Paultons Park: General Discussion

[TedShatner10]

The hate is with good reason. Just because they spend millions on new coasters we should accept that they deliver a below standard in everything else.
.Food
.Landscaping
.Upkeep
.The right investment
.Attention to detail
.Consistency throughout each land

All of which Alton Towers is terrible with since the merlin era, But we should ignore that because they dangle a shiny new coaster in front of us every 5 years?

Alton Towers seen from afar through YouTube still looks like an awesome, fun place, even if it got relatively neglected and showing its age in comparison to the 90s, 00s, and early 10s.

However Alton Towers was a crown jewel left around by an insanely overstretched, globally distracted Merlin to collect gunk and dirt in the past 10-15 years (aside from the Wickerman that gave the place a boost) and running things like a private equity operation is doomed to eventual failure (while Paultons is run more like a family firm with more consistent investment and a more realistic corporate direction than Merlin's).

 

[jon81uk]

Yeah not like they have just spent over 10 million on rebuilding the best coaster in the UK is it whilst also having a new flat ride coming next year too is it? Oh wait.

I get it's trendy to constantly hate on Towers and Merlin and the news from the other day wasn't the best I realise but I think sometimes people just go way too far with it.

They have spent a ton of money of late on the park. Unfortunately a lot of the investments have been on rides that needed a revamp and all got old at the same time.

I thought the comment was more about how to do behind the scenes YouTube content and teaser marketing.

 

[Benjsh]

I think people need to start being a bit fairer is the point I was making. Towers have just built a B&M invert which is a mega investment and they have also committed to a new thrill flat.

Paultons in that time frame will have added a children's log flume and what looks to be a decent shooting ride but nothing particularly ground breaking.

As I said it's become on trend to criticise Towers for everything right now and some of it is justified I concede. A lot of the time people go overboard though for dramatic effect.

For example If I told you all now that you could only visit one of the two parks for the rest of your life and never step.foot in the other again....how many of you would choose Paultons? I'm betting not many.

 

[DiogoJ42]

You can't just say that as if they built a new B&M invert!

 

[rob666]

If I told you all now that you could only visit one of the two parks for the rest of your life and never step.foot in the other again....how many of you would choose Paultons? I'm betting not many.

I had three choices this year, Towers came third...no purchased ticket or pass.
Next year I will be back to the Beach as the Towers are not accessible to me at the moment.
And as we never have to make such choices in life, your argument is spurious.

 

[Jb85]

You can't just say that as if they built a new B&M invert!

Isn’t that the issue. In the eyes of the public, and even on here now, it’s not a new ride. It’s the same layout.

When in fact it must of cost what £12m+ but because it’s not ‘new’ it’s not getting lauded as much?

On to Paulton’s. Really is now top of my list to visit.
Looks an excellent park. Also the way they are engaging with the enthusiast community and wider public for me is top notch.

 

[Bowser]

Paultons in that time frame will have added a children's log flume and what looks to be a decent shooting ride but nothing particularly ground breaking

This is a somewhat arbitrary time period though.

The trend is for Paultons to be growing and adding rides whilst AT are removing them and struggling to maintain what they have.

They’re also parks aimed at quite different demographics. AT is meant to be for everyone but currently Paultons have a much better family offering.

 

[jon81uk]

For example If I told you all now that you could only visit one of the two parks for the rest of your life and never step.foot in the other again....how many of you would choose Paultons? I'm betting not many.

I don’t have kids. If I did have those under 1.4m then Paulton’s probably would be the top choice so maybe not for life but at least the next year.
Personally don’t think I could do just one of the UK parks forever as they don’t have the variety of rides. Alton and Thorpe are fun but once every few years is plenty now. For repeat riding need a variety of things with fewer large coasters.

 

[Benjsh]

You can't just say that as if they built a new B&M invert!

Why not? Thr fact it's a rebuild doesn't mean it's cheap to do and they could have easily designed something new for that space if they wanted to. They replaced it because it's bleeding awesome. That's basically all it is.

Paultons are doing a fantastic job but let's start being honest with ourselves. Building a few children's rides is hardly the same as what Towers have done is it yet reading the comments above you'd think they were smashing them to pieces with investments.

I loved my visit to Paultons a few years ago but if I could only afford one UK park visit out of the two next season I'm picking Towers every single time and I'm sure most of you would too.

 

[tayspru]

Why not? Thr fact it's a rebuild doesn't mean it's cheap to do and they could have easily designed something new for that space if they wanted to. They replaced it because it's bleeding awesome. That's basically all it is.

Paultons are doing a fantastic job but let's start being honest with ourselves. Building a few children's rides is hardly the same as what Towers have done is it yet reading the comments above you'd think they were smashing them to pieces with investments.

I loved my visit to Paultons a few years ago but if I could only afford one UK park visit out of the two next season I'm picking Towers every single time and I'm sure most of you would too.

It’s about which park is consistently making better choices to suit its own needs. Towers consistently is shooting itself in the foot, with nothing noteworthy outside of the occasional coaster - everything else is falling apart.

Paultons may lack a thrill coaster (for now) but every single investment in the last decade has made perfect sense and improved the park

 

[Bowser]

I loved my visit to Paultons a few years ago but if I could only afford one UK park visit out of the two next season I'm picking Towers every single time and I'm sure most of you would too.

