The Big Mack
TS Member
Well, he is very experienced. More outside blood from leading parks would give Merlin the creative edge it needs.
-
ℹ️ Heads up...
This is a popular topic that is fast moving Guest - before posting, please ensure that you check out the first post in the topic for a quick reminder of guidelines, and importantly a summary of the known facts and information so far. Thanks.
Merlin Entertainments: General Discussion
- Thread starter Lurker
- Start date
EarthlyKnight27
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Oblivion
I mean, the new CEO of Merlin whenever one is appointed, would have to consider how to focus on the large rival moving in by the name of Universal who has more funding than Merlin could ever dream of.
Cause in my opinion, I think this would start a 'cold-war' of sorts. With both companies trying to out do each other and attract more guests/visitors. So it may or may not lower the price for park entry. Whilst I'm probably grasping at straws, what I mean is, I hope when Universal do come to the UK, it forces Merlin to start lowering their prices to enter their parks, as we all know that due to them being the biggest theme park operator in the UK, they can arbitrary set the prices.
Although at the same time, how big of a threat is Universal to Merlin?
Cause in my opinion, I think this would start a 'cold-war' of sorts. With both companies trying to out do each other and attract more guests/visitors. So it may or may not lower the price for park entry. Whilst I'm probably grasping at straws, what I mean is, I hope when Universal do come to the UK, it forces Merlin to start lowering their prices to enter their parks, as we all know that due to them being the biggest theme park operator in the UK, they can arbitrary set the prices.
Although at the same time, how big of a threat is Universal to Merlin?
It seems Scott will be leaving Merlin at the end of the year,
Alton Towers and Legoland chief to leave after two years
Scott O'Neil will leave Merlin Entertainments at the end of the year, with Fiona Eastwood replacing him on an interim basis, Sky News learns.news.sky.com
Slow hand clapping…
Merlin have done an appalling job at Alton for arguably a decade or more. The quality of the attractions installed comparison to its peers. (Wickerman being the exception) lags behind considerably. The quality of the accommodation, food, in park entertainment are also lagging far behind comparative offerings.
The food and beverage offering is nothing short of a disgrace. In the hotels, on park, VIP or hospitality. All of it is dreadful, amateur and needs a total rethink.
At this point unless they bring in teams of experienced, capable, demanding people, the ship will continue to sink. And this is across all areas. I’ve seen nothing to see they have the capability to raise the bar any higher, they need help. “Better” just doesn’t seem to exist, and if it does it’s piecemeal at best.
If this if what Merlin want to keep celebrating, let them. But sadly the long term negative effect on the parks will be devastating. Throwing away the decades of hard work of the giants that came before them.
Good job Scott
Meanwhile less than 30 mins away from Alton you can find some amazing places to eat drink and visit. All locally owned and ran, without the millions of a company that once claimed to be second to Disney. Maybe think about giving them your money instead.
Last edited:
QTXAdsy
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Black Hole
Is there anything left to criticise the park for anymore? It's like Groundhog day as all we do is preach the same old issues for the past decade to the converted and nothing happens.Slow hand clapping…
Merlin have done an appalling job at Alton for arguably a decade or more. The quality of the attractions installed comparison to its peers. (Wickerman being the exception) lags behind considerably. The quality of the accommodation, food, in park entertainment are also lagging far behind comparative offerings.
The food and beverage offering is nothing short of a disgrace. In the hotels, on park, VIP or hospitality. All of it is dreadful, amateur and needs a total rethink.
At this point unless they bring in teams of experienced, capable, demanding people, the ship will continue to sink. And this is across all areas. I’ve seen nothing to see they have the capability to raise the bar any higher, they need help. “Better” just doesn’t seem to exist, and if it does it’s piecemeal at best.
If this if what Merlin want to keep celebrating, let them. But sadly the long term negative effect on the parks will be devastating. Throwing away the decades of hard work of the giants that came before them.
