2014: General Discussion

[Rob]

Hmm don't know if I like that or not. I definitely don't like Ice Age being plonked right in front of the Towers like that.

 

[IanB]

I quite like it, I think the Ice Age is okay, as it looks like its bursting out of the towers.

Ian

 

[_nemesis_]

That's an alright key visual, but I wish they would get rid of the yellow glow from the towers, it makes them seem evil. While the wacky and out of this world branding for towers is ok, I wish they would go back to the days of the magic, it made the park have a much better atmosphere.

 

[Thomas]

It looks very messy. I'd of preferred to see a new style image for this season

 

[CoasterCrazyChris]

It looks very messy. I'd of preferred to see a new style image for this season

I think the park is crying out for a brand overhaul. Especially after major recent investment in both children's and thrill seekers attractions they need to create a fresh identity which reflects this period.

We haven't seen anything radical since 2008.

 

[Rob]

I must say that I do agree. I do like the current branding but I feel that it is getting on a little bit now. However I can't see it changing in the next couple of years. There have been some changes since 2008 such as pipes going and a change in font to Mother Hen but they have stuck to the same foundations as it were.

 

[CoasterCrazyChris]

When you think of the changes to the parks branding say between 1988 and 1994 or even 1998 and 2004 (both successful periods in terms of attendance and investment) compared to the most recent six years...

Things have stagnated.

 

[James]

Yeah I agree with the few above posts. The current branding, while visually appealing, feels rather stale now and is screaming out for a change. Sure it works - but in this day in age things have got to stay fresh. It's time Towers take the leap to freshen up the look and feel of the resort.

 

[John]

At least now that the Smiler is on that image it means we've seen the last of the generic Vekoma track in the background.

They're not bad images, but it's showing an increasing lack of imagination as they've been using pretty much the same thing for about 5 years.

 

[TheMan]

I really don't like it. It has absolutely no class. It is a mess, feels cramped, and lacks a style that I would expect Towers to have.

Controversial or not, my opinion is it is just really messy and totally devoid of imagination.

 

[CoasterCrazyChris]

I know it's a Christmas card and quite old now but this is the right way to display rides around the Towers without using dodgy photoshopping...

http://gallery.towersalmanac.com/displayimage.php?album=349&pos=0

 

[djtruefitt]

I wasn't really sure where to put these photos, so I have chucked them in here!

I noticed this in the Splash Landings overflow car park today:

At first I thought a tree had fallen over, until I got a bit closer:

It is of course one of the phone mast trees, which are located near the hotels. I think there are three in total, not quite sure what has happened to this one, or if it is being replaced, you can see where this one was here:

 

[Sam]

I was going to post my question in the comments for those photos on Facebook but I've been banned from the TowersStreet page for some unknown reason.

Are they taking that down, or is it a new one they're putting up? If the former, why? Isn't the reception at Towers still pretty bad?

 

[djtruefitt]

Looking at this one I would say it was an old one, you could see the marks on the floor where it stood. I have no idea what they intend to do, just happened to spot it as I was leaving. There are two other tree masts that I could see near to this one, not sure if any of these are new or if they have always been there.

I doubt they would just remove one without reason, might be getting a brand new better one! Ill keep an eye out on my next visit.

 

[Ben]

I was under the impression network issues at Towers were more to do with the huge capacity of people in one small area. I may be wrong though.

 

[Dave]

Yeah if you go on a really quiet day you usually get decent signal. It's just not set up with any major capacity.

 

[djtruefitt]

Here are a few photos from yesterday showing a few updates on park:

The game stalls in Mutiny Bay are having a complete makeover:

The Galloping gargoyles from the Dark Forest have been moved to Mutiny Bay, next to Heave Ho:

You can see the old Galloping gargoyles signs on top of each lane:

Finally here are some photos of Battle Galleons with no water, this gets done each winter.

Shark!

 

[josht]

It really should be open over winter, it's a really nice park when there not loads of people there

 

[James]

http://www.towersstreet.com/news/2014/submission-retiring-for-2014-season/

Bye Submission *forced tear*

While I'm sure we all couldn't care less it will be gone. If Alton do not add a replacement (which seems to be the case) it is rather disappointing. Obviously with The Smiler X-Sector does not feel as empty as it once did although having an empty space where Submission once stood will look pretty ugly.

Merlin need to do the impossible and buy a thrill flat to put in its place. Maybe in 2015 that could work as a new side attraction along with the rumoured kids roller coaster in CBeebies Land.

Since they never put a flat in Dark Forest though I wouldn't hold my breath.

 

[djtruefitt]

I have just been browesing the Alton Towers website and notice some of the Fastrack packages have gone up (unless they went up towards the end of last season).

Fastrack Silver - 2013=£21.00. 2014=£22.00
Fastrack Gold - 2013=£50.00. 2014=£52.00
Fastrack Platinum - 2013=£90.00. 2014=£92.00

So they have only gone up a couple of pound and nothing has changed to the other packages.