Skyride General Discussion

[Ash]

Will this become a fruitless exercise for guests without the need for RAP as seemed to be the case last time it was open? As the queue was extremely slow and long.

 

[EarthlyKnight27]

Will this become a fruitless exercise for guests without the need for RAP as seemed to be the case last time it was open? As the queue was extremely slow and long.

Depends, for disabled people Skyride can be critical to get them throughout the park.

 

[rob666]

After making further enquiries, I have been advised that the skyride will be reopening in April, so I can make plans for my mate and my poor wankle at last.
Coupled with the soaraway Sun offer, good news.

 

[Manchester1894]

Holding out hope they need to do a soft opening this weekend.. it'll be my only visit this year. Good to have it back when it's up and running. My heart sinks when you come off Rota/Thirteen see a short queue in Forbidden Valley and can't nip on it to get there.

 

[John]

To be fair, even if the skyride was open, chances are anyone NOT using it would be in FV before you in that situation.

 

[Danscott22]

I understand what’s being said here, but I don’t think there will be a short queue in Forbidden Valley this weekend

 

[Manchester1894]

To be fair, even if the skyride was open, chances are anyone NOT using it would be in FV before you in that situation.

Oh god yeah, I meant just walking from Dark Forest to Forbidden Valley in general is nice when you have free time and the weather is good. But when ops go wayward and weather isn't great a nice skyride would be most welcome

 

[EarthlyKnight27]

Oh god yeah, I meant just walking from Dark Forest to Forbidden Valley in general is nice when you have free time and the weather is good. But when ops go wayward and weather isn't great a nice skyride would be most welcome

Let's all hope that the view we get whilst in Skyride is still as good as always!

 

[s_g_k]

Let's all hope that the view we get whilst in Skyride is still as good as always!

Until we find out that we’re getting Strawberry and Jelly Bean cable cars to mirror the monorail….

 

[John]

They trialled that when the monorail trains were wrapped - they got as far as putting daisies on one of the old cabins before giving up on the idea and buying a completely new set instead.

 

[AT86]

Perhaps a relatively minor point, but these supports have needed repainting for YEARS. Pleased to see them finally done.



Before pic for comparison from Theme Park Guide.

 

[Steve74]

Perhaps a relatively minor point, but these supports have needed repainting for YEARS. Pleased to see them finally done.



Before pic for comparison from Theme Park Guide.

All of them have been done in the stations too. They just need to do the ones out around the circuit. Or at least clean them if painting is not feasible.

 

[Ash]

Perhaps a relatively minor point, but these supports have needed repainting for YEARS. Pleased to see them finally done.



Before pic for comparison from Theme Park Guide.

It’s a shame mismanagement previously has led to things like this being so significant. As is sorting paths, lighting etc etc.

It all depends however on what the strategy is for the park. Is it more visitors, higher guest spend, longer hours, more rooms booked, 365 opening, IP Creation or all of the above? Because if so I can’t see the “vision” directed from Merlin HQ playing out on the ground.

This also needs to be tied in to maintenance, events, recruitment, marketing, capital planning on a local level.

There’s currently 15 years of rot to turnaround as well as trying to look ahead. No easy task.

But the waterfalls are on finally

 

[James]

To be fair to Towers, they've done a good job with general repairs and painting across the park this closed season. You shouldn't be surprised by this, but here we are. Hopefully, they can keep it up.

 

[Rob F]

It’s a shame mismanagement previously has led to things like this being so significant. As is sorting paths, lighting etc etc.

It all depends however on what the strategy is for the park. Is it more visitors, higher guest spend, longer hours, more rooms booked, 365 opening, IP Creation or all of the above? Because if so I can’t see the “vision” directed from Merlin HQ playing out on the ground.

This also needs to be tied in to maintenance, events, recruitment, marketing, capital planning on a local level.

There’s currently 15 years of rot to turnaround as well as trying to look ahead. No easy task.

But the waterfalls are on finally

From your photos I believe they have been replaced/modified, the access point's/brackets are no longer there

 

[djtruefitt]

It’s a shame that all the supports aren’t painted (or at least the ones that are low level and go through areas such as mutiny bay. As the ones in the stations now look really clean and fresh and then you get the old unpainted ones next to those.

 

[DJRat08]

Just a quick question - have Alton Towers bought new gondolas for the skyride?

I only ask because some of the gondolas have metal grids on the side which I can’t find on any old pictures

 

[s_g_k]

Just a quick question - have Alton Towers bought new gondolas for the skyride?

I only ask because some of the gondolas have metal grids on the side which I can’t find on any old pictures

Those definitely look new.

I did worry that whilst it’s great to have the attraction back, would it be operated using less gondolas and more faff than before, but it’s great to see that they’ve added new gondolas which hopefully means it’ll open on good capacity.

Whilst being a piece of essential transport infrastructure, it’s also a ride in itself.

Skyride, Hex and Rapids opening from April will add a good couple of thousand pph throughout wise.

 

[Danscott22]

That red gondola is definitely new, it even looks slightly different to the pink one in the same shot

 

[Spark]

Have they not just replaced the full length glass with the panel with vents?