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CBeebies Land
- Thread starter djtruefitt
- Start date
CoasterCrazyChris
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Nemesis
Re: 2014: CBeebies Land
Now i've realised the blobs are the 'mascot' of CBeebies I actually think they are a good basis to theme the ride upon.
However I don't see any evidence to suggest that this ride retheme will consist of anything more than bright yellow and purple paint and some new tiles stuck on the existing theming.
Where is the creativity? Or imagination?
Furthermore, the squirrels were an iconic part of Alton Towers and created a perfect theme for a naturalistic area of the park with lots of old oak trees.
Visually, this new theme will stick out as much as Spinball.
thefatone said:
Now i've realised the blobs are the 'mascot' of CBeebies I actually think they are a good basis to theme the ride upon.
However I don't see any evidence to suggest that this ride retheme will consist of anything more than bright yellow and purple paint and some new tiles stuck on the existing theming.
Where is the creativity? Or imagination?
Furthermore, the squirrels were an iconic part of Alton Towers and created a perfect theme for a naturalistic area of the park with lots of old oak trees.
Visually, this new theme will stick out as much as Spinball.
BigAl
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Forbidden Journey
Re: 2014: CBeebies Land
I seem to have become the enemy here when I never stated that I disliked this entire project, merely one aspect of it so far: the Blobs replacing the squirrels.
Squirrel Nutty linked in with Peter Rabbit. Ever heard of The Tale Squirrel Nutkin? No? And the fact that you sat in a giant acorn whilst a squirrel carried you along through the treetops... it had humour - something which this is devoid of.
So how does a yellow blob, with no backstory, pushing you in a purple car through the trees compare? It's Cbeebies' icon... so? Keep it for the marketing and signage.
I seem to have become the enemy here when I never stated that I disliked this entire project, merely one aspect of it so far: the Blobs replacing the squirrels.
thefatone said:
Squirrel Nutty linked in with Peter Rabbit. Ever heard of The Tale Squirrel Nutkin? No? And the fact that you sat in a giant acorn whilst a squirrel carried you along through the treetops... it had humour - something which this is devoid of.
So how does a yellow blob, with no backstory, pushing you in a purple car through the trees compare? It's Cbeebies' icon... so? Keep it for the marketing and signage.
Josh
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Nemesis
Re: 2014: CBeebies Land
I think kids these days will prefer to be pushed along in a colourful car by the mascot of their favourite tv channel then sit in an acorn carried by a battered looking old squirrel they've never heard of before... After all, this is aimed at very young children, not nostalgic enthusiasts
I think kids these days will prefer to be pushed along in a colourful car by the mascot of their favourite tv channel then sit in an acorn carried by a battered looking old squirrel they've never heard of before... After all, this is aimed at very young children, not nostalgic enthusiasts
BigAl
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Forbidden Journey
Re: 2014: CBeebies Land
I'm all for a retheme if it's a positive change, but taking away an attraction's substance for a retheme isn't necessary. It's not as if there aren't other Cbeebies shows with proper characters that they could have based a retheme on.
But as for IPs, they don't come much bigger than Beatrix Potter's stories. Hence why they continue to sell millions of copies a year.
I'm all for a retheme if it's a positive change, but taking away an attraction's substance for a retheme isn't necessary. It's not as if there aren't other Cbeebies shows with proper characters that they could have based a retheme on.
But as for IPs, they don't come much bigger than Beatrix Potter's stories. Hence why they continue to sell millions of copies a year.
CoasterCrazyChris
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Nemesis
Re: 2014: CBeebies Land
Change is inevitable....but it's hard to be enthusiastic about a park that is slowly removing all the things that made you fall in love with it in the first place.
Josh said:I think kids these days will prefer to be pushed along in a colourful car by the mascot of their favourite tv channel then sit in an acorn carried by a battered looking old squirrel they've never heard of before... After all, this is aimed at very young children, not nostalgic enthusiasts
Change is inevitable....but it's hard to be enthusiastic about a park that is slowly removing all the things that made you fall in love with it in the first place.
Josh
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Nemesis
Re: 2014: CBeebies Land
Squirrel Nutty was one of the first rides I went on at Towers, and one of the few things that I remember about my first visit, so of course I'm sad to see it go. But as you say, change is inevitable, so I'd rather get excited about the new attractions that are coming.
I'm actually really looking forward to this, the only downside is that one of the quieter areas of the park which was fun to chill out in before, will now likely be one of the busiest areas and full to the brim with loud screaming children
CoasterCrazyChris said:
Squirrel Nutty was one of the first rides I went on at Towers, and one of the few things that I remember about my first visit, so of course I'm sad to see it go. But as you say, change is inevitable, so I'd rather get excited about the new attractions that are coming.
I'm actually really looking forward to this, the only downside is that one of the quieter areas of the park which was fun to chill out in before, will now likely be one of the busiest areas and full to the brim with loud screaming children
BigAl
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Forbidden Journey
Re: 2014: CBeebies Land
It's not even that. Everyone has to accept that things won't remain the way they are. What you don't have to accept is the better ideas being replaced with poorer ones.
Would anyone say refreshing Professor Burp's Bubble Works, the Haunted House, Terror Tomb and Toyland Tours was worth it? They looked clean (initially), but that's a rather pathetic reason to be pleased with them.
It's not even that. Everyone has to accept that things won't remain the way they are. What you don't have to accept is the better ideas being replaced with poorer ones.
Would anyone say refreshing Professor Burp's Bubble Works, the Haunted House, Terror Tomb and Toyland Tours was worth it? They looked clean (initially), but that's a rather pathetic reason to be pleased with them.
TheMan
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- NemiLerVion
Re: 2014: CBeebies Land
I'm also sad to see it go, and I do agree with Al's points completely in theory. I want to clarify that.
