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Future Rides at Alton Towers

H

Hid

TS Member
After the Cbeebies Land coaster, and assuming Project Horizon either starts or is permanently canned what comes next for Alton Towers do we know of any project on going behind the scenes for future rides or is there basically nothing for the foreseeable
 
Hid said:
After the Cbeebies Land coaster, and assuming Project Horizon either starts or is permanently canned what comes next for Alton Towers do we know of any project on going behind the scenes for future rides or is there basically nothing for the foreseeable
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The only known are the two you’ve mentioned.

There were rumours of a three ride deal from Huss but wether that’s true or not, remains to be seen.

I can see them focusing on restoring and renewing for the next few years.
 
Does seems like things are pretty quiet on the new rides front, apart from CBeebies and the uncertainty around Project Horizon. That rumoured deal with Huss has been floating around for a while, but nothing solid has come of it yet. It wouldn’t be too surprising if the park focuses more on maintenance and tidying up older areas for the next few seasons. Might not be exciting, but it’s probably needed.
 
Hid said:
Got to admit getting slightly concerned for Alton Towers future investments as there doesn't seem to be many if at all new rides in the pipeline I think its the main thing Alton needs to counteract the older rides having issues
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I'm not sure how building new attractions does anything to fix the problem of older rides having issues?

In recent years they have spent millions of pounds refurbishing Nemesis, fixing major issues with Hex and the Skyride, refreshing a tired old Duel and putting a new Topspin back into Forbidden Valley to replace Ripsaw. These were all things that people said they wanted - the older attractions are popular and people didn't want to see them removed, but maintained and freshened up for posterity. The alternative was to scrap them.

I don't agree with everything they've done in the past five years but I do think those things were needed and necessary - and if it's 2-3 more years before we get a "new" attraction as a result then fair enough.
 
NuttySquirrel said:
I'm not sure how building new attractions does anything to fix the problem of older rides having issues?

In recent years they have spent millions of pounds refurbishing Nemesis, fixing major issues with Hex and the Skyride, refreshing a tired old Duel and putting a new Topspin back into Forbidden Valley to replace Ripsaw. These were all things that people said they wanted - the older attractions are popular and people didn't want to see them removed, but maintained and freshened up for posterity. The alternative was to scrap them.

I don't agree with everything they've done in the past five years but I do think those things were needed and necessary - and if it's 2-3 more years before we get a "new" attraction as a result then fair enough.
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I personally think they should be targeting both - refurbs and new rides

But - if new rides come at a cost, like loosing nemesis and hex - I’ll happily wait
 
towerwave said:
Does seems like things are pretty quiet on the new rides front, apart from CBeebies and the uncertainty around Project Horizon. That rumoured deal with Huss has been floating around for a while, but nothing solid has come of it yet. It wouldn’t be too surprising if the park focuses more on maintenance and tidying up older areas for the next few seasons. Might not be exciting, but it’s probably needed
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towerwave said:
Does seems like things are pretty quiet on the new rides front, apart from CBeebies and the uncertainty around Project Horizon. That rumoured deal with Huss has been floating around for a while, but nothing solid has come of it yet. It wouldn’t be too surprising if the park focuses more on maintenance and tidying up older areas for the next few seasons. Might not be exciting, but it’s probably needed.
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I have also heard the Huss deal being three new rides starting with Toxicator.

Most likely will be a new pirate ship to replace The Blade but more themed to The Phalanx. Then hopefully a Huss Breakdance which would fit great in X-Sector where Enterprise used to be.

Then with Project Horizon when it goes ahead. It needs to be apart of a whole revamp of that area so potentially awaiting the David Williams IP to expire and then redevelop that area and reopen the Dungeons site as part of the new area.

We also have issues with Rita & Galactica potentially on their last legs.

And we all know the deadline to resolve all these issues is 2030 as they have to have a great season the year before Universal opens otherwise Annual Pass numbers will collapse for those who have to choose one of Merlin or universal.
 
RossMCD25 said:
I have also heard the Huss deal being three new rides starting with Toxicator.

Most likely will be a new pirate ship to replace The Blade but more themed to The Phalanx. Then hopefully a Huss Breakdance which would fit great in X-Sector where Enterprise used to be.

Then with Project Horizon when it goes ahead. It needs to be apart of a whole revamp of that area so potentially awaiting the David Williams IP to expire and then redevelop that area and reopen the Dungeons site as part of the new area.

We also have issues with Rita & Galactica potentially on their last legs.

And we all know the deadline to resolve all these issues is 2030 as they have to have a great season the year before Universal opens otherwise Annual Pass numbers will collapse for those who have to choose one of Merlin or universal.
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The idea of a mass extinction event to Merlin’s business model of MAP with the arrival of universal is arguably more important than direct competition.