I wouldn't because:

1. There are multitudes more rides available for my son
2. The rides tend to always be available unless announced in advance
3. The food is palatable
4. RAP is typically available and the queues are otherwise tolerable
5. Paultons doesn't require a transport system that is currently not functioning.
6. The weather is likely to be better

If your priority is thrill rides then of course AT is better and that's likely the majority demographic of this particular forum but it's hard to argue in their favour for family, reliability, culinary or accessibility.

 

[Benjsh]

It’s about which park is consistently making better choices to suit its own needs. Towers consistently is shooting itself in the foot, with nothing noteworthy outside of the occasional coaster - everything else is falling apart.

Paultons may lack a thrill coaster (for now) but every single investment in the last decade has made perfect sense and improved the park

I wouldn't say rebuilding Nemesis, the curse at AM and getting a new ripsaw is shooting themselves in the foot one bit though. It's such an odd thing to say. They are all very good decisions in my opinion.

And for all we know we might get a new pirate ship for 2025 as well. They may have decided that the Blade was just beyond saving and a new model was more cost effective in the long run.

Paultons are doing a great job and it's a lovely little family park but they are a million miles behind Towers in terms of ride hardware still.

 

[DiogoJ42]

Isn’t that the issue. In the eyes of the public, and even on here now, it’s not a new ride. It’s the same layout.

That was exactly my point.

 

[Benzin]

Towers with the revamping of old rides that are nearing the end of their life isn't exactly making strides forward though. Basic maintenance issues and a requirement of USP mean stuff that other parks just do had to have the bells and whistles attached to even get approved.

Add on the closures with no sign or mention of any replacements. Unlikely to get a Blade replacement since no planning permission had been put in for one. A sensible park also would've made hints towards this in their press release about it as well if it were being replaced in 2025.

At least with Paultons closing a few of their older attractions they've already announced something new coming (Viking Land), and in the case of the Log Flume already "replaced" it this season.

One park is taking 2 or more steps back for every step forward. And currently that isn't Paultons.

 

[Benjsh]

Towers with the revamping of old rides that are nearing the end of their life isn't exactly making strides forward though. Basic maintenance issues and a requirement of USP mean stuff that other parks just do had to have the bells and whistles attached to even get approved.

Add on the closures with no sign or mention of any replacements. Unlikely to get a Blade replacement since no planning permission had been put in for one. A sensible park also would've made hints towards this in their press release about it as well if it were being replaced in 2025.

At least with Paultons closing a few of their older attractions they've already announced something new coming (Viking Land), and in the case of the Log Flume already "replaced" it this season.

One park is taking 2 or more steps back for every step forward. And currently that isn't Paultons.

They have invested a hell of a lot of money into Nemesis Reborn though. I'm sure they'd love to have used that money for park upgrades but nothing last forever.

Had they not done that and kept all these flats open would you be happy? No you'd be complaining about having no Nemesis then. This is exactly my point.

Something has to take priority and they can't fix everything at once sadly. That's the issue here people aren't understanding.

The Blade could be replaced yet too for all we know. A pirate ship isn't a big investment at all.

Flavios was never meant to be permanent and nobody like the Dungeons anyway.

Think people need to start realising money doesn't grow on trees. When it comes time for Paultons to replace one of their major rides the same thing will happen there too. It's no unique to Towers.

 

[Bowser]

When it comes time for Paultons to replace one of their major rides the same thing will happen there too. It's no unique to Towers.

I think Paultons have demonstrated their maintenance policy is very different. They advertise planned closures almost 18 months in advance, prioritise reliability and replace closing attractions swiftly.

That’s not unique to them, we can cite plenty of parks who emphasise reliability and good operations.

Merlin are not one of them and AT is sadly the biggest culprit due to a combination of frequently discussed reasons. It is what it is but there’s no denying it.

 

[jon81uk]

Think people need to start realising money doesn't grow on trees. When it comes time for Paultons to replace one of their major rides the same thing will happen there too. It's no unique to Towers.

Paultons are removing a medium size ride (raging river) but opened a new smaller replacement (seal Falls) this year and do have a dark ride coming next year. They at least appear to be planning ahead somewhat and the removals feel planned out.
Also they have all ride closures planned out for the next 18 months. https://paultonspark.co.uk/info/ride-availability

Money doesn't grow on trees, but you can plan ahead and plant a new tree before the existing one dies.

 

[Skyscraper]

Paultons are removing a medium size ride (raging river) but opened a new smaller replacement (seal Falls) this year

You mean Splash Lagoon

 

[Benzin]

Money doesn't grow on trees, but Towers aren't owned by a small independent family run business are they?

Merlin are more than capable of investing not only smartly but sensibly into the maintenance budgets. Which would negate a lot of the need to suddenly bin rides without replacing them.

Not like there's a number of other former flat rides that haven't been replaced years after their removal. It's genuinely bad management that has been creeping along but the park has either ignored it themselves or Merlin have ignored pleas for investment.

 

[owenstreet7]

At least with Paultons closing a few of their older attractions they've already announced something new coming (Viking Land), and in the case of the Log Flume already "replaced" it this season.

I'm not so sure that Splash Lagoon is the replacement for Raging River. I'd consider Raging River to be like Tiger Rock and Splash to be like River Rafts.

I do think that something much bigger will come for Vikings but that's my take on it.

I believe Raging River's removal was intended to be done later (either end of 2024 or 2025) than it was by - the sudden closure was likely due to a technical issue rather than a planned removal.