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[202X] Project Horizon (SW9?): Planning Approved

BarryZola said:
I assume even if the planning lapsed as it was timed out, it would be pretty easy to get it waved through a second time now they've been given the nod once already. As long as there were no substantial changes to the plans.
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There is precendent for this at the Towers.

Before they built the CBeebies Land Hotel, they had previously got permission for an additional wing of the Alton Towers Hotel on the same site, with roughly the same footprint. That lapsed and then eventually the slightly larger, souped-up full hotel in its place.
 
Alphe86 said:
The structure will be built before planning is no longer valid regardless of any other factors
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They 100% wouldn't build the building without firm plans for the interior, or without the ride purchased and that side of the project ready to start.

People have the misconception that these buildings are just simple warehouses... I mean they are, but a) they are designed around the rides they contain, and b) often have to be built around the rides.
 
They only really need to start digging by the time the planning permission expires, often buildings will just dig a hole and pour a bit of concrete and that satisfies the planners.
 
Islander said:
They 100% wouldn't build the building without firm plans for the interior, or without the ride purchased and that side of the project ready to start.

People have the misconception that these buildings are just simple warehouses... I mean they are, but a) they are designed around the rides they contain, and b) often have to be built around the rides.
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I don’t disagree. However knowing what they want to put in doesn’t necessarily mean it’s getting put in right away.
I guess we can do nothing but see either way

Unless…
This is Towers - build first, ask questions later is an insane strategy they might look to utilise
 
Judging the plot etc, I’d be surprised is simply constructing the 4 walls and the roof part of the building took more than 6 months start to finish.

I’m hoping we’d get something akin to a British “The Mummy” ride. Inevitably well something more akin to the Rat Ride.
 
Bowser said:
Isn't that what we're getting at Chessington?
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Hopefully. But more than one can’t hurt.

I’m just amazed that Chessington will get a B&M and possibly a Intamin multi dimension in such a short time frame.

Given Alton is kind of in the state Chessington was a few years back. It needs a solid addition but also supporting attractions in that side of the park as it’s hugely under utilised at present.

Get it right and if you included up until burger kitchen you’ve got a fantastic area on your hands.

- New indoor family thrill coaster
- Indoor family boat ride
- Indoor family dark ride
- Children’s driving attraction
- Theatre/Show space
- Large quick service restaurant

Ample unused buildings for:
- Coffee shop
- Retail space
- Sit down themed dining

If they get the theme right and the money to tie it together it could be a self contained cash cow.

For me it’s screaming Lego Miniland, perhaps using associated IP. (Lego Star Wars coaster?)

GG becomes Ninjago or Factory Tour
Dungeons becomes Dragons Lair/Lego Pirates
Project Horizon is Lego Star Wars coaster
Theatre is “Lego Movie 4D”
Nickoldeon building becomes cafe
Remote control cars becomes “The Lego Shop”
Could even add a mini land amongst the trees in front of burger kitchen
Add a new “Lego” golf course next to the current lot and enclose it all.

New entrance arch near Burger Kitchen to help draw the crowds and allow it to be sectioned off.

You’re reusing a lot so capex is down. Reusing things from Windsor/other Lego parks. Existing IPs for guaranteed results.

Watch the money roll in.
 
The plans for horizon clearly show a standalone area.

Whilst the logic of combining the whole area makes sense, it doesn’t look like that will happen. Unless the plans drastically change.

Perhaps walliams staying (since we’ve not heard any different) and horizon seeming to be on the back burner is a potential good thing whilst they wait to combine it all rather than the original plan of opening horizon in 2026 as a standalone.

Perhaps 2027 with the ideas presented above?
 
Remember tho the area suffers from noise issues so it couldnt be to much of a big area that creates to much noise
 
Dave said:
I may have missed something, why did people think they are connected?
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Some people were suggesting that because nothing has happened with Horizon (that we know of) the project had been moved to Chessington and had become what they revealed.
 
