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2018: Wicker Man - Pre-Opening Discussion

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Yeah, lets keep this civil. It will certainly be interesting to see what the park tries to do in terms of marketing though given that the full campaign will be starting very shortly. Personally I've been quite impressed so far and after our introduction to the theme with The Welcoming, I see lots of opportunity for some cool stuff that they could do.
 
Just a few general points:

The graphics and text in that latest video are truly horrendous. Story isn't important, but theme and atmosphere is, so I hope the final product and later marketing material is much better. Thirteen was/is absolutely quality in theme and concept and without any story as such. The ride remains popular nearly 8 years later for a reason.

The ride will undoubtedly have a "world's first" marketing hook or unique selling point of some kind.

It is small, but it may still be thrilling. There looks to be some serious banking on it, which suggests speed. It's short length surprises me somewhat, because in the Smiler they said they were addressing the constant barrage of negative customer feedback saying that rides were too short. Perhaps they feel they have addresses this and can go back to shorter rides.

It's significant because it's the first wooden ride Merlin have built, after years of resistance. If it is successful, and not rejected by the public as they always said one would be, it could be the gateway to bigger and better wooden rides. Imagine what could be done at Thorpe Park, or even Chessington.
 
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ATV said:
Moving on from this. I can see AT throwing us off. I don't know why but I have a feeling that the ride might not be called the wiker man.
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I could imagine that if they didn't get picsolve to setup the ride on their systems under the name wicker man(not easily findable) I can't see Merlin putting in that effect.

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I think some of the disappointment with the layout and length (even taking into account the fact that it's the first woodie) is due to the fact that SW8 was originally (pre-Smiler crash) rumoured to be an RMC utilising the Blade site as its station and going down partially into the valley. A coaster which without doubt would've been longer, and more thrilling than this offering. And as much as The Smiler stemmed the tide of short coasters at Towers, this just seems to be back to the old formula of a ride that feels at least 1/3rd too short.
 
Tom said:
Just a few general points:

The graphics and text in that latest video are truly horrendous. Story isn't important, but theme and atmosphere is, so I hope the final product and later marketing material is much better. Thirteen was/is absolutely quality in theme and concept and without any story as such. The ride remains popular nearly 8 years later for a reason.

The ride will undoubtedly have a "world's first" marketing hook or unique selling point of some kind.

It is small, but it may still be thrilling. There looks to be some serious banking on it, which suggests speed. It's short length surprises me somewhat, because in the Smiler they said they were addressing the constant barrage of eventuate customer feedback saying that rides were too short.

It's significant because it's the first wooden ride Merlin have built, after years of resistance. If it is successful, and not rejected by the public as they always said one would be, it could be the gateway to bigger and better wooden rides. Imagine would could be done at Thorpe Park, or even Chessington.
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I have to say a story is important. Without it, this whole ride may aswell be scrapped. If we didnt have a story then how the hell are we supposed to know about the theming? If we didn't get a story then we would be looking at the theming structure (like we are now) and wondering what the hell it is!
 
ATV said:
I have to say a story is important. Without it, this whole ride may aswell be scrapped. If we didnt have a story then how the hell are we supposed to know about the theming? If we didn't get a story then we would be looking at the theming structure (like we are now) and wondering what the hell it is!
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With respect, virtually none of their customers or people that visit theme parks think in that way.

Thirteen, Rita and Air have no story and remain some of the park's most popular rides.
 
Thirteen, Rita and Air all have a story actually, they're just not sold to the guests while in the queue or on ride. I hope that SW8 is different as it would be cool to have something with a full experience that has both a solid ride and intriguing context behind it.
 
ATV said:
So tell me this... If a small 'family' wooden coaster isn't enough to tempt you back, then why is your profile pic the supposed logo of this said 'small family wooden coaster'. And your user name 'WikerManiac' suggests to me your more than happy to give into their prices. It seems pretty pointless of you to comment on something you think doesn't 'tempt' you.
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You have implied quite a lot from a picture and a name. Just because something does appeal to me does not mean I can not have an opinion on it?

Back to topic - if it indeed does take off then I am sure wooden coasters would be installed in other RTPs.
 
*Galactica- Has a story line. Before being re branded, I could re-ride Air millions of times. No queues virtually every time I visited. Rita continues to be popular due to the re theme and STORYLINE of Thirteen. without it you would get the theming that ties in with the study. Your right to say that these rides ars popular, but without a story line it doesn't work. Tell me this, if the Towers were to strip back Hex remove the storyline, people would understands why they are in a spinning room?
 
ATV said:
*Galactica- Has a story line. Before being re branded, I could re-ride Air millions of times. No queues virtually every time I visited. Rita continues to be popular due to the re theme and STORYLINE of Thirteen. without it you would get the theming that ties in with the study. Your right to say that these rides ars popular, but without a story line it doesn't work. Tell me this, if the Towers were to strip back Hex remove the storyline, people would understands why they are in a spinning room?
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That's different. Hex NEEDS a story line, they could get away without one for a coaster.

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WickerManiac said:
You have implied quite a lot from a picture and a name. Just because something does appeal to me does not mean I can not have an opinion on it?

Back to topic - if it indeed does take off then I am sure wooden coasters would be installed in other RTPs.
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Usually when you have an deep interest and excitement for something you advertise that. And when I look at your name and profile pic it tells me your very keen on this ride. So it confuses me why your being so dismissive of it.
 
ihaveaspergers said:
That's different. Hex NEEDS a story line, they could get away without one for a coaster.

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So does a wooden coaster and a giant stags head. You wouldn't possibly understand the theme of the ride by just that and a couple of signs. So yes, SW8 needs a storyline.
 
ATV said:
So does a wooden coaster and a giant stags head. You wouldn't possibly understand the theme of the ride by just that and a couple of signs. So yes, SW8 needs a storyline.
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My point is it would still be fun without a story, HEX wouldn't.

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TheAverageNerd said:
Thirteen, Rita and Air all have a story actually, they're just not sold to the guests while in the queue or on ride. I hope that SW8 is different as it would be cool to have something with a full experience that has both a solid ride and intriguing context behind it.
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Your totally correct. I would love to see all these people ride a rollercoaster with a theming structure and no storyline and come off and explain what exactly it was based on.
 
Rides can exist without stories, have you ever been to a non-Melrin theme park?

The point should be, if there is going to be a story, it should be decent and maintainable. Not overindulgent and tacky at the start, and then dropped when budget cuts mean actors etc are wiped out.
 
ATV said:
Your totally correct. I would love to see all these people ride a rollercoaster with a theming structure and no storyline and come off and explain what exactly it was based on.
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Refer to Thirteen for details.
 
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