I disagree with some of the posts here. I think Horizon needs to come soon, preferably within the next few years (by 2028, in my view).
As much as people talk about there being bigger priorities, it’s been some time now since Alton’s last new major attraction (Wicker Man in 2018 was already 7 years ago). While the park has invested a fair amount in recent years, a lot of it has been into refurbishments rather than meaningfully new attractions. Things like Curse and Nemesis Reborn, to the casual visitor, are just old hits painted a new colour, and even with Toxicator, people have been talking about how “it’s just Ripsaw painted a different colour” despite it being a brand new ride. In terms of the time since the park has had a big, new statement ride, the last one was Wicker Man. I’m not saying a big, new statement ride even has to be a big thrill coaster; something like a major new dark ride or substantial water ride would fill the void as well.
People might talk about how “it’s the little things that matter” and how “the wider experience” needs investing in, but I feel that the time since the last major attraction is a concern if one isn’t installed soon. As much as the refurbishments are positive and necessary, there’s only so long that the public will keep visiting for without anything meaningfully new and different in terms of major attractions being installed.
As much as you can cite the strength of the experience “back in the day”, the crux of the matter is that people were pulled to the park by the multiple statement ride installations during the 80s and 90s, in my view. The Haunted House, Nemesis, Oblivion, Congo River Rapids… there was regular investment into these statement attractions.
Without that regular investment, I fear that Alton might tip into the sort of rut that Thorpe Park found itself in pre-Hyperia, where the park’s lineup arguably began to feel a bit stale to the casual visitor and the place felt a bit directionless. People on here might dismiss headliners, but I think they are needed regularly to keep a park on the straight and narrow. Without new headline rides, people will grow bored of the existing lineup and go “why should I go back to Alton Towers when nothing’s changed for years?”.
As
@James said, I also feel that Horizon itself will fill gaps in the lineup. It’s indoors, which is different and helps to weather proof the park further, and I also think it’s quite likely to have a 1.2m height restriction at most, which should help to bolster the heavily squeezed “too big for CBeebies, but under 1.4m” demographic.
