What changes to operations should we expect post Covid-19?

isnt that the way its been heading for a while

 

Didn’t Thorpe try virtual queues before with poor results, or did I imagine that? I could have sworn they tried something called Reserve’n’Ride a couple of years back, but I could be imagining things.

To be honest, I could see things returning to how they were before in parks once a vaccine exists and social distancing is no longer needed. Don’t get me wrong, I think virtual queuing is a great idea, and I would be intrigued to see a theme park built with it in mind (think something along the lines of Universal’s Volcano Bay, but applied to a theme park setting), but I’m not sure that it’s a long term need in a park that wasn’t originally designed for it.

 

I notice that Phantasialand are choosing not to get operations back up and running for the time being - citing a lack of clarity from local government agencies, even though they've been given a formal green light to re-open from tomorrow:

https://www.phantasialand.de/en/current-information-to-the-coronavirus/

For those forum users beside themselves with excitement that other parks in Europe and elsewhere are preparing to open again, a strong word of caution: Angela Merkel is considering re-tightening the lockdown in Germany with infections on the rise again just days after restrictions were eased. South Korea is in a similar boat, with officials banning large crowds from clubs and bars over fears a single person with Covid-19 may have come into contact with 1,500 people.

I think we will see in the coming weeks some of those parks trialling re-opening swiftly locking the gates.

 

In at least a small part that's going to be because a park cannot go from full shutdown to operation (especially heavily altered operation) with such short notice. I imagine at the very least you're looking at 1-2 weeks.

Still an interesting spot though.

 

Ian over on the Phannyland thread


this this this,

if parks have to open with all these restrictions, then they shouldn't open .imo.

 

They could probably just open for the gardens but that would probably be too much worry for them in-case anyone fell over and grazed themselves or something. I would have said the Towers as well but they've filled that to the rafters with Scarefest junk over the years so that option is very limited.

 

Im not fully on board with this argument. Everywhere will be a constant reminder that we are living in pretty crap times. May we well ride some coasters in the process.

 

As much as I'm sure a few of *us* would enjoy that, there is no way they would make any money from something like that in present times and it would create more problems than it would be worth.

They would have to market it, put staff in place and clearly communicate the message that the grounds were open but the rides are not (some people would inevitably turn up expecting rides to be open).

And then how many people are actually going to be interested? Why go to Alton Towers for your stroll through some gardens and not a National Trust property?

Will it appeal to anybody who isn't an annual pass holder? Are annual pass holders going to be let in for free? If not then why not? If so, then how many paying guests are there really going to be when it's only enthusiasts that are likely to be interested.

I think it's a non-starter.

 

Its all speculation but I'm pretty 50/50 on whether the parks will reopen. I think Merlin will want to try and open, even if the break-even. They will want to stop putting free months on merlin passes ASP. I was thinking they could try and maybe open towers as its outside London, to test the waters but that would be a logistical nightmare with the passes just opening the 1 park. So I suspect its all or nothing.

I think all the talk of virtual queuing systems and other technology won't happen. It's Merlin, you would be lucky if the hot water is working in the toilets. I suspect a few signs and stickers on the floor, with anti-bacterial handwash around the park, that gets refilled once a month. I do think you will need to prebook your ticket (good luck with that on a merlin website, it will probably crash). Of course, there will be the cutting trains, seats, SBNO rides as the usual regime. I highly hope indoor attractions like Darren Brown will shut at Thorpe!

I personally won't be visiting for quite a while, if they reopen due to having an underlying health condition. I mean personally I would rather them not open when I'm talking about myself, as I probably wouldn't visit anyway and will probably mean more free months. I guess everyone will just have to make their own risk-assessment if they do open.

 

I don't totally disagree to be honest

 

I’m sure that’s what many businesses are thinking at the minute, “oh if we have to put all these restrictions in place to re-open, then probably just better we stay closed and go bust”


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Would opening the parks and with halved admissions help them in the long run? I honestly thought they would rather push for the midways to open first but I guess merlin will be lucky to get the parks open first. It’s no doubt they will open soon as they can but it’s same question if they only open for 2/3 months will it really be profitable in the long run?. It will more then likely just about break even and just ease that big dent they will find themselves in.

 

I reckon there will be plenty of folks willing to pay full price or more to get in. They won't have trouble attracting customers, I think the issue will be how many people they can fit in and whether it will still be profitable operating with the reduced numbers.

 

The problem is with the mid-ways like Sealife, how many general admissions to merlin pass entries do they get? How would they work the merlin pass owners, as people won't be happy if they're not extending the passes and you only get mid-ways like Sealife?

I am really starting to think will it be all or nothing, as this will cause a logistical nightmare on the passes having some things open and some closed.

 

I cant see them being able to open the discovery centres and maintain social distancing. try explain that one to a hyper 2 year old running around with lego stuck up their nose

the dungeons. with only 4 people max allowed into each show area

if its all or nothing, then nothing will open till next year at this rate

 

I mentioned on another thread I think whenever lockdown is eased on tourism it will still be a while for them to open dungeons, discovery centres, some sealifes (the smaller ones), shrek and blackpool tower. Social distancing will be hard for them to reopen for a while. But then comes the question what about pass holders surely if they stop the month by month thing and only open with about 10 attractions I can’t see that going down welll.

 

same as if they wait till park close season then open up the midways and reactive the passes I'll be super salty.

 

So a typical day at Towers then?