Merlin have done this a few times with upgrading rides for them to be decommissioned the following season, it’s not that unusual? But to there defence they might not know at the point it’s on its way out until a new inspection/fault occurs.
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2024: General Discussion
- Thread starter Craig
- Start date
Merlin have done this a few times with upgrading rides for them to be decommissioned the following season, it’s not that unusual? But to there defence they might not know at the point it’s on its way out until a new inspection/fault occurs.
They tend to inspect large machinery before doing renovation work, it is business, they don't want to waste money on short term repairs...that's why the skyride "Oh we didn't realise things were so bad" argument doesn't wash.
Initial assessments.
Basic management of systems.
Before I spent three grand on a new transmission system on my volvo, the rest of the car was checked out for suitability...engine, bodywork, electric systems and so on.
The Blade looked very shiny and new when I first rode it, and back then, like now, it was an essential filler with good capacity.
Initial assessments.
Basic management of systems.
Before I spent three grand on a new transmission system on my volvo, the rest of the car was checked out for suitability...engine, bodywork, electric systems and so on.
The Blade looked very shiny and new when I first rode it, and back then, like now, it was an essential filler with good capacity.
Dave
TS Founding Member
I mean a ton of people with consistent form in providing good info about the resort have said the Skyride issue was not known about.
The Skyride is huge, it’s very easy to see how an unexpected issue could have been identified. If I am brutally honest I think pre-Brexit parts restrictions and with a healthier maintenance team maybe it could have been a half season shutdown but I have no evidence to back that up.
I disagree problems can arise on any rides at anytime the problem can be intermittent or a serious issue can suddenly interrupt at any time its mechanical and machinery?
I was referring to attractions like Temple of mayhem at Chessington where Merlin business plan changes after spending money on recent refurbishment works. There are many more examples of this but I can’t think of the top of my head at this time if anyone can help me out?
But the point is It’s not a new thing for Merlin to waste money on a ride refurbishing plan, prior to being removed soon after. There is no logic into Merlins madness sometimes? They sometimes let things rot knowing there on the way out or due a big revamp. But it’s never consistent and anything can happen is my point, if the blade is going it’s going!
However I do believe the sky ride was intended to open this season in this case.
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Matt.GC
TS Member
I believe they genuinely intended to open it this season too. So yes, it probably does indicate a surprise issue and a decision has been made to invest in it.
But as with the Spa, I fail to see how these surprise repair bills can be down to anything other than bad management by failing to know the state of their assets. Enterprise (didn't make it), Blade, RMT, the Monorail, even Oblivion. All very aged and the park will know this. How many other issues coming over the hill will be put down to "surprises"?
Your clutch going may seem like a "surprise" when it happens because you weren't expecting it and saw few mechanical indications beforehand. But if your car is 30 years old with 200k on the clock, is the unexpected not then to be expected?
They should know that they have aging infrastructure and attractions, and that issues will crop up. Yet here we are after a 2 year Hex closure, 2 year Skyride closure, a filthy creaking Monorail, a closed Spa, Enterprise 6ft under and replaced by food vans, and the annual Blade rumours starting early.
Retrosquad removed. Their remaining attractions suffering down time, staggered openings and staggered closings. The Rapids now made seasonal to help them cope. The Dungeons closed early. Spinball closed mid-season to fiddle around with a queue line.
Where's the plan? They can't consciously buy an old banger, continue to drive it around because it seems fine, and expect it to hold out without a plan just because it had an oil change and was whacked through the local car wash a few weeks ago, and then face a "surprise" repair bill when something breaks.
But as with the Spa, I fail to see how these surprise repair bills can be down to anything other than bad management by failing to know the state of their assets. Enterprise (didn't make it), Blade, RMT, the Monorail, even Oblivion. All very aged and the park will know this. How many other issues coming over the hill will be put down to "surprises"?
Your clutch going may seem like a "surprise" when it happens because you weren't expecting it and saw few mechanical indications beforehand. But if your car is 30 years old with 200k on the clock, is the unexpected not then to be expected?
