2026: General Discussion

[Secret Weapon]

Why was the location-specific requirement imposed?

I don't think the Thorpe Park app ever did

I heard that it may have been because AT were embarrassed by the long queue times and didn't want people outside of the park to see them

(I think one of the European Merlin parks had a geographic restriction as well; possibly Gardaland)

It doesn't matter to me now, anyway, as I deleted the app and permanently switched over to the Ride Times website as a result, and so it was a short-sighted decision by AT as the app could have been used to promote events etc

 

[Snexed]

Given ongoing world events, and what I suspect will rapidly unfold in the next 2-3 weeks as supply shocks happen due to enormous LNG, Oil and Fertilizer constraints impacting energy and food to come (overall cost of living to increase dramatically even further) including fuel, travel and even energy restrictions to come by mid to late-April, how badly impacted over the course of a season and potentially far beyond are Alton Towers going to be in that scenario do we think - given its location and lack of public transport?

Claude seems to suggest that around 60-70% of annual visitors are probably within a 100-mile radius, which on its own isn't too bad even with fuel over £2 per litre to come. But if global fertilizer yields are down 75% on last year then your weekly food shop is about to increase in line with that too alongside energy bills uo enormously. Then it's a broader case of affordability and a wide-ranging impact to all businesses, but relevant to our interests the UK amusement industry as a whole.

I'm not sure at what % of attendance reduction things get really bad for AT, and given merlins overall operating loss of £56m from the latest report, how desperate they might have to get in terms of what assets they retain or let go of in the months and years to come.

I don't know but couldn't it actually help the UK parks?

If people don't have disposable money, then instead of going abroad for a holiday then they might save their cash and just go away for trips within the UK instead. Alton Towers would surely benefit from that?

If you were relying on international customers then you might be in trouble though mind like their gateway attractions.