jon81uk
TS Member
It has already affected the ride though, no more guns or waterfalls, lots more monitoring and doors to the boats etc.
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TBC: SW9 Speculation
- Thread starter Matt N
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Pleasure Beach Valhalla
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Nemesis
I’ve got no issue with no more guns, another way for them not to make money.
Benjsh
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance
If Congo River Rapids isn't going to be ran like it used to be with the effects on then they can rip it out for me. Its a totally unenjoyable experience in its current state.
If it can get back to what it used to be with a spruce up and effects back on then I'd rather it stayed. Its a queue eater and also a water ride which is badly needed.
I just hate seeing it in the state it is in. I can understand why given what happened at DMP but it badly needs some TLC soon.
If it can get back to what it used to be with a spruce up and effects back on then I'd rather it stayed. Its a queue eater and also a water ride which is badly needed.
I just hate seeing it in the state it is in. I can understand why given what happened at DMP but it badly needs some TLC soon.
DistortAMG
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- POTC Disneyland Paris
I have to agree. Since the Splash Canyon incident the Rapids are ran like a lazy river. Not like the countries best rapids ride they are, when everything is turned on.
Steve74
TS Member
They are still making money off those guns because they are now installed at Battle Galleons
I've always steered clear of the paid for guns as I thought they're a waste of money but having used them for the first time last October, the satisfaction of getting unsuspecting kids drenched (the jet is far more powerful than the manual guns) is extremely satisfying and well worth the £1 for 10 shots. And when you have a parent next to you egging you on to get their own kids, it's even better!
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jon81uk
TS Member
Other than the waterfalls, what original effects are turned off?
The guns were added recently (as in last 10 years) as you say to make money.
But as the HSE advised that nothing should happen on the ride that encourages guests to stand I don't think you will see any UK rapids ride have those sort of things like guns anymore.
I agree it needs a spruce up, and it could be argued the waterfalls may be able to return in some form if they could make sure something fits within the advice of the HSE.
But if the loss of some squirty things and waterfalls makes it an "unenjoyable experience" then I suggest you don't like rapids rides and you should ride Battle Galleons instead. For me its the rapids that are the main part of the experience, not the squirty things.
evilcod
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Pirates of the Caribbean - Paris
I haven't ridden them for a loooong time but I believe the wave machines in all 3 lakes were also turned off which will effect the ride as a whole more so than the waterfalls and dumb down alot of the rapid elements.
At one point they were also constantly running the turntable at speed 2 (rather than 3) due to the gates adding to loading time, this would mean the boats entering the trough at a lower speed from the start, not sure if this was a permanent change though.
jon81uk
TS Member
I agree that the wave machines are an integral part of a rapids ride, so yes if they are still off then they need to be turned on again. I would say they don't significantly contribute to people standing either in the same way a squirter or similar would.
Steve74
TS Member
I would say the wave machines were turned off because of the risk of the boat bouncing off the sides or those spinning cone things meaning there is a risk people could've fallen out of the boat if they were already standing or not sat properly. I believe that is how the girl fell out - wasn't she already standing and the boat bounced into the side and she lost her balance? With the gates on the boats now I'd say that risk is now virtually zero so I see no reason why they can't be turned back on.
Jb85
TS Member
Haven’t seen the new boats - what they look like?
I really think the is HSE gone made. Ok sorry - it’s tragic that girl died yes, but there we other factors in this
Think of the 100,000’s of not millions who have ridden the rapids - with no incident
there is a risk in all parts of life - but I would count this a significantly low risk.
that’s all I’m saying
I really think the is HSE gone made. Ok sorry - it’s tragic that girl died yes, but there we other factors in this
Think of the 100,000’s of not millions who have ridden the rapids - with no incident
there is a risk in all parts of life - but I would count this a significantly low risk.
that’s all I’m saying
Steve74
TS Member
They're the same boats just with a small metal gate that shuts off the gaps between the seats where you get in and out of the boat , held closed by a magnet.
Jb85
TS Member
Meh
Doesn’t really make it any safer then
Steve74
TS Member
Well yes and no. I mean there is now no gap where you could've fallen out but of course no-one ever has. Here is a pic of them:
If you stay seated and hold on then you can never fall out of those gaps anyway.
Jb85
TS Member
that’s exactly my point
I’m prepared to be correct - but surely nobody who has been sitting and holding on has ever been thrown out of a boat?
I totally get that HSE need to act after what has happened, but I do feel it’s overkill turning off all the features that make the ride a ride worth operating
If it was up to me the park would get a general sort out before they even started google searching a new type of coaster.
Alton Towers is a beautiful park and still to this day has some pretty good theming, however much of what made that theming excellent in each individual case is now either looking ropey or removed all together - it’s frustrating because they showed the right idea with the TLC stuff but the reality is that needs to be happening every year as every year it will be needed on a few areas of the park.
I think back to pre-Smiler and about the variation the park offered with rides like Ripsaw, NST, Charlies and the Flume which have all since departed - now you can pick the bones out of how good those individual attractions were (and I have at length over the years) but the point is they added variation which is now lacking a touch since their removal - you now basically have some excellent coasters and not really much else other than Hex which is a fantastic dark ride.
