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2025: General Discussion

Dave said:
I don’t watch any of these vloggers but Lifthills seems to actively make stuff up for clicks, TPWW is a bit cringy but I don’t think they have ever done that.
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I can’t say he’s made stuff up, but he has certainly left out information he knows to be true to gain more views.

The recent weather video as an example. He completely neglected to mention the alert on the app regarding ride availability in the morning. He neglected to mention the communication (again on the app) whilst the storm was approaching and he also left the park before the storm actually hit, but didn’t update his vlog to say there was actually rain and storms directly above the park.

So people watching the vlog could only assume there was no storm and the rides were closing for unknown reasons. The reasons were known and were clearly communicated via the park.

If he had mentioned any of those things, the vlog would be boring and he wouldn’t make half as much, if any money from it.
 
Hid said:
I don't watch lift hills and thrills anymore because of his position on Alton Towers.

I have been to many parks that are far weaker than Towers so I do think most of the misinformation regarding Towers comes from the YouTubers like Lift Hils and Thrills, Theme Park Worldwide and Your Experience Guide.
I would like Alton PR team to combat the misinformation from these youtubers.

Calling Scarefest stale when it's getting a new maze this year and has had new Experiences for the past Decade it always has something new.
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I think trying to censor these channels from being negative under the guise of “combatting misinformation” is on the other end of the scale, though. Calling Scarefest “stale” is an opinion, not espousing misinformation, and I feel that censoring negative opinions is bad on the other end of the scale because it doesn’t allow for constructive debate and criticism around the parks’ developments.

I do watch vlog channels, and very much enjoy their content. Maybe not as much as I once did, but I’m not nearly as anti-vlog as most on here. I’ve always been a fan of Theme Park Worldwide, I’m also currently really enjoying Your Experience Guide’s videos (I find Scott and co to be more honest and down-to-earth and less sensationalist than many channels), and I also often enjoy watching different channels’ content; if I find a channel with interesting or fun-looking content, I’ll often go down a bit of a rabbit hole!

I do not, however, worship any of them or take their opinion as gospel. They are just another person’s opinion; no more and no less. I vehemently disagree with some on here when they say that a vlogger’s opinion is worth less than that of those on here, but I also wouldn’t say that their opinion is worth any more either. Everyone’s opinion is equally valid.
 
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While there is a place for these vloggers and content creators to come up with legit criticism at how Merlin run the parks and how to improve but sadly that doesn't give you clicks for as they say controversy creates cash and until the algorithm system is sorted out to discourage making money from this then this will carry on.

It does seem there is a feeling that with many videos are being released almost gleefully laughing at Merlin's financial situations and how many predict they are going to be blown away by Universal which no doubt will be interesting to see what happens then.

That said it isn't Merlin they are attacking, Pleasure Beach and Drayton get it too though likely don't get the same clicks as the Merlin parks and even Paultons got some stick when it was revealed that their new coaster was a Euro fighter with OTSR then they threw their toys out the pram and let's not forget Lightwater...honestly I can't think of any UK park that didn't have some negativity aimed at it though Merlin have the lions share of the brunt.

If any UK park deserved to get torn to shreds and exposed for being so crap by these individuals then M&D's is asking for it more than most but sadly that place doesn't give you the clicks you want proving no one gives a crap about Scotland and just proves how double standards some folk are.
 
QTXAdsy said:
While there is a place for these vloggers and content creators to come up with legit criticism at how Merlin run the parks and how to improve but sadly that doesn't give you clicks for as they say controversy creates cash and until the algorithm system is sorted out to discourage making money from this then this will carry on.

It does seem there is a feeling that with many videos are being released almost gleefully laughing at Merlin's financial situations and how many predict they are going to be blown away by Universal which no doubt will be interesting to see what happens then.

That said it isn't Merlin they are attacking, Pleasure Beach and Drayton get it too though likely don't get the same clicks as the Merlin parks and even Paultons got some stick when it was revealed that their new coaster was a Euro fighter with OTSR then they threw their toys out the pram and let's not forget Lightwater...honestly I can't think of any UK park that didn't have some negativity aimed at it though Merlin have the lions share of the brunt.

If any UK park deserved to get torn to shreds and exposed for being so crap by these individuals then M&D's is asking for it more than most but sadly that place doesn't give you the clicks you want proving no one gives a crap about Scotland and just proves how double standards some folk are.
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Fellow Scottish person here, I've bolded this bit, because I just don't think this is true at all, I don't give a crap about M&Ds its a shameful place, and most people up here feel the same, so why would anyone outside of Scotland care about it? Its not a must-see destination for anything or anyone. If Scotland ever wants to get serious about opening an actual proper theme park (as its one of the few major countries without one) then great! build it and people will care / come. Its really that simple.
 
