Ride Plans

[Error]

Man the innuendo is strong with that oblivion concept art. It also looks hideous, good job it didn't come reality.

 

[ChristmasPud]

The original Port Discovery storyboards are beautiful. The reason it was cancelled was presumably more to do with money, since Tussauds was about to be sold by its parent company. Although the X Sector theme started out very cool when new, it was less timeless than what the Port Discovery concepts show, which would have been an absolutely classic Alton Towers area from that era.

X Sector started out very well, but has had a lot of its features removed and these days is quite thinly spread, showing its age.

I believe that the steampunk re-theme of the black hole was probably a little homage to this area which is kinda cool

The Black Hole redesign was done in 1996 when the area was still planned to become Port Discovery, it was the only part of the original concept that got created. (And it was amazing for what it was, one of the park's classic themes)

Although it does look as though that's what it says in the first image, Merlin Magic Making featured the second image on their Instagram page a while ago, calling it Fort Discovery – so perhaps both names were considered?

It was always Port Discovery, the reason it says Fort on their Instagram is just because they clearly looked at the drawing for all of 5 seconds haha.

 

[Matt N]

Sorry to bump the thread, but I have a few questions regarding past ride concepts for Alton Towers that I was wondering if you guys could potentially answer:

• I have heard multiple references to a motive proposed by DIC towards the end of their tenure known as Project Dolphin. But I don't really know what it was other than that it was said to be a "quantum leap" for UK theme parks; does anyone have any further info about what it actually was and what sort of attractions would have been put in as part of it?
• Is it true that SW7 was originally intended to be something else other than The Smiler and that The Smiler was planned at the last minute in an Oblivion/Air type scenario? I remember reading somewhere that SW7 was originally to be scheduled to be located on the Flume site, but I'm not sure if that's true or not. Would certainly have been interesting if Wicker Man had been built in 2013 instead of The Smiler...
• It says in Tales from the Towers that Runaway Mine Train was originally going to be rethemed to Singstar in 2007; does anyone have any more info about what this might have entailed, out of interest?
• Does anyone know whether John Wardley's cross valley woodie seen in a 2003 planning application would have entailed anything other than those two massive 200+ft drops? I also heard that it would have had two stations and would have functioned as a transportation ride; is this true?

I don't mean to come across as demanding; I'm just curious!

 

[Brad97]

Sorry to bump the thread, but I have a few questions regarding past ride concepts for Alton Towers that I was wondering if you guys could potentially answer:

• Does anyone know whether John Wardley's cross valley woodie seen in a 2003 planning application would have entailed anything other than those two massive 200+ft drops? I also heard that it would have had two stations and would have functioned as a transportation ride; is this true?

I don't mean to come across as demanding; I'm just curious!

I don't know much about your other questions, but this is a recreation of what the cross valley woodie would have probably looked like:



It only had one station so it wasn't meant to be a transport ride, and the station would have been where Rita is now. In my opinion, this layout is pretty poor outside of the two huge drops. I'd love to see a more modern take on this layout, a launched RMC that is like a mix of Lightning Rod, Wildfire and Steel Vengeance would be my dream ride for the valley, but it'll never happen!

 

[Matt N]

I don't know much about your other questions, but this is a recreation of what the cross valley woodie would have probably looked like:



It only had one station so it wasn't meant to be a transport ride, and the station would have been where Rita is now. In my opinion, this layout is pretty poor outside of the two huge drops. I'd love to see a more modern take on this layout, a launched RMC that is like a mix of Lightning Rod, Wildfire and Steel Vengeance would be my dream ride for the valley, but it'll never happen!

Ah right. Thanks @Brad97!

 

[ChristmasPud]

Is it true that SW7 was originally intended to be something else other than The Smiler

John Wardley said that many concepts were pitched for SW7 and some ridiculous 'world first' ideas were researched with engineers and ride manufacturers, such as a 'pinball roller coaster'. He was very critical of the huge wastage of time and resources on world first attempts, instead of just creating a no-nonsense (wooden) coaster—which got denied once again.

