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2018: General Discussion
- Thread starter MakoMania
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jon81uk
TS Member
And if having the park closed on Wednesday in September when it is very quiet anyway means there is enough money in the staff budget to give longer opening days in the summer, I would rather have longer weekend/holiday hours than be open off-peak Wednesdays.
I’m also worried that ranking Enterprise and Blade low scores as I personally don’t like them as much as other rides just adds justification that they don’t need to buy other flat rides.
Oh and one of the Facebook replies from AT stated they want to do word clouds and pull out words that come up often from the text answers. So keyword lists are more effective than long solutions that won’t get read.
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Matt.GC
TS Member
Indeed. We have these surveys at work, and the survey company pick out key words that are repeated and that's what gets read. It polls the most commonly used words and ranks them and that's what management pour over to come to conclusions. Writing essays won't get read, it's only certain key words.
The questions about scoring each attraction out of 10, seemed like a poll for next year's ride closure list to me. Least popular 2 or 3 rides = closed or seasonal operations in 2019 perhaps.
Again, when scoring the rides, there was no option to put any more input as to why you feel that way. I thought Duel and the Rapids where terrible experiences this year, but that doesn't mean I want them closed down, just fixed!
Stuie
TS Member
Exactly... and it didn't ask why you are scoring them as you are either.
I voted The Smiler a 2, not because I think it should be closed but because I think it's a dirty mouldy disgrace a bit like queuing in a sewer.
Alsty
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Fury 325
It's almost like this is a lazy survey looking for "quick answers", rather than looking for trends and gathering genuine feedback... it seems likely nobody will read any of our answers except a machine.
jon81uk
TS Member
Looking for trends is exactly what the survey software will do. If 500 people all wrote bring back single rider queues, then "single riders" would show as a trend. Same if a lot of people mention "longer hours" etc.
They won't want to actually go through and read thousands of responses to get feedback, better to give that by email. Surveys are all about looking for trends.
Sporech
TS Member
Seems to me like they're considering scrapping the Galactica VR. Last time I used it, it was horrible off centre and it ruined the experience.
Eh, hopefully something good will come of this survey.
Let's hope we can convince Towers to give it some good TLC. Nemesis' track looked horrible before its 2016 TLC, so there's no reason why the Smiler can't get the same treatment imo, along with giving the queue a good jetwash + repaint.
Eh, hopefully something good will come of this survey.
Alsty
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Fury 325
Imagine what would happen with comments like:
- Less Fastrack
- Remove Fastrack
- Less people using Fastrack
- Fastrack should be removed
And comments like:
- Cheaper Fastrack
- Add more Fastrack packages
- Add single Fastrack ticket option for Wicker Man
The software will probably pick out the word "Fastrack", but without the context it means nothing. It can mean whatever you want it to mean.
imanautie
TS Member
Matt.GC
TS Member
I suppose with such binary questions and the very 'all encompassing' nature of them with questions about the season pass and documentary, it seems the aim of this survey is to find out who their core customer now is and an approximate reason for visiting.
In short, they want to know who those new customers where in 2018, what drove them in, what they're generally interested in and what may tempt them back.
In short, they want to know who those new customers where in 2018, what drove them in, what they're generally interested in and what may tempt them back.
I found the age groups a little unusual.
4 groups for under 25s
Then 25+
No option for mixed age friend groups.
Seems like they wanted the result "most of our visitors are old people, look 70% in the eldest category" ... Maybe they are looking to justify further family investment to attract the young people back?
4 groups for under 25s
Then 25+
No option for mixed age friend groups.
Seems like they wanted the result "most of our visitors are old people, look 70% in the eldest category" ... Maybe they are looking to justify further family investment to attract the young people back?
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AstroDan
TS Team
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance, Cedar Point
Matt.GC
TS Member
I know you're being sarcastic, but with only 2 words being the encouraged answer, that wouldn't actually take that long!Answers are most definitely read. In full.
Rob
TS Team
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance
Dan's not being sarcastic, these answers will be read and analysis done. Alton Towers don't do these surveys for nothing, they need actual data and feedback from customers to back up proposals to senior management and/or Merlin.
ChristmasPud
TS Member
Im sure they do that as well. But taking your own survey will also help build a picture.They could have saved money and time on those surveys by simply reading all the negative comments on Tripadvisor, Facebook, Twitter and forums
Social media is pretty a skewed place to gain clear feedback anyway. Public opinions are exaggerated as people try to validate themselves by rallying others.
One thing's for sure, Merlin's own KPI surveys are out of touch!
I think the very best feedback is seeing people's reactions first hand, spending as much time in guest environments in and seeing how it can be done in other parks too.
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