Can’t wait.
 
Ash said:
The idea of a mass extinction event to Merlin’s business model of MAP with the arrival of universal is arguably more important than direct competition.

Can’t wait.
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I think there is a risk when Universal becomes top dog in the UK that they could become complacent themselves being at the top. We do need Merlin to up their game as not only would it help themselves but help Universal invest more we need both to provide competition.

But I am hoping a fall in MAP sales will cause a change
 
Hid said:
I think there is a risk when Universal becomes top dog in the UK that they could become complacent themselves being at the top. We do need Merlin to up their game as not only would it help themselves but help Universal invest more we need both to provide competition.

But I am hoping a fall in MAP sales will cause a change
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Reminds me of a video that I watched talking about the new Universal Theme Park and it said that Alton Towers would be at risk and it does make sense. Alton Towers needs to do stuff in order to continue its run. The first thing that comes to mind that is in desperation of refurbishment is the Extraordinary Golf as it still has old themes. However, there are some big props that Alton Towers won’t want to remove/demolish because of money. An example could be the big windmill thing in the Old Maconal’s Farmyard and all of the eggs in the Ug Land course. The only area that has been refinished is the Air area when it became Galactica which was pretty lazy even before the re-theme as it was just a quick switch. The only thing i could see them doing is making it like a retro course if they did it this year, since of the whole re opening of the Sky Ride thing.
 
I’m not sure if this is the right place to post this, and if it’s not allowed please remove but I saw on social media that someone had shared screenshots of a survey they allegedly completed which asked them about various potential Alton Towers attractions and what they thought of them. They haven’t mentioned anywhere that these aren’t to be shared, and I can’t see anything in the screenshots saying this and thought this was interesting following how we first knew about a Minecraft IP being considered for AT/Chessington through surveys.

Take this with a pinch of salt, as the attached images in the survey screenshots look AI generated but this made me wonder if the park was exploring sentiment towards three similar options of an indoor walkthrough attraction for the dungeons, 4D theatre, etc. This could be a low budget addition for all ages. These read:

1) Bubble Planet -
Bubble Planet is an immersive, multi-sensory experience designed to transport visitors into a vibrant world of bubbles. Across 7 interactive rooms, guests encounter giant balloons, bubble-themed installations, virtual reality, and imaginative landscapes that blend light, sound, and colour. Highlights include a hot air balloon simulator, an infinity room, and a giant bubble-themed ball pit. Each room offers vibrant visuals, playful installations, and Instagram-worthy moments. Designed to spark wonder and joy, Bubble Planet invites guests to explore, interact, and escape into a surreal, bubble-filled universe. With locations worldwide, it appeals to families, couples, and groups looking for a unique day out.

2) Super Neon -
Super Neon is a vibrant, feel-good immersive experience for all ages, featuring 7 interactive, light-filled zones. Shimmering forests, glowing dreamscapes, luminous creatures, and dazzling fireworks offer moments of creativity and wonder, designed to boost your mood! Neon clouds drift overhead while reactive lighting responds to movement, creating a dynamic and engaging environment. Each zone is crafted to spark joy and imagination, with bursts of colour and visually striking scenes throughout. Packed with photo-worthy moments and sensory surprises, Super Neon offers a multi-sensory adventure that's perfect for sharing with friends and family.

3) Wondra -
Wondra is a multisensory experience that invites guests to immerse themselves in the magic and beauty of nature in a dazzling new way. With 7 interactive zones, including an illuminated enchanted garden, glowing seascapes, vivid jungle trails, and playful clouds. Each environment invites exploration and discovery, blending light, sound, and storytelling to illuminate nature's wonders in a whole new light. Designed for all ages, Wondra offers a joyful escape filled with vibrant landscapes, hidden wonders, and photo-worthy moments. It's a celebration of nature's brilliance, sparking imagination and wonder at every turn.

There is also a separate question asking about a Minecraft themed Summer event (this could be moved to Chessington or they may be looking to reuse the IP across other parks?) The description read:

“Minecraft Maze Mayhem is a six-week summer event featuring hands-on activities and an interactive maze adventure, where guests can explore eight themed Minecraft sets featuring mob babies. Each set offers exciting interactive moments including unforgettable photo ops, encounters with cheeky mob babies, and a life-size Steve and Alex. Guests receive an exclusive digital Minecraft reward upon completion of the maze. Guests can also explore the rest of the park and enjoy Minecraft-themed food and drink, exclusive merch, meet puppet characters, and discover more surprises. This event lets fans and their families experience the world's most popular game in real life.”

If all real, this could be an interesting nod to us getting an indoor walkthrough next?
 