They should know that they have aging infrastructure and attractions, and that issues will crop up. Yet here we are after a 2 year Hex closure, 2 year Skyride closure, a filthy creaking Monorail, a closed Spa, Enterprise 6ft under and replaced by food vans, and the annual Blade rumours starting early.
Retrosquad removed. Their remaining attractions suffering down time, staggered openings and staggered closings. The Rapids now made seasonal to help them cope. The Dungeons closed early. Spinball closed mid-season to fiddle around with a queue line.
Where's the plan? They can't consciously buy an old banger, continue to drive it around because it seems fine, and expect it to hold out without a plan just because it had an oil change and was whacked through the local car wash a few weeks ago, and then face a "surprise" repair bill when something breaks.
Removing Retrosquad has to be one of the most badly timed moves they could have ever made.
They weren't even bad even if they weren't exactly top theme park caliber, they just needed the flashing lights and Bon Jovi turning down a bit. They have managed to slap some signs on a Sizzler and it's a well-loved ride for the kids after all.
They weren't even bad even if they weren't exactly top theme park caliber, they just needed the flashing lights and Bon Jovi turning down a bit. They have managed to slap some signs on a Sizzler and it's a well-loved ride for the kids after all.
Bowser
TS Member
QTXAdsy
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Black Hole
All seriousness though, I have suspected that had they known what was going to happen this year they wouldn't have said that and it might have spared them all these jokes at them and the same goes to John Burton's infamous 'art' comments which didn't help matters either. It very much was like getting a fancy new sports car yet it was only when you open the bonnet you realise the many issues it has.
1.
The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
It is not good enough to intend, you have to plan properly, prepare, and act.
2.
Forty odd years of driving, autos, manual, new, and many old bangers (always my preferred option, zero depreciation).
I knew when the clutch was beginning to go, every last time.
Including with the magnificent 30 year old volvo thoosie cruiser.
What I don’t understand is removing things which actually add value to the resort and could bring in more income. The spa being a good example of this. There is huge demand for spa days and for mums to enjoy the spa while dad and the kids enjoy the theme park. Then there was tree top quest, another good addition for the stargazing pods and enchanted village left to rot. The waterpark with its early evening closures.
People would pay to use these things if they were available.
People would pay to use these things if they were available.
jon81uk
TS Member
Obviously not enough people were paying hence the removal.
I think Tree Top Quest is harder to gauge as it didn't stay open for long really. But I'm not sure if the spa was busy enough?
owenstreet7
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Taron
The waterpark strategy seems a bit short sighted and almost intended to get guests to extend their stay for a day at the waterpark.
I think the issue is that they seem to forget that the hotel is in the middle of nowhere so people need entertaining after 4/5pm after the park closes.
Resort entertainment especially in the evenings is the one priority the resort side of things needs to get right moving forwards.
I think the issue is that they seem to forget that the hotel is in the middle of nowhere so people need entertaining after 4/5pm after the park closes.
Resort entertainment especially in the evenings is the one priority the resort side of things needs to get right moving forwards.
Poisson
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- The Giant Squid
That, and people want a place to relax, not everything needs to be loud and/or kid friendly. Still think they'd be better putting kids ents in either conference centre (with conference centre relocated) or in the old spa. Checking in whilst being unable to hear yourself think, then getting a drink as Baby Shark is blasting out is not great. Relaxed ambience in at least ATH, if not Splash as well would be appreciated.
Alix
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Balder BEEP BEEP
But also, switch from kids entertainment to something a bit more relaxed/grown up earlier. Even as a parent I don’t see why it should be inflicted on people past 8pm. Little snotlings should be in bed by then, bigger snotlings will be plugged into their phone and think it’s cringe anyway.
venny
TS Member
If you contrast the offerings of the hotel now, to when the spa was seemingly more successful, you can see how the spa offering became less attractive for that demographic.
The spa used to offer packages which included lunch at Secret Garden. So you could enjoy the afternoon having a pleasant lunch, with relaxed service and on sunny days a beautiful view across the lake to the gardens beyond. Nowadays you’d be able to have a substandard lunch, with patchy service in a dated, worn restaurant. Your view would be of a rather lacklustre brick facade amongst the poorly tended gardens.
