I agree with others' posts on here while having SW9 would be amazing, there are more prominent matters that need addressing.
We have ageing coasters that are becoming increasingly unreliable. The smiler looks like a 'state' but at the same time, we get a 'smiler takeover' event which looks like it was organised by the local sixth forms media department.
Just little things bug me. That old air canopy bit of theming in Galacticas queue line with wires dangling. Surely they can just clear the wires off it? Or give it a quick jet wash? Smiler with its white paint (this colour scheme needs a fresh coat yearly) and the awful-looking stairway. The fairground rides in a 'themed' area with cheesy pop being blasted.
Towers do not need another coaster. There are no flats to break up your day. It's just coaster after coaster. It's meant to be a theme park with variety.
Imagine visiting the place for the first time this week. How confusing the whole thing is. The car park, and 50/50 monorail not working, long walk to the entrance. No internal transport (skyride). Smiler stickers and random theming everywhere, strange entertainment on separate stages but no main stage. You don't even know where the entertainment is on the sign near the main stage.
The whole food situation is a disaster. You can't get away with this kind of stuff in 2023. Everyone expects theme park food to be overpriced and was 'ok' before Amarak. (The service just needed working on as it was a bit sloppy.). However, people don't like being 'ripped off'. It's embarrassing having the 100% signs removed, mobile phone images for food on the self-service machines and the low-quality food offerings all over social media.
What makes matters worse, hotel prices have sky-rocketed and the food is dire. I loved staying at the resort. You are better off just going to Travelodge or premier inn these days.
This will all backfire in the end. They will have to do big sales, even bring back food franchises if people have zero confidence. The number of people I saw on a quiet day have a packed lunch in the gardens, said it all.
Long story short, go back to basics. Forget about SW9 until these things are sorted. Focus on actually having a decent scare-fest this year, rather than recycled mazes people have done time and time again. They need to revisit everything. Not from an enthusiast's point of view (we don't make them much money). Focus on the first-time guest, and how they would perceive the park. Would they care about another new coaster or their overall day being a good one?
