Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued
Well as Dave's said it's going to take around 6 weeks to fully build the track apparently. That's assuming it goes smoothly, with no delays. We can probably count out a period in December for Christmas and New Year, so I reckon if the weather is kind the track would be complete by the first week in February...
However, the weather is getting more and more of a risk. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if we arrive at Feb Half Term to find the track either isn't finished, or only just is.
Theming shouldn't be too hard, as usually larger parts are made off site by contractors, and then dropped in, much like we saw with Swarm. I'm guessing the spider will be coming in smaller sections, so I should think that could easily be up in under a week if all the parts arrive on time. The smaller bits would be easy too.
Once the track is complete in the pit and the station theming can then start to go into place there, and once the roof is on, the walls are on, and the basic utilities are in another team can get to work dealing with internal theming.
It's all ok saying when we see the track all finished it will be fine though, but we also have to consider all the systems going in, vehicles being prepared, wiring installed, and ultimately testing. That's probably going to take them a week or so. It's all time being eaten away that the park really don't have. If the ride isn't signed over to the ride teams at least 3 days before the ride opens Towers are in trouble.
Towers really are going to have to pull out all the stops on this one, and make sure it's all hands on deck. It's going to be very very very tight. All it's going to take is for the weather to halt progress for a few days or so and that could potentially be it for the project opening.
Here's hoping they can do it. Personally I'm not convinced, but we'll see.
Personally, I think it was a foolish move announcing the opening date so early on. Towers always seem to do this. They set a date when they want it ready for, publish it, and promote it, and then find down the line that there are problems and delays. Then they rush to have something done for opening. A prime example is Sub-Terra. Ignoring the fact that the first version was rubbish Towers techies were apparently working on the ride to around 3am the night before opening, trying to make sure it would work properly.
Parks on the continent seem to get the idea. They will usually just say the ride is coming in a certain month, sometimes even vaguer than that. Many will just say "Spring 2013". It's a good tactic to use. You set a rough period and get it out there. Then, when construction and development are well underway and things are looking good you put the date out there. Phantasialand are getting on well with Chiapas, but as far as I know there's still no set date been announced. That's the way to do it. It accounts for any issues which may be yet to surface. Only if things go horrifically wrong will there be problems with dates.
Towers would have been better just saying the ride opens in March (April if they are worried), and then release the final date along with the ride's name at some point next January-February time. At least by that point they'd have the worst of the weather out of the way, and be in a suitable position to make such statements.
At the same time I think the park needs to look at the other side of it. There's no shame in them saying they are pushing the ride back by two weeks or so if it means it's going to be that much better when it opens. I'd sooner they just hold their hands up and say they got it wrong and it'll be late, rather than open a mediocre attraction which will be slated and earn itself a poor reputation. It's hard to change the opinion and perception of the attraction once it's earnt a bad name. Bad news spreads faster than good.
So yeah, I remain tense about this whole thing
