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[The Smiler] Construction Updates / Ride Speculation Part 2 *SPOILER FREE*
- Thread starter Dave
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andyramone
TS Member
OK, so, I didn't want to mention this previously, because I don't wanna be one of those 'my mate's sister's workmate said' type of people.
When I stayed at the Chained Oak last week for my 2 day visit(yes, there will be a trip report soon, don't worry. Had a great time btw) Liz told us she had heard through the grapevine that The Smiler wouldn't be open on the 23rd. This was on Thursday 16th last week. Normally I ignore this sort of stuff, but she seemed like she certainly knows people at Alton Towers.
Seems like she was right. It's worrying to me that AT may have been aware that it wouldn't open tomorrow far more than they are letting on. Let's hope that isn't the case.
Really feel bad for everyone who was due to go tomorrow. At least you have had some warning I suppose. Imagine if they cancelled it tomorrow morning! let's just hope everyone who is planning on going finds out before they leave tomorrow. Alton Towers need to do some damage control here and the first step is to communicate this properly.
When I stayed at the Chained Oak last week for my 2 day visit(yes, there will be a trip report soon, don't worry. Had a great time btw) Liz told us she had heard through the grapevine that The Smiler wouldn't be open on the 23rd. This was on Thursday 16th last week. Normally I ignore this sort of stuff, but she seemed like she certainly knows people at Alton Towers.
Seems like she was right. It's worrying to me that AT may have been aware that it wouldn't open tomorrow far more than they are letting on. Let's hope that isn't the case.
Really feel bad for everyone who was due to go tomorrow. At least you have had some warning I suppose. Imagine if they cancelled it tomorrow morning! let's just hope everyone who is planning on going finds out before they leave tomorrow. Alton Towers need to do some damage control here and the first step is to communicate this properly.
andyramone said:
AT may have been aware of problems but not the timescales for sorting them out. By last Thursday adverts would have been scheduled to air, the press event sorted and all the other wheels in motion to open the ride. AT have left it very late but we don't know the circumstances.
By the looks of it power cables were being dug up this week and the support at the top of the first lift was seeing some attention. As I mentioned before, they don't seem to have tested the ride with several cars running (but I may be wrong).
This is a massive cock-up. Hopefully they will be open for bank holiday otherwise someone needs to be taken to the cleaners on the construction and testing delays.
Scott
Former TS Team Member
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- Nemesis
Appalling. Absolutely appalling.
Twenty hours notice is just not good enough. I've spoken up for Towers and the delays in this project but I have absolutely no sympathy left whatsoever anymore. This is an embarrassment. If they had any idea the ride would not open, any idea at all, they should have said at the weekend. Then if the ride opened later on and people still chose to go it would have been win-win. Now the park are sitting with metaphorical egg on their face and a heap of angry, paying customers.
Not. Good. Enough.
Twenty hours notice is just not good enough. I've spoken up for Towers and the delays in this project but I have absolutely no sympathy left whatsoever anymore. This is an embarrassment. If they had any idea the ride would not open, any idea at all, they should have said at the weekend. Then if the ride opened later on and people still chose to go it would have been win-win. Now the park are sitting with metaphorical egg on their face and a heap of angry, paying customers.
Not. Good. Enough.
TheMan
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- NemiLerVion
andyramone said:
I agree Andy, it's too late now, people have booked off time, the people running this opening are utterly contemptuous to peoples time.
I said moments ago, they should NOT have announced an opening until they knew it was ready, done some soft test openings and THEN announced the date!
It was clear, from last weeks problems with the celebs, then the ratcheting on the supports, then digging half the site up that there were obvious issues here. I for one, have no doubt at all people knew but put their own "targets" ahead of their thoughts for other peoples plans.
That is atrocious management! Utterly shambolic.
James said:
I didn't use that word. However I had to quote you to say how brilliant your little signature is mate and avatar ha-ha!
BigAl said:
Brilliant Al ;D - and yes DIABOLICAL!
*TheMan arms himself with an email and virtual pen ready to send A STRONGLY WORDED EMAIL!*
Yes.
That modern bastion of great British complaining!!
*Waves fist menacingly*
Alastair
TS Team
- Favourite Ride
- Rise of the Resistance
What an utter shambles. It's all well and good saying they'll "happily change the date" of the tickets but what about the £20 that I've spent on train tickets, or the money people have spent on external hotels and accommodation. Not to mention the time people have booked off work.
This is unforgivable, and it will only worsen if they fail to get it open by the weekend.
This is unforgivable, and it will only worsen if they fail to get it open by the weekend.
I'm travelling from the Highlands of Scotland back home next week. We're going to be visiting the park on Wednesday so I'm really hoping that they get it sorted soon. It won't be a waste of a visit because of course "The Alton Towers Resort has over 50 amazing rides and attractions!!" but I'd still be gutted.
James
TS Founding Member
The day before is very shocking.
Although it must be a last minute problem if they've been so sure of it opening tomorrow surly? Without knowing the full story it's a bit hard to go pointing fingers. This even further delay will really damage Alton Towers though. The last minute announcement will not help many people, especially those who live far away and may have wasted money on paying for train tickets and so on. I can't help but feel sorry for Guest Services though, they are not going to have a good few days ahead of them that's for sure!
One major problem they have now is that the advert currently airing on TV says it opens 23rd May! I doubt that can be rectified..
Although it must be a last minute problem if they've been so sure of it opening tomorrow surly? Without knowing the full story it's a bit hard to go pointing fingers. This even further delay will really damage Alton Towers though. The last minute announcement will not help many people, especially those who live far away and may have wasted money on paying for train tickets and so on. I can't help but feel sorry for Guest Services though, they are not going to have a good few days ahead of them that's for sure!
One major problem they have now is that the advert currently airing on TV says it opens 23rd May! I doubt that can be rectified..
CGM
TS Member
James said:
They've already delayed their new star attraction's opening for months. By now they should be at a stage where there can be no last minute problems. I suppose it says a lot that they've clearly been rushing to get everything finished when they should have got everything done at least a week ago.
TheMan
TS Member
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- NemiLerVion
James said:
After all this trouble they should not have announced a date until they knew it was working.
Someone took that decision, and that decision has now cost hundreds/THOUSANDS of days holiday, train tickets, hotel costs & all sorts.
Someone SHOULD lose their job over this.
It is an absolute disgrace and a farce. It was clear it was rushed. I have been on the get the damn thing open as soon as possible, but we ALL questioned the madness of not having soft openings before a big announcement day, even more so when the press even went tits up and they started messing with supports and digging the site back up!
They knew damn well what was happening, we all knew it deep down that there were problems, but gave them the benefit of the doubt.
It is time to stop now and offer universal condemnation for this.
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