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2019: General Discussion
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Steve74
TS Member
I disagree. I did a 4pm day earlier this year and nothing was 60 minutes, not even Wicker Man. In fact, by about 2pm we'd pretty much done everything, including the Dungeon. We managed to get 2 re-rides one after the other on Wicker Man as the queue was so small (probably about 10-15 mins). So when the park is as quiet as that, I can understand to some degree why the park closes early.
Chicken and egg thing but do people stay away because of the early close time?
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Steve74
TS Member
Yes and no I suppose. Obviously some don't (myself included) because there were still plenty of people there, but some will stay away because of it and the distance they have to travel. My guess is those people will visit at another point in the season when the hours are longer.
Thing is, it's always been quiet in September and April; when I first started going regularly in the late 90s I'd always go early April on a Monday in term time because it was always quieter. We all know it is cost cutting behind this, but to be honest I'd much rather the park close on very quiet days and allow any money "saved" from these put into better hours elsewhere in the season (extended hours, very little to no staggered openings), more entertainment offerings and improved Scarefest.
You can get on everything on 4pm closures if it's quiet yes. But if the queues for some rides are 40-60 mins, then you'll struggle
yoursilentface
TS Member
The only way you would possibly hit 60 min queues is if you went to wickerman first and then smiler and followed the crowds
Start at oblivion in ert and you'll fly around the park
D4n
TS Member
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- Zadra
Nah, Oblivion ends up totally dying down mid afternoon on all but the busiest days so isn't worth prioritising in the morning.
Wicker Man first if you've arrived before 9:30 (skipping this step if you arrive after this time and leaving it until day end) then queue for Smiler before it opens at 10. Rita >> Thirteen >> Galactica >> Nemesis all doable before 11.
Only issue with this strategy is it leaves you with very little to do for the rest of the day as it stands. Hex, Duel, Sharkbait and Oblivion. Plus Rapids and RMT if you're willing to queue.
Usually end up having three or four pints at the Welcom Inn which is fun but it ends up expensive
I'm there 11-4 so won't have the first hour unfortunately. So what I meant to ask is how busy will the park be from 11 onwards
Rick
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Crux
I saw them sweeping the extended extended extended Nemesis queue line yesterday, specifically for Friday.
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Good one
yoursilentface
TS Member
It's not about prioritizing oblivion
We start there and do oblivion... enterprise... oblivion....then get in smiler queue before 10
Then to Rita...13... through gardens to nemesis and Galactica
It's Generally around or before 11 so then duel and rapids then get in wickerman queue
Be off WM by dinner time and it'll have been the only real queue of the day....
This even worked on the August bank holiday weekend
Steve74
TS Member
That's exactly how I do it. Did that at the end of July. By 10.45, I'd done Oblivion, Smiler, Rita and Thirteen. By midday, Hex and Wicker Man done too. And that was with no ERT (Obilvion was delayed so joined the Smiler queue for 10 and was on the 2nd train).
If it's like this tomorrow I'll be one happy chapyzero minute queue today for wickerman, geddin!
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