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Controversial Alton Towers Opinions
- Thread starter WickerwomanH
- Start date
Altonadvocate1
TS Member
Rita isn't worthy of the park.
AT doesn't need more flat rides - i go for the headline attractions, not end of pier stuff.
Agree that The World of David Walliams is not what AT needs and is setting a low bar.
AT is more magical than a lot of higher attendance theme parks around the world including those from from the big 2 (D and U).
Whatever they may do, (or not do), at the London Resort and however much they spend, it is unlikely to match AT in my affections.
A cross valley coaster would look amazing if done right and would not spoil the natural beauty of the area.
AT deserves a higher attendance than it gets.
AT doesn't need more flat rides - i go for the headline attractions, not end of pier stuff.
Agree that The World of David Walliams is not what AT needs and is setting a low bar.
AT is more magical than a lot of higher attendance theme parks around the world including those from from the big 2 (D and U).
Whatever they may do, (or not do), at the London Resort and however much they spend, it is unlikely to match AT in my affections.
A cross valley coaster would look amazing if done right and would not spoil the natural beauty of the area.
AT deserves a higher attendance than it gets.
jon81uk
TS Member
Flat rides can be headline attractions. Look at Ripsaw (and Talocan etc).
One of my favourite rides at Thorpe is Rush, I've never seen anything like that at a Fairground?
WickerwomanH
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Wicker Man
Also worth noting that the park isn't lacking in headline attractions but it is lacking in filler rides
Matt.GC
TS Member
I don't think that's very controversial around here
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Matt N
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Shambhala (PortAventura Park)
I’m not sure whether this is controversial or not, but; I’m not a huge fan of the new logo the park has introduced over the last year or so, personally. I’ll admit that I personally much prefer the old one, that was in use from the late 2000s up until 2020.
Interestingly, it does appear that the park is still using their old logo for some things, such as for the events!
Interestingly, it does appear that the park is still using their old logo for some things, such as for the events!
WickerwomanH
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Wicker Man
Agreed! The newest logo is just plain ugly, but like you say I'm not sure how controversial that is. I also found the slogan 'The Power of the Towers' odd as well. I think the Tussaud's logo was the best one (maybe because that's the one I grew up with) and 'Where the Magic Never Ends' should come back as the slogan
Matt N
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Shambhala (PortAventura Park)
My favourite logo of the park’s is actually the one that was introduced in the early Merlin era and was used up until 2020:
As I said earlier, I find it interesting that the park is still using it for some things, such as for the events...
Skyscraper
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Nemesis
4pm is a sensible closing time for quiet days.
Matt N
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Shambhala (PortAventura Park)
I actually agree with this. Opening any later probably wouldn’t be financially viable with so few people on park, even though I’m sure the additional quiet riding time would be loved by enthusiasts!
Danscott22
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- The Smiler
I agree with this, that's my favourite logo too!My favourite logo of the park’s is actually the one that was introduced in the early Merlin era and was used up until 2020:
As I said earlier, I find it interesting that the park is still using it for some things, such as for the events...
I think 5pm is a sensible one personally, I don't think it should ever be 4pm just because of the sheer size of the park!
Controversial, but I don't agree.
AstroDan
TS Team
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance, Cedar Point
4pm is not acceptable under any circumstances. To my knoweldge, no other major park globally does this.
Whilst it's fair cop to recognise the park is quiet(er) on these days and turning a profit isn't necessarily in the picture, it's just plain bad guest experience for a park of Alton's size to close at 4pm. When 4pm closes were first introduced, rides were all under 15 minute queues. Yet more recently, we've seen queues of an hour on some rides on these days. Dire.
If the park is closing at 4pm, maybe they just shouldn't bother opening at all.
Whilst it's fair cop to recognise the park is quiet(er) on these days and turning a profit isn't necessarily in the picture, it's just plain bad guest experience for a park of Alton's size to close at 4pm. When 4pm closes were first introduced, rides were all under 15 minute queues. Yet more recently, we've seen queues of an hour on some rides on these days. Dire.
If the park is closing at 4pm, maybe they just shouldn't bother opening at all.
jon81uk
TS Member
That would be my suggestion, if it really really isn't worth opening every weekday, then have closed Wednesdays in the low season and at least 10-5 Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri.
I think some of the Six Flags parks do this a lot, often only opening weekends even in April/May but then doing long 10-8 or 10-10 weekend hours.
Blackpool is doing a six hour day though, just 11-5. So there are other UK parks doing very short hours.
Also (it was during covid) WD Studios Paris was doing 11.4 at one point last year, but then with the collapse in international travel that is a different case!
Benjsh
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance
It's nearly 2 years now since I last went to the park as I decided not to go last year due to the pandemic.
I went on a sunny off peak 4pm close day back in 2019 and got on close to 20 rides. It was absolutely dead. I could have got on 30 rides plus too had I wanted to and planned the day more methodically.
My previous trip to the park was also on a similar off peak day during the same season and I had a very similar experience. Probably close to 20 rides in total that day too.
So 4pm closures clearly work. I have been on longer opening days where the park has been rammed and only got on 3 or 4 rides. I know which I prefer.
I went on a sunny off peak 4pm close day back in 2019 and got on close to 20 rides. It was absolutely dead. I could have got on 30 rides plus too had I wanted to and planned the day more methodically.
My previous trip to the park was also on a similar off peak day during the same season and I had a very similar experience. Probably close to 20 rides in total that day too.
So 4pm closures clearly work. I have been on longer opening days where the park has been rammed and only got on 3 or 4 rides. I know which I prefer.
Matt N
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Shambhala (PortAventura Park)
Sorry to bump this thread, but I have a new one following my visit yesterday; Runaway Mine Train is a huge guilty pleasure of mine, and it’s actually my 6th favourite coaster at the park and within my overall top 30 (#26, to be exact!).
If you’re wondering, the coasters below it for me are Thirteen, The Smiler, Spinball Whizzer and Octonauts, in that order.
I apologise, as I know it seems slightly criminal that I’d rank RMT above two SW coasters in Thirteen and The Smiler, but it’s decently fast for a family ride, has some great helixes, is very rerideable, and never fails to put a smile on my face! To be frank, I think it’s a crying shame I don’t ride it more!
If you’re wondering, the coasters below it for me are Thirteen, The Smiler, Spinball Whizzer and Octonauts, in that order.
I apologise, as I know it seems slightly criminal that I’d rank RMT above two SW coasters in Thirteen and The Smiler, but it’s decently fast for a family ride, has some great helixes, is very rerideable, and never fails to put a smile on my face! To be frank, I think it’s a crying shame I don’t ride it more!
Drew Peacock
TS Member
Smiler is a much better ride than Nemesis.