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Ride Availability/Operations 2022-24

To be honest, I've got a booking for tomorrow and I'll probably not be going now either. Closing at 8pm and not having pretty much the best night ride open. But they'll have it conveniently open for the weekend customers. Total disregard for weekday visitors again, who they seem to view as a nuisance who they begrudgingly have to cater for. Just don't bother opening on weekdays next year if it's that much trouble. Seriously.
 
If anything, since the staggered openings the ride availability and reliability has been worse. Would likely point towards lack of technicians available now I would think. This should be top priority for next season, above new rides. Need to concentrate on fixing the ones they have.
 
Blackhole_Sun said:
If anything, since the staggered openings the ride availability and reliability has been worse. Would likely point towards lack of technicians available now I would think. This should be top priority for next season, above new rides. Need to concentrate on fixing the ones they have.
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I'm almost positive the same was said at the start of the season. Ride availability has been poor all year, with it taking several weeks (possibly months) from opening for the coasters to be running on all trains and regularly open. If they haven't recruited new technicians in the 6 months since then...
 
We are here today, can confirm it's dire. Thirteen finally back after a early close when baggage hold was closed, to which it's now open after the ride was reopened. Only on 2 trains.

Oblivion only on 4 with one station ( as of 10.30am )

Hex was a painful wait too.

Rita ludicrously slow as ever.

Off over to FV after we get off Rita.

I know it's half term for some parts of the UK yet the amount of kids here on a "school day" is alarming along with the utter dire operations
 
Bowser said:
I'm almost positive the same was said at the start of the season. Ride availability has been poor all year, with it taking several weeks (possibly months) from opening for the coasters to be running on all trains and regularly open. If they haven't recruited new technicians in the 6 months since then...
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Merlin have made a big song and dance of their Apprentice scheme. Looks like they’re putting eggs in the training from within basket as it long term saved on wages and hopefully breeds some brand loyalty
 
Mattie boy said:
We are here today, can confirm it's dire. Thirteen finally back after a early close when baggage hold was closed, to which it's now open after the ride was reopened. Only on 2 trains.

Oblivion only on 4 with one station ( as of 10.30am )

Hex was a painful wait too.

Rita ludicrously slow as ever.

Off over to FV after we get off Rita.

I know it's half term for some parts of the UK yet the amount of kids here on a "school day" is alarming along with the utter dire operations
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Thirteen has been on two trains all week. Oblivion on one station
Smiler on three trains
Galactica 2 crafts 1 station
Nemesis started the day on Tuesday on one train
Rita had full capacity
Wickerman I believe was on two trains.

They are trying to save the rides for the busier weeks/weekends I think. No excuses for this.
 
Bowser said:
I'm almost positive the same was said at the start of the season. Ride availability has been poor all year, with it taking several weeks (possibly months) from opening for the coasters to be running on all trains and regularly open. If they haven't recruited new technicians in the 6 months since then...
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Since the smiler incident new techies have quite a long period before they can work independently. I think it’s something like 6 months but the exact time may be different.
 
Dave said:
Since the smiler incident new techies have quite a long period before they can work independently. I think it’s something like 6 months but the exact time may be different.
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I don't think a park of the size and stature of Alton Towers should be getting to the point where they don't have enough mechanical staff.

You're charging people full price to enter, they don't get discounted if certain rides aren't open on time (or at all). Of course things go down and the unexpected happens but to be in an entire season where that's happening predominantly due to staff shortages seems particularly poor. Other (non Merlin) parks seemingly aren't plagued by these issues.

Possible exemption due to the Covid closure but probably not the real reason.
 
The queues today are weekend-like, and way above what they've been every weekday since SF started.

Only the 'thrill' sides, though - most of the 'family' rides have 0-5 mins (RMT & Hex the exceptions with 25 & 20)

Is there some student day today or something?
 
Weby72 said:
The queues today are weekend-like, and way above what they've been every weekday since SF started.

Only the 'thrill' sides, though - most of the 'family' rides have 0-5 mins (RMT & Hex the exceptions with 25 & 20)

Is there some student day today or something?
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Getting worried for tomorrow, now.

We've had a few 'only got on 6 or 7 rides in 10 hours' days, but almost always on a weekend. They're horrible.

My missus isn't crazy about AT anyway these days, and interminable waits for every sodding ride has her saying it's the last time she's coming; we then have to talk her round next SF.
 
Really glad I didn't bother going today now, after hearing about Wicker Man being closed. Going to use my petrol money etc I would have used to go somewhere different tomorrow that actually appreciates my custom on a weekday.
 
Weby72 said:
The queues today are weekend-like, and way above what they've been every weekday since SF started.

Only the 'thrill' sides, though - most of the 'family' rides have 0-5 mins (RMT & Hex the exceptions with 25 & 20)

Is there some student day today or something?
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There are a lot of buses and coaches parked up here today. Far more than I've ever seen and we come similar times each season
 
rob666 said:
Half term in Scotland.
Lots of colleges use Towers trips for new student icebreaker social events.
We say this every year...the decent quiet days are over for another season.
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You say that, but last Friday and the Tuesday just gone were pretty decently quiet.
 
Weby72 said:
Good point! 😖



(do that many really travel down from Scotland?)
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When we used to stay at the hotels for my birthday in June the place would year after year be rammed with Scottish school trips.

I'm there tomorrow as well so I'm interested in if it gets quieter towards the end of the day. My trip last year was literally in the middle of Storm Babet, so in comparison to that a bit of queuing is nothing.
 
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