So with the above in mind I’d like to see a full scale tidy up, and additions being made with a view to the next SW being a world class dark ride.
Things I would personally like to see happen -
1. Replace the Enterprise with a new flat, if it was a really good type of flat it would make up for the removal of Submission.
2. Make a decision on the rapids - either reinstate the effects or if they’re not going to do that rebrand the ride to something like Congo boat ride, improve the theming (which is currently in a right state) and set the expectations that you’re going on a jungle expedition not a rapids ride as it in its current guise is not a rapids ride.
3. Sort Duel out - for me, the whole thing needs gutting and the facade kept in tack - get somebody in to come up with a modern day take on a Haunted House which Merlin clearly have access to as the theming for Wickerman was exceptional.
4. Return the theme of Galactica to AIR - an outdoor space themed rollercoaster is a ridiculous concoction without the VAR and the entire thing is confused. It really irks me that they spent the money on retheming to Galactica rather than finishing off the theming which was originally intended but the budget wasn’t there for.
5. Sort out NST - for me this would be the world class dark ride as it still really annoys me that such a good idea was quite poorly executed (although i did still like the ride.) Personally I’d gut the ride and keep the original idea to have an alien kind of scare ride - what would be amazing is a Spider-Man m/Transformers style attraction based on that theme but that’s probably being a touch unrealistic - perhaps a more realistic aim would be an Indians Jones/Countdown to Extinction style ride maintaining the alien theme.
I’d also like to see them move toward a new water ride eventually.
Alton Towers is a beautiful park and still to this day has some pretty good theming, however much of what made that theming excellent in each individual case is now either looking ropey or removed all together - it’s frustrating because they showed the right idea with the TLC stuff but the reality is that needs to be happening every year as every year it will be needed on a few areas of the park.
I think back to pre-Smiler and about the variation the park offered with rides like Ripsaw, NST, Charlies and the Flume which have all since departed - now you can pick the bones out of how good those individual attractions were (and I have at length over the years) but the point is they added variation which is now lacking a touch since their removal - you now basically have some excellent coasters and not really much else other than Hex which is a fantastic dark ride.
So with the above in mind I’d like to see a full scale tidy up, and additions being made with a view to the next SW being a world class dark ride.
Things I would personally like to see happen -
1. Replace the Enterprise with a new flat, if it was a really good type of flat it would make up for the removal of Submission.
2. Make a decision on the rapids - either reinstate the effects or if they’re not going to do that rebrand the ride to something like Congo boat ride, improve the theming (which is currently in a right state) and set the expectations that you’re going on a jungle expedition not a rapids ride as it in its current guise is not a rapids ride.
3. Sort Duel out - for me, the whole thing needs gutting and the facade kept in tack - get somebody in to come up with a modern day take on a Haunted House which Merlin clearly have access to as the theming for Wickerman was exceptional.
4. Return the theme of Galactica to AIR - an outdoor space themed rollercoaster is a ridiculous concoction without the VAR and the entire thing is confused. It really irks me that they spent the money on retheming to Galactica rather than finishing off the theming which was originally intended but the budget wasn’t there for.
5. Sort out NST - for me this would be the world class dark ride as it still really annoys me that such a good idea was quite poorly executed (although i did still like the ride.) Personally I’d gut the ride and keep the original idea to have an alien kind of scare ride - what would be amazing is a Spider-Man m/Transformers style attraction based on that theme but that’s probably being a touch unrealistic - perhaps a more realistic aim would be an Indians Jones/Countdown to Extinction style ride maintaining the alien theme.
I’d also like to see them move toward a new water ride eventually.
I think Alton towers need another world class coaster when SW9 comes about. I know many may disagree but, yes the lineup overall for coasters is solid but there's too many 'meh/take it or leave it' rides for me. Th13teen and Rita really are just average, Galactica and oblivion are decent but not the best. Wicker man is a world class experience with a brilliant package and great themeing, but is lacking the coaster element. The only 2 'world class' rides that I can see is Nemesis and the smiler. You don't get anything better than them in the whole country and I'd love to see something reach that level again
I don’t necessarily disagree with you (although I love Thirteen and Wickerman’ it’s more that I think there are things which are far more pressing than a new coaster.
If the park did something along the lines of what I suggested and then got a major coaster then of course I’d be delighted - if they didn’t and just jumped straight to the coaster of course I’d be excited and go and ride it etc and I’m sure it would be very good as ATs coasters tend to be, but the overall experience of the park for me would still be lacking for reasons I’ve outlined.
Connor98
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Hyperion
Th13teen and Wickerman are fantastic family thrill coasters that all can enjoy, they do the trick. And I feel if towers went too far down the major thrill route they could end up in Thorpe parks predicament, with parks like Paultons and Chessington stealing much of their family market. I also struggle to think of any European park with multiple world class coasters? Energylandia has 2, Phantastialand maybe 2, I’ve not been europa park but none of theirs stand out to me, but the overall experiences they provide means your in for a fantastic day, engrossed in fantastic theming and landscaping. I wouldn’t be against a coaster like I’ve said previously but I think there are many more areas to tidy and improve before this happens.
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