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djtruefitt
TS Team
The ride queues wernt too bad at towers, they could have done with maybe one or two more rides open. But the main issues with the food places (from what I could see) is that there were simply not enough staff. In towers family restaurant there was one person serving food and on on the till, which meant it was a very slow process. The same in Towers trading at the end of the day, they have that lovely bank of tills, but only three staff on them, creating massive queues!
I imagine it'll translate to a higher budget for next years half term event, rather than an impact on this main season.
Still, incredibly good, even if people were moaning that they should've opened the half-built rides at a moments notice to compensate (with ghosts as staff I imagine, as they have none of those either)
Still, incredibly good, even if people were moaning that they should've opened the half-built rides at a moments notice to compensate (with ghosts as staff I imagine, as they have none of those either)
nickhutson
TS Member
It's probably only because its the first time the sun has shone this year.
They'll probably just make it pre book only next time.
They'll probably just make it pre book only next time.
Lottie.
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Zadra, Energylandia
I think the park wasn't anticipating that many people would attend the FHT event - but the nice weather is probably playing a huge part in the attendance.
I'm glad to see that this is very popular with families and hopefully Chessington can work on this for future FHT events.
I'm glad to see that this is very popular with families and hopefully Chessington can work on this for future FHT events.
WillG
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Katun
I'm surprised; but I'm even more surprised by the number of people up in arms over this - particularly the usual suspects who find fault in every move that park makes on their Facebook page!
From where I'm sitting, it seems like an extremely good idea - even moreso if it extends into the main season, as we've known for a while, there's simply not enough rides, space or... anything to cope with large crowds at Chessington, and when every ride has a queue in excess of an hour, it's downright miserable, particularly with children.
The fact that the park is now effectively turning down money in favour of safety and guest satisfaction can only be a positive thing, and as has been said above, if the park's proving unprecedently popular (even if it is mostly down to the weather), then that's good news however you look at it.
The one suggestion they should take into account is allowing passholders to advance book their place (similar to Thorpe's Fright Night system, preferably free, or maybe a pound or so, just to ensure people actually turn up!) and continue warning the public through road signs, Facebook, their own website if overcrowding is likely to be a problem on a specific day. Most people should know these things already, but as visitor posts on their wall prove, common sense has been known to take a short vacation...
From where I'm sitting, it seems like an extremely good idea - even moreso if it extends into the main season, as we've known for a while, there's simply not enough rides, space or... anything to cope with large crowds at Chessington, and when every ride has a queue in excess of an hour, it's downright miserable, particularly with children.
The fact that the park is now effectively turning down money in favour of safety and guest satisfaction can only be a positive thing, and as has been said above, if the park's proving unprecedently popular (even if it is mostly down to the weather), then that's good news however you look at it.
The one suggestion they should take into account is allowing passholders to advance book their place (similar to Thorpe's Fright Night system, preferably free, or maybe a pound or so, just to ensure people actually turn up!) and continue warning the public through road signs, Facebook, their own website if overcrowding is likely to be a problem on a specific day. Most people should know these things already, but as visitor posts on their wall prove, common sense has been known to take a short vacation...
John
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance
If the zoo is hitting capacity then they have to stop letting people in - it's not really something I'd argue as being an example of either good or bad customer service.
That said, capacity at the park should be less of an issue this year as Zufari sounds like it'll be capable of soaking up the crowds, which is something that Chessington has desperately needed for a number of years, especially now Vampire's throughput has been slashed due to 2 train operation and terrible dispatch times.
That said, capacity at the park should be less of an issue this year as Zufari sounds like it'll be capable of soaking up the crowds, which is something that Chessington has desperately needed for a number of years, especially now Vampire's throughput has been slashed due to 2 train operation and terrible dispatch times.
WillG
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Katun
^
True, but the feedback they're receiving suggests people are identifying it as poor customer service. These people are wrong, I agree.
I don't know enough about Zufari to comment, but I'll agree with the other points - Vampire's throughput was WOEFUL last Halloween - I gave up having been in the queue for an hour, and saw many, many people doing the same, and ending what was probably their last theme park trip of the year looking far from happy as a consequence. If queues are long due to popular demand, it's understandable, but that really did take the chocolate digestive...
