TBC: SW9 Speculation

[Matt N]

Interestingly, I’ve heard rumblings that the project was in the design stages since late 2017, and RCCGB had an event in 2019 where the park’s operations director said it “wasn’t wood”, so I’d assume the park has a fair idea of what it wants to build.

Also, with what you say about Merlin’s new private ownership, private owners often look for long-term returns as opposed to more short-term gains, so maybe they might see value in investment as a means to grow the business’ value in the long term?

 

[Mr Pearse]

I’m sticking to 2025 as a rough guess. The ride might be in design form but unless the contracts are tied down then it’s easier to delay the project. End of the day it’s a big big decision to spend x amount of Millions on a ride and it takes time to do so. They won’t start signing contracts till they know they are completely sorted from the financial hit and that things are completely back to normal. It’s a gamble but it’s not something that any company would risk to try and bring people back overnight. So I’m sticking to unless contracts have been signed then it’s definitely delayed for the time being.

 

[Pleasure Beach Valhalla]

If i'm honest, i can't see a wing coaster fitting in Rita's spot but i can see an S&S Axis and possibly an Intamin Blitz fitting in nicely if they used the extra area left behind by UG Swinger when that was relocated. Then there's Spinball to think about and honestly, it probably may be removed over the next decade and be potentially sold to another park. Maybe they could do a Mack Xtreme Spinner on the site of the Galactica car park and use the Spinball area for a new Cbeebies Land coaster aimed at families and young children.

 

[CrashCoaster]

I really enjoy Spinball tbh, would much rather see it relocated elsewhere in the park (if a Cbeebies expansion is to come) rather than removed completely. Is there any room near where the old coaster corner used to be and David Walliams world to fit it?

 

[Pleasure Beach Valhalla]

I really enjoy Spinball tbh, would much rather see it relocated elsewhere in the park (if a Cbeebies expansion is to come) rather than removed completely. Is there any room near where the old coaster corner used to be and David Walliams world to fit it?

They're not allowed to have coasters there anymore due neighbor complaints and how close the Alton mouse and Alton beast were to the proximity tower!

 

[rob666]

That would be the Prospect Tower?

 

[BarryZola]

...Flag Tower.

 

[CrashCoaster]

I wonder if we'll see a new coaster at Thorpe before SW9. They are certainly due, as are Gardaland and even Chessington. Although it does seem Merlin have given up on the park so it wouldn't surprise me if SW9 still came first.

 

[Pleasure Beach Valhalla]

I wonder if we'll see a new coaster at Thorpe before SW9. They are certainly due, as are Gardaland and even Chessington. Although it does seem Merlin have given up on the park so it wouldn't surprise me if SW9 still came first.

Gardaland last got a coaster itself back in 2016 and it's last major coaster Oblivion the black hole was 2015. Chessington and Thorpe are certainty due one but everyone knows Merlin will probably prioritise Alton!

 

[jon81uk]

Gardaland last got a coaster itself back in 2016 and it's last major coaster Oblivion the black hole was 2015. Chessington and Thorpe are certainty due one but everyone knows Merlin will probably prioritise Alton!

Whereas really Alton needs four flat rides. Thorpe needs a proper dark ride or some other decent indoor attraction and Chessington need something high-capacity. Of the UK RTPs it would only be Chessington, if any, that would need a new coaster.

 

[Pleasure Beach Valhalla]

Whereas really Alton needs four flat rides. Thorpe needs a proper dark ride or some other decent indoor attraction and Chessington need something high-capacity. Of the UK RTPs it would only be Chessington, if any, that would need a new coaster.

Enterprise has been closed for a while now due to technical issues apparently one of the staff told me yesterday so yh, the really do.

 

[jon81uk]

Enterprise has been closed for a while now due to technical issues apparently one of the staff told me yesterday so yh, the really do.

So if they can't get Enterprise going then its five flat rides they need!

Boneshaker replacement
Submission replacement
Ripsaw replacement
Twirling Toadstool replacement
Enterprise replacement


The only truly new flat rides they added I can think of are, Heave Ho and Go Jetters Vroomsters. Both of which are really kids rides.

 

[John]

May as well replace Blade whilst they're at it too, I've lost count of how many times that's been brought back from the dead. Surely it'll run out of lives soon?

 

[Thameslink Rail]

I have been looking for flat rides that might work at Alton Towers but there are very few that
1. Meet the height restrictions
2. Alton Towers have not had in the past

Whilst requirement 1 is non-negotiable, I suppose they could add a few classic flat rides back.
Edit: Looking at Thorpe's flat ride line-up, the only ride I could see working at Alton Towers would be Samurai.

 

[jon81uk]

I have been looking for flat rides that might work at Alton Towers but there are very few that
1. Meet the height restrictions
2. Alton Towers have not had in the past

Whilst requirement 1 is non-negotiable, I suppose they could add a few classic flat rides back.

I don't see any harm with getting rides back they had in the past. Some such as Boneshaker/Energizer (Mondial Supernova) would be seen as unusual now as I don't think they are very common.
Also I don't think anyone would complain about a modern Top Spin being added back to replace RipSaw.

But yes there aren't a huge number of thrill flat rides that are unique.
Personally I would love to see a Screaming Swing, Rush at Thorpe is a lot of fun and its not too scary, there is no inversion so for me its preferable to RipSaw.
Also a Whip ride like Maters Trucks from Carsland at Disney California (or alien saucers at Hollywood Studios Florida) would be fun, its faster than it looks and a good family flat ride.

 

[Thameslink Rail]

I don't see any harm with getting rides back they had in the past. Some such as Boneshaker/Energizer (Mondial Supernova) would be seen as unusual now as I don't think they are very common.
Also I don't think anyone would complain about a modern Top Spin being added back to replace RipSaw.

But yes there aren't a huge number of thrill flat rides that are unique.
Personally I would love to see a Screaming Swing, Rush at Thorpe is a lot of fun and its not too scary, there is no inversion so for me its preferable to RipSaw.
Also a Whip ride like Maters Trucks from Carsland at Disney California (or alien saucers at Hollywood Studios Florida) would be fun, its faster than it looks and a good family flat ride.

Rush is 75ft tall, not sure they could build a pit large enough to house it.

 

[jon81uk]

Rush is 75ft tall, not sure they could build a pit large enough to house it.

In my mind it would have gone where Submission was (the Ministry of Joy is experimenting with childish fun) but yes it probably is too tall.

 

[Matt N]

Smiler’s lift hill is 72ft tall, so I’m sure something that’s 3ft taller wouldn’t bother the planners.

Maybe a Gerstlauer Sky Roller or Sky Fly would be a nice addition? The Sky Fly is only 72ft tall, and I think the Sky Roller can be shorter than that.

 

[Thameslink Rail]

Smiler’s lift hill is 72ft tall, so I’m sure something that’s 3ft taller wouldn’t bother the planners.

Maybe a Gerstlauer Sky Roller or Sky Fly would be a nice addition? The Sky Fly is only 72ft tall, and I think the Sky Roller can be shorter than that.

Hmm, Rush feels a lot taller the The Smiler, I got the 75ft number from Thorpe Park Mania while the S&S website says between 65 and 100ft. 65 ft may be small enough for Alton Towers with a reasonably sized pit.

 

[Connor98]

Whilst I agree Alton need more flat rides or something to take the crowds away from the headline rides, I always think about what John wardley said regarding them. That they need to be something different and something you don't associate with traveling fairgrounds. Myself I would prefer a high capacity top class dark ride and a refurb of all the coasters (including a big clean up around the park), than a new coaster or a load of flat rides.