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2017/18: SW8 Speculation

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TheBeast

TheBeast

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TheSmiler
Hey people.

Im just curious to see what people think about the next ride coming to Alton Towers. What will it be? Where will it be? Could it even be a Secret Weapon now that John Wardley has left? Lets see if we can infer anything from the info we have!
 
Don't think we have that much to go on, so this topic is surely worth waiting for until we have more info :)
 
If the next big addition was to be a coaster and if that was to be in 2016 then we could see planning permission in a matter of months.

My personal feeling is that we won't be getting a coaster as the next big addition, so SW8 is quite a while off.

:)
 
After Thirteen and The Smiler, SW have lost a lot of their excitement to me. They get over hyped by us, and Merlin Marketing seize on this and over market them even more. With the technology available, and resources people have, their is little kept secret about them. The planning restrictions and the cost of landscaping the rides eats up a large amount of the money available, leaving short cuts to be taken, and less desirable ride manufactures chosen.

I was hoping that we would CBeebies land expanded next year, with the relocation/removal of Sonic Spinaball but it looks like next year all we are getting is the Lodges, which as great as they are, is a little disappointing for the actual park itself.

This would leave 2016 for the CBeebies extension, meaning the earliest we could see an SW would be 2017.

As for the SW itself, A dark coaster/experience replacing all of Cloud Cuckoo land would certainly get my interest, using the new Mack Ride system. Could keep all the buildings, or try and get planning permission to increase the height to give it a bit more room. I expect their will be an IP attached to it, I can not see Merlin creating its own story.

Ian
 
The market research lead Thorpe to believe that the wing coaster would be the right choice for them and yet it failed to bring in as many guests as they'd hoped for... :p

I'd like SW8 to be a dark ride but Merlin have yet to prove themselves with the ride type, imo. If they are too scared of dark rides (especially a big, expensive one), I'm all for an RMC wooden coaster (topper, not a hybrid with the I-Box track,). They won't build a B&M hyper with a drop through the valley because of how much more expensive that would be, as well as the clearance the wider trains would require (thinking about all those trees :p ).

And no, it won't be a Mack launch to replace Rita.
 
I think SW8 will be linked to area of whatever ride they want to decommission next.
 
I'd like SW8 to be a dark ride but Merlin have yet to prove themselves with the ride type, imo. If they are too scared of dark rides (especially a big, expensive one), I'm all for an RMC wooden coaster (topper, not a hybrid with the I-Box track,). They won't build a B&M hyper with a drop through the valley because of how much more expensive that would be, as well as the clearance the wider trains would require (thinking about all those trees :p .[/QUOTE]

Yep the only dark ride built after Merlin took over Tussaud's are Sub-Terra, although they have a lot of experience with dark ride drop towers at the dungeons. In theory if the dungeons creatives, Tussaud creatives and the theme park people got together then Merlin could do something decent.
They could use the old coaster corner space for a new dark ride building of they really wanted to build one, the entrance can go through what was Nickelodeon.

I would also love to see a the woodie, or even just a sit down two wide steel coaster through the valley. But I think Thirteen has taken the sit down coaster place in the park.

It is possible we will still see a kiddie coaster in CbeebiesLand for 2016 as they won't take too long to construct.
 
I still seriously doubt we'll ever see another dark ride under Merlin, especially after the disaster of Sub Terra. If Merlin do ever attempt a dark ride again, It won't be a major investment, it would be far too much of a risk for Merlin to spend millions on a dark ride when they're previous attempt was a total failure.
 
Merlin are apparently planning a new dark ride for Thorpe park, plus I have heard numerous times now that a dark is planned for Alton for 2016. I also expect what ever new ride comes to Alton will replace duel and use the existing building. This will mean won't need planning permission for a huge new building.

Like others I don't expect the next major thrill coaster until 2018.
 
Max said:
I still seriously doubt we'll ever see another dark ride under Merlin, especially after the disaster of Sub Terra. If Merlin do ever attempt a dark ride again, It won't be a major investment, it would be far too much of a risk for Merlin to spend millions on a dark ride when they're previous attempt was a total failure.
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I actually disagree. Both Cedar Fair and Six Flags are now doing dark rides for their parks and they're repuatations for dark rides and theming is far worse than Merlin's. If they were to get the right companies involved then there's no reason why they couldn't do something decent. I'd imagine some form of screen based interactive dark ride is most likely. People just can't expect anything on the levels of Disney or Universal.

:)
 
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