TBC: SW9 Speculation

[Matt.GC]

Most of you have probably already watched this but I’ve only just seen it. It offers a really good insight into the future direction that Merlin are taking for their Capex investments, especially their view on worlds firsts thinking that everything has already been done apart from the “one better” gimmicks.

It’s clear they are going for “experiences” moving forward rather than worlds first, so who knows what’s being thrown across the drawing board for SW9.

They mention the U.K. Merlin Portfolio a lot in this interview and how they look at gaps in their portfolio and how they can fill them. Read into that what you will, but I don’t think SW9 will be launched. I’m still hedging my bets on a water coaster.

The work on SW8 began in 2014 according to this interview so I think it’s fair to assume that SW9 is in its detailed planning phase now.

That was 4 long years ago. The world and Merlin are a completely different place now. Bradley isn't even with the business anymore, Merlin are now private, Varney has one foot out the door, Covid and Brexit have both happened and Towers probably weren't even dreaming of hiring in temporary flats back then. I wouldn't read anything into that at all.

 

[s_g_k]

That was 4 long years ago. The world and Merlin are a completely different place now. Bradley isn't even with the business anymore, Merlin are now private, Varney has one foot out the door, Covid and Brexit have both happened and Towers probably weren't even dreaming of hiring in temporary flats back then . I wouldn't read anything at all into that at all.

Admittedly it did come across as a desperately corporate interview and I agree with your points. Do you think we’re heading into a completely new era for the park now that Merlin have gone private ? There are definitely glimmers of hope I think.

 

[pluk]

Do you think we’re heading into a completely new era for the park now that Merlin have gone private ?

Yes, I think it is abundantly clear from work on the general standards of presentation across the whole the theme park estate for this year that there has been a fundamental shift in what money can and should be spent on.

How that translates into larger investments is anyones guess at the moment though. I would hope it would lead to investments to fill easily recognisable gaps in any one parks offerings over big hulking USPs at the expense of actual experience, but both Chessington and Thorpes new developments seem to be falling into the big Varney shaped hole of tradition. Whether these remain a carry over from the old regime or a good indication of the new is hard to tell.

 

[Squiggs]

Ultimately, the upcoming changes in the Merlin boardroom will have the biggest effect on the future direction of investment in the park. The changes in ownership have given the company new tools and opportunities, but the change in management will determine what they do with those new opportunities.

The big question for SW9 will be how far into development it is by the time the boardroom changes occur. It would seem likely that it will be a hangover from the old regime, but you never know.

 

[Jb85]

My big question - can a SW be a non coaster ride?

I personally feel we will see a fair few flats / dark rides before we see any new coaster, meaning SW9 development may not even have started yet

 

[Squiggs]

Well that's the fun thing about secret weapons, there isn't really a rule book for them. Whilst they have all been coasters so far, there's no reason that an SW project couldn't be a different type of ride. The thing that really sets them a part is the stature of the ride - if it's a project that would require £20m to do it justice, then a non-coaster ride could certainly fit the bill.

Indeed, the one thing that really ties all the Secret Weapons together (other than budget) is they usually come with some element of surprise, whether that being a world's first or some sort of unexpected element to them. So actually a non-coaster ride would certainly fit the 'surprise' brief at this point.

Arguably, the one big ride the park really needs to replace is The Flume. And if you consider some of the best in this category (Chiapas, Valhalla, Splash Mountain, etc.), you could certainly see a new water ride as the right size and importance to become a future Secret Weapon.

 

[s_g_k]

I’d love to see a water coaster at the park, but the “coaster” element to these is often quite boring and predictable so they’d have to do something special with water coaster hardware to make it SW material. Am I right I thinking that this is because of existing water coaster tech in that the crafts sit “in” the track, which prohibits anything too thrilling on the coaster sections?

 

[Poisson]

Water coaster in Staffordshire? Are you mad?

 

[Thameslink Rail]

Water coaster in Staffordshire? Are you mad?

Not as mad as WGT who decided Blackpool needed one of the wettest rides in the world!

 

[s_g_k]

Water coaster in Staffordshire? Are you mad?

Because the log flume was such a flop wasn’t it! It doesn’t have to be a super soaker, but the idea of travelling on water appeals to the masses.

 

[Skyscraper]

Because the log flume was such a flop wasn’t it!

 

[s_g_k]

Was being sarcastic

 

[Jb85]

Because the log flume was such a flop wasn’t it! It doesn’t have to be a super soaker, but the idea of travelling on water appeals to the masses.

Should never have removed the log flume. Must have been another spot for Wickerman

 

[Trooper Looper]

Should never have removed the log flume. Must have been another spot for Wickerman

Air. Car. Park.

Actually, Wicker Man might very actually fit well in Dark Forest if you replace Rita with it.

 

[Squiggs]

Air. Car. Park.

Not for a Wooden Coaster.

Whatever eventually goes in to replace Air and the neighbouring car park would have to be extremely quiet due to the proximity of the hotels (this is reportedly one of the reasons that The Beast was removed). Even with the best will in the world, there's no way to guarantee that with a woodie.

 

[Skyscraper]

Not for a Wooden Coaster.

Whatever eventually goes in to replace Air and the neighbouring car park would have to be extremely quiet due to the proximity of the hotels (this is reportedly one of the reasons that The Beast was removed). Even with the best will in the world, there's no way to guarantee that with a woodie.

Stick it in a soundproofed building for the world's first fully enclosed wooden coaster?

 

[s_g_k]

Should never have removed the log flume. Must have been another spot for Wickerman

It was a sad day when the Flume closed but let’s be honest, it was on more than it’s last legs and the trough before the final drop which passed over the queue line was leaking quite severely in its last few years of operation. Not a great look!

 

[James]

I would rather see a water ride or large-scale dark ride (Duel or The Dungeons replacement?) over another coaster.

I think Wicker Man has shown you don’t need a world’s first or gimmicks attached, so hopefully whatever SW9 may be, there will be more of a focus on quality.

 

[Skyscraper]

I would rather see a water ride or large-scale dark ride (Duel or The Dungeons replacement?) over another coaster.

Permanent flat rides too please!

 

[Jb85]

I would rather see a water ride or large-scale dark ride (Duel or The Dungeons replacement?) over another coaster.

I think Wicker Man has shown you don’t need a world’s first or gimmicks attached, so hopefully whatever SW9 may be, there will be more of a focus on quality.

Whilst wickerman is an ok coaster, it’s raves about more in these parts as it’s an AT Woodie

Let’s not hold back, it’s half the ride it could have been and isn’t actually that great. I wouldn’t even class it as the best Woodie in the Uk