2021: General Discussion

[Benzin]

On a temporary basis coming off a pandemic this is an ideal solution.

That doesn't mean it's perfect.

Given how hard it is for the parks to get anything over the line from Merlin HQ it's astounding that they've agreed to this. But perhaps the realisation of removing things without replacing them ruins the satisfaction of guests has finally worked.

 

[siralgenon]

Is this Twister near The Dungeon actually confirmed or was it just a rumour? As it's still not been mentioned.

 

[AT86]

Is this Twister near The Dungeon actually confirmed or was it just a rumour? As it's still not been mentioned.

There are/were pictures of the ride being installed so it exists.

I imagine it is being treated separately because TWODW isn’t opening until 17th May and this ride may well be themed more to Walliams than the Retro theme they have gone with for the others.

 

[Squiggs]

Just published a news article with all the logos, video and images.

 

[ChristmasPud]

You're probably right, but what's wrong with employing an agency or animator?

Nothing, they should do it more often if they can't do it themselves, the results speak.

an animation of that quality doesn't come about in a few hours work, so I really do believe the planning for these rides and how they'd be marketed has been in the works for longer than we anticipated

Couple weeks work from a freelance animator, wouldnt have taken that long really.

It's a fun PR spin but I wouldnt take it to mean anything at all. These are just fairground rides brought in for extra capacity when they had no budget for real rides.

Definitely not complaining that the rides exist, it's what the circumstances forced the park into. But we all know that they shouldve spent actual money to replace the broken old flats when they had the chance, like a normal theme park of Alton's size.

 

[WickerwomanH]

Couple weeks work from a freelance animator, wouldnt have taken that long really.

I'm no animator but I am an artist and someone correct me if I'm wrong but I really think the concepts, planning and execution of the press releases aren't something they'd be able to bash out in a couple weeks. I stand by my thinking that there's a lot more to these rides than we initially anticipated

 

[ChristmasPud]

I'm no animator but I am an artist and someone correct me if I'm wrong but I really think the concepts, planning and execution of the press releases aren't something they'd be able to bash out in a couple weeks. I stand by my thinking that there's a lot more to these rides than we initially anticipated

I do bit of video animation and have friends who do lots of it. It's a tried and tested idea this retro theme, the animation is nothing special (but it's great for what it is). A month at most, I mean it's not like it took half a year to make a 1 min promo video, real rides are planned 1-2 years in advance.

Nothing wrong with the video, it's good fun, just lets not read too much into it. It's just the hype machine

 

[Danscott22]

Yes the Twist and Waltzer are extremely common on the UK, but the Super Trooper and Smashing Jump are actually quite rare. Plus I think the Super Trooper is a relatively new ride type.

I thought this as well, I've never actually been on a Super Trooper or a Smashing Jump so I'll be looking forward to giving those ones a go especially!

 

[AstroDan]

They are fairground style rides you get everywhere. This is meant to be the flagship park in the UK and one of the best in Europe

It's okay to not be pleased with everything they do. I hate the idea that you have to simply think everything is great because they are trying. They are being praised for bringing in temporary rides due to their own ineptitude of not looking after the ones they had and eventually taking them out.

This is why Merlin have this community by the you know what's and why our theme park industry in the UK is on its backside.

You can roll a turd through glitter. It's still a turd.

It is indeed OK not to be pleased with everything they do. I remember the day in November 2015 that we leaked onto Facebook that Ripsaw, Flume and many other attractions were closing - and Hex was becoming SBNO. I think I typed the post myself. I could trawl this forum for some of the most fiercely critical threads that have been posted. I started many of them. I fully get what you're saying: Of course it's a joke that the park are resorting to add funfair rides in 2021. It should never have come to this. The short term acts of the 2010s are now biting them in the backside - sure.

But, with Capex on hold, indoor rides closed and a dire need for support ride capacity: this fills a void. Temporarily.

You cannot undo the past. The team at Alton can now only try and alter the future. And hopefully these flats are part of the park's journey to addressing the support ride flaw.