I have heard multiple references to a motive proposed by DIC towards the end of their tenure known as Project Dolphin. But I don't really know what it was other than that it was said to be a "quantum leap" for UK theme parks; does anyone have any further info about what it actually was and what sort of attractions would have been put in as part of it?

Wasn't this just some naff, vague 'new age theme park' thing for Merrie England instead of a proper attraction? It would have featured an aquarium, which happened anyway with Sea Life, but other than that seemed to be a very under developed idea

Other ideas at that time were the hot air balloon, that idiotic singstar thing and a zip line from the Towers. DIC had absolutely no idea what they were doing with theme parks

 

[Matt N]

John Wardley said that many concepts were pitched for SW7 and some ridiculous 'world first' ideas were researched with engineers and ride manufacturers, such as a 'pinball roller coaster'. He was very critical of the huge wastage of time and resources on world first attempts, instead of just creating a no-nonsense (wooden) coaster—which got denied once again.


Wasn't this just some naff, vague 'new age theme park' thing for Merrie England instead of a proper attraction? It would have featured an aquarium, which happened anyway with Sea Life, but other than that seemed to be a very under developed idea

Other ideas at that time were the hot air balloon, that idiotic singstar thing and a zip line from the Towers. DIC had absolutely no idea what they were doing with theme parks

Ah right. Thanks @TakeYourMedicine; so Project Dolphin was more of a wider project than one singular attraction!

 

[Alsty]

The cross valley woodie was never going to happen, if we're honest. It would consume too much woodland, would cost a fortune to build, and can you imagine the logistics of trying to build it...

 

[James]

Wardley mentioned a few years back they've developed various wooden coaster concepts/track designs over the years so there's still hope of a thrilling woodie at Towers, especially now Wicker man has proved the public do not think wooden coasters are death traps.

The Smiler was a last minute rush job as the original SW7 plans were not possible due to the technology not being there, presumably costs brought the plans to a halt (much like SW8 originally planned to be a ride in Forbidden Valley).

The Runaway Mine Train Singstar retheme... it involved karaoke machines in the trains or some tripe like that, fitted in perfectly with DIC Tussauds. Instead they (quite literally) gave us a pile of sh*t in 2007 (and a Haunted Tarmac Hollow). Oh those were the days.

 

[Squiggs]

One thing to watch out for from that period are PR stunts masquerading as real news. During the period from 2006-2010ish the park embarked on quite a few PR campaigns in an attempt to go viral and whilst most of these were obvious stunts (like that time they got a Native-American brave to come and do a 'cloud-chasing ceremony' to encourage the sun to come out in 2007) some edged slightly more towards believable reality.

The Singstar coaster was one of these PR promotions, much like Project Giant Gurgle, which claimed the park were considering adding a coaster aimed at babies. Both other these 'projects' were generated by the park's marketing team in conjunction with their PR firm. Never a dull moment back in those days (tedious certainly... but never dull).

 

[Alsty]

Good point. I seem to recall a family(?) broomsticks coaster near Gloomy Wood being touted as well. I'm sure there was even plans or concept art to back it up.

 

[Matt N]

The Smiler was a last minute rush job as the original SW7 plans were not possible due to the technology not being there, presumably costs brought the plans to a halt (much like SW8 originally planned to be a ride in Forbidden Valley).

The Runaway Mine Train Singstar retheme... it involved karaoke machines in the trains or some tripe like that, fitted in perfectly with DIC Tussauds. Instead they (quite literally) gave us a pile of sh*t in 2007 (and a Haunted Tarmac Hollow). Oh those were the days.

Is it known what the original SW7 plans were, out of interest?

As for the RMT Singstar retheme, I'm quite glad that that didn't happen. In general, after hearing a bit more about them, it seems like DIC certainly had some... interesting ideas on the whole. From the proposed zip wire off the top of the Towers to the alleged casino-themed hotel, the Resort's future may certainly have turned out differently had more of DIC's ideas come to fruition.

