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

I do wonder if they’ll start the construction of the building without a full idea of what will be inside?

It’s a notoriously hard place to get planning for, and if they didn’t utilise the approved planning, I can’t imagine they’d want to go to the effort of doing that again.

Even if they did build the shed purely so it’s ready to go, it’s out of guest facing areas for the most part.
 
I do wonder if they’ll start the construction of the building without a full idea of what will be inside?

It’s a notoriously hard place to get planning for, and if they didn’t utilise the approved planning, I can’t imagine they’d want to go to the effort of doing that again.

Even if they did build the shed purely so it’s ready to go, it’s out of guest facing areas for the most part.

They need to build foundations for the coaster so I doubt it. It’s easy enough to get an extension to planning permission. The ATH expansion which became CBeebies was extended at least once.
 
You'd build the coaster and then enclose it, not build the building then the coaster I would have thought?
Depends eg at Disney world gaurdians of the galaxy show building was built first and then the track was built inside. Where as Tron which was being built a similar time the track was built first. Uncharted at Port Aventura if I remember the building was built first and then the coaster built.
 
Heard from a few reliable sources that this could've been shelved completely. They are correct around 90% of the time. I'm not surprised if it's the case, but I guess we'll see if anything picks up next year.

As Danny says I doubt it’s shelved completely, but if it’s a redesign then it’s certainly not going to be anytime soon.
 
Other than rumours, the only concrete evidence we have of Merlin’s intentions at the park are fairly drastic cutbacks.

So even a potential redesign seems like it could be cause for concern.
On the flip side, I can’t imagine that upcoming Minecraft Land at Chessington will be cheap… so who knows, really?

I do think delaying Horizon beyond 2026 is perhaps a mistake. 2026 will already represent 8 years since the last major new ride investment, so I think we are getting to that point where the current lineup of headliners may begin to feel a bit stale for the wider British public within the next couple of years.
 
On the flip side, I can’t imagine that upcoming Minecraft Land at Chessington will be cheap… so who knows, really?

I do think delaying Horizon beyond 2026 is perhaps a mistake. 2026 will already represent 8 years since the last major new ride investment, so I think we are getting to that point where the current lineup of headliners may begin to feel a bit stale for the wider British public within the next couple of years.

It happened with Thorpe. Swarm was 2012 and Hyperia was 2024. 12 years.

Chessington was worse. Dragons fury 2004, Mandrill 2023, 19 years.
 
On the flip side, I can’t imagine that upcoming Minecraft Land at Chessington will be cheap… so who knows, really?

Well yes but that's a different park which seemingly is being more heavily invested in.

Also i don't know how these IP deals work, is it purely licensing or is it a partnership where both parties invest?
 
Also i don't know how these IP deals work, is it purely licensing or is it a partnership where both parties invest?
It depends how protective the licence holder is over the brand.

Sometimes it can literally be just licencing, as in the case of The World of David Walliams, and allowing the licencee's creative team to create the attractions with a glancing approval from the rights holder.

Other deals can be far more invested, such as Super Nintendo World or The Wizarding World creations at Universal, and have a partnership ongoing with the rights holders, asset lending and a more constructive creative dialogue.

Microsoft have been relatively careful with their handling of the Minecraft IP thus far. I can see them having a decent creative dialogue, but also with enough free reign for Merlin to work their "magic". Similar to Paulton's Park and Peppa Pig, but perhaps slightly more invested.
 
It happened with Thorpe. Swarm was 2012 and Hyperia was 2024. 12 years.

Chessington was worse. Dragons fury 2004, Mandrill 2023, 19 years.
I'm not saying there's no precedent for it, but I don't think it's something to be aspired towards.

In both cases, the parks' lineups arguably began to get to that point of feeling stale, and that's precisely what I think Alton needs to be careful to avoid.
Well yes but that's a different park which seemingly is being more heavily invested in.

Also i don't know how these IP deals work, is it purely licensing or is it a partnership where both parties invest?
Typically, it's purely licensing, from what I gather. IP holders may want varying levels of creative control as a result of said licensing agreement, but I think the IP holder only invests their own money if it's sponsorship (e.g. The Flume being rethemed to Imperial Leather).

In this case, Merlin has almost certainly paid Mojang for the licensing rights rather than the other way around. I'd be very surprised if Mojang has invested any money at all into the deal with Merlin.
 
Other than rumours, the only concrete evidence we have of Merlin’s intentions at the park are fairly drastic cutbacks.

So even a potential redesign seems like it could be cause for concern.

Merlin have always cut back on various stuff but still thrown in the odd big investment. They have invested a lot into the core part of this planning permission, they are unlikely to completely throw it away.
 
I just wish Towers would invest in a big thrilling family coaster like Big Bear Mountain for their next coaster.

I just wish Towers would invest in some new hardware full stop.

I’m really pleased at what they are doing with refurbs - it’s a great step. But this shouldn’t be detrimental to new hardware.
Your refurbing - on the whole - due to poor up keep.

Nemesis the exception.
 
It happened with Thorpe. Swarm was 2012 and Hyperia was 2024. 12 years.

Chessington was worse. Dragons fury 2004, Mandrill 2023, 19 years.
Assume you are only focusing on coasters, but the post you replied to said major ride investments. Both parks had major investments inbetween, you missed out Zufari and Ghost Train. Chessington also had smaller investment of Tiger Falls and Amazu.

Alton Towers of course also had Gangsta Granny as a medium investment.
 
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