2020: General Discussion

[jon81uk]

But companies can claim VAT back so how does a reduction benefit them if they do not pass the reduction onto the customer? I was under the impression the cut was for the consumer, so it'll entice people to book those holidays, take days out etc. That would then benefit the leisure companies as they'll be getting more revenue.

Or am I missing something regarding VAT and the leisure/tourism industry - I'm no business expert - can companies claim back all VAT or just on certain products and services?

The company can choose if they want to keep the additional income or reduce prices. But of course customers will decide whether they still want to buy the product with no price reduction.

Not sure what you mean by claiming back all VAT.

On the AT ticket price, of the £58, the ticket was £48.33, so the government got £9.66 with old 20% VAT. With the new VAT the £48.33 with 5% tax would be £50.75, so if they are selling at £53, they are now making more money. £53 without 5% tax is £50.48, so Alton Towers are getting about £2 extra per ticket.

The government gets £2.53 now (on a £53 ticket at 5% VAT) instead of £9.66 last week on a £58 ticket (with 20% VAT).
Alton Towers gets £50.75 on a £53 ticket with 5% tax and last week got £48.33 on a £58 ticket (with 20 % VAT),

 

[Themepark-newbie]

Can you purchase tickets on the gate though? I thought it was pre - booked only? If so, all customers have to purchase online.

I think passing on the saving is helpful unless the Park is operating at capacity every day. In which case, there seems little point.

 

[AT86]

Can you purchase tickets on the gate though? I thought it was pre - booked only? If so, all customers have to purchase online.

I think passing on the saving is helpful unless the Park is operating at capacity every day. In which case, there seems little point.

I think they do sell tickets on the day if they aren’t at capacity, but the official line is that you need to prebook.

You can now prebook with bogof vouchers though - such as Cadbury’s, Kellogg’s, Carex etc. So the reduction in the gate price makes these tickets cheaper. Two adults using a Kellogg’s voucher for example is now £53 versus booking the regular online ticket which would be £68 for 2.

 

[jon81uk]

Can you purchase tickets on the gate though? I thought it was pre - booked only? If so, all customers have to purchase online.

I think passing on the saving is helpful unless the Park is operating at capacity every day. In which case, there seems little point.

I don't think you can buy on the gate at the moment, but the park still use the £53 price to show the "discount" you get by booking online. Also £53 (was £58) is the price of a season pass.

 

[Skyscraper]

The whole point of pre-booking only and showing tickets on mobile is to reduce staff-to-guest contact. It will be in place for a long time I think.

 

[imanautie]

The whole point of pre-booking only and showing tickets on mobile is to reduce staff-to-guest contact. It will be in place for a long time I think.

Not entirely, it's also to help with managing capacity.

 

[rob666]

But I have yet to see a park turn away cash punters unless already full.
They are desperate for funds remember

 

[DavidRock]

There was a family in front of us that didn't have tickets today. Just before you get told which number to follow. They were told they should've pre booked and that its not cash taken. They were moved to one side but didn't know if they got sold tickets as had to go to temperature check

 

[Ethan]

I went to the park today for the first time this season and got on 7 rides which isn't too bad. So I thought I'd review how I thought each ride was:
Smiler- bit jolty tbh but meh it was decent
Wicker man- super fast but smooth aswell. Probs most enjoyable ride of the day
Nemesis- fast, smooth and very intense. It seemed a lot more forceful today than I remembered it!
Galactica- slow and boring. Short ride as it is in terms of what it does so wasn't particularly impressed by it. Operations on it were good tho.
Oblivion- one trick pony but a fun ride nonetheless
Rita- Again a lot faster and more intense than I remembered! Not too rattly either which was good
Duel- fun dark ride and I still love it. One that I do every trip

 

[Danscott22]

Alton Towers Dungeon looks like its the next attraction opening on park, I believe from this Saturday?

 

[AT86]

Yes, Dungeons opens from Saturday. It appears you can now only book in groups of 2, 3 or 4 due to the way they will run the attraction with social distancing.

 

[Danscott22]

Could we maybe see Hex return soon as well?

 

[Richard Pennington]

Anybody know if you are already registered for RAP (Reg last year expires 2021) do you still have to do the online thing and send documentation again? I have the pass registration number. thanks

 

[pluk]

Yes, Dungeons opens from Saturday. It appears you can now only book in groups of 2, 3 or 4 due to the way they will run the attraction with social distancing.

Surely the duration of each scene, or the number of scenes, would have to be cut drastically to make that economically viable? Is the gap between each booking the same as it was previously or are they closer together to keep the overall number going through at a similar level?

 

[Richard Pennington]

Surely the duration of each scene, or the number of scenes, would have to be cut drastically to make that economically viable? Is the gap between each booking the same as it was previously or are they closer together to keep the overall number going through at a similar level?

they will probably be taking around 12-16 ppl in at a time just keeping each group 2m apart. They will leave spaces between each group on the sit down parts and mark the floors. I can’t see them doing the show for each group individually. ‍

 

[pluk]

they will probably be taking around 12-16 ppl in at a time just keeping each group 2m apart. They will leave spaces between each group on the sit down parts and mark the floors. I can’t see them doing the show for each group individually. ‍

Ah, if there's space in there for it to run like that then that makes sense. I presumed it was all a bit tighter than that would allow for.

 

[Squiggs]

It's apparently a max of 12 per show in no more than three parties to allow for spacing.

 

[Danscott22]

Thirteen is now back on the app with "estimated queue time", could this mean its reopening today?

 

[Skyscraper]

Thirteen is now back on the app with "estimated queue time", could this mean its reopening today?

It's showing as 0 mins now so it's definitely opening! Is anyone going today who can report back what they've done?

 

[Danscott22]

Going next Friday, think I have a plan in place to try and be efficient with the day and get as much done as possible, seems The Smiler or Wicker Man would be best options to start/end on. Only other ride I'd like to be open by then is Hex!