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Major Ride Closures 2016
- Thread starter AstroDan
- Start date
On one hand it might be that they don’t want to affect annual pass sales, but their main push was in January. The other side to this is that you wouldn’t want to drop a bomb shell just as you’re re-opening. Better to drop it a couple of months before, and then release all the Towers Loving Care stuff and let the conversation move onto something more positive.
It’s also possible that not all the rides will close. Let people think that Hex, Charlie and Sub Terra are closing. Then when they announce it’s only Hex and Charlie people are saying, ‘isn’t it good they’re not closing Sub Terra’.
It’s also possible they were waiting on assessments for how much it’ll cost and how long it’ll take to get certain rides operational before they make a final decision. For example they might have ordered parts but not be entriely clear when they'll be ready. Some parts are specialist components made to order.
It’d be interesting to have inside information and know what’s actually going on behind the scenes. I suspect it’s not as staged managed as people think. I know the perception is that the marketing team call all the shots, what with Nick Varney being from a marketing background and branding being a big part of Merlin’s strategy. But I suspect they’re not that organised. I recon there is a last minute scrabble behind the scenes.
We know that Alton Towers made a lot of redundancies and had a big reshuffle. There’s probably a lot of staff either in positions they’re not entirely familiar with or trying to do more than one person’s workload.
And after the Smiler no one’s going to want to sign off a ride as being safe if there are any doubts at all that parts might not be in good order.
But as other people have said, even if things are last minute, two weeks before opening they must have a pretty good idea of what they’re going to have.
It’s also possible that not all the rides will close. Let people think that Hex, Charlie and Sub Terra are closing. Then when they announce it’s only Hex and Charlie people are saying, ‘isn’t it good they’re not closing Sub Terra’.
It’s also possible they were waiting on assessments for how much it’ll cost and how long it’ll take to get certain rides operational before they make a final decision. For example they might have ordered parts but not be entriely clear when they'll be ready. Some parts are specialist components made to order.
It’d be interesting to have inside information and know what’s actually going on behind the scenes. I suspect it’s not as staged managed as people think. I know the perception is that the marketing team call all the shots, what with Nick Varney being from a marketing background and branding being a big part of Merlin’s strategy. But I suspect they’re not that organised. I recon there is a last minute scrabble behind the scenes.
We know that Alton Towers made a lot of redundancies and had a big reshuffle. There’s probably a lot of staff either in positions they’re not entirely familiar with or trying to do more than one person’s workload.
And after the Smiler no one’s going to want to sign off a ride as being safe if there are any doubts at all that parts might not be in good order.
But as other people have said, even if things are last minute, two weeks before opening they must have a pretty good idea of what they’re going to have.
I would imagine we will see permanent closures of flume and ripsaw, which we already know.
The others, could they be closed temporarily one at a time for refurbishment? After all all rides are 'subject to availability ' - no point making an announcement if it is only short term
The others, could they be closed temporarily one at a time for refurbishment? After all all rides are 'subject to availability ' - no point making an announcement if it is only short term
Alton Towers should be pushing to have everything open for next weekend with the exception of Galactica and the two rides which are being removed.
Without wishing to bang an old drum to repetitively, the Smiler incident was less than a year ago and the media are going to be watching the opening with interest. When, and it isn't if, but when, there are floods of complaints when NST, Hex, Ripsaw, Flume and Charlie aren't open, the media will lap it up creating links between the closures and loss of income due to the incident last year.
Alton need to be pushing the 'business as normal' mantra as far as is possible, which is presumably why they've been so keen to get the Smiler reopened for the 19th.
Not only that, but temporary bookings or season pass renewals off the back of rides being open which will in fact be closed, is going to result in a negative stigma surrounding the park overall.
The other point is that this leaves almost zero room for error, if the reported closures are accurate, what happens if the mine train or thirteen breaks down? There is almost nothing for the middle of the range ride market, leaving just coasters pretty much.
If, as suggested above, whatever work needs to be done really can't wait, then the only real solution seems to be repairing individually.
Admittedly my knowledge of the inner workings of the theme park industry are limited, but it is very difficult to find grounds to justify closures for this length of time. Loss of income doesn't really cut it, there was a whole new hotel built last year.
Hopefully, as said previously, the information was either inaccurate originally or has been rethought.
Without wishing to bang an old drum to repetitively, the Smiler incident was less than a year ago and the media are going to be watching the opening with interest. When, and it isn't if, but when, there are floods of complaints when NST, Hex, Ripsaw, Flume and Charlie aren't open, the media will lap it up creating links between the closures and loss of income due to the incident last year.
Alton need to be pushing the 'business as normal' mantra as far as is possible, which is presumably why they've been so keen to get the Smiler reopened for the 19th.
Not only that, but temporary bookings or season pass renewals off the back of rides being open which will in fact be closed, is going to result in a negative stigma surrounding the park overall.
