Danscott22
TS Member
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You do if there are circumstances you didn’t expect to happen which means youre no longer go through with it
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ℹ️ Heads up...
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Galactica's Future
- Thread starter Trooper Looper
- Start date
Shaggy_Dog_
TS Member
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Plans can be cancelled, changed, or postponed though, just look at how something obviously happened with the plans or timeframe for Project Horizon for example.
We are in an era where the potential opening of Universal GB may have made other park operators reassess their own plans and strategies and change their plans around. Merlin are clearly looking at things right across their estate and putting lots of things in to place right now (Projects Refresh & Play at CWoA, the Thorpe Park hotel, the Beach transformation, the Bear Grylls closure, MMM’s closure, etc). It’s not outside the realms of possibility that any potential plans for the future of Galactica could be changed after months or years of planning. Who knows what discussions and decisions are being made inside Merlin at the moment.
GooseOnTheLoose
TS Member
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They can, but the idea that they wouldn't have been cancelled before a Fireworks show, where there were plenty of nods toward possible work doesn't quite float.
I'm still not entirely convinced by this one either, with the speculation for the 2025 opening date mostly being driven by enthusiasts and YouTubers. I still think a 2026 opening was always on the cards. If it doesn't open then, I will concede that it was delayed.
The point is, plans aren't changed on a whim. Corporate governance dictate that decisions like these are months in the making. Certainly long enough, and far enough away, that if changes needed to be made to a Fireworks show it would be entirely possible.
Jb85
TS Member
I’d tend to agree but it’s now likely 2026 will see Chessie open a coaster - awfully similar in plot size to Horizon.
Hope I’m wrong but I’ve given up all hope these days
AltonLover123
TS Member
Whilst the Phalanx Expo was very Galactica coded without them mentioning it as such, if it doesn’t go ahead they never said it would. If it does, it’s suitable foreshadowing.
There was no need to change the fireworks show as it can be viewed standalone even if the intention was it being a Galactica retheme announcement.
GooseOnTheLoose
TS Member
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The thing about tea leaves is that you really can read whichever bollocks you want into them. It's the same for horoscopes, tarot and seemingly Alton Towers Firework displays.
jon81uk
TS Member
I agree if it was an actual retheme and therefore CapEx, but if it is just a repaint and a couple of Phalanx logos then it would be OpEx and similar to the discussion about the repaint money being reallocated to Nemesis.
flyingguitar
TS Member
I am not sure I feel like it should be CapEx rarther than OpEx, even for a "cheap" rethem you still have to pay the artists and theming descisions not just for the repaint and posters.
I am not sure whether it would happen this year as I feel like there would have been more hints during the fire works
I am not sure whether it would happen this year as I feel like there would have been more hints during the fire works
Burner
TS Member
From what I've gathered. A retheme was on the cards, and was in the development phase until the summer. This was communicated to the entertainments team, who have complete creative control over the entire Firework show - story included.
However, there must have been a communication breakdown at some point when the plans were canned, and Ents were not told. Or the show's development was too far down to the road to change. Regardless, a re-theme was on the cards that is now not happening.
However, there must have been a communication breakdown at some point when the plans were canned, and Ents were not told. Or the show's development was too far down to the road to change. Regardless, a re-theme was on the cards that is now not happening.
James
TS Founding Member
The shows tend to take many months of planning. If a retheme were planned for Galactica, it would be too late to change the Fireworks show/plans. I don't think it particularly makes a difference to the Fireworks show, as creatively, it works anyway. It’s not exactly like the story was ‘Come to the Phalanax Expo showcasing our NEW RETHEME OF GALACTICA’. Only enthusiasts will take notice, and even then, it’s all based on rumour and hearsay.
Zeock
TS Member
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I agree. I can't see Towers doing extra landscaping or adding a noticeable amount of theming for an investment that would be extremely unlikely to bring new guests into the park, therefore there would be very little to advertise.
sillyrooster
TS Member
I'd just separate out the area's more clearly. I feel any attempt at a phalanx space theme or fighter jet will just confuse the area more. Keep FV based on nemesis and leave it until it's time to retire it. Perhaps revert it to air again and tidy up.
QTXAdsy
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Honestly I think if it is true that there was a plan refurb for Galactica that has been cancelled, I'm guessing that given Merlin's current poor financial state means that this was the last chance for something to happen to that ride and now with all plans for the park totally up in the air, they'll just let it rumble on and wear it down until it gets the chop.
It'll be strange to think that now Galactica and Rita will be playing Russian Roulette at going first.
It'll be strange to think that now Galactica and Rita will be playing Russian Roulette at going first.
Burner
TS Member
I wouldn't be surprised if Towers are deliberating whether to remove it all together. It's coming up to the end of its intended service life (in about 2-3 years), and with each craft costing about £1 million each, all it takes is for one to be unrepairable and the costs will begin to mount.
It's a big patch of land that could be served for something a lot better, especially if they expand onto the car park behind.
It's a big patch of land that could be served for something a lot better, especially if they expand onto the car park behind.
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jon81uk
TS Member
Says who?
Rob
TS Team
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Although it does appear that some B&Ms are now coming towards the end of their lives (although I still think in many cases, this is the parks just making decisions to remove and replace them), Galactica is not one of them. It's only 22 year old, and will have at least another 10 years I would imagine.
flyingguitar
TS Member
Yeah, manta (which opened in 2009) is still open, and it is open year round unlike Galactica.
I feel like Galactica may go early but just due to the unreliability of the seats or electronics (normally at least one seat is down and they always have to check certain seats) I am guessing for later ride models B&M came out with newer seat designs which are more reliable, and I could see it being quite expensive to fix the issue, whilst the electronics appears to be not much of a problem they are very complex, and probably expensive.
ChrisAChats
TS Member
It makes sense logically to create a new entrance plaza close to Galactica, or on where it sits.
Removes the need for the monorail or a replacement system. Then turn current entrance into a new hotel with an incredible towers view, or a more upmarket food and entertainment location.
New entrance would need some work to replace the magic (yeah I said it) feeling of walking through Towers entrance and seeing that naturally beautiful house and grounds.
Air/Galactica is still cool for new visitors, but like many rides stuck in limbo, they are not investing and that means the experience is gradually deteriorating each season.
Lots of coasters have been planned for FV area in the past decade or so, obviously AT see it as prime space that they can get permission to use. One of those new Intamin family coasters could be a perfect compliment/replacement to Galactica.
Removes the need for the monorail or a replacement system. Then turn current entrance into a new hotel with an incredible towers view, or a more upmarket food and entertainment location.
New entrance would need some work to replace the magic (yeah I said it) feeling of walking through Towers entrance and seeing that naturally beautiful house and grounds.
Air/Galactica is still cool for new visitors, but like many rides stuck in limbo, they are not investing and that means the experience is gradually deteriorating each season.
Lots of coasters have been planned for FV area in the past decade or so, obviously AT see it as prime space that they can get permission to use. One of those new Intamin family coasters could be a perfect compliment/replacement to Galactica.