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2024: General Discussion

Ethan said:
You see this makes no sense to me because 10 years ago we didn’t have wicker man which is a decent capacity coaster so how did the park cope better back then. I can’t recall the lineup being much different except for some flat rides
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I'm under the impression reliability has simply gotten worse in that period. You can check queue times online at almost any time and be guaranteed to see at least one major attraction down.

Customer habits have probably changed since 10 years ago too as now everyone has live queue times in their hand. If a ride is down more people know not to head over. If a ride has a short advertised time they might all gravitate in that direction. People were probably more likely to either wait out any closures in the past or distribute themselves elsewhere more randomly.

Also ten years ago there was the log flume instead of Wickerman which likely had a higher capacity.
 
Bowser said:
Also ten years ago there was the log flume instead of Wickerman which likely had a higher capacity.
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That Log Flume really was a a capacity holder. The season SW8 was under construction, you really felt it missing. Throw in Hex and the Skyride too, also Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was still operating. The Smiler also hadn't had its incident, and so was running an extra train, which really would have helped for the capacity of that ride too.
 
Ethan said:
You see this makes no sense to me because 10 years ago we didn’t have wicker man which is a decent capacity coaster so how did the park cope better back then. I can’t recall the lineup being much different except for some flat rides
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I would say the number of rides was greater 10 years ago which meant queues were better spread out.

We've had The Flume, Twirling Toadstools, 4D Cinema, Ripsaw and Enterprise in addition to the Dungeons (at the time Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). That is not counting Hex and Skyride too. One year earlier and we can add in Submission too.

I'd say the combined theoretical capacity would be about 5000 or above per hour on those rides that we've lost which the ride with the most capacity was The Flume.

In comparison, the park added Wickerman, Gangsta Granny, Flavios which probably covered about 2000 per hour combined which doesn't go far enough to cover what was lost and The Flume's hourly capacity was nearly 3/5 of that number at 1200 per hour theoretical capacity (according to The Flume's entry on Towers Street).

The Flume - The Park of the Past - Your premier Alton Towers guide

Your ultimate guide to The Flume - a former attraction in Mutiny Bay at Alton Towers theme park
towersstreet.com towersstreet.com
 
owenstreet7 said:
I would say the number of rides was greater 10 years ago which meant queues were better spread out.

We've had The Flume, Twirling Toadstools, 4D Cinema, Ripsaw and Enterprise in addition to the Dungeons (at the time Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). That is not counting Hex and Skyride too. One year earlier and we can add in Submission too.

I'd say the combined theoretical capacity would be about 5000 or above per hour on those rides that we've lost which the ride with the most capacity was The Flume.

In comparison, the park added Wickerman, Gangsta Granny, Flavios which probably covered about 2000 per hour combined which doesn't go far enough to cover what was lost and The Flume's hourly capacity was nearly 3/5 of that number at 1200 per hour theoretical capacity (according to The Flume's entry on Towers Street).

The Flume - The Park of the Past - Your premier Alton Towers guide

Your ultimate guide to The Flume - a former attraction in Mutiny Bay at Alton Towers theme park
towersstreet.com towersstreet.com
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Also add that most of the attractions we've both just mentioned had lower height restrictions, covering the awkward phase the park currently has when you're in between CBeebies and the Secret Weapons.
 
GooseOnTheLoose said:
Also add that most of the attractions we've both just mentioned had lower height restrictions, covering the awkward phase the park currently has when you're in between CBeebies and the Secret Weapons.
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Exactly and a lot of the in-between attractions remaining now have slightly higher height requirements (Rapids, Marauders and RMT) making the gap even wider.
 
I'd say Towers issues are down to a number of factors. Sure the delightful weather this year has not helped, but the cost of living situation hasn't either. There is also plenty of online resources now - think TripAdvisor where potential guests can do their research before deciding where to spend their money on a "treat day out for the children". Towers TripAdvisor reports are not exactly glowing in some cases.

Then there is the poor ride line-up & reliability issues. If you get evacuated from a queueline when a ride closes, you have opportunity sample Aramark's overpriced rubbish.

Back when I worked at Towers we were told in training that the "average guest spends more than their admission price on other things - so souvenirs / food & beverage etc". With the Merlin rush for the bottom with cheap annual passes, they are taking next to nothing on the gate & then pass-holders are using their discount to dilute takings further.

The changes to RAP have been slated online too. All I will say is the old system was heavily abused & the new system is not ideal either.

My employer specialises in ripping customers off, but they feel that are getting a different quality experience. We're heavily booked for all school holidays, but the bookings drop off as soon as the kids go back to school.

People are also getting more aware of the European offerings of the likes of Eeftling, Europa Park, PhantasiaLand & Disney Paris. Visit any of those & yes, it will cost you a bit more than a day at Towers when you include travel, but you will get an immersive day with long operating hours and a reliable ride lineup. I'll never forget a former Europa Park manager telling me "guests come here and expect at least 10 rides in a day - if they don't get this, they will be asking for a refund & they will get it". Take note Towers / Merlin.
 
I was debating creating a separate thread for this, but for now let’s start here.

It’s no secret that standards have slipped, and as much as we all have a long list of improvements we’d like to see, I’m more curious at what people would suggest happen as low budget improvements to the park?

Forget new rides, I’m thinking really small changes that would overall impact the day in a positive way :

Entrance Experience
Security searches are here to stay, and yet were years and years into temporary tents at the Entrance Plaza. Replace these with a permanent trellis structure. Nothing fancy, but create a more permanent solution to this eyesore.

