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Thorpe Park 2017: DBGT: Rise of The Demon

I know it is annoying but things like this can happen with new attractions that also utilise new technology which it looks like this does. Just look at Lightning Rod at Dollywood, they announced that it would be delayed a week before opening. I guess the reason things like this are sometimes left so late is because they think the problems can be solved in time for opening day, and it is only when this point is reached that they concede that it is not possible.

I am assuming this is a tech issue also. If it's got anything to do with construction work of any sorts not being complete a la The Smiler then there are no excuses. However issues with new technology are possible and there is always a risk of things either not being right when the attraction opens or a delayed opening like this.

:)
 
Doesn't make it any less frustrating for people who have booked time off work and booked hotels.
 
So I contacted them about booking a hotel and it being non refundable. It's like she hasn't even read my email:

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I didn't even get we will send you tickets, mine just said you can use them at another date so I think different people at CS are just making it up as they go along... that's good!
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They may as well have said "well this is what happens when you don't use our fantastic hotels"

It's not just accomodation though is it. It's the travel expenses, the time off work (which a lot of people won't be able to change). Someone on Facebook said they're already booked their hotel and flight from Cologne, and I doubt complimentary tickets are going to cut it as compensation for that!
 
We booked for the Monday. Wanted to go soon so no spoilers but not opening day.
 
Indeed. I understand the frustrations, I was going to go down for opening day myself. However with a new attraction, especially one utilising new technology like this, there is always a chance of things going wrong last minute. It's happened to Dollywood so it's not a surprise it's happened to Merlin!

I wouldn't expect Thorpe to refund external hotel bookings, if they did it would be outstanding customer service.

Maybe in the future they'll go down the Taron route of not announcing an opening date until they know 100% when it will open!

:)
 
Rob said:
Indeed. I understand the frustrations, I was going to go down for opening day myself. However with a new attraction, especially one utilising new technology like this, there is always a chance of things going wrong last minute. It's happened to Dollywood so it's not a surprise it's happened to Merlin!

I wouldn't expect Thorpe to refund external hotel bookings, if they did it would be outstanding customer service.

Maybe in the future they'll go down the Taron route of not announcing an opening date until they know 100% when it will open!

:)
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I think you've made an important point there Rob, and it's a good comparison to make. As frustrating as it is not having an opening date for Taron at the moment, it stops issues like this occurring. It drives us geeks mad at not having opening dates, but perhaps this is something they should be doing in future to prevent things like this occurring.

I too had booked up for heading down for opening date, but fearing potential issues I had a backup plan to head into London as an alternative should this happen. I make no excuses for something like this being a regular occurrence with Merlin, I think we've discussed that to death after the issues with The Smiler. But, in general booking up for opening (especially at great expense for some it seems) there is always a risk of things not being open on time.
 
I kinda get what people are saying but still don't like the "it's your own fault" kinda undertone.

It's Merlin not preparing. This should have been well into testing stages, and be ready for opening as of now. And maybe get a soft opening. Not leaving it to the last minute.
 
Things happen during testing, they might have alowed plenty of time for testing but things can still crop up that they can't get to work correctly. Disney have delayed Rivers of Light at the animal kingdom after previously announcing the 22nd April launch date, with not much more notice than this. They have been testing for months but can't get the wireless gps system that positions and moves the floats around to work correctly. Busch gardens delayed Falcons furry at the last min in 2014 even though had been testing for a while as a last min problem unforeseen during the design and construction phase came about.
 
My thoughts:

1) If you are a seasonal park you need to make an effort to put contingency into your projects greater than a few months.

2) Merlin shouldn't have announced an opening day.*

3) Enthusaists have seen Disney, Phantasia, Europa, Dollywood and others miss opening dates, stop booking expensive trips to visit for a pointless opening day credit ride unless you build in contingency.

Appreciate others may disagree.

* Apreciating Merlins lack of project management skills will never improve thanks to stupid levels of blind self belief!
 
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