Good job Scott
Meanwhile less than 30 mins away from Alton you can find some amazing places to eat drink and visit. All locally owned and ran, without the millions of a copy that once claimed to be second to Disney. Maybe think about giving them your money instead.
Bowser
TS Member
They’re already basically free to get in, that would be the death knoll.
Paultons have shown increasing prices for a higher quality product with lower capacity works in the UK.
EarthlyKnight27
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Oblivion
Aye that's true.
But I have a feeling, with Universal coming, they'll try to bring in the American mind set with how they operate the park, rides and hotels/accommodation.
I might be wrong, but if Universal do bring that mind set over here, I wonder how Merlin would react to this, especially with the funds Universal has, they could easily out preform Alton and Thorpe in regard to themeing and ride 'intensity'
GooseOnTheLoose
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Ug Bugs
Merlin is more than Alton Towers, Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures. Granted, with Towers Street in particular having a dedicated focus to a UK asset, we're predisposed to focussing on the RTPs, but the company as a whole is so much more.
The US, Middle East and Asia are growth sectors for the company. Investment outside of Europe is particularly notable. I don't think that the historic mismanagement of the UK RTP assets is a particularly useful barometer for the group as a whole.
The US, Middle East and Asia are growth sectors for the company. Investment outside of Europe is particularly notable. I don't think that the historic mismanagement of the UK RTP assets is a particularly useful barometer for the group as a whole.
Shaggy_Dog_
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Ride To Happiness
Do Merlin have any plans for opening new attractions in the Middle East region? The only property they have currently have there is Legoland Dubai (and a Sealife and a Madame Tussauds in Turkey if we include that).
GooseOnTheLoose
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Ug Bugs
According to Scott O'Neil, yes. They have plans to expand into Saudi Arabia.
They also have plans to expand their footprint in Dubai and invest more in the Legoland there.
Source: https://blooloop.com/theme-park/news/merlin-ceo-tremendous-opportunity-saudi-arabia/
You've also forgotten Madame Tussaud's Dubai.
Merlin Entertainments officially opens Madame Tussauds Dubai
The attraction marks the company’s first standalone Midway indoor attraction to open in the UAE.
With all the hot middle east attractions in general that are rapidly developing...
Do any actually pull in the punters?
Seen lots of empty walkways, and it keeps being reported that the area is a little bit hot, and getting a bit hotter.
I know all the massive plans are in place, including crazy stuff like The Line, but are people actually beginning to play out there?
Bit too far and warm for old gits like me, but I don't think I'm quite the target market.
Do any actually pull in the punters?
Seen lots of empty walkways, and it keeps being reported that the area is a little bit hot, and getting a bit hotter.
I know all the massive plans are in place, including crazy stuff like The Line, but are people actually beginning to play out there?
Bit too far and warm for old gits like me, but I don't think I'm quite the target market.
Jb85
TS Member
Haven’t been but will be doing Dubai and Abu Dhabi over Xmas. It’s finally starting to appeal to me.
Saudi / Qatar - different story. No interest in going.
All pipe dreams to cover up poor human rights.
Why would a company like Merlin want to tarnish their brand being associated with this. Seems odd to me.
It always
The appeal to SA/Qatar is following the potential trajectory of Dubai over the past 30 years. I remember having a Garfield book when I was a kid and one strip’s punchline was about Abu Dhabi being the worst place in the world - a universe away from the playground image it looks for now. There are still massive human rights issues across the UAE, but well-branded holidaymaker enclaves have created enough of a distinction.
The appeal to Merlin is SA/Qatar could manage to do the same and the value of having properties there will skyrocket in coming decades. In the meantime, the government incentives for developing and operating in these locations provide a catwalk of sorts for Merlin - testing new tech and processes.
I think it’s likely that lifestyle and entertainment developers such as Merlin have access to heavily incentivised privileges for building in SA/Qatar.