 

[ChristmasPud]

Yeah I think that puts it very well @AstroDan
I think Alton know well that the rides aren't what they want. Nice PR spin to make it feel bit less tacky but ideally they wouldve been themed in with basic signage and then not promoted.

I can only imagine they are trying to pass them off now because they werent able to actually disguise the funfair look.

 

[s_g_k]

Do we know yet if the Retrosquad will be utilising former queue lines and whether or not it’ll be AT staff or showmen that will be operating them? I know that the Smashing Jump (Mixtape?) will be using Submission’s old queue line but I can’t remember if there’s any remnants of old Ripsaw, Twirling Toadstool or Enterprise queue lines from when it was in Festival Park. Now that AT have confirmed they’re all retro “pop up” rides I’m slightly concerned we’re going to have happy hardcore blaring out of rides right next to groundbreaking world first Secret Weapons.

Whilst it’s not ideal that AT have had to do this, at the end of the day it’s 4 extra rides and I can’t remember the last time we had 4 new rides to experience at the start of a new season.

 

[Thameslink Rail]

Do we know yet if the Retrosquad will be utilising former queue lines and whether or not it’ll be AT staff or showmen that will be operating them? I know that the Smashing Jump (Mixtape?) will be using Submission’s old queue line but I can’t remember if there’s any remnants of old Ripsaw, Twirling Toadstool or Enterprise queue lines from when it was in Festival Park. Now that AT have confirmed they’re all retro “pop up” rides I’m slightly concerned we’re going to have happy hardcore blaring out of rides right next to groundbreaking world first Secret Weapons

The queue line for Ripsaw is long gone (remember it used to go over a bridge), I think there is still some at Twirling Toadstool as that site was used for Frog Hopper temporarily. I don't think there's much left at UG swinger.

 

[Danscott22]

I think I read somewhere that they were putting in permanent queue lines not just the temp fencing, I'm not sure if I've imagined it though

 

[Skyscraper]

I think I read somewhere that they were putting in permanent queue lines not just the temp fencing, I'm not sure if I've imagined it though

That is correct- they want to make them look as pernament as possible, wich includes the queue lines.

 

[Thameslink Rail]

Going back to the advert, I love how the music at the start is "In the hall of the mountain king" but with the note lengths changed and in the style of "Final Countdown"

 

[Skyscraper]

Going back to the advert, I love how the music at the start is "In the hall of the mountain king" but with the note lengths changed and in the style of "Final Countdown"

I don't know if you've ever noticed, but most of Towers recent ride soundtracks include ITHOTMK.

 

[Thameslink Rail]

I don't know if you've ever noticed, but most of Towers new ride soundtracks include ITHOTMK.

I know, I just like how they changed it up just enough so it's not obvious until half way through when they revert to the standard note lengths but if you play it again you notice the somewhat distorted ITHOTMK at the start.

 

[Ben]

Am I pleased to see ANY flat rides? Yes.
Do I think its a failure on long term planning on Towers/Merlin? Yes.
Do I like the 80s style advert? Yes.
Am I pleased there will be more capacity / experiences? Yes.
Am I pleasantly pleased they are making them look permanent? Yes.

Ive honestly not finding a whole deal to be unhappy about.

My only one thing I would have preferred, as they've grouped these as 80s rides together... they had been placed together in an 80s group.
I get they are utilising empty areas and propping up existing rides, but imagine if there had been a full 80s temporary area, staff in shell-suit jackets, 80s music.

But anyway. Is good. Hopefully will lead to a purchase of flat rides in the future.

 

[tayspru]

Meanwhile , the mask policy has been updated :

“While at Resort we ask all guests to respect each other, our employees and our guidelines on maintaining good hygiene, keeping a safe distance between others and wearing masks on all rides and any other locations (for all guests aged 11 years and over) where they are required**.”

 

[Ethan]

Meanwhile , the mask policy has been updated :

“While at Resort we ask all guests to respect each other, our employees and our guidelines on maintaining good hygiene, keeping a safe distance between others and wearing masks on all rides and any other locations (for all guests aged 11 years and over) where they are required**.”

Isn't that the same as beforehand