This is turning out to be a massive mixed bag for me. I really like what they have done to the monster, I also like the black and red track design.
I hate the generic fencing and the shipping containers.
I am unconvinced about the entrance feature and the helicopters seem lazy.
Same
The monster looks like it could be great.
The tidy up of mushroom cloud tours and the general area is good.
The warehouse fencing, helicopters and shipping container look Merlin generic woeful.
Given this is arguably the most important roller coaster in the history of UK, arguably one of the most recognisable in the world. Its answer to Rookburgh, Klugheim, Avalon etc. It just doesn’t appear to have turned out to be up to much.
It doesn’t appear as well put together as Jumanji and they haven’t had to start from scratch. Whether this is due to higher demands from Sony we’ll have to wait and see.
I really hope I’m proved very wrong come March 16th, and I’m sure everyone will just be happy to have the ride back.
I just find given the importance, scrutiny and rich history of the area. Some of the creatives decisions are odd
The evidence appears to show Merlin cannot/wont compete with the “better” European theme parks. I appreciate the business models are different but it seems lost at the moment
I'm with you on that. In the 25 years I've been riding Nemesis, I never knew what it was other than what looked like a piece of machinery and if you had asked me before now to say what it was, I'd have said it was a piece of rollercoaster (motor/gearbox etc). It was only when this refurb started that I found out what it actually was.
Thing is, they could've easily removed the gun and flattened that area over to create more space - the easy and cheaper option, so at least we have this helicopter as a piece of theming. I for one like it.
They could have just left it, refurbished it. Add some scenic lighting and filled the smoke machine…