Islander
TS Member
Ahh, the number of times as a permanent theme park worker people ask you in Jan/Feb "oh, you're working at that park right now? Isn't it closed? Surely you've got nothing to do?"
Lawl.
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2021: General Discussion
- Thread starter Skyscraper
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Lawl.
imanautie
TS Member
Blame the ropers!It's great to see that work is being done on Oblivion, but I really wish they could bring back the "Don't. Look Down." Audio. I never got to experience the drop with it.
Jackolaa
TS Member
Hi all, first post!
Just wondering with the park due to reopen and my kids still off school even though most will have come back after Easter how numbers will be in the park? Have they /will they still be operating a reduced number of available tickets to keep the crowds low? Or are we back to normal entry will social distancing?
Just wondering with the park due to reopen and my kids still off school even though most will have come back after Easter how numbers will be in the park? Have they /will they still be operating a reduced number of available tickets to keep the crowds low? Or are we back to normal entry will social distancing?
AT86
TS Member
Welcome
It looks like Staffordshire and Derbyshire schools are off w/c 12th April so expect it to be school holiday crowds.
Capacity is still restricted, but the park can get quite busy even with these lower numbers.
Burbs
TS Team
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance
Hi Jackolaa, welcome to TST.
As @AT86 has said, there are still restrictions but realistically if they reach capacity (somewhere around the 10-12,000 mark) then this is probably not too far off what they'd get at this time of year anyway, if a little lower.
Thameslink Rail
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- The Smiler
It's interesting that they haven't confirmed ride availablity for 12th April - 16th May other than Gangsta Granny will be closed. Would it be fair to assume that until 17th May there will be no Duel, Hex, Dungeons or Justin's House?
AT86
TS Member
I would imagine so, yes.
Matt.GC
TS Member
I pay to go to AT. I'm greatfull for a lot of things, but I won't be greatfull to any private enterprise. Appreciative, yes, but not greatfull as if the park is some charitable foundation that we're expected to feel lucky to have.
The decline in the quality of the park in recent decades isn't due to unforeseen circumstances like a natural disaster or something, it's self inflicted and hundreds of thousands of visitors have withdrawn their custom as a result. That's business. Whilst it's unreasonable to expect some transformation into a Disney level park, there's no reason why any of us should not question why the park does not deliver the standard it was once able to achieve. I didn't like what was going on, so have visited less.
That said, it doesn't mean that AT taking steps to move in the right direction is not worth considering. Whether it's longer opening hours, a new event, some new attractions this year or some of the nice work they're doing to the park out of season, I, like many others, will show my appreciation by visiting more often and spending more money with them if I like what I experience. I think some of the work going on is worthy of praise and I'm looking forward to visiting (and paying that business for that visit) more than I was last season as a result.
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The decline in the quality of the park in recent decades isn't due to unforeseen circumstances like a natural disaster or something, it's self inflicted and hundreds of thousands of visitors have withdrawn their custom as a result. That's business. Whilst it's unreasonable to expect some transformation into a Disney level park, there's no reason why any of us should not question why the park does not deliver the standard it was once able to achieve. I didn't like what was going on, so have visited less.
That said, it doesn't mean that AT taking steps to move in the right direction is not worth considering. Whether it's longer opening hours, a new event, some new attractions this year or some of the nice work they're doing to the park out of season, I, like many others, will show my appreciation by visiting more often and spending more money with them if I like what I experience. I think some of the work going on is worthy of praise and I'm looking forward to visiting (and paying that business for that visit) more than I was last season as a result.
Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk
Steve74
TS Member
I think that any improvements over and above normal maintenance should be applauded considering we're in a global pandemic and for at least two thirds of this closed season we've been in a lockdown. Towers could've just said "Nope, too risky, all improvements suspended until restrictions are lifted". But they haven't and for that, I think they deserve some credit.
Plastic Person
TS Member
I think Alton Towers has a superior set of coasters in terms of variety, but as the last year and recent addition of literal funfair rides has proved, there's nowhere near enough balance for the middle ground. Most on here seem to favour a park that scores well across the board, and the park itself makes much of its money by appealing to as many demographics as possible. There are less people than you might think interested in marathoning The Smiler.
HermanTheGerman
TS Member
That's just simply not true though.
The ride variety today totally lacks any diversity. It's either rollercoasters, CBeebies Land, or a very limited collection of run down family rides which are far beyond their prime (Duel, Congo, RMT).
If you think twenty years ago you had rides like Toyland Tours, Boneshaker, Dynamo, Black Hole, Ripsaw, The Flume, Ug Swinger, Submission etc. all as interim rides to enjoy in between the coasters and CBeebies/the Farm. That's without mentioning the likes of The Haunted House, Congo, or Hex that were all in much better condition then as well.
The only thing that's improved in the last 20 years is the coaster selection. But coasters alone don't make a day out.
Who would do that anyway haha. I love the ride and even I wouldn't do that. I like my sleep and that would just send me spinning all night
I would agree that overall the lineup isn't the best in terms of flats, dark rides, water rides and just filler attractions in general. I meant in terms of coasters. To be fair though that's all I go for so that could be subjective if you love all types of rides then it certainly isn't the best
jon81uk
TS Member
Its not a great ride or attraction line-up. Definitely a good coaster selection, but not rides.
I wouldn't describe a Top-Spin (Ripsaw) as an "old-styled" ride, they are still very popular in many parks. But they have also lost Submission, Boneshaker, Twirling Toadstool, Dynamo which are thrill rides, not shows.
There is also the loss of a family boat ride (Charlie) which switched to a paid-extra (Dungeons) and Sub-Terra is still closed.
The park has also lost two shows (Cred St theatre / 4D theatre and the Pirate show) but to suggest its the best attraction line-up right now is only looking at coasters, not the whole park.
Nerdsticks
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Silver Star
Rob
TS Team
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance
Just a quick note that there is now a Mardi Gras and Oktoberfest 2021 thread for discussion about both events!
jon81uk
TS Member
Although despite advertising open into the sunset, the park hours still show as 4pm and 5pm closures at the moment. Sunset in May is 8pm. So I would expect park closure of 7pm at least to stick with those claims. Or maybe ride close at 6pm with some entertainment through to 7 or 8?
Skyscraper
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Nemesis
The event has literally just been announced, so ride close will hopefully be updated in the next few days.
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