Interesting to hear that sources are saying it’s going ahead, so do we think construction may start this close season perhaps? Maybe that’s why they started construction early for project ocean to utilise contractors, materials and machinery.

With all the money spent on the sky ride assuming the plan is to get it open for the start of next season, I do feel they won’t have enough of a budget to refurbish Galactica or to add any remaining flats so maybe they could add another flat and finish Galactica area off before project Horizon opens the following year?

Then that leaves David Walliams area to be next surely! I’m surprised they haven’t dropped his name from the park after all the scandals. It can’t be a good look for them.
 
TBoy535 said:
With all the money spent on the sky ride assuming the plan is to get it open for the start of next season, I do feel they won’t have enough of a budget to refurbish Galactica or to add any remaining flats so maybe they could add another flat and finish Galactica area off before project Horizon opens the following year?
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CapEx, OpEx and Maintenance are different budgets. OpEx and Maintenance are typically handled by the park, CapEx is ring fenced and decided upon by the higher powers that be.

Project Horizon, and any planned flats, will not have an impact on the spend to maintenance, refurbishments or operations.

Skyride adds a layer of complexity, because usually the refurbishment / maintenance cost would come out of the park's maintenance budget. It is possible that corporate have given a cash injection, to get it back up and running again, whilst not impacting the park's typical maintenance budget. This is only speculation.
TBoy535 said:
Maybe that’s why they started construction early for project ocean to utilise contractors, materials and machinery.
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Construction started "early" for Project Ocean because it otherwise wouldn't have been ready for the 2025 season open. Starting in April, we're 6 months in and only just approaching the final stages of the foundation construction. If construction started in November at season close, and took the same length of time, we'd be looking at May 2025 to get to the same point. (Counter balancing building in an active park, compared to building / constructing in awful weather).
TBoy535 said:
I’m surprised they haven’t dropped his name from the park after all the scandals. It can’t be a good look for them.
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The majority of the "scandals" you're referring to were already known, and in the public domain, when they signed the initial licencing agreement with him. Regarding the issues which have only come to light recently, they're not a patch on some of his previous ones and not enough to trigger a contractual clause. The issues also haven't had much of an impact on his sales. As far as theme parks and creatives with controversies, he's really not the worst offender. Roald Dahl, JK Rowling and Walt Disney himself spring to mind.

I would imagine that the area will be redeveloped when the IP licence expires, and not a moment before.
 
GooseOnTheLoose said:
CapEx, OpEx and Maintenance are different budgets. OpEx and Maintenance are typically handled by the park, CapEx is ring fenced and decided upon by the higher powers that be.

Project Horizon, and any planned flats, will not have an impact on the spend to maintenance, refurbishments or operations.

Skyride adds a layer of complexity, because usually the refurbishment / maintenance cost would come out of the park's maintenance budget. It is possible that corporate have given a cash injection, to get it back up and running again, whilst not impacting the park's typical maintenance budget. This is only speculation.

Construction started "early" for Project Ocean because it otherwise wouldn't have been ready for the 2025 season open. Starting in April, we're 6 months in and only just approaching the final stages of the foundation construction. If construction started in November at season close, and took the same length of time, we'd be looking at May 2025 to get to the same point. (Counter balancing building in an active park, compared to building / constructing in awful weather).

The majority of the "scandals" you're referring to were already known, and in the public domain, when they signed the initial licencing agreement with him. Regarding the issues which have only come to light recently, they're not a patch on some of his previous ones and not enough to trigger a contractual clause. The issues also haven't had much of an impact on his sales. As far as theme parks and creatives with controversies, he's really not the worst offender. Roald Dahl, JK Rowling and Walt Disney himself spring to mind.

I would imagine that the area will be redeveloped when the IP licence expires, and not a moment before.
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Thank you and appreciate your response that does make a lot of sense and was very insightful.


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