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Chessington World of Adventures Resort

jon81uk said:
I don't think UK customers would be willing to pay the Disney price and Merlin aren't willing to invest up to the Disney standard if its not clear if they will get the cash back in.
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The same UK customers who pay hundreds to visit DLP or pay thousands to pop over to Orlando? People pay that amount because they're most likely sick of Merlin's poor standards or want to experience something truly magical instead.
 
£55 for a Disney park on the gate against £40-45 for a Merlin park? Not even comparable is it? Especially given the quality of the Disney parks... If anything, it shows how over-the-top Merlin's prices actually are...

Yeah, I did use a rather over-the-top example image, but at the same time, it was more towards the statement that Wild Asia/Mutiny Bay were "drop dead gorgeous" areas... I don't expect any park to reach that standard, but it should at least be the target... The smaller European parks such as Hansa Park or Plopsaland can produce some fantastically themed rides and areas on a smaller budget, why can't Merlin?
 
Benzin said:
why can't Merlin?
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You know why that is.. Hansa Park and all these little parks put their hearts and souls into these attractions because they matter so much more significantly to them. Their new ride fails to bring in the punters, it can be the difference between continuing to operate and closing down. We don't even need to go across the pond to see how much better family owned parks can be, Paultons is an excellent example of a park doing its own thing and being a big success.

To Merlin, The Swarm failing means relatively little to Merlin in the long run, they can add a new ride or attraction the next year and get away scot free on as little effort as possible.

Besides, the second to Disney thing gets bandied about all the time and it has nothing to do with quality, to Merlin it's about the size of the company and the amount of people it gets through the turnstiles of its estates. And in those terms it is second to Disney.
 
Just been looking at an update on Theme UK from Festive Zoo Days, and the works in Market Square, Pirates' Cove and parts of Transylvania look like next year will show the park in a much better light to recent years. I hope Pizza Pasta gets a less cartoony facade.
 
I am more I intrigued by the work going on Safari Skyway as seen in the pictures on Theme UK. Track is missing and scaffolding around the ride, hopefully they'll be able to sort out the rattling and shaking on ride. And the fact the track is rotting as well.
 
I thought the missing track would be to allow cherry pickers access to Transylvania, since the Skyway route crosses right along that main path.

These recent closed seasons at Chessington have been so strange. It's a weird feeling not knowing which parts of their old rides still exist and which do not. Hence I'm quite pleased to see this picture from ThemeUK:

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Hello! The queueline shack has been demolished but the boiler survives. I hadn't noticed before.
 
With the slight rename of Sweet Shop mid-season and the general theme of The Mystery of Hocus Pocus Hall, what's the possibility of Chessington building on Sir Arthur Percival Stubbs as there key mascot, appearing on adverts etc, like the modern Dr Chessington. Just a thought. :)
 
Eight fire crews are there at Creaky Cafe. If it's a 50 by 50 meter area (15% alight), Bubbleworks may be in trouble?

This picture was posted on BBC News's site:

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More here:

Sky News
Surrey Mirror



Apparently today's Festive Zoo Day has been canceled but tickets already purchased will be valid on an alternate date.
 
Christ! I hope no one has been injured and the animals near the area are alright! :(
 
Uh oh. This is really not great.

Creaky cafe has only just been refurbed hasn't it? What a huge shame.

Hopefully with it being early there were minimal folk around. Huge blow for the park though :-(!

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The BubbleWorks fountain finale showroom was also on fire apparently, but nobody has yet said how bad the damage in that area is. ...I'm hoping it's minimal

Thankfully it didn't spread further, since Creaky Cafe, BubbleWorks, the shop and Vampire are all one and the same building.

It's also confirmed that nobody was injured.
 
Chessington being filled with luck again.

Hopefully it doesn't spread, don't want bubbleworks closed this year (And even worse, don't want it to burn down vampire).

EDIT: Least vampire's alright.

EDIT: Why has this guy been photoshopped out of the original picture? [thanks ElectricBill for this]
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I believe the fire is still burning. I think we have seen the last of the Transylvania tower.
 
Unless they get it under control soon, I fear we may have seen the end of Transylvania.

Poor Chessington don't get much luck do they. Hope they get the four leaf clover of towers' skyride fires.
 
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