Something you thought towers would've looked into for this season, especially with the highest capacity ride on park being shut
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2023: General Discussion
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Steve74
TS Member
Some people are just never happy. People moan that UK theme parks have no events outside of Halloween. Now we have them, they don't want them. And then when they do attempt something, they're criticised for their efforts. Theme parks can never win. Makes you wonder why they do actually bother.
RIPCorky
TS Member
They need to invest in rides not bunting.Some people are just never happy. People moan that UK theme parks have no events outside of Halloween. Now we have them, they don't want them. And then when they do attempt something, they're criticised for their efforts. Theme parks can never win. Makes you wonder why they do actually bother.
Sometimes it feels like these events are a distraction from the bigger issues at this park.
What's the issue with them putting on events though? If you visit the park and you're not interested then nothing is stopping you from going about your day. Not everyone who visits is there to ride coasters all day long. Let Nanna Vera with her dodgy hip enjoy the shows. I will say though, the only event I wasn't remotely keen on was Festival of Thrills. It was cringey.. I wouldn't miss it, but like others have mentioned it was the first of the event so I do expect improvements.
Squiggs
TS Team
Yup, indeedy. Almost all the major flat rides the park has ever had were travelling versions. As I recall, the only two that weren't were Ripsaw and Submission.
Steve74
TS Member
What's the Nemesis refurb, Duel refurb, probable Sub Terra return, Project Horizon then if they are not investments in rides?!
NuttySquirrel
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Batman: Gotham City Escape
I can see where they are coming from tbh, the newer events like Mardi Gras and even Oktoberfest don't really add a lot for a lot of people. A lot of people are just there for the rides and want to know that they're working and the queues are going to be manageable. A few awkward dance routines by some performing arts students aren't going to save your day if you've only been on three rides and had a terrible overpriced lunch.Some people are just never happy. People moan that UK theme parks have no events outside of Halloween. Now we have them, they don't want them. And then when they do attempt something, they're criticised for their efforts. Theme parks can never win. Makes you wonder why they do actually bother.
Awkward dance moves performed in front of absolutely nobody are a little cringe inducing...
Yup, been there.
Perhaps they should perform on days with a possible audience...weekends and holidays only.
I really did cringe!
...and feel for the performers with an audience of absolute zero.
Yup, been there.
Perhaps they should perform on days with a possible audience...weekends and holidays only.
I really did cringe!
...and feel for the performers with an audience of absolute zero.
Yep. An almost deserted theme park and darkness. The best of times. They won't try that again
Fourteen years since the last one...only a tenner online!
Oh how times have changed!
Dave
TS Founding Member
I think they just moved the gondolas to clear space for Duel refurb, though the fact they are only getting round to demolishing it in February suggests they may had a crack at getting it up and running again.
I know flat rides are really expensive at the moment due to high steel costs and import costs (looking at you brexit) so they don’t see them as a good return on investment but they really need to do something to improve park capacity.
Danny
TS Contributor
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance
Funnily enough, a Head of Guest Excellence role is currently being promoted on LinkedIn. Highlighted are the obvious points that this poor new sod is going to fail to hit from the get-go:
About The Role
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Head of Guest Excellence, reporting directly into the Divisional Director and sitting as part of the Leadership Team, you will truly have the opportunity to influence our business at the highest level.
You will be responsible for the oversight, monitoring, and delivery of memorable experiences across Alton Towers Resort. The role provides guidance, support, and direction across the business (with particular focus on the KPI, Mystery Visit & Social media feedback) ensuring we deliver the required experience to achieve the set targets. Specific focus on the key drivers to high satisfaction and recommendation (e.g. rides per guest, displays, queue management, cleanliness, F&B etc).
You will work closely with colleagues and the Guest Excellence Department to ensure that the service delivery procedures and quality standards are appropriate and up to date. Develop ideas for product & service improvements designed to create commercial and competitive advantage.
Key Objectives:
About The Role
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Head of Guest Excellence, reporting directly into the Divisional Director and sitting as part of the Leadership Team, you will truly have the opportunity to influence our business at the highest level.
You will be responsible for the oversight, monitoring, and delivery of memorable experiences across Alton Towers Resort. The role provides guidance, support, and direction across the business (with particular focus on the KPI, Mystery Visit & Social media feedback) ensuring we deliver the required experience to achieve the set targets. Specific focus on the key drivers to high satisfaction and recommendation (e.g. rides per guest, displays, queue management, cleanliness, F&B etc).
You will work closely with colleagues and the Guest Excellence Department to ensure that the service delivery procedures and quality standards are appropriate and up to date. Develop ideas for product & service improvements designed to create commercial and competitive advantage.
Key Objectives:
- Support the management team in the delivery of the required ‘Memorable Experience’ for every guest (and consequently hitting KPI targets)…
- Oversee touch-screen research, feedback processes and Mystery Visit Programme and communicate the key data to management team and beyond – it is vital that the previous day’s data is available for departmental team briefs etc….
- Develop and implement attraction-wide quality standard and customer service strategies.
- Continually review all key quality measures and tools to ensure they are relevant to the maximisation of guest experience – report information to leadership teams and supervisors daily for use at daily briefs
- Monitor the guest experience across the attraction and drive actions to ensure all Attractions consistently achieve 95% + Satisfied/Very Satisfied, 65% Net Promoter Score, and under 7% poor / very poor value for money. Plus achieve 94% + overall Mystery Visitor performance. (Including timely communication of key Stats to all departments)
- Monitoring of ride/show/display usage and availability, production of related technical and operational stats.
- Oversight of complaint process to ensure that we eliminate the need for any off-site escalation. Leadership of effective service recovery process to ensure zero escalation of dissatisfaction
- Create a strong relationship with all departments and be prepared to openly challenge standards to drive required improvements to guest experience
What might of been better is to do a flash mob, like the Alton ancestors do during Scarefest, they always attract a crowd because it's spontaneous and choreographed.
Alastair
TS Team
- Favourite Ride
- Rise of the Resistance
Truly baffles me as to who is applying to these roles. Almost certainly unrealistic expectations for an almost guaranteed pitiful salary. Once again "Group Personal Pension" listed as the second to top perk, along with bank holidays bundled into the PTO count. Bizarre!
AT86
TS Member
Come work for us! We give you your basic legally required workers rights! Aren’t we AMAZING!
Interesting but someone on Twitter posted a picture of a pass holder pre book for Mardi Gras where you had to pay £1.
Can’t find it now but wonder if this is something they are looking to bring in. And yeah it’s only a quid but fireworks started off at only a fiver and now it’s £25.
Could we see passholders having to pre book and pay for special events going forward? Mardi Gras, Scarefest, Octoberfest etc.
From: https://twitter.com/dean8001/status/1621132944243920897?s=46&t=TB1PiCl6rPGhklzerxZNgA
Can’t find it now but wonder if this is something they are looking to bring in. And yeah it’s only a quid but fireworks started off at only a fiver and now it’s £25.
Could we see passholders having to pre book and pay for special events going forward? Mardi Gras, Scarefest, Octoberfest etc.
From: https://twitter.com/dean8001/status/1621132944243920897?s=46&t=TB1PiCl6rPGhklzerxZNgA
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