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2020: General Discussion

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Ride close for most things tonight was very mixed in case anyone is wondering - Wicker Man did close at around 7:40 though I think? We tried to get on it at that time and couldn’t - Thirteen I believe closed at around 8:10/8:15 but I know Oblivion for a fact was letting people on until 9 and I think The Smiler was about 8:45.
 
Danscott22 said:
Ride close for most things tonight was very mixed in case anyone is wondering - Wicker Man did close at around 7:40 though I think? We tried to get on it at that time and couldn’t - Thirteen I believe closed at around 8:10/8:15 but I know Oblivion for a fact was letting people on until 9 and I think The Smiler was about 8:45.
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It's all because of the curfew - they need the park empty of guests by 10pm.

Last year, Universal Orlando were actively closing the queue for Hagrids Motorbike Adventure when "the ride had reached capacity for the day" - i.e. the queue was so long the staff would be working for hours after park close. Expect the same on the Jurassic coaster next year!

At lease in "normal times" Towers stick to closing queues at ride close time, then running the queues empty. How I remember working 90mins past ride close on Air back in 2002.
 
This comes back to communication once again with Towers. It needs to improve.

It’s not on to close a queue an hour before the advertised time (which is already a reduced time from the headline 9pm). I’ve also seen reports of the app showing the likes of Nemesis and Galactica being closed from 8.30pm but in fact they remained open until 9pm.

Fair enough they have to work to the 10pm curfew, but tell your guests what is going on.
 
AT86 said:
This comes back to communication once again with Towers. It needs to improve.

It’s not on to close a queue an hour before the advertised time (which is already a reduced time from the headline 9pm). I’ve also seen reports of the app showing the likes of Nemesis and Galactica being closed from 8.30pm but in fact they remained open until 9pm.

Fair enough they have to work to the 10pm curfew, but tell your guests what is going on.
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Agreed they're not making it very clear when rides are closing. I've messaged towers and they say 9, it says 8:30 on the app like what's going on!? So poor communication and yes it definitely has to improve soon as there's no doubt eventually people will get sick and tired of this and just not come anymore
 
Ethan said:
Agreed they're not making it very clear when rides are closing. I've messaged towers and they say 9, it says 8:30 on the app like what's going on!? So poor communication and yes it definitely has to improve soon as there's no doubt eventually people will get sick and tired of this and just not come anymore
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It's not as though it's rocket science either...! All they need on the info screens around the park is a new page adding saying something like "In order to comply with the 10pm curfew on the hospitality industry, some ride queue lines may close earlier than 9pm to ensure the theme park is empty by 10pm".

Even if they can't update the app - the above on the info screens around the park would "be better than nothing" - a phrase Towers have liked in the past.
 
Another irritating thing - albeit minor - is no clear instruction on which queue line at the split in Thirteen's new disabled entrance is the wheelchair accessible one! We walked down the left hand side to encounter a big step - to have to turn around and take the right path with the wheelchair accessible ramp! It might sound like I'm being picky, but how hard would it be to have a sign saying "ambulant to the left, wheelchairs to the right"?
 
AT86 said:
I think the fact it’s prebook only and today was fully booked may well help them when it comes to no alcohol day.
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That’s good to know, it was a nightmare last year with queue jumpers and mouthing off left right and centre. One good thing to come from COVID :)
 
The atmosphere yesterday was like any normal day, the police eventually left and alcohol was indeed served by mid afternoon.

I am guessing this is down to the pre-booking situation.


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Hi all. How do you think the tiers will affect going to Alton towers? I’m supposed to be going on Saturday with someone who is in tier 2 high risk, but I’m in the normal tier 1 medium.

long time lurker first time poster
 
Sophie075 said:
Hi all. How do you think the tiers will affect going to Alton towers? I’m supposed to be going on Saturday with someone who is in tier 2 high risk, but I’m in the normal tier 1 medium.
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On account that people in Liverpool (tier 3) can legally leave the area and go to anywhere else in the country, I don't think there's anything to worry about.

Since Alton Towers is in Tier 1, once you're in that jurisdiction it's just the usual "rule of 6".

Edit: just read the regulations and a person living in a tier 2 area cannot meet indoors with any other person, even outside of the tier 2 area (and a person in tier 3 area cannot meet indoors or outdoors with any other person, even outside the tier 3 area). In reality nobody will ever question it or check it, but that's technically the law.
 
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Just another quick recap of my Saturday trip - this time on standout rides.
Nemesis - back row, so intense, almost blacked out which I’ve never experienced before, truly fantastic and way different to how I’ve complained about Nemesis on my visits in July and September!
Thirteen - in the dark, remains my favourite coaster to ride in the dark it’s something else!
The Smiler - three back row rides with RAP- this thing gets better to be honest. The worst inversion is the second one by far, didn’t have to brace on the cobra roll as it wasn’t that bad this time!!
Oblivion - loose restraint, hands up on the drop, literally I left my seat until we were in the tunnel and I wish it could be like that every time because it was incredible!
 
For anyone planning to attend the passholder weekend, be aware ride close has been reduced from the previously advertised 6pm, to 4pm.

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