GJMarshy
TS Member
I think the question isn’t “Will Air get a retract”, rather “How long will the coaster remain?”
It’s 22 years old now. The track has (probably) got another 10-15 years in it. It’s a case of are upgrading the ride systems and retheming it better than replacing it with a new ride ahead of its time? (Track life)
My “bets” are firmly on towers keeping it until the track can take no more, and very likely giving it a desperately needed spruce up! Yes they’ll need to invest £2-3m to do this, but for the sake of keeping what’s still a very good ride experience going for another decade or so, it’s probably a safer bet than expending circa £20m to replace it before its time.
With new and updated theming it’d feel like a new ride “experience” - which ultimately, is what the park strives to offer guests to bring them in and keep them coming back.
Might as well sweat your assets as much as possible for as long as the maintenance is viable.
It’s 22 years old now. The track has (probably) got another 10-15 years in it. It’s a case of are upgrading the ride systems and retheming it better than replacing it with a new ride ahead of its time? (Track life)
My “bets” are firmly on towers keeping it until the track can take no more, and very likely giving it a desperately needed spruce up! Yes they’ll need to invest £2-3m to do this, but for the sake of keeping what’s still a very good ride experience going for another decade or so, it’s probably a safer bet than expending circa £20m to replace it before its time.
With new and updated theming it’d feel like a new ride “experience” - which ultimately, is what the park strives to offer guests to bring them in and keep them coming back.
Might as well sweat your assets as much as possible for as long as the maintenance is viable.