WL18 said:
I’m not sure if this is the right place to post this, and if it’s not allowed please remove but I saw on social media that someone had shared screenshots of a survey they allegedly completed which asked them about various potential Alton Towers attractions and what they thought of them. They haven’t mentioned anywhere that these aren’t to be shared, and I can’t see anything in the screenshots saying this and thought this was interesting following how we first knew about a Minecraft IP being considered for AT/Chessington through surveys.

Take this with a pinch of salt, as the attached images in the survey screenshots look AI generated but this made me wonder if the park was exploring sentiment towards three similar options of an indoor walkthrough attraction for the dungeons, 4D theatre, etc. This could be a low budget addition for all ages. These read:

1) Bubble Planet -
Bubble Planet is an immersive, multi-sensory experience designed to transport visitors into a vibrant world of bubbles. Across 7 interactive rooms, guests encounter giant balloons, bubble-themed installations, virtual reality, and imaginative landscapes that blend light, sound, and colour. Highlights include a hot air balloon simulator, an infinity room, and a giant bubble-themed ball pit. Each room offers vibrant visuals, playful installations, and Instagram-worthy moments. Designed to spark wonder and joy, Bubble Planet invites guests to explore, interact, and escape into a surreal, bubble-filled universe. With locations worldwide, it appeals to families, couples, and groups looking for a unique day out.

2) Super Neon -
Super Neon is a vibrant, feel-good immersive experience for all ages, featuring 7 interactive, light-filled zones. Shimmering forests, glowing dreamscapes, luminous creatures, and dazzling fireworks offer moments of creativity and wonder, designed to boost your mood! Neon clouds drift overhead while reactive lighting responds to movement, creating a dynamic and engaging environment. Each zone is crafted to spark joy and imagination, with bursts of colour and visually striking scenes throughout. Packed with photo-worthy moments and sensory surprises, Super Neon offers a multi-sensory adventure that's perfect for sharing with friends and family.

3) Wondra -
Wondra is a multisensory experience that invites guests to immerse themselves in the magic and beauty of nature in a dazzling new way. With 7 interactive zones, including an illuminated enchanted garden, glowing seascapes, vivid jungle trails, and playful clouds. Each environment invites exploration and discovery, blending light, sound, and storytelling to illuminate nature's wonders in a whole new light. Designed for all ages, Wondra offers a joyful escape filled with vibrant landscapes, hidden wonders, and photo-worthy moments. It's a celebration of nature's brilliance, sparking imagination and wonder at every turn.

There is also a separate question asking about a Minecraft themed Summer event (this could be moved to Chessington or they may be looking to reuse the IP across other parks?) The description read:

“Minecraft Maze Mayhem is a six-week summer event featuring hands-on activities and an interactive maze adventure, where guests can explore eight themed Minecraft sets featuring mob babies. Each set offers exciting interactive moments including unforgettable photo ops, encounters with cheeky mob babies, and a life-size Steve and Alex. Guests receive an exclusive digital Minecraft reward upon completion of the maze. Guests can also explore the rest of the park and enjoy Minecraft-themed food and drink, exclusive merch, meet puppet characters, and discover more surprises. This event lets fans and their families experience the world's most popular game in real life.”

If all real, this could be an interesting nod to us getting an indoor walkthrough next?
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The "leaked" Minecraft survey last year seemingly set a precedent for Merlin using consumer research to finalise planned attractions, so this could have some legs.

You mentioned that you saw screenshots on social media, are you able to link to the original posts that you saw please?

It's unsurprising if Merlin were using AI generated visuals to accompany this type of research, as it would just be for hypothetical illustrative purposes. Giving the subject some form of visual clue or stimulation, to assist with their decisions.

I could quite easily see this sort of attraction being easily replicated in many of their parks, but a last minute thought is that the premise isn't too dissimilar to 1997's Nickelodeon: Outta Control.
 
A number of visitor attractions are using elements of what this sounds like as part of their experience now around the world-

Ie the Summit in New York as part of their observation deck experience. There is a room full of balls/balloons and other sensory spaces you experience. Many designed for instagram photos as well
 
I’ve always been a little confused by Merlin’s lengthy infatuation with walkthrough-style attractions in their parks. They don’t seem to have a lot of staying power and they often require a lot of staff.

I guess if the attractions don’t cost much to install (one of these walkthroughs can’t cost more than £1m, surely?) then it’s probably not too much of an issue if they don’t stay around for very long provided they fill a gap and provide something new in a low investment year. But even still, they frequently don’t last very long, they are rarely a roaring success, and it is a bit of an anticlimax when Merlin continually reaches for them in years where they aren’t building a major coaster (I’d cite Thorpe in the mid to late 2010s/early 2020s as an example of this).

Merlin’s tendency to reach for these seems to have lessened a bit in recent years (I think it was worse pre-COVID), but this survey does make it sound as though it has not gone entirely, unfortunately.
 
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