rides.
Thorpe and Chessington seem to refurbish their rides every few years, adding more theming or just giving them a good clean and repaint. This is something that rarely happens at Towers.
The Congo River Rapids could be easily (and cheaply!) improved; it still manages to pull a crowd and adding more to it for 2014 would make it even more sustainable in the park. I think the station could have lots of theming added, repaint the station 'arms' no need to change the design, just repaint them, add some more ropes and chains to the station, with random things hanging around like explorers hats, boxes. Also lanterns could be included around the station, meaning no horrible festoon lights at scarefest, the same sort of lantern as those installed in mutiny bay, if hung from the station 'arms' would have the spotlights shining onto the station platform and the light in the middle giving off a gentle glow.
The tunnel could also be updated, install some lanterns, add a few water features, nothing major but would help to make the tunnel more exciting, also install a few speakers in there. A ride soundtrack could be added to play in the station, top queueline, tunnel and the ride photo shop, I thought Nemesis Inferno's theme suited the ride quite well and would add a whole lot more atmosphere to the ride. Also around the ride where it softens out and slows, install small geysers (the same style that are at PortAventura) these would add a great element of surprise and would be relatively inexpensive. Although, correct me if I'm wrong, but on seeing recent photos of the rapids it appears they have cheaply placed some boards over the top of the wooden design on the rapids station with the graphic printed onto it?
Another idea for improvement would be the Storybook Land tent, maybe not a new attraction for in there, but a large restaurant could be retrofitted into it. It's an ideal location and is large enough to accommodate a lot of people. Also, with the entrance being themed so well, the inside of the restaurant could be themed excellently, small twinkling lights attached to the tent, like a night sky, and 'trees' dotted about the edges of the restaurant, the menu could suit the whole family, perhaps selling something similar to Towers Family restaurant.
Thorpe and Chessington seem to refurbish their rides every few years, adding more theming or just giving them a good clean and repaint. This is something that rarely happens at Towers.
The Congo River Rapids could be easily (and cheaply!) improved; it still manages to pull a crowd and adding more to it for 2014 would make it even more sustainable in the park. I think the station could have lots of theming added, repaint the station 'arms' no need to change the design, just repaint them, add some more ropes and chains to the station, with random things hanging around like explorers hats, boxes. Also lanterns could be included around the station, meaning no horrible festoon lights at scarefest, the same sort of lantern as those installed in mutiny bay, if hung from the station 'arms' would have the spotlights shining onto the station platform and the light in the middle giving off a gentle glow.
The tunnel could also be updated, install some lanterns, add a few water features, nothing major but would help to make the tunnel more exciting, also install a few speakers in there. A ride soundtrack could be added to play in the station, top queueline, tunnel and the ride photo shop, I thought Nemesis Inferno's theme suited the ride quite well and would add a whole lot more atmosphere to the ride. Also around the ride where it softens out and slows, install small geysers (the same style that are at PortAventura) these would add a great element of surprise and would be relatively inexpensive. Although, correct me if I'm wrong, but on seeing recent photos of the rapids it appears they have cheaply placed some boards over the top of the wooden design on the rapids station with the graphic printed onto it?
Another idea for improvement would be the Storybook Land tent, maybe not a new attraction for in there, but a large restaurant could be retrofitted into it. It's an ideal location and is large enough to accommodate a lot of people. Also, with the entrance being themed so well, the inside of the restaurant could be themed excellently, small twinkling lights attached to the tent, like a night sky, and 'trees' dotted about the edges of the restaurant, the menu could suit the whole family, perhaps selling something similar to Towers Family restaurant.
I actually thought the other day: I wonder if Merlin have ever considered implementing Lego as an Intellectual Property into area concepts at sister theme parks?
Legoland parks are very lucrative for Merlin. It's a way of brand inter-connectivity, as we've seen with Sea Life attractions. It would doubtless be considerable cheaper for Merlin - meaning they could make it as immersive as they wanted. It very much follows the 'Thomas Land' model of 'a theme park within a theme park' that has been so successful for Drayton.
"Lego Towers"?
Legoland parks are very lucrative for Merlin. It's a way of brand inter-connectivity, as we've seen with Sea Life attractions. It would doubtless be considerable cheaper for Merlin - meaning they could make it as immersive as they wanted. It very much follows the 'Thomas Land' model of 'a theme park within a theme park' that has been so successful for Drayton.
"Lego Towers"?
Orlando parks
TS Member
I've also wondered if they would ever do this. It would give Towers an IP that they can freely use and that they know would be popular due to Windsor and the Discovery Centre in Manchester.Burn.e said:
When would we expect to see a planning application for this because if they want to avoid another Smiler situation I would have thought they would want to start work in this sooner rather than later.
James
TS Founding Member
Personally I cannot see Alton Towers going for an IP within the Merlin Chain. Not for now at least. Lego seems more appropriate for a re-theme of Cloud Cuckoo Land.
I have a feeling they will go with either a kids tv show or a film franchise of some description. TV show IPs have worked incredibly well in other UK theme parks and probably does the best with market research, so I can see Alton Towers following something that will be very safe and secure a good boost of families visiting the park.
I have a feeling they will go with either a kids tv show or a film franchise of some description. TV show IPs have worked incredibly well in other UK theme parks and probably does the best with market research, so I can see Alton Towers following something that will be very safe and secure a good boost of families visiting the park.
Ben
TS Founding Member
There was a rumour at one point of a Lego overlay to the waterpark as there are several Lego waterparks out there already and we all know Merlin love a generic theme.
As for 2014, I rather suspect we might not see anything now. With a reportedly very quiet season to date, the smiler missing 2 deadlines having a knock on effect to attendance and finance I think we might see the 2014 plans pushed back a year.
As for 2014, I rather suspect we might not see anything now. With a reportedly very quiet season to date, the smiler missing 2 deadlines having a knock on effect to attendance and finance I think we might see the 2014 plans pushed back a year.
Rose Of Dawn
TS Member
Probably a stupid question, but what is the importance of the sound tests?
LiamC
TS Member
AshleeKel said:
I'd assume, if they're going to have area music/audio and music for the show, they'll want to see if it can be heard outside the park so they can keep in accordance with the restrictions around these areas.
From what I can recall, these areas are quite close to the house near the main gate (as is X-Sector) and thus fall into that category.
James
TS Founding Member
Yeah, they are most likely testing the water for sound volumes in the local area and also within the park itself.
If they have intentions of bringing a show to the park too (something on the scale of the previous ice show please) sound tests will also help them with developing plans for the area.
Although.. are we sure this is related to 2014? The speakers may be there for Alton Towers Live or a private event.
If they have intentions of bringing a show to the park too (something on the scale of the previous ice show please) sound tests will also help them with developing plans for the area.
Although.. are we sure this is related to 2014? The speakers may be there for Alton Towers Live or a private event.