 

[AT86]

If I remember rightly that zip line even made its way onto the park map (maybe 2006ish).

I think English Heritage might have had something to say about the idea and it never actually happened.

 

[James]

Is it known what the original SW7 plans were, out of interest?

As for the RMT Singstar retheme, I'm quite glad that that didn't happen. In general, after hearing a bit more about them, it seems like DIC certainly had some... interesting ideas on the whole. From the proposed zip wire off the top of the Towers to the alleged casino-themed hotel, the Resort's future may certainly have turned out differently had more of DIC's ideas come to fruition.

I'm not 100% sure, there were plans for a stand-up B&M coaster in Katanga Canyon, part of it underground. I believe Wardley has openly spoken about the plans in interviews since The Smiler opened.

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[Squiggs]

If I remember rightly that zip line even made its way onto the park map (maybe 2006ish).

I think English Heritage might have had something to say about the idea and it never actually happened.

Interestingly, the zipline did happen during the PlayStation 2 Freedom Weekender event that took place in 2005:

The success of the attraction during the event is what prompted Alton Towers to apply for permanent planning permission. Though, as you say, I can't imagine it ever stood a chance of getting passed (the application was withdrawn shortly after being submitted, so it never got to the point of having official objections).

 

[Matt N]

I'm not 100% sure, there were plans for a stand-up B&M coaster in Katanga Canyon, part of it underground. I believe Wardley has openly spoken about the plans in interviews since The Smiler opened.

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Ah right, thanks for the clarification @James!

 

[Squiggs]

If I remember rightly that zip line even made its way onto the park map (maybe 2006ish).

I'd forgotten that it had made it onto the park map. Here is the March-June version of the 2006 map, complete with Vertigo:

 

[WillPS]

Good point. I seem to recall a family(?) broomsticks coaster near Gloomy Wood being touted as well. I'm sure there was even plans or concept art to back it up.

It was a fake. I can't remember the exact details but I think the table of details on the right was lifted directly from the Air planning application.

There was also some rubbish about extending Toyland Tours' layout outside the building in to Coaster Corner, with a drop.

 

[DistortAMG]

It was a fake. I can't remember the exact details but I think the table of details on the right was lifted directly from the Air planning application.

There was also some rubbish about extending Toyland Tours' layout outside the building in to Coaster Corner, with a drop.

That was part of the Jazzland Plans, you can see them here, with the extended outdoor portion of Toyland Tours. These plans were not fake though I believe, they just never came through for whatever reason. Not 100% sure though. This would have been a great addition though, Cred Street getting a makeover, Toyland Extension, a new indoor 5D attraction, new tracked dark ride and a few small flat rides. If it was real, there was certainly lots of ambition. Opening up the old disused coaster corner and putting a big dark ride in there!





While on a similar topic, did anyone know that apparently Stampedia at Portaventura was designed for the Nemesis site? By Mr Wardley. This has apparently come from the great messiah's mouth himself.

 

[ChristmasPud]

While on a similar topic, did anyone know that apparently Stampedia at Portaventura was designed for the Nemesis site? By Mr Wardley. This has apparently come from the great messiah's mouth himself.

Ahh that's interesting, it WAS true that he drew plans for a wooden racing coaster penned to open in 1991, but it got shelved to create new family areas instead (on the advice of Nick Varney). Although for a different reason, this was the first of many denials for a wooden coaster at Alton Towers.

I wouldnt know if it was the exact same layout that ended up as Stampedia, but it was probably similar and definitely possible. Do you have a source for John speaking about this connection?

Also, I doubt the Toyland Tours extension would have ever realistically happened. Coaster Corner has never been granted planning permission due to its location, this was the reason it was abandoned when Tussauds took over the park. Essentially, John Broome built on it illegally! If they could convince to pass a planning application there, it could really help that area.

Posted by TowersTimes, here's all I can find online today of the Broomsticks plan. It may have been fake, although it's a pretty accurate one if it is. Personally I think there is still great potential for a family coaster in the woods and towards the lake like this.