Sonic Spinball - 2014 and Beyond

[Rob]

If and when the Sonic sponsorship ends, all signs of Sonic will be removed. They would not be allowed keep references of Sonic with no contract, hence a contract for an IP in the first place.

 

[Scott]

Essentially there's a big big difference between sponsorship and using an IP to theme a ride.

Leaving elements of sponsorship in place doesn't damage a ride and it doesn't hurt anyone - after all it means the brand is getting free advertising. The difference with an IP is that Towers have paid a company money to use their property. If they kept any Sonic theming after the contract is over they would be using somebody else's copyrighted property without paying for it.

 

[_nemesis_]

I'm reckoning it will either have it's contract extended for a year or two, or it will be renamed but with keeping the sonic theming, just like the flume, ahhhh.

How would that work? If the contract expires then they would need to remove all the Sonic themeing around the ride.

Have you not seen the flume?
Or even dragons fury at CWOA?

Right you'd expect the Sonic statue to stay well after the contract expires? I don't. It's not the same principal as the Skips sponsorship on Fury (which was mostly stickers on the cars which were later removed) or Flume's sponsorship. (Again, the logos were removed, but the bath/soap themeing is mostly still there)

Yep, and I've thought of a better example, bubbleworks at CWOA, the IL contract expired in 2010 yet the whole thing is plastered with IL soap bottles and rubber ducks

 

[Rob]

I'm reckoning it will either have it's contract extended for a year or two, or it will be renamed but with keeping the sonic theming, just like the flume, ahhhh.

How would that work? If the contract expires then they would need to remove all the Sonic themeing around the ride.

Have you not seen the flume?
Or even dragons fury at CWOA?

Right you'd expect the Sonic statue to stay well after the contract expires? I don't. It's not the same principal as the Skips sponsorship on Fury (which was mostly stickers on the cars which were later removed) or Flume's sponsorship. (Again, the logos were removed, but the bath/soap themeing is mostly still there)

Yep, and I've thought of a better example, bubbleworks at CWOA, the IL contract expired in 2010 yet the whole thing is plastered with IL soap bottles and rubber ducks

Rubber ducks are not part of Imperial Leather's intellectual property though, anyone can use rubber ducks as theming! As for the soap bottles, I can't recall of the Imperial Leather logos remain but I'd have thought they would have tried to remove them if the conctract has ended.

 

[Ted]

Yep, and I've thought of a better example, bubbleworks at CWOA, the IL contract expired in 2010 yet the whole thing is plastered with IL soap bottles and rubber ducks

Imperial Leather don't own the license to rubber ducks.

 

[joelpagett]

There could be a small possibility that Adventure Land could have a similar make over to Cbeebies land and become CBBC World or something? They could re-theme the ride, give it an more interactive queue and add a new flat ride where Beastie was, if done well it could extend the life of the area + Spinball for another 5 - 10 years?

 

[James]

Yep, and I've thought of a better example, bubbleworks at CWOA, the IL contract expired in 2010 yet the whole thing is plastered with IL soap bottles and rubber ducks

Imperial Leather don't own the license to rubber ducks.

Just to add to all these posts too. The Flume at Alton was sponsored by IL and that still has ducks (well, what's left of them) scattered around the place. When it comes to Imperial Leather they just removed/hidden their logos that can be seen at Chessie and Alton.

 

[BigT]

I believe its no secret AT wish to get rid of Sonic because of poor reliability, high maintenance and long queue times.

I don't see it being there at the start of next season, either moved to dark forest or out of the park more likely.
They could sell it for a few quid and then reinvest that money plus a couple of million for one or two decent flat rides, that area certainly needs it in my opinion.

Sw8 should be the following year and my money goes on that been in the flume area of the park.

 

[Sazzle]

I believe its no secret AT wish to get rid of Sonic because of poor reliability, high maintenance and long queue times.

Indeed! It was mentioned during one of the public Mid/Long Term Development Plan events a few years ago that Spinball was planned to be moved or removed.

It is a nightmare for queues, and doesn't have the best reliability - wet weather operation often cripples the main queue.

My personal hope for the near future is less focused on Spinball, and more about The Flume being ripped out and replaced with something else. The ride system is ancient, the water is filthy (though I realise nothing can be done about this), and the queues are minimal except in hot weather. Down with the ducks!!

Sent using Tapatalk

 

[schmatt]

Been a long time watcher of the community without much input, however may as well start now. Better sooner then ever, anyway.

There is a couple things about spinball that need to be changed, the theme, the noise and the reliability. All which could be majorly improved by something as simple as a building.

