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Ride Availability/Operations 2022-25

I have started to dislike Theme Park Worldwide almost every Vlog making out Alton Towers is the worst park ever when it's really not. Other youtuberz do the same as well.

Misinformation is easier than spreading facts
Getting very confused by your posts… one minute you’re stating Towers is awful and being destroyed by Merlin, next you’re defending them when others say the same…
 
Back when I worked there we didn't close the rides until there was actually evidence of lightning and thunder nearby. This policy feels over the top and overly risk averse.

To tell guests you're closing for bad weather when there is no bad weather, and then they wait in the glorious sunshine and still no bad weather is evident, is a nonsense in my opinion.
 
Back when I worked there we didn't close the rides until there was actually evidence of lightning and thunder nearby. This policy feels over the top and overly risk averse.

To tell guests you're closing for bad weather when there is no bad weather, and then they wait in the glorious sunshine and still no bad weather is evident, is a nonsense in my opinion.
But when there is evidence of lightning nearby, it is too late to close the ride as there is a risk that one of the ride may be hit, if recently open it will still have people on it.

The storm moved in and shifted very quickly (like 20-30 secs from sunny to dark clouds, envelopped by thunder, etc)

It is very common for the rides to close in florida for thunder, but it is still very bright outside the 10 mins later the storm rolls in, it is still also common to skim a storm where it is still bright, but there is a storm nearby.

You need Time to close the rides, get people off them and a buffer, to ensure everyone is safe.
 
Back when I worked there we didn't close the rides until there was actually evidence of lightning and thunder nearby. This policy feels over the top and overly risk averse.

To tell guests you're closing for bad weather when there is no bad weather, and then they wait in the glorious sunshine and still no bad weather is evident, is a nonsense in my opinion.

I remember on my trip to Universal Osaka the entire park was closed for a thunderstorm. It was quite the spectacle seeing literally hundreds of staff members ushering people into shelter and then 5-10 minutes later the storm commenced.

Equally was very annoying that a park full of indoor attractions couldn't operate them in a thunderstorm.
 
When I was there on Sunday I had 8 notifications from the Alton Towers app warning me about potential weather closures- pretty decent communication. When it did rain ops were playing wet weather announcements warning we may have to cease operation etc… I would call that pretty good communication! Personally I’m sure I with the majority of people that I don’t quite fancy being struck by lighting on a rollercoaster.

Exactly. Yet the vlog mentions nothing like that and he even goes as far to say he has no clue what’s happening.

it’s just misleading for people who aren’t regular visitors or have no idea.
 
As far as the TPW video goes I’d expect somebody so knowledgable about the park to have a bit more understanding of the protocols - I thought it was a bit weird that he was referring to it as somebody making a bad decision, when it almost certainly would’ve been somebody following a set procedure.

And also weather is notoriously unpredictable, so even if there’s thunder/lighting in the area there’s obviously no guarantee it’ll hit, and then it will look a bit stupid, but there’s that old adage better safe than sorry. I’m sure he’d have been first to complain (and put out a video about it), if guests had been stuck on a ride in thunder and lighting.
 
Yes lad. The rideability ratio compared to previous years has been mega mate.

Choo choo!
It does seem like something has improved with availability this year. Yes, things still aren’t perfect, but rides generally seem to be opening a bit more promptly in the mornings and the domino effect of rides seeming to go down one after the other that plagued 2023 and 2024 at times seems to be less prevalent!
 
It does seem like something has improved this year. Yes, things still aren’t perfect, but things generally seem to be opening a bit more promptly in the mornings and the domino effect of things seeming to go down one after the other that plagued 2023 and 2024 at times seems to be less prevalent!
It's been glossy smooth for me and a sure sign they are making an effort!
 
It does seem like something has improved with availability this year. Yes, things still aren’t perfect, but rides generally seem to be opening a bit more promptly in the mornings and the domino effect of rides seeming to go down one after the other that plagued 2023 and 2024 at times seems to be less prevalent!
It is better this year mainly due to Hex and Skyride being back for majority of the season.

Though Rita is having a rough season.

Another thing after Project Sunshine what comes next for the park we don't know about Horizon and what area will be next to be rethemed
 
Back o ride operations / availability… we noticed last month in Florida that most of the parks actively promoted their “lightning policy” via prominent notices at the entrance on days when storms were predicted (so at this time of year, most days).

The notices stated the policy and generally had a map on showing the park location with radius circles showing (for instance) 5miles, 10miles & 15miles from the park. There was even a similar notice in the lobby of where we were staying & one at each entrance to the pool area.

Whilst it is totally understandable that Towers will err on the side of caution for safety reasons, maybe they could promote the policy better?

I recall a day when I worked at Towers & we had to close outdoor rides about 40mins out from ride close due to a thunder storm (with plenty of lightning). About 20mins later the OK was given to reopen as the storm had passed. Got about 5 trains out & the storm returned (or a new one came along) & the decision was made to close everything for the day. We got a lot of verbal abuse / guests wanting refunds, despite the fact everything had been open for 90% of the day. Am glad I was not working in guest services on Towers Street that late afternoon.
 
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