The appeal to SA/Qatar is following the potential trajectory of Dubai over the past 30 years. I remember having a Garfield book when I was a kid and one strip’s punchline was about Abu Dhabi being the worst place in the world - a universe away from the playground image it looks for now. There are still massive human rights issues across the UAE, but well-branded holidaymaker enclaves have created enough of a distinction.
The appeal to Merlin is SA/Qatar could manage to do the same and the value of having properties there will skyrocket in coming decades. In the meantime, the government incentives for developing and operating in these locations provide a catwalk of sorts for Merlin - testing new tech and processes.
Bowser
TS Member
It’s a long term strategy on their part, as seen with all the investment in tourism and sports.
It’s not odd, it’s working, case in point you’re going to the country that did it first.
GooseOnTheLoose
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Ug Bugs
Whether the attractions are profitable, or the investment long term is a good idea is a bit by the by for the argument I was making. Building new, and expanding existing, attractions in an intentional market demonstrates a commitment to growth when others say the company is struggling.
Programmes such as Vision 2030 practically pay large conglomerates to build and invest in the region, with very favourable interest rates on loans for other projects in different parts of the world. There are plenty of financial incentives for a company such as Merlin to have the richer Middle Eastern countries on side.
Plastic Person
TS Member
UAE has recently made a few progressive reforms (and paid lip service) in the direction of human rights, but the reality is both it and Saudi Arabia rank very low on freedom indexes.
Wasn't focusing on the current discussion, just the "Tourism before the gas runs out" general idea, now a couple of decades old.
And is it working...this is the thoosie rollercoaster market.
I have asian heritage punters who have done it all, but he (sadly passed away) was in the travel trade.
I know of no others who have done the area for a tourist trip, other than a Haj detour.
Bowser
TS Member
The reaction will certainly be interesting. Ultimately they can’t compete on that level so they’ll need to find a way to co-exist, hopefully by improving the quality of their products in whatever way they can as opposed to going the Six Flags route they’re currently on.
Dave
TS Founding Member
Slow hand clapping…
Merlin have done an appalling job at Alton for arguably a decade or more. The quality of the attractions installed comparison to its peers. (Wickerman being the exception) lags behind considerably. The quality of the accommodation, food, in park entertainment are also lagging far behind comparative offerings.
The food and beverage offering is nothing short of a disgrace. In the hotels, on park, VIP or hospitality. All of it is dreadful, amateur and needs a total rethink.
At this point unless they bring in teams of experienced, capable, demanding people, the ship will continue to sink. And this is across all areas. I’ve seen nothing to see they have the capability to raise the bar any higher, they need help. “Better” just doesn’t seem to exist, and if it does it’s piecemeal at best.
If this if what Merlin want to keep celebrating, let them. But sadly the long term negative effect on the parks will be devastating. Throwing away the decades of hard work of the giants that came before them.
Good job Scott
Meanwhile less than 30 mins away from Alton you can find some amazing places to eat drink and visit. All locally owned and ran, without the millions of a company that once claimed to be second to Disney. Maybe think about giving them your money instead.
On CAPEX I actually don’t think Merlin have done that bad in the last few years. If you think about the usual gripes that enthusiasts had where:
1) No flats
2) No decent dark rides
3) Poor theming
4) Ride hardware is aging
They have in the last three years at Towers done the following:
1) Re-imagined Duel into a good dark rides.
2) Installing a flat ride
3) Improved theming quality (you might not like the phalanx theme but the amount of theming around Nemesis is now far more intense and with the exception of the big gun of a decent quality).
4) Rebuilt Nemesis,
5) Refurbed Hex and Skyride (might have been forced but 10 years ago they would have just closed them.
6) New PLC’s on Spinball and Curse.
Some of that should be standard of care anyway but previously it wasn’t done. I have concerns that going forward funding will be cut I will say.
Where you are right is the operational quality has dropped dramatically, uptime is shocking, food is appalling and over priced, resort accommodation is ropey and expensive, operations are patchy, opening times are poor.
I worry though that Blackstone demands for rapid profit means it doesn’t really matter which person comes in as CEO the company will never improve.