I do however understand totally why they've gone for that blob thing, and the kids will no doubt find it humorous, between demanding sweets, vomiting, screaming, throwing tantrums, smacking their siblings etc ;D
This will be kiddie heaven and parent hell - mark my words.
"Chelsayyy, stop kicking Iggle Piggle in the shins - Beckham, put your brother down, no you can't post him to America".
I'm also sad to see it go, and I do agree with Al's points completely in theory. I want to clarify that.
I do however understand totally why they've gone for that blob thing, and the kids will no doubt find it humorous, between demanding sweets, vomiting, screaming, throwing tantrums, smacking their siblings etc ;D
This will be kiddie heaven and parent hell - mark my words.
"Chelsayyy, stop kicking Iggle Piggle in the shins - Beckham, put your brother down, no you can't post him to America".
CoasterCrazyChris
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Nemesis
Re: 2014: CBeebies Land
Exactly.
Almost every retheme at Merlin parks since around 2000 has basically involved lots of bright paint and/or sponsorship.
No proper craftmanship. What is there to appreciate from an enthusist perspective?
BigAl said:It's not even that. Everyone has to accept that things won't remain the way they are. What you don't have to accept is the better ideas being replaced with poorer ones.
Would anyone say refreshing Professor Burp's Bubble Works, the Haunted House, Terror Tomb and Toyland Tours was worth it? They looked clean (initially), but that's a rather pathetic reason to be pleased with them.
Exactly.
Almost every retheme at Merlin parks since around 2000 has basically involved lots of bright paint and/or sponsorship.
No proper craftmanship. What is there to appreciate from an enthusist perspective?
Rob
TS Team
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance
Re: 2014: CBeebies Land
CBeebies Land will be built to appeal at young children, not enthusiasts. They had to go for a big IP kids area to compete with Drayton and Blackpool (and to an extent Paultons). As I said previously, from what I could see today CBeebies Land is looking really nice. I loved the Farm and will really miss it however I have to admit that Towers are doing the right thing.
CBeebies Land will be built to appeal at young children, not enthusiasts. They had to go for a big IP kids area to compete with Drayton and Blackpool (and to an extent Paultons). As I said previously, from what I could see today CBeebies Land is looking really nice. I loved the Farm and will really miss it however I have to admit that Towers are doing the right thing.
Scott
Former TS Team Member
- Favourite Ride
- Nemesis
Re: 2014: CBeebies Land
Squirrel Nutty isn't officially an IP though is it. It was just based upon it. Otherwise it would be 'Squirrel Nutkin'...
I don't understand why this retheme has any less substance. In the old one you sat in a giant acorn with a squirrel on the back - a squirrel based upon a then very recognisable character.
Now you sit in a *thing* (not sure what it is yet) while a yellow blob sits on the back - a blob who is instantly recognisable to the little ones across the country.
It's not like some deep and meaningful back story has been torn apart to be replaced by some piece of crap - a squirrel and his acorn has been replaced by the icon that starts and ends a nation of children's days. Simples.
Squirrel Nutty isn't officially an IP though is it. It was just based upon it. Otherwise it would be 'Squirrel Nutkin'...
I don't understand why this retheme has any less substance. In the old one you sat in a giant acorn with a squirrel on the back - a squirrel based upon a then very recognisable character.
Now you sit in a *thing* (not sure what it is yet) while a yellow blob sits on the back - a blob who is instantly recognisable to the little ones across the country.
It's not like some deep and meaningful back story has been torn apart to be replaced by some piece of crap - a squirrel and his acorn has been replaced by the icon that starts and ends a nation of children's days. Simples.
E
electricBlll
Re: 2014: CBeebies Land
Yes, but… THE NOSTALGIA! :'(
Yes, but… THE NOSTALGIA! :'(
BigAl
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Forbidden Journey
Re: 2014: CBeebies Land
Why is it that every time someone on here raises something about an older attraction possibly being better in some way than what replaced it, more or less everyone starts posting about rose tinted spectacles? What if it... isn't? What's wrong with wanting characters with... character? :S
Why is it that every time someone on here raises something about an older attraction possibly being better in some way than what replaced it, more or less everyone starts posting about rose tinted spectacles? What if it... isn't? What's wrong with wanting characters with... character? :S
E
electricBlll
Re: 2014: CBeebies Land
Is nostalgia a bad thing? It's one of the most characteristic feelings of all. I didn't even go on the ride before 2010 so it's hardly a distant memory.
The pathetically nostalgic rural naivety of sitting in a slow moving GRP acorn is what made Squirrel Nutty good.
Is nostalgia a bad thing? It's one of the most characteristic feelings of all. I didn't even go on the ride before 2010 so it's hardly a distant memory.
The pathetically nostalgic rural naivety of sitting in a slow moving GRP acorn is what made Squirrel Nutty good.
CoasterCrazyChris
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Nemesis
Re: 2014: CBeebies Land
Because it's the same attraction but with bright paint slapped on it?
Scott said:
Because it's the same attraction but with bright paint slapped on it?
Sam
TS Member
Re: 2014: CBeebies Land
Because 'Squirrel Nutty' never really had any character? I mean, it was hardly an amazing theme. It didn't have a plot behind it, or anything unique, as far as I could tell. It was just loosely themed around squirrels. This re-work will probably bring in a bit more depth, imagination and 'character' to the ride, as well as give it a much-needed refurbishment.
BigAl said:
Because 'Squirrel Nutty' never really had any character? I mean, it was hardly an amazing theme. It didn't have a plot behind it, or anything unique, as far as I could tell. It was just loosely themed around squirrels. This re-work will probably bring in a bit more depth, imagination and 'character' to the ride, as well as give it a much-needed refurbishment.
