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2015: Tree Top Quest

Planning application has been approved (Rob beat me to it :p ).

Just had a read through the document that confirms planning approval, couldn't find anything of note in there, just the usual stuff you would expect to find.
 
One of the comments in the new documents sums up my concerns about the main farm building.

Conservation Liaison Panel: Wish to see the repair and re-use of the farmhouse. Concern that if it is not incorporated at this stage that it will be blighted by the development. A use must be proposed even if it is not implemented immediately.
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I'm too concerned that the building will simply be left for the foreseeable future. The bats are a major issue and it would require a lot of time to do anything with them, which is understandable. Although even past that there was nothing suggested in the application that they intend to use the farm building for anything in future.
 
It actually does suggest a future use of the farm,

"In addition, within this zone is a derelict farm(Nicklin Farm) which may be suitable for reuse as an entertainment area"
 
I'm guessing all they'll need to do is submit plans to refurbish it, which are a pretty cert to be accepted. They then have the usual 5 years that a planning permission lasts to move the bats and kick off the re-furb.
 
I don't know if it's already been mentioned but the Enchanted Village TV advert just stated the Treetop Quest opens in May.
 
Some more details have been announced on the Alton Towers Website,

High Ropes
After a full safety briefing, guests can zipwire and swing from the trees as they navigate their way around the course. A dizzying 8m up in the trees of the Enchanted Forest, the High Ropes consists of 19 obstacles to challenge the thrillseekers who take on the course!
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Price £25.00

Low Ropes
For younger children and those who want to keep their feet a little bit closer to the ground, the Low Ropes course is perfect. Ranging from 3.5m-5m high, the course still has thrills, challenge and adventure where participants can tackle a variety of elements and fly back to the ground on the exhilarating zipwire.
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Price £20.00

Also the opening will be on the 22nd May, with 4 people allowed per 20 minutes time slot, which must be booked before arrival.

Personelly i think the prices are too steep. you can go to many high rope courses like this for under £10, albiet not themed. But still it is on the expensive side, much like many things at Alton.
 
The price is fine.

Aerial Extreme at Trentham is £26.00 for 22 obstacles. This is £25.00 for 19 obstacles.

:)
 
Go Ape is £31/£33 and most courses have 4 sections, plus the practice section, giving a total of around 35 crossings and 4/5 zip wires (takes around 3 hours). So almost twice the number of elements for only £8 more. Alton Towers has overpriced the adult course.
Go Ape's junior course is £18 and takes about an hour so the price compares OK with ATs.
 
the Ariel extreme i went to once in sheffield not long back was £20 pounds for 34 obtacles, and because we did a group booking we got it for £15, so i guess Stoke is all overpriced.

But i would imagine it would be popular so warrants the price at this point.
 
The price worries me as it could easily go up to and beyond £30 in a year or two.

As someone who is unfamiliar with this type of product and is interested in experiencing it, it does seems fairly overpriced (even though it seems about right with the price comparisons above). I guess I'll see whether it's worth the price later this year.
 
Also four people every 20mins is a tiny throughput, I think Go Ape takes 15 every 30mins, but you might queue in between sections if you get a slower person in front of you. I guess the higher price at AT should stop it being too over subscribed.
 
I'd like to know how many goes you get around the course. If the 20 minute time slot includes the briefing and kitting up etc, it will probably only be one, and that's not good value for money in my opinion.
 
But the price is similar to what Aerial Extreme are charging 10 miles down the road at Trentham?

Therefore how is it overpriced? Alton Towers have obviously looked at local competitors and priced this accordingly!
 
Not to mention there'll inevitably be annual pass discounts and other foreseeable others. With the discounts on top, I certainly intend to give it a go.
 
Ketz said:
High Ropes Price £25.00

Low Ropes Price £20.00

with 4 people allowed per 20 minutes time slot.
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High ropes £100 per slot x 3 slots per hour = £300 per hour
Low ropes £80 per slot x 3 slots per hour = £240 per hour
Total per hour £540

If they only run it for 3 hours that £1,620
 
We asked in box office today, they gave the same £20/£25 price and also said there is 20% off for annual pass holders.

In other news construction has started on this today. In the morning the construction fences were being put around the site, and by the end of the day the whole site is fenced off, and some of the old shed has been demolished as well.
 
Tom.B said:
I'd like to know how many goes you get around the course. If the 20 minute time slot includes the briefing and kitting up etc, it will probably only be one, and that's not good value for money in my opinion.
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It just means groups starting every 20 minutes, then you take as much time as you need around the course. That's what I assume anyway,
 
AstroDan said:
Therefore how is it overpriced? Alton Towers have obviously looked at local competitors and priced this accordingly!
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It seems priced similar to other local, similar sized(and therefore similar capacity / throughput) attractions as you say. But compared to Go Ape (who I think are the only "chain" doing this sort of thing) it seems a little expensive, nearest Go Ape is at Cannock Chase.

I guess the pricing is therefore about right and many guests will get Annual Pass discount anyway.
 
Pixie-Ro said:
It just means groups starting every 20 minutes, then you take as much time as you need around the course. That's what I assume anyway,
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Yes that sounds about right. When I have done these before there is now time pressure when going round. Everyone takes as long as they need, and everyone is different.

jon81uk said:
It seems priced similar to other local, similar sized(and therefore similar capacity / throughput) attractions as you say. But compared to Go Ape (who I think are the only "chain" doing this sort of thing) it seems a little expensive, nearest Go Ape is at Cannock Chase.

I guess the pricing is therefore about right and many guests will get Annual Pass discount anyway.
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Aerial Extreme are also a chain that do this, they have five courses nationally. It appears Aerial Exteme's prices vary from site to site depending on the courses that they have, although it appears that their standard price is £26 like Dan says.

I think the prices are about right when compared to others. £20 with AP discount also is great, so no complaints from me. Also with limiting it to groups of four every 20 minutes (this should reduce queues building up on the course) they can't really afford to price it any lower.

:)
 
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