2021: General Discussion

[Danscott22]

I just find it strange how they had it as closed on the app for months and then the day it could finally open they remove it entirely.

 

[s_g_k]

I just find it strange how they had it as closed on the app for months and then the day it could finally open they remove it entirely.

That’s my thinking. If it was still closed due to covid reasons then why remove it from the app entirely when it’s been on there listed as closed all year?

 

[Alsty]

I've learned not to trust the app too much. We've seen Oblivion disappear and Galactica renamed to Air before now so I wouldn't read too much into it.

 

[AT86]

Before Monday they had an official reason for its closure ‘closed due to gov guidance’ was listed on the app against the attraction. Now there is no such guidance it would just sit as ‘closed’ which is never a good look, so I suspect that is why they have removed it from the app altogether for now.

 

[Danscott22]

Thunderstorms are happening where I am right now around an hour away from Towers. When they were happening there not too long ago it took about 50 minutes for it to hit us so I wouldn't be surprised if the rides soon close.

 

[Tibble]

Looking at the met office forecast its not meant to go that far west - Im in buxton and we are in sunshine

 

[spinba11]

I've learned not to trust the app too much. We've seen Oblivion disappear and Galactica renamed to Air before now so I wouldn't read too much into it.

A few years ago I saw enterprise on 300 minutes as well.

 

[Matt.GC]

Im in buxton

I'm sure you've heard this one before but didn't they used to make water?

Ahem

Anyway, regarding Justin's House, we should all know by now that at Alton Towers you should NEVER assume that a closed attraction always means some big new super duper coaster is being planned. In fact it's rarely the case. So if you're not expecting anything other than a shuttered attraction with no replacement, then you should curtail you're expectations significantly. Even @Matt N would be stretched to assume it's anything other than a temp/permanent closure whatever the reason is behind it. Probably not worth opening due to labour shortages.

 

[Matt N]

Personally, I’d say Justin’s House is likely closed due to COVID, at least in the short term. Keeping it closed would help with the staffing situation, and even besides that, the basic concept of Justin’s House isn’t very COVID-friendly, is it?

The problem lies in the fact that you can’t really sanitise the balls that people continually throw at each other, therefore if the attraction were to open, it’s not really the easiest of formats to adapt to be COVID-secure. With people constantly touching balls that someone else has touched before them, as well as balls that would have been touched by others in the attraction; if someone was to go into that attraction with the Delta variant or whatever, it would rip through the group like wildfire, and Towers doesn’t want a super-spreader event on their hands.

It’s no different to things like ball pits in soft play areas, which I believe are still closed, are they not? Or did step 4 reopen them?

The only way you could reasonably open Justin’s House in the current climate would be to have one family group going in at a time, and then have the staff literally sanitise every single ball, along with all the various touch points in the attraction, before the next family group goes in. This would literally annihilate the capacity to the point where it almost arguably isn’t worth opening it.

Of course, if the attraction doesn’t reopen in the longer term, then I could see a new attraction of some sort eventually being devised for this space (I think a CBeebies dark ride would be great, myself), but I don’t personally think we’ll be getting a replacement next year. Of course, I’m always open to surprises, but that’s not my personal suspicion at the moment.

 

[AT86]

I believe the equivalent attraction at Chessington (can’t remember it’s name) is also closed.

 

[Matt N]

I believe the equivalent attraction at Chessington (can’t remember it’s name) is also closed.

I think you’re thinking of Temple of Mayhem. (Correct me if I’m wrong, Chessington fans)

 

[Galaxy]

Temple of Mayhem is open at Chessington!

 

[Danscott22]

Temple of Mayhem is open at Chessington!

Beat me to this just! Yeah @Matt N Temple of Mayhem is the one, and it is indeed open!

 

[Ethan]

if someone was to go into that attraction with the Delta variant or whatever, it would rip through the group like wildfire, and Towers doesn’t want a super-spreader event on their hands.

That's the same with any coaster where people are touching the restraints and queue line fences

 

[Skyscraper]

That's the same with any coaster where people are touching the restraints and queue line fences

Yes but restraints are wiped down regularly and are easy to do. Cleaning hundreds of small foam/plastic balls on the other hand is very difficult and requires a special machine.

 

[Steve74]

From what I've seen of scientists talking on the news recently, I think there is almost no risk of catching the virus from surfaces in day to day situations, as long as you wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes until you have. Probably the risk is no greater than catching the flu or common cold viruses in the same way.

But of course small balls + excitable small children + running around everywhere = putting them in their mouths or touching their face etc so although probably still small, there is a greater chance of infection that way which is why they are probably keeping it closed. And staff shortages due to isolation and recruitment no doubt...

 

[jon81uk]

I would guess that if it is operating at Chessington this is less of a Covid issue and more of a staffing or maintenance issue.

 

[Islander]

I just find it strange how they had it as closed on the app for months and then the day it could finally open they remove it entirely.

I wouldn't imagine it's state on the app has any bearing to possible future plans regarding it, or lack thereof.

I imagine it's as simple as a toggle switch to have an attraction visible or not on the app, so could literally be as simple as someone going "ahh it's gonna be closed for a while, that looks crap, hide it from the app for now"

 

[Poisson]

They accidentally changed it back to Britannia Farm and they haven't been able to turf the cows, goats etc out that appeared due to this error and the RSPCA warned them not to shoot them with foam balls. That's why it's closed.

 

[Mikw]

Just returning the the Wicker Man pre-show. I always found ti a bit of a faff. With people taking ages to shuffle to the front despite the ride staff shouting "Move to the front please", and before that there's waiting for the doors to open.

On my visits this year i miss the immersion but have found the ride is running well without and it's a less of a chore fore re-rerides.