Anyway, I look forward to seeing if the problems are sorted at all in the Spring
True, but the feedback they're receiving suggests people are identifying it as poor customer service. These people are wrong, I agree.
I don't know enough about Zufari to comment, but I'll agree with the other points - Vampire's throughput was WOEFUL last Halloween - I gave up having been in the queue for an hour, and saw many, many people doing the same, and ending what was probably their last theme park trip of the year looking far from happy as a consequence. If queues are long due to popular demand, it's understandable, but that really did take the chocolate digestive...
Anyway, I look forward to seeing if the problems are sorted at all in the Spring
BigAl
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Forbidden Journey
For a while I've been wondering if an Australian theme would work for Chessington so I've decided to start creating a few different ideas. These are the two plans I've thrown together in Power Point (all to scale):
It all came about after I visited Busch Gardens in Florida last year. The Kangaroo/Wallaby enclosure that let you pet and feed the animals was great, so I've been wanting something like it in the UK ever since.
I also improved a rapids idea I made a while back:
It's obviously designed to be a Hafema rapids with the whirlpool style drop. It's a very compact ride which is kind of a combination of a rapids ride and a flume/boat ride that follows a story (think Jaws/Ripsaw Falls).
They're pretty basic images and not really anything to do with anything, but I was told to post them here anyway.
It all came about after I visited Busch Gardens in Florida last year. The Kangaroo/Wallaby enclosure that let you pet and feed the animals was great, so I've been wanting something like it in the UK ever since.
I also improved a rapids idea I made a while back:
It's obviously designed to be a Hafema rapids with the whirlpool style drop. It's a very compact ride which is kind of a combination of a rapids ride and a flume/boat ride that follows a story (think Jaws/Ripsaw Falls).
They're pretty basic images and not really anything to do with anything, but I was told to post them here anyway.
E
electricBlll
Your graphics are fantastic and you have identified the areas of the park that need redevelopment the most, like Toadies Crazy Cars and Calamity Canyon. And you know, when enthusiasts draw up their own personal visions I find they are unrealistic and sentimental, but your plans are intelligent and actually look fun.
Personally I would like to see a new area between Wild Asia and Mystic East set in the Himalayan mountains, which would both be full of thematic potential and more or less geographically correct! (the Himalayas come between India and China). I also think this is the only place Chessington could locate a spacious rollercoaster without building on green belt land or destroying old rides.
In a decade or so I think their plan to merge the separate lands into themed continents while integrate the zoo and resort would have come together very well. I guess it really depends on how Zufari performs!
Personally I would like to see a new area between Wild Asia and Mystic East set in the Himalayan mountains, which would both be full of thematic potential and more or less geographically correct! (the Himalayas come between India and China). I also think this is the only place Chessington could locate a spacious rollercoaster without building on green belt land or destroying old rides.
In a decade or so I think their plan to merge the separate lands into themed continents while integrate the zoo and resort would have come together very well. I guess it really depends on how Zufari performs!
BigAl
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Forbidden Journey
Thanks Bill! ;D
The idea makes sense and I'm glad you think it would work too.
Now we just need Chessington to listen!
I had the exact same thought a year or so ago and designed a Mack launch themed to jet skis entering the mountains to search for a yeti but it took up the whole area!electricBlll said:
The idea makes sense and I'm glad you think it would work too.
Now we just need Chessington to listen!
Benzin
TS Member
Why would the park have a second Lorikeet enclosure? About the only issue I have with those ideas tbh...
There's LOTS of different ideas that the park could do with the areas that need redeveloping/refurbing... Toadies could fit a flat or two (Especially if you remove Berries with something that has a throughput)...
Although I dunno if I'd remove the ENTIRE picnic field because it is heavily used over the summer months...
Literally, Chessie need to purge all the low capacity rides (bar Griffins cos it's awesome) and replace them with rides with more than 200pph if lucky...
There's LOTS of different ideas that the park could do with the areas that need redeveloping/refurbing... Toadies could fit a flat or two (Especially if you remove Berries with something that has a throughput)...
Although I dunno if I'd remove the ENTIRE picnic field because it is heavily used over the summer months...
Literally, Chessie need to purge all the low capacity rides (bar Griffins cos it's awesome) and replace them with rides with more than 200pph if lucky...