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TBC: SW9 Speculation
- Thread starter Matt N
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Mack mega or intamin blitz hopefully and I'll be very happy indeed. Particularly if it's an intamin
Danny
TS Contributor
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance
Intamin aren't the cream of the crop manufacturer for intensity or variety anymore. A Vekoma would almost certainly be cheaper, smoother and rival with intensity.
Skyscraper
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Nemesis
Yeah, something like Lech Coaster at Legendia would be fantastic.
Stuie
TS Member
Surely it’s Thorpe’s turn?
Matt N
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Shambhala (PortAventura Park)
I'd agree that Thorpe probably needs one before Towers, but I think Merlin's issue with Thorpe is that the past two major investments (Swarm and DBGT) haven't been particularly successful for various reasons, so they don't really want to risk it. Whereas pretty much all of Towers' major years have been huge successes, so Merlin obviously feels that CAPEX is less risky at Towers. I think Thorpe will get investment soon, though (I could see 2021/2022, personally), but I think Alton Towers will likely get one relatively soon as well.
Matt N
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Shambhala (PortAventura Park)
I would personally more predict that it will maybe be the other way round; Thorpe have traditionally filed their planning applications quite late (for example, The Swarm opened in 2012 and had its planning permit filed in February 2011), and it's been 4 years since DBGT in 2016, so I could see Thorpe getting something in 2021.
Towers, on the other hand, have recently filed their permits quite early (Wicker Man opened in 2018 and had its planning permit filed in May 2016), and Wicker Man only opened 2 years ago, so they could definitely afford to wait until 2022. Someone also mentioned in this thread that an RCCGB event was held at Towers in 2019 where it was stated that an SW9 planning permit would be coming in 2020 (or at least, something giving some indication towards what SW9 will be). Therefore, I think that SW9 opening in 2022 seems plausible, and that would also match up with Merlin's 4 year cycle.
EDIT: Here's the post I was referring to, from @ScottishChris:
Rick
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Crux
If Alton retreat to 3 year gaps between E-ticket installations, that'd be quite an interesting change. Possible, I grant but feels unlikely when Gardaland and Thorpe are arguably more deserving / requiring.
Matt N
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Shambhala (PortAventura Park)
There was merely a 3 year gap between Thirteen in 2010 and The Smiler in 2013, so it definitely isn't something that Merlin are necessarily averse to doing! We also waited 5 years between The Smiler and Wicker Man, so maybe Merlin will make up for this by opening SW9 in 2021?
Plastic Person
TS Member
Gardaland seems to be ticking by fine without major/coaster investments. Thorpe desperately need investment, but given nearly a decade of stagnant attendance and investment failures, I'm not exactly envious of whoever has to pull the trigger on that decision. Nonetheless, it needs to be done, as the park is undoubtedly slipping into irrelevance.
Wicker Man was an absolute hit and Alton's attendance has recovered pretty well. Alongside a seemingly natural, birthright priority as Merlin's flagship park, I'd say 2021 might be viable for a Secret Weapon. Given the complete lack of balance in the ride lineup right now, I would not opt for a coaster. But who knows. I always feel that these things are a bit more on lockdown compared to the 'good old days', and Merlin's decision making, while more specific and easy to track in terms of strategy, can be erratic.
Wicker Man was an absolute hit and Alton's attendance has recovered pretty well. Alongside a seemingly natural, birthright priority as Merlin's flagship park, I'd say 2021 might be viable for a Secret Weapon. Given the complete lack of balance in the ride lineup right now, I would not opt for a coaster. But who knows. I always feel that these things are a bit more on lockdown compared to the 'good old days', and Merlin's decision making, while more specific and easy to track in terms of strategy, can be erratic.
Matt N
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Shambhala (PortAventura Park)
Out of interest, what do you mean by "on lockdown"? Also, what do you mean when you say that Merlin's decision making is erratic?
Rick
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Crux
They weren't averse to it then, but have have since talked about how they planned to rationalise capex in the existing estate, with RTP playing second fiddle to Legoland parks.
It could happen, of course it could. That said, with Chessington's plans for already '21 are seemingly already clear, Heide have just had a ton of mostly undeserved cash for Colossos, Alton still doesn't scream as the best bet to me and Merlin typically like to spread their 'high' investments across the portfolio, across financial years.
Agree with @Plastic Person, a new coaster doesn't feel like that is what is required at Alton.
Matt N
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Shambhala (PortAventura Park)
With that in mind, I could definitely see Alton receiving one in 2022, but I'd probably prefer for Thorpe to get one relatively soon. That being said, Merlin have also done two major investments in one year before, and I can't imagine that Chessington's drop tower will cost much money, so Merlin will definitely have some spare cash to splash somewhere.
Themeparksandy1981
TS Member
I think Alton got enough coasters at the moment with nearly 2 in every part of the park but if they do build another coaster then it should be a water coaster as the park need a water ride which is in between the level of wetness of the rapids and Battle galleons.
Would also like to see a indoor coaster again as I still miss the black hole.
Would also like to see a indoor coaster again as I still miss the black hole.
Jb85
TS Member
You may well be correct - planning may permission September with construction through next season.
I see one of three things:
1) new dark ride somewhere on park
2) new FV coaster
3) Rita replacement
personally I think number 1 is needed the most - although I love coasters
Please bring a new area with coaster and a couple of flats
I think it should be compulsory that every rollercoaster should be complimented with a flat
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