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2025: General Discussion

It could’ve also been a “bad in hindsight” job move on her part too. I’ve had a couple of new jobs where I was sold the dream during the interview processes, but the reality of doing the job was almost like they mis-sold me the opportunity.

I remember one management role I had a few years ago where I was brought in to make positive changes, but the reality was that none of my directors liked change, so I ended up leaving because I couldn’t implement anything I wanted to.

Perhaps this might also have something to do with Bianca leaving - we all know she had big ambitions and was a breath of fresh air with her honest social media updates, but that only lasted a year and was perhaps something that was frowned upon by Merlin.

But, as others have said, none of us have any idea so it’s all just gossip.
 
To be effectively running a park of the size, reputation and future potential of Alton Towers must’ve felt like winning the lottery. And then you realise even with such a prestigious job, that you’re just a small part of a large corporate wheel.
 
Mick said:
To be effectively running a park of the size, reputation and future potential of Alton Towers must’ve felt like winning the lottery. And then you realise even with such a prestigious job, that you’re just a small part of a large corporate wheel.
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If a thoosie was dropped into the role for a week then yes, it would feel like winning the lottery.

But for experienced professionals who have their own career aspirations in the industry, running such a large operation comes with a huge amount of responsibility, stress, long hours and game playing. You could have the best ideas in the world for the park, but unless you’re supported from the ground up, and then supported by the machine above you, then you’re on to a hard gig and it’s tough to build that support if it doesn’t already exist. I imagine it’s an incredible challenging position and certainly not the role what most of us think.
 
FWIW like others, I find this no coincidence she’s leaving the same year the cuts have come into effect in terms of entertainment staff, events and Merlin Studios North.

That and having to put up with Aramark, AWP? (The new ents group) and all the other needs that Alton has.

Fundamentally id say it appears the park has been left in a better place than when she found it just about.

The Towers and ride VIP tours
Getting the rivers back on Nemesis
Getting the rapids waterfalls open
Single rider queue additions
Improvements to access/egress paths outside the park
Additional permanent lighting
Reopening sub terra
Reopening hex
Reopening the skyride
Overseeing excellent end of year fireworks/nemesis closing event etc
Improving conditions for operational staff (covers on sub terra/wickerman etc)
Placing a new emphasis on entertainment and events
Genuinely caring about operations (observing new ride operations and making improvements)
Providing public updates regularly for first 18 months or so

Alton really felt as though it was on the way to carving its own niche, telling stories in a way only it can. Rides/fireworks/events etc And I can’t help but feel that has now gone, in terms of concept and literally the people who were doing it.

Nevertheless this isn’t positive news, and the loss of head of engineering as well doesn’t bode well.

The storm clouds are gathering above Alton again.
 
Ash said:
Getting the rivers back on Nemesis
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Worth noting she was the one who got the budget for the majority of the Nemesis reimagining, it was only going to be a repaint before she joined. I think it was also her first meeting and had to convince the then CEO Scott O’Neil. I appreciate the efforts for bringing the helix waterfall back but that only lasted about a month, and the first drop one was effectively a trickle.
 
Haz said:
Worth noting she was the one who got the budget for the majority of the Nemesis reimagining, it was only going to be a repaint before she joined. I think it was also her first meeting and had to convince the then CEO Scott O’Neil. I appreciate the efforts for bringing the helix waterfall back but that only lasted about a month, and the first drop one was effectively a trickle.
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Nemesis retrack was locked in by the start of the 2021 theme park season, yes she might have gotten additional budget for the queue line but the project was largely under motion by the time she joined the resort. The reopening of Sub Terra followed later that season too after a visit from Nick Varney.
 
Bert2theSpark said:
Nemesis retrack was locked in by the start of the 2021 theme park season, yes she might have gotten additional budget for the queue line but the project was largely under motion by the time she joined the resort. The reopening of Sub Terra followed later that season too after a visit from Nick Varney.
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Yeah it was only originally planned as a retrack and repaint, but John Burton had drawn up plans for extra theming elements, helicopter, eye, and claw etc which weren't part of the 2021 plan for the retrack. it was only later on when these were added to the plan and Bianca got the budget for the area retheme and ride theming.
 
Ash said:
FWIW like others, I find this no coincidence she’s leaving the same year the cuts have come into effect in terms of entertainment staff, events and Merlin Studios North.

That and having to put up with Aramark, AWP? (The new ents group) and all the other needs that Alton has.

Fundamentally id say it appears the park has been left in a better place than when she found it just about.

The Towers and ride VIP tours
Getting the rivers back on Nemesis
Getting the rapids waterfalls open
Single rider queue additions
Improvements to access/egress paths outside the park
Additional permanent lighting
Reopening sub terra
Reopening hex
Reopening the skyride
Overseeing excellent end of year fireworks/nemesis closing event etc
Improving conditions for operational staff (covers on sub terra/wickerman etc)
Placing a new emphasis on entertainment and events
Genuinely caring about operations (observing new ride operations and making improvements)
Providing public updates regularly for first 18 months or so

Alton really felt as though it was on the way to carving its own niche, telling stories in a way only it can. Rides/fireworks/events etc And I can’t help but feel that has now gone, in terms of concept and literally the people who were doing it.

Nevertheless this isn’t positive news, and the loss of head of engineering as well doesn’t bode well.

The storm clouds are gathering above Alton again.
Click to expand...
Maybe the next leader will continue these improvements I do like the new Merlin CEO so we shall see what they do
 
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