• ℹ️ Heads up...

    This is a popular topic that is fast moving Guest - before posting, please ensure that you check out the first post in the topic for a quick reminder of guidelines, and importantly a summary of the known facts and information so far. Thanks.

Fireworks 2014

Indeed, the VIP area does not have an impact on the capacity of the park (least not that I know of) so there's no way they've had less people and less money because of it! I really do not see the problem of the VIP area, if people want to pay more for the VIP offerings then let them be. As someone who was not in the VIP area it had no impact on my visit whatsoever. You could not even see where it was as all of the lights were turned off during the show.

:)
 
I don't see much of a problem with the VIP area.

When you go to concerts you can buy VIP tickets to have a place at the front and other perks. No different here really.

It's not like the VIP area intrudes too much either. If it were in the middle of the lawns or stretched across the whole front of the lawns then I would see an issue. But it's to the side and out the way, so at least Towers have put some thought into that.
 
The more money they take from the 'VIP's', the less they will have to cut from the rest of the park. If only it worked like that haha!

Personally I have no issues with any of the VIP packages, and would actually consider some of them if I had the cash at the time.
 
I think its a good money spinner, but they have to make sure they don't ruin the experience for everyone else.
 
I'd say it's borderline now, Rob. In previous years I hadn't really noticed the VIP area but this year is a lot bigger or has moved. I took my usual spot, which is bang in the middle and about 20m-30m from the front crowd barrier. The VIP area was clearly in sight to my left. It didn't cause any inconvenience for me, but still think on a busy night thats a lot of space taken away for regular punters.

I think it's fair to say they make a killing with this VIP thing though. Bit of simple maths:

2013 apparently 150 seats available. If this year is bigger then assume 200. Adults £99, children £79 - so the average is £89 x 200 = £17,800. Over 3 nights thats £53,400

It'll probably cost them a couple of grand to hire the raised deck, and then other costs are probably quite low. 200 seats and 100 tables. A hog roast per person, and a few crates of cheap champagne. Few staff members. Probably looking at 7k-8k in expenses.

Around £45,000 in profit from 600 customers isn't too shabby, that's on top of the other 25,000+ people each night paying regular prices.
 
PeteB said:
I'd say it's borderline now, Rob. In previous years I hadn't really noticed the VIP area but this year is a lot bigger or has moved. I took my usual spot, which is bang in the middle and about 20m-30m from the front crowd barrier. The VIP area was clearly in sight to my left. It didn't cause any inconvenience for me, but still think on a busy night thats a lot of space taken away for regular punters.

I think it's fair to say they make a killing with this VIP thing though. Bit of simple maths:

2013 apparently 150 seats available. If this year is bigger then assume 200. Adults £99, children £79 - so the average is £89 x 200 = £17,800. Over 3 nights thats £53,400

It'll probably cost them a couple of grand to hire the raised deck, and then other costs are probably quite low. 200 seats and 100 tables. A hog roast per person, and a few crates of cheap champagne. Few staff members. Probably looking at 7k-8k in expenses.

Around £45,000 in profit from 600 customers isn't too shabby, that's on top of the other 25,000+ people each night paying regular prices.
Click to expand...

Don't forget the VIP Package included normal park admission & express parking so part of the cost is the gate price so it isn't as simple as taking the cost of the equipment hire, food & drink provided away from the ticket.
 
Well, express parking costs them £0, as does fastrack tickets. No way of us knowing what the cost per person is to run the park so my figure above was really just bonus income. If they can do after 4pm tickets for £18 then I doubt it would be much.
 
PeteB said:
Well, express parking costs them £0, as does fastrack tickets. No way of us knowing what the cost per person is to run the park so my figure above was really just bonus income. If they can do after 4pm tickets for £18 then I doubt it would be much.
Click to expand...

A 10am to 5pm normal day costs about £60,000 to operate I would guess as the consensus has always been they need about 3,500 guests on those days to break even on ticket sales. They assume people pay an average of £19 for a ticket.

Extrapolate ride openings and lighting hire I suppose to see how much more it costs at fireworks.
 
This was my first year of fireworks

It was quite ironic as this was the yeart, after visiting towers for many years that I overcame my fears of Rollercoasters

Ive gone from not riding any to riding all at towers, all at thorpe and all at Blackpool

So the story was great for me :0)

and as its the end of the season, I dont begrudge them using in the hall of the mountain king one little bit, though it was a bit random and should have been narrated in.
 
Although I thoroughly enjoyed this years show (which was my first), I do agree that the same old use of ITHOTMK is getting stale now. I would like to see it incorporated into different areas of the show, or simply use a different remix/cover of the classic.

I've always loved the 1812 overture remix that Qsonics produced for the park that was played on the monorail last year, maybe that could be incorporated in future. The 1812 overture is such a classic track for pyromusical displays, and the combination with ITHOTMK is superb I feel.

 
When it gets incorporated into the show like it was in 2013, then it works excellently. This years unfortunately poorer attempt didn't manage to establish this, and it didn't have as much of an effect.

The use of ITHOTMK certainly isn't growing stale and I think it should be staple that it features at the climax to the show each year, but in a creative manner that matches the rest of the show rather than being tacked on at the end.
 
I see where you're coming from and yes, when worked into the story in a creative and subtle manner like 2013, it works fine however a new take on the classic wouldn't go amiss. :) I'd love a new cover of the track to be used.

I'd always want it incorporated somewhere! :D
 
I don't think those of us in the "no ITHOTMK" group are saying it's stale. Although with a show like this years, ITHOTMK was just shoved on at the end and made no sense. They could have chosen another track that would have flowed with the rest of the show. The second to last song actually felt like more of an ending than ITHOTMK did.

I think if it fits in somewhere then use it. If not, then don't bother shoving it on for the sake of it! Tracks should be chosen to suit the show.
 
JAMMYD778 said:
I see where you're coming from and yes, when worked into the story in a creative and subtle manner like 2013, it works fine however a new take on the classic wouldn't go amiss. :) I'd love a new cover of the track to be used.

I'd always want it incorporated somewhere! :D
Click to expand...
This is a poor, undercultured yank talking... what about this?
 
mtparson said:
This is a poor, undercultured yank talking... what about this?
Click to expand...


I'd say that's too similar to the original, pretty much classic Trent Reznor distorted synths rather than brass. Again, I see no problem with using the orchestral version; the original is the best by far!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top