2024: General Discussion

[QTXAdsy]

Yeah, I think ever since that 'best season ever' video prior to the start of the season and all the mocking following how lacklustre this year has been, I feel has gotten quite a lot of stick about it even if it wasn't all her fault though I have no doubt that with hindsight had she known what was to happen then she would either worded it differently or never stared in that video at all.

 

[Danscott22]

I agree, and I suspect we won’t get a video of that nature just before the start of next season, to save any further embarrassment, a I find it quite likely we’ll be complaining about ride availability (again!!!) towards mid next season, for about the 5th year in a row

 

[Matt N]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, but I’m really surprised that people latched onto that “best season ever” video so much.

I don’t know if I’m repeatedly missing something here, but with Bianca being divisional director, a large part of her role is to be a PR hype woman for the park, so in my mind, she’s naturally going to be positive and chirpy about the state of affairs and use lots of superlatives regardless of what the actual state of affairs is. In a video that was intended to sell Alton Towers’ 2024 offering to the public, you were never going to get unabashed honesty or negativity about the state of affairs; in that type of video, Bianca’s role is to promote the park, big it up and make people want to visit. The only way to do that is to be positive and use lots of superlatives.

To me, it seemed like a very par-for-the-course pre-season marketing video, yet people really latched onto it and seem to have used it as a stick to beat Bianca with ever since. Why is this, out of interest?

 

[rob666]

Moodie thoosies Matt, that is why.
Perhaps people think her superlatives lack credibility in the real world.
I'm sure she is paid enough to take the flack...it goes with the job.
And over the last half century, 1994 was the best ever...simple.

 

[venny]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, but I’m really surprised that people latched onto that “best season ever” video so much.

I don’t know if I’m repeatedly missing something here, but with Bianca being divisional director, a large part of her role is to be a PR hype woman for the park, so in my mind, she’s naturally going to be positive and chirpy about the state of affairs and use lots of superlatives regardless of what the actual state of affairs is. In a video that was intended to sell Alton Towers’ 2024 offering to the public, you were never going to get unabashed honesty or negativity about the state of affairs; in that type of video, Bianca’s role is to promote the park, big it up and make people want to visit. The only way to do that is to be positive and use lots of superlatives.

To me, it seemed like a very par-for-the-course pre-season marketing video, yet people really latched onto it and seem to have used it as a stick to beat Bianca with ever since. Why is this, out of interest?

I think people have focused on it because there is such a massive disconnect between what we were told and what actually transpired. If the season had just been average then the ridicule would probably have been more muted, but in reality we were promised the best season ever, only to be met with one of the worst seasons in memory.

 

[dave___]

They failed the Marketing Fundamentals step of "underpromise, overdeliver" and instead went for "overpromise, underdeliver".

I know they have to be sales reps for their own product but "best year ever" is really a statement that throws caution to the wind and will draw immediate criticism if it is anything but.

 

[GaryH]

People latched on that video as they were desperate for some positive news for the year ahead given the decline previously. I think for next season as long as someone says “better than last year” then people will be happy.

 

[Bowser]

I think for next season as long as someone says “better than last year” then people will be happy.

Let’s not set unrealistic expectations.

 

[Danny]

Possibly the latter, more likely that you don't want a singular person fronting all updates for the brand as a whole. Her Instagram was a way to communicate changes and updates to the park, which really should have been done through Alton Towers' own channels.

Her LinkedIn profile is still up and running, and providing similar updates. I think she's here for a few more years yet.

Her LinkedIn is a CV, whereas her Instagram wasn't. Her LinkedIn is how she connects with people in the industry and prospective employers, whereas her Instagram wasn't. Her LinkedIn was created before her role at Towers and will last long after she's gone from Towers, whereas her Instagram wasn't/won't.

 

[James]

Hopefully, she will stay in the job for a little longer. It has been a mixed bag of a year, but I think Bianca has generally done a good job. Let's not forget the years of neglect the resort has suffered. Unless Merlin pumps millions upon millions into fixing the park, any manager in the post is fighting a battle they cannot win. I hope Bianca's disappearance from Insta is to give her some closed season time to concentrate on the resort, and she returns online next year. Seeing a director who doesn't hide in the shadows has been refreshing.

I think the negativity surrounding 2024 has mainly been the initial promise of Hex and Skyrike at the start of the year, which ended up with no Skyride and Hex for four weeks at the end of the season. The abysmal ride availability at the end of the season is fresh in people's minds, ending the season at a very low point (great fireworks show aside). It's hard to see how Towers can improve without considerable investment, and Merlin won't cough up.

So, for 2025, I would be happy to see ride availability improved (and not have to spend 11 hours walking around trying to find a working coaster...) and the Skyride open. Anything else is a bonus. Set your expectations low, and be surprised by anything else.

 

[EarthlyKnight27]

I mean, personally, I just hope that AT is able to get Skyride operational next season for disabled people to use throughout the year. As the last 2 years without it has been... Painful for some people who might be disabled.
Speaking of such, any news on it?