You could spend your evening watching decent quality entertainment, with the ever-entertaining and talented David Kettle/Dickie Hart. There was a decent wine list and handmade cocktails, with service to your table. Nowadays you’d be queueing for ages at the bar to be served an overpriced, pre-made cocktail by agitated staff, only to sit down and be subjected to patchy, subpar entertainment.
You could retire to your room with decent beds and a delightfully quirky theme, before getting up for a hearty breakfast with proper coffee and tea served to your table, a nice selection of fresh pastries and a reasonable hot buffet selection. Nowadays you’d queue for breakfast (despite booking), to sit down in a dirty restaurant with tables left piled with plates. You’ll be subjected to poor quality food and drink in an oft unpleasant atmosphere.
It’s no surprise that there weren’t people clamouring to visit the Spa anymore, and I’ve not even mentioned the drastically impinged experience subjected to the Spa offering as a result of the CBeedbies Hotel money grab.
The spa used to offer packages which included lunch at Secret Garden. So you could enjoy the afternoon having a pleasant lunch, with relaxed service and on sunny days a beautiful view across the lake to the gardens beyond. Nowadays you’d be able to have a substandard lunch, with patchy service in a dated, worn restaurant. Your view would be of a rather lacklustre brick facade amongst the poorly tended gardens.
You could spend your evening watching decent quality entertainment, with the ever-entertaining and talented David Kettle/Dickie Hart. There was a decent wine list and handmade cocktails, with service to your table. Nowadays you’d be queueing for ages at the bar to be served an overpriced, pre-made cocktail by agitated staff, only to sit down and be subjected to patchy, subpar entertainment.
You could retire to your room with decent beds and a delightfully quirky theme, before getting up for a hearty breakfast with proper coffee and tea served to your table, a nice selection of fresh pastries and a reasonable hot buffet selection. Nowadays you’d queue for breakfast (despite booking), to sit down in a dirty restaurant with tables left piled with plates. You’ll be subjected to poor quality food and drink in an oft unpleasant atmosphere.
It’s no surprise that there weren’t people clamouring to visit the Spa anymore, and I’ve not even mentioned the drastically impinged experience subjected to the Spa offering as a result of the CBeedbies Hotel money grab.
jon81uk
TS Member
When was food served to your table at breakfast? My first visit was 2004 and it was a breakfast buffet. They had the same Nescafe machines as in the park for a long time before switching to the bean to cup for the 2019 season. Then of course they changed to filter in flasks this year, which is still better than the Nescafe machines! I'm assuming table service was before Splash Landings opened?
James
TS Founding Member
It always felt like the spa was under-advertised, likely due to the limitations of the space. It wasn't a huge spa and was a repurposed space itself from a kids club/hotel pool, so the limited capacity, I think, has always been reflected in the lack of advertising. There are spas up and down the country now, and expectations are high. Much like everything else at Towers, it was very outdated, small, and crumbling apart. I feel like it was closed not because it wasn't making money (I don't think it made a lot, but it had a very loyal base of guests) but more because it needed a considerable investment to bring it back to an acceptable standard.
There were plans for an extension (approved in 2014), and it seemed like we were going to get a spa/adult-themed hotel (which was scrapped in favour of CBeebies Hotel), so there was clearly scope to make it a bigger part of the resort experience. It seems since 2014, they haven't really known what to do with it, let it plod along, bringing in a steady stream of income until it got to the point this year where it needs lots of investment, and Towers don't have the funds to do that.
There were plans for an extension (approved in 2014), and it seemed like we were going to get a spa/adult-themed hotel (which was scrapped in favour of CBeebies Hotel), so there was clearly scope to make it a bigger part of the resort experience. It seems since 2014, they haven't really known what to do with it, let it plod along, bringing in a steady stream of income until it got to the point this year where it needs lots of investment, and Towers don't have the funds to do that.
I don't know specific years, but I remember a pot of tea or a French press being brought to your table. At some point in the early 2000s, they also brought pastries and even all the hot cooked food (on a central platter you helped yourself to), although that only lasted one season (likely due to food waste). I remember as a family going yearly the breakfast experience would be completely different.