Chessington World of Adventures Resort

With regards to the bolded, why would any rides built at Alton not be designed for the park? Surely anything they put in would have to be bespokely tailored for the location, especially with Alton’s unique constraints?

I think the reason that Legoland seems to get more prestigious rides than the RTPs, and quite possibly more often as well, is because the Legolands are key to Merlin’s growth strategy, and they are arguably one of Merlin’s key groups alongside the midways. The RTPs, on the other hand, are not quite as vital.

Am I right in saying that the Lego parks get new stuff more often than the RTPs? It certainly seems like it; Legoland Windsor has certainly had a hell of a lot of investment over the last 5-10 years or so!

The RTPs do also still get nice investment; I’d argue Wicker Man was a pretty prestigious investment, personally!

 

I suspect Astrodan is referring to Gangsta Granny. The ride hardware was originally designed for a midway attraction I believe. That project was scrapped and the ride was repurposed for Alton Towers.

 

You haven't ridden it yet !!!!

Jesus wept. How can you totally disregard a ride you've not ridden?

Also this is a rarity. It's a drop tower, albeit a family one, with theming. Do you know how many theme parks I have visited in my time where I have seen a generic tower with no theme whatsoever? Plenty. I'm sure you have to.

You also seem to be speaking for the public here too. You're telling us all they won't like it? Who put you in charge of Merlin's feedback team and who gave you a time machine? I'm curious.

 

If there are any they won't last long, I can't remember the last time I saw the effects working on Scorpion Express.

 

This is what I could find on Kingston Council's website but unfortunately I am using a device that can't open zip files
https://publicaccess.kingston.gov.u...s.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=PWLD59NHILJ00

 

Looking at one of those documents, it seems guests will be entering via the old Pharoah's Bazaar shop, before joining up with the existing ground level Rameses queue.

 

Why are you so annoyed about posts that you havent even read properly?

It's round the back where the flying jumbos was squeezed for a few years apparently, entrance and exit in half of the old shop. Maybe something good will be inside there.

A missed opportunity to refurbish the Rameses queue and rebuild an entrance opposite the croc head, that was amazing park design

 

I'm annoyed because you're speaking on behalf of the GP when you have no authority to do so. I have no doubts it will be a huge hit with families minus the capacity issues which I have already conceded will be a slight concern.

The name and theme however won't make the slightest bit of difference. The GP aren't theme park nerds who will care that the crocodile is oversized. If anything they will probably prefer it to be so for dramatic effect.

Like I said there's so many drop towers out there in the world with no theming whatsoever so I don't think going after Chessington here makes much sense.

And I do think it sounds a bit like you're a bit upset the ride isn't as thrilling and tall as you'd like it to be for you personally rather than you're concerned for the GP too.

So to summarize it's a perfect fit for their audience for me. Do I want to ride it? Not particularly. I'm 35 and and probably not the market for Chessington anymore.

 

@AT86 which Midway attraction was the Gangsta Granny ride system intended for?

 

Im speaking on behalf of me, so you'll be glad to hear you dont need to be so irritated if you stop projecting on to what ive said

It's not outrageous to think about how something been designed. Designers have to work out all the same stuff Ive been on about (and far more behind the scenes), they don't just hope for the best and wait til the ride's finished to see what it's like. They're not children either, but you got to have a good perspective on how to make a good ride for kids.

Im not a designer but Im just discussing it, on a discussion forum

 

It's a shame really, as something more to the original scale would actually look much better. Hopefully that top piece is delayed and not just binned off as I imagine that'll help

 

Anyone who watched the Gone Wrong Show Court drama episode will know the importance of getting your scales and dimensions correct.

 

Chessington have updated their opening hours to suggest they will open on 12th April.

Opening hours for the rest of the season actually appear to be quite good versus the last few years. Previously 6pm was the latest with one or two extensions in the summer. However all school holidays and even some weekends in June and September will be 7pm closes in 2021.

I hope other Merlin parks follow suit.

https://www.chessington.com/plan-your-visit/before-you-visit/opening-hours/

 

That might well be the only good decision the park has made in years.