 

[owenstreet7]

Hopefully, she will stay in the job for a little longer. It has been a mixed bag of a year, but I think Bianca has generally done a good job. Let's not forget the years of neglect the resort has suffered. Unless Merlin pumps millions upon millions into fixing the park, any manager in the post is fighting a battle they cannot win. I hope Bianca's disappearance from Insta is to give her some closed season time to concentrate on the resort, and she returns online next year. Seeing a director who doesn't hide in the shadows has been refreshing.

I think the negativity surrounding 2024 has mainly been the initial promise of Hex and Skyrike at the start of the year, which ended up with no Skyride and Hex for four weeks at the end of the season. The abysmal ride availability at the end of the season is fresh in people's minds, ending the season at a very low point (great fireworks show aside). It's hard to see how Towers can improve without considerable investment, and Merlin won't cough up.

So, for 2025, I would be happy to see ride availability improved (and not have to spend 11 hours walking around trying to find a working coaster...) and the Skyride open. Anything else is a bonus. Set your expectations low, and be surprised by anything else.

I completely agree, I don't think we need to see the park get rid of their Divisional Director following a mixed season with poor ride availability like how football teams sack their managers.

I'm honestly hoping that we start to see results in 2025 with Skyride coming back, Ripsaw 2 opening and some word on Project Horizon and the supposed other 2 flats mentioned.

I'm hoping we may get a surprise or two with an extra flat or two.

I think we'll have to wait and see to see what happens next season.

 

[Bowser]

Let’s not set unrealistic expectations.

Even i thought this would take more than a few hours to be fulfilled.

 

[Ash]

I mean, personally, I just hope that AT is able to get Skyride operational next season for disabled people to use throughout the year. As the last 2 years without it has been... Painful for some people who might be disabled.
Speaking of such, any news on it?

Why do you think they’ve announced all these closures? I assume it’s what’s paying for it

 

[Ash]

I completely agree, I don't think we need to see the park get rid of their Divisional Director following a mixed season with poor ride availability like how football teams sack their managers.

I'm honestly hoping that we start to see results in 2025 with Skyride coming back, Ripsaw 2 opening and some word on Project Horizon and the supposed other 2 flats mentioned.

I'm hoping we may get a surprise or two with an extra flat or two.

I think we'll have to wait and see to see what happens next season.

Thinking about it, I’d be willing to bet the new “presenters” on the fireworks info video will become the new face of the park and do the next announcement videos like at Thorpe.

Horrendous decision and removes accountability but let’s see what happens.

It’s like they’ll escape responsibility at any cost.

Fascinating given all the pats on the back this year from their staff on LinkedIn, you think they’d won golden ticket park of the year.

Delusional

 

[Islander]

Thinking about it, I’d be willing to bet the new “presenters” on the fireworks info video will become the new face of the park and do the next announcement videos like at Thorpe.

Horrendous decision and removes accountability [...] It’s like they’ll escape responsibility at any cost.

I mean, come on... this is a theme park we're talking about, not a service to the population like the Police, NHS etc...

Completely, 100% totally normal for a business to use Marketing figureheads rather than actual leadership team members lol.

Fascinating given all the pats on the back this year from their staff on LinkedIn, you think they’d won golden ticket park of the year.

Delusional

...and as for that, well that's just LinkedIn, the home of sickening adoration from workers to their companies lol.

 

[dave___]

Winter Update | Alton Towers Resort

www.altontowers.com

I know it’s in a couple of other threads but this is the death knell for us going next year. That’s two more 1.2m rides gone so for my kids who are under 1.4 it’s just a waste of a full day now.

 

[Alphe86]

Winter Update | Alton Towers Resort

www.altontowers.com

I know it’s in a couple of other threads but this is the death knell for us going next year. That’s two more 1.2m rides gone so for my kids who are under 1.4 it’s just a waste of a full day now.

Drayton and Paultons would be the two “non Merlin” family offerings - gonna be spending a lot more time there with our 5 year old next year for sure

 

[dave___]

Drayton and Paultons would be the two “non Merlin” family offerings - gonna be spending a lot more time there with our 5 year old next year for sure

We will be trying Drayton manor this year too. Paultons is an overnight stay away for us being in Yorkshire but midlands is easy.

We’ve previously gone to Chessington in Easter but I don’t want to commit there either at the moment.

 

[QTXAdsy]

Drayton and Paultons would be the two “non Merlin” family offerings - gonna be spending a lot more time there with our 5 year old next year for sure

It is a sad sight that both Towers and BPB, the big two of the UK theme park scene, are struggling in their own ways and are at this point like two washed up boxers past their prime trying to fight but can't lay a blow on each other.

Surely both Drayton and Paultons will be smelling blood in the water and I have no doubt 2025 will belong to Paultons with their new dark ride.