Ideally I would move the ride too to stop the mass flooding of people at the start and end of the day, preferably up to CCL to improve footflow up here as generally its very quiet. Give it a Toy Factory theme to link to both CATCF and Toyland Tours (RIP) I have something along the lines of Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium sort of idea in my mind. and locate it behind the old Nick Funhouse attraction which will be used as the attractions facade. The queueline would follow a similar path to that of the fun houses with interactive elements, with a generally cheery feeling and then extend out the back of the building up to the rides station. The ride itself could be as simple as lasers and music or could go all out with some nice near misses and effects. Air Con would be essential However... (Flasbacks to queing in Ben 10 )

Kind of got carried away but a building would help the noise of the attraction, could lead to better theming and offer something different to towers. Easily marketable as a new ride. Also being indoors it stops the ridiculous 3 people per car rule in the rain, and as its at the back of the park, queue times shouldnt be as extreme as they currently are.

 

[_nemesis_]

You know, they could relocated spitball to Garnaland, they seriousely lack modern coasters, or attractions for that matter.

 

[Ted]

You know, they could relocated spitball to Garnaland, they seriousely lack modern coasters, or attractions for that matter.

What's "Garnaland"? Is like Gardaland in Italy?

 

[Scott]

Their coasters may be dated in general - but Merlin recently installed the first ever wing rider (Raptor) there and I doubt they would plan on moving a knackered old Maurer over there tbh.

 

[thefatone]

Yep, and I've thought of a better example, bubbleworks at CWOA, the IL contract expired in 2010 yet the whole thing is plastered with IL soap bottles and rubber ducks

Imperial Leather don't own the license to rubber ducks.

Just to add to all these posts too. The Flume at Alton was sponsored by IL and that still has ducks (well, what's left of them) scattered around the place. When it comes to Imperial Leather they just removed/hidden their logos that can be seen at Chessie and Alton.

Bit of a lie, Bubbleworks is still covered in the logos. Literally, they've only replaced two signs to remove the IL reference and those are ride restriction signs. The rest of the attraction is still plastered in it - main entrance, queueline, every single boat, every bottle or crate on the ride.

 

[_nemesis_]

Yep, and I've thought of a better example, bubbleworks at CWOA, the IL contract expired in 2010 yet the whole thing is plastered with IL soap bottles and rubber ducks

Imperial Leather don't own the license to rubber ducks.

Just to add to all these posts too. The Flume at Alton was sponsored by IL and that still has ducks (well, what's left of them) scattered around the place. When it comes to Imperial Leather they just removed/hidden their logos that can be seen at Chessie and Alton.

Bit of a lie, Bubbleworks is still covered in the logos. Literally, they've only replaced two signs to remove the IL reference and those are ride restriction signs. The rest of the attraction is still plastered in it - main entrance, queueline, every single boat, every bottle or crate on the ride.

SEE!! The logos still exist on the boats, Merlin seem to be promoting a new logo now for it, a pink one with bubbles, and blue writing. They should just scrap the theme of a factory altogether and get something more Romanian (less barvarian).

 

[Rose Of Dawn]

Just a quick thought - and forgive me if this has already been asked - but what if Spinball was moved to Thorpe Park? After all, Thorpe is going after the family market more and more, and rides like Spinball certainly appeal to families. Plus, Thorpe is bound to have the room for an off-the-shelf coaster.

 

[smudge]

It would suit thorpes flat landscape. But where would it go? It's quite a big footprint (I know, small for a coaster). Just reclaim more land I Spose.

I think it should stay at towers personally, just moved to keep the locals happy. It is a bit intrusive too to what is the surreal towers street. Saying that, if the second enterance comes I fruition, it would be out of the way.

Sorry for the pointless post.

 

[djtruefitt]

It could go at the arena at Thorpe, or maybe near Nemesis where the kids rides are currently (they can be moved anywhere really).

There were rumors that Sonic would lose its IP this season, currently it still has the Sonic statue at the entrance, and Sonic signs, but of course these could be removed before the start of the season.

 

[_nemesis_]

It can't go to Thorpe. Way too close to Dragon's Fury at Chessington. However, I think if they removed the spinning cars and added gerst Eurofighter train, it could work very well in the X building.

 

[jon81uk]

It can't go to Thorpe. Way too close to Dragon's Fury at Chessington. However, I think if they removed the spinning cars and added gerst Eurofighter train, it could work very well in the X building.

The layout is designed to cause the cars to spin, it wouldn't be a thrilling ride without them.