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

JAperson said:
I think, somewhat sadly, this is highly likely to be an external IP of some form. Merlin have made it clear they feel there way forward is with IP's, and even if that wasn't the case coming up with something very compelling with an indoor attraction could be very hard, and marketing that would be extremely difficult.
Now I have nothing against IP's on principle but I would prefer that they were not part of Towers set of coasters, because it allows them to have there own identity, which I actually think sets them apart from Universal. Basically, they can't out universal universal, and now that is going to be a factor here in the UK. I do think this means they have to be incredibly likely what IP they pick (although this would have already been selected obviously) as it needs to be something that's going to be able to last and stay popular, while being easily marketable, and lending it for a huge audience, including those who have no actual interest in said IP.

Honestly, I thought this project was dead, but it appears not, and rather was just a delay. I'm not sure how I feel about that, as I was never convinced this was the exact right approach to take at the right time, and I'm still really not convinced. I do however think an indoor coaster is a great addition for Towers, and helps with there out-of-season operations a lot, giving them more possibility to earn more money. If I was choosing how to use this building and coaster, I think I would take a non-IP approach but perhaps using another pull, some have mentioned some black hole or steam punk kind of thing and I do believe incorporating an already known Towers IP, perhaps something that evokes nostalgia could work but they'd need to come up with an incredibly compelling ride and story. Perhaps there's also capacity to use a legend of some form, perhaps something King Arthur themed (as this is no longer something offered in the UK theme park scene), or really any well known legend, tale or myth. With Universal coming Towers need to focus on the domestic market, and this is an easy way to do that.
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Towers in the past few years all of the latest rides have been non IP Curse, Nemesis Reborn and Toxicator.

Bluey is the only IP to come recently this year. Think it will be mixture of original and IP
 
I wonder if there’s a chance it’s also Minecraft. Merlin already have the IP, an indoor coaster is already being built and they do like to clone rides plus the IP naturally allows it to be a different theme within the same world.

Obviously they’d be “competing” with themselves but does that really matter in the grand scheme of things? They opened Dragons Fury and Spinball in the same year so there’s precedent of sorts.
 
Hid said:
Towers in the past few years all of the latest rides have been non IP Curse, Nemesis Reborn and Toxicator.

Bluey is the only IP to come recently this year. Think it will be mixture of original and IP
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These will have been planned before Merlins new management and focus, and use or take advantage of existing known brands.
 
I still reckon they were planning something with RMC hence that really weird awkward promo/easter egg John Burton did and for whatever reason it fell though.

I hope that whatever they may have plans the tie it into a wider retheme of Walliams though it really wouldn’t surprise me if it’s just a standalone disjointed thing.
 
Benjsh said:
A Mack Powered Suspended coaster would be an absolute dream.

Arthur and Dragon Gliders in Dubai are both incredible rides and some of my favourite family thrill coasters I have experienced.
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I would have expected some kind of indoor/outdoor element sadly, which would show up on the plans; it could be a great Rita replacement though.

Personally I’d love to see something only the lines of a multi circuit launch coaster with an inversion.

Both of which would be UK firsts and would maximise the space.
 
That area of the park could easily become an all-weather / all-season hub with some (a lot of) investment. An indoor rollercoaster, an indoor boat ride, two indoor rides (Hex and GG), a 4D cinema, an undercover carousel.

If that indeed is the direction that the park still want to go in.
 
What is going on with any future investments at towers? It’s so strange that it just feels so bleak and nothing to be ‘excited’ about. The dangle of the carrot of project horizon is so frustrating…just wish they gave this park the love and attention it needs.
 
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They arent paying for the China Lego parks but they did invest heavily into the Korea and New York parks which havent gone well so far at all.

The Dubai one is a flop as well although I dont think that was all their own money either.

Merlin got greedy and misread the international markets and sadly that means parks like Towers pay the price.
 
Bowser said:
Who is paying the £70 odd million for Paw Patrol and Minecraft at Chessington and the new Legoland coaster, cinema etc?

Merlin have the money, they just don’t want to invest in major new rides for Alton Towers.
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Odd one really isn’t it considering AT has traditionally been the crown jewel

In a way I actually think this is now hindering the park - in the people will flock regardless of the product year on year - so why would Merlin invest in it if the customers already come.
 
I am no Merlin apologist but they are and have been investing in Alton Towers. Since their ownership in 2007, there have only been 2 years without a new investment, and one of them was 2020 - due to Covid.

Compare the investment between Alton Towers and their other UK parks and Alton Towers is actually very consistently invested in.

Take Chessington & Thorpe Park, years - sometimes consecutively go by without any investment.

Alton Towers had a ‘large’ investment year with Nemesis Reborn and FV refresh in 2024, and two ‘medium’ investment years since with Toxicator and Bluey. They have also spent capital on refurbing Hex and Skyride in that time.

Project Horizon looks be be moving given the recent filings with the planning docs, likely to be 2028 given the timescales involved. That puts the park on a large investment every 4 years, basically inline with Merlin’s investment approach over the past 20 years - with the exception of Covid, which delayed investments at parks across the world.

Folks might not agree with the investment choices, but the narrative that Merlin have somehow recently abandoned Towers or stopped investing just doesn’t stack up against the facts.
 
I think a lot of Towers investment has been less obvious because it’s been replacing existing rides. They probably chucked a good £20 million at Nemesis and Curse combined but that doesn’t feel new to enthusiasts as it’s rebuilding or re-skinning existing rides.

The only “new” thing has been Toxicator and now Bluey but even those are replacing previous attractions.
 
Bowser said:
This is all well and good but i was quite specific in my statement:
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We are in the post that is dedicated to just that, a major new ride, the planning docs recently filed demonstrate the project is alive - this feels like good evidence Merlin do want to invest in major new rides at Alton Towers.

I also suspect that if Nemesis didn’t need re-tracking that the money allocated to that would have been used for a major new ride, but that’s just my opinion.
 
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