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2019: General Discussion

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Stevie said:
Could they have not at least moved the old sign like a couple of meters up instead? Would that have been so hard? Evidently so.
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Sorry for double posting, but I think the big 3D entrance sign is still there; it's only the lamppost that's been removed.
 
I think Spinball will go and Cbeebies land will extend as they are obviously 'investing' in the area. I hope they rapidly do something to that fencing. But I doubt they will because its just representative of ATs attitude - 'do a bodge job and hope no one realises'
 
Error said:
I see the Dungeons façade is coming along.
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More like they had some off-cuts left from the Dungeons facade and didn't want them to go to waste so looked for where they could be used in a cost-effective way nearby.

Closing an arcade - that will save money, so let's do it. (In fairness, as the games units & arcades are run by HB Leisure, the cost saving to Merlin will probably be very low. All the machines & staff in the unit are HB Leisure & I assume HB Leisure rent the units from Merlin. Therefore the only saving to Merlin as the landlord will be on the general upkeep of the unit, which won't be much & the rent doubtless more than covered this).
 
Log Flume's Dennis said:
An interesting fact about Spinball is that it can be picked up and moved without being dismantled, so in theory they could plonk it down literally anywhere. Inside the Towers even. Because it's portable without being dismantled planning restrictions don't apply to it
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I'd love to see a contractor try and relocate Spinball without dismantling it into at least sections. If, for instance Towers decided to put it in Coaster Corner [inside a building to address the noise issues / proximity to Alton village], how would they get it there without dismantling it? It would be impossible.

Also, they cannot just put it anywhere within the Towers site. If it's going anywhere within proximity of the listed buildings on-site, they would need listed building consent from the council. I remember James Paulding mentioning the "fun" they had with Battle Galleons due to it's proximity to the stables block [Courtyard]. Even if they wanted to change the tiniest bit of theming it had to go to the council & English Heritage for approval to ensure they were not spoiling the views of the stables block.
 
Log Flume's Dennis said:
An interesting fact about Spinball is that it can be picked up and moved without being dismantled, so in theory they could plonk it down literally anywhere. Inside the Towers even. Because it's portable without being dismantled planning restrictions don't apply to it
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Erm... what?
 
AT86 said:


Whilst I am not one to complain about less arcades, on my visit last year I felt the multiple closed/boarded up stalls, restaurants, kiosks etc gave the park an almost abandoned feeling in places. This will only add to that.

Ps - the state of that roof and mismatched wood though.
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I couldn't care less about them closing an arcade, I've never been a fan of them in theme parks as they just ruin any theme. However that cover up looks pretty bad at the moment, let's hope they are planning on making it fit in a little better before opening day.
 
Kraken27 said:
I'd love to see a contractor try and relocate Spinball without dismantling it into at least sections. If, for instance Towers decided to put it in Coaster Corner [inside a building to address the noise issues / proximity to Alton village], how would they get it there without dismantling it? It would be impossible.

Also, they cannot just put it anywhere within the Towers site. If it's going anywhere within proximity of the listed buildings on-site, they would need listed building consent from the council. I remember James Paulding mentioning the "fun" they had with Battle Galleons due to it's proximity to the stables block [Courtyard]. Even if they wanted to change the tiniest bit of theming it had to go to the council & English Heritage for approval to ensure they were not spoiling the views of the stables block.
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You clearly don't know @Log Flume's Dennis well enough... ;)
 
Log Flume's Dennis said:
they could put it anywhere, wouldn't even have to notify the council. With regards to physically moving it, a decent crane could lift the track and station fairly easily
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Couple of these bad boys and some rope. Bear Grylls can be the pilot now he's part of the Merlin gang.

CH-47_Chinook_helicopter_flyby.jpg
 
After visiting Universal last year I wish AT would up their themeing - more props and to feel like you are in a new area - cant really see it happening though
 
It's services day today (which usually follows staggered openings, last year half the park didn't open until 11am during services day), and Duel/Runaway Minetrain have opened at 10am, which seems to confirm that staggered openings have been scrapped entirely this year. (Perhaps except for the Rapids, which is not on ridetimes yet and has opened at 11am for as long as I can remember.)

:)
 
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