The other point is that this leaves almost zero room for error, if the reported closures are accurate, what happens if the mine train or thirteen breaks down? There is almost nothing for the middle of the range ride market, leaving just coasters pretty much.
If, as suggested above, whatever work needs to be done really can't wait, then the only real solution seems to be repairing individually.
Admittedly my knowledge of the inner workings of the theme park industry are limited, but it is very difficult to find grounds to justify closures for this length of time. Loss of income doesn't really cut it, there was a whole new hotel built last year.
Hopefully, as said previously, the information was either inaccurate originally or has been rethought.
On the one hand:
- website has been updated for 2016, and Hex, CATCF and Sub Terra are all listed, while Ripsaw and Flume have been removed, and their removals have been announced in a blog post
But on the other hand
- Alton TLC has shown work done on so many rides and areas, but Hex, CATCF and Sub Terra have all been conspicuously absent (as have other rides, of course, which I'm sure will be open)
- We know the park have to make staff cuts, and keeping these closed would definitely make sense
So who knows really
- website has been updated for 2016, and Hex, CATCF and Sub Terra are all listed, while Ripsaw and Flume have been removed, and their removals have been announced in a blog post
But on the other hand
- Alton TLC has shown work done on so many rides and areas, but Hex, CATCF and Sub Terra have all been conspicuously absent (as have other rides, of course, which I'm sure will be open)
- We know the park have to make staff cuts, and keeping these closed would definitely make sense
So who knows really
D4n
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Zadra
Charlie had the IP issue though, didn't it? So it seems almost inconceivable that it will get a reprieve.
Hex is the only one I still have my fingers crossed for; I've expected them to change their minds on it all along and the fact they still haven't announced its closure is an interesting one.
Towers have just stated the following. You could say that this rules out previous ride closures as hinted, or you could say the phrase '2016 Ride Line Up' suggests changes to previous years, which yes is true with Ripsaw & The Flume being removed, but it could also mean more rides are set to join that as SBNO.
To me this just says that Hex and etc (rumoured closed rides) will be open this season.
To me this just says that Hex and etc (rumoured closed rides) will be open this season.
Towers have just stated the following. You could say that this rules out previous ride closures as hinted, or you could say the phrase '2016 Ride Line Up' suggests changes to previous years, which yes is true with Ripsaw & The Flume being removed, but it could also mean more rides are set to join that as SBNO.
To me this just says that Hex and etc (rumoured closed rides) will be open this season.
It would be extremely shady advertising if there were any further changes than Flume and Ripsaw given the proximity to opening. If there were any other significant changes to come you would expect something like 'we will be announcing our full line up in xxxx'
Although technically they wouldn't be doing anything wrong if there were further changes.
bluesonichd
TS Member
I dont think we will ever get an official statement saying these rides are not opening this year
All they will do is state on the start of each day the rides that will not be open.
For most people that only visit once a year they will just think its bad luck that on the day they visit hex/charlie other was closed.
If only they knew...
All they will do is state on the start of each day the rides that will not be open.
For most people that only visit once a year they will just think its bad luck that on the day they visit hex/charlie other was closed.
If only they knew...
Ben
TS Founding Member
- Favourite Ride
- Your Dad
If Towers don't say anything and then open the season missing several attractions it would be a PR disaster and not to mention completely spineless of them.
They really just need to bite the bullet and admit that 5 rides will be SBNO and 1 has been removed. Dibs and drabs will do nothing but add to frustration and complaints. Its like ripping a plaster off, you've made the decision, one quick bad strike and its over.
They really just need to bite the bullet and admit that 5 rides will be SBNO and 1 has been removed. Dibs and drabs will do nothing but add to frustration and complaints. Its like ripping a plaster off, you've made the decision, one quick bad strike and its over.
Ted
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Kondaa
Towers have just stated the following. You could say that this rules out previous ride closures as hinted, or you could say the phrase '2016 Ride Line Up' suggests changes to previous years, which yes is true with Ripsaw & The Flume being removed, but it could also mean more rides are set to join that as SBNO.
To me this just says that Hex and etc (rumoured closed rides) will be open this season.
This doesn't say anything about ride closures though. It's like they're saying the ride lineup which they have planned throughout the season, not every single one. I don't think we'll find out until the 19th anyway.
jon81uk
TS Member
As long as the coasters and CBeebies are open, I don't think it will make the news that Hex and Charlie are closed, so I doubt it will be a "PR disaster". Although if you look at TripAdvisor that will probably be a disaster if people don't feel enough is open to justify the gate price. And at £51 no matter what is open its not worth it, outside of ScareFest / Fireworks.
Rob
TS Team
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance
I can't remember if The Flume was taken off at the end of last season or not. Of course The Flume was closed at the end of the season so it could well have been.
Either way, it doesn't take them long to either add or remove a ride from ridetimes.com.
The fact that the full 2016 ride line-up is still not confirmed is a farce, especially as we have known since November. There's little over a week to go, Alton Towers know full well what is closing but just don't want to announce it.