QTXAdsy said:
While there is a place for these vloggers and content creators to come up with legit criticism at how Merlin run the parks and how to improve but sadly that doesn't give you clicks for as they say controversy creates cash and until the algorithm system is sorted out to discourage making money from this then this will carry on.

It does seem there is a feeling that with many videos are being released almost gleefully laughing at Merlin's financial situations and how many predict they are going to be blown away by Universal which no doubt will be interesting to see what happens then.

That said it isn't Merlin they are attacking, Pleasure Beach and Drayton get it too though likely don't get the same clicks as the Merlin parks and even Paultons got some stick when it was revealed that their new coaster was a Euro fighter with OTSR then they threw their toys out the pram and let's not forget Lightwater...honestly I can't think of any UK park that didn't have some negativity aimed at it though Merlin have the lions share of the brunt.

If any UK park deserved to get torn to shreds and exposed for being so crap by these individuals then M&D's is asking for it more than most but sadly that place doesn't give you the clicks you want proving no one gives a crap about Scotland and just proves how double standards some folk are.
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I don’t think any of them are “attacking”. I think they are airing criticisms, many of which are valid.

I fully agree that non-stop negativity and criticism for criticism’s sake does not make for good content, and I do think some voices overcook it at times. I myself would not go as negative and rock bottom as some influencers do. A lot of people on here go similarly relentlessly negative and rock bottom in their rhetoric at times, however, and I equally disagree with their stance. I don’t think relentless negativity is exclusive to the vlogging sphere as you imply by any stretch of the imagination.

No matter what I think of their stance, however, that is not them “attacking”; it is just an opinion. Sycophancy and mindlessly sucking up to the parks’ every decision does not make for good content either.

I say this as someone who definitely erred strongly towards sycophancy in my earlier years on here (as I’m sure many more longstanding members can attest to!). With hindsight, I can admit that I maybe could have been more critical, and people might have respected my opinions more had I not just mindlessly praised everything the parks did. I do think some people on here are too negative at times, and I stand by that 8 years after joining. But what I didn’t realise as a younger member is that critiquing and offering criticism where you feel it is due is not “needless negativity”; it’s telling the truth, being honest and offering your honest, unabashed take. It is often kinder and more honest to offer criticisms, provided they are constructive, nuanced and politely put across (not just “Merlin are bad!”), and it’s something I’ve tried to do more as I’ve aged and my posting style has matured (whether I’ve succeeded, though, I cannot personally vouch for!).

Offering polite and constructive criticism gives other people a more honest take on a product, and it gives the parks themselves areas to work on in the future (believe it or not, the parks will take some feedback on board!). As influencers (the clue is in the name, really), vloggers can exert influence on people and influence their visiting decisions, so in order for the integrity of the field to be maintained, it’s crucial that they are able to provide honest opinions. And whether you like it or not, that does include airing some home truths and criticisms, no matter how uncomfortable they might be to hear.
 
spotweld said:
Never had the makings of a varsity athlete.
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Didn't expect a Sopranos reference mid theme park vlogger debate 😂

I quite like TPWW's honesty, it's refreshing to see someone with that size audience addressing all the problems.

Comes across quite petulant sometimes though. It's like he wants them to try and ban him to see the backlash from his fans.
 
Bringing the conversation back round to Alton Towers, just thought I’d share some positivity about Alton Towers from my trip today!

Now I love a moan. I’m still moaning about the fact they removed the fart noises and audio from the Towers Street bogs. I’m still moaning about Air’s tunnel! I’m still moaning about the loss of Henry Hound!

However, my day at Towers was good! Solid ops, not too bad queue times (often a little inflated) and even the Aramark prison food wasn’t too terrible!
What was the loveliest thing to see was the number of people generally having fun- chatting to a few people in queue lines and they were all having a great day! Yes the sunshine did help, but overall it seemed like people were having a brilliant day. The number of cars in the car park still later on after 6pm was testament to this!
I think we often forget about the GP - the majority of people who visit towers and mostly will have a great day.

Sharing opinions is important. But I think we often forget that the majority of people go to the park have a fantastic day and make memories that last a lifetime!
 
Spokesperson is saying:

"Earlier today, a small, contained fire was discovered by a colleague in a toilet facility within the Forbidden Valley area of the Resort.

"Our team quickly put out the fire, and as a precaution, we temporarily evacuated the area while we established the cause.

We’d like to thank our guests for their cooperation. The safety and wellbeing of our guests and team members is always our top priority.”
 
Not sure where to ask but I just remembered...

Is the sign rotting behind the Dragon's Bar the sign they used for Camilla: Queen of Speed? It's visible through the corner left window for reference.
 
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