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Play Structures
Rides are expensive, but something that kids LOVE and is far cheaper are play structures. These barely need to be themed but would create an immediate improvement for families visiting the park. I would suggest one be added near Galactica’s plaza, one in Dark Forest where Ug Swinger used to be. This would give those too small for the headline attractions something to do while older siblings do the coasters. Merlin just added a play park at Thorpe so similar could be done at Towers

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Would love to hear more of any low cost improvements you’d like to see
 
Play areas or non ride things are something that's been missing for a long time. Even non-goons realise this (purely based on a Towers assessment centre I attended years ago). And now with a lil one you kinda just have to sit around and wait for the group to do stuff or split off completely to CBeebies. We're fortunate that wait isn't too long with RAP but would be nice to do some proper distraction once she stops being entertained by watching rides go round.

Another thing Paultons considered in their Tornado Springs area.

Unfortunately I'd imagine a lot of play structures would be taken up by teenagers if elsewhere in the park.
 
Benzin said:
Play areas or non ride things are something that's been missing for a long time. Even non-goons realise this (purely based on a Towers assessment centre I attended years ago). And now with a lil one you kinda just have to sit around and wait for the group to do stuff or split off completely to CBeebies. We're fortunate that wait isn't too long with RAP but would be nice to do some proper distraction once she stops being entertained by watching rides go round.

Another thing Paultons considered in their Tornado Springs area.

Unfortunately I'd imagine a lot of play structures would be taken up by teenagers if elsewhere in the park.
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Honestly, I'd agree that play structures would work well at Alton Towers.

An Adventure Trail like the Deep in Africa one at Phantasialand and a Funhouse could appeal to all ages including adults.

I'd also say a couple of playgrounds specifically for kids around the park including an indoor one would do wonders for the park.
 
AT86 said:
Seems Rapids opening time has been pushed to 12pm now.

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Thing is, while this is pretty bad from a guest satisfaction perspective, from a business point of view where they are struggling with various resources, you can sort of understand it:
  • They often struggle getting rides open on time; this allows for the limited number of staff they do have to attend to those [more popular] ones that haven't opened
  • They've obviously seen that the number of guests that ride the rapids for the first hour or so does not make it viable to prioritise the rapids over other rides in the morning
  • The weather will only probably get worse now for the rest of the season, which will only make the point above more valid
As much as I like the rapids, I've never ridden them before lunchtime anyway and I'm sure the vast majority of guests are the same, especially when the weather isn't brilliant.
 
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s_g_k said:
Jesus.

How hard is it to ask for rides to be open for the full day you’re there? They’ll be opening entire areas late next. Oh wait, they do.
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I don’t mind it tbh. Williams world is dead before 11 anyway and Rapids don’t even need to be open this time of year
 
AT86 said:
Seems Rapids opening time has been pushed to 12pm now.

IMG_7397.jpeg
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Honestly I’m starting to see a running theme of towers street posts appearing an agenda to deliberate stirring up hate recently. Which is another version of Clickbait because he keeps you online for longer and you’re more likely to comment.

We was all so positive at the start of the season but pointing out every little flaw the park doing and rowling up debate, pushing peoples buttons , catching them out constantly I don’t feel productive or supportive. This narrative is forcing me to check out of these forums less and less as just get deflating with less hope, enthusiasm and forgetting this unique charm of this world class theme park with incredible rides and unique themeing and heritage.

Click bait and engagement may keep people on social media and on here abit but long term will drive People away like myself. I come here because it’s a predominantly towers enthusiast and support for them so just feel what am I doing if that suppose, enthusiasm and hope is starting to be driven by hate.

I don’t know am I the only one here of course subject for opinion?


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If means they can focus on getting the main rides open at 10am then fine.

They may have changed the time as is now coming in to autumn and I would guess most guests wouldn’t go the rapids until late afternoon. Even in the summer the majority of guests wouldn’t go on the rapids until after lunch.

If they want to save even more money they could just close battle galleons in the autumn/winter months as hardly anyone goes on it in the cooler weather.
 
I wasn't positive at the start of the season, very much the opposite due to the skyride closure extending to two full seasons.
I'm now happier walking away, looking forward to a freebie to Thorpe for a good new investment, and back to the Beach next year, for good company and beer, and some rides as well.
Right now at the Towers, three main coasters closed, over an hour on the others, and a two hour queue for the woodie.
No thanks.
 
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TBoy535 said:
Honestly I’m starting to see a running theme of towers street posts appearing an agenda to deliberate stirring up hate recently. Which is another version of Clickbait because he keeps you online for longer and you’re more likely to comment.

We was all so positive at the start of the season but pointing out every little flaw the park doing and rowling up debate, pushing peoples buttons , catching them out constantly I don’t feel productive or supportive. This narrative is forcing me to check out of these forums less and less as just get deflating with less hope, enthusiasm and forgetting this unique charm of this world class theme park with incredible rides and unique themeing and heritage.

Click bait and engagement may keep people on social media and on here abit but long term will drive People away like myself. I come here because it’s a predominantly towers enthusiast and support for them so just feel what am I doing if that suppose, enthusiasm and hope is starting to be driven by hate.

I don’t know am I the only one here of course subject for opinion?


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I somewhat agree with this sentiment. It’s the nature of fan forums on any subject though, people obsess over every detail out of love but that increased scrutiny inevitably ends up focusing on the negative, even if it is from a good natured desire for things to be better.

But where I disagree is on “world class park”. It simply isn’t anymore and I think perhaps people would enjoy the place more if they accepted that.
 
TBoy535 said:
We was all so positive at the start of the season but pointing out every little flaw the park doing and rowling up debate, pushing peoples buttons , catching them out constantly I don’t feel productive or supportive. This narrative is forcing me to check out of these forums less and less as just get deflating with less hope, enthusiasm and forgetting this unique charm of this world class theme park with incredible rides and unique themeing and heritage.
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You new to Towers street?😅 it’s always been like this. Jokes aside I do agree the constant negativity is a bit annoying
 
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