Given the bad press....I wouldn't be overly shocked if they manage to find some money for a new swinging ship this closed season.
1. They don't cost a lot to purchase.
2. Marketing is not required. There's already a new ride for that and a pirate ship is hardly TV commercial worthy anyway.
3. It's an easy win for them to regain some trust at very minimal expense.
I know that's what I'd do anyway. A new pirate ship is a drop in the ocean for Merlin and it would definitely be a sign of good will that they are listening to their guest feedback.
Although I agree to a point, I’d rather they put it in x sector.
(And this is where the long term planning comes in)
FV will have 2 supporting rides.
Dark Forest, you would think, is going to get completely re-hashed at some point, after PH and Rita finally succumbs to the hydraulic launch curse. Adding something there now may restrict its options.
TWODW (inc dungeons and BK) I really hope when PH comes they through the kitchen sink at it and turn it into the thriving area it needs to be to stretch people around the park. Remove the driving school, re use the empty buildings, this may be effected by the MMM changes.
The quickest, cheapest simplest option at the moment is get the in-house AV teams next project to reopen the 4D cinema with one eye on the future.
That broadly speaking leaves x sector as Katanga, Mutiny Bay and CBeebies could within reason remain untouched.
X sector has no supporting flats and a flat ready to go space to stick a few.
For me, indoor Huss breakdance with the bells and whistles and lights themed to the smiler. Bit of a pre show, could be great. Small footprint, decent throughput, won’t cost the earth, low height restriction, you can dress it up to seem better than it is and another indoor attraction for cheap.
If x sector is still in the GDO it would be great to do to build hype for the summer. And if they have done a 3 ride deal with Huss maybe look at the 2g enterprise in the corner with a great big smiler face on for 2026 could look great.
Longer term Alton also have some substantial issues in the horizon:
- Oblivion retrack?
-Galactica retheme or removal given it’s complexity
- Spinball removal as promised for many years, hopefully as a bargaining chip with SMDC
- Rita’s hydraulic launch, will it last h&s
- Monorail replacement or removal/towers street relocation
- Glades car parking conversion
- CRR well known to be expensive to run, will they last?
- RMT isn’t getting any younger either
That’s on top of…
- Project Horizon
-TWODW
- Submission/Enterprise replacements
- Dark Forest retheme
- Ug Swinger/Bone Shaker replacements
At the moment the parks absolute banker attractions for the medium/long term seem like:
- Nemesis, Toxicator
- TCAAM
- Wickerman
- Mutiny Bay
- Hex
- Smiler
- CBeebies
- Thirteen
- Gangsta Granny
Everything else seems up for debate. Which is horrific long term planning. However you look at it.
And as others have said, feels very much like CWOA mid noughties, and all expenditure just standing still.
I can’t help but think the Minecraft land move is a big sign one way or the other. Look at what CWOA is getting:
- Indoor coaster
- Converted grass car parks
- Rethemed lodges
- Small indoor ride (R Cade?)
All of which at one point could have applied to Alton.
Maybe the Nemesis retrack has just landed at the worst time (I still think the right decision) the terrible long term planning is coming home to roost and the lack of investment in park infrastructure.
The spending taps don’t look like they’re going off fully and getting TCAAM and Nemesis right the long term is the right decision, (thanks nick) but it’s just too little to late for everywhere else.
Given the tough decisions ahead I suspect it will get worse before it gets better, and I know it’s only basics but looking at the positives:
- merch improvements
- FV Overall
- lighting, paving improvements
- single rider and attention to operations
- TCAAM (just fix the tromel)
- quality fireworks
- focus on storytelling
- Scarefest new maze buildings
- waterfalls back
- attention on maintenance, effects upkeep
If Alton sticks to its fundamentals there’s nowhere like it, but it’s got a mountain the climb. And it won’t happen in one or two seasons. Everybody knew this and yet we’re all surprised? Get rid of the stage, it’s a distraction. Wait for something permanent/quality. Yes the lawns have done a job, but either make it a permanent festival space or not at all. Scarefest, Fireworks, Christmas.
Longer term, will we miss dungeons or Flávio’s? No. They were both due to be closed anyway. Short term would I rather see that opex go on skyride and hex? Yes
But there has to be a long term plan for investment, across the resort, put in place and understanding you can’t keep slashing capacity from a park like Alton, you just piss people off for the long term, it’s size can only soak up so much with so little else to do and capacity is already far down on what it was.
Blade has been a great servant, and one in one out will have to do for now. But I’d also say therefore they need to focus on getting sub terra firing on all cylinders. Restraint mods, test seat, better pre show guidance on where to sit.
Key to next year:
- Maintenance and operations. No excuses, Christmas is short, the warning signs are there. Whatever teams are needed reactionary and annual to get it right, get them in. Reward high throughput, monitor each ride for small gains and adjust accordingly.
- Food. Whatever sabre needs to be rattled in aramarks direction. Rattle it.
- Tidy up. The gardens are a disgrace, and a sign of the parks malaise. They are part of the areas history and should be sorted Asap as a matter of pride. Christ finally use them as an attraction, you’ll need it! Cleaning, painting, fixing is still needed everywhere else. Not just leek signs.
- Quick wins. You need capacity and quickly. Reopen crux, get the AV team to get a temp setup in there. Reopen 4D cinema. Reopen towers street family restaurant and make a splash with it.