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2014: Family Developments
BigAl
TS Member
Could they even afford Pokemon? They can't really afford another 2011 and for their plans to fall-through because they haven't made good enough plans for whatever IP it is this time that they want to pursue. Also it's apparently a British IP that Alton Towers are either going for, so Pokemon doesn't seem likely (though it'd probably work as an area in a Nintendo theme park - something that someone should do 
).
).
James
TS Founding Member
I can see the IP being a multitude of TV shows. A bit like Nickelodeon Land in Blackpool. That worked brilliantly for BPB and suited their family market perfectly. Alton Towers could easily follow in there foot steps and create something similar. Cartoon Network Land, CITV Land, Cbeebies Land... all possibilities in my eyes.
The problem with a single IP is that it needs to be one with a lot that can be played around with - and you have the main problem for the IP dying out pretty quickly or not allowing the park to create new exciting rides/attractions. By having, say, CITV as the partner it would allow for Alton Towers to keep the 'IP area' for as long as they like with the flexibility for the area to have new re-themes and rides/attractions based around new shows that are highly popular. It have have a longer life.
Of course I could be wrong. They may have a particular TV show in mind (or film for that matter) however looking at the long term I think something that allows several things to be created would have a more positive effect on the area. Who knows though, anything could happen really.
The problem with a single IP is that it needs to be one with a lot that can be played around with - and you have the main problem for the IP dying out pretty quickly or not allowing the park to create new exciting rides/attractions. By having, say, CITV as the partner it would allow for Alton Towers to keep the 'IP area' for as long as they like with the flexibility for the area to have new re-themes and rides/attractions based around new shows that are highly popular. It have have a longer life.
Of course I could be wrong. They may have a particular TV show in mind (or film for that matter) however looking at the long term I think something that allows several things to be created would have a more positive effect on the area. Who knows though, anything could happen really.
James
TS Founding Member
Max said:
There's been no rumours of it being dropped - and as far as I'm aware the last I heard of 2014 was that it's still planned to go ahead.
Marketing wise they can still market The Smiler next year, just have it as more of backdrop advertising to draw in the thrill guests, with the 2014 area being the more prominent ppiece of advertising.
With the lodge plans dropped I can see Alton pushing for the 2014 area as they are in dire need of something new for the family market.
CoasterCrazyChris
TS Member
Whatever it is it has to be a 'naturalistic' theme so the existing areas don't require ripping out completely.
Otherwise it will be too similar to CCL.
Otherwise it will be too similar to CCL.
Ben
TS Founding Member
Not sure anyone has spotted our news article today about Santa Sleepovers but it mentions the farm not opening for the Xmas 2013 season.
Hmmm.
Hmmm.
ImUrNemeis
TS Member
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHjL5kwGkp0
Would a mini Efteling style area be too much to ask for?
Would a mini Efteling style area be too much to ask for?
IanB
TS Member
Could this weekends event be a test for what next year's family development is going to be? Strange that this is the first I have heard of this event, but oh well.
Link
I think this could work, and would be a interesting brand to have on park, as it would compliment the rooms available at the hotel?
Ian
Link
I think this could work, and would be a interesting brand to have on park, as it would compliment the rooms available at the hotel?
Ian
pritchardavid
TS Member
This would make sense as you said it matches the themed hotel rooms of this. Not sure how they could theme a whole area of the park with this one, don't think it would be very easy!
Rose Of Dawn
TS Member
Something I noticed in a Guardian article concerning The Wombles:
http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/aug/09/wombles-film-tv-theme-park
We know the 2014 development is a British IP. The Wombles, in all honesty, are quite appealing, and could attract families that grew up with them as well as kids currently watching it. Combined with a relaunch, this could work.
Obviously, there's no indication that they are indeed talking about Towers. But taking what we know into consideration, there's always that possibility.
http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/aug/09/wombles-film-tv-theme-park
We know the 2014 development is a British IP. The Wombles, in all honesty, are quite appealing, and could attract families that grew up with them as well as kids currently watching it. Combined with a relaunch, this could work.
Obviously, there's no indication that they are indeed talking about Towers. But taking what we know into consideration, there's always that possibility.
Ian
TS Team
Alastair said:
But isn't that the trick with park IPs? I remember Wardley talking about this before, saying how it's all well and good going with something popular now, but by the time you've done all the planning, and actually built the thing so much time can have passed that you've completely missed the boat, and have a very expensive, unappealing area.
Parks need to look ahead to predict where things may be in the future. The Wombles may not be immensely popular right now, but this upcoming relaunch could do big things for the brand. Just look at the likes of Dr Who. A program which left TV years ago, to be relaunched years later. Now it's a vastly successful brand, appealing to both the older generations who grew up with the show, as well as introducing new people to the brand, and making them loyal fans.
Obviously, I'm not saying that The Wombles is what I expect to see, though good find Ashlee! However, upcoming relaunches etc can be a good hint of things to come I'd say. Networks and studios wouldn't relaunch a program for the sake of it, unless they expected to see some return or impact.
Alastair
TS Team
Ian said:
I see what you mean, but I don't feel that it has enough potential to be as popular as some other possible IP's; even with a rebranded series. Its name and stereotype is inherently dated and doesn't strike you as being "cool" or something kids would actually want to watch.
swalesuk01
TS Member
Reading through this thread to many ideas are being dismissed as not being cool enough with the kids. What we need to remember is this is being aimed at families like Thomas Land is, i.e somewhere parents/grandparents can take the young children.Really once they get 8 and above you have Mutiny bay and Katanga canyon added to possible rides for them. The way I look at it you could have the Wombles, Roald Dahl or even Betrix Potter land as parents like to pass down their childhood and all 3 brands are relevant to the parents era. Also with these I.Ps they open up better to wider choice of merchandise for children and adults a like. Ultimately for the younger market you need a long standing I.P that already crosses the generations so parents can feel included and pass on their childhood memories to their children.
Also thinking on The Wombles as I write if they are being relaunched may this give Merlin a chance to get it on the cheap initially to help with the launch. If you think about it all the extra advertising it could get through its partnership with AT, could even have a cafe with episodes playing in the background. It would also have gone with the lodges in the ground.
Also thinking on The Wombles as I write if they are being relaunched may this give Merlin a chance to get it on the cheap initially to help with the launch. If you think about it all the extra advertising it could get through its partnership with AT, could even have a cafe with episodes playing in the background. It would also have gone with the lodges in the ground.
