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

[Dave]

Wouldn't be a huge surprise if so, although I would expect the land would still be used (albeit for a significantly cheaper installation). The impression has been for quite a while now that they have no intention in investing in large-scale attractions for Alton Towers.

They must have spent around £15 to £20 million of capital at Towers since 2023.

I have no idea on Horizons future, but I don’t think past investment is indicative of future intention as the investment has been high, it’s just sadly being mostly used fixing years of neglect.

I had heard vague rumour that the new management wasn’t overly keen on the original plan for Horizon and had asked the creative team to go back to the drawing board on the internal plans which I can believe, I would also not be surprised if they have decided a coaster is not a priority (because honestly I don’t think it is), but I don’t think the issue is capital investment at the moment.

 

[QTXAdsy]

I would feel that if PH has changed it is likely to to now include TWODW and Dungeons into one complete land which does mean more more to spend but in the wake of Universal's arrival, they simply have to make the most of it which could explain partly of it going back to the drawing board.

If they have simply given up after all this time then it is pretty much a sign that Merlin (or at least Towers) have already thrown the towel in even before Universal have planted a shovel into the ground and to let permission slide after getting it would be really foolish indeed.

 

[Rob]

If they have simply given up after all this time then it is pretty much a sign that Merlin (or at least Towers) have already thrown the towel in even before Universal have planted a shovel into the ground and to let permission slide after getting it would be really foolish indeed.

I don't agree with this. If the new management felt that what was planned for this was not actually suitable or right for the park then pulling the plug before it's too late would be the right thing to do. Although that may not be what has happened, it could still just be delayed or going through revisions.

It could be that they feel there are other priorities that need addressing at the park, which as Dave had alluded to above, would probably be a fair assessment to make as it stands.

 

[s_g_k]

They must have spent around £15 to £20 million of capital at Towers since 2023.

I have no idea on Horizons future, but I don’t think past investment is indicative of future intention as the investment has been high, it’s just sadly being mostly used fixing years of neglect.

I had heard vague rumour that the new management wasn’t overly keen on the original plan for Horizon and had asked the creative team to go back to the drawing board on the internal plans which I can believe, I would also not be surprised if they have decided a coaster is not a priority (because honestly I don’t think it is), but I don’t think the issue is capital investment at the moment.

Agreed. The level of capex being pumped in at the moment is more than we’ve seen in arguably a decade (or more?) Curse, Hex, Nemesis, Nemesis Sub Terra, Sky Ride, Congo River Rapids and Toxicator have all seen significant investment. Let’s face it, in 2022 the park was rotting and it’s now in a better place than it was back then, and Operations/throughput now seem to be a priority again. Yes we need a few more filler attractions but to me, the focus currently seems to be on the “core” of what a theme park is - good ops, good availability and a good mix of attractions, albeit this element does still need to grow.

I’m sure after another couple of years of flat ride investment we’ll see a new headline area open on the site of TWoDW / Dungeons / Horizon site, but I’d be happy if this isn’t until 2028 once they’ve had the time and capex allowance to fix what’s still outstanding.

 

[benpicko]

Agreed. The level of capex being pumped in at the moment is more than we’ve seen in arguably a decade (or more?) Curse, Hex, Nemesis, Nemesis Sub Terra, Sky Ride, Congo River Rapids and Toxicator have all seen significant investment.

This is true but none of those are new attractions. They're either rethemes of old attractions, rebuilding and retheming old attractions, or investing in rides that have broken down. They've spent a lot of money to get back to where they were a decade ago and that's not enough to drive new people to visit, or to drive people to visit again. Project Horizon and a newly themed area around it would have been, and if that's been cancelled because they've finally spent the money they should've spent all along just to stand still then that'd be a shame.

 

[Mick]

Whilst the park doesn’t necessarily need another coaster currently, I think it’s essential as then it gives them the flexibility to make the decisions over the likes of Rita and Galactica. As well as the advantages an indoor coaster has in bad weather.

So it definitely shouldn’t be viewed in isolation, and I’m still optimistic that they’re cooking up something good. A lot of what they’ve done recently (Reborn, Toxicator, Curse) has been to a high standard and has improved the park, hopefully that continues.

 

[s_g_k]

This is true but none of those are new attractions. They're either rethemes of old attractions, rebuilding and retheming old attractions, or investing in rides that have broken down. They've spent a lot of money to get back to where they were a decade ago and that's not enough to drive new people to visit, or to drive people to visit again. Project Horizon and a newly themed area around it would have been, and if that's been cancelled because they've finally spent the money they should've spent all along just to stand still then that'd be a shame.

I think the notion of “new people” visiting is a bit weak, because every year there are families who have children who are finally tall enough to ride certain attractions and whose babies are old enough to appreciate CBeebies Land, so it that respect the park will always have a fresh crowd every year.

I doubt anyone would have preferred Horizon and a new area whilst Hex and NST remained mothballed, Duel and CRR continued rotting, nemesis ended up closing and Toxicator never happened:

 

[Jb85]

Personally I think both should be happening - Horizon and the huge level of refurbishment we have seen in recent years.

 

[Ash]

Whilst the park doesn’t necessarily need another coaster currently, I think it’s essential as then it gives them the flexibility to make the decisions over the likes of Rita and Galactica. As well as the advantages an indoor coaster has in bad weather.

So it definitely shouldn’t be viewed in isolation, and I’m still optimistic that they’re cooking up something good. A lot of what they’ve done recently (Reborn, Toxicator, Curse) has been to a high standard and has improved the park, hopefully that continues.

Agree with this. Excellent point re: Galactica and Rita removal. As a straight swap id let Rita go to allow a proper Dark Forest re-do.

Although I think the option of having an indoor coaster option which could open in the winter months, that may be possible to overlay too could be exactly what the place needs.

I’m no planning expert but if there was any the consent was at risk then they absolutely should build it. Regardless of anything else.

Otherwise if they could spread the £15-20m to:

2 flat rides in X Sector - £4m
1 flat ride in FV on the blade site - £1.5m
Dungeons reworked to trackless dark ride - £8m
4D cinema reopen & coffee shop in old nick building - £1.5m
Galactica re-theme - £1m
Spruce of the entrance plaza and tower street - £1m
Family restaurant and Swiss Cottage reinstated - £500k

That money could do a lot of good.